Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 10:00 a.m.
Deliberations were opened with prayer by Rev. Charles E. Seastrunk, Jr., as follows:

Our thought for today is from Deuteronomy 29:9: "Carefully follow terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do."
Let us pray. Thank You God, for faithful generations who have graced these Chambers to work for the betterment of this State and people. We offer now our prayers for those who now serve in these sacred halls of government. Continue to be their source of power in all that they do. Give them the courage, integrity and wisdom to move this State forward for generations to come. Bless our Nation, President, State, Governor, Speaker, Representatives and staff. Keep our defenders of freedom safe as they protect us. In the name of our Lord, we pray. 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. RHOAD moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of Netha Barnwell and Louise Smith of Bamberg, which was agreed to.

The following was received:

Columbia, S.C., May 8, 2006
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:
The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has requested and has granted free conference powers and appointed Senators Moore, Hayes and Verdin of the Committee of Free Conference on the part of the Senate on H. 3402:
H. 3402 (Word version) -- Reps. M. A. Pitts, Taylor, Owens, Duncan, Vick, Hardwick, Hagood, Ott, Ceips, Haley, Hiott, Limehouse, E. H. Pitts, G. R. Smith, Toole, Umphlett, Witherspoon, Chellis, Stewart, Mahaffey, Barfield, Huggins, Loftis, White, Clemmons, Walker, Littlejohn and Sinclair: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-10 AND 8-13-1300, BOTH AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITION OF TERMS IN MATTERS RELATING TO CAMPAIGN PRACTICES AND IN MATTERS RELATING TO LOBBYISTS AND LOBBYING, RESPECTIVELY, INCLUDING THE DEFINITION OF LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS COMMITTEE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH A CAUCUS MAY BE CREATED BASED UPON A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE INTEREST.

Very respectfully,
President
Received as information.

The following was received:

Columbia, S.C., May 8, 2006
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. 3402:

H. 3402 (Word version) -- Reps. M. A. Pitts, Taylor, Owens, Duncan, Vick, Hardwick, Hagood, Ott, Ceips, Haley, Hiott, Limehouse, E. H. Pitts, G. R. Smith, Toole, Umphlett, Witherspoon, Chellis, Stewart, Mahaffey, Barfield, Huggins, Loftis, White, Clemmons, Walker, Littlejohn and Sinclair: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-10 AND 8-13-1300, BOTH AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITION OF TERMS IN MATTERS RELATING TO CAMPAIGN PRACTICES AND IN MATTERS RELATING TO LOBBYISTS AND LOBBYING, RESPECTIVELY, INCLUDING THE DEFINITION OF LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS COMMITTEE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH A CAUCUS MAY BE CREATED BASED UPON A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE INTEREST.

Very respectfully,
President
Received as information.

Rep. COOPER, from the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 1175 (Word version) -- Senator Leatherman: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-3360, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THE TARGETED JOBS TAX CREDIT, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "DISTRIBUTION FACILITY"; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO CONFORM THE DEFINITION OF DISTRIBUTION FACILITY TO THE REVISED DEFINITION PROVIDED BY THE AMENDMENT TO THE TARGETED JOBS TAX CREDIT IN THIS ACT.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. COOPER, from the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 836 (Word version) -- Senator Moore: A BILL TO AMEND JOINT RESOLUTION 210 OF 1987, RELATING TO THE PURCHASE OF NOTES OF THE CLARK'S-HILL RUSSELL AUTHORITY BY THE DIVISION OF GENERAL SERVICES OF THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD AND THE INTEREST RATE ON THESE NOTES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE INTEREST RATE MUST BE DETERMINED PERIODICALLY BY THE STATE TREASURER, RATHER THAN SET AT A RATE OF EIGHT PERCENT PER YEAR.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. COOPER, from the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 1065 (Word version) -- Senator Grooms: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-712, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ACCESS TO A MARINA AND ITS BUSINESS RECORDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS, SO AS TO DEFINE "BUSINESS RECORDS" FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. COOPER, from the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 985 (Word version) -- Senators Leatherman, Leventis and Pinckney: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 6-1-530(B) OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE USE OF REVENUE FROM THE LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS TAX, TO PROVIDE THAT A COUNTY WHICH COLLECTS ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN ACCOMMODATIONS TAXES MAY USE THE REVENUE COLLECTED FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE ITEMS LISTED IN 6-1-530(A) AND POLICE, FIRE PROTECTION, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, AND EMERGENCY-PREPAREDNESS OPERATIONS DIRECTLY ATTENDANT TO THOSE FACILITIES.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. COOPER, from the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted a favorable report on:

S. 572 (Word version) -- Senators Leatherman and Setzler: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-25 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSOLIDATED PROCUREMENT CODE SUPERSEDES ANY OTHER CONFLICTING LAW; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-3850 SO AS TO REDESIGNATE THE FORMER SECTION 11-35-4020 PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF UNSERVICEABLE MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT BY A GOVERNMENTAL BODY; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-4420 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER AND THE AFFECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL BODY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN MATTERS PENDING BEFORE OR APPEALED FROM THE PROCUREMENT REVIEW PANEL; TO AMEND SECTIONS 11-35-40, 11-35-45, 11-35-210, 11-35-310, 11-35-410, 11-35-450, 11-35-510, 11-35-540, 11-35-710, 11-35-810, 11-35-820, 11-35-830, 11-35-845, 11-35-1030, 11-35-1210, 11-35-1220, 11-35-1230, 11-35-1240, 11-35-1410, 11-35-1510, 11-35-1520, ALL AS AMENDED, SECTIONS 11-35-1525 and 11-35-1528; AND SECTIONS 11-35-1530, 11-35-1550, 11-35-1560, 11-35-1575, 11-35-1825, 11-35-2010, 11-35-2030, 11-35-2210, 11-35-2410, 11-35-2440, 11-35-2710, 11-35-2720, 11-35-3020, 11-35-3030, 11-35-3040, 11-35-3060, 11-35-3220, 11-35-3230, 11-35-3240, 11-35-3245, 11-35-3410, 11-35-3510, 11-35-3820, 11-35-3840, 11-35-4210, 11-35-4220, 11-35-4230, 11-35-4340, 11-35-4410, 11-35-5220, 11-35-5230, 11-35-5240, 11-35-5260, AND 11-35-5270, ALL AS AMENDED, ALL RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSOLIDATED PROCUREMENT CODE, SO AS TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, DELETE REFERENCES TO THE OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES OR DIVISION OF GENERAL SERVICES OF THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD AND REPLACE THEM WITH THE TERMS "CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER," "DESIGNATED BOARD OFFICE," OR "DESIGNATED BOARD OFFICER," AND TO PROVIDE, FURTHER THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD DESIGNATE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICE OR SUBDIVISION OF THE BOARD OR OFFICER OR POSITION OF THE BOARD; TO REPLACE REFERENCES OF PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR "GOODS AND SERVICES" WITH "SUPPLIES, SERVICES, AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY," REFINE AND CONFORM VARIOUS COMPETITIVE BIDDING MODES, TO INCREASE MAXIMUM DOLLAR THRESHOLDS IN SEVERAL INSTANCES, TO REDUCE THE POTENTIAL BIDDERS TO BE RANKED IN CERTAIN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS FROM FIVE TO THREE, TO REDUCE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT ALLOWING WAIVER OF A BOND AND SECURITY, AND TO ADJUST SMALL PURCHASE THRESHHOLDS AND AGENCY BASELINE CERTIFICATION; TO PROVIDE THAT A GOVERNMENTAL BODY HAVE A GOAL THAT TEN PERCENT OF ITS TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT OF PROCUREMENT FUNDS EXPENDED BE WITH A MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AND TO INCREASE THE TAX CREDIT FOR DEALING WITH AN MBE TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ANNUALLY OVER TEN YEARS; TO SHORTEN THE PROTEST DEADLINE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER AND AN AFFECTED GOVERNMENTAL BODY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN A REVIEW OR APPEAL OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE OR LEGAL DECISION MADE PURSUANT TO THE PROCUREMENT CODE; TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-3350, RELATING TO TAX CREDITS FOR STATE CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS WITH MINORITY FIRMS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE CREDIT TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ANNUALLY FOR TEN YEARS; AND TO REPEAL SUBARTICLE 11 OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 35, TITLE 11 RELATING TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS IN KIND OF ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES BY A GOVERNMENTAL BODY; SECTION 11-35-1270, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT FOR CERTAIN SERVICES, AND SUBARTICLE 5 OF ARTICLE 15, CHAPTER 35, TITLE 11 RELATING TO THE CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF LAW.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. HARRISON, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report on:

S. 862 (Word version) -- Senators Cleary, Ford, Hutto, Knotts, Malloy, Cromer, Drummond, Setzler, Land, Short, Scott, Bryant, Anderson, Elliott and Williams: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 15-41-30 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM ATTACHMENT, LEVY, AND SALE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE EXEMPTION GRANTED TO A DEBTOR'S INTEREST IN PROPERTY USED AS A DEBTOR'S RESIDENCE DOES NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE EXCEPTION FOR THE AGGREGATE VALUE OF MULTIPLE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS NOT EXCEED THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. HARRISON, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report on:

S. 1154 (Word version) -- Senators Fair, Peeler, Verdin, Land, O'Dell, Mescher, Short, Martin, Alexander and Scott: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SUBARTICLE 22 TO ARTICLE 30, CHAPTER 7, TITLE 20 OF THE 1976 CODE SO AS TO ENACT THE "INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR JUVENILES" WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, PROVIDES FOR AN INDEPENDENT COMPACT OPERATING AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER ONGOING COMPACT ACTIVITY, GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENTS OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR ALL MEMBER STATES ON A NATIONAL GOVERNING COMMISSION, RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY, A MANDATORY FUNDING MECHANISM SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL COMPACT OPERATIONS, AND COLLECTION OF STANDARDIZED INFORMATION; AND TO REPEAL SUBARTICLE 21, ARTICLE 30, CHAPTER 7, TITLE 20, RELATING TO THE INTERSTATE COMPACT ON JUVENILES.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

H. 3187 (Word version) -- Reps. Rice, Owens, Loftis, Vaughn, G. R. Smith, Hinson and Viers: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 16 TO TITLE 59 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT, PROVIDE THAT IT MUST BE GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PROVIDE ITS POWERS AND DUTIES, PROVIDE FOR THE STUDENTS' SUPERVISION AND THE STUDENTS' DUTIES, PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRICT'S TEACHERS AND FUNDING, PROVIDE A TAX CREDIT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL OR A CORPORATION THAT MAKES A DONATION TO THE DISTRICT, PROVIDE THAT THE DISTRICT MAY NOT LEVY ADDITIONAL TAXES OR ISSUE BONDS WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE DISTRICT MAY PROMULGATE REGULATIONS.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. LEACH, from the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions, submitted a favorable report on:

S. 1402 (Word version) -- Senator Short: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE INTERCHANGE LOCATED AT EXIT NUMBER 55 ALONG INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 77 IN CHESTER COUNTY THE "SOLICITOR JOHN R. JUSTICE INTERCHANGE" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS INTERCHANGE THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "SOLICITOR JOHN R. JUSTICE INTERCHANGE".
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. LEACH, from the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions, submitted a favorable report on:

S. 1369 (Word version) -- Senator Williams: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF HIGHWAY 76 IN MARION COUNTY, FROM THE PEE DEE RIVER BRIDGE TO THE HIGHWAY 301 BRIDGE "REPRESENTATIVE MACK T. HINES HIGHWAY", AND TO ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS STREET THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "REPRESENTATIVE MACK T. HINES HIGHWAY".
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

On motion of Rep. VIERS, with unanimous consent, the following was taken up for immediate consideration:

H. 5110 (Word version) -- Rep. Viers: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA STUDENT LEGISLATURE TO USE THE HOUSE CHAMBER ON NOVEMBER 2, 2006 AND NOVEMBER 3, 2006 AND THE AVAILABLE MEETING SPACE IN THE BLATT OFFICE BUILDING ON NOVEMBER 1, 2006, FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL MEETING, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUILDING POLICY AS ADMINISTERED BY THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE.

Whereas, the South Carolina Student Legislature encourages the youth of our State to develop enthusiasm and appreciation for governmental and community issues; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Student Legislature has produced many great leaders throughout our State and nation. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the South Carolina Student Legislature is allowed the use of the House Chamber on November 2, 2006 and November 3, 2006 and the Blatt Office Building on November 1, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. If the General Assembly is in statewide session on any of these days, the House Chamber and the Blatt Building may not be used.

Be it further resolved that the South Carolina Student Legislature shall be granted access to and use of the respective Chambers in accordance with such guidelines and requirements as the Clerk of the House directs.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Carolina Student Legislature.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5111 (Word version) -- Reps. G. R. Smith and Taylor: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE HILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL IN GREENVILLE COUNTY FOR HAVING THE SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL FIELD OF THE YEAR AND TO HONOR DAVID BROOKS AND HIS SPORTS TURF MANAGEMENT STUDENTS FOR TAKING CARE OF ALL THE SCHOOL'S OUTSIDE ATHLETIC FACILITIES AND MAINTAINING THEM IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5112 (Word version) -- Reps. Umphlett, Dantzler, Hinson, Jefferson, Limehouse and Merrill: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TEAM FOR WINNING THE STATE TITLE AT THE STATE MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION AND TO WISH THEM THE BEST IN ALL THEIR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

On motion of Rep. UMPHLETT, with unanimous consent, the following was taken up for immediate consideration:

H. 5113 (Word version) -- Reps. Umphlett, Dantzler, Hinson, Jefferson, Limehouse and Merrill: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR TO THE MEMBERS, COACHES, AND OTHER SCHOOL OFFICIALS OF THE BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TEAM AT A TIME AND ON A DATE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE SPEAKER, FOR WINNING THE STATE TITLE AT THE STATE MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives extend the privilege of the floor to the members, coaches, and other school officials of the Berkeley High School Mock Trial Team at a time and on a date to be determined by the Speaker, for winning the state title at the State Mock Trial Competition.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5114 (Word version) -- Reps. Mitchell, Anthony, Davenport, Littlejohn, Mahaffey, Sinclair, W. D. Smith, Talley and Walker: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY LEADER, JOHN S. POOLE OF SPARTANBURG COUNTY, FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE SPARTANBURG AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH EXPERIENCED DURING HIS TERM OF SERVICE.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5115 (Word version) -- Rep. Mitchell: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AN EXCEPTIONAL RELIGIOUS LEADER, REVEREND DR. LEON C. RECTOR, JR., OF SPARTANBURG COUNTY, FOR HIS THIRTY-SIX YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO GOD AND THE CONGREGATION OF HARRISON GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH IN SPARTANBURG, TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH THIS CHURCH HAS DEMONSTRATED UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP BY CREATING A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE, BEING COMMITTED TO SERVING GOD AND REACHING OUT TO ALL MANKIND, AND TO EXTEND TO HIM BEST WISHES FOR MANY MORE YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE TO GOD AND HIS CHURCH.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5116 (Word version) -- Reps. Coates, Agnew, Allen, Altman, Anderson, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chalk, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Frye, Funderburk, Govan, Hagood, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hiott, Hodges, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Jennings, Kennedy, Kirsh, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Mitchell, Moody-Lawrence, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Norman, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Rhoad, Rice, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Stewart, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Umphlett, Vaughn, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Witherspoon and Young: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO OFFER THE WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. AND MRS. DAL H. FELKEL OF FLORENCE COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR SIXTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AND TO EXTEND TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILY EVERY GOOD WISH FOR SUCCESS, HEALTH, AND CONTINUED HAPPINESS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5117 (Word version) -- Reps. Scott, Agnew, Allen, Altman, Anderson, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chalk, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Frye, Funderburk, Govan, Hagood, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hiott, Hodges, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Jennings, Kennedy, Kirsh, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Mitchell, Moody-Lawrence, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Norman, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Rhoad, Rice, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Stewart, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Umphlett, Vaughn, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Witherspoon and Young: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO WELCOME MINISTER ALFRED MABIKA OF GABON, AFRICA TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO WISH HIM ALL THE BEST UPON HIS STAY.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5118 (Word version) -- Reps. Scott, Agnew, Allen, Altman, Anderson, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chalk, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Frye, Funderburk, Govan, Hagood, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hiott, Hodges, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Jennings, Kennedy, Kirsh, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Mitchell, Moody-Lawrence, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Norman, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Rhoad, Rice, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Stewart, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Umphlett, Vaughn, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Witherspoon and Young: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR MRS. LOREAN MARTIN OF RICHLAND COUNTY ON THIS MOTHER'S DAY FOR HER TREMENDOUS LIFELONG EFFORT AND SUPPORT RAISING HER FAMILY AND TO COMMEND HER FOR AN EXCELLENT JOB IN PROVIDING FOR AND TAKING CARE OF HER WONDERFUL CHILDREN.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5119 (Word version) -- Reps. J. E. Smith, Harrison, Agnew, Allen, Altman, Anderson, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chalk, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Frye, Funderburk, Govan, Hagood, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hiott, Hodges, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Jennings, Kennedy, Kirsh, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Mitchell, Moody-Lawrence, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Norman, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Rhoad, Rice, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Stewart, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Umphlett, Vaughn, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Witherspoon and Young: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR GERALD KELLEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY FOR HIS OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO THE EDUCATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S YOUTH, AND TO WISH HIM ALL THE BEST UPON HIS RETIREMENT.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

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

Agnew                  Allen                  Altman
Anderson               Anthony                Bailey
Bales                  Ballentine             Bannister
Barfield               Battle                 Bingham
Brady                  Branham                Breeland
G. Brown               J. Brown               R. Brown
Cato                   Chalk                  Chellis
Clark                  Clemmons               Coates
Cobb-Hunter            Coleman                Cooper
Cotty                  Dantzler               Delleney
Duncan                 Edge                   Emory
Frye                   Funderburk             Govan
Hagood                 Haley                  Hamilton
Hardwick               Harrell                Harrison
Harvin                 Hayes                  Herbkersman
J. Hines               M. Hines               Hinson
Hiott                  Hodges                 Hosey
Howard                 Huggins                Jefferson
Kennedy                Kirsh                  Leach
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Loftis
Lucas                  Mack                   Mahaffey
Martin                 McCraw                 McGee
McLeod                 Merrill                Miller
Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence         J. H. Neal
J. M. Neal             Norman                 Ott
Owens                  Perry                  Phillips
E. H. Pitts            M. A. Pitts            Rhoad
Rice                   Rivers                 Sandifer
Scott                  Sinclair               Skelton
D. C. Smith            G. R. Smith            J. E. Smith
J. R. Smith            W. D. Smith            Stewart
Talley                 Taylor                 Thompson
Toole                  Townsend               Tripp
Umphlett               Vaughn                 Vick
Walker                 Weeks                  White
Witherspoon            Young

I came in after the roll call and was present for the Session on Wednesday, May 10.

Lewis E. Pinson                   William Bowers
William Clyburn                   Douglas Jennings
Thad Viers                        William R. "Bill" Whitmire
Denny Neilson                     Todd Rutherford
Ralph Davenport                   G. Murrell Smith
Jackson "Seth"  Whipper           Gary Simrill
Wallace Scarborough

The SPEAKER granted Rep. CEIPS a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.

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

The SPEAKER granted Rep. SCARBOROUGH a temporary leave of absence due to medical reasons.

Rep. OTT presented to the House the Calhoun County High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team, the 2006 Class A Champions, their coach and other school officials.

Rep. BALES presented to the House the Lower Richland High School Girls Basketball Team, the 2006 Class AAAA Champions, their coaches and other school officials.

In accordance with House Rule 5.2 below:
"5.2   Every bill before presentation shall have its title endorsed; every report, its title at length; every petition, memorial, or other paper, its prayer or substance; and, in every instance, the name of the member presenting any paper shall be endorsed and the papers shall be presented by the member to the Speaker at the desk. A member may add his name to a bill or resolution or a co-sponsor of a bill or resolution may remove his name at any time prior to the bill or resolution receiving passage on second reading. The member or co-sponsor shall notify the Clerk of the House in writing of his desire to have his name added or removed from the bill or resolution. The Clerk of the House shall print the member's or co-sponsor's written notification in the House Journal. The removal or addition of a name does not apply to a bill or resolution sponsored by a committee."

Bill Number:   H. 5013 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
05/10/06   BALLENTINE

Bill Number:   H. 3343 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
05/10/06   HODGES

Bill Number:   H. 3132 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
05/10/06   COTTY

Bill Number:   H. 4355 (Word version)
Date:   REMOVE:
05/10/06   COBB-HUNTER

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

S. 1082 (Word version) -- Senators Moore, Rankin, Alexander and McConnell: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 58-3-100 AND 58-3-240, BOTH AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-3-310 AND 58-3-320; SECTIONS 58-5-10, 58-5-30, AND 58-5-40, ALL AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-5-220, AND 58-5-230; SECTION 58-5-240, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-5-270, 58-5-300, 58-5-310, 58-5-320, 58-5-340, 58-5-350; SECTIONS 58-5-710 AND 58-5-720, BOTH AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-5-730, 58-5-920, 58-5-930; SECTION 58-5-940, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-5-950, 58-5-960, 58-5-970, 58-5-980, 58-5-990, 58-5-1000, 58-5-1010, 58-5-1040, 58-5-1050, AND SECTION 58-9-10, AS AMENDED; SECTION 58-9-230, AS AMENDED; SECTION 58-9-270; SECTION 58-9-280, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-9-290 AND 58-9-300; SECTION 58-9-320, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-9-340, 58-9-370, 58-9-380, 58-9-390, 58-9-510; SECTION 58-9-520, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-9-540, 58-9-575, 58-9-576, 58-9-577, AND 58-9-585, ALL AS AMENDED; ARTICLE 7, CHAPTER 9, TITLE 58; SECTIONS 58-9-1010, 58-9-1020, 58-9-1030, 58-9-1040, 58-9-1050, 58-9-1060, 58-9-1070, 58-9-1080, 58-9-1090, 58-9-1100, 58-9-1110, 58-9-1120, 58-9-1130, 58-9-1150, 58-9-1160, 58-9-1230, 58-9-1410, 58-9-1480, 58-9-1650, AND SECTION 58-9-2240, AS AMENDED; ARTICLE 21, CHAPTER 9, TITLE 58, AS AMENDED; SECTION 58-9-2620, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-11-10 AND 58-11-30; SECTIONS 58-11-60, 58-11-70, BOTH AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-11-120, 58-11-160, 58-11-200, 58-11-220, 58-11-230, 58-11-240, 58-11-260, 58-11-410, 58-11-420, 58-11-430, 58-11-450, 58-11-460, 58-11-480, 58-11-490, 58-11-500, 58-11-510, 58-11-520, 58-11-530, 58-11-580, 58-11-600, 58-13-430, AND 58-15-1140; SECTIONS 58-15-940 AND 58-15-950, BOTH AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-15-960, 58-15-1520, 58-15-1700, 58-15-1710, 58-17-110, 58-17-140, 58-17-150, 58-17-170, 58-17-180, 58-17-190, 58-17-200, 58-17-320, 58-17-930, 58-17-940, AND 58-17-1320; ARTICLE 13, CHAPTER 17, TITLE 58; 58-17-1850, 58-17-1900, 58-17-1910, 58-17-2000, 58-17-2030, 58-17-2090, 58-17-2350, 58-17-2680, 58-17-3030, 58-17-3080, 58-17-3090, 58-17-3120, 58-17-3310, 58-17-3350, 58-17-3360, 58-17-3410, 58-17-3440, 58-17-3450, 58-17-3460, 58-17-3930, 58-17-3940, 58-17-3980, 58-17-4140, 58-17-4170, 58-23-10, AND 58-23-40; ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 58; SECTION 58-23-510; SECTIONS 58-23-530, 58-23-550, 58-23-560, 58-23-590, 58-23-630, 58-23-910, AND 58-23-1010, ALL AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-23-1080 AND 58-23-1090; ARTICLE 12, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 58; SECTIONS 58-27-10 AND 58-27-40; SECTION 58-27-50, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-27-70, 58-27-140, 58-27-160, 58-27-170, 58-27-180, 58-27-190, 58-27-200, 58-27-210, 58-27-220, AND 58-27-430; SECTION 58-27-650, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-27-660, 58-27-820, 58-27-850; SECTIONS 58-27-860, 58-27-865, AND 58-27-870, ALL AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-27-920 AND 58-27-930; SECTION 58-27-940, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-27-950, 58-27-960, 58-27-1210, 58-27-1240, 58-27-1260, AND 58-27-1270; SECTION 58-27-1280, AS AMENDED; SECTION 58-27-1290; SECTION 58-27-1300, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-27-1330 AND 58-27-1340; SECTION 58-27-1360, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-27-1520, 58-27-1540, 58-27-1550, 58-27-1560, 58-27-1570, 58-27-1590, 58-27-1720, 58-27-1730, 58-27-1920, 58-27-1940, 58-27-1950, 58-27-1970, 58-27-1990, 58-27-2000, 58-27-2010, 58-27-2020, 58-27-2030, 58-27-2040, 58-27-2050, 58-27-2060, AND 58-27-2070; SECTION 58-27-2090, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-27-2130, 58-27-2310, 58-27-2330, 58-27-2440, 58-31-380, 58-33-10, 58-33-20, AND 58-33-120; SECTION 58-33-140, AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 58-33-310, 58-33-320, 58-33-420, AND 58-33-430; SECTION 58-35-70, AS AMENDED; SECTION 44-55-120; SECTIONS 48-46-40 AND 48-52-440, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, ALL RELATING TO VARIOUS POWERS, DUTIES, AND FUNCTIONS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, SO AS TO CONFORM THESE PROVISIONS TO ACT 175 OF 2004, WHICH CREATED THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF AND WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, DEVOLVED CERTAIN POWERS, DUTIES, AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION UPON THIS OFFICE AND WHICH PROVIDED FOR CERTAIN SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THIS OFFICE, AND IN CONFORMING THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS ACT WITH ACT 175 OF 2004, TO FURTHER CLARIFY AND SPECIFY THE POWERS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF; AND TO REPEAL SECTIONS 58-5-280, 58-9-840, 58-11-590, AND 58-27-60, RELATING TO CERTAIN POWERS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

S. 1238 (Word version) -- Senators McConnell, Moore, Rankin, Drummond, Land, Setzler, Leatherman, Peeler, Matthews, McGill, O'Dell, Elliott, Martin, Mescher, Ryberg, Short, Alexander, Grooms, Richardson, Verdin, Cromer, Bryant, Ford and Scott: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 58-31-200, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ABILITY OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY TO JOINTLY OWN A NUCLEAR POWER STATION AND RELATED TRANSMISSION FACILITIES WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTRIC AND GAS COMPANY ON A SITE AT OR NEAR PARR SHOALS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, SO AS TO CONFIRM THAT NEW NUCLEAR GENERATION UNITS AT THE SITE ARE AUTHORIZED AND TO ALLOW THESE UNITS TO BE JOINTLY OWNED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY WITH PRIVATELY OWNED ELECTRIC UTILITIES.

The following Bills were taken up, read the third time, and ordered sent to the Senate:

H. 3996 (Word version) -- Reps. Cato, Chellis, Tripp, Scarborough and Clemmons: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 38-90-485 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CREATION OF A PROTECTED CELL DOES NOT CREATE A LEGAL PERSON SEPARATE FROM A SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL CAPTIVE (SPFC); BY ADDING SECTION 38-90-515 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT SECURITIES ISSUED BY A SPFC PURSUANT TO INSURANCE SECURITIZATION MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE INSURANCE OR INSURANCE CONTRACTS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-13-400, RELATING TO THE REPORT REQUIRED TO BE FILED DISCLOSING MATERIAL ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS OR MATERIAL NONRENEWALS, CANCELLATIONS, OR REVISIONS OF CEDED REINSURANCE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-13-410, RELATING TO REPORTING AN INSURER'S ACQUISITIONS OR DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS, SO AS TO ADD HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS TO THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-13-420, RELATING TO REPORTING NONRENEWALS, CANCELLATIONS, OR REVISIONS OF CEDED REINSURANCE AGREEMENTS, SO AS TO ADD HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS TO THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-71-880, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO MEDICAL AND SURGICAL BENEFITS AND MENTAL BENEFITS COVERAGE, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DATE FOR THE APPLICABILITY OF BENEFITS FOR SERVICES FURNISHED; TO AMEND SECTION 38-71-1410, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA SMALL EMPLOYER INSURER REINSURANCE PROGRAM, SO AS TO ESTABLISH CODE REFERENCES FOR SELECTING A LICENSED ADMINISTRATOR INSTEAD OF AN ADMINISTERING INSURER; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-220, RELATING TO THE APPROVAL PROCESS FOR INSURANCE RATE LEVEL CHANGES, SO AS TO CHANGE CODE REFERENCES FROM THE ARTICLE TO THE CHAPTER; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-240, RELATING TO RATE FILINGS WHERE THE LINE OF INSURANCE IS DECLARED COMPETITIVE, SO AS TO CHANGE CODE REFERENCES FROM ARTICLE TO CHAPTER; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-260, RELATING TO THE APPROVAL PROCESS FOR INSURANCE RATE LEVEL CHANGES, SO AS TO CHANGE CODE REFERENCES FROM ARTICLE TO CHAPTER; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-270, RELATING TO THE CONSUMER INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF INSURANCE COVERAGE, SO AS TO CHANGE CODE REFERENCES FROM ARTICLE TO CHAPTER; TO AMEND SECTION 38-74-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO ELIGIBILITY FOR COVERAGE UNDER THE SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTH INSURANCE POOL, SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE COVERAGE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE AGE OF SIXTY-FIVE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-74-60, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO COVERAGE UNDER THE POOL'S MAJOR EXPENSE PROVISIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE TO AN INDIVIDUAL FOR REASONS OTHER THAN AGE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-77-530, RELATING TO THE PLAN OF OPERATION OF THE REINSURANCE FACILITY, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE FACILITY TO DECLARE AN ASSESSMENT ON INSURERS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-77-580, RELATING TO THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE REINSURANCE FACILITY, SO AS TO CHANGE THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-40, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CAPITALIZATION AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE TO ISSUE A LICENSE TO A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY IF THE COMPANY PROVIDES THE DIRECTOR WITH EVIDENCE OF MINIMUM REQUIRED UNIMPAIRED PAID-IN CAPITAL; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-50, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO FREE SURPLUS REQUIREMENTS FOR A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE TO ISSUE A LICENSE TO A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY CONDITIONED ON EVIDENCE OF MINIMUM REQUIRED FREE SURPLUS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-100, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPLICABILITY OF INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ASSOCIATION CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY AND AN INDUSTRIAL INSURED CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO AS TO CHANGE A REFERENCE FROM AN INDUSTRIAL INSURED CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY TO A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY AND ADD A REFERENCE TO A SPECIAL PURPOSE CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-140, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE TAX REQUIRED TO BE PAID TO THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE BY A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO AS TO CLARIFY ON WHAT THE TAX IS PAYABLE AND ESTABLISH A MAXIMUM TAX; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-175, RELATING TO THE CAPTIVE INSURANCE REGULATORY AND SUPERVISION FUND, SO AS TO INCREASE FROM TEN TO TWENTY PERCENT THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE SHALL TRANSFER INTO THE FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-420, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED REGARDING SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANIES, SO AS TO ADD THE DEFINITIONS OF "ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT", "CONTESTED CASE", AND "THIRD PARTY", AND CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF "INSOLVENCY"; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-430, RELATING TO THE RELATIONSHIP OF ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 90, TITLE 38 (SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL CAPTIVES) TO OTHER TITLE 38 PROVISIONS, SO AS TO ADD A REFERENCE TO A SPFC'S PROTECTED CELL; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-440, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF A SPFC TO TRANSACT BUSINESS IN THIS STATE, SO AS TO CHANGE AND ADD CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-450, RELATING TO ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF A SPFC, SO AS TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT CAPITAL STOCK OF A SPFC MUST BE ISSUED AT NOT LESS THAN PAR VALUE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-480, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PROTECTED CELLS BY A SPFC, SO AS TO CHANGE THE PROCEDURE FOR ESTABLISHING PROTECTED CELLS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-550, RELATING TO A MATERIAL CHANGE OF A SPFC'S PLAN OF OPERATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE A STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS BE FILED IF APPROVED OR REQUIRED RATHER THAN REQUESTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-570, RELATING TO THE EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE ON CESSATION OF BUSINESS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THAT THE DIRECTOR SUSPEND OR REVOKE THE LICENSE OF A SPFC FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 38-90-480(D); TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-600, RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE TO PETITION THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR AN ORDER TO CONSERVE, REHABILITATE, OR LIQUIDATE A SPFC DOMICILED IN THIS STATE FOR CERTAIN GROUNDS, SO AS TO ADD ADDITIONAL GROUNDS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-620, RELATING TO STANDARDS AND CRITERIA APPLICABLE IN A CONTESTED CASE BROUGHT BY A THIRD PARTY BASED ON THE DECISION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE INVOLVING A SPFC, SO AS TO MODIFY THE STANDARDS AND CRITERIA; TO AMEND ACT 154 OF 1997, RELATING TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT, SO AS TO DELAY THE REPEAL OF ARTICLE 5, CHAPTER 77, TITLE 38, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, FROM JANUARY 1, 2006 TO JANUARY 1, 2010; AND TO AMEND ACT 291 OF 2004, RELATING TO VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO THE INSURANCE LAW, SO AS TO DELAY THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SECTION 38-43-106(H) OF THE 1976 CODE FROM MAY 1, 2006 TO MAY 1, 2010.

H. 4633 (Word version) -- Reps. Bingham, Cato, Tripp, Chellis, Loftis and Bailey: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE LICENSING OF A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN EMPLOYER WHO MAY SELF-FUND WORKERS' COMPENSATION COVERAGE IS AUTHORIZED TO WRITE WORKERS' COMPENSATION COVERAGE DIRECTLY THROUGH A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY; AND TO AMEND SECTION 42-5-20, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO INSURANCE OR PROOF OF FINANCIAL ABILITY TO PAY, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, WHICH MAY PAY DIRECTLY COMPENSATION, THE ABILITY TO WRITE WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE.

H. 4889 (Word version) -- Reps. Bingham, Perry, Bales, G. Brown, Cato, Chellis, Dantzler, Ott, Sandifer, J. E. Smith, Thompson and Tripp: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-280, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE MINIMUM DURATION OF INSURANCE ISSUED TO MEET MOTOR VEHICLE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE CANCELLATION OF A CONTRACT OR INSURANCE POLICY IF THE INSURED FAILS TO PAY THE PREMIUM FOR THE POLICY OR AN INSTALLMENT OF THE PREMIUM WHEN IT IS DUE.

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 4501 (Word version) -- Reps. G. R. Smith, Witherspoon, Duncan, Leach, Allen, Bailey, Bannister, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Cooper, Cotty, Davenport, Edge, Hamilton, Hardwick, Hiott, Huggins, Kirsh, Limehouse, Loftis, Martin, Merrill, Mitchell, Norman, Owens, Perry, Pinson, M. A. Pitts, Rhoad, Rutherford, Scarborough, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, J. R. Smith, Stewart, Taylor, Tripp, Vaughn, Weeks, White, Young and Hodges: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 48-1-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN REGARD TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA POLLUTION CONTROL ACT, SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM "EPHEMERAL STREAM"; AND TO ADD SECTION 48-1-55 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL IN ADMINISTERING THE POLLUTION CONTROL ACT HAS JURISDICTION OVER AN EPHEMERAL STREAM AS DEFINED ABOVE.

Rep. WITHERSPOON moved to recommit the Bill to the Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs, which was agreed to.

Rep. DELLENEY moved to adjourn debate upon the following Bill, which was adopted:

S. 1116 (Word version) -- Senators McConnell, Lourie, Ford, Cleary, Knotts, Sheheen, Alexander and Setzler: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 10, CHAPTER 3, TITLE 23 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT WITHIN THE SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION TO INVESTIGATE ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS AND VULNERABLE ADULT FATALITIES; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF TERMS IN THE OMNIBUS ADULT PROTECTION ACT, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF FACILITIES TO INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS OPERATED BY, OR CONTRACTED, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, OR LOCAL DISABILITIES BOARDS AND THE DEFINITION OF "INVESTIGATIVE ENTITY" TO INCLUDE THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT IN THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-15, RELATING TO THE DUTIES AND PROCEDURES OF INVESTIGATIVE ENTITIES IN CONNECTION WITH ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT SHALL RECEIVE REPORTS OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS IN FACILITIES OPERATED BY, OR CONTRACTED WITH, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, OR LOCAL DISABILITIES BOARDS, TO CLARIFY THE INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN AND THE ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM AT THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF THESE INCIDENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-20, RELATING TO ADDITIONAL POWERS OF INVESTIGATIVE ENTITIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THESE ENTITIES HAVE ACCESS TO FACILITIES AS PERMITTED BY LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-25, RELATING TO PERSONS REQUIRED TO REPORT ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS, SO AS TO FURTHER CLARIFY THESE REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES AND TO REQUIRE INCIDENTS INVOLVING CRIMINAL INTENT TO BE REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-35, RELATING TO REPORTING VULNERABLE ADULT DEATHS BELIEVED TO HAVE RESULTED FROM ABUSE OR NEGLECT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ALL DEATHS OF A VULNERABLE ADULT IN FACILITIES OPERATED BY, OR CONTRACTED WITH, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, OR A LOCAL DISABILITIES BOARD MUST BE REPORTED TO THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-40, RELATING TO INVESTIGATIVE ENTITIES REPORTING INCIDENTS INVOLVING CRIMINAL INTENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, SO AS TO FURTHER CLARIFY THIS REPORTING REQUIREMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-65, RELATING TO NOTICES REQUIRED TO BE PLACED IN FACILITIES CONCERNING DUTIES OF FACILITY PERSONNEL, SO AS TO REQUIRE THESE NOTICES TO CONTAIN E-MAIL ADDRESSES AND FAX NUMBERS OF THE LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM, THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-80, RELATING TO ACTIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AGAINST A PERSON OR FACILITY FOR FAILING TO EXERCISE REASONABLE CARE IN OPERATING A FACILITY FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT REFERRALS FOR SUCH ACTIONS MAY ALSO BE MADE BY THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT; TO ADD ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 35, TITLE 43 SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT IN THE INVESTIGATION OF VULNERABLE ADULT FATALITIES AND TO ESTABLISH THE VULNERABLE ADULT FATALITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERS, POWERS, AND DUTIES; TO ADD SECTION 17-5-555 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE CORONER OR MEDICAL EXAMINER TO REPORT THE DEATH OF A VULNERABLE ADULT TO THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 44-7-2910, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKS FOR DIRECT CAREGIVERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THESE RECORDS CHECKS ON DIRECT CAREGIVERS IN RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS OPERATED BY, OR CONTRACTED WITH, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, AND LOCAL DISABILITIES BOARDS.

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 1163 (Word version) -- Senators Sheheen, Reese, Hutto and Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 81 TO TITLE 15 SO AS TO ENACT THE "SUCCESSOR ASBESTOS-RELATED LIABILITY FAIRNESS ACT", TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS RELATED TO ASBESTOS-RELATED CLAIMS, TO LIMIT SUCCESSOR ASBESTOS-RELATED LIABILITIES OF A CORPORATION UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS TO THE LIMITATIONS ON SUCCESSOR LIABILITY, AND TO PROVIDE A METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF TOTAL GROSS ASSETS IN DETERMINING THE LIMITATIONS ON SUCCESSOR LIABILITY.

Rep. E. H. PITTS proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\MS\7417AHB06), which was ruled out of order:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding appropriately numbered SECTIONS at the end to read:
/ SECTION   ___.   Title 15 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 15-83-10.   As used in this chapter, the term:

(1)   'charitable organization' means any organization, institution, association, society, or corporation which is exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) or 501(d) of Title 26 of the United States Code, as amended; and

(2)   'employee' means an agent, servant, employee, or officer of a charitable organization.

Section 15-83-20.   A charitable organization is liable for tortious acts in the same manner and to the same extent as a private individual under like circumstances, subject to the limitations on liability and damages contained in this chapter.

Section 15-83-30.   (A)   A person sustaining an injury or who dies as a result of the tortious act of commission or omission of an employee of a charitable organization, when the employee is acting within the scope of his employment, may recover in an action brought against the charitable organization the damages he sustains in an amount not exceeding the total amount of the charitable organization's insurance coverage which may not be less than three hundred thousand dollars.

(B)   An action against the charitable organization pursuant to this section constitutes a complete bar to recovery by the claimant, by reason of the same subject matter, against the employee of the charitable organization whose act or omission gave rise to the claim unless it is alleged and proved in the action that the employee acted in a reckless, wilful, or grossly negligent manner, and the employee must be joined properly as a party defendant. A judgment against an employee of a charitable organization may not be returned unless a specific finding is made that the employee acted in a reckless, wilful, or grossly negligent manner. If the charitable organization for which the employee was acting cannot be determined at the time the action is instituted, the plaintiff may name as a party defendant the employee, and the entity for which the employee was acting must be added or substituted as party defendant when it reasonably can be determined.

(C)   If the damages from the injury or death giving rise to the action arose from the use or operation of a motor vehicle and exceeds the total amount of the charitable organization's insurance coverage which may not be less than three hundred thousand dollars, this section does not prevent the injured person from recovering benefits pursuant to Section 38-77-160 in an amount not to exceed the limits of the uninsured or underinsured coverage."
SECTION   ___.   Sections 33-56-170 and 33-56-180 of the 1976 Code are repealed.
SECTION   ___.   The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. E. H. PITTS explained the amendment.

Rep. DELLENEY raised the Point of Order that Amendment No 1 was out of order in that it was not germane to the Bill.
Rep. E. H. PITTS argued contra.
SPEAKER HARRELL stated that the Bill related to asbestos-related liability, but the amendment attempted to expand into other areas of liability and went beyond the scope of the Bill. He therefore sustained the Point of Order and ruled the amendment out of order.

Rep. DELLENEY explained the Bill.

Rep. TRIPP requested debate on the Bill.

The Bill was read second time and ordered to third reading.

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 1038 (Word version) -- Senators Martin, Gregory, Cleary, Knotts, Richardson, Ryberg, Mescher, Scott, Grooms, Elliott, Verdin and Williams: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 44 OF THE 1976 CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER 135, TO ENACT "THE ASBESTOS AND SILICA VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT OF 2006", TO PROVIDE THAT, EXCEPT FOR CLAIMS BASED ON MESOTHELIOMA, NO PERSON MAY BRING OR MAINTAIN AN ASBESTOS OR SILICA CLAIM WITHOUT FIRST MAKING A PRIMA FACIE SHOWING THAT A QUALIFIED PHYSICIAN HAS DIAGNOSED THE PERSON WITH AN ASBESTOS-RELATED OR SILICA-RELATED DISEASE BASED ON THE PHYSICIAN'S ANALYSIS OF A DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL AND EXPOSURE HISTORY OF THE PERSON AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE PERSON'S MEDICAL HISTORY, TO ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR THE REQUIRED MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION OF THE EXPOSED PERSON'S PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT, TO ESTABLISH THAT THE LIMITATIONS PERIOD FOR AN EXPOSED PERSON TO BRING AN ACTION DOES NOT BEGIN TO RUN UNTIL THE EXPOSED PERSON DISCOVERS, OR SHOULD HAVE DISCOVERED, HIS OR HER PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT, TO LIMIT THE LIABILITY OF THE SELLER OF A PRODUCT THAT CONTAINS ASBESTOS OR SILICA WHERE THE SELLER IS NOT THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PRODUCT, TO CLARIFY THAT THIS ACT DOES NOT AFFECT THE SCOPE OR OPERATION OF ANY WORKER'S COMPENSATION LAW OR VETERANS' BENEFIT PROGRAM, AND TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN OTHER REQUIREMENTS TO FILE AND MAINTAIN AN ASBESTOS OR SILICA CLAIM.

The Judiciary Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\NBD\12512AC06), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by deleting on page 8, Section 44-135-50(A)(2)(g) and inserting:
/       (g)   confirms that in cases described in subsections (d) or (f) above, the exposed person has or had physical impairment rated at least Class 2 pursuant to the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (5th Edition) (dated November 2000) demonstrating:

(i)     forced vital capacity below the lower limit of normal and FEV1/FVC ratio (using actual values) at or above the lower limit of normal; or

(ii)   total lung capacity, by plethysmography or timed gas dilution, below the lower limit of normal; or

(iii)   if the claimant's medical condition or process prevents the pulmonary function test from being performed or makes the results of such test an unreliable indicator of physical impairment, a board certified physician in pulmonary medicine, occupational medicine, internal medicine, oncology, or pathology, independent from the physician providing the report required herein must provide a report which states to a reasonable degree of medical certainty that the claimant has a nonmalignant asbestos-related condition causing physical impairment equivalent to (g)(i) or (g)(ii) above and states the reasons why the pulmonary function test would be an unreliable indicator of physical impairment. /

Amend the bill further, by deleting on page 15, Section 44-135-110(A) and inserting:
/(A)   Notwithstanding any other provision of law, with respect to any asbestos or silica claim not barred as of the effective date of this chapter, the limitations period shall not begin to run until the exposed person or claimant discovers, or through the exercise of reasonable diligence should have discovered, that the exposed person or claimant is physically impaired as set forth in this chapter by an asbestos- or silica-related condition./
Amend the bill further, by striking all before the enacting words and inserting:
/TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 135 TO TITLE 44 TO ENACT "THE ASBESTOS AND SILICA CLAIMS PROCEDURE ACT OF 2006", SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO PERSON MAY RECEIVE A TRIAL DATE IN AN ASBESTOS OR SILICA CLAIM WITHOUT FIRST MAKING A PRIMA FACIE SHOWING THAT A QUALIFIED PHYSICIAN HAS DIAGNOSED THE PERSON WITH AN ASBESTOS-RELATED OR SILICA-RELATED DISEASE BASED ON THE PHYSICIAN'S ANALYSIS OF A DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL AND EXPOSURE HISTORY OF THE PERSON AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE PERSON'S MEDICAL HISTORY; TO ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR THE REQUIRED MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION OF THE EXPOSED PERSON'S PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT; TO ESTABLISH THAT THE LIMITATIONS PERIOD FOR AN EXPOSED PERSON OR CLAIMANT TO BRING AN ACTION DOES NOT BEGIN TO RUN UNTIL THE EXPOSED PERSON OR CLAIMANT DISCOVERS, OR SHOULD HAVE DISCOVERED, THAT THE EXPOSED PERSON OR CLAIMANT HAS OR HAD PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT; TO CLARIFY THAT THIS CHAPTER DOES NOT AFFECT THE SCOPE OR OPERATION OF ANY WORKER'S COMPENSATION LAW OR VETERANS' BENEFIT PROGRAM; AND TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN OTHER REQUIREMENTS TO FILE AND MAINTAIN AN ASBESTOS OR SILICA CLAIM./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Rep. DELLENEY explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

Rep. HAGOOD moved to adjourn debate upon the following Bill until Tuesday, May 16, which was adopted:

H. 3343 (Word version) -- Reps. Hagood, Cotty, Harrison, Limehouse, Loftis, McLeod, Townsend, Merrill, Herbkersman, Pinson, Altman, Barfield, Battle, Branham, G. Brown, Ceips, Coleman, Davenport, Funderburk, Mack, McGee, Miller, J. H. Neal, Ott, Rivers, Scarborough, J. E. Smith, W. D. Smith, Young and Hodges: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 22, TITLE 17, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PRETRIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAM BY DESIGNATING THE EXISTING SECTIONS AS ARTICLE 1 AND BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 SO AS TO CREATE THE TRAFFIC DIVERSION PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE THAT EACH SOLICITOR HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WHO COMMIT TRAFFIC-RELATED OFFENSES PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OR LOSS OF POINTS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE APPROPRIATE MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY IS AUTHORIZED TO CREATE A PROGRAM WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SOLICITOR, AND TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR THE OPERATION OF A PROGRAM AND REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONS DESIRING TO ENTER A PROGRAM.

The following Joint Resolution was taken up, read the second time, and ordered to a third reading:

H. 5085 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION, RELATING TO BOILER SAFETY PROGRAM, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3034, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

Rep. CHELLIS explained the Joint Resolution.

The following Joint Resolution was taken up:

H. 5099 (Word version) -- Rep. J. E. Smith: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT UNTIL A PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SUDAN AND THE REBEL GROUPS IN THE DARFUR REGION OF SUDAN IS ENTERED INTO OR UNTIL SUDAN AGREES TO ACCEPT A UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN DARFUR, NO GOODS OR PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED, GROWN, OR MADE IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA MAY BE EXPORTED DIRECTLY OR THROUGH INDIRECT MEANS TO SUDAN THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINA PORTS, AND TO PROVIDE CIVIL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

Rep. BAILEY moved to adjourn debate on the Joint Resolution until Tuesday, May 16.

Rep. J. E. SMITH moved to table the motion.

Rep. J. E. SMITH demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Agnew                  Allen                  Anthony
Bales                  Ballentine             Barfield
Battle                 Bowers                 Brady
Branham                Breeland               G. Brown
J. Brown               R. Brown               Chellis
Clark                  Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter
Coleman                Cotty                  Davenport
Duncan                 Edge                   Emory
Funderburk             Govan                  Hagood
Haley                  Hardwick               Harrell
Harrison               Harvin                 Hayes
J. Hines               M. Hines               Hiott
Hodges                 Hosey                  Howard
Jefferson              Jennings               Kennedy
Leach                  Limehouse              McCraw
McLeod                 Miller                 Mitchell
Moody-Lawrence         J. H. Neal             J. M. Neal
Ott                    Owens                  Phillips
E. H. Pitts            Rhoad                  Rice
Rivers                 Rutherford             Scott
Sinclair               Skelton                J. E. Smith
W. D. Smith            Thompson               Umphlett
Vick                   Weeks                  Whipper
Witherspoon

Those who voted in the negative are:

Altman                 Bailey                 Bannister
Bingham                Cato                   Chalk
Clemmons               Cooper                 Dantzler
Delleney               Frye                   Hamilton
Hinson                 Huggins                Kirsh
Littlejohn             Loftis                 Lucas
Mahaffey               McGee                  Norman
Perry                  Pinson                 M. A. Pitts
Sandifer               Simrill                D. C. Smith
G. M. Smith            G. R. Smith            J. R. Smith
Stewart                Talley                 Taylor
Toole                  Townsend               Tripp
Vaughn                 Walker                 White
Whitmire               Young

So, the motion to adjourn debate was tabled.

Rep. DUNCAN moved to commit the Joint Resolution to the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions.

Rep. J. E. SMITH moved to table the motion.

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

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Agnew                  Allen                  Anthony
Bales                  Ballentine             Battle
Branham                Breeland               G. Brown
J. Brown               Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter
Davenport              Delleney               Emory
Funderburk             Govan                  Hayes
Herbkersman            J. Hines               M. Hines
Hodges                 Hosey                  Howard
Jefferson              Jennings               Kennedy
Lucas                  Mahaffey               McCraw
McLeod                 Miller                 Mitchell
Moody-Lawrence         J. H. Neal             J. M. Neal
Ott                    Phillips               Pinson
E. H. Pitts            Rhoad                  Rivers
Scott                  Sinclair               Skelton
J. E. Smith            W. D. Smith            Vick
Weeks                  Whipper

Those who voted in the negative are:

Altman                 Bailey                 Bannister
Bingham                Bowers                 Cato
Chalk                  Chellis                Clemmons
Coates                 Cooper                 Cotty
Dantzler               Duncan                 Edge
Frye                   Hagood                 Haley
Hamilton               Hardwick               Harrell
Hinson                 Hiott                  Huggins
Kirsh                  Leach                  Limehouse
Littlejohn             Loftis                 McGee
Merrill                Norman                 Perry
Rice                   Simrill                D. C. Smith
G. M. Smith            G. R. Smith            J. R. Smith
Stewart                Talley                 Taylor
Thompson               Toole                  Townsend
Umphlett               Vaughn                 Walker
White                  Whitmire               Witherspoon
Young

So, the House refused to table the motion.

The question then recurred to the motion to commit the Joint Resolution.

Rep. J. E. SMITH demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Altman                 Bailey                 Bannister
Barfield               Bingham                Bowers
Cato                   Chellis                Clark
Cotty                  Dantzler               Duncan
Edge                   Frye                   Hagood
Haley                  Hamilton               Hardwick
Harrell                Hinson                 Hiott
Huggins                Kirsh                  Leach
Littlejohn             Loftis                 Merrill
Norman                 Owens                  Perry
Rice                   Simrill                Skelton
D. C. Smith            G. R. Smith            J. R. Smith
Stewart                Talley                 Taylor
Toole                  Townsend               Umphlett
Vaughn                 Walker                 White
Witherspoon            Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

Agnew                  Allen                  Anderson
Anthony                Bales                  Ballentine
Battle                 Branham                Breeland
G. Brown               J. Brown               R. Brown
Chalk                  Clyburn                Coates
Cobb-Hunter            Coleman                Davenport
Delleney               Emory                  Funderburk
Govan                  Hayes                  Herbkersman
J. Hines               M. Hines               Hodges
Hosey                  Howard                 Jefferson
Jennings               Kennedy                Limehouse
Lucas                  Mahaffey               McCraw
McGee                  McLeod                 Miller
Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence         J. H. Neal
J. M. Neal             Ott                    Phillips
Pinson                 E. H. Pitts            Rhoad
Rutherford             Scott                  Sinclair
G. M. Smith            J. E. Smith            W. D. Smith
Thompson               Vick                   Weeks
Whipper

So, the House refused to commit the Joint Resolution.

Further proceedings were interrupted by expiration of time on the uncontested Calendar, the pending question being consideration of amendments.

Rep. DUNCAN asked unanimous consent to recall H. 3753 (Word version) from the Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs.
Rep. J. BROWN objected.

Rep. BALLENTINE asked unanimous consent to recall H. 5013 (Word version) from the Committee on Education and Public Works.
Rep. TOWNSEND objected.

Rep. HARRISON asked unanimous consent to recall S. 807 (Word version) from the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
Rep. HOWARD objected.

Rep. KIRSH asked unanimous consent to recall H. 5050 (Word version) from the Committee on Education and Public Works.
Rep. HARDWICK objected.

Rep. WHIPPER asked unanimous consent to recall S. 301 (Word version) from the Committee on Judiciary.
Rep. TALLEY objected.

The Veto on the following Act was taken up:

(R285) H. 3184 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrison, G. R. Smith, Whipper, Cato, G. M. Smith and Weeks: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 1-13-90, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO HEARINGS AND ORDERS OF THE STATE HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR APPEAL OF A COMMISSION DECISION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 1-23-320, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO NOTICE AND HEARING IN A CONTESTED CASE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STANDARD OF PROOF IN A CONTESTED CASE IS BY A PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE EXCEPT IN A CONTESTED CASE INVOLVING THE DETERMINATION OF A CERTIFICATE OF NEED FOR NEW OPEN HEART SURGERY SERVICES WHEN A LEGALLY CONCLUSIVE PRESUMPTION IS CREATED IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL WHEN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES ARE MET; TO AMEND SECTIONS 1-23-380, 1-23-390, 1-23-600, ALL AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 1-23-610, ALL RELATING TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT JUDICIAL REVIEW OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION MUST BE MADE BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, TO PROVIDE THAT DECISION MAY BE APPEALED TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS, AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 1-23-650, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROMULGATION OF RULES GOVERNING THE OPERATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT, SO AS TO PROVIDE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE HEARING OF CONTESTED CASES OR APPEALS BY INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES ARE OF NO FORCE AND EFFECT IN PROCEEDINGS BEFORE AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE; TO AMEND SECTION 1-23-660, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO HEARINGS OF THE DIVISION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO CREATE THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLE HEARINGS WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS COMPOSITION AND OPERATION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-320, RELATING TO AN ORDER OF THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR APPEAL FROM A FINAL DECISION OF THE COMMISSION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS AS PROVIDED IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA APPELLATE COURT RULES; TO AMEND SECTION 8-17-340, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE STATE EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR APPEAL OF A COMMISSION'S DECISION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 9-21-70, RELATING TO APPEALS FROM A DECISION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT, SO AS TO APPEAL TO THE COURT OF APPEALS AS PROVIDED IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA APPELLATE COURT RULES; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-4410, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPEALS REGARDING PROCUREMENT BY THE PROCUREMENT REVIEW PANEL, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT DOES NOT APPLY TO THE PANEL UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND APPEAL FROM A PANEL DECISION IS ONLY TO THE CIRCUIT COURT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 12-60-3370, 12-60-3380, AND 12-60-3390, ALL AS AMENDED, RELATING TO TAXPAYER APPEALS, ALL SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT APPEALS ARE TO THE COURT OF APPEALS RATHER THAN THE CIRCUIT COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 14-8-200, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, SO AS TO ADD FINAL DECISIONS OF AN AGENCY, OR A FINAL DECISION OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE TO THE LIST OF CASES THE COURT OF APPEALS HAS JURISDICTION OVER; TO AMEND SECTION 31-21-130, RELATING TO APPEALS TO THE HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION REGARDING THE SOUTH CAROLINA FAIR HOUSING LAW, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT APPEAL IS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT RATHER THAN THE CIRCUIT COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 33-56-140, RELATING TO INVESTIGATIONS, HEARINGS, AND APPEALS REGARDING SOLICITATION OF CHARITABLE FUNDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ACTIONS BROUGHT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CERTAIN CHARITABLE SOLICITATION VIOLATIONS ARE TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE; TO AMEND SECTION 39-37-100, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPEALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REGARDING LICENSES OF MANUFACTURERS OF CERTAIN FROZEN DESSERTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT APPEAL IS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT RATHER THAN THE CIRCUIT COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 41-35-750, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PROCEDURE TO OBTAIN JUDICIAL REVIEW OF A DECISION BY THE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PARTY TO THE PROCEEDING MAY APPEAL A COMMISSION DECISION WITHIN THIRTY DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE MAILING OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION; TO AMEND SECTION 43-25-90, RELATING TO A DECISION OF THE COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND, SECTION 45-9-75, RELATING TO A DETERMINATION BY A PANEL OF THE STATE HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION, SECTION 46-3-220, RELATING TO AN ORDER OR DECISION BY THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, SECTION 46-9-90, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING A PROVISION OF THE CHAPTER ON THE STATE CROP PEST COMMISSION, SECTION 47-4-130, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING A PROVISION OF TITLE 47 DEALING WITH ANIMALS, LIVESTOCK, AND POULTRY, SECTIONS 47-17-50 AND 47-19-60, BOTH RELATING TO A DETERMINATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE LIVESTOCK-POULTRY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, SECTIONS 48-20-160, 48-20-190, BOTH AS AMENDED, AND 48-20-200, ALL RELATING TO A DECISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, SECTION 48-39-150, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE APPROVAL OR DENIAL OF A PERMIT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, SECTION 54-3-470, RELATING TO AN ORDER OF THE STATE PORTS AUTHORITY, SECTIONS 55-5-230, 55-5-240, 55-5-250, ALL AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 55-8-20, ALL RELATING TO AN ORDER OF THE DIVISION OF AERONAUTICS, ALL SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE AND THAT DECISION APPEALED TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-2952, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE FILING FEE FOR A HEARING BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO INCREASE THE FEE AND PROVIDE FOR ITS RETENTION BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 58-5-330, 58-5-340, 58-5-990, 58-9-1410, AND 58-27-2310, ALL RELATING TO AN ORDER OR DECISION BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR APPEAL FROM A FINAL DECISION OF THE COMMISSION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT OR COURT OF APPEALS AS PROVIDED BY STATUTE OR THE SOUTH CAROLINA APPELLATE COURT RULES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 59-25-260, 59-25-830, AND 59-40-90, ALL RELATING TO DECISIONS BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND SECTION 59-58-120, RELATING TO A DECISION OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, ALL SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE AND THAT DECISION APPEALED TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS; TO AMEND SECTION 44-1-50, RELATING TO APPEALS FROM THE BOARD OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW BY THE BOARD AND FOR FINAL AGENCY DETERMINATIONS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 44-1-60 SO AS TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES IN A CONTESTED CASE BEFORE THE BOARD; AND TO REPEAL SECTIONS 58-5-350, 58-5-360, 58-9-1420, 58-9-1440, 58-9-1460, 58-9-1470, 58-9-1480, AND 58-27-2330, ALL RELATING TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF A DECISION BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

Rep. CATO moved to adjourn debate on the Veto until Wednesday, May 24, which was agreed to.

The Veto on the following Act was taken up:

(R282) S. 1352 (Word version) -- Senators Knotts, Cromer, Courson and Setzler: AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER WITH THE LEXINGTON COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES DISTRICT MAY RECEIVE TRAINING AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACADEMY DIVISION.

The question was put, shall the Act become a part of the law, the veto of his Excellency, the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding, the yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Ballentine             Bingham                Clark
Davenport              Delleney               Frye
Haley                  Huggins                Lucas
McCraw                 McLeod                 Ott
Owens                  E. H. Pitts            Rhoad
Sandifer               Toole

Those who voted in the negative are:

So, the Veto of the Governor was overridden and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.

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

H. 3833 (Word version) -- Rep. White: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 13-7-10 AND SECTIONS 13-7-40 AND 13-7-45, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO REGULATION OF IONIZING AND NONIONIZING RADIATION AND THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF USERS OF SUCH RADIATION, SO AS TO DELETE REFERENCES TO NONIONIZING RADIATION.

Rep. WHITE moved to adjourn debate upon the Senate Amendments until Tuesday, May 16, which was agreed to.

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

H. 4812 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE MONIES FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006.

Rep. COOPER moved to adjourn debate on the Senate Amendments, which was agreed to.

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

H. 4810 -- Ways and Means Committee: A BILL TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS AND TO PROVIDE REVENUES TO MEET THE ORDINARY EXPENSES OF STATE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2006; TO REGULATE THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS; AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF STATE GOVERNMENT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Rep. COOPER moved to adjourn debate on the Senate Amendments, which was agreed to.

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

H. 3726 (Word version) -- Reps. Ott, Clark, J. E. Smith, McGee, Witherspoon, Branham, Cobb-Hunter, Duncan, Hayes, Lucas, M. A. Pitts, Taylor and R. Brown: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FISH, GAME, AND WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO ENACT "CHANDLER'S LAW" BY ADDING CHAPTER 26 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION, REGISTRATION, AND TITLING OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PERSON UNDER SIXTEEN MUST COMPLETE A DRIVING SAFETY COURSE BEFORE HE MAY OPERATE AN ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS.

The House refused to agree to the Senate amendments and a message was ordered sent accordingly.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up:

H. 5075 (Word version) -- Reps. McLeod, Agnew, Allen, Altman, Anderson, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chalk, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Frye, Funderburk, Govan, Hagood, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hiott, Hodges, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Jennings, Kennedy, Kirsh, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, Merrill, Miller, Mitchell, Moody-Lawrence, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Norman, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Rhoad, Rice, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Stewart, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Umphlett, Vaughn, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Witherspoon and Young: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF MAY 2006 AS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO RAISE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE NEED FOR APPROPRIATE AND ACCESSIBLE SERVICES FOR ALL PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly call upon all citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools in South Carolina to increase our state's understanding and acceptance of mental illnesses; and

Whereas, mental health is critical for the well-being and vitality of our families, businesses, and communities; and
Whereas, mental illness will strike one in five Americans in a given year regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or economic status; and

Whereas, one in five children suffers from a diagnosable mental or emotional disorder, and one in ten has a serious disorder which, if untreated, can lead to school failure, addiction, and even suicide; and

Whereas, mental disorders, collectively, make mental illness the most prevalent health problem in America today. It is more common than cancer and lung and heart disease combined; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health observes Mental Health Month each year in May to raise awareness of mental health, mental illness, and insurance discrimination against people with mental illnesses; and

Whereas, the General Assembly commends the South Carolina Department of Mental Health for its difficult task of educating the public about the often misunderstood issue of mental illness. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, designate the month of May 2006 as Mental Health Month in South Carolina to raise community awareness and understanding of mental illness and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental illness.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and sent to the Senate.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up:

S. 1359 (Word version) -- Senator Reese: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF PINE STREET IN THE CITY OF SPARTANBURG FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH CHURCH STREET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH DANIEL MORGAN AVENUE THE "VIC BAILEY HIGHWAY" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "VIC BAILEY HIGHWAY".

Whereas, Mr. Vollie C. "Vic" Bailey, Jr., was born on July 6, 1926, in the Town of Travelers Rest, South Carolina; and

Whereas, he has been married for the past forty-nine years to Rose Lewis Bailey, and together they are the proud parents of three children and have six grandchildren; and

Whereas, Mr. Bailey has over fifty years of experience in the automobile business since opening his first automobile dealership in 1955; and

Whereas, today he is Chairman of the Board of Vic Bailey Automotive, which consists of six new car franchises; and

Whereas, he was a member of the South Carolina Highway Commission from 1988 to 1992, a founding Director of Carolina Southern Bank, a former member of the local Board of Directors of the National Bank of South Carolina, represented Spartanburg County on the Appalachian Council of Governments for four years, and was a member of the Spartanburg County Council from 1974 to 1978; and

Whereas, he is a past President of the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association, a past Vice Chairman of the Spartanburg area Chamber of Commerce, a former member of the Board of Visitors of the Medical University of South Carolina, a past Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Shriners Hospital, and a former Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Spartanburg Regional Medical Center; and

Whereas, he is an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent, and served in the United States Army from 1950-1952; and

Whereas, it is fitting and proper for the members of the South Carolina General Assembly to recognize the many achievements of this son of South Carolina by naming a portion of a street in the City of Spartanburg in his honor. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, request that the Department of Transportation name the portion of East Daniel Morgan Avenue in the City of Spartanburg that runs from the intersection of East Daniel Morgan Avenue and North Church Street to the intersection of East Daniel Morgan Avenue and North Pine Street, the "Vic Bailey Boulevard" and erect appropriate markers or signs along this portion of highway that contain the words "Vic Bailey Boulevard".

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

Rep. MITCHELL proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\SWB\6895CM06), which was adopted:
Amend the concurrent resolution, as and if amended, by striking all after the title and inserting:
/ Whereas, Mr. Vollie C. "Vic" Bailey, Jr., was born on July 6, 1926, in the Town of Travelers Rest, South Carolina; and
Whereas, he has been married for the past forty-nine years to Rose Lewis Bailey, and together they are the proud parents of three children and have six grandchildren; and
Whereas, Mr. Bailey has over fifty years of experience in the automobile business since opening his first automobile dealership in 1955; and
Whereas, today he is Chairman of the Board of Vic Bailey Automotive, which consists of six new car franchises; and
Whereas, he was a member of the South Carolina Highway Commission from 1988 to 1992, a founding Director of Carolina Southern Bank, a former member of the local Board of Directors of the National Bank of South Carolina, represented Spartanburg County on the Appalachian Council of Governments for four years, and was a member of the Spartanburg County Council from 1974 to 1978; and
Whereas, he is a past President of the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association, a past Vice Chairman of the Spartanburg area Chamber of Commerce, a former member of the Board of Visitors of the Medical University of South Carolina, a past Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Shriners Hospital, and a former Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Spartanburg Regional Medical Center; and
Whereas, he is an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent, and served in the United States Army from 1950-1952; and
Whereas, it is fitting and proper for the members of the South Carolina General Assembly to recognize the many achievements of this son of South Carolina by naming a portion of a street in the City of Spartanburg in his honor. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, request that the Department of Transportation name the portion of East Daniel Morgan Avenue in the City of Spartanburg that runs from the intersection of East Daniel Morgan Avenue and North Church Street to the intersection of East Daniel Morgan Avenue and North Pine Street, the "Vic Bailey Boulevard" and erect appropriate markers or signs along this portion of highway that contain the words "Vic Bailey Boulevard".
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation. /
Amend the concurrent resolution further, by striking the title as contained on lines 11 through 19, page 1 and inserting:
/ TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF EAST DANIEL MORGAN AVENUE IN THE CITY OF SPARTANBURG THAT RUNS FROM THE INTERSECTION OF EAST DANIEL MORGAN AVENUE AND NORTH CHURCH STREET TO THE INTERSECTION OF EAST DANIEL MORGAN AVENUE AND NORTH PINE STREET, THE "VIC BAILEY BOULEVARD" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "VIC BAILEY BOULEVARD". /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

The amendment was then adopted.

The Concurrent Resolution, as amended, was adopted and ordered sent to the Senate.

Rep. J. E. SMITH moved to reconsider the vote whereby debate was adjourned on the following Veto until Wednesday, May 24:

(R285) H. 3184 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrison, G. R. Smith, Whipper, Cato, G. M. Smith and Weeks: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 1-13-90, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO HEARINGS AND ORDERS OF THE STATE HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR APPEAL OF A COMMISSION DECISION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 1-23-320, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO NOTICE AND HEARING IN A CONTESTED CASE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STANDARD OF PROOF IN A CONTESTED CASE IS BY A PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE EXCEPT IN A CONTESTED CASE INVOLVING THE DETERMINATION OF A CERTIFICATE OF NEED FOR NEW OPEN HEART SURGERY SERVICES WHEN A LEGALLY CONCLUSIVE PRESUMPTION IS CREATED IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL WHEN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES ARE MET; TO AMEND SECTIONS 1-23-380, 1-23-390, 1-23-600, ALL AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 1-23-610, ALL RELATING TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT JUDICIAL REVIEW OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION MUST BE MADE BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, TO PROVIDE THAT DECISION MAY BE APPEALED TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS, AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 1-23-650, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROMULGATION OF RULES GOVERNING THE OPERATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT, SO AS TO PROVIDE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE HEARING OF CONTESTED CASES OR APPEALS BY INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES ARE OF NO FORCE AND EFFECT IN PROCEEDINGS BEFORE AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE; TO AMEND SECTION 1-23-660, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO HEARINGS OF THE DIVISION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO CREATE THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLE HEARINGS WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS COMPOSITION AND OPERATION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-320, RELATING TO AN ORDER OF THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR APPEAL FROM A FINAL DECISION OF THE COMMISSION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS AS PROVIDED IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA APPELLATE COURT RULES; TO AMEND SECTION 8-17-340, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE STATE EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR APPEAL OF A COMMISSION'S DECISION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 9-21-70, RELATING TO APPEALS FROM A DECISION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT, SO AS TO APPEAL TO THE COURT OF APPEALS AS PROVIDED IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA APPELLATE COURT RULES; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-4410, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPEALS REGARDING PROCUREMENT BY THE PROCUREMENT REVIEW PANEL, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT DOES NOT APPLY TO THE PANEL UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND APPEAL FROM A PANEL DECISION IS ONLY TO THE CIRCUIT COURT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 12-60-3370, 12-60-3380, AND 12-60-3390, ALL AS AMENDED, RELATING TO TAXPAYER APPEALS, ALL SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT APPEALS ARE TO THE COURT OF APPEALS RATHER THAN THE CIRCUIT COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 14-8-200, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, SO AS TO ADD FINAL DECISIONS OF AN AGENCY, OR A FINAL DECISION OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE TO THE LIST OF CASES THE COURT OF APPEALS HAS JURISDICTION OVER; TO AMEND SECTION 31-21-130, RELATING TO APPEALS TO THE HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION REGARDING THE SOUTH CAROLINA FAIR HOUSING LAW, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT APPEAL IS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT RATHER THAN THE CIRCUIT COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 33-56-140, RELATING TO INVESTIGATIONS, HEARINGS, AND APPEALS REGARDING SOLICITATION OF CHARITABLE FUNDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ACTIONS BROUGHT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CERTAIN CHARITABLE SOLICITATION VIOLATIONS ARE TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE; TO AMEND SECTION 39-37-100, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPEALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REGARDING LICENSES OF MANUFACTURERS OF CERTAIN FROZEN DESSERTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT APPEAL IS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT RATHER THAN THE CIRCUIT COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 41-35-750, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PROCEDURE TO OBTAIN JUDICIAL REVIEW OF A DECISION BY THE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PARTY TO THE PROCEEDING MAY APPEAL A COMMISSION DECISION WITHIN THIRTY DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE MAILING OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION; TO AMEND SECTION 43-25-90, RELATING TO A DECISION OF THE COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND, SECTION 45-9-75, RELATING TO A DETERMINATION BY A PANEL OF THE STATE HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION, SECTION 46-3-220, RELATING TO AN ORDER OR DECISION BY THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, SECTION 46-9-90, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING A PROVISION OF THE CHAPTER ON THE STATE CROP PEST COMMISSION, SECTION 47-4-130, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING A PROVISION OF TITLE 47 DEALING WITH ANIMALS, LIVESTOCK, AND POULTRY, SECTIONS 47-17-50 AND 47-19-60, BOTH RELATING TO A DETERMINATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE LIVESTOCK-POULTRY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, SECTIONS 48-20-160, 48-20-190, BOTH AS AMENDED, AND 48-20-200, ALL RELATING TO A DECISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, SECTION 48-39-150, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE APPROVAL OR DENIAL OF A PERMIT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, SECTION 54-3-470, RELATING TO AN ORDER OF THE STATE PORTS AUTHORITY, SECTIONS 55-5-230, 55-5-240, 55-5-250, ALL AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 55-8-20, ALL RELATING TO AN ORDER OF THE DIVISION OF AERONAUTICS, ALL SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE AND THAT DECISION APPEALED TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-2952, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE FILING FEE FOR A HEARING BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO INCREASE THE FEE AND PROVIDE FOR ITS RETENTION BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 58-5-330, 58-5-340, 58-5-990, 58-9-1410, AND 58-27-2310, ALL RELATING TO AN ORDER OR DECISION BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR APPEAL FROM A FINAL DECISION OF THE COMMISSION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT OR COURT OF APPEALS AS PROVIDED BY STATUTE OR THE SOUTH CAROLINA APPELLATE COURT RULES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 59-25-260, 59-25-830, AND 59-40-90, ALL RELATING TO DECISIONS BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND SECTION 59-58-120, RELATING TO A DECISION OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, ALL SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE AND THAT DECISION APPEALED TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS; TO AMEND SECTION 44-1-50, RELATING TO APPEALS FROM THE BOARD OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW BY THE BOARD AND FOR FINAL AGENCY DETERMINATIONS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 44-1-60 SO AS TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES IN A CONTESTED CASE BEFORE THE BOARD; AND TO REPEAL SECTIONS 58-5-350, 58-5-360, 58-9-1420, 58-9-1440, 58-9-1460, 58-9-1470, 58-9-1480, AND 58-27-2330, ALL RELATING TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF A DECISION BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

Rep. CATO moved to table the motion to reconsider.

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

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Altman                 Anthony                Ballentine
Barfield               Bingham                Cato
Chalk                  Clark                  Clemmons
Dantzler               Delleney               Edge
Frye                   Haley                  Hamilton
Hardwick               Hayes                  Hinson
Huggins                Kennedy                Kirsh
Leach                  Littlejohn             Loftis
McCraw                 McGee                  McLeod
Ott                    Perry                  Phillips
E. H. Pitts            M. A. Pitts            Rivers
Sandifer               Simrill                D. C. Smith
G. R. Smith            J. R. Smith            Stewart
Talley                 Thompson               Toole
Townsend               Tripp                  Umphlett
Vaughn                 Walker                 Whipper
White                  Witherspoon

Those who voted in the negative are:

Agnew                  Allen                  Anderson
Bailey                 Bales                  Bannister
Battle                 Bowers                 Brady
Branham                Breeland               G. Brown
R. Brown               Chellis                Clyburn
Coates                 Cobb-Hunter            Coleman
Cotty                  Davenport              Duncan
Emory                  Funderburk             Govan
Hagood                 Harrison               Harvin
J. Hines               M. Hines               Hiott
Hodges                 Hosey                  Howard
Jefferson              Jennings               Limehouse
Lucas                  Mack                   Mahaffey
Miller                 Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence
J. H. Neal             J. M. Neal             Neilson
Norman                 Owens                  Pinson
Rhoad                  Rice                   Rutherford
Scott                  Sinclair               Skelton
G. M. Smith            J. E. Smith            Taylor
Weeks                  Young

So, the House refused to table the motion to reconsider.

The question then recurred to the motion to reconsider.

Rep. J. E. SMITH demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Agnew                  Anderson               Bailey
Bales                  Bannister              Battle
Brady                  Branham                Breeland
G. Brown               R. Brown               Chellis
Clyburn                Coates                 Cobb-Hunter
Coleman                Cotty                  Davenport
Duncan                 Emory                  Funderburk
Govan                  Hagood                 Hamilton
Harrison               Harvin                 J. Hines
M. Hines               Hiott                  Hodges
Hosey                  Howard                 Jefferson
Jennings               Leach                  Limehouse
Lucas                  Mack                   Miller
Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence         J. H. Neal
J. M. Neal             Neilson                Norman
Owens                  Pinson                 Rice
Rutherford             Scott                  Sinclair
Skelton                G. M. Smith            J. E. Smith
Taylor                 Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

Allen                  Altman                 Anthony
Ballentine             Barfield               Bingham
Cato                   Chalk                  Clark
Clemmons               Dantzler               Delleney
Edge                   Frye                   Haley
Hardwick               Hayes                  Hinson
Huggins                Kennedy                Kirsh
Littlejohn             Loftis                 Mahaffey
McCraw                 McGee                  McLeod
Ott                    Perry                  Phillips
E. H. Pitts            M. A. Pitts            Rhoad
Rivers                 Sandifer               Simrill
D. C. Smith            G. R. Smith            J. R. Smith
Stewart                Talley                 Thompson
Toole                  Tripp                  Umphlett
Vaughn                 Walker                 Weeks
Whipper                White                  Witherspoon

So, the motion to reconsider was agreed to.

Rep. BINGHAM spoke against the Veto.
Rep. ALTMAN spoke against the Veto.
Rep. BRANHAM spoke in favor of the Veto.

The question was put, shall the Act become a part of the law, the veto of his Excellency, the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding, the yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Altman                 Anthony                Ballentine
Bingham                Cato                   Chalk
Clark                  Dantzler               Davenport
Delleney               Frye                   Haley
Hardwick               Harrell                Harvin
Hayes                  Huggins                Kennedy
Kirsh                  Leach                  Littlejohn
Loftis                 Mahaffey               McCraw
McGee                  McLeod                 Merrill
Ott                    Perry                  Phillips
E. H. Pitts            M. A. Pitts            Rhoad
Rivers                 Sandifer               Simrill
Sinclair               D. C. Smith            G. R. Smith
J. R. Smith            Stewart                Talley
Toole                  Townsend               Tripp
Vaughn                 Walker                 Whipper
Witherspoon

Those who voted in the negative are:

Agnew                  Anderson               Bailey
Bales                  Bannister              Battle
Bowers                 Brady                  Branham
Breeland               G. Brown               J. Brown
R. Brown               Chellis                Clyburn
Coates                 Cobb-Hunter            Coleman
Cotty                  Duncan                 Edge
Emory                  Funderburk             Govan
Hagood                 Hamilton               Harrison
J. Hines               M. Hines               Hiott
Hodges                 Hosey                  Howard
Jefferson              Jennings               Limehouse
Lucas                  Mack                   Miller
Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence         J. H. Neal
J. M. Neal             Neilson                Norman
Owens                  Pinson                 Rice
Rutherford             Scott                  Skelton
G. M. Smith            J. E. Smith            Taylor
Thompson               Umphlett               White
Young

So, the Veto of the Governor was sustained and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up:

S. 197 (Word version) -- Senators Grooms and Campsen: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO NAME THE PORTION OF US HIGHWAY 17 NORTH FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH VENNING ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION OF SEWEE ROAD IN CHARLESTON COUNTY THE "SWEETGRASS BASKET MAKERS HIGHWAY" AND TO ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS WHICH CONTAIN THE WORDS "SWEETGRASS BASKET MAKERS HIGHWAY" ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY.

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the Department of Transportation is requested to name the portion of US Highway 17 North from its intersection with Venning Road to the Intersection of Sewee Road in Charleston County the "Sweetgrass Basket Makers Highway" and to erect appropriate signs which contain the words "Sweetgrass Basket Makers Highway" along this portion of highway.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and sent to the Senate.

The motion period was dispensed with on motion of Rep. RHOAD.

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 4932 (Word version) -- Reps. Cotty and Clark: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 152 OF TITLE 59 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A FULL-DAY, FOUR-YEAR-OLD PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN TO BE ADMINISTERED BY FIRST STEPS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CURRICULUM, TO PROVIDE FOR THE COLLECTION OF DATA REGARDING THE PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE FOR AN EVALUATION FOR THE PROGRAM, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL PROMULGATE REGULATIONS; AND TO DESIGNATE SECTIONS 59-152-10 THROUGH 59-152-160 AS ARTICLE 1, FIRST STEPS.

The Education and Public Works Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\GJK\21141SD06):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/SECTION   1.   Title 59, Chapter 35 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 59-35-210.   (A)   There is created the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program. This program shall be available for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school year on a voluntary basis. The program shall focus on the developmental and learning support that children must have in order to be ready for school and must incorporate parenting education. The South Carolina Department of Social Services shall serve as the fiscal agent for the program during the two-year pilot.

(B)   As used in this chapter, the term:

(1)   'At-risk' means any child whose family income makes them eligible for the free or reduced price lunch program or Medicaid.

(2)   'Department' means the State Department of Education.

(3)   'Parent' means the natural or adoptive parent or legal guardian of a child.

(4)   'Private provider' means a provider other than a public school approved to deliver the school-year four-year-old kindergarten program described in this chapter.

(5)   'Program' means education services provided by either public or private providers to serve at-risk four-year-old children.

(6)   'Provider' means either a state approved public or private program provider chosen by the parent.

(7)   'Public provider' means a public school approved to deliver the school-year four-year-old kindergarten program described in this chapter.

(8)   'Resident school district' means the public school district in which a child resides.

Section 59-35-220.   (A)   Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year and continuing through the 2007-2008 school year, with funds appropriated by the General Assembly, the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program shall first be made available to eligible children from the following eight trial districts in Abbeville County School District et al. vs. South Carolina:

(1)   Allendale;

(2)   Dillon 2;

(3)   Florence 4;

(4)   Hampton 2;

(5)   Jasper;

(6)   Lee;

(7)   Marion 7;

(8)   Orangeburg 3.
With any remaining funds available, the pilot shall be expanded to the remaining plaintiff school districts in Abbeville County School District et al. vs. South Carolina. Priority shall be given to implementing the program in the plaintiff districts having proportionally the largest population of underserved at-risk four-year-old children. While participating in the pilot program, Education Improvement Act funding from the four-year-old early childhood program as authorized pursuant to Section 59-139-70 may only be used to fund teacher salary supplements and fringe benefits as required by Section 59-20-50. During the implementation of the pilot program, no funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose shall be used to fund services to at-risk four-year-old children residing outside of the trial or plaintiff districts.

(B)   The Education Oversight Committee shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot program and shall issue a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2008. The report shall include a comparative evaluation of children served in the pilot program and children not served in the pilot program. Additionally, based on the evaluation of the pilot program, the Education Oversight Committee shall include recommendations for the creation of and an implementation plan for phasing in the delivery of services to all four-year-old at-risk children in the state.

(C)   Annually, any unexpended funds from the prior year for this program shall be carried forward and used by the First Steps to Readiness Board of Trustees and the State Department of Education to provide funds to school districts and private providers for services to children zero to three years of age in the districts outlined in subsection (A).

Section 59-35-230.   (A)   Each child residing in the pilot districts, who will have attained the age of four years on or before September 1, of the school year, and meets the at-risk criteria established in this chapter is eligible for enrollment in the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program for one year.

(B)   The parent of each eligible child may enroll the child in one of the following programs:

(1)   A school-year four-year-old kindergarten program delivered by an approved public provider, or

(2)   A school-year four-year-old kindergarten program delivered by an approved private provider.

(C)   The parent enrolling a child must complete and submit an application to the approved provider of choice. The application must be submitted on forms prescribed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services and must be accompanied by a copy of the child's birth certificate, immunization documentation, and an appropriate free and reduced lunch application form or statement of Medicaid eligibility.

(D)   In submitting an application for enrollment, the parent agrees to comply with provider attendance policies during the school year. This shall consist of six and one-half hours of instructional time daily and one hundred eighty days per year. Pursuant to program guidelines, noncompliance with attendance policies may result in removal from the program.

(E)   No parent is required to pay tuition or fees solely for the purpose of enrolling in or attending the program established under this article. Nothing in this article prohibits charging fees for childcare that may be provided outside the times of the instructional day provided in these programs.

Section 59-35-240.   (A)   Providers choosing to participate in the South Carolina Four-Year-Old Child Development Kindergarten Program must submit an application to the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The application must be submitted on the forms prescribed, contain assurances that the provider meets all program criteria set forth in this article, and will comply with all reporting and assessment requirements.

(B)   Providers shall:

(1)   comply with all federal and state laws and constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services;

(2)   comply with all state and local health and safety laws and codes;

(3)   comply with all state laws that apply regarding criminal background checks for employees and exclude from employment any individual not permitted by state law to work with children;

(4)   be accountable for meeting the education needs of the child and report regularly to the parent on his progress;

(5)   comply with all program, reporting, and assessment criteria required of providers;

(6)   maintain individual student records for each child enrolled in the program to include, but not limited to, assessment data, health data, records of teacher observations, and records of parent and teacher conferences;

(7)   designate whether extended day services will be offered to the parents of children participating in the program; and

(8)   be approved, registered, or licensed by the Department of Social Services.

(C)   Providers may limit student enrollment based upon space available. However if enrollment exceeds available space, providers shall enroll children with first priority given to children with the lowest scores on an approved pre-kindergarten readiness assessment. Private providers shall not be required to expand their programs to accommodate all children desiring enrollment.

Section 59-35-250.   The Education Oversight Committee, in consultation with the State Department of Education and the Office of First Steps to School Readiness, shall:

(1)   develop a list of approved curricula for use in the program based upon established criteria and the South Carolina content standards;

(2)   develop a list of approved pre-kindergarten readiness assessments to be used in conjunction with the program;

(3)   establish criteria for awarding new classroom equipping grants;

(4)   establish criteria for the parenting education program providers must offer; and

(5)   establish a list of early childhood related fields that may be used in meeting the lead teacher qualifications.

Section 59-35-260.   (A)   Providers of South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program shall offer a complete educational program in accordance with age-appropriate instructional practice and a research based preschool curriculum aligned with school success. The program must focus on the developmental and learning support children must have in order to be ready for school. The provider must also incorporate parenting education that promotes the school readiness of preschool children by strengthening parent involvement in the learning process with an emphasis on interactive literacy.

(B)   Providers shall offer high-quality, center-based programs that must include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(1)   employ a lead teacher with a two-year degree in early childhood education or related field or be granted a waiver of this requirement from the South Carolina Department of Social Services;

(2)   employ an education assistant with pre-service or in-service training in early childhood education;

(3)   maintain classrooms with at least ten four-year-old children, but no more than twenty four-year-old children with an adult to child ratio of 1:10. With classrooms having a minimum of ten children, the 1:10 ratio must be a lead teacher to child ratio;

(4)   offer a full day, center-based program with six and one-half hours of instruction daily for one hundred eighty school days.

(5)   provide an approved research-based preschool curriculum that focuses on critical child development skills, especially early literacy, numeracy, and social/emotional development;

(6)   engage parents' participation in their child's educational experience that shall include a minimum of two documented conferences per year; and

(7)   adhere to professional development requirements outlined in this article.

Section 59-35-270.   Every classroom providing services to four-year-old children established pursuant to this article must have:

(1)   a lead teacher with at least a two-year degree in early childhood education or related field and who is enrolled and is demonstrating progress toward the completion of a teacher education program within four years; and

(2)   at least one education assistant per classroom who shall have the minimum of a high school diploma or the equivalent, and at least two years of experience working with children under five years old. The teaching assistant shall have completed the Early Childhood Development Credential (ECD) 101 or enroll and complete this course within twelve months of hire.

Section 59-35-280.   The General Assembly recognizes there is a strong relationship between the skills and preparation of pre-kindergarten instructors and the educational outcomes of students. To improve these educational outcomes, participating providers shall require all personnel providing instruction and classroom support to students participating in the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program to participate annually in a minimum of fifteen hours of professional development to include teaching children from poverty. Professional development shall provide instruction in strategies and techniques to address the age-appropriate progress of pre-kindergarten students in developing emergent literacy skills, including but not limited to, oral communication, knowledge of print and letters, phonemic and phonological awareness, and vocabulary and comprehension development.

Section 59-35-290.   Both public and private providers shall be eligible for transportation funds pursuant to Section 59-35-320 for the transportation of children to and from school. Nothing herein prohibits providers from contracting with another entity to provide transportation services provided the entities adhere to the requirements of Section 56-5-195. Providers shall not be responsible for transporting students attending programs outside the district lines. Parents choosing program providers located outside of their resident district shall be responsible for transportation. When transporting four-year-old child development students, providers shall make every effort to transport them with students of similar ages attending the same school.

Section 59-35-300.   For all private providers approved to offer services pursuant to this article, the Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall:

(1)   verify student enrollment eligibility;

(2)   coordinate oversight, monitoring, technical assistance, coordination, and training for classroom providers;

(3)   serve as a clearing house for information and best practices related to four-year-old kindergarten programs;

(4)   receive new classroom grant applications and make recommendations for approval based on approved criteria to the South Carolina Department of Social Services;

(5)   coordinate activities and promote collaboration with other private and public providers in developing and supporting four-year-old kindergarten programs; and

(6)   maintain a database of the children enrolled in the program.

Section 59-35-310.   For all public school providers approved to offer services pursuant to this article, the State Department of Education shall:

(1)   verify enrollment eligibility;

(2)   coordinate oversight, monitoring, technical assistance, coordination, and training for classroom teachers and educational assistants;

(3)   serve as a clearing house for information and best practices related to four-year-old kindergarten programs;

(4)   receive new classroom grant applications and make recommendations for approval based on approved criteria to the South Carolina Department of Social Services;

(5)   coordinate activities and promote collaboration with public and other private providers in developing and supporting four-year-old kindergarten programs; and

(6)   maintain a database of the children enrolled in the program.

Section 59-35-320.   (A)   The General Assembly shall provide funding for the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program. For the 2006-2007 school year, the funded cost per child shall be three thousand seventy-seven dollars. Additionally, a reimbursement rate of one hundred eighty-five dollars will be appropriated to providers if they transport children to and from school. Providers who are reimbursed are required to retain records as required by their fiscal agent. For the 2007-2008 school year the funded cost per child shall be the same but shall be increased by the same projected rate of inflation as determined by the Division of Research and Statistics of the Budget and Control Board for the Education Finance Act.

(B)   With funds appropriated by the General Assembly, the South Carolina Department of Social Services shall approve grants, based upon the recommendations of the State Department of Education for public providers and the Office of First Steps to School Readiness for private providers, of up to ten thousand dollars per class for the equipping of new classrooms.

Section 59-35-340.   Pursuant to this article, the South Carolina Department of Social Services shall:

(1)   develop the provider application form;

(2)   develop the child enrollment application form;

(3)   review and recommend approved providers to the State Board of Education and to the First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees for final approval. In considering approval of providers, consideration must be given to the provider's availability of permanent space for program service and whether temporary classroom space is necessary to provide services to any children;

(4)   maintain a list of curricula meeting the criteria approved pursuant to Section 59-35-250;

(5)   maintain a list of all approved public and private providers;

(6)   adopt procedures for payment of providers;

(7)   grant lead teacher related-field waivers pursuant to Section 59-35-250;

(8)   approve grants of up to ten thousand dollars for equipping new classrooms; and

(9)   promulgate guidelines necessary for the implementation of the pilot.

Section 59-35-350.   (A)   The Education Oversight Committee shall conduct a comparative evaluation of the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program and issue their findings in a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2008. Based on information, data, and evaluation results, the Education Oversight Committee shall include as part of their report recommendations for the creation of and implementation of a statewide four-year-old kindergarten program for at-risk children. The report also shall include information and recommendations on lead teacher qualifications and options for creating comparable salary schedules for certified teachers employed by private providers.

(B)   To aid in this evaluation, the Education Oversight Committee shall determine the data necessary and both public and private providers are required to submit the necessary data as a condition of continued participation in and funding of the program. This data shall include developmentally appropriate measures of student progress. Additionally, the Department of Education shall issue a unique student identifier for each child receiving services from a private provider. The Department of Education shall be responsible for the collection and maintenance of data on the public state-funded full day and half-day four-year-old kindergarten programs. The Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall be responsible for the collection and maintenance of data on the state-funded programs provided through private providers. The Education Oversight Committee shall use this data and all other collected and maintained data necessary to conduct a research based review of the program's implementation and assessment of student success in the early elementary grades.

Section 59-35-360.   If a section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this article is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, this holding does not affect the constitutionality or the validity of the remaining portions of this article, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this article, and each section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words thereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective."
SECTION   2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. WALKER explained the amendment.
Rep. J. H. NEAL spoke against the amendment.
Rep. J. H. NEAL spoke against the amendment.
Rep. MOODY-LAWRENCE spoke against the amendment.
Rep. MOODY-LAWRENCE spoke against the amendment.

Rep. JENNINGS moved that the House recede until 2:30 p.m., which was agreed to.

Further proceedings were interrupted by the House receding, the pending question being Amendment No. 1.

At 2:30 p.m. the House resumed, the SPEAKER in the Chair.

The question of a quorum was raised.
A quorum was later present.

Debate was resumed on the following Bill, the pending question being the consideration of Amendment No. 1.

H. 4932 (Word version) -- Reps. Cotty and Clark: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 152 OF TITLE 59 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A FULL-DAY, FOUR-YEAR-OLD PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN TO BE ADMINISTERED BY FIRST STEPS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CURRICULUM, TO PROVIDE FOR THE COLLECTION OF DATA REGARDING THE PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE FOR AN EVALUATION FOR THE PROGRAM, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL PROMULGATE REGULATIONS; AND TO DESIGNATE SECTIONS 59-152-10 THROUGH 59-152-160 AS ARTICLE 1, FIRST STEPS.

The Education and Public Works Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\GJK\21141SD06), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/SECTION   1.   Title 59, Chapter 35 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 59-35-210.   (A)   There is created the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program. This program shall be available for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school year on a voluntary basis. The program shall focus on the developmental and learning support that children must have in order to be ready for school and must incorporate parenting education. The South Carolina Department of Social Services shall serve as the fiscal agent for the program during the two-year pilot.

(B)   As used in this chapter, the term:

(1)   'At-risk' means any child whose family income makes them eligible for the free or reduced price lunch program or Medicaid.

(2)   'Department' means the State Department of Education.

(3)   'Parent' means the natural or adoptive parent or legal guardian of a child.

(4)   'Private provider' means a provider other than a public school approved to deliver the school-year four-year-old kindergarten program described in this chapter.

(5)   'Program' means education services provided by either public or private providers to serve at-risk four-year-old children.

(6)   'Provider' means either a state approved public or private program provider chosen by the parent.

(7)   'Public provider' means a public school approved to deliver the school-year four-year-old kindergarten program described in this chapter.

(8)   'Resident school district' means the public school district in which a child resides.

Section 59-35-220.   (A)   Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year and continuing through the 2007-2008 school year, with funds appropriated by the General Assembly, the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program shall first be made available to eligible children from the following eight trial districts in Abbeville County School District et al. vs. South Carolina:

(1)   Allendale;

(2)   Dillon 2;

(3)   Florence 4;

(4)   Hampton 2;

(5)   Jasper;

(6)   Lee;

(7)   Marion 7;

(8)   Orangeburg 3.
With any remaining funds available, the pilot shall be expanded to the remaining plaintiff school districts in Abbeville County School District et al. vs. South Carolina. Priority shall be given to implementing the program in the plaintiff districts having proportionally the largest population of underserved at-risk four-year-old children. While participating in the pilot program, Education Improvement Act funding from the four-year-old early childhood program as authorized pursuant to Section 59-139-70 may only be used to fund teacher salary supplements and fringe benefits as required by Section 59-20-50. During the implementation of the pilot program, no funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose shall be used to fund services to at-risk four-year-old children residing outside of the trial or plaintiff districts.

(B)   The Education Oversight Committee shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot program and shall issue a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2008. The report shall include a comparative evaluation of children served in the pilot program and children not served in the pilot program. Additionally, based on the evaluation of the pilot program, the Education Oversight Committee shall include recommendations for the creation of and an implementation plan for phasing in the delivery of services to all four-year-old at-risk children in the State.

(C)   Annually, any unexpended funds from the prior year for this program shall be carried forward and used by the First Steps to Readiness Board of Trustees and the State Department of Education to provide funds to school districts and private providers for services to children zero to three years of age in the districts outlined in subsection (A).

Section 59-35-230.   (A)   Each child residing in the pilot districts, who will have attained the age of four years on or before September 1, of the school year, and meets the at-risk criteria established in this chapter is eligible for enrollment in the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program for one year.

(B)   The parent of each eligible child may enroll the child in one of the following programs:

(1)   A school-year four-year-old kindergarten program delivered by an approved public provider, or

(2)   A school-year four-year-old kindergarten program delivered by an approved private provider.

(C)   The parent enrolling a child must complete and submit an application to the approved provider of choice. The application must be submitted on forms prescribed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services and must be accompanied by a copy of the child's birth certificate, immunization documentation, and an appropriate free and reduced lunch application form or statement of Medicaid eligibility.

(D)   In submitting an application for enrollment, the parent agrees to comply with provider attendance policies during the school year. This shall consist of six and one-half hours of instructional time daily and one hundred eighty days per year. Pursuant to program guidelines, noncompliance with attendance policies may result in removal from the program.

(E)   No parent is required to pay tuition or fees solely for the purpose of enrolling in or attending the program established under this article. Nothing in this article prohibits charging fees for childcare that may be provided outside the times of the instructional day provided in these programs.

Section 59-35-240.   (A)   Providers choosing to participate in the South Carolina Four-Year-Old Child Development Kindergarten Program must submit an application to the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The application must be submitted on the forms prescribed, contain assurances that the provider meets all program criteria set forth in this article, and will comply with all reporting and assessment requirements.

(B)   Providers shall:

(1)   comply with all federal and state laws and constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services;

(2)   comply with all state and local health and safety laws and codes;

(3)   comply with all state laws that apply regarding criminal background checks for employees and exclude from employment any individual not permitted by state law to work with children;

(4)   be accountable for meeting the education needs of the child and report regularly to the parent on his progress;

(5)   comply with all program, reporting, and assessment criteria required of providers;

(6)   maintain individual student records for each child enrolled in the program to include, but not limited to, assessment data, health data, records of teacher observations, and records of parent and teacher conferences;

(7)   designate whether extended day services will be offered to the parents of children participating in the program; and

(8)   be approved, registered, or licensed by the Department of Social Services.

(C)   Providers may limit student enrollment based upon space available. However if enrollment exceeds available space, providers shall enroll children with first priority given to children with the lowest scores on an approved pre-kindergarten readiness assessment. Private providers shall not be required to expand their programs to accommodate all children desiring enrollment.

Section 59-35-250.   The Education Oversight Committee, in consultation with the State Department of Education and the Office of First Steps to School Readiness, shall:

(1)   develop a list of approved curricula for use in the program based upon established criteria and the South Carolina content standards;

(2)   develop a list of approved pre-kindergarten readiness assessments to be used in conjunction with the program;

(3)   establish criteria for awarding new classroom equipping grants;

(4)   establish criteria for the parenting education program providers must offer; and

(5)   establish a list of early childhood related fields that may be used in meeting the lead teacher qualifications.

Section 59-35-260.   (A)   Providers of South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program shall offer a complete educational program in accordance with age-appropriate instructional practice and a research based preschool curriculum aligned with school success. The program must focus on the developmental and learning support children must have in order to be ready for school. The provider must also incorporate parenting education that promotes the school readiness of preschool children by strengthening parent involvement in the learning process with an emphasis on interactive literacy.

(B)   Providers shall offer high-quality, center-based programs that must include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(1)   employ a lead teacher with a two-year degree in early childhood education or related field or be granted a waiver of this requirement from the South Carolina Department of Social Services;

(2)   employ an education assistant with pre-service or in-service training in early childhood education;

(3)   maintain classrooms with at least ten four-year-old children, but no more than twenty four-year-old children with an adult to child ratio of 1:10. With classrooms having a minimum of ten children, the 1:10 ratio must be a lead teacher to child ratio;

(4)   offer a full day, center-based program with six and one-half hours of instruction daily for one hundred eighty school days.

(5)   provide an approved research-based preschool curriculum that focuses on critical child development skills, especially early literacy, numeracy, and social/emotional development;

(6)   engage parents' participation in their child's educational experience that shall include a minimum of two documented conferences per year; and

(7)   adhere to professional development requirements outlined in this article.

Section 59-35-270.   Every classroom providing services to four-year-old children established pursuant to this article must have:

(1)   a lead teacher with at least a two-year degree in early childhood education or related field and who is enrolled and is demonstrating progress toward the completion of a teacher education program within four years; and

(2)   at least one education assistant per classroom who shall have the minimum of a high school diploma or the equivalent, and at least two years of experience working with children under five years old. The teaching assistant shall have completed the Early Childhood Development Credential (ECD) 101 or enroll and complete this course within twelve months of hire.

Section 59-35-280.   The General Assembly recognizes there is a strong relationship between the skills and preparation of pre-kindergarten instructors and the educational outcomes of students. To improve these educational outcomes, participating providers shall require all personnel providing instruction and classroom support to students participating in the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program to participate annually in a minimum of fifteen hours of professional development to include teaching children from poverty. Professional development shall provide instruction in strategies and techniques to address the age-appropriate progress of pre-kindergarten students in developing emergent literacy skills, including but not limited to, oral communication, knowledge of print and letters, phonemic and phonological awareness, and vocabulary and comprehension development.

Section 59-35-290.   Both public and private providers shall be eligible for transportation funds pursuant to Section 59-35-320 for the transportation of children to and from school. Nothing herein prohibits providers from contracting with another entity to provide transportation services provided the entities adhere to the requirements of Section 56-5-195. Providers shall not be responsible for transporting students attending programs outside the district lines. Parents choosing program providers located outside of their resident district shall be responsible for transportation. When transporting four-year-old child development students, providers shall make every effort to transport them with students of similar ages attending the same school.

Section 59-35-300.   For all private providers approved to offer services pursuant to this article, the Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall:

(1)   verify student enrollment eligibility;

(2)   coordinate oversight, monitoring, technical assistance, coordination, and training for classroom providers;

(3)   serve as a clearing house for information and best practices related to four-year-old kindergarten programs;

(4)   receive new classroom grant applications and make recommendations for approval based on approved criteria to the South Carolina Department of Social Services;

(5)   coordinate activities and promote collaboration with other private and public providers in developing and supporting four-year-old kindergarten programs; and

(6)   maintain a database of the children enrolled in the program.

Section 59-35-310.   For all public school providers approved to offer services pursuant to this article, the State Department of Education shall:

(1)   verify enrollment eligibility;

(2)   coordinate oversight, monitoring, technical assistance, coordination, and training for classroom teachers and educational assistants;

(3)   serve as a clearing house for information and best practices related to four-year-old kindergarten programs;

(4)   receive new classroom grant applications and make recommendations for approval based on approved criteria to the South Carolina Department of Social Services;

(5)   coordinate activities and promote collaboration with public and other private providers in developing and supporting four-year-old kindergarten programs; and

(6)   maintain a database of the children enrolled in the program.

Section 59-35-320.   (A)   The General Assembly shall provide funding for the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program. For the 2006-2007 school year, the funded cost per child shall be three thousand seventy-seven dollars. Additionally, a reimbursement rate of one hundred eighty-five dollars will be appropriated to providers if they transport children to and from school. Providers who are reimbursed are required to retain records as required by their fiscal agent. For the 2007-2008 school year the funded cost per child shall be the same but shall be increased by the same projected rate of inflation as determined by the Division of Research and Statistics of the Budget and Control Board for the Education Finance Act.

(B)   With funds appropriated by the General Assembly, the South Carolina Department of Social Services shall approve grants, based upon the recommendations of the State Department of Education for public providers and the Office of First Steps to School Readiness for private providers, of up to ten thousand dollars per class for the equipping of new classrooms.

Section 59-35-340.   Pursuant to this article, the South Carolina Department of Social Services shall:

(1)   develop the provider application form;

(2)   develop the child enrollment application form;

(3)   review and recommend approved providers to the State Board of Education and to the First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees for final approval. In considering approval of providers, consideration must be given to the provider's availability of permanent space for program service and whether temporary classroom space is necessary to provide services to any children;

(4)   maintain a list of curricula meeting the criteria approved pursuant to Section 59-35-250;

(5)   maintain a list of all approved public and private providers;

(6)   adopt procedures for payment of providers;

(7)   grant lead teacher related-field waivers pursuant to Section 59-35-250;

(8)   approve grants of up to ten thousand dollars for equipping new classrooms; and

(9)   promulgate guidelines necessary for the implementation of the pilot.

Section 59-35-350.   (A)   The Education Oversight Committee shall conduct a comparative evaluation of the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program and issue their findings in a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2008. Based on information, data, and evaluation results, the Education Oversight Committee shall include as part of their report recommendations for the creation of and implementation of a statewide four-year-old kindergarten program for at-risk children. The report also shall include information and recommendations on lead teacher qualifications and options for creating comparable salary schedules for certified teachers employed by private providers.

(B)   To aid in this evaluation, the Education Oversight Committee shall determine the data necessary and both public and private providers are required to submit the necessary data as a condition of continued participation in and funding of the program. This data shall include developmentally appropriate measures of student progress. Additionally, the Department of Education shall issue a unique student identifier for each child receiving services from a private provider. The Department of Education shall be responsible for the collection and maintenance of data on the public state-funded full day and half-day four-year-old kindergarten programs. The Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall be responsible for the collection and maintenance of data on the state-funded programs provided through private providers. The Education Oversight Committee shall use this data and all other collected and maintained data necessary to conduct a research based review of the program's implementation and assessment of student success in the early elementary grades.

Section 59-35-360.   If a section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this article is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, this holding does not affect the constitutionality or the validity of the remaining portions of this article, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this article, and each section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words thereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective."
SECTION   2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. OTT spoke against the amendment.
Rep. GOVAN spoke against the amendment.
Rep. SCOTT spoke against the amendment.

Rep. SCOTT continued speaking.

Rep. SCOTT moved to recommit the Bill to the Committee on Education and Public Works.

Rep. TOWNSEND moved to table the motion.

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

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Bailey                 Bales                  Ballentine
Bannister              Barfield               Battle
Bingham                Bowers                 Brady
Branham                Cato                   Chalk
Chellis                Clark                  Clemmons
Coates                 Coleman                Cooper
Cotty                  Dantzler               Delleney
Duncan                 Edge                   Emory
Frye                   Hagood                 Haley
Hamilton               Hardwick               Harrell
Harrison               Herbkersman            Hinson
Hiott                  Huggins                Kirsh
Leach                  Limehouse              Littlejohn
Loftis                 Lucas                  Mahaffey
McCraw                 Merrill                Miller
J. M. Neal             Neilson                Norman
Owens                  Perry                  Pinson
E. H. Pitts            Rice                   Sandifer
Simrill                Skelton                D. C. Smith
G. M. Smith            G. R. Smith            J. R. Smith
Stewart                Talley                 Taylor
Thompson               Toole                  Townsend
Umphlett               Vaughn                 Walker
White                  Whitmire               Witherspoon
Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

Agnew                  Allen                  Altman
Anderson               Breeland               G. Brown
J. Brown               R. Brown               Clyburn
Cobb-Hunter            Funderburk             Govan
Harvin                 Hayes                  J. Hines
Hodges                 Hosey                  Howard
Jefferson              Mack                   McLeod
Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence         J. H. Neal
Ott                    Rhoad                  Scarborough
Scott                  J. E. Smith            Tripp
Weeks                  Whipper

So, the motion to recommit the Bill was tabled.

Rep. OTT moved to table the amendment.

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

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Agnew                  Allen                  Altman
Anderson               Bowers                 Breeland
G. Brown               J. Brown               R. Brown
Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter            Coleman
Funderburk             Govan                  Harvin
Hayes                  J. Hines               Hodges
Hosey                  Howard                 Jefferson
Jennings               Mack                   McLeod
Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence         J. H. Neal
Neilson                Ott                    Rhoad
Scarborough            Scott                  J. E. Smith
Tripp                  Weeks                  Whipper

Those who voted in the negative are:

Bailey                 Bales                  Ballentine
Bannister              Barfield               Battle
Bingham                Brady                  Branham
Cato                   Chalk                  Chellis
Clark                  Clemmons               Cooper
Cotty                  Dantzler               Delleney
Duncan                 Edge                   Emory
Frye                   Hagood                 Haley
Hamilton               Hardwick               Harrison
Herbkersman            Hinson                 Hiott
Huggins                Kirsh                  Leach
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Loftis
Lucas                  Mahaffey               McCraw
Merrill                Miller                 J. M. Neal
Norman                 Owens                  Perry
Pinson                 E. H. Pitts            M. A. Pitts
Rice                   Rivers                 Sandifer
Simrill                Skelton                D. C. Smith
G. M. Smith            G. R. Smith            J. R. Smith
Stewart                Talley                 Taylor
Thompson               Toole                  Townsend
Umphlett               Vaughn                 Walker
White                  Whitmire               Witherspoon
Young

So, the House refused to table the amendment.

The question then recurred to the adoption of the amendment.

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

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Bailey                 Bales                  Ballentine
Bannister              Barfield               Battle
Bingham                Brady                  Branham
Cato                   Chalk                  Chellis
Clark                  Clemmons               Coleman
Cooper                 Cotty                  Dantzler
Delleney               Duncan                 Emory
Frye                   Hagood                 Haley
Hamilton               Hardwick               Harrison
Herbkersman            Hinson                 Hiott
Huggins                Kirsh                  Leach
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Lucas
Mahaffey               McCraw                 McLeod
Merrill                Miller                 J. M. Neal
Neilson                Norman                 Owens
Perry                  Pinson                 E. H. Pitts
M. A. Pitts            Rice                   Rivers
Sandifer               Simrill                Skelton
D. C. Smith            G. M. Smith            G. R. Smith
J. R. Smith            Stewart                Talley
Taylor                 Thompson               Toole
Townsend               Umphlett               Vaughn
Walker                 White                  Whitmire
Witherspoon            Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

Agnew                  Allen                  Altman
Anderson               Bowers                 Breeland
G. Brown               J. Brown               R. Brown
Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter            Funderburk
Govan                  Harvin                 Hayes
J. Hines               Hodges                 Hosey
Howard                 Jefferson              Jennings
Mack                   Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence
J. H. Neal             Ott                    Rhoad
Scarborough            Scott                  J. E. Smith
Tripp                  Weeks                  Whipper

So, the amendment was adopted.

Rep. J. H. NEAL proposed the following Amendment No. 4 (Doc Name COUNCIL\GJK\21190SD06), which was tabled:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, in Section 59-35-220(C) of the 1976 Code, as contained in SECTION 1, by adding at the end of subsection (C), line 19, page 4932-3:
/The unexpended funds shall be appropriated to the First Steps to School Readiness Board of Trustees and the State Department of Education so that each shall receive funds in the same percentage as were received for providing four-year-old kindergarten services in the prior year./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. J. H. NEAL explained the amendment.

Rep. WALKER moved to table the amendment.

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

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Altman                 Bailey                 Ballentine
Bannister              Barfield               Battle
Bingham                Brady                  Cato
Chalk                  Chellis                Clark
Clemmons               Cooper                 Cotty
Dantzler               Delleney               Duncan
Edge                   Emory                  Frye
Haley                  Hamilton               Hardwick
Harrison               Herbkersman            Hinson
Hiott                  Huggins                Kirsh
Leach                  Limehouse              Littlejohn
Loftis                 Lucas                  Mahaffey
McCraw                 Merrill                J. M. Neal
Norman                 Owens                  Perry
Pinson                 E. H. Pitts            M. A. Pitts
Rice                   Sandifer               Scarborough
Simrill                Skelton                D. C. Smith
G. M. Smith            G. R. Smith            J. R. Smith
Stewart                Talley                 Taylor
Thompson               Toole                  Townsend
Tripp                  Umphlett               Vaughn
Walker                 White                  Whitmire
Witherspoon            Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

Agnew                  Allen                  Anderson
Bales                  Bowers                 Breeland
G. Brown               J. Brown               R. Brown
Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter            Coleman
Funderburk             Govan                  Harvin
Hayes                  J. Hines               Hodges
Hosey                  Howard                 Jefferson
Jennings               Mack                   McLeod
Miller                 Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence
J. H. Neal             Neilson                Ott
Rhoad                  Rivers                 Rutherford
Scott                  J. E. Smith            Weeks
Whipper

So, the amendment was tabled.

Reps. TOWNSEND, WALKER, HARRELL, COOPER, LOFTIS, OTT, MILLER, J. M. NEAL, OWENS, HINSON, SKELTON, WHITMIRE, ANTHONY, MERRILL, HARRISON, COTTY, VAUGHN AND PINSON proposed the following Amendment No. 9 (Doc Name COUNCIL\MS\7407SD06), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION   1.   Title 59, Chapter 35 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 59-35-210.   (A)   There is created the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program. This program shall be available for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school year on a voluntary basis. The program shall focus on the developmental and learning support that children must have in order to be ready for school and must incorporate parenting education.

(B)   As used in this chapter, the term:

(1)   'At-risk' means any child whose family income makes them eligible for the free or reduced price lunch program or Medicaid.

(2)   'Department' means the State Department of Education.

(3)   'Parent' means the natural or adoptive parent or legal guardian of a child.

(4)   'Private provider' means a provider other than a public school approved to deliver the school-year four-year-old kindergarten program described in this chapter.

(5)   'Program' means education services provided by either public or private providers to serve at-risk four-year-old children.

(6)   'Provider' means either a state approved public or private program provider chosen by the parent.

(7)   'Public provider' means a public school approved to deliver the school-year four-year-old kindergarten program described in this chapter.

(8)   'Resident school district' means the public school district in which a child resides.

Section 59-35-220.   (A)   Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year and continuing through the 2007-2008 school year, with funds appropriated by the General Assembly, the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program shall first be made available to eligible children from the following eight trial districts in Abbeville County School District et al. vs. South Carolina:

(1)   Allendale;

(2)   Dillon 2;

(3)   Florence 4;

(4)   Hampton 2;

(5)   Jasper;

(6)   Lee;

(7)   Marion 7;

(8)   Orangeburg 3.

With any remaining funds available, the pilot shall be expanded to the remaining plaintiff school districts in Abbeville County School District et al. vs. South Carolina. Priority shall be given to implementing the program in the plaintiff districts having proportionally the largest population of underserved at-risk four-year-old children. While participating in the pilot program, Education Improvement Act funding from the four-year-old early childhood program as authorized pursuant to Section 59-139-70 may only be used to fund teacher salary supplements and fringe benefits as required by Section 59-20-50. During the implementation of the pilot program, no funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose shall be used to fund services to at-risk four-year-old children residing outside of the trial or plaintiff districts.

(B)   The Education Oversight Committee shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot program and shall issue a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2008. The report shall include a comparative evaluation of children served in the pilot program and children not served in the pilot program. Additionally, based on the evaluation of the pilot program, the Education Oversight Committee shall include recommendations for the creation of and an implementation plan for phasing in the delivery of services to all four-year-old at-risk children in the State.

(C)   Annually, any unexpended funds from the prior year for this program shall be carried forward and used by the First Steps to Readiness Board of Trustees to provide services to children zero to three years of age in the districts outlined in subsection (A).

Section 59-35-230.   (A)   Each child residing in the pilot districts, who will have attained the age of four years on or before September first, of the school year, and meets the at-risk criteria established in this chapter is eligible for enrollment in the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program for one year.

(B)   The parent of each eligible child may enroll the child in one of the following programs:

(1)   A school-year four-year-old kindergarten program delivered by an approved public provider; or

(2)   A school-year four-year-old kindergarten program delivered by an approved private provider;

(C)   The parent enrolling a child must complete and submit an application to the approved provider of choice. The application must be submitted on forms prescribed in Section 59-35-250 and must be accompanied by a copy of the child's birth certificate, immunization documentation, and an appropriate free and reduced lunch application form or statement of Medicaid eligibility.

(D)   In submitting an application for enrollment, the parent agrees to comply with provider attendance policies during the school year. This shall consist of six and one-half hours of instructional time daily and one hundred eighty days per year. Pursuant to program guidelines, noncompliance with attendance policies may result in removal from the program.

(E)   No parent is required to pay tuition or fees solely for the purpose of enrolling in or attending the program established under this article. Nothing in this article prohibits charging fees for childcare that may be provided outside the times of the instructional day provided in these programs.

Section 59-35-240.   (A)   Public school providers choosing to participate in the South Carolina Four-Year-Old Child Development Kindergarten Program must submit an application to the South Carolina Department of Education. Private providers choosing to participate in the South Carolina Four-Year-Old Child Development Kindergarten Program must submit an application to the Office of First Steps to School Readiness. The application must be submitted on the forms prescribed, contain assurances that the provider meets all program criteria set forth in this article, and will comply with all reporting and assessment requirements.

(B)   Providers shall:

(1)   comply with all federal and state laws and constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services;

(2)   comply with all state and local health and safety laws and codes;

(3)   comply with all state laws that apply regarding criminal background checks for employees and exclude from employment any individual not permitted by state law to work with children;

(4)   be accountable for meeting the education needs of the child and report regularly to the parent on his progress;

(5)   comply with all program, reporting, and assessment criteria required of providers;

(6)   maintain individual student records for each child enrolled in the program to include, but not limited to, assessment data, health data, records of teacher observations, and records of parent and teacher conferences;

(7)   designate whether extended day services will be offered to the parents of children participating in the program; and

(8)   be approved, registered, or licensed by the Department of Social Services.

(C)   Providers may limit student enrollment based upon space available. However, if enrollment exceeds available space, providers shall enroll children with first priority given to children with the lowest scores on an approved pre-kindergarten readiness assessment. Private providers shall not be required to expand their programs to accommodate all children desiring enrollment.

Section 59-35-250.   The State Department of Education and the Office of First Steps to School Readiness, in consultation with the Education Oversight Committee shall:

(1)   develop the provider application form;

(2)   develop the child enrollment application form;

(3)   develop a list of approved curricula for use in the program based upon the South Carolina content standards;

(4)   develop a list of approved pre-kindergarten readiness assessments to be used in conjunction with the program;

(5)   establish criteria for awarding new classroom equipping grants;

(6)   establish criteria for the parenting education program providers must offer; and

(7)   establish a list of early childhood related fields that may be used in meeting the lead teacher qualifications.

Section 59-35-260.   (A)   Providers of South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program shall offer a complete educational program in accordance with age-appropriate instructional practice and a research based preschool curriculum aligned with school success. The program must focus on the developmental and learning support children must have in order to be ready for school. The provider must also incorporate parenting education that promotes the school readiness of preschool children by strengthening parent involvement in the learning process with an emphasis on interactive literacy.

(B)   Providers shall offer high-quality, center-based programs that must include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(1)   employ a lead teacher with a two-year degree in early childhood education or related field or be granted a waiver of this requirement from the South Carolina Department of Education or the Office of First Steps to School Readiness;

(2)   employ an education assistant with pre-service or in-service training in early childhood education;

(3)   maintain classrooms with at least ten four-year-old children, but no more than twenty four-year-old children with an adult to child ratio of 1:10. With classrooms having a minimum of ten children, the 1:10 ratio must be a lead teacher to child ratio;

(4)   offer a full day, center-based program with six and one-half hours of instruction daily for one hundred eighty school days.

(5)   provide an approved research-based preschool curriculum that focuses on critical child development skills, especially early literacy, numeracy, and social/emotional development;

(6)   engage parents' participation in their child's educational experience that shall include a minimum of two documented conferences per year; and

(7)   adhere to professional development requirements outlined in this article.

Section 59-35-270.   Every classroom providing services to four-year-old children established pursuant to this article must have:

(1)   a lead teacher with at least a two-year degree in early childhood education or related field and who is enrolled and is demonstrating progress toward the completion of a teacher education program within four years; and

(2)   at least one education assistant per classroom who shall have the minimum of a high school diploma or the equivalent, and at least two years of experience working with children under five years old. The teaching assistant shall have completed the Early Childhood Development Credential (ECD) 101 or enroll and complete this course within twelve months of hire.

Section 59-35-280.   The General Assembly recognizes there is a strong relationship between the skills and preparation of pre-kindergarten instructors and the educational outcomes of students. To improve these educational outcomes, participating providers shall require all personnel providing instruction and classroom support to students participating in the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program to participate annually in a minimum of fifteen hours of professional development to include teaching children from poverty. Professional development shall provide instruction in strategies and techniques to address the age-appropriate progress of pre-kindergarten students in developing emergent literacy skills, including, but not limited to, oral communication, knowledge of print and letters, phonemic and phonological awareness, and vocabulary and comprehension development.

Section 59-35-290.   Both public and private providers shall be eligible for transportation funds pursuant to Section 59-35-320 for the transportation of children to and from school. Nothing herein prohibits providers from contracting with another entity to provide transportation services provided the entities adhere to the requirements of Section 56-5-195. Providers shall not be responsible for transporting students attending programs outside the district lines. Parents choosing program providers located outside of their resident district shall be responsible for transportation. When transporting four-year-old child development students, providers shall make every effort to transport them with students of similar ages attending the same school.

Section 59-35-300.   For all private providers approved to offer services pursuant to this article, the Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall:

(1)   serve as the fiscal agent;

(2)   verify student enrollment eligibility in consultation with the South Carolina Department of Social Services;

(3)   review and approve eligible providers. In considering approval of providers, consideration must be given to the provider's availability of permanent space for program service and whether temporary classroom space is necessary to provide services to any children;

(4)   coordinate oversight, monitoring, technical assistance, coordination, and training for classroom providers;

(5)   serve as a clearing house for information and best practices related to four-year-old kindergarten programs;

(6)   receive, review, and approve new classroom grant applications based on approved criteria;

(7)   coordinate activities and promote collaboration with other private and public providers in developing and supporting four-year-old kindergarten programs;

(8)   maintain a database of the children enrolled in the program; and

(9)   promulgate guidelines as necessary for the implementation of the pilot program.

Section 59-35-310.   For all public school providers approved to offer services pursuant to this article, the State Department of Education shall:

(1)   serve as the fiscal agent;

(2)   verify student enrollment eligibility in consultation with the South Carolina Department of Social Services;

(3)   review and approve eligible providers. In considering approval of providers, consideration must be given to the provider's availability of permanent space for program service and whether temporary classroom space is necessary to provide services to any children;

(4)   coordinate oversight, monitoring, technical assistance, coordination, and training for classroom providers;

(5)   serve as a clearing house for information and best practices related to four-year-old kindergarten programs;

(6)   receive, review, and approve new classroom grant applications based on approved criteria;

(7)   coordinate activities and promote collaboration with public and other private providers in developing and supporting four-year-old kindergarten programs;

(8)   maintain a database of the children enrolled in the program; and

(9)   promulgate guidelines as necessary for the implementation of the pilot program.

Section 59-35-320.   (A)   The General Assembly shall provide funding for the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program. For the 2006-2007 school year, the funded cost per child shall be three thousand seventy-seven dollars. Additionally, a reimbursement rate of one hundred eighty-five dollars per child will be appropriated to providers if the provider transports children to and from school. Providers who are reimbursed are required to retain records as required by their fiscal agent. For the 2007-2008 school year the funded cost per child shall be the same but shall be increased by the same projected rate of inflation as determined by the Division of Research and Statistics of the Budget and Control Board for the Education Finance Act.

(B)   With funds appropriated by the General Assembly, the State Department of Education shall approve grants for public providers and the Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall approve grants for private providers, of up to ten thousand dollars per class for the equipping of new classrooms.

Section 59-35-340.   Pursuant to this article, the South Carolina Department of Social Services shall:

(1)   aid the State Department of Education and the Office of First Steps to School Readiness in the verification of student enrollment eligibility;

(2)   maintain a list of all approved public and private providers;

(3)   provide the State Department of Education, the Office of First Steps to School Readiness, and the Education Oversight Committee information necessary to carry out the requirements of this article.

Section 59-35-350.   (A)   The Education Oversight Committee shall conduct a comparative evaluation of the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program and issue their findings in a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2008. Based on information, data, and evaluation results, the Education Oversight Committee shall include as part of their report recommendations for the creation of and implementation of a statewide four-year-old kindergarten program for at-risk children. The report also shall include information and recommendations on lead teacher qualifications and options for creating comparable salary schedules for certified teachers employed by private providers.

(B)   To aid in this evaluation, the Education Oversight Committee shall determine the data necessary and both public and private providers are required to submit the necessary data as a condition of continued participation in and funding of the program. This data shall include developmentally appropriate measures of student progress. Additionally, the Department of Education shall issue a unique student identifier for each child receiving services from a private provider. The Department of Education shall be responsible for the collection and maintenance of data on the public state-funded full-day and half-day four-year-old kindergarten programs. The Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall be responsible for the collection and maintenance of data on the state-funded programs provided through private providers. The Education Oversight Committee shall use this data and all other collected and maintained data necessary to conduct a research based review of the program's implementation and assessment of student success in the early elementary grades.

Section 59-35-360.   If a section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this article is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, this holding does not affect the constitutionality or the validity of the remaining portions of this article, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this article, and each section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words thereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective."
SECTION   2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. WALKER explained the amendment.
Rep. TOWNSEND spoke in favor of the amendment.

The question then recurred to the adoption of the amendment.

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

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Anderson               Bailey                 Bales
Ballentine             Bannister              Barfield
Battle                 Bingham                Bowers
Brady                  Branham                Cato
Chalk                  Chellis                Clark
Clemmons               Clyburn                Cotty
Dantzler               Delleney               Duncan
Edge                   Emory                  Frye
Hagood                 Haley                  Hardwick
Harrison               Hayes                  Herbkersman
J. Hines               Hinson                 Hiott
Huggins                Jennings               Kirsh
Leach                  Limehouse              Littlejohn
Loftis                 Lucas                  Mahaffey
Martin                 McCraw                 McLeod
Merrill                Miller                 J. M. Neal
Neilson                Norman                 Ott
Owens                  Perry                  Pinson
E. H. Pitts            M. A. Pitts            Rhoad
Rice                   Rivers                 Sandifer
Scarborough            Simrill                Skelton
D. C. Smith            G. M. Smith            G. R. Smith
J. R. Smith            Stewart                Talley
Taylor                 Thompson               Toole
Townsend               Umphlett               Vaughn
Vick                   Walker                 Weeks
White                  Whitmire               Witherspoon
Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

Agnew                  Allen                  Breeland
J. Brown               Cobb-Hunter            Funderburk
Govan                  Hodges                 Hosey
Howard                 Jefferson              Mack
Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence         J. H. Neal
Scott                  J. E. Smith            Whipper

So, the amendment was adopted.

Pursuant to Rule 7.7 the Yeas and Nays were taken resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Anderson               Bailey                 Bales
Ballentine             Bannister              Barfield
Battle                 Bingham                Bowers
Brady                  Branham                G. Brown
R. Brown               Cato                   Chalk
Chellis                Clark                  Clemmons
Coates                 Coleman                Cooper
Cotty                  Dantzler               Delleney
Duncan                 Edge                   Emory
Frye                   Hagood                 Haley
Hardwick               Harrell                Harrison
Hayes                  Herbkersman            J. Hines
Hinson                 Hiott                  Huggins
Jennings               Kirsh                  Leach
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Loftis
Lucas                  Mahaffey               Martin
McCraw                 McLeod                 Merrill
Miller                 J. M. Neal             Neilson
Norman                 Ott                    Owens
Pinson                 E. H. Pitts            M. A. Pitts
Rhoad                  Rice                   Rivers
Sandifer               Scarborough            Simrill
Skelton                D. C. Smith            G. M. Smith
G. R. Smith            J. R. Smith            Stewart
Taylor                 Thompson               Toole
Townsend               Umphlett               Vaughn
Vick                   Walker                 Weeks
White                  Whitmire               Witherspoon
Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

Agnew                  Allen                  Breeland
Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter            Funderburk
Govan                  Hodges                 Hosey
Jefferson              Mack                   Moody-Lawrence
J. H. Neal             Rutherford             Scott
J. E. Smith            Tripp                  Whipper

So, the Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

I was temporarily out of the Chamber working with constituents during the vote on H. 4932. Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of passage of the Bill.

Rep. Robert S. Perry, Jr.

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 1004 (Word version) -- Senator Short: A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR THE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY AND COST OF CONVERTING THE STATE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM TO A COMPUTER-BASED OR COMPUTER-ADAPTIVE FORMAT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 59-18-120, 59-18-310, AS AMENDED, 59-18-320, 59-18-330, 59-18-340, AND 59-18-360, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, ALL RELATING TO THE EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY ACT AND THE ADOPTION OF EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS, SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE ADOPTION LIST OF FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS THAT PROVIDE DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TO REVISE CERTAIN EXIT EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL ADOPT A DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE FORMATIVE READING ASSESSMENT FOR FIRST AND SECOND GRADES, TO PROVIDE FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ASSESSMENTS, TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN ANNUAL SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES ASSESSMENTS, TO PROVIDE FOR A TASK FORCE TO RECOMMEND ALTERNATIVE EVIDENCE AND PROCEDURES FOR GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE FOR CONTINUING TEACHER TRAINING TO ENSURE THE VALID AND RELIABLE USE OF ASSESSMENTS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE READINESS ASSESSMENT MUST BE MODIFIED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON STUDENT LITERACY DEVELOPMENT, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL ADMINISTER ANNUALLY THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRESS TO OBTAIN AN INDICATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE RELATIVE TO NATIONAL PERFORMANCE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL CONVENE ANNUALLY ITS TEAM OF CURRICULUM EXPERTS TO ANALYZE THE RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-18-1595, RELATING TO REALLOCATION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FUNDING, SO AS TO CHANGE A REFERENCE FROM THE PALMETTO ACHIEVEMENT CHALLENGE TEST TO END-OF-YEAR ASSESSMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 59-28-200, RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS, SO AS TO CHANGE A REFERENCE FROM THE PALMETTO ACHIEVEMENT CHALLENGE TESTS TO STATEWIDE ASSESSMENTS; AND TO REPEAL CHAPTER 30 OF TITLE 59 RELATING TO THE BASIC SKILLS ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.

Rep. WALKER moved to recommit the Bill to the Committee on Education and Public Works, which was agreed to.

Rep. TRIPP moved that the House recur to the morning hour, which was not agreed to.

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 680 (Word version) -- Senators Sheheen and Ryberg: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 39-41-295 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUEL MAY BE DISPENSED AT UNATTENDED SERVICE STATIONS IF THE DISPENSING DEVISE HAS AN AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF VALVE THAT IS ACTIVATED WHEN THE SALE REACHES FIFTY DOLLARS.

The Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\GJK\21139SD06), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/SECTION   1.   Chapter 41, Title 39 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 39-41-295.   Notwithstanding Section 39-41-260 or any other provision of law, motor fuel, as defined in Section 12-28-110(39), may be dispensed at an unattended service station if the dispensing device has an automatic shut-off valve that is activated when the sale of the motor fuel reaches sixty-five dollars. Unattended service stations dispensing motor fuel shall comply with all the requirements of the latest version of the International Fire Code adopted in South Carolina. All pumps used to dispense motor fuel in accordance with this section must be inspected and permitted by the Department of Agriculture in the same manner as pumps at attended service stations."
SECTION   2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. DUNCAN explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

Rep. SIMRILL proposed the following Amendment No. 2 (Doc Name COUNCIL\MS\7402AHB06), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 39-41-295, as contained in SECTION 1, page 680-1, line 30, by deleting / sixty-five dollars / and inserting / thirty gallons /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. SIMRILL explained the amendment.

Rep. WITHERSPOON moved to table the amendment, which was rejected by a division vote of 11 to 52.

The amendment was then adopted.

Pursuant to Rule 7.7 the Yeas and Nays were taken resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Agnew                  Allen                  Bailey
Bales                  Ballentine             Bannister
Barfield               Battle                 Bingham
Branham                Breeland               G. Brown
J. Brown               R. Brown               Cato
Chalk                  Chellis                Clark
Clemmons               Clyburn                Coates
Cobb-Hunter            Coleman                Cooper
Cotty                  Dantzler               Delleney
Duncan                 Edge                   Emory
Frye                   Funderburk             Govan
Hagood                 Haley                  Hardwick
Harrison               Harvin                 Hayes
Herbkersman            J. Hines               Hinson
Hiott                  Hodges                 Hosey
Howard                 Huggins                Jefferson
Jennings               Kirsh                  Leach
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Lucas
Mack                   Mahaffey               Martin
McCraw                 McLeod                 Merrill
Miller                 Moody-Lawrence         J. H. Neal
J. M. Neal             Neilson                Norman
Ott                    Owens                  Perry
Pinson                 E. H. Pitts            M. A. Pitts
Rhoad                  Rice                   Rivers
Rutherford             Sandifer               Scarborough
Scott                  Simrill                Skelton
D. C. Smith            G. R. Smith            J. E. Smith
J. R. Smith            Stewart                Talley
Taylor                 Thompson               Toole
Townsend               Tripp                  Umphlett
Vaughn                 Vick                   Weeks
Whipper                White                  Whitmire
Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

So, the Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

Rep. CATO moved to adjourn debate upon the following Joint Resolution until Thursday, May 11, which was adopted:

H. 4977 (Word version) -- Reps. Cato, Sandifer, Cooper, Barfield, Mitchell, Anthony, Chellis, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Harrison, Harvin, Jefferson, Jennings, Kennedy, Leach, Mahaffey, McCraw, Norman, Ott, Perry, Rice, Scott, Sinclair, F. N. Smith, J. E. Smith, W. D. Smith, Talley, Townsend, Tripp, Vick, Walker, White and Witherspoon: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO CREATE A STUDY COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN OFF THE COAST OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO PROVIDE FOR ITS COMPOSITION, APPOINTMENT, POWERS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AND TO REQUIRE THE COMMITTEE TO MAKE A REPORT ON ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE JANUARY 13, 2007 AT WHICH TIME IT IS DISSOLVED.

Rep. TRIPP moved that the House recur to the Morning Hour, which was agreed to.

Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:

S. 772 (Word version) -- Senator Mescher: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-3650, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MOTORCYCLE FOOTRESTS, HANDLEBARS, AND REAR VIEW MIRRORS, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT SPECIFIES THE SIZE AND POSITION OF A MOTORCYCLE'S HANDLEBARS.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:

S. 1100 (Word version) -- Senator Ryberg: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-15-350, 56-16-180, AND 56-19-240, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DENIAL, SUSPENSION, OR REVOCATION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE, AND AN APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF TITLE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, SO AS TO REVISE A REFERENCE TO A PROVISION OF FEDERAL LAW.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:

S. 1133 (Word version) -- Senators Alexander, Bryant, Martin, Malloy, Mescher, Lourie, Gregory and Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-3870 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE TO BE EQUIPPED WITH OR FOR THE OPERATOR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE TO EMPLOY A RADAR OR LASER JAMMING DEVICE, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 1287 (Word version) -- Senator Verdin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-23-85, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DRIVER INSTRUCTOR PERMITS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PAY A FEE FOR A DRIVER INSTRUCTOR PERMIT.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

The following was introduced:

H. 5120 (Word version) -- Rep. J. R. Smith: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR BARRY PITTS OF AIKEN COUNTY FOR HIS OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO THE EDUCATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S YOUTH, AND TO WISH HIM ALL THE BEST UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5121 (Word version) -- Reps. Breeland, Agnew, Allen, Altman, Anderson, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Brady, Branham, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chalk, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Frye, Funderburk, Govan, Hagood, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hiott, Hodges, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Jennings, Kennedy, Kirsh, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Mitchell, Moody-Lawrence, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Norman, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Rhoad, Rice, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Stewart, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Umphlett, Vaughn, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Witherspoon and Young: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND MRS. LUCILLE GILLIARD OF CHARLESTON COUNTY FOR HER MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO HER FAMILY AND COMMUNITY, AND TO WISH HER EVERY HAPPINESS UPON HER NINETY-SECOND BIRTHDAY.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5122 (Word version) -- Reps. Davenport, Townsend, Bailey, Mitchell, Anderson, Clyburn, Dantzler, Emory, Harvin, Hayes, Limehouse, McLeod, J. M. Neal, Ott, Owens and Skelton: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA CREDIT UNION LEAGUE AND SOUTH CAROLINA CREDIT UNIONS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION IN THE NATIONAL CHILD IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM IN WHICH KITS ARE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH LOCAL SCHOOLS TO FAMILIES TO HELP ENSURE THE SAFE RETURN OF LOST AND MISSING CHILDREN.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following was introduced:

H. 5123 (Word version) -- Reps. G. M. Smith, Weeks, Coates, J. H. Neal and G. Brown: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 15 IN SUMTER COUNTY FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 378 TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE SUMTER/LEE COUNTY LINE THE "SOUTH CAROLINA CHIEF JUSTICE ERNEST A. FINNEY, JR. HIGHWAY", AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS HIGHWAY THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "SOUTH CAROLINA CHIEF JUSTICE ERNEST A. FINNEY, JR. HIGHWAY".
The Concurrent Resolution was ordered referred to the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions.

The following Bills were introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committees:

H. 5124 (Word version) -- Rep. Bowers: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-37-130 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ANNUALLY BY JOINT RESOLUTION SHALL IMPOSE A STATEWIDE MILLAGE ON ALL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO PROPERTY TAX IN THIS STATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING REVENUE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL OPERATIONS AND IN THE JOINT RESOLUTION IMPOSING THE TAX SHALL PROVIDE THE PLAN OF DISTRIBUTING THE REVENUE FOR THE APPLICABLE FISCAL YEAR TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF THE STATE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF ALL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO PROPERTY TAX IN THIS STATE FROM PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE IMPOSED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SCHOOL OPERATIONS.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

H. 5125 (Word version) -- Rep. Bowers: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 59-39-100, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE UNIFORM HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, SO AS TO ALLOW A DISTRICT WHICH OFFERS A PROGRAM OF PUBLIC SERVICE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO DESIGNATE THAT A DIPLOMA IS AWARDED "WITH PUBLIC SERVICE" IF THE GRADUATE HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AT LEAST FORTY HOURS OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN THE PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE DISTRICT.
Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 1116 (Word version) -- Senators McConnell, Lourie, Ford, Cleary, Knotts, Sheheen, Alexander and Setzler: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 10, CHAPTER 3, TITLE 23 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT WITHIN THE SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION TO INVESTIGATE ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS AND VULNERABLE ADULT FATALITIES; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF TERMS IN THE OMNIBUS ADULT PROTECTION ACT, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF FACILITIES TO INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS OPERATED BY, OR CONTRACTED, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, OR LOCAL DISABILITIES BOARDS AND THE DEFINITION OF "INVESTIGATIVE ENTITY" TO INCLUDE THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT IN THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-15, RELATING TO THE DUTIES AND PROCEDURES OF INVESTIGATIVE ENTITIES IN CONNECTION WITH ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT SHALL RECEIVE REPORTS OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS IN FACILITIES OPERATED BY, OR CONTRACTED WITH, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, OR LOCAL DISABILITIES BOARDS, TO CLARIFY THE INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN AND THE ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM AT THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF THESE INCIDENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-20, RELATING TO ADDITIONAL POWERS OF INVESTIGATIVE ENTITIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THESE ENTITIES HAVE ACCESS TO FACILITIES AS PERMITTED BY LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-25, RELATING TO PERSONS REQUIRED TO REPORT ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS, SO AS TO FURTHER CLARIFY THESE REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES AND TO REQUIRE INCIDENTS INVOLVING CRIMINAL INTENT TO BE REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-35, RELATING TO REPORTING VULNERABLE ADULT DEATHS BELIEVED TO HAVE RESULTED FROM ABUSE OR NEGLECT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ALL DEATHS OF A VULNERABLE ADULT IN FACILITIES OPERATED BY, OR CONTRACTED WITH, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, OR A LOCAL DISABILITIES BOARD MUST BE REPORTED TO THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-40, RELATING TO INVESTIGATIVE ENTITIES REPORTING INCIDENTS INVOLVING CRIMINAL INTENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, SO AS TO FURTHER CLARIFY THIS REPORTING REQUIREMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-65, RELATING TO NOTICES REQUIRED TO BE PLACED IN FACILITIES CONCERNING DUTIES OF FACILITY PERSONNEL, SO AS TO REQUIRE THESE NOTICES TO CONTAIN E-MAIL ADDRESSES AND FAX NUMBERS OF THE LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM, THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-80, RELATING TO ACTIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AGAINST A PERSON OR FACILITY FOR FAILING TO EXERCISE REASONABLE CARE IN OPERATING A FACILITY FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT REFERRALS FOR SUCH ACTIONS MAY ALSO BE MADE BY THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT; TO ADD ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 35, TITLE 43 SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT IN THE INVESTIGATION OF VULNERABLE ADULT FATALITIES AND TO ESTABLISH THE VULNERABLE ADULT FATALITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERS, POWERS, AND DUTIES; TO ADD SECTION 17-5-555 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE CORONER OR MEDICAL EXAMINER TO REPORT THE DEATH OF A VULNERABLE ADULT TO THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 44-7-2910, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKS FOR DIRECT CAREGIVERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THESE RECORDS CHECKS ON DIRECT CAREGIVERS IN RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS OPERATED BY, OR CONTRACTED WITH, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, AND LOCAL DISABILITIES BOARDS.

Rep. HARRISON explained the Bill.

The Bill was read second time and ordered to third reading.

Debate was resumed on the following Joint Resolution, the pending question being the consideration of amendments:

H. 5099 (Word version) -- Rep. J. E. Smith: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT UNTIL A PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SUDAN AND THE REBEL GROUPS IN THE DARFUR REGION OF SUDAN IS ENTERED INTO OR UNTIL SUDAN AGREES TO ACCEPT A UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN DARFUR, NO GOODS OR PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED, GROWN, OR MADE IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA MAY BE EXPORTED DIRECTLY OR THROUGH INDIRECT MEANS TO SUDAN THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINA PORTS, AND TO PROVIDE CIVIL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

Rep. J. E. SMITH proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\GJK\21224SD06):
Amend the joint resolution, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 2 and inserting:
/SECTION   2.   Until a peace agreement between Sudan and all the rebel groups in the Darfur region of Sudan is entered into or until Sudan agrees to accept a United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur, no goods or products manufactured, grown, or made in the State of South Carolina may be exported directly or through indirect means to Sudan through South Carolina ports. Any manufacturer, producer, or shipper who violates the provision is subject to a civil fine of one thousand dollars for each violation to be imposed by the Attorney General of this State after investigation and after notice and an opportunity to be heard. Decisions of the Attorney General are appealable in a court of law.

The provisions of this section do not apply to humanitarian aid in the form of food, medical supplies, or relief equipment being shipped to Sudan from South Carolina ports by or for the benefit of a nationally-recognized relief or aid organization and not to or for the benefit of the Sudanese government.   /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. J. E. SMITH explained the amendment.
Rep. DUNCAN spoke against the amendment.

Rep. DUNCAN moved to commit the Joint Resolution to the Committee on Judiciary.

Rep. J. E. SMITH moved to table the motion.

Rep. J. E. SMITH demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Agnew                  Anderson               Breeland
G. Brown               Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter
Coleman                Delleney               Emory
Funderburk             Govan                  Hagood
Harvin                 Hayes                  Hodges
Hosey                  Jefferson              Jennings
Mack                   McCraw                 McLeod
Miller                 Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence
J. H. Neal             J. M. Neal             Neilson
E. H. Pitts            Rivers                 Rutherford
Scott                  J. E. Smith            Whipper

Those who voted in the negative are:

Bailey                 Bales                  Ballentine
Bannister              Barfield               Battle
Bingham                Brady                  Cato
Chalk                  Chellis                Clark
Clemmons               Coates                 Cooper
Cotty                  Dantzler               Duncan
Edge                   Frye                   Haley
Hardwick               Harrell                Harrison
Herbkersman            Hinson                 Hiott
Huggins                Kirsh                  Leach
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Loftis
Lucas                  Mahaffey               Martin
Merrill                Norman                 Ott
Owens                  Perry                  Pinson
M. A. Pitts            Rice                   Sandifer
Scarborough            Simrill                Skelton
D. C. Smith            G. M. Smith            G. R. Smith
J. R. Smith            Stewart                Talley
Taylor                 Thompson               Toole
Townsend               Tripp                  Umphlett
Vaughn                 Walker                 White
Whitmire               Witherspoon            Young

So, the House refused to table the motion.

The question then recurred to the motion to commit the Joint Resolution.

Rep. J. E. SMITH demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Bailey                 Ballentine             Bannister
Battle                 Bingham                Brady
Cato                   Chalk                  Chellis
Clark                  Clemmons               Coates
Cooper                 Cotty                  Dantzler
Duncan                 Edge                   Frye
Haley                  Hardwick               Harrell
Harrison               Herbkersman            Hinson
Hiott                  Huggins                Kirsh
Leach                  Limehouse              Littlejohn
Loftis                 Lucas                  Mahaffey
Martin                 Merrill                Neilson
Norman                 Ott                    Owens
Perry                  Pinson                 M. A. Pitts
Rhoad                  Rice                   Sandifer
Scarborough            Simrill                Skelton
D. C. Smith            G. M. Smith            G. R. Smith
J. R. Smith            Stewart                Talley
Taylor                 Thompson               Toole
Townsend               Tripp                  Umphlett
Vaughn                 Walker                 White
Whitmire               Witherspoon            Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

Agnew                  Anderson               Bales
Breeland               G. Brown               J. Brown
Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter            Coleman
Delleney               Emory                  Funderburk
Govan                  Harvin                 Hayes
Hodges                 Hosey                  Jefferson
Jennings               Mack                   McCraw
McLeod                 Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence
J. H. Neal             J. M. Neal             E. H. Pitts
Rivers                 Rutherford             Scott
J. E. Smith            Whipper

So, the Joint Resolution was committed.

Rep. COOPER moved to adjourn debate upon the following Bill until Thursday, May 11, which was adopted:

S. 776 (Word version) -- Senator Verdin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-220, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO ALLOW A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSED AND REGISTERED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES AS AN ANTIQUE MOTOR VEHICLE.

Rep. COOPER moved to adjourn debate upon the following Bill until Thursday, May 11, which was adopted:

S. 1283 (Word version) -- Senators Leatherman and Peeler: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-545, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE APPLICATION OF THE REDUCED STATE MARGINAL INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RATE TO THE ACTIVE TRADE OR BUSINESS INCOME OF A PASS-THROUGH BUSINESS, SO AS TO MAKE THIS APPLICATION AT THE ELECTION OF THE TAXPAYER, TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM FIVE YEARS FOR THIS ELECTION, TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS FOR THIS APPLICATION, AND TO PROVIDE A "SAFE HARBOR" AMOUNT IN DETERMINING THE NONPERSONAL SERVICE PORTION OF ACTIVE TRADE OR BUSINESS INCOME IN A PASS-THROUGH BUSINESS WITH GROSS INCOME OF LESS THAN ONE MILLION DOLLARS AND TAXABLE INCOME OF LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

On motion of Rep. CATO, with unanimous consent, the following Bill was ordered recalled from the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry and was referred to the Committee on Judiciary:

S. 807 (Word version) -- Senator McConnell: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 11, TITLE 40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS, BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 SO AS TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR RIGHT TO CURE NONRESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS BEFORE A CIVIL ACTION OR OTHER REMEDY PROVIDED BY LAW OR CONTRACT MAY BE INSTITUTED OR CONTINUED.

Rep. COOPER asked unanimous consent to recall S. 681 (Word version) from the Committee on Judiciary.
Rep. HARRISON objected.

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

H. 4812 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE MONIES FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006.

Rep. COOPER proposed the following Amendment No. 1A (Doc Name COUNCIL\BBM\9462HTC06), which was adopted:
Amend the joint resolution, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION   1.   In accordance with the provisions of Article III, Section 36(B)(2) and (3), Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, and Section 11-11-320(C) and (D) of the 1976 Code, there is appropriated from the monies available in the Capital Reserve Fund for Fiscal Year 2005-2006 the following amounts:

(1)   Election Commission

2006 General Election       $3,125,000

(2)   Department of Education

School Bus Purchases       26,123,069

(3)   Department of Education

Instructional Materials       1,855,727

(4)   Department of Education

Governor's School for Science

& Mathematics           2,000,000

(5)   Department of Education

Governor's School for the Arts

& Humanities             2,000,000

(6)   Department of Social Services

Automation of Child Support

Enforcement System       16,500,000

(7)   Educational Television Commission

Education Satellite Service   1,400,000

(8)   Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School

Window Replacement         500,000

(9)   The Citadel

Infirmary Roof Repair       1,500,000

(10)   Coastal Carolina University College of

Natural Science (Nutraceuticals)   250,000

(11)   South Carolina State University

deferred Maintenance             751,365

(12)   University of South

Carolina-Columbia

Palmetto Poison Control Center

Equipment                     200,000

(13)   State Board for Technical and

Comprehensive Education

Center for Accelerated

Technology Training         3,000,000

(14)   Vocational Rehabilitation

Roof Repairs                   575,000

(15)   State Ports Authority

Harbor Dredging               2,400,000

(16)   Judicial Department

Technology Upgrades         1,248,750

(17)   Governor's Office-SLED

Datamaster Equipment         1,920,000

(18)   Governor's Office-SLED

Vehicles                     2,000,000

(19)   Attorney General's Office

Technology Savings Initiative     472,000

(20)   Office of Indigent Defense

Information Technology           500,000

(21)   Department of Corrections

Facility Maintenance           2,500,000

(22)   Department of Corrections

Improve Mental Health

Services                       489,850

(23)   Department of Corrections

Multi-Purpose Buildings       600,000

(24)   Department of Corrections

Vehicles                     422,900

(25)   Department of Probation, Parole

& Pardon Services

Sex Offender Monitoring

Equipment                   248,186

(26)   Department of Juvenile Justice

Intensive Probation & Parole

Supervision                   89,648

(27)   Department of Juvenile Justice

Re-Open Omega Dorm           44,166

(28)   Department of Juvenile Justice

Video Conferencing           155,000

(29)   Department of Juvenile Justice

Vehicles                     113,400

(30)   Department of Juvenile Justice

Replacement of Dormitories at

Willow Lane & J.G. Richards

4,961,871

(31)   Department of Public Safety

Hwy. Patrol Trooper Class

Vehicles and Equipment

3,828,085

(32)   Department of Public Safety

CJA Certification/Registrar     580,000

(33)   Department of Public Safety

Criminal Justice Academy

1,000,000

(34)   Department of Public Safety

Vehicles               3,129,489

(35)   Department of Natural Resources

Wildlife Law Enforcement

Equipment               1,500,000

(36)   Department of Natural Resources

Information Technology

Upgrades                   1,500,000

(37)   Department of Education

First Steps Early Childhood

Initiative - Pilot Program -

materials, grants and incentives

2,000,000

(38)   Human Affairs Commission

Information Technology Upgrades

134,214

(39)   Workers' Compensation Commission

Computer Database         1,216,923

(40)   Department of Insurance

Electronic Document Image

Management & Workflow System

996,000

(41)   Department of Consumer Affairs

Satellite Operations & Call Center

20,400

(42)   Employment Security Commission

SCEIS Implementation         933,189

(43)   Legislative Printing & Information

Technology Systems

Technology Upgrades         520,000

(44)   Secretary of State's Office

UCC - Internet Access for Documents

500,000

(45)   Arts Commission

Arts Facility Project           821,364

(46)   Budget & Control Board

Enterprise Projects (SCEIS)   5,700,000
Total                       $102,325,596.
SECTION   2.   The Comptroller General shall post the appropriations contained in this joint resolution as provided in Section 11-11-320(D) of the 1976 Code. Unexpended funds appropriated pursuant to this joint resolution may be carried forward to succeeding fiscal years and expended for the same purpose.
SECTION   3.   This joint resolution takes effect thirty days after the completion of the 2005-2006 fiscal year in accordance with the provisions of Article III, Section 36(B)(3)(a), Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, and Section 11-11-320(D)(1) of the 1976 Code. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. COOPER explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
The Senate amendments, as amended, were then agreed to and the Joint Resolution was ordered returned to the Senate.

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

H. 4810 -- Ways and Means Committee: A BILL TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS AND TO PROVIDE REVENUES TO MEET THE ORDINARY EXPENSES OF STATE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2006; TO REGULATE THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS; AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF STATE GOVERNMENT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Rep. COOPER proposed the following Amendment No. 1A (Doc Name COUNCIL\BBM\9461HTC06), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting the text of the bill as passed by the House of Representatives which is incorporated by reference in this amendment.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. COOPER explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

Rep. CHALK proposed the following Amendment No. 2A (Doc Name h:\legwork\house\amend\h-wm\007\efa hold harmless chalk 2.doc), which was tabled:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 1, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, page 355, line 31, by adding an appropriately numbered paragraph to read:
/(SDE: EFA Hold Harmless) In the current fiscal year, the Department of Education is directed to allocate from the funds appropriated for the Education Finance Act adequate funding to all school districts to ensure that no district has a net decrease from the FY 2004-05 or FY 2005 06 base year, whichever is greater, in state funding from the following appropriation categories and revenue codes: Education Finance Act (3300), Employer Contributions (3180), Teacher Salary Supplement (3550), Teacher Salary Supplement Fringe (3555)./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and titles to conform.

Rep. CHALK explained the amendment.

Rep. BATTLE moved to table the amendment, which was agreed to.

Reps. EDGE and NEILSON proposed the following Amendment No. 3A (Doc Name h:\legwork\house\amend\council\bbm\ 9485htc06.doc), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 9, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, page 401, beginning on line 13, by striking paragraph 9.55 and inserting:
/ 9.55. (DHEC: South Carolina State Trauma Care Fund) Of the funds appropriated to the South Carolina State Trauma Care Fund, $4,000,000 shall be utilized for increasing the reimbursement rates for trauma hospitals, for trauma specialists' professional fee, for increasing the capability of EMS trauma care providers from counties with a high rate of traumatic injury deaths to care for injury patients, and for support of the trauma system, based on a methodology as determined by the department with guidance and input from the Trauma Council as established in Section 44-61-530 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. The methodology to be developed will include a breakdown of disbursement of funds by percentage, with a proposed 77% disbursed to hospitals and trauma physician fees, 11% of the 21% must be disbursed to EMS providers for training EMTs, Advanced EMTs and paramedics by the four regional councils of this State and the remaining 10% must be disbursed to EMS providers in counties with high trauma mortality rates, and 2% allocated to the department for administration of the fund and support of the trauma system. The Department of Health and Environmental Control shall promulgate regulations as required in Section 44-61-540 of the 1976 Code for the administration and oversight of the Trauma Care Fund. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and titles to conform.

Rep. EDGE explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
Rep. COOPER proposed the following Amendment No. 4A (Doc Name COUNCIL\BBM\9487HTC06), which was adopted:
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IA, SECTION 5N, Technical & Comprehensive Education Board, PAGE 80, IMMEDIATELY AFTER LINE 20, BY INSERTING NEW LINES TO READ:

/ COLUMN 5     COLUMN 6
NEW POSITIONS:
INSTRUCTORS     6,645,404

(160.00) /
AMEND THE BILL FURTHER, AS AND IF AMENDED, PAGE 83 LINE 5, OPPOSITE /EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS/ BY INCREASING THE AMOUNT(S) IN COLUMN 5 BY:

/ COLUMN 5     COLUMN 6

2,584,323 /
Amend the bill, as and if amended, in Part IB, SECTION 1, Department of Education, beginning on page 354, by striking paragraph 1.75 and inserting:
/ 1.75 (SDE: Child Development Education 2-Year Pilot Program) There is created the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program. This program shall be available for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school year on a voluntary basis and shall focus on the developmental and learning support that children must have in order to be ready for school and must incorporate parenting education.

(A)   Beginning with the 2006-07 school year and continuing through the 2007-2008 school year, with funds appropriated by the General Assembly, the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program shall first be made available to eligible children from the following eight trial districts in Abbeville County School District et al. vs. South Carolina: Allendale, Dillon 2, Florence 4, Hampton 2, Jasper, Lee, Marion 7, and Orangeburg 3. With any remaining funds available, the pilot shall be expanded to the remaining plaintiff school districts in Abbeville County School District et al. vs. South Carolina. Priority shall be given to implementing the program in the plaintiff districts having proportionally the largest population of underserved at-risk four-year-old children. While participating in the pilot program, Education Improvement Act funding from the four-year-old early childhood program as authorized pursuant to Section 59-139-70 of the 1976 Code may only be used to fund teacher salary supplements and fringe benefits as required by Section 59-20-50. During the implementation of the pilot program, no funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose shall be used to fund services to at-risk four-year-old children residing outside of the trial or plaintiff districts.

The Education Oversight Committee shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot program and shall issue a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2008. The report shall include a comparative evaluation of children served in the pilot program and children not served in the pilot program. Additionally, based on the evaluation of the pilot program, the Education Oversight Committee shall include recommendations for the creation of and an implementation plan for phasing in the delivery of services to all four-year-old at-risk children in the state.

Unexpended funds from the prior fiscal year for this program shall be carried forward and used by the First Steps to Readiness Board of Trustees to provide services to children zero to three years of age in the districts outlined in section (A).

(B)   Each child residing in the pilot districts, who will have attained the age of four years on or before September 1, of the school year, and meets the at-risk criteria established in this chapter is eligible for enrollment in the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program for one year.

The parent of each eligible child may enroll the child in one of the following programs:

(1)   a school-year four-year-old kindergarten program delivered by an approved public provider; or

(2)   a school-year four-year-old kindergarten program delivered by an approved private provider.

The parent enrolling a child must complete and submit an application to the approved provider of choice. The application must be submitted on forms prescribed in Section 59-35-250 of the 1976 Code and must be accompanied by a copy of the child's birth certificate, immunization documentation, and an appropriate free and reduced lunch application form or statement of Medicaid eligibility.

In submitting an application for enrollment, the parent agrees to comply with provider attendance policies during the school year. This shall consist of 6.5 hours of instructional time daily and 180 days per year. Pursuant to program guidelines, noncompliance with attendance policies may result in removal from the program.

No parent is required to pay tuition or fees solely for the purpose of enrolling in or attending the program established under this provision. Nothing in this provision prohibits charging fees for childcare that may be provided outside the times of the instructional day provided in these programs.

(C)   Public school providers choosing to participate in the South Carolina Four-Year-Old Child Development Kindergarten Program must submit an application to the Department of Education. Private providers choosing to participate in the South Carolina Four-Year-Old Child Development Kindergarten Program must submit an application to the Office of First Steps. The application must be submitted on the forms prescribed, contain assurances that the provider meets all program criteria set forth in this provision, and will comply with all reporting and assessment requirements.

Providers shall:

(1)   comply with all federal and state laws and constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services;

(2)   comply with all state and local health and safety laws and codes;

(3)   comply with all state laws that apply regarding criminal background checks for employees and exclude from employment any individual not permitted by state law to work with children;

(4)   be accountable for meeting the education needs of the child and report regularly to the parent on his progress;

(5)   comply with all program, reporting, and assessment criteria required of providers;

(6)   maintain individual student records for each child enrolled in the program to include, but not be limited to, assessment data, health data, records of teacher observations, and records of parent and teacher conferences;

(7)   designate whether extended day services will be offered to the parents of children participating in the program; and

(8)   be approved, registered, or licensed by the Department of Social Services.

Providers may limit student enrollment based upon space available. However if enrollment exceeds available space, providers shall enroll children with first priority given to children with the lowest scores on an approved pre-kindergarten readiness assessment. Private providers shall not be required to expand their programs to accommodate all children desiring enrollment.

(D)   The Department of Education and the Office of First Steps to School Readiness, in consultation with the Education Oversight Committee shall:

(1)   develop the provider application form;

(2)   develop the child enrollment application form;

(3)   develop a list of approved curricula for use in the program based upon the South Carolina Content Standards;

(4)   develop a list of approve pre-kindergarten readiness assessments to be used in conjunction with the program;

(5)   establish criteria for awarding new classroom equipping grants;

(6)   establish criteria for the parenting education program providers must offer; and

(7)   establish a list of early childhood related fields that may be used in meeting the lead teacher qualifications.

(E)   Providers of the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program shall offer a complete educational program in accordance with age-appropriate instructional practice and a research based preschool curriculum aligned with school success. The program must focus on the developmental and learning support children must have in order to be ready for school. The provider must also incorporate parenting education that promotes the school readiness of preschool children by strengthening parent involvement in the learning process with an emphasis on interactive literacy.

Providers shall offer high-quality, center-based programs that must include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(1)   employ a lead teacher with a two-year degree in early childhood education or related field or be granted a waiver of this requirement from the Department of Education or the Office of First Steps to School Readiness;

(2)   employ an education assistant with pre-service or in-service training in early childhood education;

(3)   maintain classrooms with at least 10 four-year-old children, but no more than 20 four-year-old children with an adult to child ratio of 1:10. With classrooms having a minimum of 10 children, the 1:10 ratio must be a lead teacher to child ratio;

(4)   offer a full day, center-based program with 6.5 hours of instruction daily for 180 school days;

(5)   provide an approved research-based preschool curriculum that focuses on critical child development skills, especially early literacy, numeracy, and social/emotional development;

(6)   engage parents' participation in their child's educational experience that shall include a minimum of two documented conferences per year; and

(7)   adhere to professional development requirements outlined in this article.

(F)   Every classroom providing services to four-year-old children established pursuant to this provision must have a lead teacher with at least a two-year degree in early childhood education or related field and who is enrolled and is demonstrating progress toward the completion of a teacher education program within four years. Every classroom must also have at least one education assistant per classroom who shall have the minimum of a high school diploma or the equivalent, and at least two years of experience working with children under five years old. The teaching assistant shall have completed the Early Childhood Development Credential (ECD) 101 or enroll and complete this course within twelve months of hire.

(G)   The General Assembly recognizes there is a strong relationship between the skills and preparation of pre-kindergarten instructors and the educational outcomes of students. To improve these education outcomes, participating providers shall require all personnel providing instruction and classroom support to students participating in the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program to participate annually in a minimum of 15 hours of professional development to include teaching children from poverty. Professional development should provide instruction in strategies and techniques to address the age-appropriate progress of pre-kindergarten students in developing emergent literacy skills, including but not limited to, oral communication, knowledge of print and letters, phonemic and phonological awareness, and vocabulary and comprehension development.

(H)   Both public and private providers shall be eligible for transportation funds pursuant to Section 59-35-320 of the 1976 Code for the transportation of children to and from school. Nothing within this provision prohibits providers from contracting with another entity to provide transportation services provided the entities adhere to the requirements of Section 56-5-195. Providers shall not be responsible for transporting students attending programs outside the district lines. Parents choosing program providers located outside of their resident district shall be responsible for transportation. When transporting four-year-old child development students, providers shall make every effort to transport them with students of similar ages attending the same school.

(I)   For all private providers approved to offer services pursuant to this provision, the Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall:

(1)   serve as the fiscal agent;

(2)   verify student enrollment eligibility in consultation with the Department of Social Services;

(3)   review and approve eligible providers. In considering approval of providers, consideration must be given to the provider's availability of permanent space for program service and whether temporary classroom space is necessary to provide services to any children;

(4)   coordinate oversight, monitoring, technical assistance, coordination, and training for classroom providers;

(5)   serve as a clearing house for information and best practices related to four-year-old kindergarten programs;

(6)   receive, review, and approve new classroom grant applications and make recommendations for approval based on approved criteria;

(7)   coordinate activities and promote collaboration with other private and public providers in developing and supporting four-year-old kindergarten programs;

(8)   maintain a database of the children enrolled in the program; and

(9)   promulgate guidelines as necessary for the implementation of the pilot program.

(J)   For all public school providers approved to offer services pursuant to this provision, the Department of Education shall:

(1)   serve as the fiscal agent;

(2)   verify student enrollment eligibility in consultation with the Department of Social Services;

(3)   review and approve eligible providers. In considering approval of providers, consideration must be given to the provider's availability of permanent space for program service and whether temporary classroom space is necessary to provide services to any children;

(4)   coordinate oversight, monitoring, technical assistance, coordination, and training for classroom providers;

(5)   serve as a clearing house for information and best practices related to four-year-old kindergarten programs;

(6)   receive, review, and approve new classroom grant applications and make recommendations for approval based on approved criteria;

(7)   coordinate activities and promote collaboration with other private and public providers in developing and supporting four-year-old kindergarten programs;

(8)   maintain a database of the children enrolled in the program; and

(9)   promulgate guidelines as necessary for the implementation of the pilot program.

(K)   The General Assembly shall provide funding for the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program. For the 2006-07 school year, the funded cost per child shall be $3,077. Additionally, a reimbursement rate of $185 per child will be appropriated to providers if the provider transports children to and from school. Providers who are reimbursed are required to retain records as required by their fiscal agent. For the 2007-2008 school year the funded cost per child shall be the same but shall be increased by the same projected rate of inflation as determined by the Division of Research and Statistics of the Budget and Control Board for the Education Finance Act.

With funds appropriated by the General Assembly, the Department of Education shall approve grants for public providers and the Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall approve grants for private providers, of up to $10,000 per class for the equipping of new classrooms.

(L)   Pursuant to this provision, the Department of Social Services shall:

(1)   aid the Department of Education and the Office of First Steps to School Readiness in the verification of student enrollment eligibility;

(2)   maintain a list of all approved public and private providers; and

(3)   provide the Department of Education, the Office of First Steps, and the Education Oversight Committee information necessary to carry out the requirements of this provision.

(M)   The Education Oversight Committee shall conduct a comparative evaluation of the South Carolina Child Development Education Two-Year Pilot Program and issue their findings in a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2008. Based on information, data, and evaluation results, the Education Oversight Committee shall include as part of their report recommendations for the creation and implementation of a statewide four-year-old kindergarten program for at-risk children. The report shall also include information and recommendations on lead teacher qualifications and options for creating comparable salary schedules for certified teachers employed by private providers.

To aid in this evaluation, the Education Oversight Committee shall determine the data necessary and both public and private providers are required to submit the necessary data as a condition of continued participation in and funding of the program. This data shall include developmentally appropriate measures of student progress. Additionally, the Department of Education shall issue a unique student identifier for each child receiving services from a private provider. The Department of Education shall be responsible for the collection and maintenance of data on the public state funded full day and half-day four-year-old kindergarten programs. The Office of First Steps to School Readiness shall be responsible for the collection and maintenance of data on the state funded programs provided through private providers. The Education Oversight Committee shall use this data and all other collected and maintained data necessary to conduct a research based review of the program's implementation and assessment of student success in the early elementary grades.

(N)   If any portion, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this provision is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, this holding does not affect the constitutionality or the validity of the remaining portions of this provision, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this provision, and any portion, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any portion, sentence, clause, phrase, or word thereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective. /
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 8, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, PAGE 393, PARAGRAPH 8.42, LINES 1-2, BY STRIKING / in Part IA, Section 8 of the budget, funds for /
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 72, GENERAL PROVISIONS, PAGE 520, AFTER LINE 33, BY ADDING AN APPROPRIATELY NUMBERED PARAGRAPH TO READ:

/ 72. (GP: Dues and Fees Reimbursement) No public funds may be used to pay or reimburse dues or fees for membership in organizations that are not subject to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. /
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 72, GENERAL PROVISIONS, PAGE 520, AFTER LINE 33, BY ADDING AN APPROPRIATELY NUMBERED PARAGRAPH TO READ:

/ 72. (GP: Alternative Fuels and Fuel Efficiency Incentives) (A) Sales tax rebates shall be applied to vehicle purchases as follows.

(1)   There shall be a $300 sales tax rebate for in-state purchases of all Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFV), capable of operating on E85 motor fuel. The rebate shall be in the form of a payment sent to the buyer upon completion of a form created by the Department of Revenue and made available to the public, dealers, and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Eligible vehicles for each model year are those models identified by the manufacturer as being flexible-fuel vehicles capable of operating on E85 motor fuel. E85 motor fuel is a fuel comprised of eighty-five percent ethanol fuel and fifteen percent gasoline fuel.

(2)   There shall be a $300 sales tax rebate for in-state purchases of all hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The rebate shall be in the form of a payment sent to the buyer upon completion of a form created by the Department of Revenue and made available to the public, dealers, and the Department of Motor Vehicles. A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is any vehicle classified by the United States Department of Energy as hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

(3)   There shall be a $300 sales tax rebate for in-state purchases of plug-in hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles. The rebate shall be in the form of a payment sent to the buyer upon completion of a form created by the Department of Revenue and made available to the public, dealers, and the Department of Motor Vehicles. A plug-in hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle is a vehicle classified by the United States Department of Energy as a hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle capable of being propelled by both a gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by a battery that can be recharged by being plugged into an external source of electricity.

(4)   There shall be a sales tax rebate of up to $500 for purchase of equipment that results in the conversion of a conventional hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle to a plug-in hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle. The rebate shall be in the form of a payment sent to the buyer upon completion of a form created by the Department of Revenue and made available to the public and dealers.

(B)   Incentive payments for alternative fuel purchases shall be provided as follows.

(1)   There shall be a five cents incentive payment to the retailer for each gallon of E85 fuel sold, provided that the E85 fuel is subject to the South Carolina motor fuel tax and the price of the E85 fuel is at least five cents lower than the price of the lowest selling non-E85 gasoline fuel being sold at the same retail facility. The payment shall be made to the retailer upon compliance with verification procedures set forth by the Department of Agriculture.

(2)   There shall be a five cents incentive payment to the retailer for each gallon of B20 fuel sold, provided that the B20 fuel is subject to the South Carolina motor fuel tax and the price of the B20 fuel is at least five cents lower than the price of the lowest selling non-B20 diesel fuel being sold at the same retail facility. B20 fuel is a fuel that is twenty percent biodiesel fuel and eighty percent petroleum-based diesel fuel. Biodiesel fuel is a fuel for motor vehicle diesel engines comprised of vegetable oils or animal fats and meeting the specifications of ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) D 5761. The payment shall be made to the retailer upon compliance with verification procedures set forth by the Department of Agriculture.

(3)   There shall be a five cents incentive payment to the retailer or wholesaler for each gallon of B20 fuel sold as dyed diesel fuel for "off road" uses, provided the price of the B20 dyed fuel is at least five cents lower than the price the lowest selling non-B20 dyed diesel fuel. The payment shall be made to the retailer upon compliance with verification procedures set forth by the Department of Agriculture.

(C)   The following income tax credits shall apply to taxes imposed by Sections 12-6-510 and 12-6-530 of the 1976 Code for tax years beginning after December 31, 2005.

(1)   There shall be a business or personal income tax credit of twenty cents for each gallon of biodiesel motor fuel produced mostly from soybean oil and sold, up to a maximum of three million gallons per year from each facility, for a maximum of five years for each facility. Credits are available for not more than one facility in each county in any calendar year, with priority given to the first facility in a county that produces biodiesel motor fuel using soybean oil as the feedstock. Credits are available to individuals or businesses producing motor fuel mostly from soybean oil for internal use without regard to the per county limitation. This credit may be carried forward for up to three years. The payment shall be made upon compliance with verification procedures set forth by the Department of Agriculture.

(2)   There shall be a business or personal income tax credit of thirty cents for each gallon of biodiesel motor fuel a majority of which is produced from feedstock other than soybean oil and sold, up to a maximum of three million gallons per year, for a maximum of five years. Credits are available for not more than one facility in each county in any calendar year, with priority given to the first facility in a county that produces biodiesel motor fuel using a feedstock other than soybean oil. Credits are available to individuals or businesses producing biodiesel motor fuel for internal use, a majority of which is derived from feedstock other than soybean oil, without regard to the per county limitation. This credit may be carried forward for up to three years. The payment shall be made upon compliance with verification procedures set forth by the Department of Agriculture.

(D)   The Department of Revenue may prescribe forms, procedures, issue policy documents and distribute funds as necessary to ensure the orderly and timely implementation of the provisions herein. The Department of Revenue shall coordinate with the Department of Agriculture as necessary.

(E)   There is hereby established the Strategic and Tactical Research on Energy Independence Commission (STREIC) for the purposes of evaluating the effectiveness of this proviso, and considering other proposals to enhance the economy of the State and to reduce the adverse consequences of South Carolina's overdependence on petroleum products as fuel for motor vehicles. The commission will receive information from a broad spectrum of interested, affected, and knowledgeable parties, and will submit recommendations to the General Assembly, the Governor and the Budget and Control Board no later than January 15, 2007. The commission shall consist of seven members. One member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one member shall be appointed by the Speaker Pro Tempore of the Senate, one member shall be appointed by the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, one member shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and one member shall be appointed by the Governor. There shall be two ex officio members: the Commissioner of Agriculture or his designee, and the Director of the South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies, who shall serve as chairman. When on business of the council, members shall be entitled to receive such compensation as provided by law for members of boards and commissions. Staff support for the commission shall be provided by the State Energy Office of the Budget and Control Board. /
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 73, STATEWIDE REVENUE, PAGE 532, PARAGRAPH 73.14, LINE 15, BY STRIKING / $295,227,083 / AND BY INSERTING / $425,666,570 /
AMEND THE BILL FURTHER, PAGE 535, PARAGRAPH 73.14, AFTER LINE 2, BY ADDING APPROPRIATELY NUMBERED ITEMS TO READ:
/ ( )   J16-Department of Disabilities & Special Needs

Residential Waiting List                 $9,231,000;
( )   J12-Department of Mental Health

Community Services                   $1,500,000;
( )   J02-Department of Health & Human Services

OSS - Long Term Care                 $5,000,000;
( )   J04-Department of Health & Environmental Control

a)   Trauma Center Fund                 $2,000,000;

b)   Beach Renourishment               $5,000,000;
( )   Of the funds appropriated to the South Carolina State Trauma Care Fund, $2,000,000 must be utilized for increasing the reimbursement rates for trauma hospitals, for trauma specialists' professional fee, for increasing the capability of EMS trauma care providers from counties with a high rate of traumatic injury deaths to care for injury patients, and for support of the trauma system, based on a methodology as determined by the department with guidance and input from members of the medical and trauma providers community. The methodology to be developed must include a breakdown of disbursement of funds by percentage, with a proposed 75 percent disbursed to hospitals and trauma physician fees, 21 percent disbursed to EMS providers in counties with high trauma mortality rates, and 4 percent allocated to the department for administration of the fund and support of the trauma system.
( )   J16-Department of Disabilities & Special Needs

Crisis Prevention                         $6,000,000;
( )   J02-Department of Health & Human Services

a)   Nursing Home Beds                     $9,000,000;

b)   Rural Hospital Grants                     $3,500,000;

c)   Breast Cancer Treatment and Screening     $1,000,000;
( )   J12-Department of Mental Health

Veterans Nursing Homes - Colleton County     $2,400,000;
( )   J02-Department of Health & Human Services

Physician Reimbursements                 $3,000,000;
( )   J04-Department of Health & Environmental Control

a)   Critical Public Health Staffing                 $3,910,958;

b)   Vaccine Purchases for the Underinsured         $1,147,589;
( )   P28-Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism

a)   Palmetto Trails                             $100,000;

b)   Charlestown Landing                         $7,000,000;

c)   International Advertising                     $500,000;
( )   H75-School for the Deaf & the Blind

Student Safety, Independence, and Efficiency       $1,268,078;
( )   E21-Prosecution Coordination Commission

Victims and Witness Assistance Programs         $1,800,000;
( )   The $1,800,000 appropriated for Solicitors Victim/Witness Assistance Programs must be apportioned among the circuits on a per capita basis and based upon the official census of 2000. Payment must be made as soon after the beginning of each quarter as practical.
( )   J12-Department of Mental Health

a)   Patient Care Buildings Safety Renovations       $4,400,000;

b)   Crafts Farrow Renovation for Forensic Capacity   $2,560,000;

c)   Bryan Renovation for Crisis Capacity           $1,250,000;

d)   Charleston Center Administration Addition       $1,500,000;

e)   Nurturing Center                             $90,000;
( )   U12-Department of Transportation

a)   Mass Transit                               $1,300,000;

b)   Port Access Road                           $500,000;
( )   N04-Department of Corrections

a)   Operating Funds - Turbeville                   $1,500,000;

b)   Salary Differential Level 2 & 3 Facilities         $5,750,000;
( )   From the funds appropriated for a targeted pay differential for the Department of Corrections, uniformed security staff at Level II and Level III prisons shall receive an incentive pay. All of these funds are earmarked for this purpose and must be used in a fashion to address vacancies and turnover of security staff. If any officer leaves a Level II or Level III prison for any non Level II or Level III facility that officer is no longer eligible to receive the pay differential.
( )   N08-Department of Probation, Pardon & Parole Services

Sex Offender Monitoring and Supervision         $1,825,000;
( )   P24-Department of Natural Resources

Law Enforcement Officers                       $1,000,000;
( )   N12-Department of Juvenile Justice

a)   Alternative Placements & Intensive PPS         $581,160;

b)   Re-open Omega Dorm                       $1,246,346;
( )   H12-Clemson University

a)   International Center for Auto Research         $2,000,000;

b)   Academic Road Map                       $4,000,000;
( )   H27-University of South Carolina - Columbia

a)   Congaree Initiative                         $2,000,000;

b)   Faculty Support                           $4,000,000;
( )   H51-Medical University of South Carolina

a)   Hollings Cancer Center                     $500,000;

b)   College of Dental Medicine                 $4,000,000;
( )   H15-University of Charleston

MRR Parity                                 $524,238;
( )   H17-Coastal Carolina University

MRR Parity                                 $3,765,000;
( )   H21-Lander University

MRR Parity                                 $174,252;
( )   H29-University of South Carolina - Aiken

MRR Parity                                 $599,237;
( )   H34-University of South Carolina - Upstate

MRR Parity                                 $1,877,675;
( )   H36-University of South Carolina - Beaufort

MRR Parity                                 $502,175;
( )   H37-University of South Carolina - Lancaster

MRR Parity                                 $650,000;
( )   H38-University of South Carolina - Salkehatchie

MRR Parity                                 $100,000;
( )   H47-Winthrop University

MRR Parity                                 $1,172,423;
( )   H24-SC State University

Transportation Center                           $748,365;
( )   H15-University of Charleston

a)   Real Estate Program                         $612,764;

b)   School of Business: Office of Tourism Analysis   $150,000;

c)   Marine Genomics                           $603,000;
( )   H18-Francis Marion University

a)   Early Childhood - Training Program             $585,000;

b)   Women & Minorities in Science & Mathematics   $100,000;
( )   H21-Lander University

Nursing Program                             $130,000;
( )   B04-Judicial Department

Family & Circuit Court Travel                 $1,000,000;
( )   H63-Department of Education

a)   Governor's School for Science & Mathematics   $500,000;

b)   Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities       $500,000;
( )   E23-Commission on Indigent Defense

a)   Operations & Maintenance                     $200,000;

b)   Conflict Fund                                 $500,000;
( )   H71-Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School

a)   Software Update                               $68,000;

b)   Operating Expenses                           $275,000;
( )   H63-Commission on Higher Education

Data and Facilities Staffing                       $135,000;
( )   E04-Lieutenant Governor's Office

Community Based Support Services-Office on Aging

$2,900,000;
( )   H87-State Library

Public Library Construction Grants                 $100,000;
( )   H91-Arts Commission

Arts Facility Project                             $378,636;
( )   P12-Forestry Commission

Mission Critical Functions                       $2,000,000;
( )   L36-Human Affairs Commission

Legal - Personal Service & Other Operating             $9,591;
( )   H95-State Museum

a)   Myrtle Beach Children's Museum                 $750,000;

b)   Imagine Nation: Children's Museum of the Upstate     $700,000;

c)   Greer Museum                               $100,000;

d)   Mauldin Cultural Center                       $200,000;

e)   Observatory, Planetarium, Theater             $3,459,000;

f)   Chapman Cultural Center                       $500,000;

g)   Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium             $500,000;/
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 73, STATEWIDE REVENUE, PAGE 536, PARAGRAPH 73.15, AFTER LINE 5, BY ADDING AN APPROPRIATELY NUMBERED ITEM TO READ:
/ ( )Any unappropriated Fiscal Year 2005-06 unobligated general fund revenue or any unappropriated Fiscal Year 2006-07 revenue recognized by the Board of Economic Advisors shall be credited to the Spending Limit Reserve Fund. /
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 73, STATEWIDE REVENUE, PAGE 536, AFTER LINE 5, BY ADDING AN APPROPRIATELY NUMBERED PARAGRAPH TO READ:

/ 73.__(SR: Redirect FY 05-06 Increased Enforcement Collections) (A) Any excess revenue collected pursuant to Proviso 73.10 of the Fiscal Year 2005-06 General Appropriation Act after the listed items are fully funded shall be deposited in a fund separate and distinct from the General Fund as established within the Office of the State Treasurer. This revenue is deemed to have occurred and is available for use in Fiscal Year 2006-07.

(B)   From such excess increased enforcement collections, the State Treasurer shall disburse the following funds:

F03   Budget and Control Board

a)   Central Carolina Allied Health Service Center $2,000,000;

b)   Conway Maintenance Shop Renovations       $1,000,000;

c)   Anderson County Health Department Roof Replacement

and Magistrate's Court Building               $3,500,000;

d)   Town of Edgefield Crest Building Renovations $300,000;

e)   Dorchester Interfaith Outreach Ministry Homeless Center

and Soup Kitchen                           $250,000;

H59   State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education

Horry-Georgetown Technical College           $1,000,000;

H12   Clemson University

Infrastructure Repairs                           $900,000;

H87   State Library

Calhoun County Library                     $1,000,000;

E24   Adjutant General's Office

a)   Disaster Warehouse Supplies/Resources       $2,200,000;

b)   Satellite Phones                             $82,000;

c)   Hurricane Shelter Generator Connections       $3,200,000;

d)   Statewide Emergency Communication System     $500,000;

e)   EMD-Hurricane Emergency Preparation,

Planning and Response                         $250,000;

f)   EMD-Dedicated Plans and Response           $250,000;

J12   Department of Mental Health

Williams Building Cooperative Ministries

Homeless Shelter Renovation & Operation         $750,000; and

R44   Department of Revenue

Alternative Fuel and Fuel Efficiency Incentives   $7,050,000.

Any excess revenue collected after the above items are fully funded shall be credited to the South Carolina Budget and Control Board Grants Program. No funds may be obligated from the South Carolina Budget and Control Board Grants Program after September 30, 2006. Unexpended unobligated revenue in the grants program shall lapse to the General Fund and shall be available for use in Fiscal Year 2006-07 as the General Assembly deems appropriate. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. COOPER explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

Rep. LIMEHOUSE proposed the following Amendment No. 5A (Doc Name COUNCIL\BBM\9491HTC06), which was adopted:
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 73, STATEWIDE REVENUE, PAGE 536, AFTER LINE 5, BY ADDING AN APPROPRIATELY NUMBERED PARAGRAPH TO READ:

/ 73. (SR: Motor Fuels User Fee Suspension) The imposition of the motor fuels user fee pursuant to Chapter 28, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is suspended effective July 1, 2006, through the earlier of September 30, 2006, or the date estimated by the Board of Economic Advisors that unobligated revenues from increased enforcement collections, before any lapse to the State Budget and Control Board Grants Program, pursuant to Paragraph 73.10, Part IB, Act 115 of 2005 offset the revenues not collected because of the suspension. This offset amount of unobligated enforced collections revenue must be credited to the State Highway Fund. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. LIMEHOUSE explained the amendment.
Rep. SKELTON spoke against the amendment.

Rep. SKELTON continued speaking.
Rep. SKELTON spoke against the amendment.

Rep. RIVERS spoke against the amendment.

Rep. RICE moved to table the amendment.
Rep. YOUNG demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Agnew                  Battle                 Branham
Chalk                  Clyburn                Coates
Emory                  Frye                   Funderburk
Hardwick               Harvin                 Herbkersman
Hiott                  Hodges                 Jefferson
Jennings               Kirsh                  Littlejohn
Mahaffey               McLeod                 Moody-Lawrence
Owens                  Rice                   Rivers
Skelton                Townsend               Vaughn
Walker                 Whipper                White
Witherspoon

Those who voted in the negative are:

Anderson               Bailey                 Bales
Ballentine             Bannister              Barfield
Bingham                Brady                  Breeland
Cato                   Chellis                Clark
Clemmons               Cobb-Hunter            Coleman
Cooper                 Cotty                  Dantzler
Delleney               Duncan                 Edge
Govan                  Hagood                 Haley
Harrell                Harrison               Hinson
Hosey                  Howard                 Huggins
Leach                  Limehouse              Lucas
Mack                   Martin                 McCraw
Merrill                Miller                 Mitchell
J. H. Neal             J. M. Neal             Neilson
Norman                 Ott                    Perry
Pinson                 E. H. Pitts            M. A. Pitts
Rhoad                  Rutherford             Sandifer
Scott                  Simrill                D. C. Smith
G. M. Smith            G. R. Smith            J. R. Smith
Talley                 Taylor                 Thompson
Toole                  Umphlett               Vick
Whitmire               Young

So, the House refused to table the amendment.

The question then recurred to the adoption of the amendment.

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

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Anderson               Bailey                 Bales
Ballentine             Bannister              Barfield
Battle                 Bingham                Brady
Breeland               Cato                   Chellis
Clark                  Clemmons               Cobb-Hunter
Coleman                Cooper                 Cotty
Dantzler               Delleney               Duncan
Edge                   Hagood                 Haley
Harrell                Harrison               Hinson
Hosey                  Howard                 Huggins
Leach                  Limehouse              Lucas
Mack                   Martin                 McCraw
McLeod                 Merrill                Miller
Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence         J. H. Neal
J. M. Neal             Neilson                Norman
Ott                    Perry                  Pinson
E. H. Pitts            Rhoad                  Rutherford
Sandifer               Scarborough            Scott
Simrill                D. C. Smith            G. M. Smith
G. R. Smith            J. R. Smith            Talley
Taylor                 Thompson               Toole
Umphlett               Vick                   Whitmire
Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

Agnew                  Branham                Chalk
Clyburn                Coates                 Emory
Frye                   Funderburk             Govan
Hardwick               Harvin                 Herbkersman
Hiott                  Jefferson              Jennings
Kirsh                  Littlejohn             Mahaffey
Owens                  M. A. Pitts            Rice
Rivers                 Skelton                Townsend
Vaughn                 Walker                 Whipper
White                  Witherspoon

So, the amendment was adopted.

Reps. BAILEY, COTTY, CLEMMONS and CLARK proposed the following Amendment No. 7A (Doc Name COUNCIL\BBM\ 9494AC06), which was adopted:
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 73, STATEWIDE REVENUE, PAGE 536, AFTER LINE 5, BY ADDING AN APPROPRIATELY NUMBERED PARAGRAPH TO READ:

/ 73. (SR: Motor Fuels User Fee Suspension) The imposition of the motor fuels user fee, pursuant to Chapter 28, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is suspended effective October 1, 2006, through the earlier of December 31, 2006, or the date estimated by the Board of Economic Advisors that unobligated revenues from increased enforcement collections, before any lapse to the State Budget and Control Board Grants Program, pursuant to Paragraph 73.10, Part IB, Act 115 of 2005 offset the revenues not collected because of the suspension. This offset amount of unobligated enforced collections revenue must be credited to the State Highway Fund. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. BAILEY explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

Rep. RICE proposed the following Amendment No. 10A (Doc Name COUNCIL\BBM\9596HTC06), which was tabled:
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 73, STATEWIDE REVENUE, PAGE 536, AFTER LINE 5, BY ADDING AN APPROPRIATELY NUMBERED PARAGRAPH TO READ:

/ 73. (SR: One Time Fuel Tax Credit) There is allowed as a credit against the 2006 individual income tax liability of a resident individual taxpayer an amount equal to $100 as a fuel tax credit on each state individual income tax return filed. If the credit exceeds the liability on the return, the difference must be refunded to the taxpayer. Unobligated revenues from increased enforcement collections, before any lapse to the State Budget and Control Board Grants Program, pursuant to Paragraph 73.10, Part IB, Act 115 of 2005 must be credited to the general fund of the State to offset the revenues not collected as a result of this credit. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. RICE explained the amendment.
Rep. RICE spoke in favor of the amendment.
Rep. COOPER spoke against the amendment.

Rep. COOPER moved to table the amendment.

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

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Agnew                  Anderson               Bailey
Bales                  Ballentine             Bannister
Barfield               Battle                 Brady
Breeland               G. Brown               Cato
Chellis                Clark                  Clemmons
Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter            Cooper
Cotty                  Dantzler               Duncan
Hagood                 Haley                  Harrell
Harrison               Harvin                 Hinson
Hodges                 Hosey                  Howard
Jefferson              Jennings               Kirsh
Leach                  Limehouse              Mahaffey
Martin                 McCraw                 McLeod
Merrill                Mitchell               Moody-Lawrence
Neilson                Ott                    Perry
Pinson                 M. A. Pitts            Rhoad
Rivers                 Rutherford             Sandifer
D. C. Smith            G. M. Smith            J. R. Smith
Talley                 Taylor                 Umphlett
Vaughn                 Vick                   Walker
Whipper                Whitmire               Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

Bingham                Branham                Chalk
Coates                 Coleman                Delleney
Edge                   Emory                  Frye
Funderburk             Hardwick               Herbkersman
Hiott                  Huggins                Littlejohn
Loftis                 Lucas                  Miller
J. M. Neal             Norman                 Owens
E. H. Pitts            Rice                   Scarborough
Scott                  Simrill                G. R. Smith
Thompson               Toole                  Townsend
White                  Witherspoon

So, the amendment was tabled.

Rep. LIMEHOUSE moved to reconsider the vote whereby Amendment No. 5A was adopted.

Rep. COATES moved to table the motion to reconsider, which was rejected.

The question then recurred to the motion to reconsider, which was agreed to.

Rep. LIMEHOUSE moved to table the amendment, which was agreed to.
Reps. RICE and WALKER proposed the following Amendment No. 11A (Doc Name COUNCIL\SWB\6903AC06), which was tabled:
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 73, STATEWIDE REVENUE, PAGE 536, by deleting the paragraph added by the amendment offered by REP. BAILEY bearing (document number Council\BBM\9494AC06) and inserting:

/ 73. (SR: One Time Fuel Tax Credit) There is allowed as a credit against the 2006 individual income tax liability of a resident individual taxpayer an amount equal to $100 as a fuel tax credit on each state individual income tax return filed. If the credit exceeds the liability on the return, the difference must be refunded to the taxpayer. Unobligated revenues from increased enforcement collections, before any lapse to the State Budget and Control Board Grants Program, pursuant to Paragraph 73.10, Part IB, Act 115 of 2005 must be credited to the general fund of the State to offset the revenues not collected as a result of this credit. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. RICE explained the amendment.

Rep. COOPER moved to table the amendment.

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

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Anderson               Bailey                 Ballentine
Bannister              Barfield               Brady
Breeland               G. Brown               Cato
Chellis                Clemmons               Clyburn
Cobb-Hunter            Cooper                 Cotty
Dantzler               Duncan                 Govan
Hagood                 Haley                  Harrell
Harrison               Herbkersman            Hinson
Hodges                 Hosey                  Howard
Jefferson              Jennings               Kirsh
Leach                  Limehouse              Martin
McCraw                 Merrill                Moody-Lawrence
Neilson                Ott                    Perry
Pinson                 M. A. Pitts            Rivers
Rutherford             Sandifer               Scott
D. C. Smith            G. M. Smith            J. R. Smith
Talley                 Taylor                 Townsend
Umphlett               Vick                   Whipper
White                  Whitmire               Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

Agnew                  Bales                  Battle
Bingham                Branham                Chalk
Clark                  Coates                 Coleman
Delleney               Edge                   Emory
Frye                   Funderburk             Hardwick
Hiott                  Huggins                Littlejohn
Loftis                 Lucas                  Mahaffey
McLeod                 Miller                 J. M. Neal
Norman                 Owens                  E. H. Pitts
Rhoad                  Rice                   Scarborough
Simrill                Skelton                G. R. Smith
Thompson               Toole                  Vaughn
Walker                 Witherspoon

So, the amendment was tabled.

Rep. SCOTT proposed the following Amendment No. 9A (Doc Name COUNCIL\NBD\12537AC06), which was tabled:
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 73, STATEWIDE REVENUE, PAGE 536, AFTER LINE 5, BY ADDING AN APPROPRIATELY NUMBERED PARAGRAPH TO READ:

/ 73. (SR: Motor Fuels User Fee Suspension) The imposition of the motor fuels user fee, not including the imposition on diesel fuel, pursuant to Chapter 28, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is suspended effective October 1, 2006, through the earlier of December 31, 2006, or the date estimated by the Board of Economic Advisors that fifty percent unobligated revenues from increased enforcement collections, before any lapse to the State Budget and Control Board Grants Program, pursuant to Paragraph 73.10, Part IB, Act 115 of 2005 offset the revenues not collected because of the suspension. This offset amount of unobligated enforced collections revenue must be credited to the State Highway Fund. The balance of the unobligated enforced collections revenue must be added to amounts appropriated pursuant to this act for the four year-old kindergarten pilot program./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. SCOTT explained the amendment.
Rep. JENNINGS spoke in favor of the amendment.

Rep. MERRILL moved to table the amendment.

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

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Bailey                 Ballentine             Bannister
Barfield               Bingham                Brady
Cato                   Chellis                Clemmons
Coates                 Cooper                 Cotty
Dantzler               Delleney               Edge
Haley                  Hardwick               Harrell
Harrison               Harvin                 Herbkersman
Hinson                 Hiott                  Huggins
Kirsh                  Leach                  Limehouse
Loftis                 Lucas                  Mahaffey
Martin                 McCraw                 Merrill
Norman                 Owens                  Perry
E. H. Pitts            M. A. Pitts            Rice
Sandifer               Scarborough            Simrill
Skelton                D. C. Smith            G. M. Smith
G. R. Smith            J. R. Smith            Talley
Taylor                 Thompson               Toole
Umphlett               Vaughn                 Walker
White                  Whitmire               Witherspoon
Young

Those who voted in the negative are:

Agnew                  Allen                  Anderson
Bales                  Battle                 Branham
Breeland               G. Brown               R. Brown
Clark                  Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter
Coleman                Duncan                 Emory
Frye                   Funderburk             Govan
Hagood                 Hodges                 Hosey
Howard                 Jefferson              Jennings
Littlejohn             Mack                   McLeod
Miller                 Moody-Lawrence         Neilson
Ott                    Pinson                 Rhoad
Rutherford             Scott                  Vick
Weeks                  Whipper

So, the amendment was tabled.

Reps. SIMRILL, COTTY, CLEMMONS and CLARK proposed the following Amendment No. 12A (Doc Name COUNCIL\AGM\ 18488AC06), which was tabled:
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 73, STATEWIDE REVENUE, PAGE 536, AFTER LINE 5, BY ADDING AN APPROPRIATELY NUMBERED PARAGRAPH TO READ:

/ 73. (SR: Motor Fuels User Fee Suspension) The imposition of the motor fuels user fee pursuant to Chapter 28, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is suspended effective October 1, 2006, through the earlier of December 31, 2006, or the date estimated by the Board of Economic Advisors that unobligated revenues from increased enforcement collections, before any lapse to the State Budget and Control Board Grants Program, pursuant to Paragraph 73.10, Part IB, Act 115 of 2005 offset the revenues not collected because of the suspension. This offset amount of unobligated enforced collections revenue must be credited to the State Highway Fund. Motor fuel vendors must reduce the price of motor fuel per gallon at the pump by the amount of motor fuel tax suspended by this paragraph for the period of time the suspension is in effect. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Rep. SIMRILL explained the amendment.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. DUNCAN a leave of absence for the remainder of the day due to a funeral visitation.

Rep. SIMRILL moved to table the amendment, which was agreed to.

Reps. SIMRILL, COTTY, CLARK and CLEMMONS proposed the following Amendment No. 13A (Doc Name COUNCIL\AGM\ 18488AC06), which was adopted:
AMEND THE BILL, AS AND IF AMENDED, PART IB, SECTION 73, STATEWIDE REVENUE, PAGE 536, AFTER LINE 5, BY ADDING AN APPROPRIATELY NUMBERED PARAGRAPH TO READ:

/ 73. (SR: Motor Fuels User Fee Suspension) The imposition of the motor fuels user fee pursuant to Chapter 28, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is suspended effective October 1, 2006, through the earlier of December 31, 2006, or the date estimated by the Board of Economic Advisors that unobligated revenues from increased enforcement collections, before any lapse to the State Budget and Control Board Grants Program, pursuant to Paragraph 73.10, Part IB, Act 115 of 2005 offset the revenues not collected because of the suspension. This offset amount of unobligated enforced collections revenue must be credited to the State Highway Fund. Motor fuel vendors must reduce the price of motor fuel per gallon at the pump by the amount of motor fuel tax suspended by this paragraph. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. SIMRILL explained the amendment.
Rep. COATES spoke against the amendment.

The amendment was then adopted.

The Senate amendments, as amended, were then agreed to and the Bill was ordered returned to the Senate.

Rep. COOPER moved that the House do now adjourn, which was agreed to.

At 6:30 p.m. the House, in accordance with the motion of Rep. RHOAD, adjourned in memory of Netha Barnwell and Louise Smith of Bamberg, to meet at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.

This web page was last updated on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 9:44 A.M.