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S 204

Relates to appointing a fiscal monitor for the metropolitan transportation authority

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Jackson and 1 co-sponsor

Requires merchants who levy credit-card surcharges to post a conspicuous sign and include on every receipt the surcharge amount and its relation to card-acceptance costs.

REFERENCE CHANGED TO TRANSPORTATION
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Bill Summary · S 204

Summary — S.204 (Senate No. 204, 194th General Court — 2025‑2026)

Short title / subject: An Act relative to transparency in credit card fees (amends Mass. Gen. Laws, ch. 140D, §28A).

Note on discrepancies: The bill text provided addresses credit‑card surcharge transparency. Other metadata (title: “appointing a fiscal monitor for the metropolitan transportation authority”; listed sponsors and some related bill identifiers) appear inconsistent with the Massachusetts bill text. This summary follows the bill text filed as Senate No. 204 (dated 1/14/2025), which amends Chapter 140D.

Purpose / intent

To increase consumer transparency about merchant surcharges applied when a purchaser elects to pay by credit card, by requiring conspicuous disclosure of those surcharges on premises and on every receipt — including an identification of the surcharge amount and how it relates to the merchant’s cost of accepting credit cards.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 28A of Chapter 140D by replacing paragraph (2) with a new paragraph (2) that requires:
    • Any seller who imposes a surcharge on a cardholder (for choosing to pay by credit card instead of cash, check, or similar means) must:
    • Post a conspicuous sign on the seller’s premises informing purchasers of the surcharge; and
    • Include on every receipt the amount of the surcharge and a statement identifying its relationship to the seller’s cost of accepting credit cards.
  • The amendment focuses on disclosure (signage and receipt language); it does not, in the text provided, set limits on surcharge amounts or specify exact wording/formatting beyond the requirement to identify amount and relationship to cost.

Who would be affected

  • Merchants/sellers who impose credit‑card surcharges — small businesses and large retailers would need to update signage and receipts/point‑of‑sale (POS) systems to comply.
  • Cardholders/consumers — will receive clearer information at point of sale and on receipts about surcharges and why they are charged.
  • Payment processors and POS software vendors — may need to provide or update features enabling merchants to show surcharge amounts and explanatory language on printed/electronic receipts.
  • Enforcement bodies — likely the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office or other consumer protection mechanisms under Chapter 140D would handle compliance/enforcement (the bill text itself does not create new enforcement language).

Potential impacts

  • Increased consumer awareness of surcharge amounts and the seller’s rationale (relationship to processing costs).
  • Administrative/compliance costs for merchants (new signage, POS/receipt changes).
  • Possible pressure on merchants to reduce or eliminate surcharges if consumers object to the disclosed cost relationship.
  • May reduce disputes over unexpected surcharges at checkout by requiring on‑receipt disclosure.

Legislative status & timeline (as provided)

  • Filed: 1/14/2025 (Senate Docket No. 664)
  • Introduced / Read twice and referred to Committee: 1/23/2025
  • Referred to various committees (Judiciary; Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure; Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; references later changed to Transportation in committee logs).
  • Hearing scheduled: 06/02/2025, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM (B‑2)
  • Additional committee references and actions appear in the record; check the Senate docket or committee pages for current status and any amendments.

Additional notes

  • The bill cites similar prior-session matter (Senate No. 2565, 2023–2024).
  • The text provides only disclosure requirements; it does not amend other parts of Chapter 140D concerning prohibited or regulated business practices, nor does it itself state penalties or enforcement procedures beyond existing consumer‑protection frameworks. For enforcement mechanisms and penalties, consult Chapter 140D and related Attorney General authorities.

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

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