LAST WEEK IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Military Tuition Rates (S.241) was passed out of the House Higher Education Subcommittee. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Eligibility (H.3017) and Student ID Card Suicide Prevention Act (S.231) were both passed out of the Senate Education Committee.
LEGISLATION OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO CLEMSON
Reinforcing College Education on America’s Constitutional Heritage Act (S.38), would require institutions of higher learning to provide instruction concerning the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation and other documents foundational to the African American Freedom Struggle to each undergraduate student for three semester credit hours. The bill was amended and given second reading by the House.
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 the Senate and sent to the House where it was referred to the House Education and Public Works Committee. A Subcommittee hearing for the bill is scheduled for tomorrow. Clemson University Athletics Director, Dan Radakovich is expected to testify on behalf of the bill. If the bill is reported out of Subcommittee, it will go before the full House Education Committee for a hearing on Wednesday.
Clemson University State Crop Pest Commission–Asian Longhorned Beetle (H.4098) would approve regulations related to the Asian Longhorned Beetle quarantine which is necessary in South Carolina to aid eradication efforts, prevent additional pest spread, and save the many more yet to be affected trees in the state.
The State Institution of Higher Education Efficiency Act (S.376) remains on the Senate statewide contested calendar and did not make the April 10 crossover deadline. 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 Senate Finance Committee began its work on the budget last week and will continue deliberations this 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.
