The Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs proposes the following Amendment No. 1 to H. 3071 (COUNCIL\CZ\3071C001.RT.CZ21):

Reference is to the bill as introduced.

Amend the joint resolution, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 1 and inserting:

/SECTION 1. (A) There is created the "Equine Industry Support Measures Study Committee" comprised of the following seven members:

(1) two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Chairman of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee;

(2) two members of the Senate appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee;

(3) two members from the equine industry, with one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the President of the Senate, upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; and

(4) the Commissioner of Agriculture, or his designee.

(B) The committee shall consider, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) examining the details of the economic impact of the equine industry on the State of South Carolina;

(2) studying the potential for equine business growth in South Carolina and steps the State could take to encourage growth such as fostering equine therapy, using 4H, the Future Farmers of America, and other student programs;

(3) identifying any barriers that exist for equine business growth in South Carolina and how to eliminate or reduce them;

(4) comparing South Carolina's incentives and barriers to other states in the Southeast as well as nationally. This shall include investigating any fees or assessments, reimbursements, as well as mills and feed, and determining how to make South Carolina more competitive so as to increase equine businesses and eliminate, as nearly as possible, the loss of equine businesses;

(5) determining if the State should encourage interstate cooperation with equine facilities in nearby states; and

(6) examining any other issues that the committee determines are of interest and benefit to the equine business in South Carolina.

(C) The committee shall meet as soon as practical to organize and to elect a chairman and vice chairman. The chairman and vice chairman must be legislative members of the committee elected by a majority vote of the legislative members of the committee.

(D) The committee shall issue a report to the General Assembly by February 15, 2022, providing its findings and recommendations. Upon issuance of the report, the committee is dissolved. /