H 4290 General Bill, By Walker, Stille, Wilder, Klauber, Bales, J. Smith, 
Barrett, Cotty, Hawkins, Harvin, Rodgers, Hamilton and Leach

Similar(S 1066)
 A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 6, CHAPTER 111 OF TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH
 CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ONE-HALF TUITION CHARGES FOR MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH
 CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD TO ATTEND STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
 LEARNING OR TECHNICAL COLLEGES, SO AS TO PROVIDE A FULL TUITION EXEMPTION FOR
 UP TO FIFTEEN CREDIT HOURS A SEMESTER INSTEAD OF TWELVE, TO PROVIDE THE
 TUITION EXEMPTION SHALL NOT BE ON A SPACE AVAILABLE BASIS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE
 CREDIT HOURS EARNED BY THESE STUDENTS SHALL BE USED IN HIGHER EDUCATION
 FORMULAS FOR FUNDING, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR OTHER PROCEDURAL MATTERS IN
 REGARD TO THIS TUITION EXEMPTION.

   11/10/99  House  Prefiled
   11/10/99  House  Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
   01/11/00  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-408
   01/11/00  House  Referred to Committee on Ways and Means HJ-409
   04/06/00  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment Ways
                     and Means HJ-4
   04/12/00  House  Amended HJ-88
   04/12/00  House  Read second time HJ-89
   04/13/00  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-38
   04/18/00  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-2
   04/18/00  Senate Referred to Committee on Education SJ-2

Indicates New Matter

AMENDED

April 12, 2000

H. 4290

Introduced by Reps. Walker, Stille, Wilder, Klauber, Bales, J. Smith, Barrett, Cotty, Hawkins, Harvin, Rodgers, Hamilton and Leach

S. Printed 4/12/00--H.

Read the first time January 11, 2000.

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-111-75 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE MILITARY DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE ADJUTANT GENERAL TO DEVELOP A LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM WHEREBY TALENTED AND QUALIFIED STATE RESIDENTS MAY ATTEND STATE PUBLIC OR PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR ENLISTING OR REMAINING IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD IN AREAS OF CRITICAL NEED, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROCEDURES, CONDITIONS, AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM.

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

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-111-75. The Military Department through the Adjutant General, in consultation with the staff of the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation, shall develop a loan repayment program whereby talented and qualified state residents may attend state public or private colleges and universities for the purpose of providing incentives for enlisting or remaining in the South Carolina National Guard in areas of critical need. Areas of critical need must be defined annually for that purpose by the state Adjutant General. The Adjutant General shall promulgate appropriate regulations to set forth the terms of the loan repayment program, upon the advice of a loan repayment advisory board. The loan repayment advisory board shall consist of the Adjutant General, the State Command Sergeant Major, and three commissioned officers of the South Carolina National Guard. The Governor, Superintendent of Education, and the Adjutant General each shall appoint one such officer. The regulations shall define limitations on monetary repayment amounts, successful participation within the National Guard, successful school matriculation, and other requirements for participation in the loan repayment program. In case of failure to complete the term of enlistment, failure to successfully participate in the National Guard, noncompliance by a borrower with the terms of the loan, or failure to comply with regulations of the program, the borrower's participation in the loan repayment program may be terminated and the borrower remains subject to those provisions as provided in the loan documents. The borrower shall execute the necessary legal documents to reflect his obligation to the lending entity and the terms and conditions of the loan. The loan program, as implemented herein shall be administered by a separate student loan provider. Of the funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the loan repayment program, such funds must be retained in a separate account and used on a revolving basis for purposes of the loan repayment program. The State Treasurer shall disburse funds from this account as requested by the Adjutant General and upon warrant of the Comptroller General. Funds in the account and any earnings thereon may be carried forward in succeeding fiscal years and used for the purposes of the loan repayment program. The Adjutant General shall review the loan program annually and report to the General Assembly on its progress and results."

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