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.