House Bill No. by Representative McFarland amends R.S. 49:316.1(C) to update the requirements for state entities regarding the acceptance of electronic payments for state charges. The bill mandates that the state treasurer shall designate which credit cards, debit cards, and other forms of electronic payments can be accepted by state entities. A significant change in the bill is the alteration of the reporting frequency for the list of approved payment methods from at least annually to at least biannually, ensuring that state entities have more up-to-date information on acceptable payment options.

In addition to the reporting changes, the bill retains the treasurer's authority to negotiate contracts with providers of electronic payment services, aiming for uniform implementation and cost-effectiveness across state entities. The treasurer is also empowered to include specific terms and conditions in these contracts to meet the operational needs of individual state entities. The bill will take effect upon the governor's signature or after the designated period for gubernatorial action if not signed.

Statutes affected:
HB360 Original: 49:1(C)