HBA-DMD H.B. 985 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 985 By: Maxey Public Health 7/27/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Texas currently enjoys efficient and secure delivery of governmental benefits through electronic benefits transfer (EBT). EBT was implemented statewide in 1995 for the food stamp and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) programs in the form of the Lone Star Card. This EBT/Lone Star Card system has streamlined program administration, reduced the illegal sale of food stamps, provided ease of service for clients, and reduced system handling costs. However, prior to the 76th Legislature, state agencies were not required to comply with the strategic guidelines adopted by the Interagency Task Force on Electronic Benefits Transfers (task force) when delivering any proposed public benefits. H.B. 985 requires a state agency to comply with the guidelines adopted by the task force when delivering any proposed public benefits. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 531.045, Government Code, by adding Subsection (i), to require a state agency proposing to deliver public benefits through electronic benefits transfers to comply with any strategic guidelines adopted by the Interagency Task Force on Electronic Benefits Transfers relating to the development and use of an electronic benefits transfer system. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.