S*0338(Rat #0003, Act #0099 of 2017)  Joint Resolution, By Hembree, Courson, 
J. Matthews, Setzler and Fanning
 A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT THE OPENING DATE FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS DURING THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR MAY BE AS EARLY AS THURSDAY,
 AUGUST SEVENTEENTH, IN THE DISCRETION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF
 TRUSTEES. - ratified title

   02/01/17  Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 16)
   02/01/17  Senate Referred to Committee on Education
                     (Senate Journal-page 16)
   02/02/17  Senate Recalled from Committee on Education
                     (Senate Journal-page 4)
   02/09/17  Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 15)
   02/09/17  Senate Roll call Ayes-39  Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 15)
   02/14/17  Senate Read third time and sent to House
                     (Senate Journal-page 21)
   02/15/17  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 21)
   02/15/17  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public
                     Works (House Journal-page 21)
   02/21/17  House  Recalled from Committee on Education and Public
                     Works (House Journal-page 43)
   02/22/17  House  Read second time (House Journal-page 16)
   02/22/17  House  Roll call Yeas-85  Nays-14 (House Journal-page 16)
   02/23/17  House  Read third time and enrolled (House Journal-page 6)
   02/23/17         Ratified R 3
   02/28/17         Signed By Governor
   03/02/17         Effective date 02/28/17
   07/12/17         Act No. 99

(A99, R3, S338)

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT THE OPENING DATE FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS DURING THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR MAY BE AS EARLY AS THURSDAY, AUGUST SEVENTEENTH, IN THE DISCRETION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

Whereas, on Monday, August 21, 2017, South Carolina will be in the path of the largest total solar eclipse experienced in North America since February 1978, providing a rare learning opportunity for people in the Palmetto State; and

Whereas, to capitalize on the potential educational value of this eclipse, South Carolina public school districts should be given the flexibility to move their opening dates to before the eclipse. Now, therefore,

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

2017 public school year start date, flexibility due to rare solar eclipse

SECTION    1.    Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 59-1-425(A) regarding the opening date for students to attend public schools, a local school board may choose Thursday, August 17, 2017, or later, as the opening date for students attending schools in the district. These provisions only apply to the 2017-2018 School Year.

Time effective

SECTION    2.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 23rd day of February, 2017.

Approved the 28th day of February, 2017.