Chief Patron: Carr
Co-Patron(s): James, Kory
HB 89 - Paper Checks for Tax Refunds (language only)

Item 465 #4h

Language
Page 396,strike lines 12 through 16 and insert:
"C.1  Pursuant to § 2.2-1825, Code of Virginia, and notwithstanding § 59.1-479 et seq., Code of Virginia, beginning January 1, 2014, the State Comptroller shall issue individual income tax refunds through paper checks, debit cards, direct deposits, or other electronic means as appropriate.
2. The issuance of debit cards as a method of tax refunds shall be contingent on the following conditions: a). There be no fee for in-network ATM withdrawals, b) There be at least one free use per month for out-of-network ATM withdrawals and a fee of no more than $1.50 per use thereafter c) no fee for in-network balance inquiries d) at least one free out-of-network balance inquiry per month and a fee of no more than $0.50 per use thereafter, e) no fee for bank teller cash withdrawals at banks where the debit card is accepted f) no fee for transfer to bank account, using an automated phone system or web transfer, for in-network banking institutions g) a fee of no more than $0.75 for transfers to out of network banking institutions, h) no fee denial of  withdrawal for in-network banks or ATMs, i) no idle fee charged to taxpayers for at least 24 months, with the fee thereafter being no greater than $1.00 per month, j) no fee for the first card replacement and no more than $4.00 per replacement thereafter and k) no fee and no limit on the number of calls allowed to access customer service via telephone."

Explanation
(This amendment amends language which prohibits paper checks as a method of receiving tax refunds consistent with the provisions of House Bill 319. A companion amendment provides $200,000 from the general fund each year to fund the impact of allowing citizens the option of receiving their income tax refund by paper check.)