Bill: HB 2391, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

House Business & Industry

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Negative Positive

Author(s)

Dwayne Bohac

Bill Caption

Relating to the redemption of certain stored value cards, including gift cards, for cash.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal impact to the State or local government is expected.

Bill Analysis

HB 2391 would require a seller, at the consumer's request, to refund the balance of certain stored value cards in cash, if that stored value card was redeemed in person to make a purchase and has a balance of less than $2.50 remaining following the redemption. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

5/25 Update:

This bill is substantively the same as when we reported on it in its original chamber. We continue to remain neutral on HB 2391. The Senate sponsor is Sen. Watson.

First chamber recommendation below:

HB 2391 seeks to allow the reimbursement of very low value balances of gift cards. The businesses themselves have already been paid for the cards and are simply waiting to trade the equivalent value of goods to the consumer. This bill would allow very low balances to be paid out to the consumer, at their request, after a purchase to allow the consumer to receive the full value of their gift card. 

This does infringe on limited government by adding a regulation to private business. It also affirms individual liberty by creating a mechanism for people to redeem their stored-value cards for cash. Due to these conflicting liberty principles we are neutral.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 09:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/hb2391?print_view=true