SRC-JRN H.B. 63 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 63 By: Kamel (Duncan) Education 5-12-97 Engrossed DIGEST In the 74th Legislature, the Texas A&M University System and the Texas State University System were authorized to begin an off-campus debit card program. While the debit card program in place at the Texas A&M University before the law went into effect allowed students to use a debit card to purchase books, food, and other items on campus, some students indicated an interest in the offcampus utilization of the debit card system. This bill authorizes the governing board of an institution of higher education to establish a debit card program and permit off-campus use of the debit card. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 63 authorizes the governing board of an institution of higher education to establish a debit card program and permit off-campus use of the debit card. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.940, Education Code, as follows: Sec. 51.940. STUDENT DEBIT CARDS. Deletes a provision requiring this section to apply only to an institution that is a component of the Texas A&M University System or a component of the Texas State University System. Authorizes the governing board of an institution of higher education to establish a program to provide students enrolled at the institution with a debit card. Redesignates existing subsections. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.