Observed Signal · Jul 20, 2026 · Policy Update · Source: Retail Dive · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
House Passes Common Cents Act, Sets Rounding Rules
The U.S. House passed the Common Cents Act on July 20, 2026, establishing federal guidelines for rounding cash transactions to the nearest five cents as the nation phases out the penny. The measure would also formally end penny production; the U.S. Mint produced its final batch in November. A companion Senate bill remains in committee. A coalition of trade associations — including the National Retail Federation, National Restaurant Association and National Grocers Association — and banking groups have urged Congress to create a uniform standard and liability safe harbor to replace a confusing patchwork of state rules. Under the bill, electronic payments are excluded and pennies would be phased out while Treasury and the Federal Reserve project modest net fiscal impacts, with differing estimates cited for savings and rounding costs.
Establishes a national standard for cash rounding and ends penny production, which affects retailers, POS/payment processors, and creates legal/operational changes across state patchworks — moderate industry impact.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- The House of Representatives passed the Common Cents Act, which would create formal guidelines for rounding cash transactions to the nearest 5 cents.
- A Senate companion bill remains in the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
- The bills also officially end penny production; the U.S. Mint manufactured its final batch of pennies in November.
- Under the legislation, totals ending in 1, 2, 6 or 7 cents are rounded down and totals ending in 3, 4, 8 or 9 cents are rounded up; electronic payments are excluded.
- A coalition of 16 business trade associations and banking groups — including the National Retail Federation, National Restaurant Association, National Association of Convenience Stores, American Bankers Association and America’s Credit Unions — have publicly supported the bill.
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Dick's Retail Media Network Pitches Youth Sports Audiences to Advertisers
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