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Committee advances bill allowing optional cash rounding with notice for in-person transactions
Summary
The committee moved HB 4178A, allowing businesses and public bodies to adopt consistent rounding policies for in-person cash or mixed-tender transactions with required posted notice; sponsors said the bill is permissive and exempts electronic payments.
The Senate Rules Committee advanced House Bill 4178A on March 3, a permissive measure that would permit places of public accommodation and public bodies to adopt consistent rounding policies for in-person cash or mixed-tender transactions so long as notice is posted for customers.
Legislative staff summarized the bill as allowing retail and public entities to apply a rounding policy to cash or mixed transactions and as exempting telephone, mail or internet transactions. Amanda Dalton of the Northwest Grocery Retail Association said the bill protects businesses that must manage cash while preserving consumer choice; she said notice would typically be a sign at the business entrance or point of sale.
Committee members raised questions about consumer protections and cash access; Dalton said the legislation requires conspicuous notice and exempts electronic payments. Marjorie Taylor, legislative director for the Department of Revenue, said state and local governments would be able to adopt consistent rounding practices and appreciated the notice and consistency requirements.
After testimony the committee moved HB 4178A to a work session and a do-pass recommendation to the floor was recorded.
