THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA
There are 6 legislative days left in the session. By law, the General Assembly must adjourn sine die at 5 o’clock on Thursday, June 2 but 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 will not be carried over to the 2017 legislative session.
H.4521 (Tucker Hipps Transparency Act) will be heard by the full Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, May 25.
H.3151 (Requisite Study of the US Constitution) was reported favorably as amended out of the Senate Education Committee and is now on the Senate calendar for second reading.
S.1177 (Licensure of Architects) was reported favorably out of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee and is now on the House calendar for second reading.
H.4717 (Farm Aid Bill) was vetoed by Governor Nikki Haley (Clemson ’94). The House overrode the Governor’s veto by a vote of 112-2 and the Senate overrode the veto by a vote of 39-3. This bill establishes a grant program for farmers who experienced significant crop losses as a result of the heavy rains South Carolina experienced during the fall of 2015.
S.1258 (Transportation Infrastructure) was reported favorably out of the House Ways and Means Committee and is now on the House calendar for second reading.
The State Budget Process
The House amended the budget and returned it to the Senate which is expected to nonconcur in the House amendments. A conference committee will be named to negotiate the differences in the House and Senate versions. The House conferees are Chairman Brian White (R-Anderson), Rep. Bill Herbkersman (R-Beaufort), and Rep. Lonnie Hosey (D-Barnwell). Senate conferees are expected to be named on Tuesday.
Detailed information on Clemson’s 2016 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2016-17 may be found at these links:
Clemson Education and General (E&G) Priorities
Clemson Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) Priorities
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.
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The Clemson Advocates website is constantly updated with news and information.
Click here to view the FEDERAL UPDATE for May 23, 2016.