Sponsors (12)
The bill makes it easier for prosecutors and banks to pursue ATM and cash-in-transit thefts by clarifying covered conduct and ATM definitions, but it increases legal risks for third-party ATM operators and may lead to reduced ATM access or increased security costs that hurt customers and small businesses, especially in rural areas.
Depository institutions (banks, credit unions, savings associations) gain clearer federal legal protection to prosecute ATM and cash-in-transit robberies under 18 U.S.C. §2113, reducing ambiguity about prosecutable conduct.
Law enforcement and prosecutors get a clearer definition of what counts as an 'automated teller machine,' reducing legal uncertainty and making ATM-related theft cases easier to investigate and prosecute.
Customers and small businesses, especially in rural and low-income areas, may face reduced ATM availability or increased security restrictions as operators respond to greater legal risk, making cash access less convenient.
Third-party ATM operators and owners (including non-bank operators) could face increased liability or enforcement actions even when they do not own or directly operate the depositing institution, raising compliance and legal costs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Treats networked ATMs and cash being loaded/unloaded as within the custody/control of the associated depository institution for purposes of the federal bank-robbery law and defines ATM.
Treats network-connected ATMs and cash being moved to or from them as within the care, custody, control, management, or possession of the relevant bank, credit union, or savings association for purposes of the federal bank-robbery statute (18 U.S.C. § 2113). It also defines what counts as an "ATM" for that statute. A separate short-title provision contains no substantive legal changes.
Introduced February 26, 2025 by John Rose · Last progress February 26, 2025