Publisher: Grocery Dive
Published: September 30, 2026
Source: Read at Grocery Dive (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/senate-passes-common-cents-bill-penny/831660/)
Category: Food Access
The Senate ratified the Common Cents bill for a second time, sending it to the White House. The measure would give merchants a framework to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel and formally phase out the penny. The Treasury Department estimated that ending penny production would save $56 million in annual savings, while the bill would keep producing pennies as collectible coins. The bill also directs the Treasury Department to explore zinc-based alternatives to copper for the 5-cent coin.
Why this matters: The bill could give independent grocers clearer rules for rounding cash transactions and help reduce confusion at checkout.
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