Say goodbye to the penny—but what happens to your change? With the U.S. penny officially phased out since late 2025, a new challenge has emerged: how do businesses handle cash transactions when they can’t make exact change? And this is the part most people miss: without clear rules, confusion and errors could become the norm. Enter Washington State Representative April Berg (D-Mill Creek), who’s stepping in to fill the void left by the federal government’s lack of guidance. Her solution? House Bill 2334, a proposal that aims to bring order to the chaos by establishing clear rounding rules for cash transactions.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Berg’s bill introduces asymmetrical rounding to the nearest nickel. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Totals ending in 1 or 2 cents round down to 0.
- Totals ending in 3, 4, 6, or 7 cents round to 5.
- Totals ending in 8 or 9 cents round up to 10.
Is this fair to consumers and businesses alike? Berg argues it is, emphasizing that electronic payments and credit/debit cards remain unaffected. The bill also addresses hybrid transactions—those combining cash with other payment methods—by directing state departments to issue consistent rules for business owners. But here’s the question: Could this system inadvertently favor one party over the other, or is it truly a win-win? Let’s dive deeper.
Berg’s motivation is clear: “This federal change has left states and businesses in a difficult position,” she said. “Without clear guidance, cash-only businesses have been unsure of how to handle rounding, which can create confusion and errors in transactions. HB 2334 solves this problem by putting clear rules into state law.” By codifying rounding in state law, she hopes to prevent misunderstandings, reduce transaction errors, and ease the transition for businesses.
The bill is set to hit the Capitol floor in Olympia on January 12, as the 2026 legislative session begins its 60-day sprint. But here’s the bigger question: Is this the right approach, or are there better ways to handle the post-penny world? Should the federal government step in with nationwide guidelines, or is a state-by-state solution more practical? Weigh in below—your thoughts could shape the conversation. After all, change (pun intended) starts with dialogue.
