1-1 By: Bivins S.C.R. No. 1
1-2 (In the Senate - Filed December 28, 1992; January 13, 1993,
1-3 read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human
1-4 Services; March 23, 1993, reported favorably by the following vote:
1-5 Yeas 7, Nays 0; March 23, 1993, sent to printer.)
1-6 COMMITTEE VOTE
1-7 Yea Nay PNV Absent
1-8 Zaffirini x
1-9 Ellis x
1-10 Madla x
1-11 Moncrief x
1-12 Nelson x
1-13 Patterson x
1-14 Shelley x
1-15 Truan x
1-16 Wentworth x
1-17 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-18 WHEREAS, The electronic benefit transfer system uses advanced
1-19 technology to automate the delivery of food stamps and other
1-20 governmental services to its clients in a more efficient and
1-21 effective manner; and
1-22 WHEREAS, Under this innovative new system, clients who
1-23 receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) payments,
1-24 food stamps, Medicaid, and other governmental services are able to
1-25 access their benefits electronically using plastic debit cards at
1-26 such places as grocery stores, pharmacies, and doctors' offices;
1-27 and
1-28 WHEREAS, In 1991 an electronic benefit transfer project was
1-29 initiated in Texas following a performance review of the Texas
1-30 Department of Human Services by the comptroller of public accounts;
1-31 the comptroller then appointed a task force of citizens from all
1-32 parts of Texas to work on the project; and
1-33 WHEREAS, The electronic benefit transfer system is being
1-34 developed as a collaborative effort among state agencies;
1-35 currently, the comptroller of public accounts is taking the lead in
1-36 coordinating the project, the Texas Department of Human Services is
1-37 serving as the administering agency, and the Treasury Department
1-38 and the Department of Information Resources are contributing
1-39 agencies; and
1-40 WHEREAS, The electronic benefit transfer project has set
1-41 August, 1993, as a goal for the implementation of a three-month
1-42 pilot project in Houston; following completion of the pilot project
1-43 and pending federal approval, the overall goal of the electronic
1-44 benefit transfer project is to implement the system statewide; now,
1-45 therefore, be it
1-46 RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
1-47 hereby urge the electronic benefit transfer project under the
1-48 guidance of the citizens task force and the various cooperating
1-49 state agencies--the comptroller of public accounts, the Texas
1-50 Department of Human Services, the Treasury Department, and the
1-51 Department of Information Resources--to set 1995 as the goal for
1-52 the statewide implementation of the electronic benefit transfer
1-53 system; and, be it further
1-54 RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be
1-55 forwarded to the citizens task force and to the state agencies
1-56 collaborating in the electronic benefit transfer project as a
1-57 formal expression of the sentiment of the Texas Senate and House of
1-58 Representatives.
1-59 * * * * *
1-60 Austin,
1-61 Texas
1-62 March 23, 1993
1-63 Hon. Bob Bullock
1-64 President of the Senate
1-65 Sir:
1-66 We, your Committee on Health and Human Services to which was
1-67 referred S.C.R. No. 1, have had the same under consideration, and I
1-68 am instructed to report it back to the Senate with the
2-1 recommendation that it do pass and be printed.
2-2 Zaffirini,
2-3 Chair
2-4 * * * * *
2-5 WITNESSES
2-6 FOR AGAINST ON
2-7 ___________________________________________________________________
2-8 Name: Isaac Jackson x
2-9 Representing: TX Comptroller
2-10 City: Austin
2-11 -------------------------------------------------------------------
2-12 Name: Merriman Morton x
2-13 Representing: Texas Task Force
2-14 City: Austin
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