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Panel approves bill to bar a firearm-specific merchant code for state transactions
Summary
Committee unanimously approved House Bill 1018 to prohibit using a new merchant category code that would identify firearm retailers and to require older, generic merchant codes instead; supporters said the change prevents tracking and singling out of firearm businesses.
A presenter introduced House Bill 1018 (LC550207 S), which would bar the use of a merchant category code that identifies firearm retailers and require the state to treat such merchants under existing generic codes (sporting goods/general merchandise). The presenter said the merchant category code (MCC 5723) was briefly implemented by a card-processing vendor and that some states have moved to use a specific firearm MCC; HB 1018 would prevent that change in Georgia and prohibit any other indicator code from singling out firearm retailers.
Presenter described the bill's structure and enforcement approach, saying the attorney general would send a notice and an initial 30-day cure period before penalties (a $10,000 fine language appears in the draft and was discussed as standard language drawn from other states). Committee members asked clarifying questions about the mechanics and the lines that set the prohibited codes. No opposing testimony was recorded in the transcript.
A motion to pass was made and seconded; the committee voted unanimously to report the bill favorably.
