An Act To Prohibit Surcharges on the Use of Debit Cards
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1779
Senate Amendment SA_A_S448 (Senate)
Amends: 9-A MRSA §8

SENATE AMENDMENT "ft" to H.P. 1266, L.D. 1779, Bill, "An Act To Prohibit 
Surcharges on the Use of Debit Cards" 
Amend the bill in section I in subsection 17-A in the 2nd line (page I, line 4 in L. D.) 
by inserting at the end the following: 'This subsection is repealed February IS, 20 II.' 
Amend the bill in section 2 in subsection 2 in the 3rd line (page 1, line 9 in L.D.) by 
inserting at the end the following: 'This subsection is repealed Febl'Uary 15,20 Il.' 
Amend the bill by inserting after section 2 the following: 
'Sec. 3. 9-A MRSA §8-303, sub-§2-B is enacted to read: 
2-B. A seller in a sales transaction may not impose a surcharge on a cardholder who 
elects to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check or similar means. This 
subsection takes effect Februaty IS, 20 II. 
Sec. 4. 
Report. 
The Superintendent of Financial Institutions and the 
Superintendent of Consumer Credit Protection within the Depatiment of Professional and 
Financial Regulation shall examine the federal and state laws, regulations and rules 
governing fees and charges relating to debit and credit cards and shall submit a report 
containing their findings, including any recommendations regarding courses of action to 
achieve optimum transparency and consumer protection, to the joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over financial services matters no later than 
February IS, 20 II. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction 
over financial services matters may repOli out a bill on the subject matter of this rep01i to 
the First Regular Session of the 125th Legislature.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment repeals the prohibition on surcharges on the use of debit cards on 
February IS, 20 II. 
It requires the Superintendent of Financial Institutions and the 
Superintendent of Consumer Credit Protection within the Depaliment of Professional and 
Financial Regulation to examine the federal and state laws, regulations and rules 
governing fees and charges relating to debit and credit cards and submit a repOli 
containing their findings, including any recommendations regarding courses of action to 
achieve optimum transparency and consumer protection, to the joint standing committee 
Page I - 124LR2S82(03)-1 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
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SENATE AMENDMENT" A" 10 H.P. 1266, L.D. 1779 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over financial services matters no later than 
February 15, 2011. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction 
over financial services matters is authorized to report out a bill on the subject matter of 
this report to the First Regular SessioJLQf,the 125th Legislature. 
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SPONSORED BY: 
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(Senator MILLS, P.)'· 
COUNTY: Somerset 
FISCAL ?\OTE REQljlRED 
(See attached) 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 03/15/1 0 frac 
LD 1779 
LR 2582(03) 
An Act To Prohibit Surcharges on the Use of Debit Cards 
Fiscal Note for Senate Amendment it-" 
Sponsor: Sen. Mills of Somerset 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
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Additional costs to the Bureau of Financial Institutions and the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection in the 
Department of Professional and Financial Regulation can be absorbed by the bureaus utilizing existing budgeted 
resources. 
LR2582(03) - Fiscal Note - Page) of 1