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States Advance Nickel Rounding for Cash as Penny Production Ends

Experts warn cash users could face small added costs from a policy meant to ease penny shortages.

Overview

  • Georgia’s Senate approved a 50–0 bill to round cash totals to the nearest five cents, sending the measure to the House.
  • Florida’s Legislature passed a similar bill that would take effect immediately upon Gov. Ron DeSantis’s signature.
  • Arizona’s law is already in effect, rounding totals ending in 1, 2, 6, or 7 down and 3, 4, 8, or 9 up, and it applies only to cash.
  • The push follows the U.S. Mint stopping penny production after each coin cost about 3.69 cents to make, which has strained stores’ ability to give change.
  • Convenience stores say 40% to 50% of in‑store purchases still use cash, and economists note card payments are unchanged while cash users could see small over‑or‑under charges at checkout.