L.A. might ban cashless businesses. Here's what's at stake

Business owners argue that card- or app-only payment systems streamline business operations and limit assets on hand.

But such businesses exclude certain customers and create an issue of equity, Hutt’s proposal says, since unbanked, elderly and low-income residents rely mostly on cash to get by.

“In order to ensure that all City residents — including those who lack access to other forms of payment — are able to participate in the City’s economic life we should adopt an ordinance that allows them to pay cash for goods and many services,” the motion added.