Month: March 2021

The South Carolina House of Representatives will not meet this week. The House will return in statewide session on April 6. The Senate will not meet on Thursday, April 1.

LAST WEEK IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The House of Representatives completed its work on the state budget on Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

The House adopted the Ways and Means version of the budget for higher education and includes the following specifically for Clemson University and Clemson PSA:

Clemson E&G
–      $25 million in nonrecurring funding for maintenance, renovation, and replacement

Clemson PSA
–      $990,000 in nonrecurring funding for Sandhill Recreation Research and Extension Building Repair

The House included a proviso that provides colleges and universities with regulatory relief by increasing the state’s fixed permanent improvement project dollar threshold that currently triggers the state’s multi-phased, eight-step approval process for permanent improvement projects from $1 million to $5 million for research universities, allowing smaller, more routine capital projects to be undertaken in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

The House version of the budget includes an increase in the cost of health insurance and an increase in retirement contributions for state employees and employers.  The employee portion of both will be paid by the state.  The employer portion of both will have to be covered partially by the university.

Several Executive Budget items that impact the University were included:
–      $60M in recurring lottery dollars for need based grants at the Commission on Higher Education
–      $20M in recurring tuition grants at the Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission
–      $750,000 in recurring lottery dollars for students with intellectual disabilities attending college transition programs

The budget now goes to the Senate Finance Committee.

Last week, President Jim Clements, along with Tony Wagner (Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations) delivered Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation before the Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee.

Clemson PSA’s budget hearing was also held last week. President Clements, along with Dr. George Askew (Vice President for PSA) presented before the Senate Finance Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee.

Senate Finance Subcommittees that hear Clemson’s budget requests:
Higher Education Subcommittee:
Chairman Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee) (Clemson ’70)
Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland)
Senator John Scott (D-Richland)
Senator Ross Turner (R-Greenville) (Clemson ’86)
Senator Tom Corbin (R-Greenville) (Clemson ’87)

Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee:
Chairman Nikki Setzler (D-Lexington)
Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion)
Senator Tom Corbin (R-Greenville) (Clemson ’87)
Senator Katrina Shealy (R-Lexington)
Senator Mike Gambrell (R-Anderson) (Clemson ’80)

Detailed information on Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2021-22 may be found at these links:

Clemson Education and General (E&G) Priorities
Clemson Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) Priorities

LEGISLATION OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO CLEMSON
Reinforcing College Education on America’s Constitutional Heritage Act (S.38), which would require institutions of higher learning to provide instruction concerning the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation to each undergraduate student for three semester credit hours was passed by the House Education Committee and now heads to the House floor.

The State Institution of Higher Education Efficiency Act (S.376) remains on the Senate statewide contested calendar. This legislation would allow Clemson and other universities in the state the necessary flexibility to operate in the areas of capital projects in order to be free of some of the current layers of state oversight, while still being accountable to the General Assembly.

Intercollegiate Athletes Compensation for Name, Image and Likeness (S.685) which would allow college athletes to be paid for ads or sponsorships, was passed by a Senate Education Subcommittee. Clemson’s Athletic Director, Dan Radakovich testified on the bill. The bill will be before the full Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

BILLS OF INTEREST
The General Assembly’s crossover deadline is April 10. After the crossover deadline, bills require a two-thirds vote by members present and voting to be considered by the other chamber for the session that is set to end on May 13.

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.

NEWS AND FYI
Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter. Current news coverage of interest may be found here.

LAST WEEK IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The House held a lengthy debate culminating in the passage of H.3094 (Open Carry with Training Act).

The House adopted several amendments, including the addition of “proper firearm handling and de-escalation strategies to mandatory training requirements” and a clarification that gives “private and public employers and businesses, as well as property owners, the option to ban open carry on their premises.”

The bill was sent to the Senate on Thursday.

The Senate approved S.525 (SC Solid Waste Policy and Management Act) last week related to post-use polymers and state solid waste regulations. After more than four hours of debate Wednesday, the bill was passed and sent to the House of Representatives for consideration later this spring.

The Senate met in perfunctory session on Thursday due to the threat of inclement weather.

OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO CLEMSON
Reinforcing College Education On America’s Constitutional Heritage Act (S.38), which would require institutions of higher learning to provide instruction concerning the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation to each undergraduate student for three semester credit hours was passed by the House Education Committee and now heads to the House floor.

The State Institution of Higher Education Efficiency Act (S.376) remains on the Senate statewide contested calendar. This legislation would allow Clemson and other universities in the state the necessary flexibility to operate in the areas of capital projects in order to be free of some of the current layers of state oversight, while still being accountable to the General Assembly.

THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS
The House of Representatives began debate on the state budget this afternoon.

The Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee will begin budget hearings this week. 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 before the Subcommittee tomorrow.

Clemson PSA’s budget hearing is also scheduled for tomorrow. President Clements, along with Dr. George Askew (Vice President for PSA) will be presenting before the Senate Finance Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee.

Senate Finance Subcommittees that will hear Clemson’s budget requests:
Higher Education Subcommittee:
Chairman Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee) (Clemson ’70)
Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland)
Senator John Scott (D-Richland)
Senator Ross Turner (R-Greenville) (Clemson ’86)
Senator Tom Corbin (R-Greenville) (Clemson ’87)

Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee:
Chairman Nikki Setzler (D-Lexington)
Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion)
Senator Tom Corbin (R-Greenville) (Clemson ’87)
Senator Katrina Shealy (R-Lexington)
Senator Mike Gambrell (R-Anderson) (Clemson ’80)

Detailed information on Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2021-22 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.

NEWS AND FYI
Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter. Current news coverage of interest may be found here.

LAST WEEK IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
After lengthy debate, the House gave key approval to a pair of bills that make it easier to have beer and wine delivered to homes (H.3772), and to pick up alcoholic drinks with curbside service (H.3575).

The House also took up H.3443 (General Assembly Oversight of Gubernatorial Emergency Orders). In its amended version, after 30 days of an order’s date, the General Assembly could meet at the call of the House Speaker and Senate President. An issued order could be terminated, or consented to, via a concurrent resolution. An order could also be altered or amended via a Joint Resolution at this called meeting. The Governor could not re-issue emergency orders that have been so addressed by the General Assembly.

Senate began debate on S.475 related to Santee Cooper.

OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO CLEMSON
Reinforcing College Education On America’s Constitutional Heritage Act (S.38), which would require institutions of higher learning to provide instruction concerning the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation to each undergraduate student for three semester credit hours was passed out of the House Higher Education Subcommittee last week. The bill is scheduled for a hearing in the full House Education Committee this week.

The State Institution of Higher Education Efficiency Act (S.376) remains on the Senate statewide contested calendar. This legislation would allow Clemson and other universities in the state the necessary flexibility to operate in the areas of capital projects in order to be free of some of the current layers of state oversight, while still being accountable to the General Assembly.

THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS
The House of Representatives is scheduled to debate the budget the week of March 22. The Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee will begin budget hearings this week. 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 Subcommittee next week.

Detailed information on Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2021-22 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.

NEWS AND FYI
Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter. Current news coverage of interest may be found here.

LAST WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA
The House Ways and Means Committee completed its work on the state budget on Thursday, March 4, 2021.

Below is a summary of the items impacting Clemson University:

Clemson E&G
–      $25 million in nonrecurring funding for maintenance, renovation and replacement

Clemson PSA
–      $990,000 in nonrecurring funding for Sandhill Recreation Research and Extension Building Repair

The Committee included a proviso that provides colleges and universities with regulatory relief by increasing the state’s fixed permanent improvement project dollar threshold that currently triggers the state’s multi-phased, eight-step approval process for permanent improvement projects from $1 million to $5 million for research universities, allowing smaller, more routine capital projects to be undertaken in a efficient and cost-effective manner.

The Committee’s version of the budget includes an increase in the cost of health insurance and an increase in retirement contributions for state employees and employers.  The employee portion of both will be paid by the state.  The employer portion of both will have to be covered partially by the university.

The budget now goes to the House of Representatives. The House is expected to take up the budget the week of March 22.

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.

Detailed information on Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2021-22 may be found at these links:

Clemson Education and General (E&G) Priorities
Clemson Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) Priorities

BILLS OF INTEREST
Reinforcing College Education On America’s Constitutional Heritage Act (S.38), which would require institutions of higher learning to provide instruction concerning the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation to each undergraduate student for three semester credit hours was passed by the Senate and sent to the House and referred to the House Education Committee. The bill is scheduled for a hearing in subcommittee this week. A similar bill, H.3338 is also scheduled for a subcommittee hearing this week.

The State Institution of Higher Education Efficiency Act (S.376) remains on the Senate statewide contested calendar.. This legislation would allow Clemson and other universities in the state the necessary flexibility to operate in the areas of capital projects in order to be free of some of the current layers of state oversight, while still being accountable to the General Assembly.

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.

NEWS AND FYI
Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter. Current news coverage of interest may be found here.

 THIS WEEK IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
After several days of debate, the Senate passed S.491, a $550 million bond package for the Port of Charleston. The bill, now headed for the House, would fund improvements to  bring rail access to the docks at Port of Charleston and reduce truck traffic at and around the port from businesses importing and exporting goods.

In addition to the ports legislation, the Senate passed COVID-19 Liability Safe Harbor (S.147) that provides liability protections for healthcare providers and businesses that follow public health guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The House passed legislation (H.3443) to limit and modernize the governor’s powers to declare states of emergency.

OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO CLEMSON
Reinforcing College Education On America’s Constitutional Heritage Act (S.38), which would require institutions of higher learning to provide instruction concerning the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation to each undergraduate student for three semester credit hours was reported favorably as amended by the full Senate Education Committee on February 24. The bill now goes to the Senate floor.

The State Institution of Higher Education Efficiency Act (S.376) was reported favorably out of Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, February 24. This legislation would allow Clemson and other universities in the state the necessary flexibility to operate in the areas of capital projects in order to be free of some of the current layers of state oversight, while still being accountable to the General Assembly.

THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS
The House Ways and Means Committee will debate the budget 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 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.

Detailed information on Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2021-22 may be found at these links:

Clemson Education and General (E&G) Priorities
Clemson Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) Priorities

BILLS CLEMSON IS TRACKING
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.

NEWS AND FYI
Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter. Current news coverage of interest may be found here.