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House approves permissive cash‑rounding measure as pennies leave circulation
Summary
The House passed House Bill 17‑44 to give private businesses a permissive rounding system for cash transactions if pennies fall out of circulation, creating a safe harbor from liability under Tennessee’s consumer‑protection law; sponsors said the change protects businesses while leaving consumer choice in place.
Chairman Baum moved passage and described House Bill 17‑44 as a permissive rounding system allowing private businesses to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel when pennies are no longer practical.
“The way it would work is private companies would round to the nearest nickel,” Baum said, explaining that the measure provides a safe harbor so businesses will not be liable under the 1977 Consumer Protection Act. Representative Powell said she supported the bill in principle but urged transparency so consumers can see on receipts whether a transaction was rounded up or down.
Sponsor supporters emphasized the bill applies only to cash transactions and would not affect electronic payments. After adoption of a Commerce Committee amendment, members voted to pass the bill on third and final consideration.
