H.R.5546 - Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008

To amend the antitrust laws to ensure competitive market-based rates and terms for merchants' access to electronic payment systems. view all titles (2)

All Bill Titles

  • Short: Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008 as introduced.
  • Official: To amend the antitrust laws to ensure competitive market-based rates and terms for merchants' access to electronic payment systems. as introduced.

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Bill's Views

  • Today: 4
  • Past Seven Days: 18
  • All-Time: 8,759
 
Introduced
 
House
Passes
 
Senate
Passes
 
President
Signs
 

 
03/05/08
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Official Summary

3/6/2008--Introduced.Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008 - Authorizes providers of a single covered electronic payment system (e.g. Visa or Mastercharge credit cards) and any merchants to jointly negotiate and agree upon rates and terms for access to such a system. Defines covered electronic

Official Summary

3/6/2008--Introduced.
Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008 - Authorizes providers of a single covered electronic payment system (e.g. Visa or Mastercharge credit cards) and any merchants to jointly negotiate and agree upon rates and terms for access to such a system. Defines covered electronic payment system as any system that has been used for at least 20% of the combined dollar value of U.S. credit, signature-based debit, and PIN-based debit card payments processed in the applicable base year. Grants limited antitrust immunity to such providers and merchants, as well as to those providers who jointly determine among themselves the proportionate division of paid access fees. Sets forth procedures to determine rates and terms for access to a covered electronic payment system. Prohibits any other rates and terms from being imposed upon a merchant for accessing a covered electronic payment system except as specified in a voluntarily negotiated access agreement. Creates a panel of three full-time Electronic Payment System Judges, appointed by the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Competition, to determine the schedule of rates and terms for three-year periods. Subjects any determination of such Judges to judicial review. Authorizes providers and merchants to engage in voluntarily negotiated access agreements. Declares that such voluntarily negotiated access agreements shall be given effect with respect to the signatories in lieu of any determination by the Judges.

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Recent News Coverage

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09/08/08
Congressional Interest in Merchant Credit Card Fees Drives Book Sales

The proposed antitrust law, now known as HR 5546 or "The Credit Card Fair Fee Act" would virtually strip the Associations of their ability to mandate ...

Source: MarketWatch
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07/25/08
Congress aims to rob consumers and reward major retailers

The Credit Card Fair Fee Act (HR 5546) would artificially lower the transaction fees that merchants pay each time a customer swipes his card. ...

Source: Liberty Vindicator, TX
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07/21/08
Understanding gasoline prices is complex

The Credit Card Fair Fee Act (HR 5546) is critical legislation that could help reduce the financial burden facing retailers and provide them with the ...

Source: Beckley Register-Herald (subscription), WV
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Recent Blog Coverage

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01/04/09
TM&S » Blog Archive » Visa and MasterCard Make Their Money on PIN ...

Chargeback ratios Chargebacks compliance contactless technology credit card legislation credit card processing credit cards debit transactions disputed charges ecommerce FACTA fraud HR 5546 identity theft interchange fees interchange ...

Source: TM&S
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01/01/09
TM&S » Blog Archive » Will Lack of Credit Options Lead to Rising ...

Chargeback ratios Chargebacks compliance contactless technology credit card legislation credit card processing credit cards debit transactions disputed charges ecommerce FACTA fraud HR 5546 identity theft interchange fees interchange ...

Source: TM&S
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12/28/08
TM&S » Blog Archive » Can Chargebacks Set your Business Back?

Chargeback ratios Chargebacks compliance contactless technology credit card legislation credit card processing credit cards debit transactions disputed charges ecommerce FACTA fraud HR 5546 identity theft interchange fees interchange ...

Source: TM&S
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