S 0430 General Bill, By T.W. Mitchell, Ford, Glover, Jackson, Lander, Matthews, 
Patterson and Washington

Similar(S 431)
 A Bill to amend Title 1, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the
 administration of government by adding Chapter 31 so as to create the State
 Commission for Minority Affairs and to provide for its functions, powers, and
 duties.

   02/17/93  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-4
   02/17/93  Senate Referred to Committee on Finance SJ-4

A BILL

TO AMEND TITLE 1, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT BY ADDING CHAPTER 31 SO AS TO CREATE THE STATE COMMISSION FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS FUNCTIONS, POWERS, AND DUTIES.

Whereas, the unemployment rate for African-American males is nearly three times higher than the rate for white males in South Carolina; and

Whereas, per capita income for African-Americans in South Carolina is less than half the income of whites; and

Whereas, four out of every ten African-American children will grow up in poverty in South Carolina; and

Whereas, African-Americans die six years earlier than whites in South Carolina; and

Whereas, African-American males in South Carolina have the lowest recorded life expectancy for their group in any other state in the nation; and

Whereas, the African-American infant mortality rate is more than twice as high as whites in South Carolina; and

Whereas, African-American high school graduates attain literacy levels slightly above white eighth graders; and

Whereas, African-American males receive only six percent of the total degrees from higher education in South Carolina; and

Whereas, while the number of African-American males in higher education has decreased, the number of African-American males in correctional institutions is on the rise; and

Whereas, the percentage of African-American inmates at the Central Correctional Institution in South Carolina is over seventy percent; and

Whereas, African-American youth make up seventy-four percent of commitments to long-term facilities; and

Whereas, African-American children are four and a half times more likely to be incarcerated than are their white counterparts in South Carolina; and

Whereas, South Carolina currently has the worse violent crime rate in the nation; and

Whereas, African-Americans make up a third of the population in South Carolina; and

Whereas, other States with lower percentages of African-Americans and higher standards of living for those African-Americans have already implemented like commissions; and

Whereas, local groups throughout the State are initiating programs to relieve the socio-economic deprivation of African-Americans in their communities; and

Whereas, these community-based groups would benefit greatly from clear state-based leadership. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1. Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 1-31-10. There is created a State Commission for Minority Affairs consisting of seven members and the Governor ex officio. The Governor shall appoint one person from each of the six congressional districts of the State and one person from the State at-large upon the advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor shall designate the chairman. The members serve for a term of four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Of the members first appointed, those appointed from the even-numbered congressional districts serve for a term of two years; those appointed from the odd-numbered congressional districts and the member appointed at-large serve for a term of four years. A vacancy must be filled in the same manner as original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. A majority of the members of the commission must be African-American.

Section 1-31-20. The commission shall meet at least monthly to study the causes and effects of the socio-economic deprivation of minorities in the State and to implement programs necessary to address inequities confronting minorities in the State.

Section 1-31-30. The commission is authorized to hire an executive director and other personnel necessary to carry out its duties and functions under this chapter. The General Assembly shall provide for the funds in the annual appropriations act.

Section 1-31-40. The commission shall:

(1) provide the minority community with a single point of contact for statistical and technical assistance in the areas of research and planning for a greater economic future;

(2) work with minority officials on the state, county, and local levels of government in disseminating statistical data and its impact on their constituencies;

(3) provide for publication of a statewide statistical abstract on minority affairs;

(4) provide statistical analyses for members of the General Assembly on the state of minority communities as the State experiences economic growth and changes;

(5) provide the minority community with assistance and information on Voting Rights Act submissions in the State, as well as other related areas of concern to the minority community.

(6) act as liaison with the business community to provide programs and opportunities to fulfill its duties under this chapter;

(7) perform other duties necessary to implement programs. The commission may delegate these powers and duties as necessary.

Section 1-31-50. The commission may promulgate those regulations necessary to carry out its duties under this act."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.