H*3659 Session 108 (1989-1990)
H*3659(Rat #0470, Act #0617 of 1990) Joint Resolution, By C.Y. Waites,
M.O. Alexander, Alexander, R.L. Altman, J.J. Bailey, R.A. Barber, R.B. Brown,
P.M. Burch, J.D. Cole, Davenport, Elliott, J. Faber, T.L. Farr, J.G. Felder,
T. Ferguson, S.R. Foster, Glover, M.F. Jaskwhich, Littlejohn, S.G. Manly,
F.E. McBride, McKay, M. McLeod, D.A. Moss, Neilson, Phillips, Quinn, Rhoad,
J.I. Rogers, T.F. Rogers, J.J. Snow, L.L. Taylor, Vaughn, Washington,
L.S. Whipper and J.B. Wilder
A Joint Resolution to establish a task force to study homelessness in this
State, and to provide for the membership, duties, and responsibilities of the
task force.
03/09/89 House Introduced and read first time HJ-10
03/09/89 House Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-11
04/13/89 House Committee report: Favorable with amendment
Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-2
04/19/89 House Amended HJ-18
04/19/89 House Read second time HJ-18
04/20/89 House Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-33
04/25/89 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-12
04/25/89 Senate Referred to Committee on General SJ-12
05/12/89 Senate Recalled from Committee on General SJ-28
05/31/89 Senate Amended SJ-54
05/31/89 Senate Read second time SJ-55
05/31/89 Senate Ordered to third reading with notice of
amendments SJ-55
06/21/89 Senate Read third time and returned to House with
amendments SJ-54
01/24/90 House Non-concurrence in Senate amendment HJ-51
01/31/90 Senate Senate insists upon amendment and conference
committee appointed Sens. Courson, Lourie,
Mitchell SJ-4
01/31/90 House Conference committee appointed Waites, Whipper &
Neilson HJ-37
03/20/90 House Conference report received and adopted HJ-5
03/27/90 Senate Conference report received and adopted SJ-6
03/28/90 House Ordered enrolled for ratification HJ-187
04/05/90 Ratified R 470
04/11/90 Signed By Governor
04/11/90 Effective date 04/11/90
04/11/90 Act No. 617
05/08/90 Copies available
(A617, R470, H3659)
A JOINT RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO STUDY HOMELESSNESS IN
THIS STATE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TASK FORCE.
Whereas, the problem of homelessness is a growing epidemic in this
nation; and
Whereas, the number of homeless people is increasing vastly in this
State; and
Whereas, it is a duty on behalf of the members of the General Assembly
to make a concerted effort to combat and prevent this very serious
problem in the State of South Carolina; and
Whereas, to achieve this purpose, it is necessary to first conduct an
extensive study into the main factors contributing to this problem in
an effort to develop a comprehensive and effective state policy. Now,
therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Task force to study homelessness
SECTION 1. (A) There is created a task force to study
homelessness in this State. The voting members are:
(1) two members of the Senate and three members from the
general public to be appointed by the President of the Senate;
(2) two members of the House of Representatives and three
members from the general public to be appointed by the Speaker of the
House;
(3) three members of the general public to be appointed by
the Governor. These members may not have an identifiable interest
with the groups provided in subsection (C);
(4) the Executive Director of the South Carolina State
Housing, Finance, and Development Authority;
(5) the State Commissioner of Social Services or his
designee;
(6) the State Commissioner of Mental Health.
(B) At its first meeting, the task force shall elect a chairman
from the members provided in subsection (A).
(C) In addition to the members provided in subsection (A), the
presidents or directors, or their designees, of the following
organizations shall serve on the task force in an advisory, nonvoting
capacity:
(1) Association of Shelter Care Providers;
(2) South Carolina Association of Counties;
(3) South Carolina Association of Realtors;
(4) South Carolina Association of Housing Authority
Directors;
(5) Black Homebuilders Association;
(6) South Carolina Coalition for the Homeless;
(7) Homebuilders Association of South Carolina;
(8) South Carolina Municipal Association;
(9) National Association of Social Workers;
(10) United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development (state or local director);
(11) Department of Veterans Affairs.
(D) Vacancies occurring on the task force must be filled in the
same manner as the original appointment.
Duties of task force
SECTION 2. The task force shall:
(1) examine and study the problem of homelessness in this State;
(2) study the need for low-income housing as it relates to
homelessness;
(3) recommend programs and policies as it considers appropriate
to combat and eliminate homelessness in this State;
(4) conduct surveys and research as may be necessary;
(5) initiate and supervise projects and programs and conduct
surveys and research as necessary in the study and examination of
homelessness in this State;
(6) study the feasibility and practicality of establishing a
housing trust fund in this State.
Powers of task force
SECTION 3. (A) The task force may subpoena, audit, and
investigate. The task force may subpoena witnesses and compel their
attendance and testimony, administer oaths and affirmations, take
evidence, and require by subpoena the production of books, papers,
records, or other items relevant to the performance of the duties of
the task force or to the exercise of its powers. If a subpoena is
refused, the task force may make application to a circuit court of
this State which has jurisdiction to order the witness to appear
before the task force, to produce evidence, if so ordered, or to give
testimony touching on the matter in question. Failure to obey the
order may be punished by the circuit court as contempt. Upon motion
made by a person to whom a subpoena has been issued, the Court of
Common Pleas for Richland County may make an order which is necessary
to protect that person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or
undue burden by expense. Witnesses must be paid mileage and fees as
authorized by law for witnesses in civil cases.
(B) The task force may procure information and assistance from
an officer or agency of the State or a subdivision. All officers and
agencies shall give the task force all relevant information and
reasonable assistance on matters of research within their knowledge
and control.
(C) The task force may appoint an administrative assistant who
shall serve at its pleasure. If necessary, the task force may consult
with additional personnel including, but not limited to, faculty
members of state colleges or universities as are necessary for its
work or may delegate its authority to make appointments to the
chairman. The compensation of the administrative assistant and all
other personnel must be paid from the monies appropriated to the task
force by the General Assembly at a rate to be approved by the Chairmen
of the Operations and Management Committees of the Senate and the
House of Representatives. The total expenditure of the task force may
not exceed forty thousand dollars.
(D) The task force may procure temporary and intermittent
professional services and render compensation within the amount
appropriated for the work of the task force. It also may contract for
the services with colleges, universities, or other research
institutions or individuals and may cooperate generally with
associations, institutions, foundations, or corporations.
(E) The task force shall submit to the General Assembly its
recommendations for preventing and eliminating homelessness in this
State. The task force also may forward to the General Assembly
studies or recommendations of others without endorsing those studies
or recommendations. An interim report of the task force must be
presented to the General Assembly not later than twelve months after
the effective date of this act. The final report of the task force
must be presented to the General Assembly at the end of its
twenty-four month study which begins immediately after the effective
date of this act. Upon presentation of the final report of the task
force to the General Assembly, it ceases to exist.
(F) Ex-officio members shall serve without compensation. For
all other members of the task force, the salaries, per diem, mileage,
subsistence, and other expenses as provided by law for members of
state boards, commissions, and committees must be paid from the
approved accounts of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Time effective
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Approved the 11th day of April, 1990.
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