1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to compliance by state agencies with strategic guidelines
 1-3     in developing electronic benefits transfer systems.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 531.045, Government Code, is amended by
 1-6     adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:
 1-7           (i)  A state agency that proposes to deliver public benefits
 1-8     through electronic benefits transfers shall comply with any
 1-9     strategic guidelines adopted by the task force relating to the
1-10     development and use of an electronic benefits transfer system.
1-11           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-12     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-13     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-14     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-15     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
1-16     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
1-17     passage, and it is so enacted.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 985 was passed by the House on March
         25, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 985 was passed by the Senate on May
         13, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  _____________________
                            Date
                    _____________________
                          Governor