Month: March 2025

State Legislative Updates

March 31, 2025

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA After several weeks of deliberation, the Senate passed S.244 (Tort Reform) and sent it to the House.    H.3309 (South Carolina Energy Security Act) was passed as amended by the Senate Judiciary Committee last week and is set for special order on the Senate calendar. This legislation seeks to aid the state in meeting future energy needs by simplifying building power plants by limiting government restrictions on new projects.   H. 3247 was passed by the Senate and enrolled for ratification. This legislation, introduced by Rep. Patrick Haddon (R-Greenville), will allow school districts to excuse absences when students participate in work-based learning experiences, including, but not limited to Future Farmers of America and 4H.  THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS The Senate Finance Committee continued agency budget subcommittee hearings and proviso work. The Committee is scheduled to take up the budget the week of April 7.   Senate Finance Budget Subcommittees that hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Ronnie Cromer (R-Newberry) Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Ross Turner Clemson ’86 (R-Greenville) Senator Tom Young (R-Aiken)   Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee: Chairman Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Mike Gambrell Clemson ’80 (R-Abbeville) Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown)   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. BILLS OF INTEREST The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson.   A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS. NEWS & FYI Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter.

State Legislative Update

March 24, 2025

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA The House of Representatives was on furlough last week and will return in statewide session this week. THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS The Senate Finance Committee continued agency budget subcommittee hearings. The Committee is scheduled to take up the budget the week of April 7.   Senate Finance Budget Subcommittees that hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Ronnie Cromer (R-Newberry) Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Ross Turner Clemson ’86 (R-Greenville) Senator Tom Young (R-Aiken)   Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee: Chairman Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Mike Gambrell Clemson ’80 (R-Abbeville) Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown)   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. BILLS OF INTEREST The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson.   A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS. NEWS & FYI Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter.

State Legislative Updates

March 17, 2025

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA

The House of Representatives is on furlough this week and will return in statewide session next week..

THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS

The House completed its work on the state budget shortly after midnight on Wednesday, March 12.  The House budget is largely unchanged from the Ways and Means Committee’s budget. Below is a summary of the items impacting Clemson University and Clemson PSA:      The specific budget recommendations impacting Clemson are as follows: Clemson E&G  $10.2 million in recurring funding for in state tuition mitigation $2 million in recurring funding for Student Experiential Learning  $2.5 million in recurring funding for the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism (CISC)  $13.2 million in nonrecurring funding for the NextGen Computing Complex $4.3 million in nonrecurring funding for Science Lab Building $1.4 million in recurring funding for Call Me MISTER   Clemson PSA $600,000 in recurring funding for Statewide Operational and Programmatic Support  $1 million in recurring funding for Food Safety and Nutrition Agents  $500,000 in recurring funding for Critical Vehicles & Equipment​    The House included several items from the Executive Budget of impact to the University: $3.5 million in recurring lottery dollars for College Transition program scholarships (like ClemsonLIFE) $2 million in nonrecurring funding for a Systemic Study of Higher Ed  $10 million in recurring lottery dollars for the continuation of the initiative to address the shortage of instructors in nursing schools The budget included a base pay increase for state employees which will raise all full time employees to a new pay band, or 2%, whichever is greater.    The House version of the budget includes an increase in the cost of health insurance for state employees. The employee portion will be partially paid by the state.     The budget now goes to the Senate Finance Committee which is scheduled to debate the bill the week of April 7.      The Senate Finance Committee continued agency budget subcommittee hearings.   On Thursday, President Jim Clements and Vice President for Finance and CFO, Rick Petillo presented Clemson E&G’s budget request before the Senate Finance Higher Education Budget Subcommittee.  Senate Finance Budget Subcommittees that hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Ronnie Cromer (R-Newberry) Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Ross Turner Clemson ’86 (R-Greenville) Senator Tom Young (R-Aiken)   Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee: Chairman Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Mike Gambrell Clemson ’80 (R-Abbeville) Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown)   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.

BILLS OF INTEREST

The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson.   A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS.

NEWS & FYI

Tuesday, March 11 was 4-H Day in South Carolina. 4-H members and advisors from across the state traveled to the State House to share the vital work of 4-H in ag education and youth development, and preparation for work and life through hands-on learning.   Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter.

March 10, 2025

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA On Wednesday, President Jim Clements delivered a presentation on Clemson University before the House Higher Education Subcommittee as part of an overall update on the state’s public higher education institutions.   H. 3247 was passed unanimously last week by the Senate. This legislation, introduced by Rep. Patrick Haddon (R-Greenville), will allow school districts to excuse absences when students participate in work-based learning experiences, including, but not limited to Future Farmers of America and 4H. The Senate amended the bill slightly, but the House is expected to concur in the Senate amendments. As a result, the bill could be sent to the Governor for his signature as soon as this week.  THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS The House of Representatives will begin work on the budget this afternoon. The Senate Finance Committee continued agency budget subcommittee hearings.   On Thursday, President Jim Clements will present Clemson E&G’s budget request before the Senate Finance Higher Education Budget Subcommittee.    Senate Finance Budget Subcommittees that hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Ronnie Cromer (R-Newberry) Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Ross Turner Clemson ’86 (R-Greenville) Senator Tom Young (R-Aiken)   Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee: Chairman Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Mike Gambrell Clemson ’80 (R-Abbeville) Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown)   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. BILLS OF INTEREST The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson.   A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS.   NEWS & FYI Wednesday, March 5 was the annual Clemson Day at the State House legislative day. Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter.

State Legislative Updates

March 3, 2025

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA H. 3247 was passed favorably as amended last week by the Senate Education Committee. This legislation, introduced by Rep. Patrick Haddon (R-Greenville), will allow school districts to excuse absences when students participate in work-based learning experiences, including, but not limited to Future Farmers of America and 4H. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS The House of Representatives is scheduled to take up the budget next week.   The Senate Finance Committee continued agency budget subcommittee hearings.    Senate Finance Budget Subcommittees that hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Ronnie Cromer (R-Newberry) Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Ross Turner Clemson ’86 (R-Greenville) Senator Tom Young (R-Aiken)   Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee: Chairman Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) Senator Kent Williams (D-Marion) Senator Tom Corbin Clemson ’87 (R-Greenville) Senator Mike Gambrell Clemson ’80 (R-Abbeville) Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown)   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. BILLS OF INTEREST The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have a potential impact on Clemson.   A complete listing of these bills may be found here: VIEW BILLS.   NEWS & FYI Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter.