Clemson Advocates Legislative Update--February 10, 2014
Story Date: 2/10/2014

February 10, 2014 THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA The House of Representatives will be on furlough this week.  The House Ways and Means Subcommittees will continue to meet.  It is anticipated that the full Ways and Means Committee will debate the state budget the week of February 17. Fertilizer Inspection Fees (S.699) was approved by a House Agriculture Subcommittee last week. This bill, which was passed by the Senate last spring, keeps funding for the fertilizer inspection fee level so that Clemson PSA can continue soil testing and fertilizer inspection programs in support of South Carolina's farmers.  If S.699 is not passed, the impact would mean an approximate loss of $450,000 in revenue that is used to support three major programs at Clemson and likely closure of the soils testing lab.   The Charleston University Act (H.4632) was introduced this week in the House of Representatives.  This bill would merge the College of Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina and the Medical University Hospital Authority into one entity, creating a comprehensive research university in Charleston. BUDGET From a state budgeting standpoint, Clemson is considered two separate state agencies: a research university that receives an educational and general (E&G) state appropriation for teaching and student support, and a land-grant Public Services Activities (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs. Detailed information on Clemson’s 2014 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2014-15 may be found at these links: Clemson Education and General (E&G) Priorities Clemson Public Service Activities (PSA) Priorities THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY ENTERPRISE ACT The Clemson University Enterprise Act (S.535) was passed by the Senate in May and sent to the House and referred to House Ways and Means Committee.  The Committee has not yet taken action on the bill. BILLS OF INTEREST The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have potential impact on Clemson.  A complete listing of these bills may be found here.  Click on the bill number for a description of the legislation, along with the bill's current status. WASHINGTON UPDATE On Tuesday, February 4, the United States Senate passed the Farm Bill 68-32 and sent it to President Obama for his signature.  Clemson PSA’s land grant formula funding (as provided by the Hatch, Smith-Lever, McIntire-Stennis Acts) remains intact in the final version of the bill.  This equates to approximately $11.5 million. FYI "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. The Clemson Advocates website and the Clemson University Governmental Affairs website are also constantly updated with news and information.