S 1377 General Bill, By Washington and Cork

Similar(H 4865)
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Chapter 56
 to Title 59 so as to create the Beaufort-Jasper Higher Education Commission
 and provide for its membership, meetings, authority, and duties; to repeal Act
 90 of 1959 relating to the Beaufort County Higher Education Commission; and to
 provide for final and initial terms.

   04/21/94  Senate Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar
                     without reference SJ-9
   04/26/94  Senate Read second time SJ-54
   04/27/94  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-40
   04/28/94  House  Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar
                     without reference HJ-303
   05/18/94  House  Debate adjourned until Wednesday, May 25, 1994 HJ-32
   05/25/94  House  Read second time HJ-14
   05/26/94  House  Tabled HJ-37

April 28, 1994

S. 1377

Introduced by SENATORS Washington and Cork

S. Printed 4/28/94--H.

Read the first time April 28, 1994.

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 56 TO TITLE 59 SO AS TO CREATE THE BEAUFORT-JASPER HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION AND PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP, MEETINGS, AUTHORITY, AND DUTIES; TO REPEAL ACT 90 OF 1959 RELATING TO THE BEAUFORT COUNTY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION; AND TO PROVIDE FOR FINAL AND INITIAL TERMS.

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

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 59-56-10. (A) There is created the Beaufort-Jasper Higher Education Commission. The commission is composed of nine members appointed by the Governor. Seven must be residents of Beaufort County, and two must be residents of Jasper County. The appointments for Beaufort County members must be based upon the recommendation of a majority of the members of the Beaufort County Legislative Delegation. The appointments for Jasper County members must be based upon the recommendation of a majority of the members of the Jasper County Legislative Delegation.

(B) The members of the commission serve for a term of four years or until their successors are appointed and qualified. Vacancies must be filled for the unexpired term in the manner of the original appointment. The commission shall elect a chairman and a secretary from its membership to serve for two years and organize further as it may desire.

(C) The commission may meet at times it considers necessary, the meetings to be called by the chairman or upon the written request of four of its members. A member who misses three consecutive unexcused meetings is considered to have resigned his office, and a vacancy exists.

Section 59-56-20. (A) The commission may:

(1) upon the approval of a majority of its members, enter into contracts with institutions of higher learning upon terms and conditions mutually acceptable to the commission and the institution for the establishment and operation of an educational center to be a branch of the institution at Beaufort or Jasper County;

(2) obligate itself for the expenditure of a sum for the purposes of this chapter in an amount not to exceed that which is appropriate by law;

(3) bind itself for the furnishing of suitable facilities and accommodations for the educational center when by written prior agreement, it has obtained permission for its furnishing from the authority, agency, or board having control of the accommodations;

(4) accept gifts appropriate to carry out this chapter;

(5) hold title to real and personal property;

(6) borrow funds and receive grants.

(B) The commission shall appoint a group of not less than five nor more than fifteen interested persons from Beaufort and Jasper counties and the surrounding area known as the Beaufort-Jasper Higher Education Advisory Board. This board may act in an advisory capacity to the commission. Three of the persons appointed must be appointed only upon the recommendation of a majority of each of the Beaufort and Jasper Counties Legislative Delegations.

Section 59-56-30. The commission shall submit to the Beaufort and Jasper Counties Legislative Delegations at least once a year a written report in which it must show an accounting of all funds under control of the commission, a statement of all receipts and disbursements not previously reported, and a statement of its estimated financial needs for the ensuing year."

SECTION 2. Act 90 of 1959 is repealed.

SECTION 3. (A) The members of the Beaufort County Higher Education Commission serving on this act's effective date serve until members of the Beaufort-Jasper Higher Education Commission are appointed pursuant to this act.

(B) The initial terms of the members of the Beaufort-Jasper Higher Education Commission are as follows:

(1) four members who are Beaufort County residents, as determined by a majority of the Beaufort County Legislative Delegation: two years;

(2) three members who are Beaufort County residents, as determined by a majority of the Beaufort County Legislative Delegation: four years;

(3) two members who are Jasper County residents: four years.

SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.