(1) In addition to accepting cash, a check, draft, or money order, the secretary of state shall, no later than January 1, 1996, accept alternative methods that authorize the immediate transfer of funds for the payment of a tax, fee, price, or charge required under any act or rule promulgated under an act in which the secretary of state is responsible for collecting the tax, fee, price, or charge.

    (2) The secretary of state shall determine which alternative methods of payment may be accepted under this act.

     Alternative methods of payment shall include, but not be limited to, a credit or debit card, an electronic funds transfer, a negotiable instrument or other instrument, device, or means that authorizes the immediate transfer of funds. Each transaction through an alternative method of payment shall be verified by the secretary of state with the financial institution for approval of credit authorization.

     The secretary of state may collect a service assessment from the user of a credit or debit card. The service assessment shall not exceed the actual cost to the department of state of the credit or debit card transaction or the amount appropriated to cover service assessments, whichever is less.