NO. 13

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 Ecclesiastes 3:22: "So I saw that there is nothing better than that all should enjoy their work, for that is their lot."

Let us pray. Almighty and glorious Lord, make Your presence known to these Representatives and staff that they have been selected to do the work of the people and help them understand nothing is better than for all of us to enjoy what we do. By Your guidance lead all of us to continue the good things of life. Bestow Your blessing upon these, Your people. Bless our defenders of freedom and first responders as they care for us. Look in favor upon our Nation, President, State, Governor, Speaker, staff, and all who contribute to this great cause. Heal the wounds, those seen and those hidden, of our brave warriors who suffer and sacrifice for our freedom. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers. 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 PRO TEMPORE.

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

Rep. ROBINSON moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of Fred Douglas Garrett, Sr., which was agreed to.

The following was received:

Sen. Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., Chairman     Rep. William R. Whitmire, Vice-Chairman
Sen. Thomas Alexander     Rep. John King
Sen. John L. Scott, Jr.     Rep. Sylleste Davis
Sen. Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III     Rep. Gary E. Clary

Staff:
Martha Casto
Julie Price

Date:       Monday, January 14, 2019
Time:       1:30 P.M.
Location:     209 Gressette Building

1101 Pendleton Street

Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Committee Members Present:
Chairman Senator Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., Chairman
Representative William R. Whitmire, Vice-Chairman
Senator John L. Scott
Senator Daniel B. Verdin III
Representative Richard C. King
Representative Sylleste H. Davis
Representative Gary E. Clary

Also Present:

Martha Casto, Staff

Julie Price, Staff

CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: I'll call the meeting to order. College and University Trustees Screening Commission. I'd like to welcome everyone. I pray that God continues to bless us all.

Members and folks in the audience, I'd like the staff to publish the commission's schedule for February.
MS. CASTO: Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman.

Behind your agenda is the commission's schedule that we have. The screening is today. The transcript will be printed in the journal next Thursday, January 24, for these four entities. And then on Wednesday, January 30, at noon, the candidates will be released for commitments. And that's on Wednesday, January 30, at noon.

Then the election. Pending the adoption -- it's passed the Senate, it's sitting in the House -- of S. 14 to set the date, the election will be February 6 at 12 noon in the House Chamber. That will include the judicial elections this election.

After that, you have 11 more seats, one for The Citadel, three Coastal Carolina, and three Wil Lou Gray seats that have not been advertised yet because the elections cannot be held until after April 1, so we were waiting to get through this round of screening.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: I like to welcome Representative Clary, a new member of the commission.
REPRESENTATIVE CLARY: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Go Tigers!

Any questions or comments so far?

Hearing none, we'll get started with the agenda.

First up, The Citadel, At Large, expires 2023, one seat. We have two candidates. The first candidate is Walt H. Cartin from Columbia.
Mr. Cartin, would you come forward.
MR. CARTIN: Mr. Chairman.
MS. CASTO: Members of the committee, he is behind Tab A, his information, and then there is a skinny I've done on all the candidates on the inside jacket of your notebooks.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Mr. Cartin, let me swear you in. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
MR. CARTIN: I do.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Would you like to make a brief statement to the commission on why you'd like to serve on The Citadel board?
MR. CARTIN: I would, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Walt Cartin. I'm from here in Richland County in Columbia. I am a 2002 graduate of The Citadel.

I graduated and immediately went to serve in the United States Army where I served as an infantry officer stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. I was deployed to Iraq where I served as an infantry rifle platoon leader, a scout platoon leader, and finally as an executive officer at the end of my 14-month tour in Iraq.

Following that time, I attended the University of South Carolina School of Law where I graduated in 2009. I have been practicing law here with Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein as a healthcare attorney representing a variety of corporate clients since 2009.

In 2017 I completed a master's in business administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

I believe and want to run for The Citadel because I believe I can add certain value. 2001, in particular September 11, 2001, was a watershed moment for our country. On September 11, our nation was attacked and subsequently launched us into two decades' worth of war. We are now to the point where soldiers who will serve in Afghanistan this year may not actually have been born on September 11.

In addition to the military changes that have occurred, there also been substantial changes to the way in which college is funded. When I graduated in 2002, I was right at the very bottom of the school debt bubble. It has subsequently, I believe, gotten a little bit out of hand. As tuition has risen far past the rate of inflation and far past the rate at which South Carolinians' paychecks have grown, it's created a substantial problem.

As someone who graduated post-2001, I believe I am uniquely situated. I dealt with some of these issues personally. I graduated from law school in an economy that was terrible, so I'm familiar with some of the unique challenges that many of the millennials are facing.

So I don't want to take up too much of the committee's time. I think I've already gone a little bit longer that was intended. But I'll just wrap up and say I think that based on my life experience and unique time at which I graduated from The Citadel, I think I can be of service to the board, and I would like to do that.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Thank you for your willingness to serve.

Does the commission have any questions, comments?
REPRESENTATIVE WHITMIRE: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Representative Whitmire.
REPRESENTATIVE WHITMIRE: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, President, whatever else you are now.

Thank you for your service to our country. Infantry, speaking from experience, I wasn't quite as high up the chain as you were, so I can appreciate what you've done.

I notice you said that the biggest weakness of The Citadel is academic rigor to be improved. Could you expand on that a little bit and in what areas.
MR. CARTIN: Absolutely.

I graduated in 2002 and had some time before I started law school, but when I started law school at the University of South Carolina, right across the street here, I felt like I was not adequately prepared to meet the challenge, to get into the mix with a number of the students who had graduated from other state universities. That's a very honest, very candorous opinion that I can give to you.

And that's to say I graduated from The Citadel with departmental honors in the English department, but I found that my own analytical skills were lacking, and I felt like they had not been adequately developed. And as I look back now on the curriculum, I feel like it could have been a little bit more difficult. I feel like some of our core classes, some of the grading standards -- I feel like there was some checking the block that was going on.

So I would spend specific and special attention to ensuring that our curriculum is consistent with what other schools in South Carolina and the nation are preparing their students to deal with and to actively compete both in postgraduate education and in the workforce.
REPRESENTATIVE WHITMIRE: I'm kind of surprised because I just assumed The Citadel was already more academically rigorous than some of our other state schools. So you're saying you would push to raise the bar or standard over what's happening now.
MR. CARTIN: I do. I believe you can always raise the bar on academic excellence. I think there's a question in there about how do we -- do we need to grow the student body population. I think we need to focus on recruiting the highest and most talented folks that we possibly can. And one of the ways that you do that is to raise the academic reputation.
REPRESENTATIVE WHITMIRE: How many students does The Citadel have now? Do you know?
MR. CARTIN: Twenty-three hundred.
REPRESENTATIVE WHITMIRE: And that's been pretty standard throughout the years?
MR. CARTIN: It grew just recently because they added another battalion. Because of geographically where The Citadel is, it really can't grow. There's not much room. It's kind of like, akin to VMI in that it's landlocked, VMI by the mountains and The Citadel, certainly, by the rivers that surround it, the wetlands.

So the ability to grow that student body much bigger I think is limited while still preserving some of the unique characteristics of The Citadel.
REPRESENTATIVE WHITMIRE: Do you favor keeping those characteristics as they are now as opposed to any change in the future for The Citadel?
MR. CARTIN: I do. I think that it is important to maintain that tradition, some of those traditional things that generations of Citadel folks who were there in the '50s, the '60s, the '70s can come back and have a common point of reference with many of the different age groups that have graduated in subsequent years.

And specifically, what I'm thinking about is the quad system where fourth classmen are required to go out, sweep the quad, to assemble on the quad. If you were to raise either the height of the buildings, you would start to pack that area too much. That's sort of a central area to campus life.

It's kind of like the Horseshoe at USC or something like or -- you know, I didn't go to Clemson, but I'd imagine there's some similar place like that that's unique. And I think our battalions are like that. So if you were to change the physical design, I think you would lose a little bit of sort of the traditional experience that binds generations of Citadel graduates together.
REPRESENTATIVE WHITMIRE: If you haven't been to Clemson recently, they are changing the landscape quite considerably up there, I don't know if for the better or not.

I will say one other thing, though. The Citadel barbecue every year, I am amazed at the closeness of the graduates going back to the '50s and '60s to recently. It's just a unique, unique school, and I appreciate your willingness to serve what I consider one of our crown jewels in the State.
MR. CARTIN: Thank you, Representative Whitmire.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Thank you.

Any other questions or comments?

Senator Scott.
SENATOR SCOTT: Yes, sir. Thank you.

And thank you so much for your willingness to serve.

I'm a little concerned about maintaining The Citadel in the same position, some of the same qualities it had in the '50s and '60s. You were there in 2002 when it underwent its change to allow women to come to The Citadel. Now you guys have got, what, five battalions, and two of the five are led by women.

And so I'm concerned about that along with trying to maintain the same status quo. And I'm just trying to, I guess, paraphrase what you meant --
MR. CARTIN: Oh. No.
SENATOR SCOTT: -- what you said, and I hope that's not what you meant, as we move the State, of course, to try to bring more South Carolinians into some of the schools and try to integrate some of the behavior with some of the schools.

Twenty-three hundred is a good-sized school. It's not a small school for a South Carolina school. And if I'm not reading you correctly, would you please, sir, correct me on that thought process because maybe I got lost in that thought process.

I've got a question coming after that one.
MR. CARTIN: Senator Scott, thank you very much for that question.

What I meant by maintaining some of the traditions is there are certain things, like the Citadel ring, for instance. Every generation that's graduated has the same ring. And these are sort of common points of reference that bind the group together. Some of the physical attributes of the school, the parade deck, things like that, are more what I was referencing.

The student body is certainly changed. I think right now we're at 8.6 percent female participation in the Corps. When I was there in 2002 Ms. Mace -- Representative Mace now -- was the first female graduate, in the Class of 1999.

I was there when -- I witnessed some of the challenges that she faced and have some sympathies for the folks and some deep admiration for the very brave people that came after her to really establish a spot for female cadets in the Corps.

In addition, we've got about 25 percent minority participation. I'm not sure what the exact racial breakdown is there.

But, you know, one of the things that I think about and what I think would make me unique is I would be one of only two other millennials or one other millennial on the board. And why is that important for diversity? Because the way you appeal to different diverse groups, I think, is affected by their generation.

The generation coming up today doesn't consume information, and so when we're advertising to recruit more diverse candidates, we've got to make sure that we are advertising to them in such a way, reaching out to them in such a way that it's actually getting to them.

So how would that -- what would happen -- what would be an example of that? You know, if we are advertising in traditional print media or if we are advertising with pop-up ads on websites that are frequented by a particular demographic that might not be reaching some of the more diverse candidates, the good candidates that we want there to strengthen our institution.

So I absolutely do not believe at all that The Citadel should be static in certain respects, but there are wonderful traditions, as there at any school, that I think are important and are good for creating cohesion amongst the generations.
SENATOR SCOTT: My last question: What is your real thought process as it relates to diversity with faculty, students, administrators at The Citadel?
MR. CARTIN: So in my law firm I've been very involved with our diversity and inclusion committee. We have a very active program. So I've seen in a corporate setting how a successful program, an award-winning program -- a number of different chambers of commerce, both Charlotte and locally in Columbia, have given us accolades -- can work.

And I think what it really drills down to is making sure that we are paying special attention to ensure that we are doing what we can to recruit both diverse faculty and diverse student bodies -- sometimes they're overlooked groups, again -- and who we're reaching out to.

Where are we sending our representatives out to speak at different Rotary Clubs and so forth? Are we ignoring certain neighborhoods? Are we ignoring certain high schools when we send recruiters to go talk to students, participating in college fairs and so forth.

So I think it takes a deliberate, intentional process whereby we actively reach out to those groups to find qualified candidates, because they may not be looking for a place like The Citadel, and they don't know they need to come there until we tell them about the school and what it can offer.
SENATOR SCOTT: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Thank you.

Any others?
REPRESENTATIVE KING: I have a question.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Representative King.
REPRESENTATIVE KING: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I just have a quick question just to follow up on Senator Scott. And what I've experienced at the university in my district, which is Winthrop, is that in trying to reach, I guess, quotas, if you would say it as a quota, minorities on staff or as instructors, they are sometimes put in places as adjunct instructors with no pathway of being tenured or a full-time instructor.

What would you do to ensure that people -- minorities would be advanced at The Citadel?
MR. CARTIN: I think you have to develop policies about how faculty is recruited and how faculty is hired, and I think you have to enforce those without regard to race and you have to make an intention that you're not.

I think you have to take a hard look at it every year. It's not something you can look at in a five-year strategic plan and then stick it on a shelf and not worry about it. It's the type of thing that you have to annually, if not quarterly, go back and look and see what we're doing.

Are we working to recruit them? And are the types of people that we're working to recruit the kinds that are going to be tenure-track professors versus adjuncts? If all we're looking to recruit is adjuncts, we shouldn't be surprised when all we're getting is adjuncts, you know.

I will tell you there is a lot of competition nationally for diverse, tenure-qualified professors. I mean, that's a fact. And so we are up against schools like Harvard, Chapel Hill, Clemson, USC, not to offend anybody. I'll make sure I include all the South Carolina schools.

There's a lot of competition for those diverse candidates, and we need to make sure that we're putting the resources in to get the types of folks that, A, meet the qualifications that we need for those professorships and, B, can provide value to our students through their unique experiences.
REPRESENTATIVE KING: And I guess my last comment to you is, I was just in a hearing last week when Winthrop came to the state capitol to talk about their budget, and on their team that came down, there was not one person of color. And I'm not just speaking of African Americans. There was no person of color that was on their leadership team. And I think that's a shame on Winthrop, and I would hope that you would promote something different as a member of the board at The Citadel.
MR. CARTIN: Yes, sir.
REPRESENTATIVE CLARY: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Representative Clary.
REPRESENTATIVE CLARY: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Cartin, I wanted to follow up on your comment about the academic rigor at The Citadel. I think back to my law school days, and when I came in, a lot of very good friends who attended The Citadel, I thought they were as well prepared as anyone who was there.

Is your comment about the academic rigor at The Citadel -- is that throughout the institution, or is it the fact that you received a bachelor's degree in English? I had a history major and an English minor at Clemson, which was kind of unheard of.

So tell me about that because that's something that is concerning to me when I look at The Citadel because I've always had such a high regard for the academic quality there. So explain that to me a little bit better.
MR. CARTIN: I do not think it's as evenly distributed. I think there are certain pockets of excellence there. I think that the civil engineering program at The Citadel is in the top 25 in the country, I have heard. Certainly in the Southeast, it's going to be up there.

As I recall from my time being at The Citadel, and certainly, again, as a candidate who's not privy to all the information, I can give you basically what my impressions are, what my anecdotal experiences was.

I started out there as a business major and quickly changed over to English when I found that I had, as a freshman, with all the demands of a knob, gotten a 3.9 GPA. And I knew something was wrong. I was not being challenged in that respect.

Business administration majors, I had noted, were -- had a lot of free time. My roommate my senior year was a business administration major. He had one book on his shelf, and it was called, Who Moved My Cheese? Now, that's sort of a classic business book, but I think there's a problem there when a senior at The Citadel can have one book on his desk called Who Moved My Cheese, not to denigrate that book.

But again, a lot of this is my subjective impression. A lot of this is seeing that my Citadel classmates in law school were not necessarily toward the top of the class. Things may have changed from -- over the years, but I know personally about the struggle I had to keep up. Ultimately I graduated in the top 10 percent of the class, though. I figured it out. I was able to overcome that.

But I feel very strongly that as a board member this would be something that I would spend considerable focus on, digging into it. Is there evidence to support what my anecdotal suspicion is? And then, if there is evidence to support that, I think we would look very hard and I would look very actively at working to solve that.
REPRESENTATIVE CLARY: I was going to say it seems that you recovered fairly nicely because you were on the Law Review, and that does not come easily.

And Mr. Chairman, for the record, I think I probably could have taken my first two semesters at Clemson and added them together and not had a 3.9.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Statute of limitations ran on you.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Representative Davis.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I've got to chime in on the academic rigor discussion here. My son just graduated from The Citadel in May with a mechanical engineering degree. Based on my observation, it was a rigorous curriculum. And he and one other roommate were the only ones that survived the mechanical engineering program to graduate with a degree.

So it seemed to be, from the outside looking in, that the engineering school, at least, was sort of a -- there was a weeding process, and those top students were the ones that made it. And, in fact, he was able to pass his Engineer in Training exam the first time he took it.

So I would say from a parent's point of view, it was a good value for my money, and I feel like my son got a great education. So I would just add that to the discussion.

Thank you.
SENATOR VERDIN: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Senator Verdin.
SENATOR VERDIN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

You really prompted our attention on the academic excellence. I, like Representative Davis, have just had a son -- well, in 2016 -- drag himself across the finish line down there.

And I'm looking at the timeline. I look at you and I think, Millennial, young man. And I have a constituent like you back home who will look 50 when he's 90. And I'm jealous of you.

But 2002 on your baccalaureate, and it's almost a decade since your first run for the board. I'm just curious about -- with the same observations -- and it's obviously poignant to you because I sense the transition from undergraduate to law school was like a bell ringer, a wake-up call.
MR. CARTIN: (Nodding head.)
SENATOR VERDIN: But I'm also thinking that -- and I'm sure it was probably one of your observations and probably the most salient point of your run back in 2011, the academic excellence component.

And I'm going to salute you here and in perpetuity on that note because I, like Representative Davis, want to make sure that my son who's still working on his payments and/or any other cadet that comes through there gets the best return on their investment.

So I commend you for raising the matter even if it might not be as pertinent today as it was in your time frame, I would like to believe, and I think all of us are looking forward to digging deeper with The Citadel as it relates to academic standards.

Senator Scott, I know you still serve the education side on finance.

I am curious, though. And this will just kind of give us more insight. What's the most gratifying degree you have, The Citadel degree, the Carolina degree, or the Chapel Hill degree?
MR. CARTIN: The Citadel, by far. I made the best friends that I've ever had in my entire life there, lifelong friends. My roommate just came -- and he is a -- he works for the State Department -- came and stayed at my house for several weeks.

These are friends that you make forever, and its part of those common traditions that you have that bind you together, some of the challenges in the fourth class system. Absolutely the most valuable degree.

The other point I'll mention about the academic rigor is my brother graduated in 2007 with a magna cum laude, I think, in accounting and struggled to pass the CPA exams. That's my other point of reference. Watching him struggle through that after having done so well, it just concerned me.

And so I don't mean to denigrate, certainly, at all. I love the school.
SENATOR VERDIN: Well, I don't take it that way, and I don't think any of us do. It's just, actually, the fact that you've given so much thought. And that is -- the Corps -- and I was going to ask you about ensuring cadet control of the Corps and things along those lines.

But I'm telling you, for those of us that invest a hundred grand, we want to make sure it is as best as it can possibly be. So I don't consider it denigration. I consider it a very merited point of focus.
SENATOR SCOTT: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Senator Scott.
SENATOR SCOTT: I just wanted to make one comment.

I graduated from South Carolina State with a degree in accounting and a minor in economics, and I can assure you, him coming out in 2007, he was not going to sit for the CPA exam and pass it on the first go around. It takes some time. You come out of school with the theory. When you get the job, then you get the practicality. A lot of it is about audit and audit procedures, valuations, and so forth.

The other part, I'm more than sure that after 17 years from the time you graduated The Citadel has remained competitive with the other schools. And yes, those who are in the management portion of the program are not going to work as hard as those who are in the accounting portion of the program. They are just two different things.

Your friend who was a senior probably was just going on the field in that particular semester. That's probably why there were no books on the shelf. But if he had switched to accounting major, trust me, he would have struggled just as hard as you did.

And let's just be serious, some of the programs, no matter which school you go to, are going to be a lot easier than others. I started in the field of history and changed my major because history was too easy, just read and study. I went to accounting and discovered it was a lot more challenging.

It was just the individual, and that's why some fields pay a lot more than other fields, because they're a lot more challenging.

Thank you so much.
MR. CARTIN: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Anyone else?

What's the desire of the committee?
REPRESENTATIVE WHITMIRE: Favorable.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Motion is a favorable report. Is there a second?
SENATOR VERDIN: Second.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Second's heard. Any other discussion?

Hearing none, we'll take it to a vote. All in favor, raise your right hand. Unanimous.

Thank you, again, for your willingness to serve, sir.
MR. CARTIN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Next, Mr. James E. Nicholson from Lexington.
MR. NICHOLSON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Also a candidate at large.

Good afternoon, sir.
MR. NICHOLSON: Good afternoon, sir.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Let me swear you in. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
MR. NICHOLSON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Would you like to make a brief statement?
MR. NICHOLSON: Yes, sir, I would.

Before I start, I'd like to give a shout-out to the Tigers too. I've got -- well, I had one trying to get out of school up here. He's 23, and he's making a career out of it, and I've got a junior up here right now. So I'm very happy for the Tigers.

You know, my story is a pretty simple one. In 1981 I graduated from Brookland-Cayce High School, and I was going to Clemson University to play baseball. And a week before school started, I made a decision that I needed to go to The Citadel.

It's probably the most mature decision I made even now, to go to The Citadel. I love what the school stands for, I love the discipline, I love the teamwork, and I appreciate what the school has done for the state of South Carolina, this country, and this world.

We've got a son that's a freshman down there, and I have not had a lifelong dream be on the board of visitors. With that said, I don't want anybody to think that I'm not one hundred percent committed to being on the board of visitors.

I had a classmate about a year ago say something to me time and time again about getting on the board of visitors, and I really didn't take it to heart, but with this opening that came up and then my son, who made the decision on his own to attend The Citadel, every time I drive through that gate now, the hair on the back of my neck stands up.

And so I'm at a point in time right now, my wife and I that I've got time to serve. I'm a hundred percent committed to doing it.

I've worked at SCANA for 31 years. I hope you all don't hold that against me. Senator Scott, I know you were on the review committee.

But the company has been great to me. I've been on the natural gas side for 31 years, and in all two years, I've been in a position of leadership on the natural gas side.

And the things I've learned about relationships and communication and people, the things I've learned about risk management and assessing risks, about making decisions, finances, human resources, strategic planning -- we've referred already to diversity and inclusions -- the training we've done on that I really think will make me a good candidate for the board of visitors.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Thank you, sir.

Questions or comments?
REPRESENTATIVE KING: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Representative King.
REPRESENTATIVE KING: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I have a question for you, Mr. Nicholson.
MR. NICHOLSON: Yes, sir.
REPRESENTATIVE KING: Can you explain to me what you think is the time commitment for a person on any college board of trustees here in South Carolina? What would be the time commitment?
MR. NICHOLSON: Well, I've talked to a number of people on the board, people I've known. And there's a quarterly meeting for a couple days at a time, but there's also probably 15 to 20 hours in anticipation of getting ready for those meetings. You're on, usually, three committees. And I believe it's going to be a significant amount of time. And I am fully and definitely prepared to serve and do what I need to do.
REPRESENTATIVE KING: What do you believe is your most important obligation to the citizens of South Carolina when it comes to your representation on that?
MR. NICHOLSON: Well, The Citadel was founded to help underprivileged South Carolinians, and I think The Citadel -- even though we're known throughout this nation and throughout the world, The Citadel serves the state of South Carolina. And I think that needs to be its biggest mission.

I think we're pretty low percentage-wise on the number of South Carolinians that go to The Citadel compared to some other state institutions. I think we need to do a better job of attracting more people from South Carolina.

Diversity and inclusion was mentioned a while ago. I think we've got to cast a wider net to get diverse candidates in there. And we're looking for the best people. And when I talk about diversity and inclusion, some of our training at work has been around not just the vessel that you see me in or I see you in but it's about diversity of thought and diversity of personality and diversity of background and that sort of thing.

But we need to be looking for the best people, regardless of who they are, to help make The Citadel a better place.
REPRESENTATIVE KING: We've heard in the past from some board members that the reason why they select out-of-state students is because of the money that they can get from those students versus what they can get from in-state students.

How do you weigh on both of those--?
MR. NICHOLSON: Yes, sir.
REPRESENTATIVE KING: -- to ensure that the institution is not looking at the student out of state before they're looking at in-state students?
MR. NICHOLSON: That's a good question, Representative King. And I felt the same way and heard some of the same things at Clemson. Our oldest son got directly into Clemson, but our youngest -- our middle daughter went into the bridge, which, quite frankly, was a great program. And I kind of like the tuition there versus going straight into Clemson.

But I do think that probably one of the biggest things not just The Citadel but higher education in South Carolina and this nation faces is the cost of education. And I'm concerned about -- I don't know if the business model that's there now and what it's taking for people to go to college and spend that kind of money is going to last.

So I can understand the universities -- if they do lean towards out-of-state people because of budget and finance issues, I understand that, but I really believe that we've got to stay focused on the state of South Carolina.
REPRESENTATIVE KING: Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Thank you.

Others?

Hearing none, what's the desire of the committee?
REPRESENTATIVE WHITMIRE: Favorable.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Motion is favorable.
SENATOR SCOTT: Second.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Second. Any other discussion?

Hearing none, we'll take it to a vote. All in favor, raise your right hand.

Unanimous.

There's a plus in coming second rather than first. Thank you for your willingness to serve, sir.
MR. NICHOLSON: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: All right. Now we'll move to College of Charleston, Fifth Congressional District, Seat 10, R. Laurin Burch from Camden.

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
MR. BURCH: I do.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Would you like to make a brief statement?
MR. BURCH: Yes, sir. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, members of the commission, I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today. I'll try to keep this brief.

My name is Laurin Burch. I'm a Spring 2000 graduate of the College of Charleston with an undergraduate degree in accounting. I currently live with my wife and three daughters in Camden. I'm a South Carolina licensed CPA and the controller for the Pepsi-Cola Bottlers based out of Florence, Greenville, and Cheraw.

I'm here quite simply because I want to serve my alma mater as a member of the board of trustees. I come from a C of C family. I was the first of three siblings to graduate from the school. I also met my wife there as well as many great friends. I care about the college and want to give back.

As the father of those three elementary-aged daughters, I'm extremely concerned about the ever-increasing cost of a four-year degree. I don't believe that that trend is sustainable, and I'm confident that my finance and accounting background would serve the board well when navigating those issues.

My goal is simple: to do whatever I can to improve the school in all areas, academics, athletics, finances, student life, and so on. I'm proud of the college and its rich history and would love an opportunity to serve.

Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Thank you.

Questions? Comments?
SENATOR SCOTT: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Senator Scott.
SENATOR SCOTT: Thank you for your willingness to serve.

My first question: Did you pass the CPA on the first go-around?
MR. BURCH: I passed three out of four on the first try.
SENATOR SCOTT: We got that part out of the way.
MR. BURCH: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SCOTT: Tell me a little bit about your thoughts with diversity, especially at the College of Charleston. I know when President McConnell was there, I think they hired a diversity officer, and they were going through some changes, trying to put some things together to create a decent format for bringing in new students and trying to bring some balance to the college.
MR. BURCH: We do have the Office of Institutional Diversity.
SENATOR SCOTT: Right.
MR. BURCH: And I don't have the numbers in front of me --
SENATOR SCOTT: That's okay.
MR. BURCH: -- but I do think that over the last three or four years we've seen a steady increase in the percentage of minority students as a whole. I'm a big fan of diversity even in the corporate world where I see the huge benefits of broadening your scope and your experiences and the resources available, the thoughts and intellectual capital. So I'm a big fan of that.

I think we're moving in the right direction. And, obviously, I also believe that you can always improve. As you all are probably very well aware, we have a new president that's a minority, so that sort of sets the tone at the top there for that. But I'll always be big on diversity and try to improve and do better wherever we can.
SENATOR SCOTT: I know the College of Charleston is trying to expand from downtown Charleston I guess into North Charleston because they're planning the location. Are you up to date on what's going onwith that? I know downtown you have a lot of facilities that need it also.
MR. BURCH: The downtown peninsula has been crowded for years, even when I was there in 2000. There's been a sort of butting heads between the school and the residents around the school, around the campus, as far as -- parking has always been an issue. Student life, residents' housing is a problem.

And then, again, when you add ever-increasing tuition and fees on top of the cost of living in downtown Charleston that continues to increase, those students get hit more than others.

So from my point of view, I would just like -- if we are going to -- if we're in a budget crunch and have to increase revenue or either -- it's either is increase revenue or cut costs, I don't want the first reaction to be, let's just raise tuition. Let's take a hard look at our costs and what we're spending money on before we make that decision.
SENATOR SCOTT: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Thank you.
REPRESENTATIVE CLARY: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Representative Clary.
REPRESENTATIVE CLARY: Mr. Burch, that last question that Senator Scott asked you, coming from a college town where there is a tremendous amount of pressure between the city and the university and the growth that we've had there, we're not as -- well, I won't say that.

The university has a certain amount of land that they have and the ability to develop and other external factors that create living opportunities for students that allows the college to expand its student body.

And we talk about the term town and gown relationships. What do you see that you could bring to the College's board in regard to the relationship that exists between the community, the city of Charleston, and the university? Could you elaborate on that?
MR. BURCH: Well, the school -- even if we bought -- acquired other property in the downtown area, we are land -- not landlocked, but we're on that peninsula. And so the only growth is West Ashley, North Charleston, James Island, and up the I-26 Corridor.

They have a North Campus, so this has been a problem that they've dealt with for years. We just need to be more engaged with the local residents or continue that engagement, potentially offer them benefits of the facilities, you know, try to partnership within the city, you know, just to ease their concerns and do whatever we can to make a -- we need a partnership between the city and the residents in the school.
REPRESENTATIVE CLARY: I don't disagree with you, and I think that Charleston has a different situation from the standpoint that it's not the only game in town. You've got the tourism and other factors that we don't have up in my areas.

But I think that it's very important for anyone who offers to serve as a trustee for one of our state institutions to always be mindful of the relationship that exists between the university, the municipality or town or city that is there, but even more importantly, the residential and business community because you can have this town gown relationship that sounds good on its face, but if the residents/businesses are left out, then that's the third leg of that three-legged stool that's missing, and it creates a lot of friction.

So thank you very much for your answer.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Representative Davis.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I graduated from the College of Charleston in 1983. That was a while ago. And I'm a member of the alumni board there and have been involved in the College on and off since I graduated.

I see -- with your background in finance and accounting, I'm assuming that you believe that that is one of the primary things you can bring to the board of trustees is your experience.
MR. BURCH: Yes, ma'am.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: So given that that is your background and your experience and sort of your view of the world, what specifically would you do if you were elected to the board of trustees that would reflect and use that experience to make the College better?
MR. BURCH: I like to look at data, analytics. And we need to determine what is the appropriate balance of more revenue generated or more tuition income generated on out-of-state students. You know, there's a balancing act of, what does that ratio need to be? If we allow more out-of-state students, can we alleviate some of the financial pressures on the in-state students?

So I'd look at that, you know, and then do everything that we -- if we can get more grant money, more scholarships from corporate private donors and other entities, that's a bonus too.

So those would be the areas that I would try to focus on and see if I could help.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: Okay.

Have you been involved in the College since you graduated?
MR. BURCH: We have -- I was extremely involved earlier on in my career, but after raising three daughters, we had to step back. I do stay involved in the contact with a lot of the staff that are still there. My wife worked in the admissions office and the alumni services when we were first out of school. So we still do have a lot of connections. And then I try to make it to a basketball game or two when I can.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: Okay. Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Anyone else?

Hearing none, what's the desire of the committee?
SENATOR SCOTT: Favorable.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Motion is favorable. Is there a second?
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: Second.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Second. All in favor raise your right hand.

Seven to nothing.

Thank you for your willingness to serve, sir.
MR. BURCH: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Next, under Tab H, Adam J. Smith from Fort Mill.

Good afternoon, sir. Let me swear you in. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
MR. SMITH: I do.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Would you like to make a brief statement?
MR. SMITH: Yes, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and the committee for allowing me the opportunity to be screened today.

I grew up in Anderson, South Carolina. I went to TL Hanna. I graduated in '98 from high school. I got recruited by a lot of colleges across the country to play sports, and I went on a visit down to Charleston. And the first time I stepped foot on campus was when I knew that this was where I was going to go. I knew I wanted to go there the moment I stepped foot on campus. I'm in love with the history of it. I'm infatuated with it, really. I love everything about that campus. That's the reason why, from someone that had multiple opportunities to go multiple locations, I chose Charleston, and I feel like I'm in debt.

I graduated in '02, and I think that the liberal arts side of my degree is what prepared me and is what has made me so successful in my career up until this point.

It allowed me to kind of discover my strengths as I -- I'm kind of the accidental salesperson. I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I accidentally fell into that, but because of the education that the College of Charleston gave me, it allowed me to progress.

I felt because of that education and because I graduated debt-free that I'm forever indebted to Charleston, and whatever I can do to help them help preserve the rich history, I'm up for it.

And now I have three children, nine, seven, and four, and it's become more important to me that I want to give my kids and their generation every bit of the opportunity to experience what I experienced when I went to school back there from '98 to '02.

Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Thank you.

Questions?
REPRESENTATIVE KING: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Representative King.     REPRESENTATIVE KING: Thank you.

Can you tell me, as a board member, how would you tackle the issue of diversity on the campus?
MR. SMITH: I believe that everybody deserves the same opportunities that I have had, and from what I've seen with the College of Charleston, you know, over the last five years, they've become more diverse. I believe 20 percent of the students now are minorities. Eight percent are African American. And it's up in the last five years' timeframe.

I would think that -- somebody said it earlier today. I think it also starts with leadership, and as you can see, you know, our new president is a minority. You kind of practice what you preach is what I've always been told. And I think that as leadership and the board and people behave that way and show that it's important, then I think else will follow over time. And I'm a believer in that.
REPRESENTATIVE KING: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Any other questions?
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: I have a question.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Representative Davis.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: Mr. Smith, thank you for being here with us today.

I do have a question, your concern about the four-year graduation rate. It looks like in your notes -- because my question was the current four-year graduation rate. And it's 56 percent. Is that correct?
MR. SMITH: Yes.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: What would you do to improve that?
MR. SMITH: I would have to learn a little bit more, but what struck me with that number is we talked about debt for the last hour here, and that's why -- I'm not so sure how we rank with all the other state schools, but 56 only graduating in four years -- I was lucky enough to have baseball that kind of kept me in line and made sure that my grades and everything were in line, so I was on a four-year program. I was in and out.

I've also had a lot of friends that were on the five- and six- and six-and-a-half-year programs, and they're coming out of school with a lot more debt. And so I think from a board perspective, being able to sit down and have conversations with, how can we educate the financial implications of our students taking five and six years to finish their degree and look at processes and things that we could do on the front end to show people that getting in and out in four years puts you at a lower debt coming out and there's a benefit there?

And I was just surprised when I saw that percentage, but maybe that's in line with everybody else.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: I don't know. I was surprised by that number as well. So thank you. I appreciate your efforts in that regard.
MR. SMITH: Thank you, Representative Davis.
REPRESENTATIVE CLARY: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Representative Clary.
REPRESENTATIVE CLARY: I know Senator Peeler and I were on the four-year plan because I think both of us knew when we went to Clemson that's all there was there. You better be out in four years.

The idea of these percentages -- you know, I've heard in other meetings and other discussion that sometimes these graduation rates are affected by the ability of the school to offer courses at particular times for students to be able to meet that four-year deadline. That becomes an issue. And just to throw that out there for you.

But I want to follow with you the question that I asked Mr. Burch. You're a fairly recent graduate of the College. and insofar as the relationship between the College and the Charleston community and the growth that you have that's kind of normal, what is that relationship? What would you do to try to improve it?
MR. SMITH: I think there's a lot that I would need to -- I mean, it's a great question, Representative Clary. I think there's a lot that I would need to read up on to fully understand that relationship as it stands today.

I do know that, like, one of the biggest things when I went to school there was I didn't know whether or not my car would be in front of the house that I parked at when I went to school.

So something as simple as give us a parking area in North Charleston where we can ride a tram in or something along those lines because, I mean, that seems to be -- I can remember that. Everyone's cars were getting booted, towed, ticketed. And it was because we were parking in front of peoples' homes and blocking their driveways and things like that.

The other thing that would be interesting, going back to your telemedicine, I think online classes or recorded online classes for people that are, you know, working parents or that may otherwise not be able to come in for a 9:00 class, but they could watch a recorded class later on that evening and be expected to do the same type of work. I think that the biggest thing is we need to have conversations about it to see what it looks like.

The other thing that stuck out to me with C of C is -- I'm only ranking it against the other state schools, but the endowment's the lowest out of a lot of them, compared to, you know, your USCs, your Clemsons, The Citadel.

And I'm wondering if, you know, with Charleston being the number one city, tourist destination in the country and number one place to vacation and things like that, you would think that -- the school's getting ready to celebrate the 250th anniversary. You would think that the town and the people that live downtown could coincide or come together and realize that they can have that town and gown positive relationship.
REPRESENTATIVE CLARY: Well, I will also tell you that the problems with parking are not singular to Charleston. It's the same thing that I hear from students at Clemson too.

But thank you for your answer.
MR. SMITH: Yes, sir. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Anyone else?

Other questions or comments? What's the desire of the committee?
REPRESENTATIVE KING: Favorable report.
SENATOR SCOTT: Second.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Motion is favorable. Any other discussion?

Hearing none, we'll take it to a vote. All in favor raise your right hand.

Seven to nothing.

Thank you for your willingness to serve.
MR. SMITH: Thank you for your time.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Now we'll take Old Exchange Building Commission, At Large, Expires 2020, two seats. Under Tab I, Catherine M. Patterson from Lexington.

How do you do, ma'am?
MS. PATTERSON: Fine. How are you?
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Let me swear you in. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
MS. PATTERSON: I do.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Would you like to make a brief statement.
MS. PATTERSON: Yes, sir. I don't know that I can follow that, but I was born in North Carolina and raised in Moncks Corner. And I went to Winthrop for a year. Back when I went in 1966, it was ranked fourth academically in the nation is what they told us then.

And then I also attended the College of Charleston for three years at night while I worked when President Carter was president and we had the BEOG grant. And so I was able to go with everything paid. And, of course, then when he was not re-elected, that went with it too.

But then, eventually, I started working for the City of Charleston in 1991 and retired in July 2017. In 1996, I became the director of special facilities for the city. And the facilities I was responsible for were the -- and throughout my career, were the Dock Street Theatre, the original Gaillard Auditorium before the Gaillard Center, the Charleston Visitor Center, Charleston Maritime Center, Angel Oak Tree Park, the Old Slave Mart Museum, and the Old Exchange.

So I'm here today seeking the position on the commission for the Old Exchange, primarily because when the Old Exchange was put into my department in 2003, I had to work very closely with the commission because the building was struggling them, and because we were revenue generating facilities, that was the primary reason it was put into my department.

But I saw the work that the commission did, the members of the commission, the dedication and the hard work that they put in for that building to make sure that it was preserved financially and physically as the historic treasure of South Carolina that it is.

And then when I retired in 2017, I realized I really missed the involvement with that building and wanted to be a part of it again. So that's why I am seeking this position on the commission.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Questions or comments?
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: (Raises hand.)
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Representative Davis.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I'm making sure that I'm caught up here on what we're discussing. The Old Exchange Commission is, as it relates to the Old Exchange building that's in Charleston, downtown Charleston?
MS. PATTERSON: Right. Right.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: I had -- excuse me.
SENATOR VERDIN: Foot of Broad.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: Yeah.

I understood that a portion of that building was owned by the Rebecca Motte Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I'm a member of that chapter, by the way.
MS. PATTERSON: Okay.

It's not just the Rebecca Motte Chapter, the state DAR organization. The Rebecca Motte Chapter is the chapter in residence there, and they have been.

But in 1913, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the state chapter, won the Old Exchange building in a quit claim -- a quit deed sale from the federal government, and then the Rebecca Motte Chapter was housed in the Old Exchange from that time on.

And then in 1976, when the state -- the Bicentennial committee for the state wanted the project to restore the Old Exchange building because nothing really had been done with it, and so they entered into a 100-year lease with the state DAR, and we're in the second 25 years of that 100-year lease.

But the state entered into it then. The state ran it from '76 until 1989, and then the commission at the time wanted to investigate different management procedures and new ways to attract visitors and increase revenue.

So that's when they put out a management bid. And the City of Charleston and the College of Charleston both put in a bid, and the City won the management agreement. And so the City has managed it since 1989, and it's renewed through the commission, through city council, every November.

But the Rebecca Motte Chapter is -- they live there. They're housed there, and they always will be there.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: So the building is owned by --
MS. PATTERSON: It's owned -- it privately -- the way the put it is it's privately owned by the state DAR, and the Rebecca Motte Chapter and the DAR, the state DAR, are trustees of the building. And then the state doesn't own it but they lease it.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: Okay. So, then, the state leases it and then the city maintains --
MS. PATTERSON: The city manages it.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: -- manages it. Okay. All right. That is sort of a convoluted relationship there.
MS. PATTERSON: It is.
SENATOR VERDIN: Well, is the state not the lessee -- excuse me, the lessor?
MS. PATTERSON: The state is the -- the state and the South Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution entered into a 100-year lease agreement. And the state oversees it. We go -- the day-to-day work, anything that is to be done, we'll go through the commission as a representative of the state. That's how it does. It is complicated, but it works.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: Well, thank you. Thank you for clarifying that for me. And I would encourage my fellow members of the committee to go and visit the building because it's a historical treasure and has a good number of historical artifacts housed there.
MS. PATTERSON: Well, and I'm going to toot the staff's horn there because when we took over in my department, Special Facilities, when we started managing it in 2003, the building was struggling financially and, quite frankly, was about $2- or $300,000 in the red.

And then we hired a different director, Tony Youmans, who is there now, and by the end of 2004, we were $1800 in the black. And the building has been self-sufficient ever since. And right now, we're over a million in the black in that building.

And with help from the state -- we've had financial help from the state along the way -- and then just over 65,000 visitors last year -- over 6,000 schoolchildren come through with tours -- evening events, gift shop... We entered into an agreement in 2004, I believe it was, with Little Dog Tours there, and they do ghost tours in the dungeon at night. That's a $100,000 contract that the building gets each year.

So the commission has done very well working with the staff there. And that's -- it's such an important building, and it needs to be taken care of.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: It does. I agree. Thank you for your willingness to serve.
MS. PATTERSON: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Any other questions or comments?
SENATOR VERDIN: I'd like to ask about --
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Senator Verdin.
SENATOR VERDIN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I'd like to ask about the evening event. I was wondering about -- that's a dramatic revenue turnaround. I can -- I took my dad's elderly sisters around Charleston a year or two back, and the only reason we didn't ascend those steps on East Bay was the steep nature of them. And I didn't have the time to go seek an alternative.
MS. PATTERSON: It is in the back. There's a handicapped entrance in the back.
SENATOR VERDIN: Well, I'm glad it's in the back because it would mess up the aesthetics otherwise.
MS. PATTERSON: And there's no place to put it.
SENATOR VERDIN: I'm curious about those evening -- okay. So you have the contract with the ghost tours. What about somebody wanting a major event?
MS. PATTERSON: Evening rentals. They rent for wedding receptions or parties, dances.
SENATOR VERDIN: Were you doing that before '03, '04.
MS. PATTERSON: Yeah, they were. Before '04? Yeah. They'd always done them.
SENATOR VERDIN: That's when you had the 300,000 red to black.
MS. PATTERSON: Yeah. But they weren't -- they weren't being done as much as it could have been.
SENATOR VERDIN: Off the top of your head, do you know what those rent fees are?
MS. PATTERSON: What the rental fees are now?
SENATOR VERDIN: Yes, ma'am.
MS. PATTERSON: I don't know. I've been retired now since 2017.
SENATOR VERDIN: Two hours in the Old Exchange if you're on the main floor.
MS. PATTERSON: When I left, it seems to me like it was a couple thousand dollars to rent it for an evening. It's probably more than that now.
SENATOR VERDIN: Well, you don't want to sell short on those wedding rates because I've got these magazines laying around all over my house that says you can't find a place in Charleston to get married.
MS. PATTERSON: Well, we don't really like to do much weddings because they tear up the building, so we don't much like weddings. But it's -- in Charleston, good grief, you pay $5,000 for a two-by-four.
SENATOR VERDIN: Favorable.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Motion is favorable.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS: Second.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Second. Any other discussion?

Hearing none, we'll take it to a vote. All in favor raise your right hand.

Senator Scott asked to be recorded favorable.

Thank you, ma'am.
MS. PATTERSON: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: We appreciate your willingness to serve.

Next, R. Tracy Power from Columbia. We saved the best for last, right?
MR. POWER: Good afternoon.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Let me swear you in. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
MR. POWER: I do.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Would you like to make a brief statement?
MR. POWER: Yes. Thank you.

Senator Peeler and members of the screening commission, I am delighted to be here, honored to be asked. My name is Tracy Power. I tell people when they introduce me for talks that I'm a Georgian by birth but a South Carolinian by choice.

I came to Columbia in 1981 for graduate school in history at the University of South Carolina, received my masters and Ph.D. there. I am now a professor of history, an assistant professor of history, and a college archivist at Newberry College. I've been there for the last five years.

But for 28 years before that, I was a historian in the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office at the Department of Archives and History.

I worked with the National Register of Historic Places, the federal program that recognizes historic properties, for all 28 years of the time I was at Archives and History, first on Senate Street and then on Parklane Avenue, and then for 19 1/2 of those years, I was also the coordinator of the South Carolina Historical Marker Program.

And so my experience is with telling stories about South Carolina history from 1670 to the 20th century to the 21st century in every county, in every locale, working with local organizations and local historians.

So I have a vast experience in history and what is called public history, that is historic preservation, historic site interpretation, archives and records management. And so I am vitally interested in the history of my adopted state and would welcome the opportunity to serve on this commission.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Thank you.

Questions or comments?
SENATOR VERDIN: I'll just comment --
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Senator Verdin.
SENATOR VERDIN: -- that I've known Tracy a long time -- thank you, Mr. Chairman -- and he is a consummate professional. The stuff that he can find out digging back into the archives. Of course, his interpretive skills for relating it to us here in the 21st century are par excellence.

I'm glad to make a motion for a favorable report.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: The motion is favorable. Second?
REPRESENTATIVE WHITMIRE: No. I want to say something.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: All right. Open for discussion. Representative Whitmire.
REPRESENTATIVE WHITMIRE: Well, as a former history teacher, way back when, I really appreciate what you've done for our state.

I just wanted to say that I've got kind of a Charleston connection. My grandmother was a Rutledge, so I really care about the Charleston area and stuff.

So if we're ready for the favorable, Senator, I'm ready to go. I second the motion.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Ready for the vote?

All in favor, raise your right hand.

Thank you.
MR. POWER: Thank you, very much.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Senator Scott wanted to be recorded voting "aye."
MS. CASTO: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: Thank you, sir.
MR. POWER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN SENATOR PEELER: That completes our agenda for today. Thank you for your attendance and your participation.

(The meeting was concluded at approximately 3:37 p.m.)

Received as information.

The following was introduced:

H. 3741 (Word version) -- Rules Committee: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO AMEND RULE 10 OF THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY ADDING RULE 10.14 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE DELIVERY OF GIFTS PROVIDED BY LOBBYISTS' PRINCIPALS TO MEMBERS' OFFICES OR THE CHAMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR DISTRIBUTION OR PLACEMENT ON THE MEMBERS' DESKS, TO ALLOW AN OPT-IN PROCEDURE FOR MEMBERS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SHALL STRICTLY ENFORCE THIS RULE.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That Rule 10 of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding:

"10.14   (A)   Gifts intended for members of the House of Representatives, whether individually or collectively as a body, may not be delivered to the chamber of the House of Representatives for distribution or placement on members' desks. A gift may be delivered to the members' offices with the presumption under penalty of perjury that the gift is not reportable on the member's Statement of Economic Interests pursuant to Section 8-13-710 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. When, however, the gift is reportable on the member's Statement of Economic Interests pursuant to Section 8-13-710, the individual or officer providing the gift must deliver correspondence to the offices of the members of the House announcing their intention to provide a gift to the members and at that time must provide a statement of value to the House Ethics Committee. A member may choose to opt in to the receipt of all or specific gifts to be delivered to the member's office by notifying the appropriate giver of the gift in writing of such desire within seven (7) days of receipt of correspondence.

(B)   The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall strictly enforce the provisions of this rule."

The House Resolution was ordered placed on the calendar.

The following was introduced:

H. 3742 (Word version) -- Rules Committee: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO AMEND RULE 5.16 OF THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, RELATING TO THE PROCEDURES FOR HOUSE AND CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS, SO AS TO ALLOW A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE WHO DOES NOT WISH TO HAVE HIS NAME INCLUDED ON A HOUSE OR CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WHEN THE ROLL OF THE HOUSE HAS BEEN APPLIED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REQUEST THAT THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE REMOVE HIS NAME FROM SUCH RESOLUTION UNDER CERTAIN PARAMETERS.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That Rule 5.16 of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended to read:

"5.16   Should any member seek immediate consideration of any House or Concurrent Resolution, the resolution shall receive immediate consideration unless five members object. If immediate consideration of such resolution is not sought, or in the event five members do object where immediate consideration is sought, the resolution shall be referred to an appropriate committee and shall not be considered by the House until after the committee has made its report and at that time shall take its place on the Calendar. Provided, however, a House or Concurrent Resolution concerning Sine Die Adjournment under Article III, Section 21 of the South Carolina Constitution and Section 2-1-180 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, shall receive immediate consideration, which shall include the motion to commit or recommit.

A House or Concurrent Resolution sponsored by a committee shall receive immediate consideration if so requested by a member unless five members object, in which case it shall take its place on the Calendar without the necessity of being referred to a committee. Such resolution shall be printed in the same manner as is prescribed in Rule 5.9 for the printing of bills.

Provided, however, the Clerk shall prepare forms for House Resolutions expressing the sympathy or congratulations of the members of the House. Any member wishing to sponsor such a resolution shall forward in writing on a form prepared by the Clerk information sufficient to prepare the resolution. The Speaker shall sign the resolution on behalf of the membership. Such resolutions shall not be read to the House or printed in the Journal except upon the request of ten members. The Speaker may refer any such resolution to the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions and, in such event, the resolutions must be approved by the committee or if the committee recommends, by the House.

When the roll of the House is added by unanimous consent to a House or Concurrent Resolution, the Clerk of the House shall maintain possession of such resolution until noon on the following legislative day. A member of the House who does not wish to have his name included on a House or Concurrent Resolution when the roll of the House is added by unanimous consent may request, on a form provided by the Clerk, that his name be removed from the resolution. The Clerk shall remove the member's name from such resolution if the request is received by noon on the following legislative day."

The House Resolution was ordered placed on the calendar.

The following was introduced:

H. 3743 (Word version) -- Rules Committee: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO AMEND RULE 5.16 OF THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, RELATING TO THE PROCEDURES FOR HOUSE AND CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS, SO AS TO ALLOW A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE WHO DID NOT WISH TO HAVE HIS NAME INCLUDED ON A HOUSE OR CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WHEN THE ROLL OF THE HOUSE WAS APPLIED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT FOR THE JOURNAL.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That Rule 5.16 of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended to read:

"5.16   Should any member seek immediate consideration of any House or Concurrent Resolution, the resolution shall receive immediate consideration unless five members object. If immediate consideration of such resolution is not sought, or in the event five members do object where immediate consideration is sought, the resolution shall be referred to an appropriate committee and shall not be considered by the House until after the committee has made its report and at that time shall take its place on the Calendar. Provided, however, a House or Concurrent Resolution concerning Sine Die Adjournment under Article III, Section 21 of the South Carolina Constitution and Section 2-1-180 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, shall receive immediate consideration, which shall include the motion to commit or recommit.

A House or Concurrent Resolution sponsored by a committee shall receive immediate consideration if so requested by a member unless five members object, in which case it shall take its place on the Calendar without the necessity of being referred to a committee. Such resolution shall be printed in the same manner as is prescribed in Rule 5.9 for the printing of bills.

Provided, however, the Clerk shall prepare forms for House Resolutions expressing the sympathy or congratulations of the members of the House. Any member wishing to sponsor such a resolution shall forward in writing on a form prepared by the Clerk information sufficient to prepare the resolution. The Speaker shall sign the resolution on behalf of the membership. Such resolutions shall not be read to the House or printed in the Journal except upon the request of ten members. The Speaker may refer any such resolution to the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions and, in such event, the resolutions must be approved by the committee or if the committee recommends, by the House.

A member, who was not present when the roll of the House was added by unanimous consent to a House or Concurrent Resolution, shall be permitted to add a written statement, in less than two hundred words, in the appropriate journal stating that had the member been present in the chamber, he or she would not have voted in favor of the Resolution."

The House Resolution was ordered placed on the calendar.

The following was introduced:

H. 3744 (Word version) -- Rules Committee: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO AMEND RULE 1 OF THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, RELATING TO THE SPEAKER AND THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE, BY ADDING RULE 1.13 SO AS TO CLARIFY AND EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TO INITIATE OR INTERVENE IN ANY ACTION ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSE AT ANY TIME, IN HIS DISCRETION, WHEN THE INTERESTS OF THE HOUSE WARRANT.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That Rule 1 of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding:

"1.13   The Speaker of the House, as chief administrative officer pursuant to Section 2-3-110 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, is expressly authorized to initiate or intervene in any action on behalf of the House as an institution or in his official capacity, whether or not the House is in session. The Speaker may authorize or retain counsel to initiate, defend, intervene, or otherwise participate in any action on behalf of the House of Representatives, a House committee, a member of the House, or a House officer or other employee when the Speaker, in his discretion, determines that the action is of significant interest to the House and the interests of the House may not otherwise be adequately represented."

The House Resolution was ordered placed on the calendar.

The following was introduced:

H. 3745 (Word version) -- Rep. Clary: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE D. W. DANIEL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY TEAM OF PICKENS COUNTY WITH THE TEAM COACHES AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS, AT A DATE AND TIME TO BE DETERMINED BY THE SPEAKER, FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING RECOGNIZED AND COMMENDED FOR CAPTURING THE 2018 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the privilege of the floor of the South Carolina House of Representatives be extended to the D. W. Daniel High School girls varsity cross country team of Pickens County with the team coaches and school officials, at a date and time to be determined by the Speaker, for the purpose of being recognized and commended for capturing the 2018 South Carolina Class AAAA State Championship title.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 3746 (Word version) -- Reps. Clary, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brown, Bryant, Burns, Calhoon, Caskey, Chellis, Chumley, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Forrester, Fry, Funderburk, Gagnon, Garvin, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, Johnson, Jordan, Kimmons, King, Kirby, Ligon, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mace, Mack, Magnuson, Martin, McCoy, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, McKnight, Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, B. Newton, W. Newton, Norrell, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Ridgeway, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simmons, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, Sottile, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stringer, Tallon, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, Toole, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten, Young and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE D. W. DANIEL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2018 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 3747 (Word version) -- Rep. Lucas: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO INVITE THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT, THE HONORABLE DONALD W. BEATTY, TO ADDRESS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JOINT SESSION ON THE STATE OF THE JUDICIARY AT 12:00 NOON ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019.

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

That the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, the Honorable Donald W. Beatty, is invited to address the General Assembly in Joint Session on the State of the Judiciary in the Hall of the House of Representatives at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, February 27, 2019.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Chief Justice Beatty.

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

The Senate sent to the House the following:

S. 343 (Word version) -- Senators Alexander and Martin: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACHES FOR WINNING THE 2018 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE, TO RECOGNIZE THE TEAM'S NUMEROUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THE SEASON, TO INVITE THE NUMBER-ONE RANKED TIGERS AND CLEMSON OFFICIALS TO JOIN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JOINT SESSION AT NOON ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2019, WHEREBY COACH DABO SWINNEY IS INVITED TO ADDRESS THE JOINT SESSION, AND TO EXTEND THE PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR DURING THE JOINT SESSION.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered returned to the Senate with concurrence.

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

H. 3748 (Word version) -- Reps. Loftis, Burns, Forrester and Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 58-40-15 SO AS TO ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE WHEREBY ELECTRICAL UTILITIES SHALL FILE NEW CONFORMING NET METERING RATES; BY ADDING SECTION 58-40-30 SO AS TO ESTABLISH REVISED NET ENERGY METERING RATES; BY ADDING SECTION 58-40-40 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE RATES TO COMPENSATE CUSTOMER-GENERATORS ARE LIMITED TO AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ORIGINAL CUSTOMER-GENERATOR ONLY AND ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE TO SUBSEQUENT CUSTOMER-GENERATORS AT THE SAME LOCATION; BY ADDING SECTION 58-40-50 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE RECOVERY OF CERTAIN COSTS BY ELECTRICAL UTILITIES; TO AMEND SECTION 58-40-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS APPLICABLE TO NET ENERGY METERING, SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERMS "TRANSITION DATE", "NEW NET METERING RATES", "VALUE OF SOLAR", AND "TWO PERCENT CAPACITY LIMIT"; AND TO AMEND SECTION 58-40-20, RELATING TO NET ENERGY METERING, SO AS TO REVISE NET ENERGY METERING REQUIREMENTS AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry

H. 3749 (Word version) -- Reps. Long, Burns, Chumley and Magnuson: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 60-11-75 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND NATURAL HISTORY SHALL REVIEW AND APPROVE ALL INSCRIPTIONS AND DEPICTIONS ON ALL HISTORICAL PLAQUES, HISTORICAL MARKERS, HISTORICAL MONUMENTS, AND OTHER MESSAGES RELATED TO HISTORICAL PLAQUES, HISTORICAL MARKERS, AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS LOCATED ON PROPERTY OWNED BY POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSURE THE CONTENT OF SUCH DEPICTIONS, INSCRIPTIONS, OR MESSAGES ARE HISTORICALLY ACCURATE AND FREE OF ANY EDITORIAL COMMENTS OR SUBJECTIVE ANALYSES, TO AUTHORIZE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RELATED FEES, AND TO EXCLUDE SUCH HISTORICAL PLAQUES, MARKERS, OR OTHER MESSAGES IN PLACE BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2019; AND TO AMEND SECTION 60-11-30, RELATING TO OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF THE DEPARTMENT, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE APPROVAL OF INSCRIPTIONS AND DEPICTIONS FOR ALL HISTORICAL PLAQUES, HISTORICAL MARKERS, AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS, OR OTHER MESSAGES RELATED TO ALL HISTORICAL PLAQUES, HISTORICAL MARKERS, AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS LOCATED ON STATE-OWNED PROPERTY OR PROPERTY OWNED BY POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, INCLUDING ENSURING THAT THE CONTENT OF ANY SUCH DEPICTIONS, INSCRIPTIONS, OR MESSAGES ARE HISTORICALLY ACCURATE AND FREE FROM ANY EDITORIAL COMMENTS OR SUBJECTIVE ANALYSES.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary

H. 3750 (Word version) -- Reps. Hewitt, Yow, Ott, Crawford, Kirby, Hardee, Hiott and W. Newton: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 50-9-650, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEER HUNTING, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A RESIDENT WHO PURCHASES A SOUTH CAROLINA HUNTING LICENSE AND A BIG GAME PERMIT MUST RECEIVE AT LEAST TWO ANTLERLESS DEER TAGS THAT ARE NOT DATE SPECIFIC.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

H. 3751 (Word version) -- Reps. Clary, McCoy, Pope, Simrill, Caskey, W. Newton and Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 58-31-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE TERMS OF ALL PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL EXPIRE ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT, AT WHICH TIME NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WITH SPECIFIED QUALIFICATIONS SHALL BE APPOINTED IN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN THE SECTION, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE RECONSTITUTED BOARD; BY ADDING SECTION 58-31-105 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS IN REGARD TO THE RATE REDUCTION AND STABILIZATION FUND ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 58-31-106; BY ADDING SECTION 58-31-106 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY TO CREATE AN INTEREST BEARING ACCOUNT KNOWN AS THE "RATE REDUCTION AND STABILIZATION FUND" TO BE FUNDED INITIALLY WITH THE FULL AMOUNT OF FUNDS RECEIVED BY THE AUTHORITY FROM THE TOSHIBA CORPORATION GUARANTEE RELATED TO THE ABANDONED NUCLEAR REACTORS AT JENKINSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND AFTER THAT TO BE FUNDED WITH CERTAIN OTHER FUNDS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THE MONIES IN THE RATE REDUCTION AND STABILIZATION FUND MUST BE USED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE AUTHORITY AND CUSTOMERS OF THE AUTHORITY; AND BY CREATING THE "PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATION COMMITTEE" COMPOSED OF NINE MEMBERS TO DETERMINE THE MANNER IN WHICH RATEPAYERS AND TAXPAYERS MAY BE BEST PROTECTED, TO ESTABLISH A LIST OF COMPREHENSIVE OBJECTIVES FOR THE COMMITTEE AND ACTIONS THE COMMITTEE MAY CONSIDER, INCLUDING INVENTORYING AND EVALUATING THE ASSETS OF THE AUTHORITY AND DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT A SALE ACCORDING TO SPECIFIED PROCEDURES WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF TAXPAYERS AND RATEPAYERS OF THE AUTHORITY AND THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OF THIS STATE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE INITIAL MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICERS OF THE COMMITTEE.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry

H. 3752 (Word version) -- Reps. Henegan and Yow: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 43-21-55 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT ON AGING TO FUND A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SUBSIDIES TO SENIOR CITIZENS TO PURCHASE A PERSONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

H. 3753 (Word version) -- Rep. G. M. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-1-40 AND 56-1-286, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE AND SUSPENSION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND A BEGINNER'S PERMIT, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO FILING PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES' DUTY TO PROMULGATE CERTAIN REGULATIONS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-1-460 AND 56-1-746, RELATING TO THE CANCELLATION, SUSPENSION, AND REVOCATION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND RELATED PENALTIES, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN PROVISIONS REGARDING THE FILING OF PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-1020, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "HABITUAL OFFENDER" AND PENALTIES FOR AN HABITUAL OFFENDER CONVICTION, SO AS TO DELETE A PROVISION RELATING TO A CONVICTION FOR DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION FOR FAILURE TO FILE PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-2951, RELATING TO THE SUSPENSION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING FOR ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A PERSON WHOSE DRIVER'S LICENSE OR PERMIT IS SUSPENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION TO FILE PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; TO AMEND SECTION 56-9-20, RELATING TO CERTAIN TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "MOTOR VEHICLE LIABILITY POLICY"; TO AMEND SECTION 56-9-30, RELATING TO THE APPLICABILITY OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT TO CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO DELETE AN EXCEPTION TO THIS PROVISION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-9-440, 56-9-470, AND 56-9-490, ALL RELATING TO THE SUSPENSION OF A PERSON'S LICENSE FOR NONPAYMENT OF A JUDGEMENT, SO AS TO DELETE PROVISIONS RELATING TO A JUDGEMENT DEBTOR FURNISHING PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND A PROVISION THAT PROVIDES THAT A DISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY FOLLOWING THE RENDERING OF A JUDGEMENT SHALL NOT RELIEVE THE JUDGEMENT DEBTOR FROM PROVIDING PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-10-10, 56-10-20, 56-10-40, AND 56-10-45, RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL SECURITY, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES AND TO DELETE A PROVISION THAT ALLOWS THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-10-210, 56-10-220, 56-10-225, AND 56-10-240, ALL RELATING TO INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION, SO AS TO DELETE THE TERM "OPERATOR" AND ITS DEFINITION, TO DELETE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES AUTHORITY TO PROMULGATE A REGULATION TO REQUIRE PROOF OF INSURANCE ON NEW AND RENEWAL VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS, AND TO DELETE THE TERM "FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "INSURANCE"; TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-260, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR FILING FALSE INFORMATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES THAT A MOTOR VEHICLE IS INSURED, AND THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSES, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT STATES THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT ISSUE A SPECIAL RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSE UNTIL PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY HAS BEEN FILED; TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-280, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF INSURANCE CONTRACTS OR POLICIES, SO AS TO DELETE THE TERM "FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "INSURANCE"; TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-510, RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF AN UNINSURED MOTOR VEHICLE, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES, AND REVISE THE REGISTRATION PROCESS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-10-520, 56-10-530, 56-10-535, 56-10-540, 56-10-550, 56-10-551, 56-10-554, AND 56-10-650, RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF AN UNINSURED MOTOR VEHICLE, INVOLVEMENT IN AN ACCIDENT WITH AN UNINSURED MOTOR VEHICLE, CONVICTIONS FOR CERTAIN TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS, PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, THE UNINSURED MOTORISTS FUND, CANCELLATION OR TERMINATION OF AN INSURANCE POLICY, AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA REINSURANCE FACILITY, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES, AND DELETE PROVISIONS THAT REQUIRE PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; TO AMEND SECTION 56-25-20, RELATING TO THE SUSPENSION OF A LICENSE FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A TRAFFIC CITATION FOR A LITTER VIOLATION, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION RELATING TO FILING PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; AND TO REPEAL SECTIONS 56-9-460, 56-9-500, 56-9-505, 56-9-510, 56-9-520, 56-9-530, 56-9-540, 56-9-550, 56-9-560, 56-9-570, 56-9-580, 56-9-590, 56-9-600, 56-9-610, 56-9-620, 56-9-630, AND 56-10-46, ALL RELATING TO ALLOWING A DRIVER WHOSE LICENSE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED TO DRIVE AN EMPLOYER'S VEHICLE, REQUIRING PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE A LICENSE MAY BE REINSTATED, WAIVING PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN CERTAIN INSTANCES, METHODS OF PROVIDING PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND THE CANCELLATION OR RETURN OF PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary

H. 3754 (Word version) -- Reps. Sandifer, Thayer, Clemmons and Rutherford: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 27-32-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN REGARD TO VACATION TIME SHARING PLANS, SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM "TIMESHARE INSTRUMENT"; TO AMEND SECTION 27-32-410 RELATING TO TIMESHARE CLOSINGS, PROCEDURES, AND RELATED PROVISIONS, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR WHEN A TIMESHARE CLOSING IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE OCCURRED, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS IN REGARD TO THE CLOSING; AND BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 32, TITLE 27, SO AS TO ENACT THE "VACATION TIME-SHARING PLAN EXTENSIONS AND TERMINATION ACT", INCLUDING PROVISIONS TO CLARIFY AND SUPPLEMENT THE PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS AS TO HOW OWNERS OF VACATION TIME-SHARING INTERESTS MAY TERMINATE VACATION TIME-SHARING PLANS OR EXTEND THE TERMS OF THESE PLANS, WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 5 TO APPLY BOTH PROSPECTIVELY AND RETROACTIVELY.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry

H. 3755 (Word version) -- Reps. Sandifer and Spires: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-77-30, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS APPLICABLE TO AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COVERAGE, SO AS TO REMOVE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RENEWAL OF AN AUTOMOBILE COVERAGE POLICY AND TO DEFINE THE TERM "REDUCTION IN COVERAGE"; AND TO AMEND SECTION 38-77-120, RELATING TO NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR CANCELLATION OR THE REFUSAL TO RENEW A POLICY, SO AS TO ALLOW FOR AN INSURER TO RENEW A POLICY WITH A REDUCTION IN COVERAGE AND TO PROVIDE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE REDUCTION IN COVERAGE.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry

H. 3756 (Word version) -- Reps. Lucas, Collins and Elliott: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE SOUTH CAROLINA REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE TO DEVELOP A REPORT RECOMMENDING A NEW FUNDING MODEL OR MODELS AND OPTIONS FOR THE APPROPRIATING, MONITORING, AND REPORTING OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES AT THE STATE AND LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVELS FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO CONSIDER IN THE 2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works

H. 3757 (Word version) -- Reps. Lucas and Collins: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 13-1-2040 SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS, TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION DATA OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE; TO PROVIDE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS SHALL SUBMIT CERTAIN DATA TO THE REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE USES OF THE DATA COLLECTED, TO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT, TO PROVIDE FOR AUDITS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT INDIVIDUAL LEVEL DATA MAY NOT BE RELEASED; AND TO AMEND SECTION 13-1-2030, RELATING TO THE COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, SO AS TO DELETE REFERENCES TO DESIGNEES ON THE COORDINATING COUNCIL.
Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works

H. 3758 (Word version) -- Reps. Hiott, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Bennett, Blackwell, Bradley, Burns, Chellis, Chumley, Clary, Clemmons, B. Cox, Daning, Davis, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Forrester, Gagnon, Govan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hixon, Howard, Huggins, Kirby, Ligon, Loftis, Long, Mace, Martin, McCoy, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, B. Newton, W. Newton, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, Sottile, Spires, Stringer, Tallon, Thayer, Toole, Trantham, West, White, Willis and Wooten: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 15-38-15, 15-38-20, 15-38-40, AND 15-38-50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, ALL RELATING TO THE CONTRIBUTION AMONG TORTFEASORS ACT, ALL SO AS TO INCLUDE PERSONS OR ENTITIES INCLUDING DEFENDANTS AND NONPARTIES FOR PURPOSES OF ALLOCATION OF FAULT, AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary

H. 3759 (Word version) -- Reps. Lucas, Allison, Felder, Pope, Simrill, Rutherford, Whitmire, G. M. Smith, McCoy, Hiott, Sandifer, Clary, G. R. Smith, Murphy, Taylor, Govan, W. Newton, Funderburk and Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA CAREER OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS FOR ALL ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-485 SO AS TO PROVIDE A STATEWIDE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS GOAL FOR 2030; BY ADDING ARTICLE 15 TO CHAPTER 63, TITLE 59 SO AS TO CREATE THE "STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS"; TO AMEND SECTION 59-5-10, RELATING TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO ADD A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO SERVE A TWO-YEAR TERM AS A NONVOTING ADVISORY MEMBER; BY ADDING CHAPTER 12 TO TITLE 1 SO AS TO CREATE THE "ZERO TO TWENTY COMMITTEE" AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PURPOSES, MEMBERSHIP, AND DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE; BY ADDING SECTION 59-29-250 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPANSION AND ENHANCEMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION IN HIGH SCHOOLS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-18-310, RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM, SO AS TO REMOVE SOCIAL STUDIES FROM THE ACADEMIC AREAS ASSESSED; TO AMEND SECTION 59-18-320, RELATING TO FIELD TESTS IN THE STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM AND ADMINISTRATION OF ASSESSMENTS UNDER THE PROGRAM, SO AS TO MAKE CHANGES TO CONFORM TO THE REMOVAL OF SOCIAL STUDIES FROM THE ACADEMIC AREAS ASSESSED; TO AMEND SECTION 59-18-325, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS THAT THE DEPARTMENT PROCURE AND ADMINISTER CERTAIN STANDARDS-BASED ASSESSMENTS, SO AS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR PROCURING AND ADMINISTERING STANDARDS-BASED ASSESSMENTS IN SOCIAL STUDIES TO STUDENTS IN FIFTH GRADE AND SEVENTH GRADE; BY ADDING SECTION 59-156-250 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE OFFICE OF FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL COMPILE AND REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD READING EFFORTS, PLANS TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN RELATED PROGRAMS IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS, AND TO REQUIRE A SUBSEQUENT REPORT IN FIVE YEARS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-104-20, RELATING TO THE CRITERIA FOR PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIPS, SO AS TO STRENGTHEN ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, AND COMPUTER SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS SEEKING PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIPS BY REQUIRING SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF CERTAIN ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS OR COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSEWORK DURING THEIR SENIOR YEARS, AND TO EXCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE 2019-2020 SENIOR CLASS FROM THESE REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-149-50, RELATING TO THE CRITERIA FOR LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS, SO AS TO STRENGTHEN ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, AND COMPUTER SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS SEEKING LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS BY REQUIRING SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF CERTAIN ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS OR COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSEWORK DURING THEIR SENIOR YEARS, AND TO EXCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE 2019-2020 SENIOR CLASS FROM THESE REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-59-210, RELATING TO ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS PROVIDING DUAL ENROLLMENT BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, SO AS TO EXPAND SUCH DUAL ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES BY CREATING A UNIFORM SYSTEM OF DUAL ENROLLMENT COLLEGE COURSES OFFERED TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BY PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING; BY ADDING SECTION 59-18-365 SO AS TO PROVIDE A SYSTEM FOR ACCOUNTABILITY FOR STUDENT PROGRESS TOWARD COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE; TO AMEND SECTION 59-5-65, RELATING TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE REMEDIAL COURSEWORK FOR COLLEGE READINESS ONLY MAY BE PROVIDED AT THE HIGH-SCHOOL LEVEL AND MAY NOT BE PROVIDED AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING; TO AMEND SECTIONS 59-18-1950 AND 59-101-350, BOTH RELATING TO REMEDIAL COURSEWORK, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE TO THE ELIMINATION OF REMEDIAL COURSEWORK BEING OFFERED AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING; BY ADDING SECTION 59-155-155 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL APPROVE NO MORE THAN FIVE RELIABLE AND VALID EARLY LITERACY AND NUMERACY SCREENING ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS FOR SELECTION AND USE BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE, AND TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH INSTRUMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-110, RELATING TO THE READ TO SUCCEED OFFICE, SO AS TO CORRECT A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-120, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT, SO AS TO REVISE DEFINITIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-130, RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE READ TO SUCCEED OFFICE, SO AS TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING COURSEWORK NECESSARY FOR LITERACY ADD-ON ENDORSEMENTS AND TO REVISE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN READING AND COACHING FOR CERTIFIED READING/LITERACY COACHES AND LITERACY TEACHERS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-140, RELATING TO THE STATE READING PROFICIENCY PROGRAM, SO AS TO REMOVE THE USE OF BOOK CLUBS FOR CERTAIN REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-150, RELATING TO THE READINESS ASSESSMENT PROVIDED BY THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT, SO AS TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SCREENING AND DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-160, RELATING TO MANDATORY STUDENT RETENTION PROVISIONS OF THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT, SO AS TO REVISE CRITERIA FOR RETENTION AND EXEMPTIONS FROM RETENTION, TO ELIMINATE AN APPEALS PROCESS, AND TO REVISE CRITERIA FOR INTENSIVE INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT PROVIDED TO RETAINED STUDENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-180, RELATING TO PROVISIONS CONCERNING TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT, SO AS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT READING/LITERACY COACHES BE EMPLOYED IN ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, TO REVISE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THE ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF READING/LITERACY COACHES, TO PROVIDE MEASURES TO ENSURE TEACHER CANDIDATES UNDERSTAND THE FOUNDATIONS OF READING AND ARE PREPARED TO TEACH READING TO ALL STUDENTS, AND TO PROVIDE THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE LEARNING DISORDERS TASK FORCE ANNUALLY SHALL ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN PREPARING TEACHERS TO DIAGNOSE READING PROBLEMS IN STUDENTS AND PROVIDE APPROPRIATE INTERVENTIONS, AND TO PROVIDE THE COMMISSION SHALL REPORT FINDINGS OF THIS ASSESSMENT TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; TO AMEND SECTION 59-59-20, RELATING TO CAREER-CLUSTER CURRICULUM, SO AS TO REVISE THE CURRICULUM TO ALIGN WITH WORKFORCE NEEDS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-59-50, RELATING TO STATE MODELS AND PROTOTYPES FOR INDIVIDUAL GRADUATION PLANS, SO AS TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS TO INCLUDE CAREER CLUSTERS AND RELATED PATHWAYS AND PROGRAMS OF STUDY, AMONG OTHER THINGS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-59-60, RELATING TO THE ORGANIZATION OF HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULA AROUND CLUSTERS OF STUDY AND CLUSTER MAJORS, SO AS TO REORGANIZE THE CURRICULA AROUND CAREER PATHWAYS AND TO PROMOTE RELATED INCREASED AWARENESS AND CAREER COUNSELING; BY ADDING SECTION 59-53-30 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD FOR TECHNICAL AND COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH COMMON MINIMUM ADMISSIONS SCORES FOR ITS INSTITUTIONS, TO PROVIDE VARIATIONS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO PROVIDE ADVICE INSTITUTIONS SHOULD GIVE INDIVIDUALS WHO MEET THESE MINIMUM SCORES; TO AMEND SECTION 59-150-360, RELATING TO TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS WHO ATTEND TECHNICAL COLLEGES OR TWO-YEAR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, SO AS TO PROVIDE THIS ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS SEEKING CERTAIN BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY CREDENTIALS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3800 SO AS TO ALLOW AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR A TAXPAYER WHO EMPLOYS A PUBLIC SCHOOL K4-12 TEACHER AS AN INTERN, TO PROVIDE THAT THE INTERNSHIP MUST BE APPROVED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN WHICH THE TEACHER IS EMPLOYED BASED ON CRITERIA PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND TO PROVIDE FOR REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD FOR TECHNICAL AND COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION AND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRANSFERRING ADULT BASIC EDUCATION AND ADULT SECONDARY EDUCATION TO THE STATE BOARD FOR TECHNICAL AND COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION AND HOW TO BEST USE CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTERS TO PROVIDE IMPROVED AND UPDATED TECHNICAL EDUCATION; TO AMEND SECTION 59-111-110, RELATING TO CERTAIN PEOPLE EXEMPT FROM PAYING TUITION TO ATTEND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, SO AS TO INCLUDE FULL-TIME CERTIFIED CLASSROOM TEACHERS EMPLOYED IN SCHOOLS WITH ABSOLUTE RATINGS OF BELOW AVERAGE OR UNSATISFACTORY FOR THREE OF THE FOUR PRECEDING YEARS; BY ADDING SECTION 59-111-155 SO AS TO PROVIDE A NECESSARY DEFINITION; BY ADDING SECTION 59-19-360 SO AS TO PROVIDE SCHOOL BOARDS MAY REIMBURSE TEACHERS WHO MUST TRAVEL MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE MILES EACH WAY BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL FOR MILEAGE AT A RATE NOT TO EXCEED THE FEDERAL RATE; TO AMEND SECTION 59-19-350, RELATING TO SCHOOLS OF CHOICE, SO AS TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS INSTEAD MAY CREATE MULTIPLE SCHOOLS OF INNOVATION; BY ADDING SECTION 59-8-1115 SO AS TO PROVIDE SCHOOLS RECEIVING OVERALL RATINGS OF "GOOD" OR "EXCELLENT" ON THEIR ANNUAL REPORT CARDS FOR AT LEAST TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS MAY HIRE NONCERTIFIED TEACHERS FOR UP TO TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF ITS TEACHING STAFF AND TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR NONCERTIFIED TEACHERS; BY ADDING SECTION 59-25-25 SO AS TO PROVIDE EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION MAY SUBMIT SEPARATE AND DISTINCT EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS FOR ALTERNATIVE PREPARATION TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR APPROVAL, TO PROVIDE THESE PROGRAMS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE NATIONALLY ACCREDITED BUT MUST MEET CERTAIN OTHER REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANNUALLY SHALL REPORT RELATED DATA TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; TO AMEND SECTION 59-26-20, RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION CONCERNING THE TRAINING, CERTIFICATION, AND EVALUATION OF PUBLIC EDUCATORS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL PROMULGATE REGULATIONS REGARDING A CYCLICAL EVALUATION PROCESS FOR APPROVED TEACHER EDUCATOR PROGRAMS, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 59-26-35 SO AS TO IMPROVE THE MEANS FOR EVALUATING EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS BY PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLICATION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA TEACHER PREPARATION REPORT CARD; BY ADDING SECTION 59-26-120 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL PROVIDE CERTAIN EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS WITH CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING GRADUATES OF THOSE PROGRAMS, TO PROVIDE EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS MAY NOT SHARE IDENTIFIABLE EDUCATOR DATA WITH THIRD PARTIES WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT, AND TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT; BY ADDING SECTION 59-25-52 SO AS TO INCREASE EFFORTS TO RETAIN EDUCATORS BY CONDUCTING A SEMIANNUAL WORKPLACE SATISFACTION OPINION SURVEY OF SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE REPORTING OF THE RESULTS OF THESE SURVEYS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-20-50, RELATING TO TEACHER SALARY SCHEDULES, SO AS TO DELETE EXISTING LANGUAGE AND PROVIDE DISTRICTS MAY PAY TEACHERS ANNUAL SALARIES AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE MINIMUM STARTING SCHEDULE FOR THEIR EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM STARTING SALARY FOR NEW TEACHERS, TO PROVIDE THIS STARTING SALARY MUST BE ESTABLISHED WITH THE GOAL OF REACHING THE SOUTHEASTERN AVERAGE, AND TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MAKE CERTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A PLAN TO REMOVE THE EXISTING TEACHER SALARY SCHEDULE AND IMPLEMENT BETWEEN FIVE AND NINE CAREER BANDS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY ADDING ARTICLE 16 TO CHAPTER 18, TITLE 59 SO AS TO PROVIDE REVISED ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS; BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-15 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION SHALL DEVELOP AND PROVIDE CERTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-39-100, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS, SO AS TO PROVIDE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL UNITS OF STUDY FOR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS BEGINNING WITH STUDENTS ENTERING NINTH GRADE IN THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR; BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 19, TITLE 59 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMINOLOGY, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MEMBER CONDUCT, TO PROVIDE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL ADOPT A MODEL CODE OF ETHICS FOR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CONDUCT, TO PROVIDE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS SHALL ADOPT CODES OF ETHICS BASED ON THIS MODEL CODE, TO PROVIDE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS SHALL ADOPT NEPOTISM POLICIES THAT MEET CERTAIN MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS, TO PROHIBIT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REFERRAL OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST ALLEGATIONS TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION UPON A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT FOR SUCH A VOTE, TO REQUIRE NOTICE TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WHEN A PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCREDITING BODY PLACES A DISTRICT OR SCHOOL ON A LEVEL OF ACCREDITATION THAT IMMEDIATELY PRECEDES ACCREDITATION LOSS FOR GOVERNANCE REASONS, TO PROVIDE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL CONDUCT A HEARING ON THE MATTER AND MAY RECOMMEND SUSPENSION OF A BOARD TO THE GOVERNOR, AND TO PROVIDE THE GOVERNOR MAY SUSPEND AN ENTIRE BOARD AND APPOINT A TEMPORARY BOARD; TO AMEND SECTION 59-18-920, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN CHARTER SCHOOLS SPONSORED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT MUST BE INCLUDED IN OVERALL PERFORMANCE RATINGS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THIS REQUIREMENT ALSO APPLIES TO CHARTER SCHOOLS SPONSORED BY REGISTERED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING; BY ADDING SECTION 59-19-55 SO AS TO PROVIDE SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS SHALL COMPLY WITH CERTAIN ETHICS PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; BY ADDING SECTION 8-13-810 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL NOTIFY THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION OF ANY SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE WHO FAILS TO COMPLETE REQUIRED ETHICS TRAINING, TO PROVIDE FAILURE OF A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TO COMPLETE THIS TRAINING CONSTITUTES A VIOLATION OF THE STATE ETHICS ACT AND SUBJECTS THE MEMBER TO CERTAIN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES, TO PROVIDE THE COMMISSION ALSO MAY IMPOSE ORAL OR WRITTEN WARNINGS OR REPRIMANDS, AND TO PROVIDE TRUSTEES MUST BE PROVIDED NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING BEFORE THEIR POSITION ON THE SCHOOL BOARD MAY BE TERMINATED FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE STATE ETHICS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 1-3-240, RELATING TO STATE AND COUNTY OFFICIALS SUBJECT TO REMOVAL FROM OFFICE BY THE GOVERNOR IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, SO AS TO INCLUDE SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES; TO AMEND SECTION 59-19-45, RELATING TO MANDATORY ORIENTATION FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL ADOPT A MODEL TRAINING PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHICH DISTRICTS SHALL ADOPT, TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL ADOPT LOCAL TRAINING PROGRAMS, AND TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL PROVIDE SUCH TRAINING TO BOARD MEMBERS WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER TAKING OFFICE; TO AMEND SECTION 59-19-60, RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES, SO AS TO REVISE THE GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL, THE MANNER OF REMOVAL, AND PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE FILLING OF SEATS VACATED BY REMOVAL, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-444 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT SHALL POST ALL REPORTS, STUDIES, PUBLISHED FINDINGS, MEMORANDA, GUIDELINES, RULES, AND CERTAIN OTHER DOCUMENTS ON ITS INTERNET WEBSITE WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS AFTER BEING MADE PUBLIC, TO PROVIDE THE POSTING MUST BE IN A CERTAIN FORM AND MANNER EASILY LOCATABLE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR VIEWING AND DOWNLOADING BY THE PUBLIC, AND TO SUBJECT THE DEPARTMENT TO CERTAIN MONETARY FINES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE; TO AMEND SECTION 59-19-90, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE RULES ADOPTED BY THESE BOARDS MUST ALIGN WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS; AND TO REPEAL ARTICLE 15 OF CHAPTER 18, TITLE 59 RELATING TO INTERVENTION AND ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY ACT AND SECTION 59-59-30 RELATING TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT.
Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works

H. 3760 (Word version) -- Rep. Sandifer: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 38-79-500 SO AS TO MERGE THE PATIENTS' COMPENSATION FUND WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE JOINT UNDERWRITING ASSOCIATION; BY ADDING SECTION 40-15-390 SO AS TO ESTABLISH A SURCHARGE FEE FOR A DENTIST'S LICENSE TO REDUCE THE OPERATING DEFICIT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LIABILITY JOINT UNDERWRITING ASSOCIATION; BY ADDING SECTION 40-47-55 SO AS TO ESTABLISH A SURCHARGE FEE FOR A PHYSICIAN'S LICENSE FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDUCING THE OPERATING DEFICIT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LIABILITY JOINT UNDERWRITING ASSOCIATION; AND TO AMEND ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 79, TITLE 38, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LIABILITY JOINT UNDERWRITING ASSOCIATION, SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM "DEFICIT", TO ALTER THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION, TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INITIAL FILING OF POLICY FORMS, TO PROVIDE CERTAIN ACTIONS THAT MUST BE DONE WHEN THE ASSOCIATION ACCUMULATES OR SUSTAINS A DEFICIT, TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS FOR TERMINATED MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION, TO ALTER THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF THE ASSOCIATION, TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN CONDITIONS REGARDING THE ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND THE EXAMINATION OF THE ASSOCIATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MERGER OF THE ASSOCIATION WITH THE PATIENTS' COMPENSATION FUND.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry

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

Alexander              Allison                Anderson
Atkinson               Bailey                 Bales
Ballentine             Bamberg                Bannister
Bennett                Bernstein              Blackwell
Bradley                Brawley                Brown
Bryant                 Burns                  Calhoon
Caskey                 Chellis                Chumley
Clary                  Clemmons               Clyburn
Cobb-Hunter            Cogswell               Collins
B. Cox                 W. Cox                 Crawford
Daning                 Davis                  Dillard
Elliott                Erickson               Felder
Finlay                 Forrest                Forrester
Fry                    Funderburk             Gagnon
Garvin                 Gilliam                Gilliard
Govan                  Hardee                 Hart
Hayes                  Henderson-Myers        Henegan
Herbkersman            Hewitt                 Hill
Hiott                  Hixon                  Hosey
Howard                 Huggins                Hyde
Jefferson              Johnson                Jordan
Kimmons                King                   Kirby
Ligon                  Loftis                 Long
Lowe                   Lucas                  Mace
Mack                   Magnuson               Martin
McCoy                  McCravy                McDaniel
McGinnis               McKnight               Moore
Morgan                 D. C. Moss             V. S. Moss
B. Newton              W. Newton              Norrell
Ott                    Parks                  Pendarvis
Pope                   Ridgeway               Rivers
Robinson               Rose                   Rutherford
Sandifer               Simmons                Simrill
G. M. Smith            G. R. Smith            Sottile
Spires                 Stavrinakis            Stringer
Tallon                 Taylor                 Thayer
Thigpen                Toole                  Trantham
Weeks                  West                   Wheeler
White                  Whitmire               R. Williams
S. Williams            Wooten                 Young
Yow

The SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE granted Rep. WILLIS a leave of absence for the day to attend the funeral of former Representative Eugene C. Stoddard.

Announcement was made that Dr. Gregory Tarasidis of Greenwood was the Doctor of the Day for the General Assembly.

Rep. HIOTT presented to the House the Pickens High School Marching Band, directors, and other school officials.

Rep. LUCAS presented to the House the McBee High School Baseball Team, 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. 3004 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3005 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3043 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3046 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   DAVIS

Bill Number:   H. 3048 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3053 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3064 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3078 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   DAVIS

Bill Number:   H. 3082 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3083 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3086 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   HENDERSON-MYERS

Bill Number:   H. 3087 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3091 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3092 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   KIRBY

Bill Number:   H. 3094 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3107 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3108 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3116 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3132 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3135 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   FUNDERBURK

Bill Number:   H. 3137 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   SOTTILE

Bill Number:   H. 3138 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3141 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3144 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3147 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3158 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3168 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   HEWITT

Bill Number:   H. 3194 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3212 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3222 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3223 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3224 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3240 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3242 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3270 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3271 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   THAYER

Bill Number:   H. 3279 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3289 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   LOFTIS, STRINGER and LIGON

Bill Number:   H. 3305 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3306 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3340 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3369 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   ROSE

Bill Number:   H. 3378 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3383 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3388 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3398 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   HILL

Bill Number:   H. 3399 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3417 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   FRY

Bill Number:   H. 3447 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   COGSWELL

Bill Number:   H. 3456 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   MARTIN

Bill Number:   H. 3456 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   GAGNON

Bill Number:   H. 3620 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   DAVIS

Bill Number:   H. 3622 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   CALHOON and HEWITT

Bill Number:   H. 3632 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   HILL and WHITMIRE

Bill Number:   H. 3660 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   HENDERSON-MYERS

Bill Number:   H. 3681 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   MCCOY, COGSWELL and HIXON

Bill Number:   H. 3756 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   ELLIOTT

Bill Number:   H. 3759 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/24/19   ELLIOTT

The following Joint Resolution was taken up, read the third time, and ordered sent to the Senate:

H. 3697 (Word version) -- Reps. Taylor, Allison, Gilliard, Simmons, Bales, Moore and Govan: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF REGULATION 62-6-(D), SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF REGULATIONS, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN ACADEMIC PROGRAMS MUST BE EARNED THROUGH INSTRUCTION BY THE INSTITUTION AWARDING THE DEGREE, THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION MAY GRANT ALTERNATE PROGRAM COMPLETION OPTIONS TO STUDENTS IMPACTED BY THE CLOSURE OF SIX EDUCATION CORPORATION OF AMERICA, INC., HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN 2018.

On motion of Rep. SANDIFER, with unanimous consent, the following Joint Resolution was ordered recalled from the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry:

H. 3619 (Word version) -- Rep. Howard: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO URGE LENDING INSTITUTIONS THAT DO BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO IMPLEMENT A NINETY-DAY MORATORIUM FOR FORECLOSURES AND LATE FEES ON CONSUMER DEBT FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE CURRENTLY UNPAID BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

Rep. SIMRILL asked unanimous consent to recall S. 76 (Word version) from the Committee on Ways and Means.
Rep. G. M. SMITH objected.

Rep. ROBINSON asked unanimous consent to recall H. 3465 (Word version) from the Committee on Judiciary.
Rep. MCCOY objected.
Rep. GARVIN moved that the House do now adjourn, which was agreed to.

At 11:10 a.m. the House, in accordance with the motion of Rep. ROBINSON, adjourned in memory of Fred Douglas Garrett, Sr., to meet at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.

This web page was last updated on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 2:55 P.M.