 THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA On Wednesday, President Jim Clements delivered a presentation on Clemson University before the House Higher Education Subcommittee as part of an overall update on the state’s public higher education institutions. H. 3247 was passed unanimously last week by the Senate. This legislation, introduced by Rep. Patrick Haddon (R-Greenville), will allow school districts to excuse absences when students participate in work-based learning experiences, including, but not limited to Future Farmers of America and 4H. The Senate amended the bill slightly, but the House is expected to concur in the Senate amendments. As a result, the bill could be sent to the Governor for his signature as soon as this week. THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS The House of Representatives will begin work on the budget this afternoon. The Senate Finance Committee continued agency budget subcommittee hearings. On Thursday, President Jim Clements will present Clemson E&G’s budget request before the Senate Finance Higher Education Budget Subcommittee. Senate Finance Budget Subcommittees that hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Ronnie Cromer (R-Newberry) Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Ross Turner Clemson ’86 (R-Greenville) Senator Tom Young (R-Aiken) Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee: Chairman Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Mike Gambrell Clemson ’80 (R-Abbeville) Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown) 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 Service and Agriculture (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs. The university also has auxiliary operations, such as athletics, student housing and dining services, which receive no state funding and must generate all of their own revenue. BILLS OF INTEREST The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson. A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS. NEWS & FYI Wednesday, March 5 was the annual Clemson Day at the State House legislative day. Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter. |
State Legislative Updates
State Legislative Updates
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA H. 3247 was passed favorably as amended last week by the Senate Education Committee. This legislation, introduced by Rep. Patrick Haddon (R-Greenville), will allow school districts to excuse absences when students participate in work-based learning experiences, including, but not limited to Future Farmers of America and 4H. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS The House of Representatives is scheduled to take up the budget next week. The Senate Finance Committee continued agency budget subcommittee hearings. Senate Finance Budget Subcommittees that hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Ronnie Cromer (R-Newberry) Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Ross Turner Clemson ’86 (R-Greenville) Senator Tom Young (R-Aiken) Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee: Chairman Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Mike Gambrell Clemson ’80 (R-Abbeville) Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown) 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 Service and Agriculture (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs. The university also has auxiliary operations, such as athletics, student housing and dining services, which receive no state funding and must generate all of their own revenue. BILLS OF INTEREST The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson. A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS. NEWS & FYI Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter. |
State Legislative Updates
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA |
| The House Ways and Means Committee completed its work on the state budget on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Below is a summary of the items impacting Clemson University: Clemson E&G $10.2 million in recurring funding for in state tuition mitigation $2 million in recurring funding for Student Experiential Learning $2.5 million in recurring funding for the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism (CISC) $13.2 million in nonrecurring funding for the NextGen Computing Complex $4.3 million in nonrecurring funding for Science Lab Building $1.4 million in recurring funding for Call Me MISTER Clemson PSA $600,000 in recurring funding for Statewide Operational and Programmatic Support $1 million in recurring funding for Food Safety and Nutrition Agents $500,000 in recurring funding for Critical Vehicles & Equipment $750,000 in nonrecurring funding for Ag in the Classroom The Committee included several items from the Executive Budget of impact to the University: $3.5 million in recurring lottery dollars for College Transition program scholarships (like ClemsonLIFE) $2 million in nonrecurring funding for a Systemic Study of Higher Ed $10 million in recurring lottery dollars for the continuation of the initiative to address the shortage of instructors in nursing schools The Committee included a base pay increase for state employees which will raise all full time employees to a new pay band, or 2%, whichever is greater. The Committee’s version of the budget includes an increase in the cost of health insurance for state employees. The employee portion will be partially paid by the state. The budget now goes to the House of Representatives which is scheduled to debate the bill the week of March 10th. |
| THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS |
| The Senate Finance Committee continued begun agency budget subcommittee hearings. Senate Finance Budget Subcommittees that hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Ronnie Cromer (R-Newberry) Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Ross Turner Clemson ’86 (R-Greenville) Senator Thomas McElveen (D-Sumter) Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee: Chairman Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Mike Gambrell Clemson ’80 (R-Abbeville) Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown) 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 Service and Agriculture (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs. The university also has auxiliary operations, such as athletics, student housing and dining services, which receive no state funding and must generate all of their own revenue. |
| BILLS OF INTEREST |
| The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson. A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS. |
| NEWS & FYI |
| Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter. |
State Legislative Updates
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA H.3309 (South Carolina Energy Security Act) passed the House on Wednesday. This legislation seeks to aid the state in meeting future energy needs by simplifying building power plants by limiting government restrictions on new projects. THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) concluded agency budget subcommittee hearings last week. The full Ways and Means Committee will begin budget deliberations at 10:00 this morning. The Senate Finance Committee has begun agency budget subcommittee hearings. Dr. Matt Holt, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) presented Clemson PSA’s budget requests to the Senate Finance Natural Resources and Economic Budget Subcommittee on Thursday, February 13. Senate Finance Budget Subcommittees that hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Ronnie Cromer (R-Newberry) Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Ross Turner Clemson ’86 (R-Greenville) Senator Tom Young (R-Aiken) Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee: Chairman Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Mike Gambrell Clemson ’80 (R-Abbeville) Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown) 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 Service and Agriculture (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs. The university also has auxiliary operations, such as athletics, student housing and dining services, which receive no state funding and must generate all of their own revenue. Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2025-26: Education & General – Recurring Tuition Mitigation – $23.1M Student Experiential Learning – $4.5M Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism (CISC) – $4M Clemson Energy Center – $4M Cybersecurity Research Compliance – $3M Education & General – Nonrecurring NextGen Computing Complex – $40M Center for Human Genetics – $20M Science Lab Building – $35M Public Service Activities – Recurring Food Safety and Nutrition Agents – Operational & Programmatic Support – $1.5M Regulatory, Cooperative Extension, and Experiment Station Operational & Programmatic Support - $760K Critical Vehicles & Equipment – $1M Public Service Activities – Nonrecurring PSA Planned Maintenance & Critical Infrastructure – $7.36M Baruch Institute Research Support Facility – $9.9M BILLS OF INTEREST The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson. A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS. NEWS & FYI Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter. |
State Legislative Updates
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA H. 3247 (Excused School Absences) was debated last week in the House Education Committee. This legislation, introduced by Rep. Patrick Haddon (R-Greenville), will allow school districts to excuse absences when students participate in work-based learning experiences, including, but not limited to Future Farmers of America and 4H. Mrs. Alana West, SC 4-H Youth Development Assistant Director, and Mr. Troy Helms, State Director of Agricultural Education, provided testimony that further illustrated the need for this legislation. The bill received a favorable report from Subcommittee on Tuesday and a favorable report from Full Committee on Wednesday. The bill is now awaiting Second Reading on the House Floor.   Judicial elections were held last week during a joint session of the House and Senate. Much of the Senate’s work centered around debate of S.62 (Education Scholarship Trust Fund) which was passed by the Senate and sent to the House. THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) continued agency budget subcommittee hearings last week. The full Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to take up the budget the week of February 17. The Senate Finance Committee has begun agency budget subcommittee hearings. President Jim Clements, along with Dr. Matt Holt, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) will present Clemson PSA’s budget requests to the Senate Finance Natural Resources and Economic Budget Subcommittee on Thursday, February 13. Senate Finance Budget Subcommittees that hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Ronnie Cromer (R-Newberry) Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Ross Turner Clemson ’86 (R-Greenville) Senator Thomas McElveen (D-Sumter) Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee: Chairman Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Mike Gambrell Clemson ’80 (R-Abbeville) Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown) 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 Service and Agriculture (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs. The university also has auxiliary operations, such as athletics, student housing and dining services, which receive no state funding and must generate all of their own revenue. Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2025-26: Education & General – Recurring Tuition Mitigation – $23.1M Student Experiential Learning – $4.5M Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism (CISC) – $4M Clemson Energy Center – $4M Cybersecurity Research Compliance – $3M Education & General – Nonrecurring NextGen Computing Complex – $40M Center for Human Genetics – $20M Science Lab Building – $35M Public Service Activities – Recurring Food Safety and Nutrition Agents – Operational & Programmatic Support – $1.5M Regulatory, Cooperative Extension, and Experiment Station Operational & Programmatic Support - $760K Critical Vehicles & Equipment – $1M Public Service Activities – Nonrecurring PSA Planned Maintenance & Critical Infrastructure – $7.36M Baruch Institute Research Support Facility – $9.9M BILLS OF INTEREST The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson. A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS. NEWS & FYI Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter. Current news coverage of interest may be found here. |
State Legislative Updates
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA |
| Governor Henry McMaster delivered his State of the State address on Wednesday, January 29. The prepared text of the Governor’s remarks may be found here. |
| THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS |
| The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) continued agency budget subcommittee hearings last week. President Jim Clements, along with Tony Wagner (Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations) presented Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation to the Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee on Tuesday, January 28. Later that afternoon, President Clements, along with Dr. Matt Holt (CAFLS Dean), presented budget requests for Clemson PSA to the Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee. House Ways and Means Subcommittees that will hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington) Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg) Representative Bill Taylor (R-Aiken) Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Chairman Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston) Representative David Weeks (D-Sumter) Representative Kevin Hardee (R-Horry) 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 Service and Agriculture (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs. The university also has auxiliary operations, such as athletics, student housing and dining services, which receive no state funding and must generate all of their own revenue. Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2025-26: Education & General – Recurring Tuition Mitigation – $23.1M Student Experiential Learning – $4.5M Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism (CISC) – $4M Clemson Energy Center – $4M Cybersecurity Research Compliance – $3M Education & General – Nonrecurring NextGen Computing Complex – $40M Center for Human Genetics – $20M Science Lab Building – $35M Public Service Activities – Recurring Food Safety and Nutrition Agents – Operational & Programmatic Support – $1.5M Regulatory, Cooperative Extension, and Experiment Station Operational & Programmatic Support - $760K Critical Vehicles & Equipment – $1M Public Service Activities – Nonrecurring PSA Planned Maintenance & Critical Infrastructure – $7.36M Baruch Institute Research Support Facility – $9.9M |
| BILLS OF INTEREST |
| The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson. A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS. |
| NEWS & FYI |
| Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter. |
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA |
| The House and Senate met in perfunctory session last week. |
| THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS |
| The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) continued agency budget subcommittee hearings last week and will continue this process through January. President Jim Clements, along with Tony Wagner (Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations) will give Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation to the Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee tomorrow morning. Tomorrow afternoon, President Clements, along with Dr. Matt Holt (CAFLS Dean), will present the budget requests for Clemson PSA to the Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee. House Ways and Means Subcommittees that will hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington) Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg) Representative Bill Taylor (R-Aiken) Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Chairman Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston) Representative David Weeks (D-Sumter) Representative Kevin Hardee (R-Horry) 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 Service and Agriculture (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs. The university also has auxiliary operations, such as athletics, student housing and dining services, which receive no state funding and must generate all of their own revenue. Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2025-26: Education & General – Recurring Tuition Mitigation – $23.1M Student Experiential Learning – $4.5M Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism (CISC) – $4M Clemson Energy Center – $4M Cybersecurity Research Compliance – $3M Education & General – Nonrecurring NextGen Computing Complex – $40M Center for Human Genetics – $20M Science Lab Building – $35M Public Service Activities – Recurring Food Safety and Nutrition Agents – Operational & Programmatic Support – $1.5M Regulatory, Cooperative Extension, and Experiment Station Operational & Programmatic Support - $760K Critical Vehicles & Equipment – $1M Public Service Activities – Nonrecurring PSA Planned Maintenance & Critical Infrastructure – $7.36M Baruch Institute Research Support Facility – $9.9M |
| BILLS OF INTEREST |
| The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson. A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS. |
| NEWS & FYI |
| Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter. |
Clemson Advocates Legislative Updates
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA The House and Senate will meet in perfunctory session this week. The first regular session of the 126th South Carolina General Assembly convened at noon on Tuesday, January 14. This is the first year of a two year session which means those bills introduced during this legislative session will carry over until next year as well. Each regular legislative session is held from the second Tuesday in January until the second Thursday in May. The House of Representatives held its organizational session December 3-4. 2024. During that session, Rep. Murrell Smith (R-Sumter) was formally re-elected Speaker of the House. The House also received committee assignments and met as standing committees to elect officers. The House pre-filed legislation on December 5 and 12. The Senate held an organizational session on December 4 and pre-filed legislation on December 11. All 170 seats in the South Carolina General Assembly were on the ballot in 2024. Five incumbents were defeated in the general election in November, including Senators Gerald Malloy (D-Darlington), Kevin Johnson (D-Clarendon), Mike Fanning (D-Fairfield), Vernon Stephens (D-Orangeburg), and Representative Joe Jefferson (D-Berkeley). Seven incumbents were previously defeated in the Primary Elections in June, including Senators Penry Gustafason (R- Kershaw), Dick Harpootlian (D- Richland), Sandy Senn (R-Charleston), Katrina Shealy (R-Lexington) and Representatives Jerry Carter (R-Clemson), Bill Sandifer (R-Seneca), and Jay West (R-Belton). Several other legislators voluntarily chose not to seek another term in the South Carolina General Assembly. In the South Carolina Senate, Republicans gained four seats, giving them a supermajority. There are 13 new Senators. Included in those new Senate members are the following Clemson University graduates: Senator Jason Elliott (R-Greenville), Senator Carlisle Kennedy (R-Lexington), Senator Russell Ott (D-Calhoun), and Senator Allen Blackmon (R-Lancaster). Senator Elliott and Senator-Elect Kennedy both served as Student Body President during their undergraduate studies at Clemson University. Eight other Clemson University graduates were also re-elected to the South Carolina Senate: Senator Thomas Alexander (R-Oconee) who also serves as President of the Senate, Senator Mike Gambrell (R-Anderson), Senator Tom Corbin (R-Greenville), Senator Ross Turner (R-Greenville), Senator Shane Martin (R-Spartanburg), Senator Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee) who also serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Shane Massey (R-Edgefield) who also serves as the Senate Majority Leader, and Senator Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley) who also serves as Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. There are 19 new House members. Included in those new House members are the following Clemson University graduates: Representative Phillip Bowers (R-Pickens), Representative Blake Sanders (R-Pickens) who is also a Clemson lecturer, and Representative Lee Gilreath (R-Anderson). Two other Clemson University graduates, Representative Lucas Atkinson (D-Marion) and Representative John McCravy (R-Greenwood), also won re-election to the SC House of Representatives. There are now two vacant seats in the House. Former Representative Marvin Pendarvis (D-Charleston) resigned in the fall and former Representative Will Wheeler (D-Lee) resigned on Thursday, January 16. Special elections will be held to fill the unexpired terms for these seats. be considered by the other chamber for the session that is set to end on May 11. THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS Executive Budget On Monday, January 13, 2025, Governor Henry McMaster released his Executive Budget proposal for 2025-26. Below are items in the Governor’s budget proposal as they relate to Clemson University, Clemson PSA and higher education: C Clemson E&G $7,290,172 in recurring funding for tuition mitigation $20 million in nonrecurring funding for the Center for Human Genetics $1.9 million in EIA funds for Call Me MISTER As recommended by Education Oversight Committee, Proviso 1A.60 is deleted and funds from the Rural Teacher Recruitment program are reallocated to the Call Me MISTER program, which has more documented success in recruiting minority students into the teaching profession. $20 million in nonrecurring general funds for the Battelle Alliance, a research partnership between Clemson University, the University of South Carolina and SC State University. Clemson PSA $1 million nonrecurring funds for critical infrastructure. $511,251 in EIA funds for Clemson Agriculture Education Teachers For Higher Education: $2 million to fund a systemic review of the state’s 33 public institutions of higher education $10 million lottery dollars for Nursing Initiative $3.5 million lottery dollars for College Transition Program scholarships for students with special needs (like ClemsonLIFE).s and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) began agency budget subcommittee hearings last week and will continue this process through January. President Jim Clements, along with Tony Wagner (Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations) will give Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation to the Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee on Tuesday, January 28. Clemson PSA’s budget hearing is also scheduled for Tuesday, January 28 before the Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee. House Ways and Means Subcommittees that will hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington) Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg) Representative Bill Taylor (R-Aiken) Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Chairman Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston) Representative David Weeks (D-Sumter) Representative Kevin Hardee (R-Horry) 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 Service and Agriculture (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs. The university also has auxiliary operations, such as athletics, student housing and dining services, which receive no state funding and must generate all of their own revenue. Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2025-26: Education & General – Recurring Tuition Mitigation – $23.1M Student Experiential Learning – $4.5M Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism (CISC) – $4M Clemson Energy Center – $4M Cybersecurity Research Compliance – $3M Education & General – Nonrecurring NextGen Computing Complex – $40M Center for Human Genetics – $20M Science Lab Building – $35M Public Service Activities – Recurring Food Safety and Nutrition Agents – Operational & Programmatic Support – $1.5M Regulatory, Cooperative Extension, and Experiment Station Operational & Programmatic Support - $760K Critical Vehicles & Equipment – $1M Public Service Activities – Nonrecurring PSA Planned Maintenance & Critical Infrastructure – $7.36M Baruch Institute Research Support Facility – $9.9M BILLS OF INTEREST The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson. A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS. NEWS & FYI Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter. Current news coverage of interest may be found here. |
State Legislative Updates
BUDGET
Today, Governor Henry McMaster issued his vetoes for the state budget.
There are no vetoes specific to Clemson University’s legislative priorities.
As a recap, the state budget for FY2024-25 contains the following for Clemson University and Clemson PSA:
Clemson E&G
– $12.6 million in recurring funding for in state tuition mitigation
– $4.5 million in nonrecurring funding for Student Experiential Learning
– $175 million for the College of Veterinary Medicine ($125M in nonrecurring funding and an $8M recurring line to be used for debt service of the remaining $50M)
Clemson PSA
– $525,000 in recurring funding for the Poultry Science Research Facility
– $2M in recurring funding for Statewide Operational and Program Support
– $500,000 in recurring funding for Problematic Wildlife
– $525,000 in recurring funding for Small Fruit Research and Extension
– $1M in nonrecurring funding for PSA Renovation, Repair and Equipment
A 2.25% base pay increase for state employees earning more than $50K/year and a base increase of $1125 for state employees earning less than $50K/year. The proviso language that allows flexibility to reward based on merit remains in the bill.
The budget includes an increase in the cost of health insurance contributions for state employees and employers, The state will pay for the employee and the university will be responsible for the employer portion.
The budget contains several items from the Executive Budget of impact to the University:
– $20 million in ($5 million in recurring, $10 million in nonrecurring and $5 million in the Capital Reserve Fund) funding for SC Nexus
– $10 million in nonrecurring lottery dollars for the continuation of the initiative to address the shortage of instructors in nursing schools
– $3.5 million in nonrecurring lottery dollars for the College Transition Programs (ClemsonLIFE), which provide scholarships for South Carolina residents with intellectual disabilities to complete a postsecondary education program, which includes academic coursework and career exploration, thereby preparing them for independent living and employment.
BILLS OF INTEREST
Today, Governor McMaster signed S.314 (Higher Education Permanent Improvement Projects) into law.
The bill accomplishes the following:
– Increases the permanent improvement threshold from $5M to $10M. This allows projects of $10M or less to be approved by the Board of Trustees only.
– Increase the Athletic Revenue Bond cap from $200M to $500M.
– Removes the Commission on Higher Education from the approval process for ALL capital projects.
Thank you for your service on behalf of Clemson University. Every day, we are reminded of how special the Clemson family is. Your commitment to advocacy on Clemson’s behalf is a tremendous contribution to our success.
State Legislative Updates
THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA
In accordance with state law, the General Assembly adjourned sine die at 5 o’clock on Thursday, May 9. Per the terms of the sine die resolution, the House and Senate may return to finish work on the budget or other items agreed upon by both bodies. Since this is the second year of a two-year session, bills that did not pass this session died at the close of the session.
The House non concurred in the Senate amendments to S.314 (Higher Education Permanent Improvement Projects). The bill now goes to a Conference Committee to negotiate the differences in each version. The Conferees are: Senators Harvey Peeler, Scott Talley, and Nikki Setzler and Representatives Nathan Ballentine, Gilda Cobb-Hunter, and Bill Taylor.
This is a bill that raises the thresholds for permanent improvement projects and gives regulatory relief to higher education institutions in certain facility improvement processes.
The House non concurred in the Senate amendments to H.5118 (SC 10 Year Energy Transformation Act). The bill now goes to a Conference Committee. The Conferees are: Senators Luke Rankin, Shane Massey, and Brad Hutto and Representatives Jay West, Bill Sandifer, and Russell Ott.
House concurred in the Senate amendments to H.4957 (Name, Image and Likeness). The bill now goes to the Governor’s Office for his signature.
THE STATE BUDGET
The House amended the budget back to its original (with a few exceptions) version. The Senate nonconcurred in the House amendments so now the bill goes to conference committee.
The budget conferees are: Senators Harvey Peeler, Nikki Setzler, and Sean Bennett and Representatives Bruce Bannister, Philip Lowe, and Leon Stavrinakis. It is expected that the Conference Committee will meet during the month of May to negotiate the differences between the House and Senate versions.
NEWS AND FYI
Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter. Current news coverage of interest may be found here.
