Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 10:00 A.M.
Deliberations were opened with prayer by the Chaplain of the House of Representatives, the Rev. Dr. Alton C. Clark, as follows:

Almighty God, as this session of the General Assembly moves into the shadows of history and the Journals record for generations to come in perpetuity, the record of our achievements, our failures, we come again to You, Lord, in our morning prayer. For our worthy accomplishments, we give You thanks; where we have done wrong, forgive us. Take now the fruits of our labors with Your blessings into the marketplaces, the cities, the towns, the countrysides to be a blessing to all Your people. Our prayer would be the prayer from Genesis: "The Lord watch between you and me, when we are absent one from the other." (Gen. 31:49) Amen.

Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by the SPEAKER.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of yesterday, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.

Rep. MEACHAM moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of Bessie Hare Beam of Chester, which was agreed to.

The roll call of the House of Representatives was taken resulting as follows:

Allen                  Allison                Askins
Bailey                 Bales                  Barfield
Barrett                Battle                 Bowers
Breeland               Brown G.               Brown H.
Brown J.               Campsen                Carnell
Cato                   Chellis                Clyburn
Cooper                 Cotty                  Dantzler

Delleney               Edge                   Emory
Fleming                Frye                   Gamble
Gilham                 Gourdine               Govan
Hamilton               Harrell                Harris
Haskins                Hawkins                Hayes
Hines J.               Hinson                 Hosey
Howard                 Inabinett              Jennings
Keegan                 Kelley                 Kennedy
Kirsh                  Klauber                Knotts
Koon                   Law                    Leach
Lee                    Littlejohn             Lloyd
Loftis                 Lourie                 Maddox
Martin                 McCraw                 McGee
McLeod W.              Meacham                Miller
Moody-Lawrence         Neal J.M.              Ott
Parks                  Phillips               Quinn
Rhoad                  Rice                   Riser
Robinson               Rodgers                Sandifer
Scott                  Seithel                Sheheen
Smith D.               Smith F.               Smith R.
Stuart                 Taylor                 Townsend
Tripp                  Trotter                Vaughn
Walker                 Webb                   Whatley
Whipper                Wilder                 Wilkes
Wilkins                Witherspoon            Young-Brickell

I came in after the roll call and was present for the Session on Thursday, June 24.

John Altman                       Scott Beck
Ralph Canty                       Michael Easterday
Alex Harvin                       Steve Lanford
H.B. "Chip" Limehouse             James Lucas
E.B. "Mac" McLeod                 Denny Neilson
Todd Rutherford                   Charles Sharpe
Gary Simrill                      Ronald Townsend

The SPEAKER granted Rep. BECK a temporary leave of absence.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. LUCAS a temporary leave of absence.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. M. HINES a leave of absence due to illness.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. MCMAHAND a leave of absence for the day.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. STILLE a leave of absence for the day.

The following was received.

Columbia, S.C., June 23, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it concurs in the amendments proposed by the House to S. 311:
S. 311 (Word version)-- Senator Martin: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-52-95 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SCHOOL TO WORK ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL REPORT TO THE HOUSE EDUCATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE AND THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE BY JANUARY 1, 2000, AS TO THE PROGRESS MADE IN ESTABLISHING THE SCHOOL-TO-WORK SYSTEM, DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED, AND ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ENSURE SUCCESS OF THE SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE THAT NO STATE FUNDS SHALL BE EXPENDED TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL, AND THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL TERMINATE ON DECEMBER 1, 2002; AND TO AMEND SECTION 59-52-90, RELATING TO THE SCHOOL TO WORK ADVISORY COUNCIL AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS, SO AS TO DELETE

and has ordered the Bill Enrolled for Ratification.
Very respectfully,
President

Received as information.

Rep. SEITHEL moved that Rule 3.9 be invoked. The motion was seconded by ten members and the SPEAKER ordered that the absent members be sent for.

Rep. TROTTER moved to rescind Rule 3.9.

Rep. TROTTER demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Barrett                Campsen                Cooper
Delleney               Emory                  Fleming
Frye                   Harris                 Kennedy
Kirsh                  Klauber                Koon
Loftis                 McCraw                 Meacham
Moody-Lawrence         Phillips               Rice
Robinson               Sheheen                Trotter
Vaughn                 Webb                   Witherspoon

Those who voted in the negative are:

Allen                  Bailey                 Bales
Barfield               Battle                 Breeland
Brown G.               Brown H.               Brown J.
Carnell                Cato                   Chellis
Clyburn                Cotty                  Dantzler
Edge                   Gamble                 Haskins
Hawkins                Hayes                  Hines J.
Hosey                  Howard                 Inabinett
Jennings               Keegan                 Kelley

Knotts                 Lee                    Littlejohn
Lloyd                  Lourie                 Martin
McGee                  McLeod W.              Miller
Ott                    Parks                  Quinn
Rhoad                  Riser                  Rodgers
Sandifer               Scott                  Seithel
Sharpe                 Smith F.               Smith R.
Stuart                 Taylor                 Tripp
Walker                 Whatley                Whipper
Wilder                 Wilkes                 Wilkins
Young-Brickell

So, the House refused to rescind Rule 3.9.

The following Bill was read the third time, passed and having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act and that it be enrolled for Ratification:

S. 810 (Word version) -- Senator Washington: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-330, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN JASPER COUNTY, SO AS TO DELETE SPECIFIC DELINEATIONS OF THE BOUNDARIES OF THESE VOTING PRECINCTS AND DESIGNATE A MAP NUMBER ON WHICH LINES OF THESE PRECINCTS ARE DELINEATED AND MAINTAINED BY THE DIVISION OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICAL SERVICES OF THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD, TO REDESIGNATE AN ADDITIONAL PRECINCT AS RIDGELAND 3, AND PROVIDE THAT POLLING PLACES FOR THESE PRECINCTS MUST BE DETERMINED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND VOTER REGISTRATION OF JASPER COUNTY WITH THE APPROVAL OF A MAJORITY OF THE JASPER COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.

The Senate amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration:

H. 3751 (Word version) -- Reps. Rodgers, Gilham, Lloyd and Pinckney: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 21, TITLE 50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-138, SO AS TO ESTABLISH A NO WAKE ZONE ON A PORTION OF LUCY POINT CREEK IN BEAUFORT COUNTY.

Rep. RODGERS moved to table the Bill, which was was agreed to.

Rep. TOWNSEND moved that the Committee of Conference on the following Bill be resolved into a Committee of Free Conference and briefly explained the Conference Committee's reasons for this request:

H. 3620 (Word version) -- Reps. J. Smith, Allen, Bailey, Bales, Battle, Bowers, Breeland, J. Brown, T. Brown, Carnell, Cobb-Hunter, Emory, Gourdine, Harris, Hayes, M. Hines, Howard, Inabinett, Jennings, Kennedy, Lee, Lourie, Mack, Maddox, McCraw, M. McLeod, W. McLeod, McMahand, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, Neal, Neilson, Ott, Phillips, Pinckney, Rhoad, Sheheen, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Scott, Lloyd and J. Hines: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EDUCATION, BY ADDING CHAPTER 152 SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT" WHICH INCLUDES PROVISIONS FOR EXPANDED PARENTAL AND MATERNITY CARE, ADDITIONAL NUTRITION AND HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN, AND INCENTIVES FOR APPROPRIATE PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS; TO AMEND ARTICLE 17, CHAPTER 7, TITLE 20 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND OF SOUTH CAROLINA, SO AS TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE FUND TO CHILDREN'S FIRST STEPS TRUST FUND, PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL OVERSEE THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT, AND FURTHER PROVIDE FOR ITS GOVERNING BOARD, FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND FUNDING; TO ADD SECTIONS 43-1-240, 43-3-120, AND 44-1-280 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND EACH COUNTY BOARD AND OFFICE

The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allen                  Allison                Askins
Bailey                 Bales                  Barfield
Barrett                Battle                 Breeland
Brown G.               Brown H.               Brown J.
Campsen                Carnell                Cato
Chellis                Clyburn                Cooper
Cotty                  Dantzler               Edge
Emory                  Frye                   Gamble
Gilham                 Govan                  Harrell
Harris                 Hawkins                Hayes
Hines J.               Hinson                 Jennings
Keegan                 Kelley                 Kennedy
Kirsh                  Klauber                Knotts
Koon                   Law                    Lee
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Lloyd
Lourie                 Maddox                 Martin
McCraw                 McGee                  McLeod M.
McLeod W.              Meacham                Miller
Moody-Lawrence         Neal J.M.              Ott
Parks                  Phillips               Quinn
Rhoad                  Riser                  Rodgers

Rutherford             Sandifer               Scott
Seithel                Sharpe                 Simrill
Smith D.               Smith F.               Smith R.
Stuart                 Taylor                 Townsend
Trotter                Walker                 Webb
Whatley                Whipper                Wilder
Wilkes                 Wilkins                Young-Brickell

Those who voted in the negative are:

Fleming                Hamilton               Tripp

So, the motion to resolve the Committee of Conference into a Committee of Free Conference was agreed to.

The Committee of Conference was thereby resolved into a Committee of Free Conference. The SPEAKER appointed Reps. TOWNSEND, STILLE and WALKER to the Committee of Free Conference and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.

The COMMITTEE OF FREE CONFERENCE, to whom was referred:
H. 3620 (Word version) -- Reps. J. Smith, Allen, Bailey, Bales, Battle, Bowers, Breeland, J. Brown, T. Brown, Carnell, Cobb-Hunter, Emory, Gourdine, Harris, Hayes, M. Hines, Howard, Inabinett, Jennings, Kennedy, Lee, Lourie, Mack, Maddox, McCraw, M. McLeod, W. McLeod, McMahand, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, Neal, Neilson, Ott, Phillips, Pinckney, Rhoad, Sheheen, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Lloyd, Scott and J. Hines: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EDUCATION BY ADDING CHAPTER 152, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO READINESS ACT" WHICH IS AN INITIATIVE FOR IMPROVING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING GRANTS TO

Beg leave to report that they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend:

That the same do pass with the following amendments: (Reference is to Printer's Version 5/20/99--S.)

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all, including the title, and inserting therein the following:
/   TO AMEND TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EDUCATION BY ADDING CHAPTER 152, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT" WHICH IS AN INITIATIVE FOR IMPROVING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING GRANTS TO LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ENABLE CHILDREN TO REACH SCHOOL READY TO LEARN; TO ESTABLISH GOALS FOR THIS INITIATIVE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING THE INITIATIVE; TO ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND PROGRAM PARAMETERS FOR LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS; AND TO ESTABLISH FISCAL GUIDELINES, CRITERIA FOR LOCAL MATCHING FUNDS, AND EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS; TO AMEND CHAPTER 7, TITLE 20 BY ADDING ARTICLE 33 TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL OVERSEE THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT, AND TO ESTABLISH THE PURPOSES OF THE BOARD, FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND FUNDING; TO AMEND SECTION

Whereas, recent research has shown that children's brains develop more rapidly and earlier than previously understood and that early stimulation of the brain increases the learning ability of a child;

Whereas, recent research in neuroscience supports the critical importance of the early childhood years and its life-long effects on a child's development; and

Whereas, the General Assembly realizes that without proper care, nurturing, and support during the early years of life, children have difficulty learning when they enter school; and

Whereas, parents have the primary role and duty to raise, educate, and transmit values to their children; while communities can support parents as the primary caregivers and educators of their young children; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly recognize that improving results for children and their families can best be accomplished when state government works in partnership with communities and families to define common goals, expected results, and benchmarks for services to children and families; joins with communities and families in building the capacity to accomplish shared results; and supports local efforts through more efficient state accountability, data collection, and administrative systems. Now, therefore,

SECTION 1.   This act may be cited as the "South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Act."

SECTION 2.   Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 59-152-10.   There is established South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness, a comprehensive, results-oriented initiative for improving early childhood development by providing, through county partnerships, public and private funds and support for high-quality early childhood development and education services for children by providing support for their families' efforts toward enabling their children to reach school ready to learn.

Section 59-152-20.   The purpose of the First Steps initiative is to develop, promote, and assist efforts of agencies, private providers, and public and private organizations and entities, at the state level and the community level, to collaborate and cooperate in order to focus and intensify services, assure the most efficient use of all available resources, and eliminate duplication of efforts to serve the needs of young children and their families. First Steps funds must not be used to supplant or replace any other funds being spent on services but must be used to expand, extend, improve, or increase access to services or to enable a community to begin to offer new or previously unavailable services in their community. The South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees, Office of First Steps to School Readiness, and the County First Steps Partnerships shall assure that collaboration, the development of partnerships, and the sharing and maximizing of resources are occurring before funding for the implementation/management grants, as provided for in this chapter, is made available.

Section 59-152-30.   The goals for South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness are to:

(1)   provide parents with access to the support they might seek and want to strengthen their families and to promote the optimal development of their preschool children;

(2)   increase comprehensive services so children have reduced risk for major physical, developmental, and learning problems;

(3)   promote high quality preschool programs that provide a healthy environment that will promote normal growth and development;

(4)   provide services so all children receive the protection, nutrition, and health care needed to thrive in the early years of life so they arrive at school ready to learn; and

(5)   mobilize communities to focus efforts on providing enhanced services to support families and their young children so as to enable every child to reach school healthy and ready to learn.

Section 59-152-40.   The South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees established in Section 20-7-9710 shall oversee the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative.

Section 59-152-50.   Within the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees, an Office of South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness shall be established. The office shall:

(1)   provide to the board information on best practice, successful strategies, model programs, and financing mechanisms;

(2)   review the county partnerships' plans and budgets in order to provide technical assistance and recommendations regarding local grant proposals and improvement in meeting statewide and local goals;

(3)   provide technical assistance, consultation, and support to county partnerships to facilitate their success including, but not limited to, model programs, strategic planning, leadership development, best practice, successful strategies, collaboration, financing, and evaluation;

(4)   recommend to the board the applicants meeting the criteria for First Steps partnerships and the grants to be awarded;

(5)   submit an annual report to the board by December first which includes, but is not limited to, the statewide needs and resources available to meet the goals and purposes of the First Steps to School Readiness initiative, the ongoing progress and results of the First Steps to School Readiness initiative statewide and locally, fiscal information on the expenditure of funds, and recommendations and legislative proposals to further implement the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative statewide;

(6)   provide for on-going data collection and contract for an in-depth performance audit due January 1, 2003, and every three years thereafter, to ensure that statewide goals and requirements of the First Steps to School Readiness initiative are being met; and

(7)   coordinate the First Steps to School Readiness initiative with all other state, federal, and local public and private efforts to promote good health and school readiness of young children and support for their families.

Section 59-152-60.   (A)   The Office of First Steps to School Readiness, in collaboration with each county legislative delegation, shall initiate county forums for the purpose of bringing together stakeholders who are actively involved or interested in early childhood development and education so as to initiate a County First Steps Partnership. The times and locations of these forums and county-wide meetings must be publicized in the local print and broadcast media.
(B)(1)   At a county-wide meeting the participants shall begin to select, to the extent possible within the area covered by the partnership, not more than two members from each of these categories to sit on the First Steps partnership board:

(a)   pre-kindergarten through primary educator;

(b)   family education, training, and support provider;

(c)   childcare and early childhood development/ education provider;

(d)   healthcare provider;

(e)   transportation provider;

(f)   non-profit organization that provides services to families and children;

(g)   faith community; and

(h)   business community.

(2)   Three parents of pre-school children. After the first year of the implementation of the First Steps to School Readiness initiative, parents serving on the County First Steps Partnership board must have pre-school children being served by First Steps programs; and

(3)   Four members from early childhood education.
(C)   After the county partnership board has been formed, if necessary to assure that all areas of the county are adequately represented and reflect the diversity of the county, each county legislative delegation may appoint up to four additional members. Of these members, two are appointed by the Senate members and two by the House of Representative members of the delegation from persons with resources,

(a)   county department of social services;

(b)   county department of health and environmental control;

(c)   Head Start;

(d)   county library; and

(e)   each of the school districts in the county.
(E)   Members who miss more than three consecutive meetings without excuse or members who resign must be replaced from the same categories as their predecessor. The terms of the members of a County First Steps Partnership board are for two years, however, membership on the board may not exceed six consecutive years.
(F)   The chairman of a County First Steps Partnership board must be elected by majority vote of the board. The chairman shall serve a one-year term; however, the chairman may be elected to subsequent terms not to exceed a total of four consecutive years.
(G)   County First Steps Partnerships must have policies and procedures for conducting meetings and disclosing records comparable to those provided for in the Freedom of Information Act. Prior to every vote taken by the board, members must abstain from voting if the issue being considered would result in a conflict of interest. The abstention must be noted in the minutes of the meeting.

Section 59-152-70.   (A)   A First Steps partnership board shall, among other powers and duties:

(1)   adopt by-laws as established by the First Steps to School Readiness Board to effectuate the provisions of this chapter which must include the creation of a periodic meeting schedule;

(2)   coordinate a collaborative effort at the county or multi-county level which will bring the community together to identify the area needs related to the goals of First Steps to School Readiness; develop a strategic long-term plan for meeting those needs; develop specific initiatives to implement the elements of the plan; and integrating service delivery were possible;

(3)   coordinate and oversee the implementation of the comprehensive strategic plan including, but not limited to, direct service provision, contracting for service provision, and organization and management of volunteer programs;

(4)   create and annually revise a county needs assessment;

(5)   implement fiscal policies and procedures as required by the First Steps office and as needed to ensure fiscal accountability of all funds appropriated to the partnership;

(6)   keep accurate records of partnership's meetings, programs and activities;

(7)   collect information and submit an annual report by October 1 to the First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees, and otherwise participate in the annual review and the three-year evaluation of operations and programs. The first annual report must be submitted October 1, 2000. Reports must include but not be limited to:

(a)   determination of the current level and effectiveness of services for young children and their families;

(b)   strategic goals for increased availability, accessibility, quality, and efficiency of activities and services for young children and their families which will enable children to reach school ready to learn;

(c)     monitoring of progress toward strategic goals;

(d)   report on implementation activities;

(e)   recommendations for changes to the strategic plan which may include new areas of implementation;

(f)   evaluation and report of program effectiveness and client satisfaction before, during, and after the implementation of the strategic plan, where available; and

(g)   estimation of cost savings attributable to increased efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of services to young children and their families, where available.

(B)   Each County First Steps Partnership may, in the performance of its duties, employ or acquire administrative, clerical, stenographic, and other personnel as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section. However, overhead costs of the partnership's operations may not exceed eight percent of its implementation/management grant allocation unless prior approval is received from the First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees.

(C)   Each County First Steps Partnership may apply for, receive, and expend federal, state, and local funds, grants, and other funding.

(D)   Day care facilities receiving grants must first use a portion of their funds to achieve licensed status and then to achieve the equivalent status to that of enhanced ABC provider.

(E)   To be designated a County First Steps Partnership, the county or multi-county partnership must be a private nonprofit corporation organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. However, developing partnerships which have not yet received

Section 59-152-80.   (A)   It is the intent of the General Assembly that the First Steps to School Readiness initiative be implemented as soon as county partnerships are ready to utilize the funds efficiently and effectively to improve services.

(B)   Two levels of First Steps grants may be awarded as follows:

(1)   Level One for the development of the collaborative effort, needs assessment, and strategic planning; and

(2)   Level Two for implementation/management of activities and programs.

The level of grant awarded to a county partnership must be based on the readiness of the county partnership to implement the First Steps initiative. The First Steps board shall establish the criteria for qualifying for each grant level. The allocations for the grants shall take into consideration the quality of the grant proposal.

(C)   Implementation/management grants must be funded annually by the First Steps to School Readiness Board and may be awarded for up to three years. Implementation grants are renewable based upon criteria established by the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees, including the results of performance audits

Section 59-152-90.   (A)   To obtain a grant, a County First Steps Partnership or developing partnership shall submit an application to the Office of First Steps in a format specified by the First Steps to School Readiness Board. The application shall include, as appropriate to the level of grant applied for, the level of funding requested, a description of needs of children and families; assets and resources available; and the proposed strategies to address needs as they relate to the goals of South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness.

(B)   To receive a Level One development of the collaborative effort, needs assessment, and strategic planning grant, the County First Steps Partnership must meet the criteria established by the First Steps to School Readiness Board including, but not limited to, total population covered by the partnership and quality of any pre-exiting needs assessment and/or strategic plans for that geographic area.

(C)   To receive a Level Two implementation/management grant for First Steps to School Readiness, a County First Steps Partnership must

(D)   In developing these plans, the First Steps partnership must be given sufficient flexibility, but they must be accountable to the First Steps to School Readiness Board for fiscal management, program management, and program results.

(E)   The allocations for the grants shall take into consideration the quality of the grant proposal; the population of children birth to age five contained in the area served by the partnership; the percentage of students in grades 1-3 who are eligible for the free and reduced price lunch program; average per capita income; and the area's ability to support the strategic plan initiative. The criteria also shall take into account the standing of the geographical area covered by a county partnership in relation to the statewide Kids Count indicators. Priority must be given to strategic plans that incorporate models with demonstrated success.

Section 59-152-100.     (A)   All activities and services provided by a First Steps partnership must be made available to young children and families on a voluntary basis and must focus on the following:
.   (1)   lifelong learning:

(a)   school readiness;

(b)   parenting skills;

(c) family literacy; and

(d) adult and continuing education.

(2)   health care:

(a)   nutrition;

(b)   affordable access to quality age-appropriate health care;

(c)   early and periodic screenings;

(d)   required immunizations;

(e)   initiatives to reduce injuries to infants and toddlers; and

(f)   technical assistance and consultation for parents and child care providers on health and safety issues.

(3)   quality child care:

(a) staff training and professional development incentives;

(b)   quality cognitive learning programs;

(c)   voluntary accreditation standards;

(d)   accessibility to quality child care and development resources; and

(e) affordability.

(4)   transportation:

(a)   coordinated service;

(b)   accessibility;

(c)   increased utilization efficiency; and

(d)   affordability.

(B)   Any part of the initiative within the county strategic plan using local district resources within a school district must be conducted only with approval of the district's board of trustees.

Section 59-152-110.   Implementation/management grants provided to County First Steps Partnerships must be used to address the needs of young children and their families as identified in the partnerships' comprehensive plans. The funds must be used to expand, extend, or improve the quality of provided services if there is evidence as to existing programs' effectiveness; offer new or previously unavailable services in the area; or increase access to services. Grant funds may not supplant current expenditures by counties or state agencies on behalf of young children and their families, and may not be used where other state or federal funding sources are available or could be made available.

Section 59-152-120.   Funds received for implementation of a county partnership's implementation/management grant may not be used for capital expenses for new construction. However, funds may be made available for renovating, refurbishing, or upgrading of existing facilities used to support First Steps to School Readiness activities and services for children, families, and providers from made available to the partnerships in Section 59-152-150(C) and Section 20-7-9740(A). The county partnership must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the First Steps to School Readiness Board that the capital expenditure is:

(1)   a priority need for the local initiative and other state or federal funds for such projects are insufficient; and

(2)   necessary to provide services to under-served children and families.

Section 59-152-130.   (A)   The County First Steps Partnerships shall provide an annual match of fifteen percent. The South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees may decrease this percentage requirement for a partnership based on their capacity to provide that match. Private individuals and groups must be encouraged to contribute to a partnership's efforts to meet its match. The match required of individual partnerships by the First Steps board should take into consideration such factors as:

(1)   local wealth, using such indicators as the number and percentage of children eligible for free and reduced lunches in grades 1-3; and

(2)   in-kind donated resources.
Only in-kind donations, as defined by the standard fiscal accountability system provided for in Section 59-152-140, which meet the criteria established by the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees and that are quantifiable may be applied to the in-kind match requirement. Expenses, including those paid both by cash and through in-kind contributions, incurred by other nonstate entities participating in county partnerships may be included in determining matching funds.

(B)   The Office of the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness shall establish guidelines and reporting formats for county partnerships to document expenses to ensure they meet matching fund requirements. The office shall compile a report annually on the private cash and in-kind contributions received by the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees and County First Steps Partnerships.

Section 59-152-140.   To ensure effective use of funds, awards under contract for County First Steps Partnerships, with the approval of the Office of First Steps to School Readiness, may be carried forward and used in the following fiscal year. Funds appropriated to South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness may also be carried forward into subsequent years.

Section 59-152-150.   (A)   The Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall develop and require partnerships to adopt and implement a standard fiscal accountability system including, but not limited to, a uniform, standardized system of accounting, internal controls, payroll, fidelity bonding, chart of accounts, and contract management and monitoring. Additionally, the accountability system shall require competitive bids for the purchase or procurement of goods

(B)   Each County First Steps Partnership shall expend funds through the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees or its fiscal designees until the capacity of the County First Steps Partnership to manage its fiscal and administrative responsibilities in compliance with the standard accountability system has been reviewed and certified by the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees or its designee.

(C)   Private funds received by a County First Steps Partnership must be deposited in a separate fund.

(D)   Disbursements may be made only on the written authorization of the individual designated by the county partnership board and only for the purposes specified. A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, must be fined five thousand dollars or imprisoned for six months, or both.

(E)   The offenses of misuse, misappropriation, and embezzlement of public funds, apply to this chapter.

Section 59-152-160.   (A)   The South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees shall establish internal evaluation policies and procedures for County First Steps Partnerships for an annual review of the functioning of the partnership, implementation of strategies, and progress toward the interim goals and benchmarks. In instances where no progress has been made, the Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall provide targeted assistance and/or the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees may terminate the grant. In addition, a program evaluation of the First Steps to School Readiness initiatives at the state and local levels must be conducted every three years by an independent, external evaluator

SECTION   3.   Chapter 7, Title 20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 20-7-9700.   There is established the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees, an eleemosynary corporation, which shall oversee the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative, a broad range of innovative early childhood development and education, family support, health services, and prevention efforts to

The board may accept gifts, bequests, and grants from any person or foundation. The fund and grants from the fund shall supplement and augment, but not take the place of, services provided by local, state, or federal agencies. The board of trustees shall carry out activities necessary to administer the fund including assessing service needs and gaps, soliciting proposals to address identified service needs, and establishing criteria for the awarding of grants.

Section 20-7-9710.     There is created the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees which must be chaired by the Governor and must include the State Superintendent of Education who shall serve as ex officio voting members of the board. The board is composed of the twenty appointed, voting members as follows:
(A)   The Governor shall appoint two members from each of the following sectors:

(a)   parents of young children;

(b)   business community;

(c)   early childhood educators;

(d)   medical or child care and development providers; and

(e)   the General Assembly, one member from the Senate and one member from the House of Representatives.
(B)   The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall point one member from each of the following sectors:

(a)   parents of young children;

(b)   business community;

(c)   early childhood educators; and

(d)   medical or child care and development providers.
(C)   The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall point one member from each of the following sectors:

(a)   parents of young children;

(b)   business community;

(c)   early childhood educators; and

(d)   medical or child care and development.
(D)   The Chairman of the Senate Education Committee or his designee.
(E)   The Chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee or his designee.

(a) Department of Social Services or his designee;

(b)   Department of Health and Environmental Control or his designee;

(c)   Department of Health and Human Services or his designee;

(d)   Department of Mental Health or his designee;

(e)   Department of Disabilities and Special Needs or his designee;

(f)   Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services or his designee;

(g)   Department of Transportation or his designee; and

(h)   Budget and Control Board, Division of Research and Statistics or his designee.
(G) The following organizations shall designate one member to serve as an ex officio non-voting member:

(a)   South Carolina State Library;

(b)   Transportation Association of South Carolina; and

(c)   State Advisory Committee on the Regulation of Child Day Care Facilities.
The terms of the members are for four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify, except of those first appointed. When making the initial appointments, the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate half of their appointments to serve two year terms only. The appointments of the members from the General Assembly shall be coterminous with their terms of office.

Vacancies for any reason must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired term. No member shall serve more than two terms or eight years, whichever is longer. Members who miss more than three consecutive meetings without excuse or members who resign must be replaced in the same manner as their predecessor. Members may be paid per diem, mileage, and subsistence as established by the board not to exceed standards provided by law for boards, committees, and commissions. A complete report of the activities of the First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees must be made annually to the General Assembly and the State Auditor.

Section 20-7-9720.   To carry out its assigned functions, the board is authorized, but not limited to:

(1)   develop a comprehensive long range initiative for improving early childhood development and increasing school readiness;

(2)   promulgate regulations, establish guidelines, policies and procedures for implementation of the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative;

(3)   provide oversight on the implementation of the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative at the state and county levels;

(4)   facilitate and direct the establishment of developing County First Steps Partnerships and establish the criteria for designation of County First Steps partnerships;

(5)   establish criteria and procedures for awarding state First Steps grants to County First Steps Partnerships;

(6)   provide technical assistance, consultation services and support to County First Steps Partnerships including: the creation and annual revision of county needs assessments; the prioritization, implementation, and evaluation of each First Steps partnership's strategic plans based on needs assessments; and the identification of assets from other funding sources;

(7)   assess and develop recommendations: for ensuring coordination and collaboration among service providers at both the state and county level, for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of state programs and funding and other programs and funding sources, as allowable, as necessary to carry out the First Steps to School Readiness initiative, including additional fiscal strategies, redeployment of state resources, and development of new programs;

(8)   establish results oriented measures and objectives and assess whether services provided by County First Steps Partnerships to children and families are meeting the goals and achieving the results established for the First Steps initiative pursuant to Chapter 152, Title 59;

(9)   receive gifts, bequests, and devises for deposit for awarding grants to First Step partnerships; and

(10)   report annually to the General Assembly by January first on activities and progress to include recommendations for changes and legislative initiatives and results of program evaluations.

Section 20-7-9730.   The South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees shall employ, by a majority vote, a director of the Office of South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness and other staff as necessary to carry out the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative, established in Title 59, Chapter 152, and

Section 20-7-9740.   (A)   A separate fund must be established to accept nongovernmental grants, gifts, and donations from any public or private source for the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative. Each donor may designate up to one-half of their contribution to specific counties or a county. Both the designated and undesignated funds may be used to meet the local match required in Section 59-152-130. All funds may be carried forward from fiscal year to fiscal year. The State Treasurer shall invest the monies in this fund in the same manner as other funds under his control are invested and all interest derived from the investment of these funds shall remain in the fund. The South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees shall administer and authorize any disbursements from the fund. Private individuals and groups must be encouraged to contribute to this endeavor.

(B)   In addition, a separate fund within the state general fund must be established for monies that may be appropriated by the General Assembly for the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative. These funds may be carried forward from fiscal year to fiscal year. The State Treasurer shall invest the monies in this fund in the same manner as other funds under his control are invested. The South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees shall administer and authorize any disbursements from the fund.

(C)   All interest derived from the investment of the funds in subsections (A) and (B) shall remain a part of each respective fund."

SECTION   4.   Section 12-6-5060 (A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 12-6-5060.   (A)   Each taxpayer required to file a state individual income tax return may contribute to the Nongame Wildlife and Natural Areas Program Fund, the Children's Trust Fund of South Carolina as created by Section 20-7-5010, or the eldercare Trust Fund of South Carolina as created by Section 43-21-160, or the First Steps to School Readiness Fund as created by Section 20-7-9740 by designating the contribution on the return. The contribution may be made by reducing the income tax refund or by remitting additional payment by the amount designated."

"Section 43-1-240.     The State Department of Social Services in establishing priorities and funding for programs and services which impact on children and families during the first years of a child's life, within the powers and duties granted to it, must support, as appropriate, the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative, as established in Title 59, Chapter 152, at the state and local levels."

SECTION 6.   The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 44-1-280.   The Board and Department of Health and Environmental Control in establishing priorities and funding for programs and services which impact on children and families during the first years of a child's life, within the powers and duties granted to it, must support, as appropriate, the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative, as established in Title 59, Chapter 152, at the state and local levels."

SECTION 7.   It is the intent of the General Assembly that state agencies involved in early child care and development and education and in health and support services to families with young children shall actively support the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness initiative. In addition to those agencies answering directly to the Governor, those agencies headed by boards and commissions or constitutional officers shall use their resources to support, as appropriate, the goals of the First Steps initiative reflected in Section 59-152-20 and the long-term plans of the First Steps partnerships and to assure that relevant planning documents or processes are consistent with, and supportive of early childhood development and education, family support, and health.

SECTION 8.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. The provisions of this act are repealed in July 1, 2007 unless reauthorized by the General Assembly.   /

Amend title to conform.

/s/James Bryan                    /s/Ronald Townsend
/s/John Matthews                  /s/Robert Walker
/s/Linda Short                    /s/Harry Stille
On Part of the Senate.            On Part of the House.

The question then recurred to the adoption of the Free Conference Report.

Rep. FLEMING demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allen                  Allison                Askins
Bailey                 Bales                  Barfield
Battle                 Beck                   Bowers
Breeland               Brown G.               Brown H.
Brown J.               Canty                  Carnell
Chellis                Clyburn                Cotty
Dantzler               Delleney               Edge
Emory                  Gamble                 Gilham
Gourdine               Govan                  Harris
Hayes                  Hines J.               Hinson
Hosey                  Howard                 Inabinett
Jennings               Keegan                 Kelley
Kennedy                Kirsh                  Klauber
Knotts                 Law                    Lee
Limehouse              Lloyd                  Lourie
Maddox                 Martin                 McCraw
McGee                  McLeod M.              McLeod W.
Meacham                Miller                 Moody-Lawrence
Neal J.M.              Ott                    Parks
Phillips               Rhoad                  Riser
Rodgers                Rutherford             Sandifer
Scott                  Seithel                Sharpe
Sheheen                Simrill                Smith D.
Smith F.               Smith R.               Stuart
Taylor                 Townsend               Trotter
Walker                 Webb                   Whatley
Wilder                 Wilkes                 Wilkins

Witherspoon            Young-Brickell

Those who voted in the negative are:

Barrett                Campsen                Cato
Easterday              Fleming                Hamilton
Haskins                Hawkins                Koon
Leach                  Littlejohn             Loftis
Quinn                  Rice                   Robinson
Tripp                  Vaughn

So, the Free Conference Report was adopted and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.

Rep. WALKER moved that the Committee of Conference on the following Bill be resolved into a Committee of Free Conference and briefly explained the Conference Committee's reasons for this request:

S. 727 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PUPILS, BY ADDING ARTICLE 13 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A SYSTEM OF ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS FOR SPECIFIED STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-12 FOR WHICH A SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL RECEIVE CERTAIN FUNDING IF IT CHOOSES TO ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR THROUGH A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH OTHER DISTRICTS, AND TO REPEAL SECTION 59-18-1900 RELATING TO COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO FUND ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS.

The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Allen                  Allison                Askins
Bailey                 Bales                  Barfield
Barrett                Beck                   Bowers
Breeland               Brown G.               Brown H.
Brown J.               Campsen                Canty
Carnell                Cato                   Chellis
Clyburn                Cooper                 Cotty
Dantzler               Delleney               Edge
Emory                  Fleming                Frye
Gamble                 Gilham                 Gourdine
Govan                  Harrell                Harris
Harvin                 Hawkins                Hayes
Hines J.               Hinson                 Hosey
Howard                 Inabinett              Jennings
Keegan                 Kelley                 Kennedy
Kirsh                  Klauber                Knotts
Koon                   Lanford                Law
Leach                  Lee                    Limehouse
Littlejohn             Lloyd                  Loftis
Lourie                 Maddox                 Martin
McCraw                 McGee                  McLeod M.
McLeod W.              Meacham                Miller
Moody-Lawrence         Neal J.M.              Neilson
Ott                    Parks                  Phillips
Quinn                  Rhoad                  Rice
Riser                  Robinson               Rodgers
Rutherford             Sandifer               Scott
Seithel                Sharpe                 Sheheen
Simrill                Smith D.               Smith F.
Smith R.               Stuart                 Taylor
Townsend               Trotter                Walker
Webb                   Whatley                Wilder
Wilkes                 Wilkins                Witherspoon
Young-Brickell

Those who voted in the negative are:

The Committee of Conference was thereby resolved into a Committee of Free Conference. The SPEAKER appointed Reps. WALKER, TOWNSEND and BARRETT to the Committee of Free Conference and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.

The COMMITTEE OF FREE CONFERENCE, to whom was referred:
S. 727 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EDUCATION BY ADDING ARTICLE 13 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE CONDITIONS, REQUIREMENTS, AND PROCEDURES UNDER WHICH LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF TRUSTEES BEGINNING WITH SCHOOL YEAR 1999-2000 SHALL ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A PROGRAM OF ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS, TO PERMIT THESE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO BE OPERATED EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR AS A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS SHALL BE FUNDED.

Beg leave to report that they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend:

That the same do pass with the following amendments:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all, including the title, and inserting therein the following:
/   A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PUPILS, BY ADDING ARTICLE 13 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE CONDITIONS, REQUIREMENTS, AND PROCEDURES UNDER WHICH LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF TRUSTEES BEGINNING WITH SCHOOL YEAR 1999-2000 ARE ENCOURAGED TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A PROGRAM OF ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS FOR

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION   1.   Chapter 63, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 59-63-1300.     The General Assembly finds that a child who does not complete his education is greatly limited in obtaining employment, achieving his full potential, and becoming a productive member of society. It is therefore the intent of this article to encourage district school boards throughout the State to establish alternative school programs. These programs shall be designed to provide appropriate services to students who for behavioral or academic reasons are not benefiting from the regular school program or may be interfering with the learning of others. It is further the intent of this article that cooperative agreements may be developed among school districts in order to implement innovative exemplary programs.

Section 59-63-1310.   School districts which choose to establish, maintain, and operate, either individually or as a cooperative agreement among districts, alternative school programs shall be eligible for funding provided by the General Assembly for this purpose. The program must be operated at a site separate from other schools unless operated at a time when those schools are not in session or in another building on campus which would provide complete separation from other students. However, an existing alternative school program located in a defined area within a building which provides complete separation from other students and which otherwise meets the criteria established herein may continue at this site if the location is approved by the Department of Education. Provided, that a school district or consortium may apply for a waiver to the site requirement for a new

Section 59-63-1320.   Eligible alternative school programs shall be provided for, but not limited to, students in grades 6-12 as follows:

(1)   Students referred for voluntary attendance at the alternative school program and meeting the district criteria to attend based upon a documented need for the attention and assistance beyond that of a traditional program as established by the academic history of the student, including the student's academic plan as required in Section 59-18-500, and following other policies and procedures for documenting need established by the district board of trustees.

(2)   Students referred for voluntary attendance at the alternative school program and meeting the district criteria to attend based upon a documented need for the program due to habitual exhibitions of disruptive behavior in violation of the student conduct policies and behavior codes approved by the school board of trustees.
Districts must establish clear guidelines and procedures for the referral of any student into an alternative school program and before a decision is made to assign a student to an alternative school program, a determination must be made that the written and distributed academic and disciplinary policies of the district have been followed.

(3)   Students placed in an alternative school program by the district board of trustees as an option to suspension or expulsion or by the dispositive order of a family court judge, with the consent of the local board of trustees. However, before a student may be placed in an alternative school program, a determination must be made by the local board that the written and distributed disciplinary policy of the district has been followed. Districts must establish clear guidelines and procedures for the placement of any student into an alternative school program and at a minimum they shall prescribe due process procedures for placement actions.

When students are being considered for placement in an alternative school program, districts must consider the requirements of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

If a student placed by the board of trustees in an alternative school program enrolls in another school district before the expiration of the period of placement, the board of trustees of the district requiring the placement shall provide to the district in which the student enrolls, at the same time other records of the student are provided, information concerning the student's placement in an alternative school program. Upon review of the information, the district in which the student enrolls may continue an alternative education program placement or may allow the student to attend regular classes without completing the period of the placement.

Section 59-63-1330.   Nothing in this article shall abrogate the authority of any public school district and its governing board to take such disciplinary action as it is otherwise empowered by law to take against any student for misconduct, including but not limited to expulsion, and nothing in this chapter shall require that any student be assigned to such an alternative school. These decisions shall rest solely in the discretion of the district and school board, regardless of the offense, record of the child, or other information presented from any source.

Section 59-63-1340.   Within the requirements of Section 59-1-440, alternative school programs may differ from traditional education programs and schools in scheduling, administrative structure, curriculum, or setting and State requirements may be waived in these areas if such waiver assists the alternative school in meeting its purpose.

Section 59-63-1350. To be eligible for funding, a district or consortium must submit a plan for the program which includes:

(a)     mission statement,

(b)   the policy for the basis of enrollment in the school,

(c)   location of the alternative school program, and

(d)   description of how the school will focus on the educational and behavioral needs of the students. This description must include strategies for individual student instruction plans, evaluations at regular intervals of the student's educational and behavioral progress, instructional methods in meeting academic achievement standards in

The instructional program should enable students to make the transition to a regular school program, earn a high school diploma or GED, or seek postsecondary education. Steps should be taken to ensure that credit earned by students participating in the alternative school program can be transferred to other public schools in the State; provided, nothing herein shall prohibit school districts and/or the South Carolina Department of Education from establishing and providing new and innovative programs as may be authorized otherwise under law to meet the unique needs of alternative school students who otherwise might drop out of school or never be able successfully to complete the requirements for a diploma.

Section 59-63-1360.     A school district or consortium shall determine what, if any, transportation shall be provided to students attending an alternative school in accordance with written district guidelines.

Section 59-63-1370.   Each school district or consortium shall establish procedures for ensuring that teachers assigned to alternative school programs possess the pedagogical and content-related skills necessary to meet the needs of the student population served by the school. Each school board also shall ensure that adequate staff development activities are available for alternative school program faculty and staff and ensure that the faculty and staff participate in these activities. The State Department of Education in consultation with other appropriate entities shall provide assistance to school districts in the development of staff development programs which include best practices. These programs shall be made available to all district teachers.

Section 59-63-1380.   A school district shall allocate to an alternative school program the same per student expenditure to include

Districts or consortia meeting the eligibility requirements for alternative school funding shall receive an annual base funding minimum of $30,000 or up to $200,000 depending on the student population of the district; however, districts forming consortia will have as their base funding an amount equal to the total of the individual districts' base funding, not to exceed $350,000. The State Department of Education, for the purposes of establishing base funding, shall group districts according to their average daily membership and assign the amount of base funding districts in a grouping would receive for eligible programs. Unobligated funds from state appropriations for base funding which become available during a fiscal year may be redistributed on a per pupil basis to eligible programs in county-wide districts receiving base funding of less than $100,000; however, this redistributed funding shall not become part of the base funding for the following year. Increases in fiscal year 2000-2001 funding over the fiscal year 1999-2000 recurring and non-recurring funding shall be used to increase county-wide districts' base funding by fifty percent and this new amount shall constitute their base funding.

It is the intent of the General Assembly that, after meeting the funding requirements for base funding, eligible programs, beginning with school year 2000-2001, shall also receive per pupil funding based on the average daily membership of the students served by the program at an Education Finance Act weighting of 1.49 and beginning with school year 2001-2002 a weighting of 1.74. Per pupil funds for the alternative school program shall be distributed through the Education Finance Act formula provided for in Section 59-20-40. Beginning with school year 2002-2003, every district or district consortium shall provide alternative school opportunities for their students in grades 6-12, provided that state funding for alternative school programs is not reduced below the appropriation received in fiscal year 2001-2002.

These funds shall be used for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of alternative schools programs. Funds also may be used to provide for staff development needs pursuant to Section 59-63-1370.

Districts or consortia developing plans for the establishment of an alternative school shall be eligible for a planning grant of no more than $5,000 if criteria established by the State Board of Education are met.

Section 59-63-1390.   The State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations for establishment, maintenance, and operation of alternative school programs to include clear procedures for annual review of the implementation and progress of the alternative school program and a three-year cycle evaluation shall examine the success of this initiative. If an annual review or the evaluation finds a program is not making progress to carry out the alternative school plan or meeting the locally established measures of success, the Department of Education shall provide technical assistance and future funding may be terminated.

Section 59-63-1400.   The State Department of Education shall review alternative school plans for eligibility for funding, and provide technical assistance for planning, establishing, and implementing an alternative school based on best practice. The Department shall assist any district or consortia whose plan does not meet the eligibility criteria; however, no funding will be approved until the plan ensures implementation of appropriate services for students served by the alternative school."

SECTION   2.   Section 59-18-1900 of the 1976 Code is repealed. However, districts or consortia receiving grant funds pursuant to Section 59-18-1900 shall receive no less funding for eligible alternative school programs than received in 1998-99 for the length of the original grant.

SECTION   3.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.   /

Amend title to conform.

/s/James Bryan                    /s/Ronald Townsend
/s/John Matthews                  /s/Robert Walker
/s/Linda Short                    /s/James Barrett
On Part of the Senate.            On Part of the House.

The Free Conference Report was adopted and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.

The following was received.

Columbia, S.C., June 24, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has requested and been granted Free Conference Powers and appointed Senators Bryan, Matthews and Short of the Committee of Free Conference on the part of the Senate on S. 727:
S. 727 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A BILL TO TO AMEND TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EDUCATION BY ADDING CHAPTER 152, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO READINESS ACT" WHICH IS AN INITIATIVE FOR IMPROVING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING GRANTS TO LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ENABLE CHILDREN TO REACH SCHOOL READY TO LEARN; TO ESTABLISH GOALS FOR THIS INITIATIVE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING THE INITIATIVE; TO ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND PROGRAM PARAMETERS FOR LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS; AND TO ESTABLISH FISCAL GUIDELINES, CRITERIA FOR LOCAL MATCHING FUNDS, AND EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS; TO AMEND ARTICLE 17, CHAPTER 7, TITLE 20 RELATING TO THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND OF SOUTH CAROLINA, SO AS TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE FUND TO CHILDREN'S FIRST STEPS TRUST FUND, PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL OVERSEE THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT, AND TO REVISE THE PURPOSES OF THE TRUST FUND AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR ITS GOVERNING BOARD, FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND FUNDING; TO ADD SECTIONS 43-1-240 AND 44-1-280 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE BOARD AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, IN ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES AND FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WHICH IMPACT ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING THE FIRST YEARS OF A CHILD'S LIFE, MUST SUPPORT THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT AT THE STATE AND LOCAL

The following was received.

Columbia, S.C., June 24, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has adopted the report of the Committee of Free Conference on S. 727:
S. 727 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A BILL TO TO AMEND TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EDUCATION BY ADDING CHAPTER 152, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO READINESS ACT" WHICH IS AN INITIATIVE FOR IMPROVING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING GRANTS TO

Received as information.

The Report of the Committee of Free Conference having been adopted by both Houses, and this Bill having been read three times in each House, it was ordered that the title thereof be changed to that of an Act and that it be enrolled for Ratification.

Rep. FLEMING moved to rescind Rule 3.9.

Rep. SEITHEL demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Barrett                Campsen                Canty
Cooper                 Delleney               Easterday
Fleming                Frye                   Gourdine
Govan                  Hamilton               Harris
Hawkins                Kirsh                  Klauber
Koon                   Leach                  Limehouse
Loftis                 Meacham                Phillips
Quinn                  Rice                   Robinson
Sharpe                 Sheheen                Simrill
Vaughn

Allen                  Askins                 Bailey
Bales                  Barfield               Battle
Beck                   Bowers                 Breeland
Brown H.               Brown J.               Carnell
Chellis                Clyburn                Cotty
Dantzler               Davenport              Edge
Emory                  Gamble                 Harrell
Harvin                 Haskins                Hayes
Hines J.               Hinson                 Hosey
Inabinett              Jennings               Keegan
Kelley                 Kennedy                Knotts
Lee                    Lloyd                  Lourie
Maddox                 Martin                 McGee
McLeod M.              McLeod W.              Miller
Neilson                Ott                    Parks
Rhoad                  Riser                  Rodgers
Rutherford             Sandifer               Seithel
Smith R.               Stuart                 Taylor
Townsend               Trotter                Walker
Webb                   Whatley                Wilder
Wilkes                 Wilkins                Young-Brickell

So, the House refused to rescind Rule 3.9.

Rep. HASKINS moved that the Committee of Conference on the following Bill be resolved into a Committee of Free Conference and briefly explained the Conference Committee's reasons for this request:

H. 3002 (Word version) -- Reps. Wilkins, Hawkins, Altman, J. Brown, Loftis, Leach, Kelley, Harvin, Walker, D. Smith, Campsen, Stille, Davenport, Rice, Barrett, Cotty, Lanford, Wilder, Sharpe, Delleney, Littlejohn, Tripp, Witherspoon, Harris, Carnell, Kirsh, Vaughn, Webb, McKay, Riser, Sandifer, Cato, Simrill, Allison, Harrison, Barfield, McGee, Meacham, Hamilton, Koon, Fleming, Martin, Mason, Gilham, Edge, Robinson, Emory, McCraw, W. McLeod and J. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-19-170, ENACTING THE GAMBLING

The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allen                  Allison                Askins
Bailey                 Bales                  Barfield
Barrett                Battle                 Bowers
Breeland               Brown G.               Brown H.
Brown J.               Carnell                Cato
Chellis                Clyburn                Cooper
Cotty                  Dantzler               Davenport
Edge                   Emory                  Govan
Harrell                Harvin                 Haskins
Hayes                  Hines J.               Hinson
Hosey                  Inabinett              Jennings
Keegan                 Kelley                 Kennedy
Klauber                Knotts                 Law
Lee                    Limehouse              Littlejohn
Lloyd                  Lourie                 Maddox
Martin                 McGee                  McLeod M.
McLeod W.              Miller                 Moody-Lawrence
Neal J.M.              Neilson                Ott
Parks                  Quinn                  Rhoad
Rice                   Riser                  Robinson
Rodgers                Rutherford             Sandifer
Scott                  Seithel                Sharpe
Smith D.               Stuart                 Taylor
Townsend               Tripp                  Trotter
Walker                 Webb                   Whatley
Whipper                Wilder                 Wilkes
Wilkins                Witherspoon            Young-Brickell

Beck                   Campsen                Canty
Delleney               Easterday              Fleming
Frye                   Gamble                 Gilham
Hamilton               Harris                 Hawkins
Kirsh                  Koon                   Lanford
Leach                  Loftis                 McCraw
Meacham                Phillips               Sheheen
Simrill                Smith F.               Smith R.
Vaughn

So, Free Conference Powers were rejected.

The Senate returned to the House with amendments the following:

H. 3698 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE OPERATIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENT OF SURPLUS FISCAL YEAR 1997-98 GENERAL FUND REVENUES.

Rep. HARRELL explained the Senate amendments.

The Senate amendments were agreed to, and the Joint Resolution having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act and that it be enrolled for Ratification.

Rep. MADDOX moved to rescind Rule 3.9, which was agreed to.

The following was received.

Columbia, S.C., June 24, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has requested and been granted Free Conference Powers and appointed Senators Moore, Hutto and Ravenel of the Committee of Free Conference on the part of the Senate on H. 3276:
H. 3276 (Word version) -- Reps. Wilkins, Cato, Bailey, Barrett, Battle, G. Brown, H. Brown, Carnell, Cobb-Hunter, Easterday, Gamble, Harrell, Harrison, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kirsh, Klauber, Mason, McGee, McKay, Quinn, Sandifer, Sharpe, D. Smith, R. Smith, Tripp, Young-Brickell, Leach, Whatley, Meacham, Law, Seithel, Woodrum, Trotter, Fleming, Chellis, Walker, Loftis, Altman, Riser, Stille, Rodgers, Rice, Bauer, Beck, Edge, Dantzler, Maddox, Cooper, Lanford, Martin, Hamilton, Campsen, Phillips, Lee, Gilham, Robinson and Simrill: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 9 OF TITLE 58, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, AND EXPRESS COMPANIES, BY ADDING ARTICLE 20 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH AMOUNTS MAY BE CHARGED BY MUNICIPALITIES TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES FOR THE USE OF THE PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND FOR BUSINESS LICENSE TAXES IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUCH CHARGES ARE IMPOSED ON A COMPETITIVELY NEUTRAL AND NONDISCRIMINATORY BASIS, TO LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE IMPOSITION OF CERTAIN OTHER FEES AND TAXES ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES BY MUNICIPALITIES; AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED PROCEDURAL AND OTHER MATTERS.
Very respectfully,
President
Received as information.

The following was received.

Columbia, S.C., June 24, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has adopted the report of the Committee of Free Conference on H. 3276:
H. 3276 (Word version) -- Reps. Wilkins, Cato, Bailey, Barrett, Battle, G. Brown, H. Brown, Carnell, Cobb-Hunter, Easterday, Gamble, Harrell, Harrison, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kirsh, Klauber, Mason, McGee, McKay, Quinn, Sandifer, Sharpe, D. Smith, R. Smith, Tripp, Young-Brickell, Leach, Whatley, Meacham, Law, Seithel, Woodrum, Trotter, Fleming, Chellis, Walker, Loftis, Altman, Riser, Stille, Rodgers, Rice, Bauer, Beck, Edge, Dantzler, Maddox, Cooper, Lanford, Martin, Hamilton, Campsen, Phillips, Lee, Gilham, Robinson and Simrill: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 9 OF TITLE 58, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, AND EXPRESS COMPANIES, BY ADDING ARTICLE 20 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH AMOUNTS MAY BE CHARGED BY MUNICIPALITIES TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES FOR THE USE OF THE PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND FOR BUSINESS LICENSE TAXES IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUCH CHARGES ARE IMPOSED ON A COMPETITIVELY NEUTRAL AND NONDISCRIMINATORY BASIS, TO LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE IMPOSITION OF CERTAIN OTHER FEES AND TAXES ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES BY MUNICIPALITIES; AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED PROCEDURAL AND OTHER MATTERS.

The report of the Committee of Free Conference having been adopted by both Houses ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and the Act enrolled for Ratification.

The Senate has ordered the Bill Enrolled for Ratification.
Very respectfully,
President

Received as information.

The following was received.

Columbia, S.C., June 24, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that the report of the Committee of Free Conference having been adopted by

The Senate has ordered the Bill Enrolled for Ratification.
Very respectfully,
President

Received as information.

The following was received.

Columbia, S.C., June 24, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has adopted the report of the Committee of Conference on H. 3359:
H. 3359 (Word version) -- Reps. Dantzler, Bailey, R. Smith, Hinson, Rodgers, Witherspoon, Chellis, McKay, McGee, Law, Simrill, Rhoad, Littlejohn and Bowers: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-37-224 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A MOTOR HOME ON WHICH THE INTEREST PORTION OF INDEBTEDNESS IS DEDUCTIBLE

Received as information.

The Report of the Committee of Conference having been adopted by both Houses, and this Bill having been read three times in each House, it was ordered that the title thereof be changed to that of an Act and that it be enrolled for Ratification.

The SPEAKER appointed Reps. J. BROWN, HINSON and CAMPSEN of a committee to notify the Senate that the House had completed their work and was ready to adjourn Sine Die.

The SPEAKER appointed Reps. LEE, CARNELL and KOON of a committee to notify the Governor that the House had completed their work and was ready to adjourn Sine Die.

The following was received.

Columbia, S.C., June 24, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

The Senate respectfully invites your Honorable Body to attend in the Senate Chamber today for the purpose of Ratifying Acts prior to Sine Die Adjournment at a time mutually convenient to both bodies and the respective Presiding Officers.
Very respectfully,
President

On motion of Rep. HASKINS, the invitation was accepted.

Rep. LITTLEJOHN moved that pending the Ratification of Acts, the House adjourn Sine Die, which was agreed to.

The Senate returned to the House with concurrence the following:

H. 4194 (Word version) -- Reps. Mack, Altman, Breeland, Campsen, Inabinett, Whatley and Whipper: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO NAME THE SOUTHBOUND CONNECTOR OF THE BRIDGE TO BE BUILT TO REPLACE THE JOHN P. GRACE AND THE SILAS N. PEARMAN BRIDGES IN CHARLESTON COUNTY THE "LUCILLE S. WHIPPER CONNECTOR" AND TO ERECT SIGNS OR MARKERS CONTAINING THIS DESIGNATION.

At 1:40 P.M. the House attended in the Senate Chamber, where the following Acts and Joint Resolutions were duly ratified:

(R177, S. 7 (Word version)) -- Senators Short, Leventis, McGill, Glover, Washington, Reese and Setzler: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 74 SO AS TO ENACT THE "MEDICAL RADIATION HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT" WHICH REQUIRES CERTIFICATION BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA RADIATION QUALITY STANDARDS ASSOCIATION TO USE IONIZING RADIATION OR EQUIPMENT EMITTING OR DETECTING IONIZING RADIATION ON HUMANS FOR DIAGNOSTIC OR THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES, TO ALSO REQUIRE SUPERVISION AND THE PRESCRIPTION OF A LICENSED PRACTITIONER TO ENGAGE IN SUCH USE AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS; TO REQUIRE THE SOUTH CAROLINA RADIATION QUALITY STANDARDS ASSOCIATION TO REGISTER WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE AND TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION UNDER 501(C) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE; TO PRESCRIBE BOARD MEMBERSHIP AND AUTHORITY; TO PROVIDE FOR CERTIFICATION OF CERTAIN X-RAY TECHNICIANS WITHOUT EXAMINATION AND FOR CERTIFICATION BY EXAMINATION FOR OTHERS; TO REQUIRE THE SOUTH

(R178, S. 11 (Word version)) -- Senators Drummond, Elliott, Leventis, Rankin, Reese and Short: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 1, ARTICLE X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO ASSESSMENT RATIOS AND CLASSES OF PROPERTY FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROPERTY TAX, SO AS TO ESTABLISH A NEW CLASS OF PROPERTY CONSISTING OF PERSONAL MOTOR VEHICLES WHICH MUST BE TITLED BY A STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY AND LIMITED TO PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS AS DEFINED BY LAW ASSESSED FOR PROPERTY TAX AT NINE AND SEVENTY-FIVE HUNDREDTHS PERCENT OF FAIR MARKET VALUE REDUCED IN ANNUAL INCREMENTS OF SEVENTY-FIVE HUNDREDTH OF ONE PERCENT OVER SIX YEARS TO A PERMANENT RATE OF SIX PERCENT OF FAIR MARKET VALUE AND TO PROVIDE THAT THESE REVISED ASSESSMENT RATIOS AND THE NEW CLASS OF PROPERTY APPLIES FOR PROPERTY TAX YEARS BEGINNING AFTER 2001 OR IN EARLIER TAX YEARS AS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY PROVIDE BY LAW.

(R179, S. 311 (Word version)) -- Senator Martin: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-52-95 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SCHOOL TO WORK ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL REPORT TO THE HOUSE EDUCATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE AND THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE BY JANUARY 1, 2000, AS TO THE PROGRESS MADE IN ESTABLISHING THE

(R180, S. 373 (Word version)) -- Senator Holland: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 7-1-25 SO AS TO DEFINE THE WORD "RESIDENT" FOR VOTING PURPOSES; TO AMEND SECTION 7-5-230, RELATING TO BOARDS OF REGISTRATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR THE CHALLENGING OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ELECTOR; BY ADDING SECTION 7-5-325 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT WRITTEN NOTIFICATION OF A CHANGE OF ADDRESS IS DEEMED GIVEN UNDER OATH; TO AMEND SECTION 7-13-1330, RELATING TO THE APPROVAL OF VOTE RECORDERS BY THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION, SO AS TO INCLUDE AN OPTICAL SCAN VOTING SYSTEM WITHIN THE MEANING OF VOTE RECORDER, PROVIDE THAT NO VOTE RECORDER OR OPTICAL SCAN VOTING SYSTEM MAY BE APPROVED FOR USE BY THE STATE UNLESS CERTIFIED BY AN ACCREDITED NATIONAL TESTING AUTHORITY AND THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION AS MEETING CERTAIN STANDARDS, PROVIDE A PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW FOR A PERSON OR COMPANY SEEKING APPROVAL OF A VOTE RECORDER OR OPTICAL SCAN SYSTEM, PROVIDE FOR A PROCEDURE FOR THE DECERTIFICATION OF A VOTE RECORDER OR OPTICAL SCAN VOTING SYSTEM BY THE COMMISSION; TO AMEND SECTION 7-13-1340, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTE RECORDERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE A VOTING SYSTEM TO BE ABLE TO ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMIT VOTE TOTALS FOR ALL ELECTIONS TO THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION; TO AMEND SECTION 7-13-1620, RELATING TO THE

(R181, S. 403 (Word version)) -- Senators Courtney, Short, Moore and Washington: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-767, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES REGARDING CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, SO AS TO REVISE THE DUTIES CONCERNING CONDUCTING VISITS WITH FOSTER CHILDREN AND CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS OF FOSTER FAMILIES; TO REQUIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SECTION, AND TO STATE THE DUTIES OF FOSTER PARENTS UNDER THIS SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-764, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPROVAL OR AMENDMENT OF A PLACEMENT PLAN AFTER REMOVAL OF A CHILD, SO AS TO PROVIDE CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THE COURT TO CONSIDER WHEN DETERMINING WHETHER TO DISCLOSE IN THE PLAN THE LOCATION OF THE CHILD'S PLACEMENT; TO ADD SECTION 20-7-775 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO DISCLOSE CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE CHILD TO THE FOSTER PARENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 19-1-180, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ADMISSIBILITY OF OUT-OF-COURT STATEMENTS BY CERTAIN CHILDREN, SO AS TO EXPAND THE ADMISSIBILITY OF THESE STATEMENTS TO INCLUDE CHILDREN WHO FUNCTION COGNITIVELY, ADAPTIVELY, OR DEVELOPMENTALLY UNDER AGE TWELVE; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-420, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE FAMILY COURT, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE AUTHORITY TO HEAR AND

(R182, S. 585 (Word version)) -- Senator McConnell: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 14-1-206, 14-1-207, AND 14-1-208, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, ALL RELATING TO FINES AND ASSESSMENTS IMPOSED ON CONVICTIONS IN GENERAL SESSIONS, MUNICIPAL, AND MAGISTRATE'S

(R183, S. 591 (Word version)) -- Senators McConnell, Ravenel, Hutto, Leventis, Cork and Passailaigue: AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 48, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE POLLUTION CONTROL ACT, BY ADDING SECTION 48-1-83 SO AS TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR DISSOLVED OXYGEN DEPRESSIONS IN NATURALLY LOW DISSOLVED OXYGEN WATERBODIES AND TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING A SITE-SPECIFIC EFFLUENT LIMIT RELATED TO DISSOLVED OXYGEN.

(R184, S. 684 (Word version)) -- Senators Grooms and Mescher: AN ACT TO ENACT THE BERKELEY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOND-PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT.

(R185, S. 727 (Word version)) -- Education Committee: AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PUPILS, BY ADDING ARTICLE 13, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE CONDITIONS, REQUIREMENTS, AND PROCEDURES UNDER WHICH LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF TRUSTEES BEGINNING WITH SCHOOL YEAR 1999-2000 ARE ENCOURAGED TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A PROGRAM OF ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS, TO PERMIT THESE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO BE OPERATED EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR AS A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS SHALL BE FUNDED; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 59-18-1900 RELATING TO ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS AND GRANT PROGRAMS FOR SUCH SCHOOLS.

(R186, S. 810 (Word version)) -- Senator Washington: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-330, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN JASPER COUNTY, SO AS TO DELETE SPECIFIC DELINEATIONS OF THE BOUNDARIES OF THESE VOTING PRECINCTS AND DESIGNATE A MAP NUMBER ON WHICH LINES OF THESE PRECINCTS ARE DELINEATED AND MAINTAINED BY THE DIVISION OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICAL SERVICES OF THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD, TO REDESIGNATE AN ADDITIONAL PRECINCT AS RIDGELAND 3, AND PROVIDE THAT POLLING PLACES FOR THESE PRECINCTS MUST BE DETERMINED BY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND VOTER REGISTRATION OF JASPER COUNTY WITH THE APPROVAL OF A MAJORITY OF THE JASPER COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.

(R187, S. 897 (Word version)) -- Senator Hutto: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 2 OF 1963, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR BARNWELL COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER 45, SO AS TO ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD TO PROVIDE A STIPEND TO BOARD MEMBERS FOR SERVICES RENDERED.

(R188, H. 3037 (Word version)) -- Rep. Miller: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 7 TO TITLE 31 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF INDEBTEDNESS BY COUNTIES IN CONNECTION WITH REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND THE PAYMENT OF SUCH INDEBTEDNESS FROM ADDED INCREMENTS OF TAX REVENUES; TO AMEND SECTION 31-6-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS BE PUBLICLY OWNED AND THAT TAXING DISTRICTS INCLUDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHICH HAVE TAXES LEVIED FOR THEM; AND TO AMEND SECTION 31-6-80, RELATING TO APPROVAL OF A REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE CONSENT OF EACH AFFECTED TAXING DISTRICT.

(R189, H. 3075 (Word version)) -- Reps. Limehouse, Edge, Simrill and Emory: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 23-3-530 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROTOCOL MANUAL TO BE USED BY CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY; AND TO AMEND SECTION 23-3-490, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY INFORMATION BEING AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, SO AS TO REQUIRE A SHERIFF TO PROVIDE A LISTING OF THE REGISTRY FOR PUBLICATION BY A NEWSPAPER WITH GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE COUNTY, TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR PROVIDING OR PUBLISHING SUCH INFORMATION ABSENT INTENT, MALICE, OR BAD FAITH, AND TO REQUIRE A SHERIFF TO NOTIFY THE PRINCIPAL OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND THE ADMINISTRATORS OF DAY CARE CENTERS OF AN OFFENDER RESIDING WITHIN ONE-HALF MILE OF THE SCHOOL OR DAY CARE CENTER.

(R190, H. 3218 (Word version)) -- Rep. Miller: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 6-1-120 SO AS TO MAKE CONFIDENTIAL THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY A TAXPAYER IN A RETURN, REPORT, OR

(R191, H. 3276 (Word version)) -- Reps. Wilkins, Cato, Bailey, Barrett, Battle, G. Brown, H. Brown, Carnell, Cobb-Hunter, Easterday, Gamble, Harrell, Harrison, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kirsh, Klauber, Mason, McGee, McKay, Quinn, Sandifer, Sharpe, D. Smith, R. Smith, Tripp, Young-Brickell, Leach, Whatley, Meacham, Law, Seithel, Woodrum, Trotter, Fleming, Chellis, Walker, Loftis, Altman, Riser, Stille, Rodgers, Rice, Bauer, Beck, Edge, Dantzler, Maddox, Cooper, Lanford, Martin, Hamilton, Campsen, Phillips, Lee, Gilham, Robinson and Simrill: AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 9 OF TITLE 58, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, AND EXPRESS COMPANIES, BY ADDING ARTICLE 20 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH AMOUNTS MAY BE CHARGED BY MUNICIPALITIES TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES FOR THE USE OF THE PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND FOR BUSINESS LICENSE TAXES IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUCH CHARGES ARE IMPOSED ON A COMPETITIVELY NEUTRAL AND NONDISCRIMINATORY BASIS, TO LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE IMPOSITION OF CERTAIN OTHER FEES AND TAXES ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES BY MUNICIPALITIES; TO PROVIDE A MAXIMUM RATE OF BUSINESS LICENSE TAX THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON RETAIL TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES BY A MUNICIPALITY AFTER 2003 AND THE METHOD OF DETERMINING THAT MAXIMUM RATE; TO PROHIBIT A MUNICIPALITY FROM USING ITS AUTHORITY OVER THE PUBLIC STREETS AND PUBLIC PROPERTY AS A BASIS FOR ASSERTING OR EXERCISING CERTAIN REGULATORY CONTROL OVER TELECOMMUNICATIONS

(R192, H. 3357 (Word version)) -- Reps. Fleming, Wilder, Klauber and Hayes: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 6-25-115 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A JOINT MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM ORGANIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING A FINANCING POOL TO ISSUE CONSTRUCTION NOTES; BY ADDING SECTION 6-25-129 SO AS TO EXEMPT FROM STATE TAXES THE INCOME OF A JOINT MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM; BY ADDING SECTION 6-25-131 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO INCOME, PROFITS, OR ASSETS OF A JOINT SYSTEM MAY INURE TO THE BENEFIT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL OR PRIVATE ENTITY; TO AMEND SECTION 6-25-20, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR JOINT MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEMS, SO AS TO DEFINE "CONSTRUCTION NOTE OR NOTES", "FINANCING AGREEMENT", "FINANCING POOL", "GOVERNMENT", AND "INTERIM FINANCING"; TO AMEND SECTION 6-25-30, RELATING TO THE CREATION OF A JOINT SYSTEM, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING BODIES OF MUNICIPALITIES TO CREATE A JOINT SYSTEM FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING A FINANCING POOL, AND TO LIMIT THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH A JOINT SYSTEM MAY BE CREATED; TO AMEND SECTION 6-25-40, RELATING TO THE NOTICE OF THE INSTRUMENT CREATING A JOINT SYSTEM, SO AS TO

(R193, H. 3359 (Word version)) -- Reps. Dantzler, Bailey, R. Smith, Hinson, Rodgers, Witherspoon, Chellis, McKay, McGee, Law, Simrill, Rhoad, Littlejohn and Bowers: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-37-224 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A MOTOR HOME ON WHICH THE INTEREST PORTION OF INDEBTEDNESS IS DEDUCTIBLE PURSUANT TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AS AN INTEREST EXPENSE ON A QUALIFIED PRIMARY OR SECOND

(R194, H. 3411 (Word version)) -- Rep. W. McLeod: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-6240, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE FORFEITURE, CONFISCATION, AND DISPOSITION PROCEDURE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE SEIZED FROM A PERSON CONVICTED OF DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED DRIVER'S LICENSE (DUS), OR

(R195, H. 3522 (Word version)) -- Rep. Altman: AN ACT TO MAKE FINDINGS WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S HOSPITALS AND CLINICS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 59-123-60, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ORGANIZATION AND POWERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SHALL BE THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN THE BOARD FUNCTIONS IN ITS CAPACITY AS GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF THE HOSPITAL AND CLINICS, THE BOARD IS DESIGNATED AS THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, TO PROVIDE FOR THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD ACTING AS THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, TO PROVIDE THAT REVENUES OF THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY AND MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, AND CERTAIN PRACTICE PLAN FUNDS ARE CONSIDERED PUBLIC FUNDS, MUST BE EXPENDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR EXPENDITURES WHICH ARE NOT CONSIDERED AS BEING FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT APPLIES TO FACULTY PRACTICE PLANS, TO PROHIBIT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND OFFICERS AND DEANS OF THE UNIVERSITY INCLUDING A CURRENT OR FORMER PRESIDENT FROM HAVING CERTAIN OWNERSHIP OR FINANCIAL INTERESTS IN BUSINESSES CONTRACTING WITH OR PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY THE UNIVERSITY OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2000-2001, STATE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY FOR SUPPORT OF THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS AND CLINICS SHALL BE REDIRECTED IN A SPECIFIED MANNER.

(R196, H. 3525 (Word version)) -- Rep. Scott: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 38-53-10, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO BAIL BONDSMEN AND RUNNERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF RUNNER AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE THAT RUNNERS MAY EXECUTE BONDS ON BEHALF OF A LICENSED BONDSMAN WHEN A POWER OF ATTORNEY HAS BEEN RECORDED; TO AMEND SECTION 38-53-200, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE SIGNING OF BONDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PROFESSIONAL OR SURETY BONDSMAN MAY NOT GIVE POWER OF ATTORNEY TO, OR AUTHORIZE A PERSON TO COUNTERSIGN HIS NAME TO BONDS UNLESS THE AUTHORIZED PERSON IS A LICENSED BONDSMAN OR RUNNER EMPLOYED BY THE BONDSMAN GIVING POWER OF ATTORNEY, AND TO DELETE ONLY THE REQUIREMENT THAT POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND REVOCATIONS OF POWERS OF ATTORNEY ISSUED BY AN INSURER APPOINTING SURETY BONDSMEN BE FILED WITH THE CLERK OF COURT; AND BY ADDING SECTION 38-53-102 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE LICENSE OF A BAIL BONDSMAN, HIS ASSOCIATES, AFFILIATES, OR RUNNERS WHO REFER DEFENDANTS TO A PARTICULAR ATTORNEY OR LAW FIRM MUST BE SUSPENDED.

(R197, H. 3591 (Word version)) -- Reps. Koon, R. Smith, Sharpe and Riser: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE FOR A THREE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM IN ALL GAME ZONES OF THE STATE TO ALLOW THE RUNNING OF RACCOONS AT ANY TIME DURING THE YEAR; AND TO AMEND SECTION 50-11-120 AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE HUNTING SEASON FOR SMALL GAME, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR HUNTING OF RACCOON AND OPOSSUM IN GAME ZONE 9 WITH DOGS ONLY FROM AUGUST 15 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14 AND MARCH 16 THROUGH MAY 14 AND WITH WEAPONS AND DOGS FROM SEPTEMBER 15 THROUGH MARCH 15 AND TO DELETE THE PROHIBITION AGAINST DAYTIME HUNTING OF THEM.

(R198, H. 3620 (Word version)) -- Reps. J. Smith, Allen, Bailey, Bales, Battle, Bowers, Breeland, J. Brown, T. Brown, Carnell, Cobb-Hunter, Emory,

(R199, H. 3641 (Word version)) -- Reps. Harrison, Seithel, Altman, Wilkins and Edge: AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 6, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BY ADDING ARTICLE 9 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE IMPOSITION OF A DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE BY A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY BY ORDINANCE; TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR RECOMMENDING, AND PROCEDURES FOR ADOPTING, LAND USE ASSUMPTIONS, A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN, AND IMPACT FEES; TO PROVIDE FOR COMPUTATION OF THE PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF COSTS OF NEW PUBLIC FACILITIES NEEDED TO SERVE NEW GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT; AND TO LIMIT THE USES OF THE REVENUE COLLECTED FROM A DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE TO APPLICATION TOWARD THE INCREASED COST OF SERVING NEW GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT; TO AMEND CHAPTER 37, TITLE 5, RELATING TO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS, SO AS TO ENACT THE MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 1999 TO FURTHER DEFINE THE POWERS OF A MUNICIPAL GOVERNING BODY WITH RESPECT TO FINANCING AND LEVYING ASSESSMENTS UPON THOSE DISTRICTS, TO REQUIRE CONSENT FROM AN AFFECTED COUNTY OR OTHER MUNICIPALITY BEFORE SPENDING REVENUE FOR IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED THERE, AND TO PROHIBIT USE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IN AN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ABSENT WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE OWNER; AND TO AMEND SECTION 33-45-30, RELATING TO AUTHORITY OF COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF MEMBERS OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AS A COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

(R200, H. 3696 ) -- Ways and Means Committee: AN ACT TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS TO MEET THE ORDINARY EXPENSES OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING, JULY 1, 1999 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; TO REGULATE THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS; TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR; TO

(R201, H. 3697 (Word version)) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE MONIES FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998-99.

(R202, H. 3698 (Word version)) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-37-223 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A COUNTY GOVERNING BODY BY ORDINANCE TO LIMIT THE INCREASE IN REAL PROPERTY VALUE TO FIFTEEN PERCENT AS THE RESULT OF A COUNTYWIDE REASSESSMENT AND EQUALIZATION PROGRAM AND TO SPECIFY THE APPLICATION OF THIS PROVISION, PROVIDE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY GOVERNING BODY TO MAKE THE ORDINANCE APPLY RETROACTIVELY; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE VERSION OF SECTION 12-37-223 AS ADDED BY THIS ENACTMENT IS DEEMED THE LATEST ENACTMENT OF THIS SECTION DURING THE 1999 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

(R203, H. 3759 (Word version)) -- Reps. Cobb-Hunter, Wilkins, Seithel, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Beck, Bowers,

(R204, H. 3833 (Word version)) -- Rep. Robinson: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-54-75 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR ELECTRONIC COLLECTION OF REVENUES BY A STATE AGENCY PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT NEGOTIATED AND ENTERED INTO BY THE STATE TREASURER ON BEHALF OF THE AGENCY; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM PROPERTY TAXES, SO AS TO INCLUDE CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY HELD BY CHARITABLE TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION OF FORTS AND BATTLEGROUNDS.

(R205, H. 3904 (Word version)) -- Rep. Lanford: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 153 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE INVESTMENT OF ENDOWMENT FUNDS OF STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, PROVIDE FOR DEFINITIONS, FIDUCIARY DUTIES, INVESTMENT PLANS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES, PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF AN ANNUAL PLAN SUBMITTED BY THE STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM INVESTMENT PANEL IN DETERMINING EACH

(R206, H. 3963 (Word version)) -- Rep. Quinn: AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR AN EQUIVALENT MILLAGE CALCULATION TO BE USED TO COMPUTE AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES IN TAXING DISTRICTS LOCATED IN RICHLAND-LEXINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT 5 IN WHICH PROPERTY TAX EQUALIZATION AND REASSESSMENT IS OCCURRING, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THE EQUIVALENT MILLAGE SHALL BE

(R207, H. 4000 (Word version)) -- Reps. Hamilton, Wilkins, Townsend, Altman, Bales, Battle, Barrett, Beck, G. Brown, H. Brown, Canty, Carnell, Clyburn, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Easterday, Emory, Gilham, Gourdine, Harrell, Hayes, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kirsh, Klauber, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Maddox, Martin, Mason, McCraw, McGee, Miller, Parks, Phillips, Rodgers, Sandifer, D. Smith, J. Smith, R. Smith, Stille, Stuart, Taylor, Vaughn, Young-Brickell and Simrill: AN ACT TO DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PURSUING STATEWIDE WAIVERS FOR THE SIX FEDERAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND ESTABLISHING A STATE EDUCATION FLEXIBLITY PROGRAM AND REPORT NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 1, 1999, TO THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE EDUCATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.

(R208, H. 4087 (Word version)) -- Rep. Wilder: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-360, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN LAURENS COUNTY, SO AS TO REDESIGNATE CERTAIN PRECINCTS, CHANGE A MAP REFERENCE ON WHICH THESE PRECINCTS ARE DELINEATED, CORRECT A REFERENCE TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS COMMISSION FOR LAURENS COUNTY, AND PROVIDE THAT POLLING PLACES FOR THESE PRECINCTS MUST BE ESTABLISHED BY THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS COMMISSION FOR LAURENS COUNTY WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE LAURENS COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.

(R209, H. 4110 (Word version)) -- Rep. Campsen: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FISH, GAME, AND WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA BOATING REFORM AND SAFETY ACT OF 1999"; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE EQUIPMENT AND OPERATION OF

(R210, H. 4196 (Word version)) -- Reps. Witherspoon, Barfield, Edge, Keegan, Kelley and Miller: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 612 OF 1980, RELATING TO THE COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE HORRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO ESTABLISH THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF ITS MEMBERS AND CHAIRMAN AND PROVIDE WHEN THE SALARY PROVISION IS EFFECTIVE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS IN ANY SCHOOL WITHIN THE HORRY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM WHO PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC SOCCER OR AS A MEMBER OF A SCHOOL SQUAD MAY PARTICIPATE IN ORGANIZED SOCCER WHICH IS INDEPENDENT OF THE CONTROL OF THE SCHOOL UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A SCHOOL OR STUDENT WITHIN THE HORRY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM IS NOT INELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION IN INTERSCHOLASTIC SOCCER BECAUSE OF THE PARTICIPATION OF THE STUDENT OF THE SCHOOL AS A MEMBER OF AN ORGANIZED SOCCER TEAM.

(R211, H. 4204 (Word version)) -- Rep. D. Smith: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 318 OF 1965, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE CHEROKEE SPRINGS FIRE DISTRICT IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF FIRE CONTROL TO EMPLOY FULL-TIME FIREMEN AND A FIRE CHIEF.

At 1:55 P.M. the House in accordance with the motion of Rep. MEACHAM adjourned Sine Die in memory of Bessie Hare Beam of Chester.

This web page was last updated on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 9:31 A.M.