THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA
There are six days remaining in the legislative session.
S.314 (Higher Education Permanent Improvement Projects) was passed favorably as amended in a 23-0 vote by the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill now goes to the House floor. This is a bill that codifies the thresholds for permanent improvement projects and gives regulatory relief to higher education institutions in certain facility improvement processes. The Committee amendment would remove CHE from the approval process and the thresholds will be increased to $10M for research universities. The Committee amendment also contemplates removal of the $200M athletics revenue bond cap for athletics projects.
H.5118 (Electrical Utilities, Electricity Regulation, and Economic Development) was passed favorably as amended by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill is on the contested calendar in the Senate.
H.4957 (Name, Image and Likeness) was debated by the Senate and given second reading with amendments being carried over to third reading.
H.4289 (Diversity Statements and Mandatory DEI Training) is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Education Committee.
THE STATE BUDGET
On Wednesday, the Senate completed its work on the FY24-25 state budget. The Senate version of the budget includes the following specifically for Clemson University and Clemson PSA:
Clemson E&G
– $12.6 million in recurring funding for in state tuition mitigation (CU requested $21 million) (House recommended $10.2 million) The Senate deleted a proviso allowing flexibility to institutions to raise tuition up to 2%
– $4.5 million in nonrecurring funding for Student Experiential Learning (CU requested $4.5 million) (House recommended $3.5 million)
– $175 million in nonrecurring funding for the College of Veterinary Medicine (CU requested $175 million) (House recommended $22 million)
The Senate adopted a proviso stating that no state appropriations could be used to pay outside legal fees, exit fees, or entrance fees associated directly with athletics conference affiliations.
Clemson PSA
– $525,000 in recurring funding for the Poultry Science Research Facility (CU requested $525,000) (House recommendation same as Senate)
– $2.5M in recurring (and *$1 in nonrecurring) funding for Statewide Operational and Program Support (CU requested $3.6 million) (House recommended $2.5 million in nonrecurring funding)
– $500,000 in recurring funding for Problematic Wildlife (CU requested $1.7 million) (House recommended $0)
– $525,000 in recurring funding for Small Fruit Research and Extension (CU requested $525,000) (House recommended $0)
– *$1 in nonrecurring funding for PSA Renovation, Repair and Equipment (CU requested $12 million) (House recommended $2.5 million)
*amount reflects a placeholder to allow for negotiations with the House
A 2.75% base pay increase for all state employees. The proviso language that allows flexibility to reward based on merit remains in the bill. The House included a base pay increase for state employees ($1,000 for FTEs $66,667 and under; 1.5% increase for FTEs over $66,667).
The Senate’s version of 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 Senate included several items from the Executive Budget of impact to the University:
– $10 million in ($5 million in recurring and $5 million in nonrecurring) funding for SC Nexus (House recommended $50 million)
– $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 (House did not recommend funding)
The budget now returns to the House, at which time the House will consider the Senate amendments and offer additional amendments. Traditionally, the budget goes to a conference committee where three House Members and three Senators negotiate details of the final budget.
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.
NEWS AND FYI
Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter. Current news coverage of interest may be found here.