House File 446 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY FORD Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to requirements of the department of human 2 services involving electronic benefits transfer for the food 3 assistance program. 4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 5 TLSB 2382HH 83 6 jp/rj/14 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 234.12A, subsection 1, Code 2009, is 1 2 amended to read as follows: 1 3 1. The department of human services shall maintain an 1 4 electronic benefits transfer program utilizing electronic 1 5 funds transfer systems for the food assistance program. The 1 6 electronic benefits transfer program implemented under this 1 7 section shall at a minimum providefor all of the following:1 8a. Athat a retailer shall not be required to make cash 1 9 disbursements or to provide, purchase, or upgrade electronic 1 10 funds transfer system equipment as a condition of 1 11 participation in the program. 1 12b. A retailer providing electronic funds transfer system 1 13 equipment for transactions pursuant to the program shall be 1 14 reimbursed seven cents for each approved transaction pursuant 1 15 to the program utilizing the retailer's equipment.1 16c. A retailer that provides electronic funds transfer 1 17 system equipment for transactions pursuant to the program and 1 18 who makes cash disbursements pursuant to the program utilizing 1 19 the retailer's equipment shall be paid a fee of seven cents by 1 20 the department for each cash disbursement transaction by the 1 21 retailer.1 22 EXPLANATION 1 23 This bill relates to requirements of the department of 1 24 human services involving electronic benefits transfer for the 1 25 food assistance program (formerly known as "food stamps"). 1 26 Code section 234.12A, relating to the electronic benefits 1 27 transfer (EBT) program, is amended to eliminate the 1 28 requirement for payment of transfer fees to retailers. The 1 29 EBT program is utilized primarily for distributing federal 1 30 food assistance benefits. 1 31 LSB 2382HH 83 1 32 jp/rj/14