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Insights and Expertise
A trend you can't ignore
Louisiana's new debit surcharge law may have limited
practical effect because Visa and Mastercard already prohibit
merchants from surcharging debit card transactions, but
the legislation reflects a broader trend as states increasingly Wespay
regulate payment pricing, interchange and card acceptance Payments Symposium 2026
practices.
Highlights: Prepare to immerse yourself in the future of pay-
While Act No. 751 largely mirrors existing card-brand ments at the Wespay Payments Symposium 2026, Wespay’s largest
and most anticipated conference. Payments professionals from
rules, it also introduces a private right of action in certain across the United States to explore critical areas such as payments
circumstances and highlights the growing complexity innovation, strategy, rules, compliance, and fraud.
merchants face as state laws and network rules continue to
evolve. Participants can expect to acquire practical knowledge to navigate
the evolving payments landscape. The event begins with a pre-con-
ference workshop, followed by a fintech showcase reception. This
For merchants operating in multiple states, staying current reception provides a chance to connect with peers and explore new
with both card-brand requirements and state legislation is solutions. Throughout the symposium, attendees will have oppor-
becoming an increasingly important part of maintaining tunities for learning and connecting with industry leaders, helping
compliance. them gain insights to apply in their work.
When: Sept. 10 – 11, 2026
Where: Palms Casino Resort - Las Vegas, NV
lators have been clamoring to regulate merchant fees and
other associated costs to consumers. At the federal level, Registration: https://www.wespay.org
the Credit Card Competition Act, for example, would have
mandated that credit cards be dual branded in the same
manner as debit cards following the Durbin Amendment
and would have also required that a new card brand enter Money20/20
the market. Money20/20 USA
Some states, on the other hand, are attempting to regu- Highlights: Find Partners. Discover Solutions. Stay Ahead. All On
late one or more aspects of merchant prices. For example, One Show Floor. From breaking news to cutting-edge AI, the Mon-
Colorado recently passed a price transparency law similar ey20/20 show floor is where the future comes to life and where the
to those in California and Minnesota. Meanwhile, Illinois entire money ecosystem comes together. It’s where industry leaders,
has been struggling against the opposition from banks media, tech enthusiasts and the leaders in fintech converge to explore
the most anticipated breakthroughs of the year. One show floor. Ev-
and federal agencies to gain traction with its Interchange erything you need. Have a look for yourself. Here is a birds eye view
Fee Prohibition Act, which is intended to prohibit inter- of innovation.
change on tax and tips. As state-level laws on surcharg-
ing and interchange continue to proliferate, the card net- Leverage our global network to supercharge your deal flow. See who
attends. Build Partnerships: Experience high-impact opportunities to
works will begin to strain. Many have cautioned that the meet new partners and grow existing relationships. Raise Your Pro-
networks could become overburdened if states continue file: Embrace the visibility and show your solutions to a global senior
to propose and pass laws without considering the larger audience. Make Breakthroughs: Stay current (and ahead!) of shifts
payment ecosystem or the networks' functionality. and trends that address your challenges from top industry speakers.
Although with a noble goal of consumer protection in When: Oct/ 18 – 21, 2026
mind, Louisiana legislators have added to existing diffi- Where: The Venetian - Las Vegas, NV
culties by creating legislation that simply echoes current Registration: https://us.money2020.com/pass-picker
card brand rules. Ultimately, instead of clarifying the legal
landscape and protecting consumers, the Louisiana law
complicates existing differential pricing structures and 2026 Events
hinders merchants seeking regulatory compliance.
NEACH, 2026 Future of Payments Symposium 6
Jessica Walsh is a contract attorney who focuses on electronic transac- Nov. 2 - 3, 2026, New Port, RI
tions, including SaaS, merchant processing, agent/reseller, independent
sales organization, and other related agreements. She regularly drafts, MAG, PaymentsMAGnified 2027, Feb. 22 – 25, 2027, :
revises, and negotiates agreements tailored to her clients' operational Hyatt Regency Dallas, TX
and regulatory needs. She also advises clients on card brand rules and
state regulatory requirements related to differential pricing. Contact her Visit www.greensheet.com/datebook.php for more
at jwalsh@attorneygl.com. events and a year-at-a-glance event chart.
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