Clemson Advocates Legislative Update--February 3, 2014
Story Date: 2/3/2014

February 3, 2014 THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA The South Carolina General Assembly canceled the legislative session last week due to inclement weather across the state. On Monday, January 27, Governor Nikki Haley signed Government Restructuring (S.22) into law.  This legislation moves administrative functions of government to a Department of Administration that reports directly to the governor.   This legislation will likely impact Clemson through process changes in the areas of human resources, procurement, facilities, and leasing, among others.  The new law must be fully implemented by July 1, 2015.  Officials will work in the interim to execute necessary changes by that date. Fertilizer Inspection Fees (S.699) is scheduled for a House Agriculture Subcommittee hearing this week. This bill, which was passed by the Senate last spring, keeps funding for the fertilizer inspection fee level so that Clemson PSA can continue soil testing and fertilizer inspection programs in support of South Carolina's farmers.  If S.699 is not passed, the impact would mean an approximate loss of $450,000 in revenue that is used to support three major programs at Clemson and likely closure of the soils testing lab. BUDGET The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) will continue holding state agency budget subcommittee hearings this week. 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 2014 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2014-15 may be found at these links: Clemson Education and General (E&G) Priorities Clemson Public Service Activities (PSA) Priorities THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY ENTERPRISE ACT The Clemson University Enterprise Act (S.535) was passed by the Senate in May and sent to the House and referred to House Ways and Means Committee.  The Committee has not yet taken action on the bill. 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. WASHINGTON UPDATE On Wednesday, the United States House of Representatives passed the Farm Bill 251-166.  As the bill is currently written, Clemson PSA’s land grant formula funding (as provided by the Hatch, Smith-Lever, McIntire-Stennis Acts) remains intact.  This equates to approximately $11.5 million. FYI "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. The Clemson Advocates website and the Clemson University Governmental Affairs website are also constantly updated with news and information.