Fair Swipe Act of 2025
The Fair Swipe Act of 2025 prohibits credit and debit card networks from charging interchange fees (swipe fees) on the sales tax and gratuity portions of restaurant and retail transactions in Washington, D.C. It directly affects local businesses, such as restaurants and retailers, which currently pay these fees on tax and tip amounts they do not retain. The bill requires merchants to submit documentation to receive credits for fees already paid, either at checkout or retroactively, and imposes a $1,000 civil penalty per violation for non-compliance. This policy change aims to help businesses retain more revenue by eliminating fees on tax and tip portions of card payments.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 24, 2025
Last action Jan 9, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
5
Key actions
0
Committee
3
Jan 9, 2026
Committee
Re-Referral published.
legislature
Jan 6, 2026
Committee
Re-Referred to Committee of the Whole
legislature
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Business and Economic Development
legislature
Feb 24, 2025
Introduced
B26-0138 Introduced by Councilmember Allen at Office of the Secretary
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Charles Allen
DDemocratic
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