HB 4178
Allows some places of public accommodation offering goods or services to adopt a rounding policy under which the final digit of the total amount due or remaining amount due in certain in-person transactions will be rounded to the nearest five-cent increment.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2026 Regular Session
At the request of
(at the request of Northwest Grocery Retail Association)
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
64%
Oppose
36%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill allows some businesses, like grocery stores, to round transactions to the nearest five-cent amount. Customers can still pay in exact change, and businesses must post signs indicating their rounding policy. The bill also clarifies that rounding doesn't violate state or federal laws and exempts certain transactions, such as those over $100 in coins or currency, from the rounding rule. It’s an emergency measure, taking effect immediately upon passage.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
House Committee On Rules
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of HB 4178 agree that the bill provides much-needed clarity on acceptable rounding policies for Oregon retailers, ensuring customers are informed when establishments implement a policy. The association is concerned about the impact of the penny shortage on their operations, particularly in providing exact change for cash-paying customers and complying with discriminatory cash laws. Additionally, supporters argue that the bill allows for practical and simple implementation of rounding policies, addressing concerns from rural communities and small businesses disproportionately affected by declining penny inventories. By expanding its scope to include all transactions, not just card transactions, the bill can provide comprehensive guidance on coin availability, maintaining consumer protections and fairness while reducing costs associated with producing pennies.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of H.B. 4178 express concerns about the bill's rounding method, citing difficulties in receiving change in specific denominations as a result of its implementation. Some testifiers also argue that the U.S. Treasury's decision not to mint pennies has created a penny shortage, which the proposed legislation fails to address. Furthermore, opponents contend that the bill's provisions would allow businesses to engage in theft by exempting them from accountability for certain types of losses, and that any substitution of pennies with alternative denominations is unacceptable due to their continued status as legal tender. These concerns highlight the need for amendments or revisions to the bill to better address the unintended consequences and potential negative impacts on consumers and businesses.
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