Tennessee House Bill HB2492

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/26
• Refer: 2/5/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 67, relative to cash transaction rounding.

Impact

The introduction of HB2492 is expected to bring significant changes to the way cash transactions are processed in Tennessee. By requiring businesses to follow a standardized rounding method, the bill aims to enhance transparency in pricing and payment processes. It also proposes to enhance consumer protection by establishing rules that specifically prohibit rounding practices that could disproportionately benefit the seller. This could potentially level the playing field for consumers, especially in scenarios where small transactions could lead to cumulative unfair rounding effects.

Summary

House Bill 2492 is a legislative proposal aimed at amending Tennessee Code Annotated relating to the practices of cash transaction rounding. The bill mandates that cash transactions must be rounded to the nearest five cents, providing a specific methodology for doing so. This change is intended to simplify cash transactions for consumers and businesses alike, establishing a clear standard that all cash-based transactions must adhere to within the state. The overarching goal is to promote fairness in cash transactions, ensuring that consumers are not unfairly penalized through rounding practices that may favor sellers.

Contention

While the intended effects of HB2492 appear to be beneficial, there may be points of contention surrounding the enforcement and implications of the bill. Some businesses might express concerns over the additional regulatory requirements and potential costs associated with adjusting their pricing structures to comply with the new rounding rules. There is also a concern about how the rules will be enforced, especially with a provision requiring receipts to itemize transaction subtotals, rounding adjustments, and total prices. Clarification may be needed on how strictly these regulations will be enforced and whether there will be penalties for non-compliance.

Enforcement

Under the bill, the Department of Finance and Administration will be responsible for promulgating rules and enforcing compliance with the cash transaction rounding requirements. The legislation also implies that the department will leverage existing resources to implement these regulations without the need for new funds. The bill's effective date indicates that once it becomes law, businesses will need to adapt promptly to ensure compliance with the new requirements, reinforcing the urgency for stakeholders to adjust to these changes in cash transaction policy.