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COMMITTEE REPORT
January 20, 1999
H. 3155
Introduced by Reps. Wilkins, H. Brown, J. Brown, Harrison, Cato, Townsend, Sharpe, Haskins, D. Smith, Harrell, Edge, Robinson and Campsen
S. Printed 1/20/99--H.
Read the first time January 12, 1999.
To whom was referred a Joint Resolution (H. 3155), proposing an amendment to Section 9, Article III of the Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, relating to sessions of the General Assembly, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
JAMES H. HARRISON, for Committee.
ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES IS:
ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON FEDERAL & OTHER FUND EXPENDITURES IS:
The Senate and House of Representatives:
The proposed legislation would prohibit the members of the General Assembly from receiving any compensation for more than forty days of any one session. According to legislative staff, subsistence is limited to $88 per day for each member. The General Assembly meets three days per week for 21 weeks, yielding 63 days where members are eligible for subsistence. Limiting the number of days of legislative subsistence from 63 days to 40 days results in a savings of $344,080.
(Senators 46) + (House Members 124) = 170 members x $88 per day x 23 days = $344,080
State Election Commission:
The State Election Commission would be required to submit the proposed amendment to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Funding for statewide general elections is sufficient to cover the cost of adding this amendment to the ballot.
Approved By:
Les Boles
Office of State Budget
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9, ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO SESSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR ANNUAL SESSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMENCING AT VARYING TIMES IN EVEN-NUMBERED YEARS AND ODD-NUMBERED YEARS AND FOR AN ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION FOR THE SENATE IN CERTAIN YEARS, DELETE CERTAIN OBSOLETE LANGUAGE, PROVIDE FOR ELECTION OF OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN MEETINGS FOR THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE OF LEGISLATION, AND PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. It is proposed that Section 9, Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:
"Section 9. The annual session of the General Assembly heretofore elected, fixed by the Constitution of the year Eighteen hundred and Sixty-eight to convene on the fourth Tuesday of November, in the year Eighteen hundred and ninety-five, is hereby postponed, and the same shall be convened and held in the city of Columbia on the second Tuesday of January, in the year Eighteen hundred and Ninety-six. The first session of the General Assembly elected under this Constitution shall convene in Columbia on the second Tuesday in January, in the year Eighteen hundred and Ninety-seven, and thereafter annually at the same time and place. Provided, That the House of Representatives shall meet on the first Tuesday following the certification of the election of its members for not more than three days following the general election in even-numbered years for the purpose of organizing. Should the casualties of war or contagious disease render it unsafe to meet at the seat of government, then the Governor may, by proclamation, appoint a more secure and convenient place of meeting. Members of the General Assembly shall not receive any compensation for more than forty days of any one session. Provided, That this limitation shall not affect the first four sessions of the General Assembly under this Constitution. The annual session of the General Assembly shall convene at the State Capitol in the city of Columbia on the second Tuesday of January in even-numbered years and on the second Tuesday in February in odd-numbered years. The Senate and the House of Representatives shall meet on the first Tuesday following the certification of the election of their respective members for not more than three days following the general election in even-numbered years for the purpose of organizing and elections. Officers of the General Assembly, including the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and committee chairmen must be elected during the organizational session. During odd-numbered years, the presiding officers of the House and Senate shall convene on the second Tuesday in January for not more than two days for the limited purpose of accepting any bills or resolutions introduced by any member and referring any bills or resolutions to the appropriate committee which may then consider them at such times as the committee meets. Should the casualties of war or contagious disease render it unsafe to meet at the seat of government, then the Governor may, by proclamation, appoint a more secure and convenient place of meeting. Members of the General Assembly shall not receive any compensation for more than forty days of any one session."
SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballots:
"Shall Section 9, Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended so as to provide for annual sessions of the General Assembly commencing at varying times in even-numbered years and odd-numbered years and for an organizational session for the Senate in certain years, delete obsolete language, provide for election of officers of the General Assembly, provide for certain meetings for the introduction and referral to committee of legislation, and provide for certain committee meetings?
Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."
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