Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 529, after line 15, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ 117.___. (GP: South Carolina Research Authority Evaluation and Recommendation Committee) (A) From funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose, there is created the South Carolina Research Authority Evaluation and Recommendation Committee to be composed of nine members:
(1) the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives or his designee;
(2) the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives or his designee;
(3) the Majority Leader of the Senate or his designee;
(4) the Minority Leader of the Senate or his designee;
(5) one member appointed by the Governor from the State at-large;
(6) one member appointed by the Governor from Clemson University;
(7) one member appointed by the Governor from the Medical University of South Carolina;
(8) one member appointed by the Governor from the University of South Carolina; and
(9) the Secretary of the Department of Commerce or his designee.
(B) The members of the committee shall elect a chairman and other officers as they consider necessary. The committee shall meet upon the call of the chairman or a majority of its members. Members shall receive per diem, mileage, and subsistence as provided by law for members of legislative or other state committees as appropriate to be paid from the approved accounts of the office or house of their appointing authority. Meeting space and staff support shall be provided by the General Assembly as needed and required. The committee shall make recommendations to the General Assembly as soon as practicable, at which time the committee is dissolved, unless otherwise continued as provided by law.
(C) The committee shall evaluate objectives, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) analyze whether selling the South Carolina Research Authority is in the best interests of South Carolina taxpayers;
(2) determine whether the assets of the South Carolina Research Authority should be considered for sale as a whole or in parts;
(3) obtain a valuation of the South Carolina Research Authority and its assets;
(4) develop a transparent and public process to conduct hearings, receive bids from potential purchasers, and evaluate a potential sale of the South Carolina Research Authority; and
(5) assess the impact that a sale in whole or in parts would have on Clemson University, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the University of South Carolina./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend sections, totals and title to conform.