Bill > LD151

This bill modifies Maine's existing law regarding credit card and debit card surcharges, fundamentally changing the previous prohibition on surcharges by allowing sellers in sales transactions to impose additional fees when customers use credit or debit cards. The bill defines a "surcharge" as any price increase not applied to cash, check, or similar payment methods, while explicitly distinguishing it from discounts. Under the new provisions, both governmental entities and sellers can now impose a surcharge on credit or debit card transactions, with two key requirements: the surcharge must be clearly disclosed to the consumer before payment and cannot exceed the direct costs associated with processing the card transaction. Sellers must also inform consumers that they can avoid the surcharge by using alternative payment methods like cash or check. Additionally, the bill repeals a separate chapter of law related to credit card practices for travel service providers, effectively removing previous restrictions on surcharges in that specific industry. This change gives businesses more flexibility in managing payment processing costs and provides transparency to consumers about the true cost of transactions when using different payment methods.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=151&snum=132