Rep. McCravy proposes the following amendment (LC-3514.SA0033H):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 1 and inserting:

SECTION X. (A)(1) There is established the South Carolina Equine Grant Committee (committee). The committee is composed of:

(a) one member appointed by the Governor;

(b) three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(c) three members appointed by the President of the Senate.

(2) A member of the General Assembly may not be a member of the committee.

(B) In making an appointment to the committee, an individual's knowledge of the equine industry must be considered but specific knowledge is not required. The committee shall establish the criteria to qualify for grants and shall set forth the procedures for applying for grants. The commission may require any information of the grant applicant that is necessary to properly evaluate the grant proposal.

(C) There is established in the State Treasury the South Carolina Equine Grant Fund (fund). This fund is separate and distinct from the general fund of the State and all other funds.

(D) Before July 1, 2023, the General Assembly shall appropriate two million two hundred thousand dollars to the fund to be used by the committee to assist the equine industry.

(E) The Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee shall provide staffing for the committee. Committee members must be compensated for their services at the usual rate for mileage, subsistence, and per diem as provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions and may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in connection with and as a result of their work as members of the committee.

(F) The committee shall distribute money in the fund to qualified grant applicants before July 1, 2024, at which time the committee is dissolved.