Skip to content

“What’s New” on FMX

April, 2020

Student Loan Wage Garnishment Suspension Extended

On March 27 the federal government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which extends the U.S. Education Department’s student loan debt relief through Sept. 30, 2020.

Per the relief plan, current student loan wage garnishments might need to be suspended. To learn whether any existing garnishment is eligible for suspension under this law, contact the issuer of the garnishment order.

For questions about suspending the garnishment deduction:

  • USPS agencies: Call the help desk at (512) 463-4008 or contact your Comptroller representative.
  • CAPPS agencies: Call (512) 463-2277 or enter a service ticket into the application service provider (ASP) Solution Center.

Settlement and Judgment Payroll Form Available

The Settlement and Judgment Payroll Processing form (74-232) is available for processing employee payroll deductions for settlement and judgment payments. Agencies must complete this form before processing any settlement or judgment payments when payroll deductions are required. Previously, agencies had to request the form from the Expenditure Assistance section. See Settlement and Judgment Processing Guidelines (FPP E.041) for the form and more information.

Fiscal 2020 Second Quarter Post-Payment Audit Reports

Fiscal 2020 second quarter post-payment audit reports are available for view, print and download. See the FMX Audit page for forms, fiscal policies and procedures, and audit contact information.

Subscribe via govDelivery for quarterly email notifications of audit reports posted.

CAPPS User Group Meeting Webinars in April

A CAPPS HR/Payroll user group webinar will be held April 28, 9–11 a.m.

A CAPPS Financials user group webinar will be held April 30, 9–11 a.m.

See CAPPS HR/Payroll User Group Meetings or CAPPS Financials User Group Meetings for agendas and webinar information.

USAS Changes for Summary Vendor Numbers

Effective April 10, new edits in USAS will create more consistent use of summary vendor numbers (Texas Identification Numbers starting with 3888). These edits will allow only summary payee transaction codes when processing payments using summary vendor numbers, and the summary vendor numbers must be established on the Payee Amount Limit (36) Profile.

See ACR 60345 – USAS System Change for more information.

USAS DAFR2011 Changing

Effective April 10, the USAS Transactions Deleted report (DAFR2011) will feature new columns and expanded reporting logic for better monitoring of deleted transactions from the USAS Internal Transaction (IT) file.

See ACR 60330 – USAS System Change for more information.

Reminder – Renew Agency Authorization for Warrant Pickup by April 15

Every two years, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts requires all state agencies and institutions of higher education to renew their Agency Authorization for Warrant Pickup form (74-189).

All authorization forms on file terminate at 5 p.m. on April 30. New forms are effective May 1. Agencies and institutions must return the completed and signed form by close of business April 15. 

See Authorization for Warrant Pickup for the form and more information. 

Contact Payment Services with questions.

Federal Legislation Affecting Leave

In March the federal government passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act amended the FFCRA by providing certain technical corrections and clarifying language. Beginning April 1, these new laws require certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. As public employers, state agencies and institutions of higher education are required to comply with the provisions of the FFCRA regardless of size.

The Comptroller’s office has published Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Guidance (FPP F.041) and is updating the statewide payroll systems to help agencies implement the changes. Agencies should review the federal guidelines and update your policies accordingly.

New FMX Page for Disaster-Related Updates

FMX has a new page to consolidate fiscal information for disaster-related activity. See Disaster Resources for announcements, policies and procedures, forms and other resources related to COVID-19.

Warrant Pickup Available 8–10 a.m. Friday, April 10

The Comptroller’s office will be closed on April 10  to observe Good Friday; however, Payment Services will distribute warrants from 8–10 a.m. The warrants will be for the April 9 processing cycle.

See Payment Distribution for warrant pickup requirements.

Reminder – New Online CTIA System

Effective April 6, electronic confirmation of the Confidential Treatment of Information Acknowledgement (CTIA) will be recorded in a new CTIA system. New state employees and contractors with valid state email addresses will be able to view and acknowledge the policy electronically. Signed paper CTIA forms are still acceptable. Existing records must be retained per Access Requirements for Comptroller Systems (FPP K.015). See Methods and Evidence of Acknowledgement in FPP K.015 for more information.