Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to retail establishments; changing the effective date of the requirement that retailers in unincorporated King County, unless otherwise exempted, must accept payment in cash; and amending Ordinance 19639, Section 6, as amended.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. King County strives to be an equitable and inclusive place and strives to empower all residents to participate in the economic life of the county. A key aspect of participation in economic life is the ability to purchase food, consumer goods, and consumer services.
B. On July 10, 2023, Ordinance 19639 was enacted, which requires retailers in unincorporated King County, unless otherwise exempted, to accept payment in cash. The effective date of Ordinance 19639 was set as July 1, 2025.
C. After determining that additional time and effort would be necessary to ensure that retailers in unincorporated King County could be educated about the requirements of Ordinance 19639 and prepared to accept payment in cash and that enforcement mechanisms could be developed, on April 11, 2025, Ordinance 19911 was enacted, which amended Ordinance 19639 to change the effective date to July 1, 2026.
D. Additional time and effort are necessary to ensure that retailers in unincorporated King County are educated about the requirements of Ordinance 19639 and prepared to accept payment in cash and to develop enforcement mechanisms.
SECTION 2. Ordinance 19639, Section 6, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
Ordinance 19639 takes effect July 1, ((2026)) 2027.