LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Joseph Bellino on Wednesday introduced bipartisan legislation to protect the ability for parents and fans of Michigan high school athletics to use cash to buy tickets for sporting events.
“We should be encouraging as many people as possible to support our local student athletes — not setting up needless barriers,” said Bellino, R-Monroe. “Michigan families should not be excluded from watching their child compete or cheering on their local high school team simply because they don’t have a smart phone or a debit card, and I am happy to have bipartisan support for my bill.”
Senate Bill 99 has four Democrat cosponsors and would require public schools in Michigan that charge a fee for high school athletic events to accept cash as a form of payment.
In recent years, there has been a shift from cash to digital ticketing and payment where cell phone applications must be downloaded for a debit card or banking information to be uploaded and then scanned at the entrance of an athletic event to gain entry. And in some cases, a convenience fee is added on top of the price of admission.
“This bill would not prevent schools from using digital ticketing forms of payment; it would only require schools to also allow for cash payments,” Bellino said.
SB 99 has been referred to the Senate Education Committee for consideration.
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