By:  Bivins                                            S.C.R. No. 1
                             SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The electronic benefit transfer system uses advanced
    1-2  technology to automate the delivery of food stamps and other
    1-3  governmental services to its clients in a more efficient and
    1-4  effective manner; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Under this innovative new system, clients who
    1-6  receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) payments,
    1-7  food stamps, Medicaid, and other governmental services are able to
    1-8  access their benefits electronically using plastic debit cards at
    1-9  such places as grocery stores, pharmacies, and doctors' offices;
   1-10  and
   1-11        WHEREAS, In 1991 an electronic benefit transfer project was
   1-12  initiated in Texas following a performance review of the Texas
   1-13  Department of Human Services by the comptroller of public accounts;
   1-14  the comptroller then appointed a task force of citizens from all
   1-15  parts of Texas to work on the project; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, The electronic benefit transfer system is being
   1-17  developed as a collaborative effort among state agencies;
   1-18  currently, the comptroller of public accounts is taking the lead in
   1-19  coordinating the project, the Texas Department of Human Services is
   1-20  serving as the administering agency, and the Treasury Department
   1-21  and the Department of Information Resources are contributing
   1-22  agencies; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, The electronic benefit transfer project has set
   1-24  August, 1993, as a goal for the implementation of a three-month
    2-1  pilot project in Houston; following completion of the pilot project
    2-2  and pending federal approval, the overall goal of the electronic
    2-3  benefit transfer project is to implement the system statewide; now,
    2-4  therefore, be it
    2-5        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
    2-6  hereby urge the electronic benefit transfer project under the
    2-7  guidance of the citizens task force and the various cooperating
    2-8  state agencies--the comptroller of public accounts, the Texas
    2-9  Department of Human Services, the Treasury Department, and the
   2-10  Department of Information Resources--to set 1995 as the goal for
   2-11  the statewide implementation of the electronic benefit transfer
   2-12  system; and, be it further
   2-13        RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be
   2-14  forwarded to the citizens task force and to the state agencies
   2-15  collaborating in the electronic benefit transfer project as a
   2-16  formal expression of the sentiment of the Texas Senate and House of
   2-17  Representatives.