ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
state credit card
use; definitions
Prescribes definitions relating to state agencies and outlines the credit card transaction fees eligible to be charged by the state.
Background
Current law allows state agencies to accept credit cards or charge cards for the payment of any amount due the agency or the state. This bill contained several unclear definitions that refer to credit card transaction fees levied by state agencies.
The definitions contained in H.B. 2337 clarify existing statute that allows for net proceeds, less discount, convenience or transaction fees, to be deducted from the fee by state agencies before depositing to the General Fund or any other fund.
The fiscal impact of H.B. 2337 can not be determined at this time according to a fiscal impact note from Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) staff. According to the JLBC, a court or District Attorney would need to determine a proper interpretation of this bill. If the bill only clarifies current law, the fiscal impact is zero. If it adds a new fee, the fiscal impact is equal to the amount of the fee, which would be deducted from General Fund or other fund revenue.
Provisions
1. Provides definitions relating to credit cards or and state agencies that accept credit cards for payments due the agency or the state. Specifically:
a) Discount or convenience fee
b) Third party processor
c) Transaction fee
2. Authorizes agents of the state to charge a convenience fee to the cardholder.
3. Requires state agencies to perform a cost benefit report and to submit that the report to the JLBC within six months of the state agency’s credit transactions exceed 30 percent of the total transactions.
4. Provides for a general effective date.
House
Action
EUT 1/16/01 DP 9-0-0-1
3rd Read 3/19/01 DPA 56-0-4-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 27, 2001