CHAPTER 78
HB 435 - FINAL VERSION
18apr01...0636h
2001 SESSION
09/10
HOUSE BILL 435
AN ACT relative to assessment of service charges by municipalities and counties that accept credit cards for payment of local taxes, utility charges, or other fees.
SPONSORS: Rep. N. Kaen, Straf 7; Rep. J. Bradley, Carr 8; Rep. Leach, Hills 9; Rep. Major, Rock 16; Sen. O'Hearn, Dist 12
COMMITTEE: Municipal and County Government
This bill gives municipalities and counties discretion as to whether to add a service charge when accepting credit cards for payment of local taxes, utility charges, or other fees.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
18apr01...0636h
01-0391
09/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand One
AN ACT relative to assessment of service charges by municipalities and counties that accept credit cards for payment of local taxes, utility charges, or other fees.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
78:1 Counties; Payment by Credit Card. Amend RSA 29:11-b to read as follows:
29:11-b Payment by Credit Card. The county commissioners, by rule or regulation may authorize the county treasurer or other appropriate county official to accept payment of local taxes, charges generated by the sale of utility services, or other fees by use of a credit card. Any county adopting such a rule or regulation [shall] may add to the amount due, in addition to any penalties and interest payable, a service charge for the acceptance of the card. [The service charge shall be based upon the credit card company's rate and the actual cost to the county for the use of the service.] The county, at the time of billing, shall disclose the amount of the service charge.
78:2 Municipalities; Payment by Credit Card. Amend RSA 80:52-c to read as follows:
80:52-c Payment by Credit Card. The legislative body, by ordinance adopted in accordance with RSA 39, may authorize the municipality's treasurer or other appropriate municipal official to accept payment of local taxes, charges generated by the sale of utility services, or other fees by use of a credit card. Any municipality adopting such an ordinance [shall] may add to the amount due, in addition to any penalties and interest payable, a service charge for the acceptance of the card. [The service charge shall be based upon the credit card company's rate and the actual cost to the municipality for the use of the service.] The municipality, at the time of billing, shall disclose the amount of the service charge.
78:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
(Approved: June 19, 2001)
(Effective Date: August 18, 2001)