House of Representatives

SB 1240

credit cards; taxes; fees

Sponsors: Soloman

 

X

Committee on Energy Utilities and Technology

 

Committee on Ways and Means

 

Caucus and COW

 

 

As Passed the House

 

 

SB 1240 exempts the Department of Revenue from deducting discount or convenience fees from credit card or charge card transactions for any payment due the state.  This means that the General Fund will receive one hundred per cent of any credit/charge card transaction with the discount and or convenience fee borne by the credit card holder.

 

History

Laws 2000, chapter 311 changed state law to make it possible for state agencies to accept credit cards or charge cards for monies due the state.  The law provides that agencies that accept credit cards or charge cards must deduct any applicable discount or convenience fees associated with the transaction before depositing the net amount in the appropriate state fund. 

 

Generally, discount fee refers to a fee calculated and charged by the card issuer pursuant to a merchant agreement.  The State Treasurer negotiates the discount rate, which varies between 1.7 per cent and 2.25 per cent, with the various credit card issuers. Convenience fee refers to an additional fee imposed but that would not be charged if the transaction was completed in person.  This currently ranges from approximately two to six dollars.

 

Provisions

·                      Provides that the Department of Revenue is exempt from deducting discount or convenience fees for credit card transactions.

·                      Exempts the Department of Revenue from filing an annual report containing information on the number of credit/charge card transactions, the total dollar cost of the transactions and the cost of any discount or convenience fees.

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·                      45th Legislature                       

·                      First Regular Session    2          March 29, 2001

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