Committee Report

March 1, 2023

H. 3360

Introduced by Reps. Pope, Gilliam, Wooten, McCravy, Felder, Williams, Erickson and Bradley

 

S. Printed 03/01/23--H.

Read the first time January 10, 2023

 

________

 

The committee on House Education and Public Works

To who was referred a Bill (H. 3360) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Article 17 to Chapter 23, Title 23 so as to establish the Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence within, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

 

SHANNON ERICKSON for Committee.

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

 

State Expenditure

 

This bill establishes the Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence within SLED to provide extensive training, education, and expertise in the fields of school safety and targeted violence.  SLED must adopt guidelines and establish procedures for training and educating local and state law enforcement, teachers, administrators, bus drivers, other school personnel, parents, and the public on school safety and targeted violence.  Further, SLED may incorporate existing and new personnel from its Homeland Security Department, Investigative Services Department, Behavioral Science Unit, and any other unit or department as assigned by the Chief of SLED.  Implementation of the bill is contingent upon funding in the Appropriations Act.  SLED anticipates it will need to hire the following personnel to establish the Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence.

 

PERSONNEL EXPENSES - RECURRING

Position Title  # of FTEs   Salary Fringe Total Personnel

Special Agent III (Homeland Security) 3  $191,646 $84,324  $275,970

Overtime for Special Agents (Homeland Security) n/a   $13,371  $5,883 $19,254

Special Agent III (Behavioral Science Unit) 2  $127,764 $56,216  $183,980

Overtime for Special Agents (Behavioral Science Unit) n/a  $8,914 $3,922 $12,836

Administrative Assistant   1  $35,000  $15,400  $50,400

TOTAL PERSONNEL 6  $376,695 $165,745 $542,440

 

SLED also anticipates it will need to procure additional equipment and that it will incur operating expenses as shown below:

 

EQUIPMENT AND OPERATING EXPENSES

RECURRING NON-RECURRING

Operating costs for personnel   $134,500 Equipment for new FTEs  $566,000

Other miscellaneous operating costs $310,000 Training simulations and scenario support  $61,500

       Medical, emergency, and health needs equipment  $14,950

       Maintenance upgrades  $399,700

        Furniture $84,750

       Technology equipment $131,000

       Community facility relocation costs (portables, cleaning)  $200,000

TOTAL RECURRING $444,500 TOTAL NON-RECURRING   $1,457,900

 

Additionally, SLED reports that the agency has been in contact with a local school district to enter into a long-term lease for space for the new Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence.  SLED further indicates that the agency anticipates that multiple upgrades will be needed for the space.  The capital projects costs are shown in the table below:

 

CAPITAL PROJECTS - NON-RECURRING

Capital projects (multiple upgrades) $1,150,000

TOTAL CAPITAL PROJECTS   $1,150,000

 

In total, SLED anticipates that this bill will increase General Fund expenses by $3,594,840 in FY 2023-24.  Expenses will decrease to $986,940 each year thereafter for the FTEs and annual operating costs.  The expenses are contingent upon funding in the Appropriations Act.  The total expenditure impact is shown in the table below:

 

RECURRING (FY 2023-24 and beyond) NON-RECURRING (FY 2023-24 only)

Personnel salary/fringe $542,441 Equipment and other $1,457,900

Operating costs  $444,500 Capital projects $1,150,000

TOTAL RECURRING $986,940 TOTAL NON-RECURRING   $2,607,900

GRAND TOTAL GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURE IMPACT FOR FY 2023-24 = $3,594,840

 

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

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A bill

 

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding article 17 to chapter 23, title 23 so as to establish the center for school safety and targeted violence within the state law enforcement division.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Chapter 23, Title 23 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

Article 17

 

Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence

 

    Section 23-3-1500. (A) The Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence is established within the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The purpose of the center is to provide extensive training, education, and expertise in the fields of school safety and targeted violence.

    (B) SLED shall adopt guidelines and establish procedures for training and educating local and state law enforcement, teachers, administrators, bus drivers, other school personnel, parents and the public on school safety and targeted violence.

    (C) SLED may incorporate existing and new personnel from its Homeland Security Department, Investigative Services Department, Behavioral Science Unit and any other unit or department as assigned by the Chief of SLED as defined in Section 23-3-25.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and is contingent upon funding in the general appropriations act.

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