BUDGET
On Tuesday the House amended the Appropriations bill and sent it back to the Senate for concurrence. The amendment made few changes to the Senate version of the bill and the Senate then concurred in the House amendments. The bill was ratified late Wednesday, May 13. The ratified version of the budget appropriated the almost $350 million in Federal Stimulus funds in a separate part of the appropriations bill. Of these funds, approximately $185 million was spent on K-12 education and $99.9 million on higher education which included $14.7 million for Clemson E&G. $63 million was spent on other government services which included $2.5 million for Clemson PSA.
The budget contains an amendment to the Appropriations Bill that directs the Governor and the Superintendent of Education to “take all action necessary and required” to secure Federal Stimulus funds.
Clemson’s E&G base remained at $86 million which includes the additional 2% cut approved by the Budget and Control Board earlier in April.
The budget for Clemson PSA proposes a $2,433,411 million base reduction. The Clemson PSA base in the bill is $38.2 million.
The budget includes fee increases in the Regulatory Services Division of Clemson PSA, which will allow vital services to farmers to continue. Clemson PSA’s Meat Inspection cost recovery money and proviso language was also included.
The bill was sent to Governor Mark Sanford who has until midnight Tuesday, May 19 (five days, excluding Sunday) to issue vetoes on the bill.
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 – on the Senate Calendar for second reading.
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 – pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
H.3584 – Representative Harrell and others – A bill to raise the cigarette tax by 50 cents per pack – on the Senate Contested Calendar.
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 – recalled and sent to the Senate Education Committee.
H.3378 – Representative Cooper and others – A bill to provide for the terms and conditions of mandatory state agency furlough programs – signed into law by the Governor on May6, 2009.
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 – pending in the Senate Finance Committee.
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 – pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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 – recommitted to the House Ways and Means Committee.
H.3878 – Representative Rice and others – A Joint Resolution to establish a joint committee on the consolidation of state agencies to review the feasibility and costs savings related to the consolidation of certain state agencies – pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
H.3889 – Representative Jimmy Bales – A bill to change the requirement for Coggins Testing and to require testing for Strangles in horses – recommitted to the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.
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 in the Senate Finance Committee.
S.9 – Senator McConnell and others – A bill to energy efficiency and renewable energy goals for state government – recommitted 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 – in a Conference 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 – ratified and awaiting the Governor’s action.
S.351 – Senator Grooms – A bill to restructure the organization of the SC State Ports Authority – passed by the House and sent to the Senate with amendments.
S.377 – Senator Scott and others – A bill to require public institutions of higher education to develop a credit card marketing and solicitation policy – passed by the Senate and referred to the House Education and Public Works 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.453 – Senators Verdin and Ford – A bill to provide that local governments ordinances concerning the care and handling of livestock and poultry are superseded and preempted by laws enacted by the SC General Assembly. It also prevents local governments from imposing any new storm water fees on agricultural, forest, or undeveloped land – passed by the House and returned to the Senate with amendments.
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 – pending on the Senate Contested Calendar.
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 – pending on the Senate Contested Calendar.
S.593 – Senator Shane Martin – A bill to allow persons who have a concealed weapons permit to carry a weapon on school property or college campuses if the weapon remains inside an attended or locked car – recalled from the House Judiciary Committee, passed by the House and returned to the Senate with amendments.
S.711 – Senator Danny Verdin – a Joint Resolution to allow Clemson Regulatory Services Division to quarantine counties for Citrus Greening Disease – ratified and awaiting the Governor’s signature.
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
H. 3365, the Higher Education Efficiency and Administrative Policies Act, was recalled from the Senate Finance Committee and sent to the Senate Education Committee for consideration. This bill is supported by all four-year institutions of higher education. Because of the limited time of the legislative session, the bill will be carried over in committee to the 2010 legislative session. It is anticipated that committee work on the bill will continue over the summer and fall.
On Tuesday, the House concurred in the Senate amendments to H.4000- the Sine Die Resolution. Therefore the House and Senate are scheduled to adjourn on May 21st.
On Thursday, the House passed S.351 – SC Ports Authority Restructuring bill. This bill deals primarily with structure and authority of the governing board of the Authority. It includes qualifications of the members of the board and a review of the performance of the executive director of the Authority. The bill now goes back to the Senate for consideration of the House amendments.
On Thursday, by a vote of 110-2 the House overwhelmingly approved S.593. This bill would allow persons authorized to carry a concealed weapon to have a weapon in an attended or locked vehicle if the weapon is secured in a closed glove compartment, console or trunk on college campuses. The bill also applies to K-12 public schools. The bill now goes back to the Senate for consideration of the House amendments.
| 
