12-R102

2012 -- S 2029 AS AMENDED

Enacted 02/16/12

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

URGING GOVERNOR CHAFEE TO REQUEST AN IMMEDIATE AUDIT OF JP MORGAN

CHASE REGARDING DEBIT CARD FEES COLLECTED ON STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

BENEFITS BY JP MORGAN CHASE

Introduced By: Senators Walaska, and Lynch

Date Introduced: January 11, 2012

     WHEREAS, The health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the State of Rhode Island

are matters of paramount importance to the legislature; and

     WHEREAS, JP Morgan Chase provides debit card services for Rhode Island

unemployment, temporary disability insurance, Child Support, and SNAP (food stamp) benefits;

and

     WHEREAS, JP Morgan Chase is a multi-national corporation with no branches in Rhode

     Island; and

     WHEREAS, JP Morgan Chase collects debit card fees from Rhode Island businesses and

those receiving unemployment, temporary disability insurance, Child Support, and SNAP

benefits; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island state government should examine the fees that are currently

collected on government benefit funds, fees that are currently collected entirely by JP Morgan

Chase; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island should encourage local small businesses to promote the Rhode

      Island economy; and

     WHEREAS, The contract to administer the state benefits debit card program has been

placed out for bid; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

     Hereby respectfully urges Governor Lincoln Chafee, as part of the bid process, to request an

immediate audit of all debit card fees collected by JP Morgan Chase per the current contract

between the state and JP Morgan Chase 1 to reveal; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate respectfully requests that Governor Lincoln Chafee use his

authority upon review of the results of the audit to negotiate the best new contract possible which

shall clearly state all fees to be charged on the card for Rhode Island’s unemployed and

temporarily disabled; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Governor Lincoln Chafee.

=======

LC00226

=======