Legislative Update
April 3, 2009
BUDGET
The Senate Finance Committee met Monday and Tuesday to discuss the revenue projections and the overall budget situation, including the debate over the stimulus funds. Facing a $368 million shortfall, subcommittees met to determine cuts for each agency that would result if the stimulus funds were not accepted. The Committee did not meet for the balance of the week and may meet the week of April 14th after the Senate returns from Easter break.
On Friday, Governor Sanford “certified” the federal stimulus money but did not “authorize” the expenditure of the $700 million in state stimulus funds. This action does not allow those particular funds to be sent to South Carolina. In the House budget, Clemson received $17.5 million of those funds. If those funds are not authorized, the Senate Finance Committee must write a budget without those funds.
This week the House approved measures to increase the General Reserve Fund of the state from three to five percent of the general fund revenue of the latest completed fiscal year. The General Reserve Fund is used for the purpose of covering operating deficits of state government. The House also gave approval to a $50 cents per pack tax increase on cigarettes. These bills now go to the Senate for consideration.
HOT BILLS
H.3013 – Representative Limehouse and others – A bill to increase the penalty for removing or destroying fences or gates that enclose animals, crops or uncultivated land – passed by the House, sent to the Senate and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
H.3104 – Representatives Murrell Smith and Joan Brady – A bill to create a SC College and University Board of Regents – pending in the House Education and Public Works Committee.
H.3147 – Representative Garry Smith and others – A bill to restructure state government by creating a Department of Administration – passed by the House and sent to the Senate.
H.3584 – Representative Harrell and others – A bill to raise the cigarette tax by 50 cents per pack – passed by the House and sent to the Senate.
H.3365 – Representative Cooper – This bill provides regulatory reform for the state supported research universities and the four year comprehensive institutions in SC. This bill is a collaborative effort by these institutions to propose regulatory reform in the areas of human resources, facilities, finance and procurement – passed by the House and sent to the Senate.
H.3378 – Representative Cooper and others – A bill to provide for the terms and conditions of mandatory state agency furlough programs – passed by the Senate and returned to the House with amendments.
H.3395 – Representative Harrell and others – A bill to conform the SC Code of Laws to reflect any constitutional change in the amount required to be held in the General Reserve Fund – passed by the House and sent to the Senate.
H.3396 – Representative Harrell and others – A Joint Resolution to increase the General Reserve Fund from three to five percent of general fund revenue of the latest completed fiscal year – passed by the House and sent to the Senate.
H. 3397 – Representative Garry Smith and others – A bill to set an annual spending limit on the appropriation of state general fund revenues and establish a spending limit reserve fund– pending in the House Ways and Means Committee.
H.3415 – Representative Harrell and others – A bill to establish the SC Tax Realignment Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the state’s tax system – pending on the House Calendar.
S.1 – Senator McConnell and others – A Joint Resolution to amend the SC Constitution to establish spending limits and establish a budget stabilization fund – given a favorable report by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
S.2 – Senator McConnell and others – This bill implements an annual limit on the appropriation of state general fund revenues – pending on the House Calendar.
S.9 – Senator McConnell and others – A bill to energy efficiency and renewable energy goals for state government – passed by the Senate and sent to the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.
S.12 – Senator Leatherman and others – This bill creates the Taxation Realignment Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the state’s tax system – amended and given a favorable report by the House Ways and Means Committee.
S.84 – Senator Ford – A bill that would allow arrest warrants to be made available for public inspection and copying without a written request if the requestor appears in person – tabled by a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee.
S. 147 – Senators Campsen and Elliot – A bill to require the passage of a joint resolution prior allowing a bond authorization prior to the introduction and passage of a bill or joint resolution to authorize bonds for a given year – given an unfavorable report by the Sales and Income Taxation Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee.
S.182 – Senator Setzler and others – This bill is similar to S.12 and creates a permanent Tax Research Commission to study and make recommendations on sales tax exemptions and the state’s tax system – continued by the Senate Finance Committee.
S.268 – Senator McConnell – A bill to clarify building code inspection procedures – amended as requested by Clemson and given a favorable report by the House Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee.
S.351 – Senator Grooms – A bill to restructure the organization of the SC State Ports Authority – pending in the House Judiciary Committee.
S.377 – Senator Scott and others – A bill to require public institutions of higher education to develop a credit card marketing and solicitation policy – given a favorable report by the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Senate Education Committee.
S.452 – Senator Campbell and others – A bill relating to SC surface water withdrawal and reporting – pending in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
S.517 – Senator Davis and others – A Joint Resolution requiring certain fees charged by state agencies that are set by regulation to be approved by the General Assembly – amended to more narrowly define the type of fees and given a favorable report by the Senate Finance Committee.
S.577 – Senator Leatherman and others – A Concurrent Resolution to allow the General Assembly to accept federal stimulus funds if the Governor fails to certify in the required period of time that he will request these funds – given a favorable report by the Senate Finance Committee.
For a complete list of bills being tracked by Governmental Affairs please go to the State Relations page of the Office of Governmental Affairs Web site: http://www.clemson.edu/governmentalaffairs/.
FYI
On Wednesday, the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee adjourned debate on a regulation proposed by Clemson in order to establish quarantine procedures for the plant pest, Asian Citrus Psyllid. By adjourning debate, the regulation will be effective on May 20, 2009
Also on Wednesday, the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Senate Education Committee gave approval to S.377, a bill requiring public institutions of higher education in SC to develop a credit card marketing and solicitation policy. The bill now goes to the full Senate Education Committee for consideration.
On Thursday, the House gave approval to H.3365, the Higher Education Efficiency and Administrative Policies Act. This bill provides regulatory reform for the state supported research universities and the four year comprehensive institutions in SC. This bill is a collaborative effort by these institutions to propose regulatory reform in the areas of human resources, facilities, finance and procurement. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The House is taking a two-week furlough and will return to meet in statewide session on April 21st. The Senate is also taking off the week of April 6th and will return in statewide session on April 14th.
On Tuesday, March 31 members of the Clemson Board of Visitors traveled to Columbia for their annual Legislative Day. They were introduced in the House of Representatives and spent time at the South Carolina State House visiting with their local House and Senate members before convening for meetings with the Clemson Governmental Affairs staff.
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