Bill Caption

Fiscal Notes

Bill Analysis

Summary: HB 3068 would forbid merchants from imposing a surcharge on consumers that purchase goods and services with a debit card or stored value card instead of cash, check, credit card, or other similar means of payment. It would still allow government entities to impose fees on those who accept debit cards and stored valued cards for the payment of fees, taxes, or other charges. Currently, surcharges on credit cards levied by merchants are currently illegal, largely because debit cards and stored value cards were not widely used when the surcharge on credit card use was forbidden.

Analysis: HB 3068 is an expansion of government because it imposes an onerous regulation on merchants that will forbid them making important payment policies for their business. Businesses should be free to adopt the policies that are best for them and their consumers. Imposing a surcharge on debit and stored value cards may or may not be in their best interest, but they need the freedom to decide, or else they may be forced to pass on any unintended costs to consumers. We oppose HB 3068.