Debit Card Fees in the Senate

While most of the focus today in the Legislature is on the budget to which House and Senate leaders agreed last night, the lawmakers are tackling other issues during the session's final week. One case in point is the debate in the Senate over debit card fees.

This morning leaders from 60 Plus, the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans and the Florida Consumer Action Network spoke in favor of an amendment by Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon, to SB 1106 and against an amendment by Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, to the same bill, arguing that consumers would do better on the measure Storms is backing.

This common sense, pro-active legislation ensures strong consumer protection, especially for those Floridians on fixed and low incomes, said Tony Fransetta, president of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans. It is time we close this loophole and make certain our lower income families who use these services are not impacted by the proposed debit-charge user fees.

The measure, which also has the support of Visa, passed the House on a 106-0 vote on Friday, despite opposition from retailers.