Last week, the Oklahoma House passed a bill that would ban some brick-and-mortar businesses and government agencies in the state from requiring payment in central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Rep. Clay Staires (R) introduced House Bill 1633 (HB1633) on Feb. 6. Under the proposed law, businesses providing “basic needs, selling or offering for sale goods or services during regular business hours” would be prohibited from requiring payment by a central bank digital currency. It would also bar them from prohibiting the use of cash.
“Businesses providing basic needs” is defined as businesses selling “basic life essential goods or services” including grocery stores, utility companies, internet companies, pharmacies, and insurance companies.
State and local government agencies in Oklahoma would be bound by the same rules.
On March 23, the House passed HB1633 by a 79-11 vote.
In effect, the enactment of HB1633 would shield Oklahomans from being required to use a central bank digital currency when dealing with state and local agencies, or making purchases of “basic needs.”
https://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2023/03/oklahoma-house-passes-bill-that-would-help-minimize-the-impact-of-central-bank-digital-currencies/
