S 0877 Joint Resolution, By Ford
 A Joint Resolution to create the Trident Region's Building Economic Solutions
 Together (B.E.S.T.) Policy Committee so as to coordinate and implement
 planning and redevelopment efforts for vacated military bases, ameliorate the
 adverse economic impact of base closures and military force reductions, and to
 promote South Carolina's and Charleston's interests in preserving and locating
 future military missions within the Trident Region.

   10/11/93  Senate Prefiled
   10/11/93  Senate Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
   01/11/94  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-26
   01/11/94  Senate Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and
                     Industry SJ-26

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO CREATE THE TRIDENT REGION'S BUILDING ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS TOGETHER (B.E.S.T.) POLICY COMMITTEE SO AS TO COORDINATE AND IMPLEMENT PLANNING AND REDEVELOPMENT EFFORTS FOR VACATED MILITARY BASES, AMELIORATE THE ADVERSE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BASE CLOSURES AND MILITARY FORCE REDUCTIONS, AND TO PROMOTE SOUTH CAROLINA'S AND CHARLESTON'S INTERESTS IN PRESERVING AND LOCATING FUTURE MILITARY MISSIONS WITHIN THE TRIDENT REGION.

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that the presence of the United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard facilities are vital to the economy and well being of the State of South Carolina and the communities in which military facilities are located; and

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that the United States Congress has mandated that defense budget cuts be made as our nation's defense needs change; and

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that the announced decision of the Base Closure Commission regarding the naval station and shipyard in Charleston is of concern to the Lowcountry and the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that all issues related to military force and mission educations, base closings, and future missions should be comprehensively studied through a coordinated effort; and

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that the Department of Defense's Office of Economic Adjustment requires the designation of a single point of contact from which their services can be rendered. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1. There is created the Trident Region's Building Economic Solutions Together (B.E.S.T.) Policy Committee, hereinafter called the BEST Committee, to coordinate and implement planning and redevelopment efforts for vacated military bases, ameliorate the adverse economic impact of base closures and military force reductions, and to promote South Carolina's and Charleston's interests in preserving and locating future military missions with the trident region.

SECTION 2. The BEST Committee shall consist of thirty-three members to be selected by the legislative delegations of Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties and shall have the following composition:

- seventeen members to represent Charleston County;

- ten members to represent Berkeley County; and

- six members to represent Dorchester County.

In making appointments to the BEST Committee, the respective legislative delegations shall cause the committee to reflect the diversity of the community by ensuring that the committee is composed as follows:

- one-third African American;

- two-thirds Caucasian;

- one-third labor;

- one-third business;

- one-third elected officials; and

- 50/50 male to female ratio.

SECTION 3. The chairman shall be elected by the BEST Committee from the general membership of the BEST Committee. The Governor shall designate a temporary chairman of the BEST Committee to preside at the initial organizational meeting over the election of a permanent BEST Committee Chairman. The BEST Committee may elect other officers as it may deem necessary to undertake its duties and exercise the powers of the BEST Committee.

SECTION 4. Existing within the BEST Committee shall be an Executive Committee, consisting of nine members representing and elected from each of the respective counties:

- the Chairman of the BEST Committee shall be a member and serve as Chairman of the Executive Committee;

- three from Charleston;

- three from Berkeley County; and

- two from Dorchester County.

SECTION 5. The Executive Committee shall have full power to create ad hoc committees and subcommittees as it shall deem necessary for undertaking the duties and exercising the powers of the BEST Committee. The Executive Committee is empowered to nominate additional members for election by the BEST Committee to serve on the BEST Committee as it shall deem necessary. A two-thirds vote of a lawful quorum of the BEST Committee is required to elect additional members. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The total membership shall not exceed thirty-three members.

SECTION 6. A BEST Committee member who knows of a present or potential personal economic interest in the disposition of the Charleston Naval facilities for himself, a member of his immediate family, an individual with whom he is associated, or a business with which he is associated shall upon recognition of such a conflict of interest recuse themselves from further service on the BEST Committee and notify the appropriate individual, agency, agency head, or governing body in order that a replacement may be appointed or elected to fill the vacancy created by their resignation. In the event a BEST Committee member has, develops, or has a potential economic interest in the disposition of the Charleston Naval facilities and is unaware of the conflict, he shall be notified in writing by the Governor. Upon notification, if he shall refuse to recuse himself from further service on the BEST Committee, the legislative delegation may remove the member and shall notify the appropriate individual, agency, agency head or governing body in order that a replacement may be appointed or elected to fill the vacancy created by their removal. By accepting appointment or election to serve on The BEST Committee, a member effectively waives any due process rights regarding hearings with respect to removal.

SECTION 7. The responsibilities of the BEST Committee shall be as follows:

(1) to act as a liaison to coordinate activities and planning for base re-use between affected Trident region communities, the South Carolina Congressional Delegation, and the Office of Economic Adjustment, and any other appropriate federal or state agency;

(2) to coordinate activities and conduct comprehensive studies of issues pertinent to naval facility closures, force reductions, conversions, redevelopment, and future use of Charleston naval facilities. The BEST Committee will ensure that these plans are submitted to the Governor and, as appropriate, to the South Carolina Legislature, the Congressional Delegation and impacted local governments for review and comment prior to submission to federal authorities;

(3) to establish and implement plans and programs related to conversion, redevelopment, and future use of the present Charleston Naval facilities;

(4) to make and execute agreements, contracts, and other instruments necessary or convenient in the exercise of the powers and functions of the BEST Committee, and apply for and accept funds to execute these responsibilities;

(5) to make any inquiry, investigation, survey, feasibility study or other study which the BEST Committee may deem necessary for the BEST Committee to carry out effectively the provisions of this order;

(6) to recommend and undertake actions to mitigate the adverse effects of Naval force reductions and closings; and

(7) to take other such actions as it may deem necessary or advisable in the furtherance of the purposes of this resolution.

The BEST Committee shall promulgate bylaws and retain staff or contract services for the orderly conduct of its business and discharge of its responsibilities.

SECTION 8. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.