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Amend the resolution, as and if amended, by striking all after the title and inserting:

/Whereas, the resources for public education in South Carolina in grades kindergarten through twelve are scarce and a large part of the local funding for public education is derived from ad valorem property taxes which have reached levels which impose a significant burden on many taxpayers; and

Whereas, it is therefore incumbent upon the State of South Carolina and its local school districts to use these resources in the most efficient manner possible; and

Whereas, other states and other countries have developed innovative approaches to school scheduling including flexible hours, rolling timetables, and more continuous operations; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, believe that a study of these innovative approaches would be of significant benefit to South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the State Department of Education is directed to study school scheduling and timetables, including the length of the school day and the school year, using appropriate local, state, and national studies and experiences in other jurisdictions.

The department shall report its findings to the General Assembly no later than January 1, 1997./

Amend title to read:

/TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STUDY SCHOOL SCHEDULING AND TIMETABLES, INCLUDING THE LENGTH OF THE SCHOOL DAY AND THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPORT ITS FINDINGS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY JANUARY 1, 1997./

Rep. JASKWHICH explained the amendment.

Rep. LOFTIS moved to adjourn debate upon the Concurrent Resolution until Wednesday, April 24, which was adopted.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

S. 1351 -- Senators Leventis, Moore, Alexander, Boan and Martin: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO URGE THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA), IN ITS REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARD FOR OZONE, TO THOROUGHLY EXAMINE ALL ASPECTS OF THE STANDARD, INCLUDING RETAINING THE EXISTING .12 STANDARD WITH APPROPRIATE REVISIONS, AND CAREFULLY EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL INCREMENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES ON STATES, LOCALITIES, SMALL AND LARGE BUSINESS, AND INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS; TO URGE FURTHER THAT THE STANDARD CHOSEN BY EPA SHOULD BE REASONABLE AND ACHIEVABLE AND ANY CHANGES MUST BE LOOKED AT IN THEIR ENTIRETY; AND TO URGE FINALLY THAT EPA IDENTIFY ANY UNFUNDED MANDATES OR OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS FOR STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OR AGENCIES THAT WOULD DERIVE FROM CHANGES TO THE NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARD FOR OZONE.

Rep. HASKINS moved to adjourn debate upon the Concurrent Resolution until Wednesday, April 24, which was adopted.

The motion period was dispensed with on motion of Rep. FLEMING.

Rep. LIMBAUGH moved to adjourn debate upon the following Joint Resolution until Wednesday, April 24, which was adopted.

H. 3812 -- Reps. Limbaugh, Tripp, Mason, McElveen, Herdklotz, Knotts, Cain, Dantzler, J. Young, R. Smith, Martin, Wilkins, Hallman, Whatley, Law, Felder, Rice, Sandifer, A. Young, Wofford, Simrill, Allison, Harrell, Keegan, Fair, Cotty, Cooper, Easterday, Quinn, Wells, Kelley, Shissias, Limehouse, Fulmer, Seithel, Huff, Fair, Cotty, Harrison, Walker, D. Smith, Robinson, Fleming, Hutson, Witherspoon, Riser, Davenport, Vaughn, Cato, Wright, Littlejohn, Klauber, Lanford, J. Harris, Sharpe and Haskins: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, BY ADDING SECTION 16 SO AS TO

Rep. SIMRILL moved to adjourn debate upon the following Bill until Wednesday, April 24, which was adopted.

S. 517 -- Senator Patterson: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 8-11-640, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CREDIT FOR PRIOR STATE SERVICE IN COMPUTING BONUS LEAVE EARNINGS AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS, SO AS TO INCREASE FROM TEN TO TWENTY THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF YEARS FOR WHICH CERTAIN EMPLOYEES SHALL RECEIVE CREDIT FOR PRIOR STATE SERVICE FOR PURPOSES OF COMPUTING BONUS EARNINGS.

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 4637 -- Reps. Townsend, Allison, Howard and Wright: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-103-15 SO AS TO DEFINE THE MISSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND OF EACH TYPE OF PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING; TO AMEND SECTION 59-103-20, RELATING TO STUDIES OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A COORDINATED, EFFICIENT, AND RESPONSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THIS STATE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION IN THIS REGARD; TO AMEND THE 1976 CODE BY ADDING SECTION 59-103-30 SO AS TO ESTABLISH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR ACADEMIC QUALITY IN THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THIS STATE AND THE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS BY WHICH THESE SUCCESS FACTORS CAN BE MEASURED; TO AMEND SECTION 59-103-35,

The Education and Public Works Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name P:\amend\GJK\22565SD.96), which was adopted.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, in Section 59-103-15 of the 1976 Code, as contained in SECTION 1, by striking subsection (B)(4) and inserting:

/(4) State technical and comprehensive education system

(a) all post-secondary vocational, technical, and occupational diploma and associate degree programs leading directly to employment or maintenance of employment and associate degree programs which enable students to gain access to other post-secondary education;

(b) up-to-date and appropriate occupational and technical training for adults;

(c) special school programs that provide training for prospective employees for prospective and existing industry in order to enhance the economic development of South Carolina;

(d) public service to the State and the local community;

(e) continue to remain technical, vocational, or occupational colleges with a mission as stated in item (4) and primarily focused on technical education and the economic development of the State./

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, in Section 59-103-30 of the 1976 Code, as contained in SECTION 3, by striking subsection (A) and inserting:

/(A) The General Assembly has determined that the critical success factors for academic quality in the several institutions of higher learning in this State are as follows:

(1) Mission Focus;

(2) Quality of Faculty;

(3) Classroom Quality;

(4) Institutional Cooperation and Collaboration;

(5) Administrative Efficiency;

(6) Entrance Requirements;

(7) Graduates' Achievements;

(9) Research Funding./

Amend further by striking subsection (B)(1)(e) of Section 59-103-30 of the 1976 Code, as contained in SECTION 3, and inserting:

/(e) attainment of goals of the strategic plan./

Amend further by striking subsection (B)(3) of Section 59-103-30 of the 1976 Code, as contained in SECTION 3, and inserting:

/(3) Instructional Quality/

(a) class sizes and student/teacher ratios;

(b) number of credit hours taught by faculty;

(c) ratio of full-time faculty as compared to other full-time employees;

(d) accreditation of degree-granting programs;

(e) institutional emphasis on quality teacher education and reform./

Amend further by striking subsection (4)(a) of Section 59-103-30 of the 1976 Code, as contained in SECTION 3, and inserting:

/(a) sharing and use of technology, programs, equipment, supplies, and source matter experts within the institution, with other institutions, and with the business community;/

Amend further, as and if amended, by striking Section 59-103-110 of the 1976 Code as contained in SECTION 8 and inserting:

/"Section 59-103-110. No public institution of higher learning shall be authorized to construct any new permanent facility at any location other than on a currently approved campus or on property immediately contiguous thereto unless such new location and or purchase or acquire any new improved or unimproved real property unless such new facility, purchase, or acquisition has been approved by the Commission. Provided, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to the Trident Technical College property in Berkeley County or the new Palmer College site in Charleston County or Francis Marion College in Florence County."/

Amend further, as and if amended, in Section 59-104-20 of the 1976 Code, as contained in SECTION 9, which begins on line 23, page 11, by striking the section and inserting:

/Section 59-104-20. The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program is established to foster scholarship among the state's post-secondary students and retain outstanding South Carolina high school graduates in the State through awards based on scholarship and achievement. Measures must be taken to ensure equitable minority participation in this program. Recipients of these scholarships are designated Palmetto Fellows. Each Palmetto Fellow shall receive a scholarship in an amount designated by the Commission on Higher Education, half to be provided by the post

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend totals and title to conform.

Rep. STILLE explained the amendment.

The amendment was then adopted.

Rep. STILLE explained the Bill.

Rep. WRIGHT spoke in favor of the Bill.

Reps. McELVEEN, NEAL, J. YOUNG, KEYSERLING and HARVIN proposed the following Amendment No. 7, which was adopted.

On page 9, line 18, add the following after "followed":

"for the closure, reduction, expansion or consolidation"

Rep. McELVEEN explained the amendment.

Rep. WRIGHT spoke in favor of the amendment.

The amendment was then adopted.

Pursuant to Rule 7.7 the yeas and nays were taken on the passage of the Bill, as amended, resulting as follows:

So, the Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

Rep. RHOAD moved that the House do now adjourn, which was adopted.

Rep. HARRELL moved to reconsider the vote whereby Amendment No. 1 was adopted on H. 4957, and the motion was noted.

The Senate returned to the House with concurrence the following:

H. 4792 -- Rep. Cobb-Hunter: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE WORKING MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE DIED ON

H. 4879 -- Rep. Tucker: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DECLARING FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1996, AS "SOUTH CAROLINA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION DAY".

H. 4881 -- Reps. Spearman, Allison and Wells: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE PALMETTO GIRLS STATE TO USE THE CHAMBERS OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1996, AND FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1996.

At 4:20 P.M. the House in accordance with the motion of Rep. ANDERSON adjourned in memory of Mable T. Knuckles of Greenville, to meet at 10:00 A.M. tomorrow.

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 10:00 A.M.

Deliberations were opened with prayer by the Chaplain of the House of Representatives, the Rev. Dr. Alton C. Clark as follows:

Our Father God Who rules the universe in splendor, yet hears every prayer of Your children, come to us, we pray, in all Your wisdom and compassion. Reinforce our minds, nourish our souls, refine our thoughts, words and deeds. Keep us from impatience, from irritability, and from words too quick. Spare us from eyes focused on the faults of others, and from tongues tuned to criticism rather than commendation. Keep us from being overly sensitive, and slow to forget. Make us prompt to forgive. Deliver us from that selfishness which tolerates only its own way. Amen.

And when evening comes may we rest in the peace of those whose minds are stayed on You. Amen.

Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by the SPEAKER.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of yesterday, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.

Rep. HARRISON, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report, with amendments, on:

H. 4522 -- Reps. Allison, Wells, Littlejohn, Walker and Lee: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 20-4-40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PETITIONS FOR ORDERS OF PROTECTION FROM DOMESTIC ABUSE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO FEE MAY BE CHARGED FOR FILING A PETITION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 20-4-60, RELATING TO ORDERS FOR PROTECTION, SO AS TO PROHIBIT GRANTING A MUTUAL ORDER OF PROTECTION EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

H. 4670 -- Reps. Allison, Neal, G. Brown, Inabinett, Sandifer, McKay, J. Hines, Meacham, Cain, Wells, L. Whipper, Vaughn, Simrill, Lee, Waldrop, Herdklotz, Davenport, Byrd, Rice, Littlejohn, Rhoad, Lloyd, J. Brown, Haskins, Wilkes and Spearman: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-50, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL NEGLECT OF CHILDREN AND HELPLESS PERSONS, SO AS TO EXPAND THE CATEGORIES OF PERSONS CARING FOR CHILDREN AND HELPLESS PERSONS WHO ARE SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. CATO, from the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry, submitted a favorable report, with amendments, on:

H. 4545 -- Reps. Klauber, Simrill, Askins, Chamblee, Mason, R. Smith, Limehouse, Young-Brickell, Koon, Wright, Herdklotz, Sharpe, Knotts, Tripp, Elliott, Fulmer, D. Smith, Gamble, Quinn, Kennedy, Vaughn, Rice, Cato, Bailey, Wofford, Davenport, Whatley, Haskins, Worley, J. Young, Littlejohn, Law, Allison, Riser, Witherspoon, Lanford and Carnell: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 58-27-865, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ELECTRIC UTILITIES AND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, RATES AND CHARGES, ESTIMATES OF FUEL COSTS, REPORTS, AND ADJUSTMENT OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACTUAL AND ESTIMATED COSTS, SO AS TO DEFINE "COST" FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, DELETE CERTAIN LANGUAGE, PROVIDE THAT IT MUST BE CONCLUSIVELY PRESUMED THAT AN ELECTRICAL UTILITY MADE EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT TO MINIMIZE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATION OF ITS NUCLEAR GENERATION FACILITY OR SYSTEM, AS APPLICABLE, IF THE UTILITY ACHIEVED A NET CAPACITY FACTOR OF NINETY PERCENT OR HIGHER DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

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