Current Status Bill Number:3515 Ratification Number:541 Act Number:457 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19950207 Primary Sponsor:Harrison All Sponsors:Harrison and Hodges Drafted Document Number:GJK\21310SD.95 Date Bill Passed both Bodies:19960627 Date of Last Amendment:19960627 Governor's Action:S Date of Governor's Action:19960703 Subject:African-American monument
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________
------ 19960711 Act No. A457
------ 19960703 Signed by Governor
------ 19960627 Ratified R541
Senate 19960627 Ordered enrolled for ratification
House 19960627 Free Conference Committee Report 99 HFCC
adopted
House 19960627 Free Conference Powers granted, 99 HFCC Jennings
appointed Reps. to Committee of J. Young
Free Conference Young-
Brickell
Senate 19960627 Free Conference Committee Report 89 SFCC
adopted
Senate 19960627 Free Conference Powers granted, 89 SFCC Moore
appointed Senators to Committee Courtney
of Free Conference Jackson
Senate 19960626 Continued the Report of the
Committee of Conference
House 19960613 Appointed Rep. to Committee of 98 HCC Young-
Conference, replacing Rep. Klauber Brickle
Senate 19960613 Appointed Senator to Committee of 88 SCC Jackson
Conference, replacing former
Senator Stilwell
Senate 19950601 Conference powers granted, 88 SCC Courtney
appointed Senators to Committee Moore
of Conference Stilwell
House 19950601 Conference powers granted, 98 HCC Jennings
appointed Reps. to Committee of J. Young
Conference Klauber
House 19950601 Insists upon amendment
Senate 19950601 Non-concurrence in House amendment
House 19950601 Senate amendments amended,
returned to Senate with amendment
House 19950531 Debate adjourned on Senate
amendments until Thursday,
19950601
Senate 19950529 Read third time, returned to House
with amendment
Senate 19950525 Amended, read second time
Senate 19950524 Committee report: Favorable with 11 SJ
amendment
Senate 19950406 Introduced, read first time, 11 SJ
referred to Committee
House 19950405 Read third time, sent to Senate
House 19950404 Amended, read second time
House 19950329 Committee report: Favorable with 25 HJ
amendment
House 19950207 Introduced, read first time, 25 HJ
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
(A457, R541, R-E.S.1, H3515)
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED ON THE STATE HOUSE GROUNDS, TO CREATE A COMMISSION TO SELECT THE DESIGN AND LOCATION OF THE MONUMENT AND PERFORM CERTAIN OTHER FUNCTIONS, TO PROVIDE THAT THIS COMMISSION SHALL ALSO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM AND SHALL MAKE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS REGARD TO THE STATE HOUSE COMMITTEE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DATE THIS COMMISSION SHALL BE DISSOLVED.
Whereas, the State of South Carolina has, as a matter of state policy, erected various monuments on the State House grounds to honor the contributions of various individuals and groups to the state's history; and
Whereas, the State has recently reaffirmed this policy by requiring all portraits, flags, banners, monuments, statues, and plaques which are removed during the current State House Renovation Project to be returned to their original locations following completion of the project; and
Whereas, not one of the monuments and memorials recognizes the contributions and efforts of an African-American individual; and
Whereas, some official symbol should be placed that recognizes the special and unique experiences and contributions of African-Americans in this State; and
Whereas, the placement of a permanent monument on the State House grounds is the most visible and efficient means of official recognition.
Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
African-American History Monument
SECTION 1. There is hereby established on the grounds of the State House an African-American History Monument. The design and location of the monument shall be determined by the commission appointed pursuant to Section 2 of this act. The commission shall make reasonable efforts to incorporate all eras of African-American history in the design. The monument shall be erected as soon as is reasonably possible after it is approved by the General Assembly by concurrent resolution and the State House Renovation Project is completed.
African-American History Monument Commission; African-American History Museum; dissolution of commission
SECTION 2. (A) An African-American History Monument Commission is created to determine the design of the monument and to determine the location of the monument on the State House grounds. The commission is empowered and directed to raise private funds and to receive gifts and grants to carry out the purpose for which it is created. The commission in this regard shall have the power to cause to be created a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation the purpose of which shall be to receive and disburse funds for the African-American History Monument. The staff of the State Budget and Control Board shall assist the commission with the preparation and maintenance of financial records for the purpose of ensuring proper accounting of the records. The financial records are public records for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act, except that the names of anonymous donors shall not be disclosed.
By April 1, 1997, the commission shall report the proposed design and location of the monument to the State House Committee for its approval. After action by the committee approving the design and location, the State House Committee shall cause to be introduced the concurrent resolution serving as the instrument of approval as provided in Section 1 of this act. The State shall ensure proper maintenance of the monument as is done for other historical monuments on the State House grounds.
Four members of the commission must be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, four members must be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one member must be appointed by the Governor. Notwithstanding Section 8-13-770 of the 1976 Code, members of the General Assembly may be appointed to this commission. One of the members appointed by the President Pro Tempore must be a Senator and one of the members appointed by the Speaker must be a member of the House of Representatives.
The commission shall elect a chairman, vice chairman, and such other officers as it deems appropriate from among its membership. The senior senator of the commission shall call an organizational meeting for the purpose of electing officers and such other matters as may arise. Commission members are not entitled to receive the subsistence, mileage, and per diem otherwise provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions.
(B) The commission also shall study the feasibility of establishing an African-American History Museum analogous to the Confederate Relic Room and make recommendations with respect to its findings on this subject to the State House Committee. This new museum shall collect and display historical artifacts and other items reflecting African-American history in this State. A preliminary report on this study must be made to the State House Committee no later than April 1, 1997, and a final report and recommendation on this study must be made by January 1, 2000.
(C) The commission established pursuant to this act is dissolved on January 1, 2000. However, the commission must be dissolved earlier if both the monument is dedicated and the final report is made before January 1, 2000, in which case the commission must be dissolved on the date of the later occurring event of the dedication of the monument or the receipt of the final report. If the African-American History Monument has not been dedicated by January 1, 2000, the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the African-American History Monument Commission shall be devolved upon the State House Committee.
Time effective
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Approved the 3rd day of July, 1996.