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State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Christina Gosack 651-296-5524
Press/News Releases
Atkins Aims to Put an End to Grinch-Like Gift Cards
With the busy holiday shopping season in full swing, Rep. Joe Atkins of Inver Grove Heights announced his support for a proposed state law that would ban expiration dates and service fees on gift cards.
"These hidden fees are like the Grinch stealing Christmas," Atkins said.
The legislation would eliminate expiration dates and the service fees that eat away at the value of a gift card or gift certificate. The bill would also allow the holder of a gift card, once the card has been used, to get the remainder of the card's value back in cash.
"Until this law passes, holiday shoppers should read the fine print and be aware that some cards may lose their value month by month or expire quickly," Atkins explained.
The bill would only apply to cards or certificates purchased directly from the retailer or card issuer. It does not apply to gift cards given away as part of an award or promotional program, or those donated for charity fundraisers. While the bill passed the Senate in 2005, it did not get a hearing in the House Commerce Committee.
Similar bans on gift card expiration dates and services fees were enacted or considered in 22 other states in 2005, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
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- Rep. Atkins to Hold Minnesota House Hearing on Economic Impact of Hockey Lockout - (Posted: Jan 2 2013 3:20PM)
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