Researcher: JSB Page 1 5/11/23
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 6614 (as amended by House "A")*
AN ACT CONCERNING DEBIT CARDS AND CASH DISCOUNTS
FOR GASOLINE PURCHASES.
SUMMARY
Existing law generally allows a seller to offer a discount to customers
to encourage a cash, check, debit card, or similar payment over a credit
card or charge card payment. This bill prohibits gasoline retailers (i.e.,
gas station operators) from offering customers a discount to pay for gas
with cash unless they offer the same discount to customers that pay with
a debit card (§ 1).
Another law currently requires gas station operators who offer a
discount for paying cash for motor boat or vehicle fuel to post a sign
conforming to state regulations specifying how debit card transactions
will be processed (i.e., as cash or a credit card) (see Conn. Agencies
Regs., § 16a-15a-2). The bill correspondingly requires gas station
operators to maintain signage, conforming to state regulations,
informing customers that if a cash discount is offered, debit card
payments are processed at the cash price per gallon (§ 2).
*House Amendment “A” replaces the underlying bill, which
eliminated a requirement related to Department of Consumer
Protections regulations on fuel price signage, with provisions that
require gas station operators to treat debit card payments as cash
payments for gas purchases.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2023
COMMITTEE ACTION
General Law Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 22 Nay 0 (03/07/2023) 2023HB-06614-R010759-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JSB Page 2 5/11/23