What's happening
Gas stations must charge the same price for gasoline purchases made with their own credit cards as they do for cash.
Why it matters
Eliminates extra charges for using gas station-branded credit cards. This levels the playing field for consumers who may have previously paid more per gallon when using the gas station’s own credit card compared to cash, making advertised prices more transparent and reducing confusion.
Potentially impacts loyalty programs and marketing strategies. Many gas stations use branded cards to encourage repeat business by offering special deals or rewards; this law would limit their ability to incentivize credit card use through different pricing, which could lead to changes in how stations structure such programs.
Aims to protect consumers from hidden fees or price discrimination. By requiring the same price for cash and station credit cards, the bill addresses concerns that customers may be misled by prominently advertised cash prices, only to pay more if using a branded credit card, increasing fairness at the pump.
Could influence broader debates about credit card surcharges. While this law is specific to gas station-issued cards, it highlights ongoing issues around transparency in credit card pricing, and may set a precedent for similar legislation in other retail sectors or with other types of branded payment cards.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Same Price for Gas Cards
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
9 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5350
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 8, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN, THIELE, GUNTHER, OTIS, RIVERA, JAFFEE, PEOPLES-STOKES, HOOPER, CROUCH, GALEF -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO, COOK, MOSLEY, PERRY, SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to credit cards issued by gas stations
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 518-b to read as follows:
§ 518-b. Gas station credit cards. 1. A gas station shall charge the same rate for purchases of gasoline made by a credit card issued by such gas station, or the parent company or any subsidiary thereof as it charges for purchases made by cash.
2. For the purposes of this section, the term:
(a) "gas station" shall mean a filling station where fuel is stored primarily for sale by delivery directly into the ordinary fuel tank connected with the engine of a motor vehicle to be consumed in the operation of such motor vehicle or where such fuel is stored primarily for sale by delivery directly into the ordinary fuel tank connected with the engine of a vessel to be consumed in the operation of such vessel.
(b) "credit card" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in section five hundred eleven of this article.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09558-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.