By: Estes S.B. No. 474
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the comptroller of public accounts' use of electronic
paycards to make certain payments.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 403.016, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (k) to read as follows:
(k) Notwithstanding another provision of this section, the
comptroller may make a payment in any amount to a state employee
under Subsection (b) or to an annuitant under Subsection (c)(1) or
other law on an electronic paycard if the employee or annuitant
agrees to accept payment by that method.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 403, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 403.0161 to read as follows:
Sec. 403.0161. CONTRACTS FOR ELECTRONIC PAYCARD SERVICES.
The comptroller shall contract with one or more vendors for the
provision of electronic paycard services. A contract under this
section must be by competitive bid. The comptroller shall specify
the qualifications for bidders, which must include requirements
that the entity that issues the paycard must:
(1) be federally insured or possess sufficient
financial resources to ensure protection of payees; and
(2) demonstrate adequate 24-hour customer service to
ensure that all payees are able to reasonably access their funds
worldwide at any time.
SECTION 3. Section 659.084, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 659.084. ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER. Salaries for
state officers and employees paid once a month shall be paid through
electronic funds transfer under Section 403.016 unless paid on an
electronic paycard or warrant as permitted under that section.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect January 1, 2010.