Legislative Update

June 1, 2012

THIS WEEK

The House of Representatives amended the SC State Retirement System bill (H 4967) and returned it to the Senate on Thursday.  The Senate did not concur in the House amendments so a conference committee has been appointed to negotiate the differences in the two versions.  Conferees are Representatives Kenny Bingham (R-Lexington), Jim Merrill (R-Charleston), Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg), and Senators Thomas Alexander (R-Oconee), Greg Ryberg (R-Aiken), and Nikki Setzler (D-Lexington).

BUDGET

The budget (H 4813) was returned to the House this week with the Senate’s changes.  The House will continue working on the budget next week.  If the House does not concur with the Senate’s changes, a conference committee will be appointed to negotiate the differences in the two versions.

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 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2012-13 may be found at these links:

Clemson Education and General (E&G) Priorities

Clemson Public Service Activities (PSA) Priorities

BILLS OF INTEREST

The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have potential impact on Clemson.  These bills are listed below.  Click on the bill number for more details and tracking information (statuses of bills that have been acted upon in the last legislative week are italicized):

H 3025 – Representative Murrell Smith – A bill to establish a SC College and University Board of Regents.  Referred to the House Education and Public Works Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

H 3036 – Representative Boyd Brown - A bill to establish a SC College and University Board of Regents.  Referred to the House Education and Public Works Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE 

H 3051 – Representative Shannon Erickson – A Joint Resolution to provide that no state agency by regulation may increase or implement a fee for a service without approval of the General Assembly.  Amended to exempt public higher education institutions.  Passed as amended by the House. Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON 

H 3066 – Representative Garry Smith – A bill to restructure state government by creating a Department of Administration. House insists upon amendments; conference committee appointed. Conferees: Reps. Harrison, White, Lucas and Senators L. Martin, Massey and Malloy. Conference committee met briefly 5.31.12. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3125 – Representative Mike Pitts – A bill to move the State Veterinarian from Clemson University to the Department of Agriculture.  Referred to the House Agriculture, Natural Resource and Environmental Affairs Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE 

H 3204 – Representative Brady and Spires – A Joint Resolution to create the SC Summer Camp Study Committee to study the summer camps in the state.  Pending in the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3215 - Representative Crosby and others – A bill to provide for a zero-base budget review on a ten year schedule for each state agency, beginning for fiscal year 2012-13.  Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3226 – Representative Bedingfield and others – A bill to provide that the general assembly or a committee of the general assembly may not amend or otherwise change an amendment under review, and only the agency that submitted the regulation for review may amend or otherwise change the language of a regulation it submits for general assembly review.  Senate Judiciary Committee report:  favorable as amended. On the Senate calendar for second reading. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3235 - Representative Taylor and others – A bill relating to fees and the time within which certain records must be furnished under the Freedom of Information Act. Passed the House, sent to the Senate. Committee report: majority-favorable, minority-unfavorable. On the Senate calendar for second reading . Clemson’s Position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3292 – Representative Pitts and others – A bill related to the carrying and possession of handguns – Passed favorably as amended by a House Judiciary Subcommittee.  Pending in the full House Judiciary Committee.  Recommitted to subcommittee.  Clemson’s position: MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3376 – Representatives Limehouse, Dillard, Sottile, Murphy and Anderson – A bill to provide that a college or university campus police department must release all files and information in its possession regarding a student's suspension, expulsion, or withdrawal from the institution for disruptive or antisocial behavior to the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the institution's campus.  Referred to the House Judiciary Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3418 – Representative Merrill – A bill to provide that a member of the governing board of an institution of higher learning may not serve more than three consecutive terms on the board. Referred to the House Education and Public Works Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

H 3429 – Representative Merrill and others – A bill to provide that a student who is not domiciled in South Carolina and who has not been granted an out-of-state tuition rate waiver shall commit to paying the out-of-state tuition rate for four years before he may be accepted to a public institution of higher learning. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. Clemson’s position: MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3456 – Representative White and others – A bill to create The Other Funds Oversight Committee to review and examine the sources of other funds in this state and to provide for its membership.  Passed as amended by the House.  Sent to the Senate.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position: MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3499 – Representatives Merrill and Bingham – A bill to provide that appropriations made to a public institution of higher learning from the lottery expenditure account must be reflected in its budget.  Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3508 – Representative Gambrell and others – A bill relating to Broadband service in underserved areas of South Carolina.  Passed by the House. Interrupted Debate status on the Senate Calendar. Clemson’s position: MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3558 – Representative J.E. Smith – A bill to require all state institutions of higher education to allow students to complete assignments or take make-up examinations when an absence is caused by attending or participating in military service, duty, training, or disaster relief efforts.  Signed by the Governor. Effective date 5.14.12. Clemson’s position: MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3579 – Representative Ballentine and others – A bill to provide that unless prohibited by law, the amounts of "other funds", an amount equal to ten percent of "other funds" is transferred to the general fund of the state and to appropriate the transferred funds for specified purposes.  Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

H 3580 – Representative Ballentine and others – A bill to provide that unless prohibited by law, any across-the-board reduction in appropriations must be applied to all appropriated funds including state general fund appropriations, except for federal funds.  Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

H 3612 – Representative Toole – A bill to provide that a state agency, department, or institution that issues cellular telephone or other wireless communications devices to its employees must annually review the plan and to provide other requirements.  Referred to the House Labor Commerce and Industry Committee.  Clemson’s Position:  SUPPORT

H 3620 – Representative Lowe – A bill to provide that certain students enrolled in a high school or an institution of higher learning are not required to obtain a hunting or fishing license.  Referred to House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3631 - Representative Harrison and others – A bill relating to the requirements for conducting a prescribed fire.  Signed by the Governor. Act 139. Clemson’s Position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3633 – Representative Loftis and others – A bill to enact the "South Carolina Agribusiness Economic Development Authority Act of 2011", to create this authority within the Department of Agriculture to help alleviate the shortage of capital and credit available for investment in agribusiness.  Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3743 – Speaker Harrell and others – A bill related to the South Carolina Research Authority.  Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3779 – Representative Brady and others – A bill to enact the "Bill Wylie Entrepreneurship Act Of 2011.”  Passed by the House.  Committee report: favorable as amended. On the Senate calendar for second reading.  Clemson’s Position:  SUPPORT

H 3888 – Representative J.E. Smith – A bill to provide that a leave donor under the state employees leave transfer program also may donate sick leave or annual leave, or both, to a specific leave recipient rather than to the leave pool account in the manner the human resource management division shall direct.  Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 3956 – Representatives Cooper, Skelton and others – A bill to allow Clemson University to enter into ground lease agreements with a private entity, to make provisions for those agreements, to require review of the lease by the state Budget and Control Board, and to provide that the full faith and credit of the state may not be pledged.  Recommitted to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Clemson’s Position:  REQUESTED BY CLEMSON UNIVERSITY-SUPPORT

H 4055 – Representative R.L. Brown and others – A bill to require the general assembly to give first priority to elementary and secondary public education purposes in making appropriations of funds from the education lottery account.  Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4081 – Representative Funderburk – A bill to prohibit the use of public funds to employ or contract with a person whose activities include those related to lobbying and to provide exceptions.  Referred to the House Judiciary Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4092 – Representative Limehouse and others – A bill to provide that smoking is not allowed in buildings on campuses of public institutions of higher learning when it is prohibited by the governing body of the institution and to provide that a governing body is not precluded from establishing a smoke-free campus.  Passed the House and sent to the Senate. Given third reading and enrolled for ratification. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4221 – Representative Viers – A bill to close the Teacher And Employee Retention Incentive (TERI) Program to new participants effective July 1, 2011 and to provide that the provisions of this act may not be amended or repealed except in separate legislation receiving an affirmative two-thirds recorded vote in each house of the general assembly.  Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4420 – Representatives Viers and Atwater – A bill to provide that Veteran’s Day must be recognized as a holiday for all local school districts and public colleges and universities of the state.  Referred to House Education and Public Works Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4429 – Representatives Ballentine and Atwater – A bill to require chief procurement officers of governmental bodies to undertake life cycle cost analysis for all public construction projects expected to cost more than one million dollars and to authorize alternate infrastructure bidding procedures for public works construction projects.  Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4475 – Representatives Young and Clyburn – A bill to include trail riding in the definition “equine activity” for the purposes of equine liability immunity and to include a requirement that warning signs are to be posted at the entrance to riding trails. Signed by the Governor. Act 142. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4486 – Representative Barfield – A bill to require each state agency to submit a report of its federal receipts and developing a plan should its federal receipts be reduced.  Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4525 – Representative Ballentine – A bill to provide that the Division I football teams of the University of South Carolina and Clemson University shall annually plan on a home and home basis.  Referred to the House Education and Public Works Committee.  Given an unfavorable report by Higher Education Subcommittee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSED

H 4641 – Representative Daning and others – A bill relating to in-state tuition rates for military personnel and their dependents under certain conditions, so as to revise the criteria under which veterans who are honorably discharged and their dependents may receive in-state tuition rates. Passed the House. Committee report: favorable. On the Senate calendar for third reading. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4689 – Representatives Hiott, Skelton and Owens  – A bill to provide health and sanitary requirements for home-based food production operations.  Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs. Passed by the House; Sent to the Senate; Referred to the Senate Medical Affairs Committee. On the Senate calendar for third reading.  Clemson’s Position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4706 – Representative Sandifer – A bill to define and regulate cottage food operations.  Referred to House Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry. Reported out of committee. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4709 – Representative Garry Smith and others – A bill to enact "The Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2012" to provide limits on general fund appropriations.  Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4745 – Representative Bingham – A bill to enact the "Architects' And Engineers' Volunteer Act" which provides immunity for a registered architect or engineer who provides certain architectural or engineering services at the scene of a declared emergency.  Similar to S.1137. Referred to the House Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4794 - Representatives Barfield, Clemmons and Dillard - A bill relating to the boards of trustees of certain four-year state-supported institutions of higher learning including Clemson University so as to add two members to the board of trustees and provide for the manner of appointment of these additional members.  Referred to the House Education and Public Works Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

H 4881 - Representative Funderburk and others - A resolution to create, strengthen and expand local farm and food economies throughout South Carolina by supporting state policies that encourage state agencies, state-owned facilities, and state partners to purchase local South Carolina farm or food products.  Introduced and adopted.  Clemson’s position:  SUPPORT

H 4898 - Representative Merrill and others – A bill relating to the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS). Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. Similar: H.4967. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 4962 - Representatives Loftis and Dennis Moss – A bill to provide that a commercial applicator of pesticides is not required to be certified to purchase and apply any pesticide that is available to consumers at a retail establishment. Referred to the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee. Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

H 4967 - House Ways and Means Committee – South Carolina Retirement System bill.  Senate non-concurs in House amendments. Conference committee appointed. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 5051 - Representative Limehouse and many others – A bill relating to higher education mission and goals for all public higher education institutions in this state, so as to include in the mission of four year colleges and universities unique doctoral degree programs that are not duplicative of any research university doctoral programs in that region, and to define “region.” Similar: S.1323. Senate concurs in House amendments. Enrolled for ratification. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

H 5209 - Representatives Skelton, White, Bannister, Hiott and Owens – A House Resolution to congratulate Dabo Swinney, head coach of the Clemson University football team, on being named 2011 Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year.  Introduced and adopted.

H 5210 - Representative Skelton – A House Resolution to extend the privilege of the floor of the South Carolina House of Representatives to Dabo Swinney, head coach of the Clemson University football team, for the purpose of congratulating him on being named 2011 Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year. Introduced and adopted.

H 5332 - Representative Harrell – Sine Die Resolution.  Similar: S.1553. Introduced, adopted; Sent to the Senate, adopted and returned to the House.

S 10 – Senator McConnell and others – A bill to create the Commission on Streamlining Government and Reduction of Waste. Passed the Senate. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 13 – Senator McConnell and others – A bill relating to the authorization of state contracts. Pending in a Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 14 – Senators McConnell and Davis – A bill to provide that a state agency must not increase or implement a fine or fee by regulation or administrative action and to provide exceptions.  Pending in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 34 – Senator McConnell and others – A bill to establish the permissible use of state-owned aircraft, to prohibit the use of state-owned aircraft for personal use, and provide penalties.  Referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 90 – Senator Ryberg and others – A bill to close the TERI Program.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 100 – Senator Grooms – A bill to enact the SC Truth in Spending Act.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 117 – Senator Bryant – A bill to requiring all institutions of higher education to maintain a detailed transaction register of all expenditures.  Referred to the Senate Education Committee.   Clemson’s position:  A SIMILAR BILL, S.172 WAS ENACTED IN 2011

S 134 – Senator Campsen – A bill to restructure state government.  Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 153 – Senator Shoopman – A bill to enact the SC Truth in Spending Act.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 205 – Senators Davis and others – A bill to provide that state agencies must have approval by the General Assembly to increase fees or fines and to provide exceptions.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 224 – Senator Knotts – A bill relating to free tuition for certain veterans' children, so as to also provide free tuition to children of certain active duty service members with honorable wartime service.  On the Senate calendar for second reading.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 238 – Senators Larry Martin and Peeler - A bill to restructure SC state government.  Referred to the Senate Education Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 252 – Senator Bright – A bill to move Clemson PSA to the SC Department of Agriculture.  Referred to the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

S 248 – Senator Bright – A bill to provide that an institution of higher learning must be funded by using the base student cost.  Pending in the Senate Education Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 406 – Senator Rose – A bill to provide that any across-the-board reduction must be applied to all appropriated funds including state funds, federal funds, and "other funds".  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

S 407 – Senator Rose - A bill to make appropriations and to provide revenues to meet the ordinary expenses of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010, to provide that, an amount equal to ten percent of "other funds" is transferred to the state general fund, and to specify how the transferred funds are to be appropriated.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

S 473 – Senators Lourie and Setzler – A bill relating to athlete agents and student athletes, to require an applicant to undergo a national and state criminal history records check and other provisions.  Passed by the Senate.  Committee report: favorable as amended. Debate adjourned until June 5. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 483 – Senators McConnell and L. Martin – A bill related to broadband service.  Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 531 – Senator Campsen and others – A bill to close the South Carolina Retirement System to employees hired or officers taking office after June 30, 2012, and to provide that officers or employees hired or taking office after June 30, 2012 must be enrolled in the South Carolina Retirement Investment Plan.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 632 – Senator Ford – A bill to provide that no more than twenty-five percent of the entering class of a public institution of higher learning of this state may be comprised of students who reside outside the state, and to exclude technical colleges from this provision.  Referred to the Senate Education Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

S 698 – Senator Rose – A bill to require the Office of Economic Research to review each earmark and restricted subfund account and other provisions.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

S 729 – Senator Rose – A bill to require all revenue from out-of-state tuition at SC post-secondary institutions in excess of in-state tuition rates to be remitted to the state's general fund.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

S 740 – Senators Rose and Davis – A bill to provide that in any fiscal year, any other funds received by any state agency in excess of the funds authorized for expenditure in the annual appropriations act shall be remitted to the general fund.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

S 772 - Senators Peeler, Reese and Bright - A bill relating to definitions for purposes of the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, to provide a definition for economic and noneconomic damages, relating to liability limits imposed by the Tort Claims Act. Committee report: unfavorable.  On the Senate calendar for second reading. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 788 – Senator Verdin – A bill relating to the Farm Animal and Research Facilities Protection Act, to provide additional liability exemptions to veterinarians and people who hold a superior interest in the property, to provide that it is unlawful to tamper with crop operations, to interfere with the operations of a crop operation, to fraudulently gain access to a crop operation, and to provide for a civil cause of action for violations of this act related to crop operations. Passed by the Senate. Committee report: favorable as amended. Senate concurs in House amendments. Enrolled for ratification. Clemson’s position:  SUPPORT

S 833 – Senator Jackson and others – A bill relating to tuition rates for military personnel and their dependents,  so as to provide that active duty military personnel may be charged less than the undergraduate tuition rate for South Carolina residents for certain online courses. Signed by the Governor. Effective date 4.2.12. Act 133. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 834 – Senator Reese – A bill to require all college freshmen to take a one credit hour course each semester of their freshman year which teaches study skills, allocation of  time, goal setting, positive thinking, motivation, life skills, and related subjects. Referred to the Senate Education Committee.  Carried over by the Higher Education Subcommittee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 851 – Senator Reese – A bill to provide that each four-year public college shall require all students to pass life and study skills courses before the student may earn his degree from the institution of higher learning.  Referred to the Senate Education Committee.  Carried over by the Higher Education Subcommittee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 876 – Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources – A joint resolution to approve regulations of the Clemson University, State Crop Pest Commission, relating to South Carolina Pesticide Control.  Introduced in the Senate and placed on the calendar without reference.  On the Senate calendar for second reading. Clemson’s position:  REQUESTED BY CLEMSON UNIVERSITY-SUPPORT

S 901 – Senator Knotts and others – A bill relating to the Teacher And Employee Retention Incentive Program (TERI), so as to provide that employees first participating in the TERI program after June 30, 2011 may not be reemployed after ending TERI participation by any employer participating in the South Carolina Retirement System.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1035 – Senator Massey and others – A bill to provide for sanitary requirements for home based food production.  Similar: H.4689.  Referred to the Senate Committee on Medical Affairs.  On the Senate calendar for third reading. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1045 – Senator Thomas – A bill to enact the "South Carolina Zero-Base Budget Act", to establish the Zero-Base Budget Committee and provide for its membership, powers, and duties.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1048 -  Senator Verdin - A concurrent resolution to create, strengthen, and expand local farm and food economies throughout SC by supporting state policies that encourage state agencies, state-owned facilities, and state partners to purchase local SC farm or food products.  Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. Sent to the House. Introduced, adopted and returned to the Senate. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1054 – Senator Rose – A bill relating to persons required to report suspected child abuse or neglect, to expand the list to include higher ed administrators and others, and to require the department of social services to establish, operate, and publicize a twenty-four hour, statewide, toll-free telephone number for the reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect.  Similar: S.1346. Passed the Senate, sent to the House. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1120 – Senator Ford - A joint resolution to establish the State Employee Compensation Study Committee for the purpose of comparing compensation rates paid to various categories of state employees with the compensation paid similar employees of other southeastern states.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1111 - Senator Scott and others – A joint resolution to create a study committee to be known as the South Carolina Economic Development Research Committee.  Referred to the Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.  Reported out of subcommittee.  Clemson’s Position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1121 – Senator McConnell and others - relating to state finances generally, so as to define "trust fund" and "unrestricted fund"; and to provide that all funds must be designated by July 1, 2012, as a trust fund or unrestricted fund.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1137 – Senator Shoopman – A bill to enact the "Architects' And Engineers' Volunteer Act" which provides immunity for a registered architect or engineer who provides architectural or engineering services at the scene of a declared emergency.   Similar: H.4745.  On the Senate calendar for consideration of House amendments. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1183 – Senator Setzler and others – A bill to provide that all other funds collected by an agency must be deposited in the general fund and must be considered general funds.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee. On the Senate calendar for third reading. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1193 – Senator Rose – A bill relating to tuition of postsecondary educational institutions limiting the authority of the governing board of an institution to increase tuition and fees above a rate calculated by the consumer price index and the state population growth, and to require a reduction in state funds for the institution for any amount above this rate unless approved by the General Assembly.  Referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  Clemson’s position:  OPPOSE

S 1245 - Senators Setzler, Massey and Ryberg – A bill relating to Equine Liability Immunity.  Similar: H.4475.  Referred to the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1255 - Senator Rose - A bill related to the carrying of a concealed weapon in a business that sells alcohol to be consumed on the premises, to permit the possession of a weapon unless notice of a prohibition is provided by the business, to prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages in a business by someone carrying a firearm, and to reduce the penalties for violations.  Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1310 - Senator Rose – A bill to provide for the release of certain benefit information for beneficiaries of the State Retirement Systems to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act. Referred to the Senate Finance Committee. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1323 - Senator Rankin and others – A bill to include in the mission of four year colleges and universities unique doctoral degree programs that are not duplicative of any research university doctoral programs in that region.   Referred to the Senate Education Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1331 - Senator Leatherman – A bill related to the South Carolina Research Authority. Passed by the Senate. Committee report: favorable. On the House calendar for third reading. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1346 - Senator Rose – A bill relating to persons required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to include in the list of persons required to report school or college administrators, coaches, and volunteers who work with children as camp counselors, scout leaders or mentors. Similar: S. 1054. Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1350 - Senator Rose – A bill relating to the Freedom of Information Act, to provide that a public body may not charge for electronic copies of any record requested under the act and any fees that are charged may not exceed the prevailing commercial rate for copies and other provisions.  Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1397 - Senator Gregory and others – A joint resolution to provide that the Commission on Higher Education and the presidents of public colleges and universities shall support the General Assembly’s efforts to establish accountability-based funding for public colleges and universities.  Referred to the Senate Education Committee. Passed the Senate, sent to the House. Referred to the House Education and Public Works Committee. Clemson’s position:  MONITORING TO DETERMINE IMPACT ON CLEMSON

S 1434 - Senator Alexander and others - A concurrent resolution to congratulate the President and the Congress of the United States, the American people and the citizens of South Carolina on the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the passage of the Morrill Act legislation, which provided states with incentives to build a system of higher educational opportunities and to build American research capacity by harnessing the nation's reservoir of intellectual capital.  Introduced, adopted and sent to the House. Adopted and returned to the Senate with concurrence. Clemson’s position:  SUPPORT

S 1511 - Senator Alexander - A Senate Resolution to congratulate Dabo Swinney, head coach of the Clemson University football team, on being named 2011 Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year.  Introduced and adopted.

S 1553 - Senators Courson and L. Martin – A concurrent resolution to provide that pursuant to the constitution of this state, 1895, when the respective houses of the general assembly adjourn on Thursday, June 7, 2012, not later than 5:00 p.m., or anytime earlier, each house shall stand adjourned to meet in statewide session at noon on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, and continue in statewide session, if necessary, until not later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2012, for the consideration of certain matters, and to provide that when the respective houses of the general assembly adjourn not later than Monday, November 12, 2012, the general assembly shall stand adjourned sine die. Adopted and sent to the House.

WASHINGTON UPDATE

The House was in session this week.

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation - Startup Act 2.0

Last week, Senators Warner (D-VA), Coons (D-DE), Moran (R-KA), and Rubio (R-FL) introduced Startup Act 2.0 which builds upon the original Startup Act introduced in 2011.  The legislation aims to encourage entrepreneurship by providing tax relief for startup companies and making it easier for international students who receive their education in the U.S. in STEM fields to get visas. Startup Act 2.0 includes the following provisions:

·         Creates a new STEM visa so that U.S.-educated foreign students, who graduate with a master’s or Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, can receive a green card and stay in this country where their talent and ideas can fuel growth and create American jobs;

·         Creates an Entrepreneur’s Visa for legal immigrants, so they can remain in the United States, launch businesses and create jobs;

·         Eliminates the per-country caps for employment-based immigrant visas – which hinder U.S. employers from recruiting the top-tier talent they need to grow;

·         Makes permanent the exemption of capital gains taxes on the sale of startup stock held for at least five years – so investors can provide financial stability at a critical juncture of firm growth;

·         Creates a targeted research and development tax credit for young startups less than five years old and with less than $5 million in annual receipts. This R&D credit is designed to allow startups to offset employee taxes – freeing up resources to help these young companies expand and create jobs;

·         Uses existing federal R&D funding to support university initiatives designed to bring cutting-edge research to the marketplace more quickly where it can propel economic growth;

·         Requires all government agencies to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of all proposed “major rules” with an economic impact of $100 million or more. This new requirement will help determine the efficacy of regulations and their potential impact on the formation and growth of new businesses; and

·         Directs the U.S. Department of Commerce to assess state and local policies that aid in the development of new businesses. Through the publication of reports on new business formation and the entrepreneurial environment, lawmakers will be better equipped to encourage entrepreneurship with the most successful policies.

Upcoming Events:

On June 12th & 13th, Clemson University’s Intelligent River team will host a deployment workshop & peer review session at the Clemson University Madren Conference Center.  If you are interested in participating in this event, please contact Katy Bayless at Bayless@clemson.edu.

On June 26, 2012, the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) will hold a convocation for the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act.  Dr. Gerald Sonnenfeld, Clemson’s Vice President for Research, will be in Washington, DC visiting with members of the South Carolina delegation advocating on behalf of this legislation and the importance of the United States’ continued commitment to higher education.

For more information on Clemson’s Federal initiatives, please contact Katy Bayless at Bayless@clemson.edu.   

The Clemson Advocates website, the Clemson Governmental Affairs website, and our Clemson Advocates Group Facebook page are constantly updated with news and information.