State Rep. Rick West bill would require OSSAA to accept cash at games

Rick West Bill Would Require OSSAA to Accept Cash at Games

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 9th) – Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, recently filed legislation that would require an organization such as the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) to accept cash for admittance to sporting events or any other activity where payment is required.

House Bill 2972 would require any private organization or association which charges schools or school districts a membership fee, retains a portion of revenue generated by an interscholastic activity or contest of the member schools, and provides the coordination, supervision, and regulation of the interscholastic activity or contest shall accept cash as legal tender for admission to any activity or contest.

"We don't live in a cashless society, and honestly it's dangerous to try and go in that direction," West said. "Our ability to purchase what we want at any time easily could be taken away from us if we go cashless. We don't need to give the government that much control over our lives.

"It's also hard for people, like grandparents, who don't have a credit card or a cash app on their phone, to enjoy these games. For some in rural areas, this is one of their only forms of entertainment. Going cashless disenfranchises many."

West said the request for the legislation came from constituents who said they faced being turned away from tournament games last year when their only method of payment was cash.

HB 2972 also stipulates that an organization can't charge any more for taking cash nor offer a discount for the use of another payment method.

If signed into law, the act would become effective July 1. The bill will be eligible for consideration during the upcoming legislative session, which starts Feb. 5.

Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.