1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to authorizing private or independent institutions of 1-3 higher education to operate a student debit card program. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 51.946 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 51.946. STUDENT DEBIT CARDS AT PRIVATE OR INDEPENDENT 1-8 INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) The governing board of a 1-9 private or independent institution of higher education may 1-10 establish a program to provide students enrolled at the institution 1-11 with a debit card. 1-12 (b) A student issued a debit card under the program may use 1-13 the card to purchase merchandise or service available through the 1-14 institution or through a person authorized to sell merchandise or 1-15 service at the institution, as determined by the governing board. 1-16 (c) The program may allow a person who is in business to 1-17 sell merchandise or service of the same kind as the merchandise or 1-18 service that a student may purchase under Subsection (b) to 1-19 participate in the program under the same or equivalent terms 1-20 applicable to a person authorized to sell merchandise under 1-21 Subsection (b) and accept a debit card payment from a student to 1-22 whom a debit card has been issued under the program for purchase of 1-23 that merchandise or service. 1-24 (d) The private or independent institution of higher 2-1 education may assess participating businesses a fee for the 2-2 implementation and administration of the program. 2-3 (e) In this section: 2-4 (1) "Private or independent institution of higher 2-5 education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. 2-6 (2) "Person" has the meaning assigned by Section 2-7 1.201, Business & Commerce Code. 2-8 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 2-9 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-10 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-11 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-12 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-13 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-14 passage, and it is so enacted. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 2664 was passed by the House on April 8, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 2664 was passed by the Senate on May 17, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor