Bill · S. 1525· Senate(119-S-1525)
Common Cents Act
- Introduced
- 4/30/2025
- Last activity
- 8/10/2026 — Held at the desk.
- Sponsored by
- Cynthia Lummis
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Awaiting House
What this bill would do
The Common Cents Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cease the production of one-cent coins for general circulation. To accommodate this change, the bill allows for cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest five cents. It also permits changes to the composition of 5-cent coins to reduce production costs. The legislation includes provisions to ensure that existing pennies remain legal tender for debts and taxes. Additionally, it mandates that the Federal Reserve provide strategic plans and reports regarding coin distribution and the impact of these changes.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+1
The bill reduces production costs for the 5-cent coin and ends the production of the penny.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+1
It seeks to improve fiscal efficiency by reducing the costs associated with minting low-value coins.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+1
The bill establishes rules for rounding that aim to prevent disadvantageous transactions for customers.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Would people over 65 be better off under this?-1
The bill notes that older consumers may be negatively impacted by changes to the penny and new rounding practices.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-1
The bill identifies potential adverse impacts of rounding and penny supply disruptions on low-income communities.
Would retired people be better off under this?-1
The bill highlights potential adverse impacts on older consumers due to the discontinuation of the penny.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Cost Reduction in Coin Production: The Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe a new composition for the 5-cent coin to reduce the costs incurred to produce it (Section 2).
-
Flexibility in Cash Transactions: People conducting cash transactions can use rounding to the nearest five cents if exact change cannot be provided (Section 3).
-
Favorability in Financial Transactions: When a financial institution or person is paying a customer in cash, the amount may be rounded up to the nearest five cents to benefit the customer (Section 3).
-
Employer Payment Protections: If an employer chooses to round cash payments to employees, they must round up to the nearest five cents (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Impact on Specific Communities: The Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with assessing how the disruption in penny supply and rounding practices might impact low-income communities, older consumers, and unbanked or underbanked individuals (Section 5).
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Potential Disruption to Machines: Changes to the composition of the 5-cent coin must be evaluated to ensure they have a minimal adverse impact on machines designed to accept coins (Section 2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+1Improves Fiscal Responsibility+1Reduces Government Spending+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+1Good For Low Income Households-1Good For Retirees-1Good For Seniors-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction-1
| Updated | Bill | Title | Policy Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 months ago | In the nature of a substitute. | ||
| 2 months ago | In the nature of a substitute. |
- 8/10/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 8/7/2026
- Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4551)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S4586-4588)
- 8/4/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon