Missouri: Prevent Credit Card Chaos
The Missouri legislature recently introduced HB 1234, legislation that would create chaos for consumers and small businesses by completely upending the way credit and debit cards work.
What This Bill Does
This legislation creates chaos for consumers and crushes small businesses while corporate mega-stores reap the benefits.
Ends Universal Card Acceptance
Makes it nearly impossible for small businesses to accept credit cards for any customer who walks through their doors.
Ends Universal Card Acceptance
Makes it nearly impossible for small businesses to accept credit cards for any customer who walks through their doors.
How Would HB 1234 Hurt Missouri?
The consequences of this bill would ripple through our economy, hurting consumers and small businesses alike.
That embarrassing feeling when your card is declined is about to become a lot more common.
The current system provides small businesses with a single agreement that makes it possible for them to accept credit cards from any customer of any bank. This bill would end that convenience and result in every business in the state needing to negotiate deals with hundreds of banks—a nearly impossible task that will force businesses to deny cards of their customers.
Small businesses suffer the pain while corporate mega-stores reap the gain.
Eliminating interchange on sales tax and tips could force businesses to pay for costly upgrades to their point-of-sale software systems. Corporate mega-stores stand to save millions under the proposed law while small businesses only get headaches.
Reduced investments in fraud protections & fewer rewards for consumers.
Interchange is what funds the complex fraud protection system that alerts users to fraudulent activity and provides zero-liability when fraud occurs. It is also the funding source for the popular rewards programs consumers and businesses rely upon. Reductions to interchange therefore negatively impact fraud protections and rewards programs.
Thought you were done with cash? Think again.
If interchange can't apply to sales tax or tips, you might have to pay for that part of a transaction in cash.
HB 1234: A Give Away to Corporate Mega-Stores
Corporate mega-stores like Walmart, Home Depot and Amazon want to pad their profits and continue to crush Main Street businesses.
They have introduced similar bills in 31 states because they stand to gain millions if these bills pass.
Leading Organizations Oppose HB 1234
A coalition of businesses and consumer advocates standing together
What Others Have to Say
Hear from experts and local business owners about the impact of this legislation
“We've spent years building relationships with our customers. This bill would destroy that overnight.”
“We've spent years building relationships with our customers. This bill would destroy that overnight.”
“We've spent years building relationships with our customers. This bill would destroy that overnight.”
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Resources & Toolkit
Everything you need to take action and make your voice heard. Download our materials and join the movement.
Fact Sheet
Download our comprehensive fact sheet explaining the bill and its impacts.
Social Media Toolkit
Ready-to-share graphics and messages for social media.
Letter Templates
Template letters to send to your state legislators.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Contact your local representatives today and let them know you oppose this harmful legislation.