Cash transaction card; application; issuance and use.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 7-57
in effectSec. 7-57. - Cash transaction card; application; issuance and use.
(a) With the exception of business to business transactions, a metal recycler may pay a seller for a purchase of regulated material by cash or debit card only if, before the metal recycler issues payment:
(1) The seller presents to the metal recycler a valid cash transaction card issued by the metal recycler or by another metal recycler located in this state; or
(2) The metal recycler obtains a copy of the seller's cash transaction card from the records of the metal recycler.
(b) An application for the issuance or renewal of a cash transaction card must include:
(1) The name, address, sex, and birth date of the applicant;
(2) The identification number from the applicant's personal identification document;
(3) A color digital photograph that accurately depicts the applicant's entire face taken at the time the applicant completes the application;
(4) A clear and legible thumbprint of the applicant; and
(5) The signature of the applicant.
(c) On receipt of an application that contains the information required by subsection (b) above, a metal recycler may approve the application and issue a cash transaction card to the applicant in accordance with subsection (e) of this section. The individual approving the application on behalf of the metal recycler must sign the application.
(d) A cash transaction card must be laminated or made of a rigid plastic or other durable material that will preserve the legibility of the information on the card, completed in legible print in English, and include the following information:
(1) The name and address of the seller;
(2) The name, address, and state registration number of the metal recycler that issued the cash transaction card;
(3) A color digital photograph of the seller that accurately depicts the seller's entire face;
(4) An identifying number that is unique to the individual card; and
(5) The expiration date of the card, which may not be later than two years from the date the card was issued or renewed.
(e) A metal recycler must mail the issued cash transaction card to the address provided on the application for the card.
(f) A cash transaction card issued under this section is not transferable.
(g) Subsequent to issuing the cash transaction card as provided in subsection (e) above, a metal recycler may maintain or obtain possession of the cash transaction card. However, it is unlawful for a metal recycler to maintain or obtain possession of a cash transaction card issued by another metal recycler under this section.
(h) A metal recycler shall preserve each application for a cash transaction card the metal recycler receives until the second anniversary of the date the application was received and a copy of each cash transaction card the metal recycler issues or renews until the second anniversary of the date the card was issued or renewed.
(i) A cash transaction card issued under Chapter 1956 of the Texas Occupations Code, as may be amended from time to time, shall be deemed equivalent to the cash transaction card required under this article of the Code.
(Ord. No. 2016-964, § 4(Exh. A), 12-7-2016)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH7ANDECOMASCMEPRSEREREBU_ARTIIIMERE_DIV3OPRURE_S7-57CATRCAAPISUSFetched: 10/26/2026