Jul 14, 05:33 PM: 119HR-1181 "Protecting Privacy in Purchase..." agreed to in House      Jul 14, 05:18 PM: 119HR-139 "Sunshine Protection Act of 202..." agreed to in House      Jul 14, 03:16 PM: 119HR-6556 "Failing Bank Acquisition Fairn..." agreed to in House      Jul 14, 03:02 PM: 119HR-3074 "Common Cents Act" agreed to in House      Jul 14, 02:39 PM: 119HRES-1423 "Providing for consideration of..." agreed to in House      
Bill: 119-HR3074
Common Cents Act
Last action: 7-14-2026
Version: 2026012515
Current status: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Bill is currently in: House
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Summary Provided by Congressional Research Service

Common Cents Act

This bill generally ends the production of the penny and requires rounding to the nearest amount divisible by five for the payment or transfer of cash.

The Department of the Treasury must stop producing the penny, except to meet collector needs. The penny shall continue to be legal tender.

Any person selling goods or services in a cash transaction, entering into other transfers of cash, or paying cash wages to an employee must round the payment up or down in accordance with the bill.

The bill takes effect one year after the date of enactment.

Latest available text


1. Short title2. Specifications of 5-cent coins and elimination of one-cent coins

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Common Cents Act".

2. Specifications of 5-cent coins and elimination of one-cent coins

Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) in paragraph (5), by striking "weighs 5 grams." and inserting the following: weighs—

(A) 5 grams, with respect to such coin that is an alloy of copper and nickel; or

(B) between 4 and 6 grams, with respect to such coin as described in subsection (c).

(B) in paragraph (6)—

(i) by striking "except as provided under subsection (c) of this section,"; and

(ii) by striking "and weighs 3.11 grams";

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) in the sixth sentence—

(i) by inserting "either" before "an alloy"; and

(ii) by inserting "or a composition described in subsection (c)" before the period;

(B) by inserting "with respect to such coins that are an alloy of copper and nickel" after "nickel required"; and

(C) by striking "Except" through "zinc" and inserting "The one-cent coin is composed of copper and zinc";

(3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) 5-cent coin -

(1) In general - The 5-cent coin may be a coin with an inner layer of zinc and an outer layer of nickel.

(2) Composition - The Secretary may prescribe the composition of zinc and nickel in the 5-cent coin, subject to testing and evaluation that such composition reduces the cost incurred to produce such coin.

(4) by adding at the end the following:

(bb) Elimination of one-cent coin -

(1) In general - Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall cease production of one-cent coins for general circulation, but may continue to produce and issue one-cent coins for sale as numismatic items.

(2) No effect on legal tender - Any one-cent coin that is minted and issued on any date before the date of the enactment of this subsection shall remain legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues.

September 4, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed