The bill, titled H.B. No. 4061, introduces Chapter 604B to the Business & Commerce Code, focusing on unlawful practices related to credit card transactions and establishing civil penalties for violations. It defines key terms such as "assessment fee," "cardholder," "credit card," and "merchant," and outlines prohibited practices for credit card issuers and payment card networks. Specifically, credit card issuers are prohibited from fixing swipe fees, charging interchange fees based on fixed fee schedules, and penalizing merchants for offering discounts for alternative payment methods. Additionally, credit card issuers must disclose any swipe fees charged to cardholders on their monthly statements.

The bill also empowers the attorney general to investigate violations and file civil suits against offenders, with specified penalties based on the nature of the violation. Notably, it includes provisions for injunctive relief and clarifies that no private cause of action is created under this chapter. The bill stipulates that certain sections will not take effect until March 1, 2026, and it will become effective on September 1, 2025.

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