The Iowa House of Representatives passed a bill requiring public schools to accept cash as a form of payment for entry into athletic contests on Tuesday. Senate File 274 was amended before advancing 83-13.
Democrat State Rep. Elinor Levin said she is empathetic with individuals who want to attend events without carrying their purse or worrying about their wallet being stolen, but she believes it should be an issue decided at the local level. Some school districts that do not accept cash refuse to do so because it introduced concerns of “potential theft,” she added.
Republican State Representatives Brett Barker, David Blom, Brian Lohse voted against the bill, along with Democrat Representatives RuthAnn Gaines, Dave Jacoby, Keenan Judge, Monica Kurth, J.D. Scholten, Wichtendahl, Ross Wilburn, Elizabeth Wilson, Bob Kressig and Levin.
The amendment passed makes it so the law is not applicable to schools not affiliated with the Iowa High School Athletic Association or Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.
While the bill passed the Iowa Senate 44-0 previously, it will need to pass once again due to the amendment.
