“What’s New” on FMX

April, 2021

ARP Update to FFCRA [posted 04/30/21]

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) further extends agencies’ and institutions’ ability to voluntarily offer emergency paid sick leave and paid family leave created by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) through Sept. 30, 2021. The Comptroller’s office has updated Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Guidance (FPP F.041) to reflect ARP’s changes to FFCRA.

Promote Direct Deposit Month [posted 04/30/21]

May is Direct Deposit Month, a yearly reminder that direct deposit payments save the state money and offer a safe, convenient method of payment to the payees of the state. May is a good time for each agency to review its direct deposit practices to protect your agency and your customers.

See Promoting Direct Deposit for more information.

Accounting Policy Webinar [posted 04/30/21]

An accounting policy webinar will be held May 19, 2–4 p.m. See the Accounting Policy Meetings page for the webinar registration.

This page will also be updated with:

Agenda and meeting materials (available the day before the meeting)
Q&As (available two to three weeks after the webinar)

Note: Use Google Chrome as the internet browser to avoid Webex compatibility issues.

Reminder – Upgrade BlueZone Web-to-Host by June 1 [posted 04/30/21]

All customers using BlueZone Web-to-Host 5.2 must upgrade to the latest version, 7.1, by June 1, when the current version will be decommissioned on Comptroller systems. See Requirements for Transmitting Comptroller Information (FPP N.007) (login required) for more information and installation instructions.

Agencies and institutions may also use other TN3270E emulation software equivalent to BlueZone. See Alternative Emulator Configuration Settings (login required) in FPP N.007, or contact information technology support at your agency for help.

Authorization Updates Due for Changes to Statewide Payroll/Personnel Systems [posted 04/23/21]

Letter of authorization (LOA) signature lists currently on file for HRIS, SPRS, USPS and CAPPS expire May 31.

By May 31, each agency and institution of higher education must submit the names of authorized employees and a new LOA signature list form. Beginning June 1, only newly authorized state employees may request data changes.

See Authorization and Request Process for Data Changes to Statewide Payroll/Personnel Systems (FPP M.009) for forms and instructions.

Reminder – Quarterly GR Reimbursement Due for Statewide Allocated Costs [posted 04/23/21]

The second-quarter general revenue (GR) reimbursement deadline for statewide allocated costs for agencies listed in Fiscal 2020 Statewide Cost Allocation Summary of Fixed Costs by Agency is April 30.

See General Revenue Reimbursement for Statewide Allocated Costs (FPP A.022) for instructions, contacts and forms.

Reminder — Semiannual Verification of Users' Security Access Levels Due [posted 04/20/21]

Security coordinators are required to certify that their records are up to date through a semiannual security verification process that is concurrent for all Fiscal Management applications.

Review the instructions for the Semiannual Verification of Users’ Security Access Level (FPP K.009) (login required).
Download and review the Agency Security Coordinator Reports (login required).
Complete and return the Attestation form (73-326) to the Comptroller’s office by May 6.

If you have questions, email sfs.security@cpa.texas.gov.

Encrypt Confidential Emails to Fiscal Management [posted 04/16/21]

State agencies and institutions of higher education sometimes send documents with confidential information to Fiscal Management.

Email is not a secure transmission. Agencies must send confidential information as an encrypted email attachment as prescribed by your agency’s information security policy.

See Confidential Information Must be Encrypted Before Emailing to Fiscal Management (FPP D.004) for details.

Comptroller Expenditure Objects for Drones [posted 04/16/21]

Comptroller expenditure objects (COBJs) are available to record payment for unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). State agencies must have statutory authority to make a drone purchase. Use the following to record payment:

COBJ 7364 – Personal Property – Drones – Controlled when unit cost is less than $5,000.
COBJ 7370 – Personal Property – Drones – Capitalized when unit cost is $5,000 or more.
COBJ 7263 – Personal Property – Maintenance and Repair – Aircraft – Expensed for the maintenance and repair of aircraft, including drones.

Contact the Expenditure Assistance team at (512) 475-0966 or expenditure.assistance@cpa.texas.gov for more information.

Accounting Policy Webinar [posted 04/09/21]

An accounting policy webinar will be held April 28, 2-4 p.m. See the Accounting Policy Meetings page for the webinar registration.

This page will also be updated with:

Agenda and meeting materials (available the day before the meeting)
Q&As (available two to three weeks after the webinar)

Note: Use Google Chrome as the internet browser to avoid Webex compatibility issues.

TINS System Changes [posted 04/09/21]

TINS implemented two application change requests (ACRs) effective March 26:

ACR 60382 updated the direct deposit return reason code R17 as it was repurposed by the National Automated Clearing House Association.
ACR 60446 implemented a new display that masks all but the last four digits of payees’ account numbers on the monthly direct deposit reports.

Contact Payment Services with questions.

CAPPS User Group Webinar [posted 04/09/21]

A combined CAPPS Financials and CAPPS HR/Payroll user group webinar will be held April 29, 9-11 a.m.

See CAPPS HR/Payroll User Group Meetings or CAPPS Financials User Group Meetings for webinar information. The agenda and meeting materials will be posted one day before the meeting.

Semiannual Verification of Users’ Security Access Levels Due [posted 04/08/21]