SRC-JXG H.B. 2664 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2664
76R10266 JSA-FBy: George (Sibley)
Higher Education
4/29/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, public institutions of higher education are given statutory
authority to establish a program to provide students with a debit card for
purchases on or off campus; however, private or independent universities
are unable to issue a debit card. H.B. 2664 would authorize the governing
board of a private or independent institution of higher education to
establish a program to provide students enrolled at the institution with a
debit card, and would allow the governing board to open the program to
outside merchants, under certain conditions. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2664 authorizes private or independent institutions of
higher education to operate a student debit card program. 

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 Chapter 51Z, Education Code, by adding Section 51.946, as
follows: 

Sec. 51.946. STUDENT DEBIT CARDS AT PRIVATE OR INDEPENDENT INSTITUTIONS OF
HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) Authorizes the governing board of a private or
independent institution of higher education to establish a program to
provide students enrolled at the institution with a debit card. 

(b) Authorizes a student issued a debit card under the program to use the
card to purchase merchandise or service available through the institution
or through a person authorized to sell merchandise or service at the
institution, as determined by the governing board. 

(c) Authorizes the program to allow a person who is in business to sell
merchandise or service of the same kind as the merchandise or service that
a student may purchase under Subsection (b) to participate in the program
under the same or equivalent terms applicable to a person authorized to
sell merchandise under Subsection (b) and accept a debit card payment from
a student to whom a debit card has been issued under the program for
purchase of that merchandise or service. 
 
(d) Authorizes the private or independent institution of higher education
to assess participating businesses a fee for the implementation and
administration of the program. 

 (e) Defines "private or independent institution of higher education" and
"person." 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.