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.