BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 3122
By: Ogden
03-23-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

Texas A&M University operates a debit card program whereby students
may participate in a debit card system for the purchase of books,
food and other items on campus.  Recently, there has been an
interest in allowing off-campus utilization of the debit card
system.  


PURPOSE

H.B. 3122, as substituted authorizes the governing board of the
Texas A&M University to establish a debit card program and permit
off-campus use of the debit card.


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency or institution.


SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 86 B, Education Code, by adding Section
86.25 to read as follows:

     Sec. 86.25.  Allows the governing board of the Texas A&M
University System to establish a debit card program for the benefit
of students.

(b)  The debit cards shall not be limited exclusively to on-campus
use by the cardholder.

SECTION 2. Effective date:  August 15, 1996.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause. 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE 

The original bill pertained to state colleges, universities and
junior colleges.  The committee substitute, however, limits those
institutions of higher education to only those within the Texas A&M
University System.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 3122 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on
March 28, 1995.  The bill was left pending.

H.B. 3122 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on
April 4, 1995.  The committee considered a complete substitute for
the bill.  The substitute was adopted without objection by a non-record vote.  The bill was reported favorably as substituted, with
the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to
the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of
7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 2 absent.