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stated, noting that it doesn't cost much to show up at a fundraiser and get a sure that at least two members would
little face time with your representative. "It's surprisingly affordable to get on be present at each meeting.
your representative's radar," he said. "You don't have to attend a $40,000-a-plate
dinner; $500-a-plate fundraisers are just as effective for making your voice Topping the agenda were promoting
heard and showing them that you are part of the community." HR2650, a bill designed to promote
cash acceptance in retail and hospi-
Renard noted that it's important to have an industry association like NAC fa- tality venues; amending the Commu-
cilitate a meaningful campaign in Congress and Washington, D.C. "But there nity Reinvestment Act (CRA) to obli-
are numerous things that individuals can do at a local level," he added. He sug- gate banks to provide deposit servic-
gested beginning the process by reaching out to local representatives, who are es to their communities; and calling
"the backbone of their districts." Tell them you'd like to meet them, and ask to attention to bank account closures
be put on their list for future events, he suggested. "The breaks are a good time that continue to affect NAC members,
to visit them and their staff," he said. "Tie in those connections with a presence despite recent regulatory updates in-
in Washington so that members hear from you at home and on Capitol Hill." tended to stop the practice. Following
is a high-level overview of each:
Renard also advised creating a campaign at the grassroots level, with individ-
ual members becoming involved in government affairs. Participate in cocktail • Payment Choice Act of 2019:
gatherings and fundraisers, and bring a check; like it or not, fundraising is part HR2650, sponsored by Rep.
and parcel of Washington life, and while it's not the only thing, it's certainly a Donald Payne Jr., D-N.J., ad-
component of any successful public affairs, he stated. He also emphasized the dresses growing adoption of
importance of sticking with it, because it's an ongoing process that affects busi- cashless policies by merchants
ness, and you have to be in it for the long run. who accept only credit, debit
or digital forms of payment for
Do your homework on-premise goods and services.

In the months leading up to ATMs Go to Washington, NAC leaders worked These cashless practices violate
extensively with committee members to craft a comprehensive agenda and en- U.S. Code Sec. 5103 of Title 31,
which maintains that U.S. coins
and currency "are legal tender
for all debts, public charges,
taxes, and dues." This bill rec-
ommends adding a new Sec-
tion 5104 to Title 31, that would
prohibit U.S. merchants from
refusing cash payments, posting
signs stating that cash payments
are not accepted, or from charg-
ing higher prices to cash-paying
customers.
Citing an FDIC study that found
approximately 6.5 percent of
U.S. households are without
bank accounts, which represents
approximately 14 million adults
and 6 million children, Renard
said cash acceptance is critical
to underbanked populations. By
refusing cash, retailers shut out
millions of unbanked Ameri-
cans who do not have bank
accounts and therefore have
no means of making payment
other than cash, he noted. He
also pointed out that emerging
cryptocurrency schemes have
raised privacy concerns among
consumers and security experts,
and these issues have helped
the Payne bill receive bipartisan
support.

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