Cash transactions could change under new bill that kills the penny

Cash transactions could change under a new bill that kills the penny, as the U.S. prepares to end penny production and reduce confusion over making exact change. The article says it has been about eight months since the last U.S. penny was minted, and longer since retailers struggled to provide exact change for customers paying in cash. A House bill passed earlier this month, the “Common Cents Act,” formally ends penny production and guides how businesses should give change when no pennies are available in the till. It would allow rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel—turning a $19.82 purchase into $19.80 and $19.83 into $19.85. The change applies only to cash payments, not checks, mobile payments, or card transactions, and pennies remain legal tender. The article notes concerns from states and localities where laws prohibit rounding. The bill still needs Senate approval and the outcome is uncertain.