Bill 3659

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               3659
Ratification Number:       470
Act Number                 617
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   Task force to study homelessness

(A617, R470, H3659)

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO STUDY HOMELESSNESS IN THIS STATE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TASK FORCE.

Whereas, the problem of homelessness is a growing epidemic in this nation; and

Whereas, the number of homeless people is increasing vastly in this State; and

Whereas, it is a duty on behalf of the members of the General Assembly to make a concerted effort to combat and prevent this very serious problem in the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, to achieve this purpose, it is necessary to first conduct an extensive study into the main factors contributing to this problem in an effort to develop a comprehensive and effective state policy. Now, therefore,

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

Task force to study homelessness

SECTION 1. (A) There is created a task force to study homelessness in this State. The voting members are:

(1) two members of the Senate and three members from the general public to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) two members of the House of Representatives and three members from the general public to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(3) three members of the general public to be appointed by the Governor. These members may not have an identifiable interest with the groups provided in subsection (C);

(4) the Executive Director of the South Carolina State Housing, Finance, and Development Authority;

(5) the State Commissioner of Social Services or his designee;

(6) the State Commissioner of Mental Health.

(B) At its first meeting, the task force shall elect a chairman from the members provided in subsection (A).

(C) In addition to the members provided in subsection (A), the presidents or directors, or their designees, of the following organizations shall serve on the task force in an advisory, nonvoting capacity:

(1) Association of Shelter Care Providers;

(2) South Carolina Association of Counties;

(3) South Carolina Association of Realtors;

(4) South Carolina Association of Housing Authority Directors;

(5) Black Homebuilders Association;

(6) South Carolina Coalition for the Homeless;

(7) Homebuilders Association of South Carolina;

(8) South Carolina Municipal Association;

(9) National Association of Social Workers;

(10) United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (state or local director);

(11) Department of Veterans Affairs.

(D) Vacancies occurring on the task force must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

Duties of task force

SECTION 2. The task force shall:

(1) examine and study the problem of homelessness in this State;

(2) study the need for low-income housing as it relates to homelessness;

(3) recommend programs and policies as it considers appropriate to combat and eliminate homelessness in this State;

(4) conduct surveys and research as may be necessary;

(5) initiate and supervise projects and programs and conduct surveys and research as necessary in the study and examination of homelessness in this State;

(6) study the feasibility and practicality of establishing a housing trust fund in this State.

Powers of task force

SECTION 3. (A) The task force may subpoena, audit, and investigate. The task force may subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance and testimony, administer oaths and affirmations, take evidence, and require by subpoena the production of books, papers, records, or other items relevant to the performance of the duties of the task force or to the exercise of its powers. If a subpoena is refused, the task force may make application to a circuit court of this State which has jurisdiction to order the witness to appear before the task force, to produce evidence, if so ordered, or to give testimony touching on the matter in question. Failure to obey the order may be punished by the circuit court as contempt. Upon motion made by a person to whom a subpoena has been issued, the Court of Common Pleas for Richland County may make an order which is necessary to protect that person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden by expense. Witnesses must be paid mileage and fees as authorized by law for witnesses in civil cases.

(B) The task force may procure information and assistance from an officer or agency of the State or a subdivision. All officers and agencies shall give the task force all relevant information and reasonable assistance on matters of research within their knowledge and control.

(C) The task force may appoint an administrative assistant who shall serve at its pleasure. If necessary, the task force may consult with additional personnel including, but not limited to, faculty members of state colleges or universities as are necessary for its work or may delegate its authority to make appointments to the chairman. The compensation of the administrative assistant and all other personnel must be paid from the monies appropriated to the task force by the General Assembly at a rate to be approved by the Chairmen of the Operations and Management Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The total expenditure of the task force may not exceed forty thousand dollars.

(D) The task force may procure temporary and intermittent professional services and render compensation within the amount appropriated for the work of the task force. It also may contract for the services with colleges, universities, or other research institutions or individuals and may cooperate generally with associations, institutions, foundations, or corporations.

(E) The task force shall submit to the General Assembly its recommendations for preventing and eliminating homelessness in this State. The task force also may forward to the General Assembly studies or recommendations of others without endorsing those studies or recommendations. An interim report of the task force must be presented to the General Assembly not later than twelve months after the effective date of this act. The final report of the task force must be presented to the General Assembly at the end of its twenty-four month study which begins immediately after the effective date of this act. Upon presentation of the final report of the task force to the General Assembly, it ceases to exist.

(F) Ex-officio members shall serve without compensation. For all other members of the task force, the salaries, per diem, mileage, subsistence, and other expenses as provided by law for members of state boards, commissions, and committees must be paid from the approved accounts of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Time effective

SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Approved the 11th day of April, 1990.