H.R. 7995House116th Congress (2019-2021)Passed House

Coin Metal Modification Authorization and Cost Savings Act of 2020

Introduced August 11, 2020

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 2:40 PM UTC

The Coin Metal Modification Authorization and Cost Savings Act of 2020 lets the U.S. Mint alter the metal composition of everyday coins to cut federal spending, provided the new coins are the same size and weight and cause little disruption. It requires the Mint to inform Congress well in advance and gives lawmakers a chance to block the change.

Key Provisions

  • The Director of the U.S. Mint, after consulting the Secretary, may change the metal makeup of circulating coins if a Mint‑conducted study shows the change will lower taxpayer costs, keep the same size and weight so the coins work in most machines, and have minimal negative impact on the public or industry.
  • At least 90 legislative days before any change, the Director must send Congress a notice explaining the study’s findings, how the change saves money, and certifications that the new coins will be seamless and have minimal adverse effects.
  • Congress has a 90‑day window after receiving the notice to reject the proposed change by passing a joint resolution of disapproval; otherwise the Director may proceed with the modification.

Legislative Activity

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10 earlier actions
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

December 3, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

August 11, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

August 11, 2020

HouseFloor

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

December 2, 2020 • 5:00 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6037-6039)

December 2, 2020 • 5:01 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7995.

December 2, 2020 • 5:01 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

December 2, 2020 • 5:15 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6039-6040)

December 2, 2020 • 6:30 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 343 - 41 (Roll no. 228).(text: CR H6037)

December 2, 2020 • 7:24 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 343 - 41 (Roll no. 228). (text: CR H6037)

December 2, 2020 • 7:24 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

December 2, 2020 • 7:24 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

December 3, 2020

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued December 3, 2020

IIB

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7995

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

December 3, 2020

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

AN ACT

To amend title 31, United States Code, to save Federal funds by authorizing changes to the composition of circulating coins, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Coin Metal Modification Authorization and Cost Savings Act of 2020.

2.

Saving federal funds by authorizing changes to the composition of circulating coins

Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(x)

Composition of circulating coins

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and subject to the other provisions of this subsection, the Director of the United States Mint (referred to in this subsection as the Director), in consultation with the Secretary, may modify the metallic composition of circulating coins to a new metallic composition (including by prescribing reasonable manufacturing tolerances with respect to those coins) if a study and analysis conducted by the United States Mint, including solicitation of input, including input on acceptor tolerances and requirements, from industry stakeholders who could be affected by changes in the composition of circulating coins, indicates that the modification will—

(A)

reduce costs incurred by the taxpayers of the United States;

(B)

be seamless, which shall mean the same diameter and weight as United States coinage being minted on the date of enactment of this subsection and that the coins will work interchangeably in most coin acceptors using electromagnetic signature technology; and

(C)

have as minimal an adverse impact as possible on the public and stakeholders.

(2)

Notification to Congress

On the date that is at least 90 legislative days before the date on which the Director begins making a modification described in paragraph (1), the Director shall submit to Congress notice that—

(A)

provides a justification for the modification, including the support for that modification in the study and analysis required under paragraph (1) with respect to the modification;

(B)

describes how the modification will reduce costs incurred by the taxpayers of the United States;

(C)

certifies that the modification will be seamless, as described in paragraph (1)(B); and

(D)

certifies that the modification will have as minimal an adverse impact as possible on the public and stakeholders.

(3)

Congressional authority

The Director may begin making a modification proposed under this subsection not earlier than the date that is 90 legislative days after the date on which the Director submits to Congress the notice required under paragraph (2) with respect to that modification, unless Congress, during the period of 90 legislative days beginning on the date on which the Director submits that notice—

(A)

finds that the modification is not justified in light of the information contained in that notice; and

(B)

enacts a joint resolution of disapproval of the proposed modification.

(4)

Procedures

For purpose of paragraph (3)—

(A)

a joint resolution of disapproval is a joint resolution the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: That Congress disapproves the modification submitted by the Director of the United States Mint.; and

(B)

the procedural rules in the House of Representatives and the Senate for a joint resolution of disapproval described under paragraph (3) shall be the same as provided for a joint resolution of disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code.

.

3.

Determination of budgetary effects

The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

Passed the House of Representatives December 2, 2020.

Cheryl L. Johnson,

Clerk.