SECTION 15.3. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Access code--A unique and confidential series of numbers assigned to a person by TexNet that allows the person to communicate payment information to the TexNet data collection system.

(2) ACH (Automated Clearing House)--A central distribution and settlement point for the electronic clearing of debits and credits between financial institutions subject to regulation under rules of an automated clearinghouse association and applicable regulatory law.

(3) ACH credit with addenda record(s)--An ACH transaction in CCD+ or CTX format which is initiated by the person to make an EFT payment.

(4) ACH debit/direct entry--An ACH transaction initiated by the comptroller using payment information entered directly into the TexNet data collection system by the person to make an EFT payment.

(5) ACH debit/indirect entry--An ACH transaction to make an EFT payment that is initiated by the comptroller, which is based upon payment information entered into the TexNet payment processing system by the person's state agency in a specified manner approved by the comptroller.

(6) ACH transaction--An electronic transaction which is cleared through the ACH.

(7) Addenda record--A separate record transmitted with an ACH credit which contains payment information in the approved State of Texas addenda record format.

(8) Banking holiday--Any holiday observed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and its member institutions.

(9) Business day--Any day when financial transactions are processed through the banking system; normally not a Saturday, Sunday, or a banking holiday.

(10) Categories of payments--Those types of payments to a state agency that may trigger a requirement to transfer payment electronically under Government Code, §404.095, as set out in §15.4 of this title (relating to Applicable Payment Categories and Voluntary Payments).

(11) CCD+ format (cash concentration or disbursement with one addenda record)--A standard ACH transaction format which includes one addenda record.

(12) Comptroller--The Comptroller of Public Accounts and its successors.

(13) Comptroller's bank--A financial institution, which is a member of the Federal Reserve System, that the comptroller has contracted with to originate ACH debits or receive ACH credits.

(14) CTX format (corporate trade exchange format)--A standard ACH transaction format which includes up to 9,999 addenda records.

(15) Due date--Date on which a payment to a state agency by a person is due. If the due date is a Saturday, Sunday, or a banking holiday, the next business day shall be the due date.

(16) Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)--A transfer of funds, other than a transaction originated by check, draft, warrant or similar paper instrument, which is initiated through an electronic terminal, or computer so as to order, instruct, or authorize a financial institution to debit or credit an account in accordance with this chapter.

(17) Payment information--The specific information required by the state agency from a person making an EFT payment to ensure accurate credit of the payment.

(18) Payor identification number--A unique number assigned by a state agency to a person who makes payments to that state agency.

(19) Person--A payor, including, but not limited to an individual, corporation, partnership, association, legal representative, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, municipality, county, district, or political subdivision, who makes payments to a state agency in any of the separate categories of payments listed in Government Code, §404.095.

(20) Person's bank--The financial institution at which the person maintains an account from which electronic transactions will occur.

(21) Recurring surcharges--A recurring surcharge that is considered a separate category of payment under the category of other payments to a state agency, as set out in §15.4 of this title.

(22) Settlement date--The business day on which funds are electronically transferred from the person's bank account to the appropriate account at the comptroller's bank.

(23) State agency--Any agency of the state that during the preceding state fiscal year collected or received more than $50 million in fees, fines, penalties, taxes, charges, gifts, grants, donations, and other funds, excluding federal grants and interest and dividend income. A list of state agencies that typically collect or receive more than $50 million in a state fiscal year is set out in §15.1 of this title (relating to Applicability and Additional Information).

(24) State fiscal year--The twelve month period beginning on September 1 of each year and ending on August 31 of the following calendar year.

(25) TexNet--The State of Texas Financial Network. TexNet is the exclusive system designed and maintained by the comptroller to facilitate and process the electronic transfer of funds from a person making certain EFT payments to a state agency under Government Code, §404.095.

(26) TexNet data collection system--The system designed and maintained by the comptroller to collect payment data to initiate an EFT payment under Government Code, §404.095.

(27) TexNet payment processing system--The system designed and maintained by the comptroller to process payment data to facilitate the electronic transfer of funds and related information.

(28) Trace number--A number provided to a person by the TexNet data collection system upon receipt of all payment information that uniquely identifies the completed communication.

(29) Wire transfer--An unconditional order to a bank to pay a fixed or determinable amount of money to a beneficiary upon receipt or on a day stated in the order that is transmitted by electronic means. Wire transfer is not an approved means of electronic fund transfer as set out in §15.2 of this title (relating to Approved Means of Electronic Funds Transfer), but may be used as permitted by §15.41 of this title (relating to Missed Payment Deadline Procedures).

Source Note: The provisions of this §15.3 adopted to be effective May 2, 2013, 38 TexReg 2640