By: Menendez H.B. No. 3068
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to debit card surcharge.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 59, Subtitle A, Title 3, Finance Code, is
  amended by adding SUBCHAPTER E. PROHIBITION OF SURCHARGE to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 59.401.  DEFINITIONS. In this section:
               (1)  "Cardholder" means the person named on the face of
  a debit or stored value card to whom or for whose benefit the card is
  issued.
               (2)  "Debit card" has the meaning in Section 502.001
  Business & Commerce Code.
               (3)  "Merchant" means a person in the business of
  selling or leasing goods or services.
               (4)  "Stored Value Card" has the meaning as defined in
  Section 604.001(1) of the Business and Commerce Code, but does not
  include the meaning as defined in Section 604.001(2) of the
  Business and Commerce Code.
         Sec. 59.002.  IMPOSITION OF SURCHARGE FOR USE OF DEBIT OR
  STORED VALUE CARD.  (a) In a sale of goods or services, a merchant
  may not impose a surcharge on a buyer who uses a debit or stored
  value card instead of cash, a check, credit card or a similar means
  of payment.
         (b)  This section does not apply to a state agency, county,
  local governmental entity, or other governmental entity that
  accepts a debit or stored value card for the payment of fees, taxes,
  or other charges.
 
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.