AN ACT

 1-1     relating to certain electronic benefits transfer accounts that are

 1-2     inactive.

 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-4           SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Human Resources Code,

 1-5     is amended by adding Section 31.043 to read as follows:

 1-6           Sec. 31.043.  INACTIVE ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER ACCOUNT.

 1-7     (a)  This section applies only to an account to which financial

 1-8     assistance provided under this chapter has been transferred under

 1-9     the electronic benefits transfer system for access and use by a

1-10     recipient of that assistance.

1-11           (b)  The department shall close an account that has not been

1-12     used by the account holder during the preceding 12 months.

1-13           (c)  The comptroller shall withdraw any unused benefits

1-14     remaining in the account and disburse the benefits as authorized by

1-15     federal and state law.

1-16           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the

1-17     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

1-18     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

1-19     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

1-20     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,

1-21     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its

1-22     passage, and it is so enacted.

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 909 passed the Senate on

         March 24, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 909 passed the House on

         May 16, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

         Approved:

         _______________________________

                     Date

         _______________________________

                   Governor