BUDGET

The House and Senate adopted the Budget Conference Report before they adjourned Sine Die on Thursday, June 3^rd. The budget has been sent to Governor Sanford where he has five days (not counting Sunday) to issue his vetoes. The General Assembly will reconvene in statewide session on June 15^th to consider vetoes.

HOT BILLS

H.3104 – Representative Murrell Smith – A bill to create a SC College and University Board of Regents – did not pass.

H.3147 – Representative Garry Smith and others – A bill to restructure state government by creating a Department of Administration – did not pass.

H.3584 – Representative Harrell and others – A bill to raise the cigarette tax by 50 cents per pack – became law on May 26, 2010.

H.3365 – Representative Cooper – A bill to provide regulatory reform for the state supported research universities and the four year comprehensive institutions in SC. This bill is a collaborative effort by these institutions to propose regulatory reform in the areas of human resources, facilities, finance and procurement – did not pass.

H.3395 – Representative Harrell and others – A bill to conform the SC Code of Laws to reflect any constitutional change in the amount required to be held in the General Reserve Fund – became law on May 25, 2010.  

H.3396 – Representative Harrell and others – A Joint Resolution to increase the General Reserve Fund from three to five percent of general fund revenue of the latest completed fiscal year – became law on April 20, 2010. 

H.3878 – Representative Rice and others – A Joint Resolution to establish a joint committee on the consolidation of state agencies to review the feasibility and costs savings related to the consolidation of certain state agencies – did not pass.

H.4005 – Representative Sellers and others – A bill to prohibiting individuals seeking election to membership on the governing board of an institution of higher education filled by a vote of the General Assembly to make contributions to a candidate for the General Assembly or sponsor a fundraiser for a candidate from the time the individual files a notice of intention to seek membership to the time the office is filled – did not pass.

H.4176 – Representative John King – A Joint Resolution to impose a moratorium on reimbursements paid in connection with all nonessential state employee travel, associated meals and lodging through June 30, 2010 – did not pass.

H.4227 – Representative Jim Merrill – A bill to abolish the Commission on Higher Education – did not pass.

H.4241 – Representative Murrell Smith and others – A bill to create the SC Renewable Energy Plan – did not pass.

H.4282 – Representative Don Smith and others – A bill to make it unlawful to use a text messaging device while operating a motor vehicle – did not pass.

H. 4386 – Representative Thompson and others – A bill to limit members of boards of trustees of SC public colleges and universities to three four-year terms – did not pass.

H.4478 – Representative Harrell and others – The SC Economic Competitiveness Act – includes allowing the Department of Commerce to award one-third of the funds associated with the endowed chairs program – returned to the House with amendments, can be considered in June 15^th session according to the Sine Die Resolution.

H.4539 – Representative Mike Pitts and others – A bill to transfer the State Veterinarian and the Livestock and Poultry Health Division from Clemson University to the SC Department of Agriculture – did not pass.

H.4587 – Representative Umphlett and others – A bill to transfer all agricultural public service activities from Clemson and SC State to the SC Department of Agriculture – did not pass.

H.4589 – Representative Mike Gambrell and others – A bill to exempt stockyard owners from the training and certification requirements relating to animal facility waste management – passed by the House and Senate and enrolled for ratification.

H.4822 – Representative Mike Gambrell and others – A bill to related to commercial pesticide applicators licensing requirements for application of certain substances – did not pass.

H.4840- Representative Duncan – A bill to enact the “No Chippin’ Chickens Act” – did not pass.

H.4855 – Representative Sandifer and others – A Concurrent Resolution to name the intersection of Perimeter Road and Highway 93 in the city of Clemson the “Bill McLellan Intersection” – adopted by the House and Senate.

S.1 – Senator McConnell and others – A Joint Resolution to amend the SC Constitution to establish spending limits and establish a budget stabilization fund – did not pass. 

S.2 – Senator McConnell and others – This bill implements an annual limit on the appropriation of state general fund revenues – returned to the Senate with amendments, can be considered in June 15^th session according to the Sine Die Resolution.

S.9 – Senator McConnell and others – A bill to establish energy efficiency and renewable energy goals for state government – did not pass.

S.242 – Senator Ryberg and others – A bill to close the TERI program to new participants as of July 1, 2010 – did not pass.

S.377 – Senator Scott and others – A bill to require public institutions of higher education to develop a credit card marketing and solicitation policy – did not pass.

S.452 – Senator Campbell and others – A bill relating to SC surface water withdrawal and reporting – passed by the House and Senate and enrolled for ratification.

S.517 – Senator Davis and others – A Joint Resolution requiring certain fees charged by state agencies that are set by regulation to be approved by the General Assembly – did not pass.

S.553 – Senator Hutto – A bill to provide for the licensure and regulation of summer camps – did not pass.

S.594 – Senator Leatherman – A bill that allows colleges and universities to increase tuition waivers for in-state students and allows for colleges and universities to enter into ground lease agreements with the private sector – pending on the Senate Calendar and can be considered in the June 15^th session according to the Sine Die Resolution.

S.789 –Senator Rose and others – A bill to require all higher education institutions to maintain a web site that includes a record of all expenditures above one-hundred dollars – did not pass.

S.872 – Senator Bright – A bill to transfer the State Veterinarian and the Livestock and Poultry Health Division from Clemson University to the SC Department of Agriculture – did not pass.

S.932 – Senator Larry Martin – A bill related to prohibiting the release of swine into the wild – ratified and awaiting action by the Governor.

S.1080 – Senators Malloy and Ford – A bill to repeal the sales tax exemption on textbooks, books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and access to on-line information – did not pass.

S.1114 – Senator Verdin and others – A Joint Resolution to approve regulations relating to Citrus Greening Disease by Clemson’s Regulatory and Public Service Division – became law without the Governor’s signature.

S.1115 – Senator Verdin and others – A Joint Resolution to approve regulations relating to P. ramorum quarantine – became law without the Governor’s signature.

S.1053 – Senators McConnell and Rose – A bill to prohibit state agencies from increasing any fee for services unless approved by the General Assembly – did not pass.

S.1315- Senator Robert Ford – A bill to provide that all members of the Boards of Trustees of all public institutions of higher education be appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the Senate – did not pass.

S.1323 – Senator Matthews and others – A bill to establish the “I-95 Corridor Authority Act” – did not pass.

S.1329 – Senator Malloy – A bill to establish the South Carolina College and University Board of Regents – did not pass.

S.1435 – Senator McConnell – The Sine Die Resolution – determining the provisions of adjournment by the General Assembly – adopted by the House and Senate.

S.1446 – Senator Grooms and others – A bill related to verifying immigration status – did not pass.

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

The General Assembly adjourned Sine Die at 5:00 pm on Thursday, June 3^rd. They are scheduled to return on June 15^th for three days if necessary to take up vetoes and other legislation as prescribed for in the Sine Die Resolution. Bills that did not pass this session are not carried over to the 2011 legislative session. They can be reintroduced in 2011. 

Please refer to the Clemson Advocacy home page (www.ciclt.net/clemson) for up to date, statewide news coverage on Clemson University and related information.