Legislative Update
by Elizabeth Bell on 4/27/2007

 

Legislative Update

 

April 27, 2007

 

 

BUDGET

The Senate completed their work on the 2007-2008 Appropriation Bill (in only two days of debate) on Wednesday, April 25th.  During the debate, very few changes from the Senate Finance Committee version were adopted.  One proviso of interest to Clemson was added that directs how the $150,000 for the Task Force on Higher Education will be spent and how the task force will proceed this year.  The bill will now go back to the House where they can amend or adopt the Senate version. The differences in the House and Senate versions will ultimately be determined by a Committee of Conference. We expect that committee to be appointed in the next few weeks. Below are those items that were funded for Clemson.

 

Higher Education

  • Eliminates a cap on tuition at the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI)
  • Continues funding of $30 million for the Endowed Chairs Program
  • Includes higher education employees in the state employee pay raise of 3%
  • Funds the state employee and retiree health insurance program which will result in no increase in premiums and no changes to the plan
  • Includes $1 million for the One Voice One Plan (OVOP) nursing initiative
  • Includes a $75,000 increase in recurring funding for EPSCoR
  • Includes $150,000 in nonrecurring to fund a taskforce on higher education study committee
  • Includes $2 million in nonrecurring for the statewide virtual library

 

Clemson PSA Priorities

  • $3.6 million in nonrecurring funding for capital expenditures
  • $2.5 million in recurring funding for ag production and animal health
  • $600,000 in recurring funding for biotechnology research
  • $600,000 in recurring funding for genetics and human nutrition research
  • $2 million in recurring for Advanced Plant Technology
  • $200,000 in nonrecurring for Edisto REC

 

Clemson E&G Priorities

  • $4.8 million in recurring funding for the Academic Road Map
  • $1.5 million in recurring funding for CU-ICAR
  • $300,000 in recurring and $600,000 in nonrecurring for COMSET
  • $1.3 million in recurring funding for Call Me Mister�
  • $1.5 million in nonrecurring funding for the SC Light Rail
  • $105,000 in nonrecurring for deferred maintenance

 

 

HOT BILLS

H.3034 � Representative Brady and others � SC Energy Efficiency Act � This bill requires that buildings constructed on state property with a construction budget of $15 million dollars must meet certain LEED certification standards � passed by the House and sent to the Senate Medical Affairs Committee.

 

H.3146 � Representative Harrell and others � SC Hydrogen Infrastructure Development Fund Act. A bill to establish a fund for awarding grants for promoting the development and deployment of hydrogen production. The bill also establishes tax incentives for investment in the fund and for hydrogen related research and development - pending in the House Ways and Means Committee.

 

H.3170 � Representative Harrell and others � A bill to increase the stipend for Palmetto Fellows and LIFE scholarships for students majoring in math and science given certain conditions and criteria � pending in the Senate Education Committee.

 

H.3481- Representative Cato and others � A bill to exempt higher education institutions from the requirement to use an outside firm for fire sprinkler inspections. This bill was requested by Clemson in order for us to continue to utilize our current trained staff for inspections - passed by the House and pending in the Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.

  

H.3476 � Representatives Walker and others � A bill that allows school districts to hire individuals that have an alternative teaching certification � passed out favorable by a Senate Education Subcommittee.  

 

H.3569 � Representatives Harrell and others � A Joint Resolution to create a Wireless Technology and Communications Commission for the purpose of implementing a statewide broadband wireless network � passed by the House and sent to the Senate.  

 

H.3649 � Representative Witherspoon and others � Energy Freedom and Rural Development Act. This bill allows a sales tax rebate for the purchase of certain fuel efficient vehicles and creates a development fund for assisting in obtaining research grants in renewable fuels � passed out favorable by a House Ways and Means Subcommittee.

 

H.3722 � Representative Scott and others � A bill relating to the licensing and regulation of engineers and land surveyors as requested by the engineering professionals � passed by the House and sent to the Senate.

 

H.3769 � Representative Joe Neal and others � A bill that changes the licensing and education requirements for engineers � adjourned debate by a House Labor, Commerce, and Industry Subcommittee.

 

 

S.75 � Senator Ryberg and others � This bill caps the enrollment in the State Tuition Prepayment Program at the current level- pending in the House Ways and Means Committee.

 

S.213 � Senator Lourie and others � The Prevention of Underage Drinking and Access to Alcohol Act � passed by the Senate and sent to the House where it was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

 

S.243 � Senators Setzler and Leatherman � Companion bill to H.3146 � the SC Hydrogen Infrastructure Development Fund Act � pending on the House Calendar.

 

S.282 � Senator Leatherman and others � A bill to update the SC Procurement Code as it relates to infrastructure and facilities � pending in the House Ways and Means Committee.

 

S. 291 � Senator Ritchie and others � Companion bill to H.3170 � A bill to provide additional Palmetto Fellows and LIFE funds in the form of a loan forgiveness program to students majoring in math and science given certain conditions and criteria � pending in the House Education and Public Works Committee.

 

S.341 � Senators Setzler and Knotts � A bill to allow free tuition for children of Purple Heart recipients from certain wars � pending on the Senate calendar with Senator Hutto desiring to be present.

 

S.368 � Senator Ritchie and others � A bill to direct state fleet management to give preference to purchase of alternative fuel vehicles if they are comparable in price and quality- pending in the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.  

 

S.376 � Senator Ritchie and others � A bill to require state funded buildings over 10,000 square feet to be certified LEED Silver � passed by the Senate and sent to the House.

 

S.401 � Senator Leatherman and others � A bill to add flexibility in the SC Procurement Code for SC vendor preferences � pending in a Senate Finance Subcommittee.

 

S.451 � Senator Courson and others � A bill to increase the athletic revenue bond authorization for Clemson and USC to $200 million � ratified and pending action by the Governor.    

 

S.459 � Senator Sheheen and others � A bill to require campus police officers to notify and work with local law enforcement agencies in the investigation of a death or rape resulting from an incident that occurs on campus � pending in the House Judiciary Committee.

 

S.613 � Senator Grooms and others � A bill requested by Clemson to permit use of methyl bromide as a soil fumigant for forest seedling producers to ship plants interstate and intrastate- passed out favorable by the House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs Subcommittee and pending on the House calendar.  

 

S.625 � Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee � A Joint Resolution to approve Regulations by the Clemson University Livestock-Health Commission relating to intrastate movement of certain animals � passed out favorable by the House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs Subcommittee and pending on the House calendar.   

 

For a complete list of bills being tracked by Governmental Affairs please go to the State Relations page of the Office of Governmental Affairs Web site: http://www.clemson.edu/governmentalaffairs/.

 

 

FYI

On Tuesday, the State 4-H Teen Council met in Columbia and visited the State House. They were recognized by the House and Senate in their leadership roles in 4-H. They were accompanied by Amy McCune, State 4-H Events Coordinator at Clemson.

 

On Wednesday, the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee gave approval to S.613 and S.625. These bills were requested by Clemson to allow certain labels of methyl bromide on forest seedlings and to update certain livestock and poultry health regulations. The bills are pending second reading on the House Calendar for consideration next week.

 

The House gave approval this week to H.3569 the SC Wireless and Technical Communication Commission bill and H.3722 the licensure of engineers and land surveyors bill.

 

On Thursday, S.451, a bill requested by Clemson and USC to increase the limit of athletic revenue bond authority to $200 million was ratified by the House and Senate. The bill now goes to the Governor where he has five days (Sundays excepted) to either sign the bill into law, veto it, or let it become law without his signature.

 

 

FEDERAL UPDATE

On Monday, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing to examine security and emergency preparedness on America's college campuses.  Testimony was received from David Ward, American Council on Education, Washington, D.C; W. Roger Webb, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond; Steven J. Healy, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, on behalf of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators; Russ Federman, University of Virginia Department of Student Health, Charlottesville; and Irwin Redlener, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York.