To the Editor:

I see from your December 18 story about bridge commuter cards that the Mackinac Bridge Authority is mulling over expiration dates for the pre-loaded cards. The Authority may want to check a new state law, intended to protect consumers from expiring gift cards sold by retailers, that makes it illegal for such cards to expire - ever. The law went into effect November 1, 2008.

The bridge folks may argue that a commuter card is not a gift card, but check out the definition from the legislation:

"Gift certificate" means a written promise or a gift card or other electronic payment device that meets all of the following:

(i) Is usable at a single retailer, is usable at an affiliated group of retailers that share the same name, mark, or logo, or is usable at multiple, unaffiliated retailers or service providers.

(ii) Is issued in a specified amount.

(iii) May or may not be increased in value or reloaded.

(iv) Is purchased or loaded on a prepaid basis for the future purchase or delivery of goods or services.

(v) Is honored upon presentation. Don Weeks Elk Rapids