THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA House Ways and Means Chairman, Brian White (R-Anderson) and House Ways and Means Higher Education Budget Subcommittee Chairman, Jim Merrill (R-Berkeley), introduced H.5217 (Higher Education Bond Bill). The bill was introduced as a shell bill so no specific projects are included at this time.
H.4717 (Farm Aid Bill) remains on the Senate calendar for second reading with an objection by Senator Tom Davis (R-Beaufort).
The House amended H.3579 (Transportation Infrastructure) and returned the bill to the Senate. The Senate had previously amended the bill to eliminate a tax increase to pay for road funding and instead required that the legislature appropriate $400 million in general funds annually to supplement the Transportation Department budget. The House vote dictates that the bill cannot be amended again. The Senate must vote to concur or not concur. If the Senate concurs, the bill goes to the governor for her signature. If the Senate does not concur, the bill will go to a conference committee to resolve the differences in the two versions.
The State Budget Process The Senate Finance Committee began their work on the state budget last week. They will continue budget deliberations this week.
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 Legislative Activity This Week The Senate will convene today at 3:00pm. The House will meet at 12:00pm for morning hour and at 2:00pm for legislative business, with votes postponed until 6:30pm.
Senate Appropriations On April 14th, The Senate Appropriations Committee released the FY17 spending allocations for its 12 Appropriations Subcommittees and approved the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs and Energy and Water appropriations bills. The Energy and Water appropriations bill is expected to be debated on the Senate floor this week.
In the absence of the budget resolution, the Senate is expected to approve a "deeming" resolution this week that sets FY17 discretionary spending at the level approved in last year's two-year budget deal. House GOP leadership had hoped to work out a deal on the FY17 budget resolution with their conservative colleagues who want additional cuts, but were unable to reach an agreement. Absent an agreement, budget rules will allow House appropriations bills to go to the floor beginning May 15th.
House Agriculture Appropriations Bill Currently, the House version of the Agriculture Appropriations Bill that was approved in subcommittee last week includes $375 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), a $25 million increase from FY16. AFRI is the Department of Agriculture's premiere competitive research program.
Upcoming Hearings - April 19th - Senate Appropriations Subcommittee mark-up of the FY17 Commerce, Science, Justice and Related Agencies Act - April 19th - Senate Appropriations Subcommittee mark-up of the FY17Transportation, Housing, Urban Development and Related Agencies Act - April 19th - House Appropriations Committee mark-up of FY17 Agriculture and Energy and Water appropriations bills - April 20th - Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review the FY17 budget request for Defense Innovation and Research - April 21st - Full Senate Appropriations Committee meets
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