Clemson Advocates Legislative Update--March 3, 2014
Story Date: 3/3/2014

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA Fertilizer Inspection Fees (S.699) was reported favorably out of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee 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. Ethics Reform (H.3945) was amended and passed by the Senate.  The bill now goes back to the House. The House Ways and Means K-16 Building Need and Utilization Study Committee met on Wednesday, February 26 to hear a presentation by the Huron Consulting Group.  This committee is conducting a review of institutional planning, management, and funding of facility maintenance needs by South Carolina’s public colleges and universities.   BUDGET The Senate Finance Committee has begun agency budget subcommittee hearings and will continue this process through early April. On Wednesday, February 26, Clemson President Jim Clements and Dr. George Askew, Associate Vice President for Public Service and Agriculture presented Clemson PSA's legislative and budget priorities at a hearing before the Senate Finance Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources.  The prepared text of their remarks may be found here. The Senate Finance budget hearing for Clemson E&G is scheduled for March 26. 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. 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.