House to Vote on Common Cents Act (H.R. 3074) Next Week
The penny is on its way out, and small retailers need clear federal rules now. Following President Trump’s direction earlier this year, the U.S. Mint has stopped producing pennies for circulation. With no new pennies entering the system, retailers who rely on cash transactions are increasingly struggling to make exact change. This growing shortage is creating real operational challenges for small businesses.
Many states and localities still have “exact change” laws on the books. Without clear federal guidance, retailers risk running into compliance issues if they attempt to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel. Small businesses should not be forced into legal gray areas or face inconsistent rules from state to state.
The Common Cents Act (H.R. 3074) offers a practical solution. This bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) would: codify the end of penny production for general circulation; permit retailers to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel and protect businesses from conflicting state and local laws when following federal rounding guidelines.
This legislation would give small retailers the clarity and consistency they need to operate efficiently. Click here to urge House lawmakers to approve the Common Cents Act!
EMA Regulatory Alert Reminder: FMCSA Temporarily Suspends DOT Inactivations During Motus Transition
On Tuesday, FMCSA announced a temporary suspension of USDOT number
inactivations for entities that have not completed required biennial
updates since June 1, 2026. The suspension is intended to reduce
disruption during the ongoing transition to Motus — FMCSA's new online
registration system that launched May 19. This measure is intended to
give registrants additional time to complete biennial updates without
risk of inactivation due to Motus-related access or system issues.
EMA has been actively engaged on this issue. At the request of several
state executives who reported significant confusion surrounding the
Motus transition process, EMA has asked FMCSA to provide clearer
guidance and relief for affected registrants, as well as a webinar with
Q&A for marketers. FMCSA has indicated that additional guidance will
be forthcoming as recovery and stabilization efforts continue.
EMA marketers experiencing registration issues or requiring immediate
assistance should submit an inquiry via the agency's webform at ask.fmcsa.dot.gov/app/ticket.
For a summary of recommended actions and guidance on navigating the
available FMCSA customer service tools during this transition period,
please refer to the table available in the agency’s website here.
Last week, the House of Representatives failed to adopt an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (NDAA) that would have permanently repealed beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting mandates. While the Trump Administration issued a decision in March 2025 to exempt over 32 million businesses, resulting in an estimated $128 billion in regulatory savings, many argue that a legislative repeal is necessary to provide lasting certainty. The National Federation of Independent Business is leading a coalition on the matter composed of over 60 industry groups including EMA. The coalition remains concerned that a future administration could reimpose these invasive regulations and severe penalties, and they continue to urge Congress to lock in the existing exemptions through must-pass legislation. While the House NDAA does not stop or codify changes to the FinCEN BOI requirements, it is likely that it'll be included in the Senate NDAA version or through conference committee later this year.
Meanwhile, the EPA proposed targeted revisions to Biden-era NOx emission standards for new heavy-duty trucks, keeping the strict numerical limits in place while addressing industry complaints about high upfront costs. The core standards—35 mg/bhp-hr for Class 4-5 trucks and 50 mg/bhp-hr for heavier trucks beginning with model year 2027—remain unchanged, preserving nearly 90 percent of the projected pollution cuts. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the changes respond to feedback on affordability and innovation, allowing manufacturers to continue producing high-quality vehicles at lower costs that ultimately benefit consumers through cheaper goods transportation.
The proposal repeals the Biden rule’s extended warranty periods, reverting to prior shorter terms, and delays the lengthened useful-life requirements until model year 2030. It also creates temporary nonconformance penalties for certain engines that meet only the older 200 mg/bhp-hr standard and eliminates the requirement for engines to derate power when diesel exhaust fluid systems have issues, replacing it with driver notifications. EPA analysis projects net annual cost savings of $640 million but additional emissions of over 30,000 tons of NOx and other pollutants in 2030 compared with the original rule, while still delivering major long-term reductions versus pre-Biden levels.
President Donald Trump’s declaration that the U.S. ceasefire with Iran is “over” has caused a sudden rebound in oil prices, ending a month-long period of decline. Speaking at a NATO summit in Turkey, Trump dismissed ongoing negotiations as a “waste of time” and raised the possibility of reimposing a naval blockade, causing U.S. oil prices to briefly surge past $75 per barrel. This renewed volatility has created significant political anxiety for the Republican party, as candidates fear that rising gasoline prices will damage their prospects in the upcoming midterm elections. While Trump maintains that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is more important than fuel costs, he also suggested the presence of an oil glut would eventually cause prices to drop.
In spite of the immediate price spike, market analysts remain divided on the long-term impact of the resumed hostilities. Some experts anticipate a steady increase in gas prices, while others believe the market has become resilient to Middle East tensions after five months of conflict. Although tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz had begun to recover after the June ceasefire, it remains significantly below historical averages, and renewed skirmishes may further discourage shippers. Mitigating factors, such as OPEC’s pledge to increase output, Saudi price cuts in Asia, and rising U.S. crude inventories, have tempered some industry fears. However, the potential for Iranian retaliation and the rapid reimposition of U.S. sanctions continue to threaten global supply and the restoration of pre-war production levels.
Despite the changing geopolitical factors, the Trump administration is continuing to actively pressure petroleum companies and retailers to lower gasoline prices, with the President accusing the industry of price gouging after retail price declines failed to keep pace with falling crude oil costs. To address these concerns, the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have issued warnings that they are monitoring markets for illegal conduct, and they have urged state attorneys general to investigate potential violations of consumer protection and antitrust laws. This political push follows a period of significant price volatility; national average gasoline prices peaked at $4.56 per gallon in May 2026, a 53% increase following military conflicts involving Iran, before retreating to approximately $3.80 per gallon by early July. However, petroleum economist Philip K. Verleger Jr. warns that these efforts to force prices toward a $2.50 target could backfire and cause domestic gasoline shortages. Currently, global gasoline inventories are tight, leading U.S. refiners to favor exports, which yield a $56/bbl margin compared to $46/bbl for domestic sales. Verleger argues that if domestic gasoline margins are forced too low, refiners will simply shift their production toward more profitable fuels like diesel and jet fuel, further tightening the supply of gasoline. Verleger also said that repealing the RFS would alleviate price increases. However, Congress doesn't have the votes to repeal the RFS.
EMA's Fall Meeting at the NACS Show 2026: October 5-6: Website and Registration Open!
Get ready for an exciting and productive EMA Fall Meeting, held alongside the NACS Show! Connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and celebrate excellence at the Wynn Las Vegas!
Event Highlights:
Oct 5, Afternoon: Kick off with a New Attendee Orientation & Federal Legislative Update to get up to speed on key issues.
Oct 5, Evening: Join the EMA/NACS Reception Salute to State Association Executives at the Wynn/Encore Chopin Patio sponsored by Altria and PMI.
Oct 6, Morning: Start your day with a Buffet Breakfast, followed by Region and Committee Meetings to collaborate and strategize.
Oct 6, Afternoon: Celebrate at the Distinguished Service Award Luncheon, honoring former Kentucky/Ohio Marketer and EMA Past Chair Jeff Lykins, proudly sponsored by Federated Insurance. The EMA Board of Directors Meeting will follow.
Register now in the link below and be part of the EMA Fall Meeting at the NACS Show. We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas! For more details, visit the website.
An invitation was sent to your inbox on June 17. Responding to the links on the invitation email is the recommended way to register. Sunday, October 4, 10 rooms are available, for Monday, October 5, 32 rooms are available, for Tuesday, October 6, 35 rooms are available and for Wednesday, October 7, 35 rooms are available so please do not delay in making plans click the link below! Members have access to all other hotels with availability in the block. If the general block has rooms, you will continue to see those options.
| Click Here for EMA's Fall Meeting at the NACS Show Information! |
Remember, the NACS Show registration is separate from EMA's Fall Meeting registration.
Special EMA Members Code for NACS Show 2026 Registration
Using the EMANS2026 code provides EMA with $100 for every retailer or marketer paid registration at any rate. EMA encourages EMA state execs to promote and share with your state association's member companies. Click here for the flyer.
**Please note that EMA State Execs are comped for NACS Show registration. Additionally, the NACS Show registration is separate from EMA's Fall Meeting registration.
Questions registering for NACS Show? Contact NACS Show registration customer service at nacs@maritz.com or 469-513-9489, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST, for assistance.
| Click Here to Register for the NACS Show |
The gas is cheap. The Trump administration isn’t saying who’s paying for it. | Politico
1 big thing: ⛽︎ Diesel isn't getting cheaper anytime soon
New pipeline in Canada to proceed after C$150bn pledged to ease BC and First Nations concerns | AOL
June 2026 Energy Marketers of America Small Business Committee (SBC) PAC Contributions
PAC Co-Chairs Mike Downs and Tim Keigher are grateful for the EMA Small Business Committee (SBC) PAC contributions from the following individuals during the June 1-30, 2026 time frame:
Arkansas: David Harger, Justin Sewell
Connecticut: Rick Bologna, David Chu, Sam Gault, Chris Herb, Donald Mitchell, Stephen Sack, Susan Santopietro, Nickey Seshiemeh, Gary Sippin
Georgia: Rob Underwood
Idaho: Jessica Berry, Matt Berry, Derek Brewer, Suzanne Budge, Ian Coleman
Minnesota: Vern Kelley
Mississippi: Philip Chamblee, Austin Harrison, Benjamin Van Cleave
Nebraska: Tim Keigher, Mark Whitehead
NECSEMA: Stephen Garrett
New Jersey: Shelley Fredericks
New York: Jeffrey Spielgel
Oklahoma: Alex Williams
Oregon: Mark Fitz
Pennsylvania: Jack Barton, Kevin Beatty, Ryan Decker, Catherine Duffy, Damein Hinnerschietz, Kevin Olson, Kyle Price
Vermont: Matt Cota
Virginia: Robert Claytor, Danny Cockerham, James Emmart, William Holtzman, Lloyd Little, Herbert Milby Jr., MC Morgan, James Ridenour Jr., William Russell, David Sutton Jr., Michelle Ward
Washington: Jeffrey Folkins, Carson Williquette
Wisconsin: John Baltus, Scott Bertrand, Sherry Bevers, Shannon Bolles, Audrey Charles, Brian Colburn, Tony Cole, Shannon Geurink, Nawaraj Subedi, Manoj Thaker
Federated Insurance Risk Management Academy Complimentary
Webinar
Navigating Cannabis and the Workplace
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern
Time
This webinar explores state laws on marijuana legalization, employee protections for off-duty use, and recognizing impairment at work. Attendees will learn about cannabis testing methods, their limitations, and the challenges of creating consistent multistate policies. Gain practical strategies to address evolving employee expectations and navigate complex, conflicting regulations effectively.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
An overview of the state-specific cannabis laws regarding legalization and protecting off-duty use.
The different testing methods for cannabis exposure and their limitations.
How to determine if an employee is impaired on the job.
Best practices for employers in navigating these issues.
Click here to Register Today!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Business Owners/Operators
Risk Managers
Operations Managers
HR Professionals
For additional information or to discuss this in further detail,
please contact your Federated
regional representative or EMA’s National Account Executive Jack West at 262.719.7750 for any additional information or
risk management questions. Federated is a Partner in EMA’s Board
of Directors Council. At Federated Insurance, It’s Our Business to
Protect Yours®