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.