S 430 Session 110 (1993-1994)
S 0430 General Bill, By T.W. Mitchell, Ford, Glover, Jackson, Lander, Matthews,
Patterson and Washington
Similar(S 431)
A Bill to amend Title 1, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the
administration of government by adding Chapter 31 so as to create the State
Commission for Minority Affairs and to provide for its functions, powers, and
duties.
02/17/93 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-4
02/17/93 Senate Referred to Committee on Finance SJ-4
A BILL
TO AMEND TITLE 1, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
1976, RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT
BY ADDING CHAPTER 31 SO AS TO CREATE THE STATE
COMMISSION FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS AND TO PROVIDE FOR
ITS FUNCTIONS, POWERS, AND DUTIES.
Whereas, the unemployment rate for African-American males is nearly
three times higher than the rate for white males in South Carolina; and
Whereas, per capita income for African-Americans in South Carolina is
less than half the income of whites; and
Whereas, four out of every ten African-American children will grow up
in poverty in South Carolina; and
Whereas, African-Americans die six years earlier than whites in South
Carolina; and
Whereas, African-American males in South Carolina have the lowest
recorded life expectancy for their group in any other state in the nation;
and
Whereas, the African-American infant mortality rate is more than twice
as high as whites in South Carolina; and
Whereas, African-American high school graduates attain literacy levels
slightly above white eighth graders; and
Whereas, African-American males receive only six percent of the total
degrees from higher education in South Carolina; and
Whereas, while the number of African-American males in higher
education has decreased, the number of African-American males in
correctional institutions is on the rise; and
Whereas, the percentage of African-American inmates at the Central
Correctional Institution in South Carolina is over seventy percent; and
Whereas, African-American youth make up seventy-four percent of
commitments to long-term facilities; and
Whereas, African-American children are four and a half times more
likely to be incarcerated than are their white counterparts in South
Carolina; and
Whereas, South Carolina currently has the worse violent crime rate in
the nation; and
Whereas, African-Americans make up a third of the population in South
Carolina; and
Whereas, other States with lower percentages of African-Americans and
higher standards of living for those African-Americans have already
implemented like commissions; and
Whereas, local groups throughout the State are initiating programs to
relieve the socio-economic deprivation of African-Americans in their
communities; and
Whereas, these community-based groups would benefit greatly from
clear state-based leadership. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"CHAPTER 31
State Commission for Minority Affairs
Section 1-31-10. There is created a State Commission for Minority
Affairs consisting of seven members and the Governor ex officio. The
Governor shall appoint one person from each of the six congressional
districts of the State and one person from the State at-large upon the
advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor shall designate the
chairman. The members serve for a term of four years and until their
successors are appointed and qualify. Of the members first appointed,
those appointed from the even-numbered congressional districts serve
for a term of two years; those appointed from the odd-numbered
congressional districts and the member appointed at-large serve for a
term of four years. A vacancy must be filled in the same manner as
original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. A
majority of the members of the commission must be African-American.
Section 1-31-20. The commission shall meet at least monthly to study
the causes and effects of the socio-economic deprivation of minorities
in the State and to implement programs necessary to address inequities
confronting minorities in the State.
Section 1-31-30. The commission is authorized to hire an executive
director and other personnel necessary to carry out its duties and
functions under this chapter. The General Assembly shall provide for
the funds in the annual appropriations act.
Section 1-31-40. The commission shall:
(1) provide the minority community with a single point of contact
for statistical and technical assistance in the areas of research and
planning for a greater economic future;
(2) work with minority officials on the state, county, and local levels
of government in disseminating statistical data and its impact on their
constituencies;
(3) provide for publication of a statewide statistical abstract on
minority affairs;
(4) provide statistical analyses for members of the General
Assembly on the state of minority communities as the State experiences
economic growth and changes;
(5) provide the minority community with assistance and information
on Voting Rights Act submissions in the State, as well as other related
areas of concern to the minority community.
(6) act as liaison with the business community to provide programs
and opportunities to fulfill its duties under this chapter;
(7) perform other duties necessary to implement programs. The
commission may delegate these powers and duties as necessary.
Section 1-31-50. The commission may promulgate those regulations
necessary to carry out its duties under this act."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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