Clemson Advocates Legislative Update--March 17, 2014
Story Date: 3/17/2014

March 17, 2014

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Fertilizer Inspection Fees (S.699) was ratified on March 11. This bill 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.  

GI Bill In-StateTuition (S.93) and Military In-State Tuition (H.3086) were both passed out of the Senate Education Committee with minority reports.

BUDGET
The South Carolina House of Representatives completed their work on the state budget on Wednesday, March 12.

The House adopted the recommendations of the House Ways and Means Committee’s version of the budget as it relates to Clemson University.  Specifically, it includes the following:

Clemson E&G 
•      $1 million in nonrecurring funding for Student Career Opportunity Programs (on-campus internships)

Clemson PSA 
•      $3 million in nonrecurring funding for Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Equipment

In addition, the House included a 1.5% cost of living pay increase for state employees and funded an increase in the cost of health insurance for state employees.  Under this plan, state employees would see a small co-pay increase.

The budget now goes to the Senate, where it will be referred to the Senate Finance Committee for deliberation.

The Senate Finance Committee continues to hold agency budget subcommittee hearings and will continue this process through early April.

The Senate Finance Committee 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
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