Senator GROOMS proposed the following amendment (935R003.KMM.LKG):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking Section 59-8-135 and inserting:

/ Section 59-8-135.(A) Beginning with the 2023-2024 School Year, the annual number of ESTF students is limited by the following capacity:

(1) in School Year 2023-2024, the program is limited to one percent of the most recent 135-day ADM count from the South Carolina Department of Education;

(2) in School Year 2024-2025, the program is limited to two percent of the most recent 135-day ADM count from the South Carolina Department of Education;

(3) in School Year 2025-2026, the program is limited to three percent of the most recent 135-day ADM count from the South Carolina Department of Education; and

( 4)in School Year 202 6-2027, and for all subsequent school years, the program is limited to four percent of the most recent 135-day ADM count from the South Carolina Department of Education.

(B) In 202 7, and every five years thereafter, the department shall conduct an eligibility and use review of the program and shall make recommendations to the General Assembly to improve the program.

(C) If in any year the scholarship awards do not reach the capacity provided for in subsection (A), students meeting the requirements of Section 59-8-110(3)(a) and (b) will be considered an 'eligible student' for the purposes of this chapter. /