THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA The House gave third reading to H.4717 (Farm Aid Bill) and sent it to the Senate where it was introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
Floor debate continues on H.3579 (Infrastructure Funding) in the Senate. Last Wednesday, the Senate adopted a provision that would allocate $400M from the general fund to road funding and give the Governor the authority to appoint the members of the Highway Commission. The amendment adopted did not contemplate a gas tax increase or an income tax relief. The bill continues to be before the Senate for debate.
The State Budget Process The House of Representatives is expected to begin their work on the state budget the week of March 21.
The Senate Finance Committee will continue holding budget subcommittee hearings through early April.
The Senate Finance Committee budget hearings for Clemson E&G and Clemson PSA are both scheduled for March 16.
Detailed information on Clemson's 2016 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2016-17 may be found at these links:
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.
CLEMSON ON CAPITOL HILL This week on Capitol Hill The House is not in session this week and will return to D.C. on Monday, March 14 to resume legislative business. The Senate convenes later today.
Higher Education Research Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Last week, Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced S.2626 (Higher Education UAS Modernization Act), which will allow higher education institutions to more easily conduct research using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones.
Current regulations require that all UAS operators "must apply for approval from the FAA, obtain a pilot's license and are restricted to using only pre-approved aircraft." The proposed legislation would allow higher education institutions to operate UAS without approval from the FAA if they meet certain requirements.
2016 ACC Student Advocacy DC Trip On March 13-15, several ACC schools will each send student leaders to Washington, D.C. for its annual Student Advocacy conference. While on Capitol Hill, the students will network and discuss issues with their ACC counterparts. They will also visit their respective Congressional delegation offices to advocate on behalf of their universities. Clemson will have six student leaders representing the University at the conference.
FYI Tuesday, March 1 marked the fourth annual Clemson Day at the State House. Representatives from the Clemson University Board of Trustees, Clemson University Alumni Association Board, the Board of Visitors, the State Extension Advancement Council, Clemson University Student Government (Graduate and Undergraduate) and the Columbia and Lexington Clemson Clubs visited the South Carolina State House in Columbia for a day of legislative interaction with our state lawmakers. The groups were recognized in each chamber with House and Senate Resolutions and they spent the day working with their legislators on issues of importance to Clemson University and Clemson PSA.
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