Emily Williams Knight, President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, said that credit card swipe fees are costing Texan families approximately $1,200 annually. This assertion was communicated via email on April 3.
"Today marked a critical step forward in main street's efforts to stop Wall Street from taking advantage of Texas businesses and consumers," said Williams Knight, President & CEO. "The Senate Business and Commerce Committee considered two bills—SB 2026 by Senator Campbell and SB 2056 by Senator Hancock—that would finally bring transparency, competition, and basic fairness."
Senate Bill 2056, authored by Senator Kelly Hancock, addresses unlawful practices related to credit card transactions and proposes civil penalties for such activities. Its companion legislation, House Bill 4061, is carried by Representative Jared Patterson. As of April 8, 2025, SB 2056 was considered in a public hearing and a vote was taken in the Senate Business & Commerce Committee.
The Texas Restaurant Association is part of Texans Against Hidden Credit Card Fees, a coalition comprising small businesses, local merchants, and consumers. The association said after SB 2056 was filed that "skyrocketing hidden swipe fees are an inflation multiplier that is crushing our local businesses and burdening every family. By introducing transparency and competition, SB 2056 / HB 4061 will help level the playing field, allowing Texans to push back against some of the worst abuses of Wall Street."
According to its website, Texans Against Hidden Credit Card Fees includes several organizations such as the Texas Restaurant Association, Texas Travel Alliance, Texas Live Events Coalition, Texas Hotel & Lodging Association, Texas Consumer Association, Texas Food & Fuel Association, and the Texas Retailers Association.
Opponents of SB 2026 include Christopher Williston, President and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas. Williston said that "the perennial failure of this proposal around the country points to the fact that it is fundamentally inoperable, standing to disrupt the payment flow of every business in America. It’s an ill-conceived money grab by big retailers who benefit from the convenience of payments and banks’ covering the cost of rampant debit/credit fraud but don’t want to help cover the costs."
According to the Texas Restaurant Association's website, Knight leads advocacy for 58,000 restaurants and 1.5 million employees as President and CEO. She drives legislative success and industry growth with over two decades of global experience across hospitality, education, and workforce development. Knight is recognized nationally as a leader committed to innovation, inclusion, and economic impact.
