Vermont payments and fintech bills

What it would do: Prohibits payment card networks from charging interchange fees calculated as a percentage of transaction amounts that include taxes or gratuities, and prohibits surcharges offsetting such exclusions. Establishes civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and allows merchants to sue for damages.

What it would do: Prohibits payment card networks, issuers, acquirer banks, and processors from charging interchange fees on tax and gratuity portions of transactions, with a $1,000 per transaction penalty for violations. Requires sellers to accept cash for transactions under $500.00.

What it would do: Amends Vermont law to regulate virtual-currency kiosk operators by increasing daily transaction limits to $2,000 for new customers and $5,000 for existing customers, raising the fee cap to 15 percent, imposing a moratorium until July 1, 2025, and requiring operators to implement compliance, fraud prevention, and consumer protection measures.

What it would do: Prohibits Vermont pension funds and state funds from investing in cryptocurrency, requires divestment by July 1, 2025 if holdings exist, directs the Commissioner of Financial Regulation to develop a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency fraud prevention, and requires the Public Utility Commission to investigate cryptocurrency mining facility siting and utility rates.

What it would do: Prohibits issuers, payment card networks, acquirer banks, and processors from charging interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of credit card transactions, provided merchants transmit those amounts during authorization or settlement, with penalties of $1,000 per violation and merchant civil action rights.

What it would do: Prohibits municipalities from imposing processing, convenience, or other fees on ratepayers for online utility bill payments and requires municipalities to absorb these costs into general operating expenses. Requires annual budget disclosures of online payment system costs.

What it would do: Requires earned wage access service providers to obtain a license from the Commissioner and establishes regulations governing their operations, including prohibitions on certain fees, data practices, and collection methods, with licensing effective January 1, 2026.

What it would do: Prohibits sellers and lessors from refusing to accept cash as payment for goods or services. Violations constitute unfair commerce practices. Effective July 1, 2025.