PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 106-171.
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Nov 19, 1999
Electronic Benefit Transfer Interoperability and Portability Act of 1999 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to provide for a national standard of interoperability and portability applicable to electronic food stamp benefit transactions. Requires systems that provide for the electronic issuance, use, and redemption of coupons in the form of electronic benefit transfer cards to be interoperable, and food stamp benefits to be made portable, among all States not later than October 1, 2002. States that such costs shall not be borne by participating wholesale or retail food concerns.Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate regulations that: (1) adopt a national standard based upon a standard used by the majority of States; and (2) require any electronic benefit transfer contract (as defined by this Act) entered into 30 days or more after promulgation of such regulations be in accordance with the national standard. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a requesting State with a temporary deadline waiver based upon unusual technological barriers. Directs the Secretary to allow a State using a smart card food stamp delivery system to continue such system until a technological method is available for electronic benefit transfer card interoperability.Sets forth the conditions for full Federal payment of State switching costs, including annual fiscal year caps.Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of alternatives for handling food stamp benefit electronic transactions, including use of a single switching hub.
People & committees
Sen. Fitzgerald, Peter [R-IL] · R–IL
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 106-171.
Became Public Law No: 106-171.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H62-63)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H62-63)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1733.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H62-65)
Mr. Combest moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of measure as introduced: CR S12644-12645)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of measure as introduced: CR S12644-12645)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S14877-14878)
Senate Committee on Agriculture discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Agriculture discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12643-12644)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.1733 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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