THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA The House of Representatives is on furlough this week and will return to Columbia the week of March 23. H. 4902, which addresses the release of revenue sharing agreements between university athletic departments and student athletes was vetoed by Governor Henry McMaster. The House and Senate could override the Governor’s veto. We may request your help in contacting your legislators in support of the veto override. THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS The House completed its work on the state budget on Wednesday, March 11. During the House budget debate on Monday, March 9, Representative April Cromer (R-Anderson) offered an amendment that would have eliminated Clemson’s state Education and General funding ($224 million) and would have equated to an increase of over $15,000 per in-state student or a tuition increase of effectively 101%. After a call to action to the entirety of our Advocates program, but not before floor debate on the amendment, Representative Cromer motioned to table her own amendment and the measure was defeated. We are very grateful for the leadership of Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister (R-Greenville) and Higher Education Budget Subcommittee Chair Nathan Ballentine (R-Richland). 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: Education & General $6 million recurring for SC FIRST (Tuition Mitigation) $1 million recurring for Clemson University National Security Institute $1.8 million nonrecurring Public Safety $10 million nonrecurring for NextGen Computing Complex Public Service and Agriculture $1 million recurring for Natural Resource Utilization and Planning Institute (NRUPI) $2.5 million nonrecurring for Infrastructure and Safety Upgrades 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) $10 million in recurring lottery dollars for the continuation of the initiative to address the shortage of instructors in nursing schools $15 million in recurring lottery dollars for Meeting Street Scholarships The House included a base pay increase of 2% for state employees. The House’s 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 6. The Senate Finance Committee continues to hold 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 direct state funding and are considered self-supporting divisions of the University. 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
State Legislative Updates
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA |
| H. 4902, which addresses the release of revenue sharing agreements between university athletic departments and student athletes has been ratified and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. H. 4342, which originally addressed dental school faculty licenses, was amended earlier this session to also create a faculty license option at colleges of veterinary medicine. The bill was approved by the General Assembly, has been ratified, and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. |
| THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS |
| The House of Representatives will begin work on the budget this afternoon. The Senate Finance Committee continued to hold agency subcommittee hearings. President Bob Jones and Dr. Matt Holt, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) delivered Clemson’s PSA budget presentation to the Senate Finance Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee on March 3. 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 direct state funding and are considered self-supporting divisions of the University. |
| 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
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA |
| The House passed H.5205 (Institutions of Higher Learning Campus Safety) and sent it to the Senate where it was referred to the Senate Education Committee. The Senate Education Committee held a hearing on H. 4902, which addresses the release of revenue sharing agreements between university athletic departments and student athletes last Wednesday. Clemson’s Athletic Director, Graham Neff, testified in favor of the bill. The legislation passed out of Committee to the Senate floor where it was passed and has now been sent to Governor Henry McMaster. |
| THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS |
| The Senate Finance Committee has begun agency subcommittee hearings and will continue this process for the coming weeks. President Bob Jones and Dr. Matt Holt, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) will give Clemson’s PSA budget presentation to the Senate Finance Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee tomorrow morning. 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 direct state funding and are considered self-supporting divisions of the University. |
| 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
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA |
| On Thursday, the House Education Committee unanimously passed H.4739 (Institutions of Higher Learning Campus Safety). H. 4902, which addresses the release of revenue sharing agreements between university athletic departments and student athletes is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. Clemson’s Athletic Director, Graham Neff, plans to attend the hearing and support the legislation. |
| THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS |
| The House Ways and Means Committee completed its work on the state budget on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Below is a summary of the items impacting Clemson University: Education & General $6 million recurring for SC FIRST (Tuition Mitigation) $1 million recurring for Clemson University National Security Institute $1.8 million nonrecurring Public Safety $10 million nonrecurring for NextGen Computing Complex Public Service Activities $1 million recurring for Natural Resource Utilization and Planning Institute (NRUPI) $2.5 million nonrecurring for Infrastructure and Safety Upgrades The Committee 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) $10 million in recurring lottery dollars for the continuation of the initiative to address the shortage of instructors in nursing schools The Committee included a base pay increase of 2% for state employees. The budget now goes to the House of Representatives which is scheduled to debate the bill the week of March 9. The Senate Finance Committee has begun agency subcommittee hearings and will continue this process through the month of February. President Bob Jones and Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations and Chief Financial Officer Rick Petillo gave Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation to the Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee on Thursday morning, February 19. 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 direct state funding and are considered self-supporting divisions of the University. |
| 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
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA |
| On Tuesday, February 10, the Senate Education Committee passed H.4902, which addresses public disclosure related to South Carolina’s Name, Image & Likeness statute. |
| THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS |
| The House Ways and Means Committee will begin work on the budget today at 10am. The Senate Finance Committee has begun agency subcommittee hearings and will continue this process through the month of February. President Bob Jones and Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations and Chief Financial Officer Rick Petillo will give Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation to the Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee on Thursday afternoon. 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 direct state funding and are considered self-supporting divisions of the University. Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2026-27: Education & General (Recurring/Nonrecurring) Tuition Mitigation – $24.5M Clemson University National Security Institute – $20M Clemson University Energy Center – $5M Public Safety – $2M Public Safety – $1.7M NextGen Computing Complex – $60M Maintenance, Replacement and Renewal Projects – $25M Science Lab Building Construction – $35M Clemson Center for Human Genetics – $20M Public Service Activities (Recurring/Nonrecurring) Natural Resource Utilization and Planning Institute (NRUPI) – $3M Protecting South Carolina’s Food Sources and Bolstering Agricultural Services – $2.6M PSA Critical Infrastructure Needs – $4M Strengthening Statewide Cooperative Extension Programming – $800K Critical Infrastructure and Enhanced Biosecurity and Safety Upgrades – $18M |
| 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 |
| Eleven undergraduate student leaders are traveling to Washington, DC this week for ACC Advocacy Days on Capitol Hill. Students will meet with members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation to discuss priorities impacting higher education, research and student success. Please follow ClemsonGovAff on X. |
State Legislative Updates
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA |
| The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) continued agency budget subcommittee hearings last week. The full House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to take up the budget the week of February 16. |
| THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS |
| House Ways and Means Subcommittees that will hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington) Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg) Representative Bill Taylor (R-Aiken) Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Chairman Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston) Representative David Weeks (D-Sumter) Representative Kevin Hardee (R-Horry) 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 direct state funding and are considered self-supporting divisions of the University. Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2026-27: Education & General (Recurring/Nonrecurring) Tuition Mitigation – $24.5M Clemson University National Security Institute – $20M Clemson University Energy Center – $5M Public Safety – $2M Public Safety – $1.7M NextGen Computing Complex – $60M Maintenance, Replacement and Renewal Projects – $25M Science Lab Building Construction – $35M Clemson Center for Human Genetics – $20M Public Service Activities (Recurring/Nonrecurring) Natural Resource Utilization and Planning Institute (NRUPI) – $3M Protecting South Carolina’s Food Sources and Bolstering Agricultural Services – $2.6M PSA Critical Infrastructure Needs – $4M Strengthening Statewide Cooperative Extension Programming – $800K Critical Infrastructure and Enhanced Biosecurity and Safety Upgrades – $18M |
| 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 |
| Eleven undergraduate student leaders are traveling to Washington, DC this week for ACC Advocacy Days on Capitol Hill. Students will meet with members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation to discuss priorities impacting higher education, research and student success. Please follow ClemsonGovAff on X. |
State Legislative Update
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA |
| The House and Senate met in perfunctory session on Tuesday, January 27. Governor Henry McMaster delivered his final State of the State address on Wednesday evening, January 28. The prepared text of the Governor’s remarks may be found here. The House Education Higher Education Subcommittee heard testimony on H.4739 (Institutions of Higher Learning Campus Safety) on Thursday and reported the bill favorably to the full House Education Committee. Clemson University Associate Vice President for Public Safety Kimberly Spears-McNatt testified before the subcommittee. |
| THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS |
| The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) continued agency budget subcommittee hearings last week and will continue this process through January. On Tuesday, January 27, President Jones, along with Dr. Matt Holt, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) presented the budget requests for Clemson PSA to the Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee. House Ways and Means Subcommittees that will hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington) Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg) Representative Bill Taylor (R-Aiken) Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Chairman Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston) Representative David Weeks (D-Sumter) Representative Kevin Hardee (R-Horry) 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 direct state funding and are considered self-supporting divisions of the University. Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2026-27: Education & General (Recurring/Nonrecurring) Tuition Mitigation – $24.5M Clemson University National Security Institute – $20M Clemson University Energy Center – $5M Public Safety – $2M Public Safety – $1.7M NextGen Computing Complex – $60M Maintenance, Replacement and Renewal Projects – $25M Science Lab Building Construction – $35M Clemson Center for Human Genetics – $20M Public Service Activities (Recurring/Nonrecurring) Natural Resource Utilization and Planning Institute (NRUPI) – $3M Protecting South Carolina’s Food Sources and Bolstering Agricultural Services – $2.6M PSA Critical Infrastructure Needs – $4M Strengthening Statewide Cooperative Extension Programming – $800K Critical Infrastructure and Enhanced Biosecurity and Safety Upgrades – $18M |
| 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 X. |
State Legislative Update
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA |
| Governor Henry McMaster will deliver his final State of the State address on Wednesday evening, January 28. |
| THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS |
| The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) began agency budget subcommittee hearings last week and will continue this process through January. President Bob Jones and Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations and Chief Financial Officer Rick Petillo delivered Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation to the Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee on Thursday afternoon, January 22. On Tuesday, January 27, President Jones, along with Dr. Matt Holt, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS), is scheduled to present the budget requests for Clemson PSA to the Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee. House Ways and Means Subcommittees that will hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington) Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg) Representative Bill Taylor (R-Aiken) Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Chairman Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston) Representative David Weeks (D-Sumter) Representative Kevin Hardee (R-Horry) 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 direct state funding and are considered self-supporting divisions of the University. Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2026-27: Education & General (Recurring/Nonrecurring) Tuition Mitigation – $24.5M Clemson University National Security Institute – $20M Clemson University Energy Center – $5M Public Safety – $2M Public Safety – $1.7M NextGen Computing Complex – $60M Maintenance, Replacement and Renewal Projects – $25M Science Lab Building Construction – $35M Clemson Center for Human Genetics – $20M Public Service Activities (Recurring/Nonrecurring) Natural Resource Utilization and Planning Institute (NRUPI) – $3M Protecting South Carolina’s Food Sources and Bolstering Agricultural Services – $2.6M PSA Critical Infrastructure Needs – $4M Strengthening Statewide Cooperative Extension Programming – $800K Critical Infrastructure and Enhanced Biosecurity and Safety Upgrades – $18M |
| 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 X. |
State Legislative Update
THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA The second regular session of the 126th South Carolina General Assembly convened at noon on Tuesday, January 13. This is the second year of a two-year session which means those bills introduced in 2025 retain their places on the calendar and in committee and are carried over to this year. Each legislative session is held from the second Tuesday in January until the second Thursday in May. The Senate pre-filed legislation on December 10, 2025. The House pre-filed legislation on December 16, 2025. “This week, the House of Representatives passed H.4902, which addresses public disclosure related to South Carolina’s Name, Image & Likeness statute. The bill was introduced by Majority Leader Davey Hiott and was passed by the House on Thursday, The bill now moves on to the Senate for consideration. THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS The House Ways and Means Committee (where the appropriations bill originates) began agency budget subcommittee hearings last week and will continue this process through January. President Bob Jones and Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations and Chief Financial Officer Rick Petillo will give Clemson’s Education and General (E&G) budget presentation to the Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee on Thursday afternoon. On Tuesday, January 27, President Jones, along with Dr. Matt Holt, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS), will present the budget requests for Clemson PSA to the Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee. House Ways and Means Subcommittees that will hear Clemson’s budget requests: Higher Education Subcommittee: Chairman Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington) Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg) Representative Bill Taylor (R-Aiken) Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee: Chairman Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston) Representative David Weeks (D-Sumter) Representative Kevin Hardee (R-Horry) 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 direct state funding and are considered self-supporting divisions of the University. Clemson’s state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2026-27: On Monday, January 12, 2026, Governor Henry McMaster released his Executive Budget proposal for 2026-27. Below are Clemson E&G and PSA budget priorities for FY2026-27 with the Governor’s budget recommendations highlighted in orange: Education & General (Recurring/Nonrecurring) Tuition Mitigation – $24.5M (Governor’s recommendation – $8M) Clemson University National Security Institute – $20M Clemson University Energy Center – $5M Public Safety – $2M Public Safety – $1.7M NextGen Computing Complex – $60M Maintenance, Replacement and Renewal Projects – $25M (Governor’s recommendation – $14M) Science Lab Building Construction – $35M Clemson Center for Human Genetics – $20M Public Service Activities (Recurring/Nonrecurring) Natural Resource Utilization and Planning Institute (NRUPI) – $3M Protecting South Carolina’s Food Sources and Bolstering Agricultural Services – $2.6M PSA Critical Infrastructure Needs – $4M Strengthening Statewide Cooperative Extension Programming – $800K Inflationary increases in operating costs – $750K (Governor’s recommendation)* Critical Infrastructure and Enhanced Biosecurity and Safety Upgrades – $18M Agriwellness Pilot – $100K (Governor’s recommendation)* Multi-Agency Regional Complex – $3M (Governor’s recommendation)* EIA funds for Clemson Agriculture Education Teachers – $2.14M (Governor’s recommendation) *These recommendations were not requested by Clemson PSA. Recommendations for Higher Education with direct impacts to Clemson: $2 million to fund a systemic review of the state’s 33 public institutions of higher education Proviso for a study of public higher education programs to be managed by the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development to ensure that academic programs offered in public higher education institutions are aligned with current and future workforce needs of the state. $10 million lottery dollars for Nursing Initiative $3.5 million lottery dollars for College Transition Program scholarships for students with special needs (ClemsonLIFE) $15 million in nonrecurring general funds for the Meeting Street College Scholarships 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 X. |
State Legislative Update
| THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA |
| Governor Henry McMaster issued his vetoes for the state budget on Wednesday, June 4. There are no vetoes specific to Clemson University’s priorities. |
| THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS |
| As a recap, the Clemson-specific items in the budget are as follows: Clemson E&G Recurring: $12.2 million in recurring funding for in state tuition mitigation $4 million in recurring funding for Student Experiential Learning $4 million in recurring funding for the Snow Institute for the Study of Capitalism $500,000 in recurring funding for the Clemson Energy Center Clemson E&G Nonrecurring: $40 million in nonrecurring funding for the NextGen Computing Complex $4 million in nonrecurring funding for Maintenance, Renovation and Replacement Clemson PSA Recurring: $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 Clemson PSA Nonrecurring: $3 million in nonrecurring funding for Planned Maintenance and Critical Infrastructure The budget also includes a 2% base pay increase for both classified and unclassified employees of institutions of higher education. A proviso remains that allows flexibility to reward unclassified employees with merit-based increases. The budget includes an increase in the cost of health insurance contributions for state employees and employers. The state will pay for the employee portion and the university will be responsible for the employer portion. The budget contains several items from the Executive Budget of impact to the University: $10 million in nonrecurring lottery dollars for the continuation of the initiative to address the shortage of instructors in nursing schools Over $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. An additional $695,000 in recurring funds for Call Me Mister, which brings the total annual state investment in this program to $1,195,000. |
| BILLS OF INTEREST |
| Clemson’s Governmental Affairs Team tracked over 100 pieces of legislation this legislative session. As a reminder, since this is the first year of a two-year session, bills that did not pass this session will retain their current status and be carried over to the 2026 session. |
| NEWS & FYI |
Thank you for your service on behalf of Clemson University. Every day, we are reminded of how special the Clemson family is. Your commitment to advocacy on Clemson’s behalf is a tremendous contribution to our success.
This will be the final weekly legislative update until the General Assembly reconvenes in January 2026. Please follow ClemsonGovAff on Twitter for regularly updated news and information.
