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Bill

S 194

An Act relative to transparency in credit card fees

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill requiring credit card issuers to disclose all fees upfront in standardized formats to increase consumer transparency and facilitate informed purchasing decisions.

Accompanied a new draft, see S2819
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 194

Legislative bill overview

S 194 requires credit card issuers and payment processors to provide clear, upfront disclosure of all fees associated with credit card transactions. The bill aims to increase transparency by mandating standardized fee schedules and disclosure formats that consumers can easily understand before engaging in transactions.

Why is this important

Hidden or unclear credit card fees cost consumers billions annually and disproportionately affect lower-income households. Better transparency allows consumers to make informed financial decisions, compare products more effectively, and potentially reduces predatory fee practices in the credit card industry.

Potential points of contention

  • Industry compliance costs: Credit card companies may argue that comprehensive fee disclosure systems require substantial infrastructure investments that could be passed to consumers
  • Scope and standardization challenges: Defining which fees must be disclosed and creating truly standardized formats across diverse business models could prove technically complex
  • Interstate commerce concerns: Massachusetts-only requirements might create compliance burdens for national credit card processors, potentially leading to legal challenges under commerce clause grounds

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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