North Carolina House Bill H13

North Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/25
• Refer: 1/30/25
• Refer: 2/3/25
• Refer: 2/12/25
• Refer: 4/7/25
• Report Pass: 4/15/25
• Refer: 4/15/25
• Refer: 4/17/25
• Report Pass: 4/29/25
• Refer: 4/29/25
• Refer: 6/18/25
• Report Pass: 6/24/25
• Refer: 6/24/25
• Refer: 7/17/25
• Report Pass: 9/23/25
• Refer: 9/23/25

Caption

Charges for Credit & Charge Cards

Impact

By instituting this regulation, H13 would standardize how transaction fees are managed across the state, potentially reducing confusion and unfair practices in consumer transactions. The bill's approach of enforcing clear disclosure mandates aims to promote fairness in commerce, enabling consumers to make informed decisions about their payment options. The increased scrutiny over transaction fees also aligns with broader consumer advocacy efforts to promote transparency in financial dealings.

Summary

House Bill 13 aims to regulate the fees that merchants can impose for payments made via credit or charge cards. Specifically, the bill caps the maximum charge a merchant may levy at two percent (2%) of the total transaction amount. This legislation seeks to enhance consumer protection by ensuring that customers are clearly informed of any transaction fees before they finalize their purchases, compelling merchants to disclose these charges at the point of sale and on their websites.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around H13 appears to be supportive among consumer protection advocates who view the regulation as a necessary step towards improving market fairness and accountability. However, some concerns have been raised by business interests, particularly those who argue that the regulation may limit their ability to recover costs associated with credit card processing fees. This has sparked a debate over the balance between consumer protection and entrepreneurship.

Contention

One notable point of contention is the potential financial impact on merchants, who may perceive the new restrictions as a hindrance to their profitability. Critics of the bill argue that imposing caps on transaction fees could lead to increased prices for goods and services as merchants adjust to offset the costs of compliance. Additionally, discussions around the enforcement mechanisms for violations of this regulation underline questions about practicality and fairness in implementation.