Security

15 attorneys general unite to support Safe Access to Cash Act

The Safe Access to Cash Act got a major boost, with 15 attorney generals uniting across multiple states to urge Congress to pass it.

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August 12, 2026

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A group of 15 attorneys general united to urge Congress to pass the Safe Access to Cash Act, which aims to protect off-premise ATMs.

The Safe Access to Cash Act is a proposed piece of legislation that aims to address a key issue in ATM crime prevention: ATMs that are located outside of physical branches, including off-premises bank ATMs and independent ATMs. This bill would make it a federal crime to target a person using the ATM, or a technician repairing it, or the ATM itself, regardless of the ATM's location.

By making this change, FBI resources could be used to solve ATM crimes at the local level, such as a criminal removing a nonbank ATM from a hotel, or robbing a technician servicing the ATM.

The AG's letter

The letter was sent by Christopher M. Carr, AG of Georgia, and was cosigned by the following AGs:

Steve Marshall, Alabama.
Tim Griffin, Arkansas
Russell Coleman, Kentucky.
Liz Murrill, Louisiana.
Catherine L. Hanaway, Missouri.
Austin Knudsen, Montana.
Drew Wrigley, North Dakota.
Andy Wilson, Ohio.
David Sunday, Pennsylvania.
Alan Wilson, South Carolina.
Marty Jackley, South Dakota
Jonathan Skrmetti, Tennessee.
Derek Brown, Utah.
John B. McCuskey, West Virginia.

The letter urges Congress to pass the law, noting that ATMs offer cash to everyone, especially "seniors, rural residents, underbanked consumers, and cash-preferred households."

It further notes, "We recognize that criminals are increasingly targeting ATMs, particularly standalone and off-premises machines located in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, malls, and other public locations. These crimes can involve the theft, destruction, or attempted removal of entire ATM units; assaults on customers or service personnel; and coordinated criminal activity that crosses city, county, and state lines. This is precisely the type of problem that warrants a clear federal law enforcement backstop."

It discusses that while federal law addresses bank robberies or theft on bank property, it doesn't extend the same protection to off-premises ATMs, enabling state and federal authorities to work together.

"State attorneys general and local prosecutors will continue to play a central role in combating theft, robbery, assault, and property crimes. But where ATM crimes involve interstate conduct, organized criminal networks, or repeated attacks across multiple jurisdictions, federal law should provide a clear and consistent framework for prosecution."

Lastly, the letter notes that the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the Safe Access to Cash Bill, showcasing the bill's bipartisan appeal.

Bruce Renard, executive director of the National ATM Council Inc., said in an email interview that, "The fact that 15 state attorneys general have now weighed in shows how serious and widespread this has become. These crimes are putting consumers, ATM operators, cash-in-transit personnel and communities at risk, and state and local law enforcement need the ability to engage their federal counterparts when organized criminal activity crosses jurisdictions. That is the same type of federal law enforcement gap the original Federal Bank Robbery Act addressed in 1934, and it is what the Safe Access to Cash Act is designed to address today."

The industry's perspective

The ATM industry has pushed for this law to be passed for several years now, with the first bill introduced in 2022. The most recent version of the bill was sponsored and introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz on Feb. 5, 2026.

Lonnie Talbert, president and chief industry executive at ATMIA, has noted that this has been a long-term goal of the industry in an email interview with ATM Marketplace.

"The industry has been trying to get safe access to cash passed for years. NCR Atleos has been instrumental, along with NAC and ATMIA, working to get this legislation passed and the Attorneys General recognize this so are willing to sign on for support," Talbert said.

He further stated that, "We have bipartisan support for the legislation; however, just like everything in Congress, timing is everything and every day ATMs are being robbed, destroyed, jackpotted, skimmed, blown up, ripped out of walls and c-stores, etc., so it is time we make it a federal crime."

What's the next step?

Renard stated that the biggest issue right now is the time.

"We have strong bipartisan support for the Safe Access to Cash Act, and one of the more significant legislative complications surrounding the bill has eased. But Congress is in its August recess, and when lawmakers return in September, they'll have a very limited window to act. With the midterm elections approaching and so many major issues competing for Congress's attention, we're in the 12th hour. The support is there. Now we need to get it across the finish line."

The National ATM Council will continue working with the Senate and the House to help ensure this bill's passage, especially since it doesn't have significant opposition. Furthermore, Renard urged those in the ATM industry to meet with Congress members and even bring a copy of the letter from the AGs along.

"If your state attorney general has not yet signed on, send their office a copy of the letter, share a specific example of how ATM crime has affected your business, employees, customers or community, and ask them to join the effort," Renard said.

Bank / Credit Union Security PaymentsATM Industry Association (ATMIA)National ATM Council, Inc.

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ATM Industry Association (ATMIA)

ATMIA is the leading non-profit representing the global ATM industry, serving thousands of members across 500 companies, including financial institutions, deployers, manufacturers, and service providers. As a division of, ePayResources, our mission is to promote ATM growth and usage, protect industry interests.

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