South Carolina General Assembly
115th Session, 2003-2004

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Bill 3426

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

AMENDED

April 24, 2003

H. 3426

Introduced by Reps. Cobb-Hunter, Jennings, Bingham, Toole, Neilson and Clark

S. Printed 4/24/03--H.

Read the first time January 28, 2003.

            

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTIONS 1-31-10 AND 1-31-40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE MEMBERSHIP, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF THE STATE COMMISSION FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS, SO AS TO ADD TWO STATEWIDE APPOINTEES TO THE COMMISSION, DELETE OBSOLETE LANGUAGE, AND INCLUDE AFRICAN AMERICANS, NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS, HISPANICS/LATINOS, ASIANS, AND OTHERS WITHIN THE MINORITY COMMUNITY AND TO FURTHER PRESCRIBE CERTAIN POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE COMMISSION FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS RELATING TO RECOGNITION OF NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN ENTITIES, ESTABLISHING CERTAIN ADVISORY COMMITTEES, AND SEEKING FUNDING FOR IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS, NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS, HISPANICS/LATINOS, AND OTHER MINORITY GROUPS AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADDITIONAL DUTIES ASSIGNED TO THE COMMISSION ARE CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING.

Amend Title To Conform

Whereas, the Commission for Minority Affairs was established in 1993 with powers and duties to aid the minority community; and

Whereas, the minority population of South Carolina continues to grow and becomes more diverse such that the needs of other minority groups, who too are experiencing poverty and deprivation at disproportionate rates compared to the majority population; and

Whereas, these groups, Hispanics/Latinos, Native American Indians, Asians, and other minority groups seek government services and assistance that culturally and linguistically are appropriate; and

Whereas, minority populations have as a part of their community local groups which seek the assistance of governmental entities, such as the commission; and

Whereas, these local groups throughout the State are initiating programs to relieve the socio-economic deprivation of African Americans and other minority groups in their communities; and

Whereas, these community-based groups have requested the assistance of the commission's staff and have indicated that they would benefit greatly from clear state-based leadership. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION    1.    Section 1-31-10 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 164 of 1993, is amended to read:

"Section 1-31-10.    There is created a State Commission for Minority Affairs consisting of seven nine members and the Governor ex officio. The Governor shall appoint one person from each of the six congressional districts of the State and one person three persons from the State at-large upon the advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor shall designate the chairman. The members serve for a term of four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Of the members first appointed, those appointed from the even-numbered congressional districts serve for a term of two years; those appointed from the odd-numbered congressional districts and the member appointed at-large serve for a term of four years. A vacancy must be filled in the same manner as original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. A majority of the members of the commission must be African American."

SECTION    2.    Section 1-31-40.    (A)    The commission shall:

(1)    provide the minority community consisting of African Americans, Native American Indians, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, and others with a single point of contact for statistical and technical assistance in the areas of research and planning for a greater economic future;

(2)    work with minority officials on the state, county, and local levels of government in disseminating statistical data and its impact on their constituencies;

(3)    provide for publication of a statewide statistical abstract on minority affairs;

(4)    provide statistical analyses for members of the General Assembly on the state of minority communities as the State experiences economic growth and changes;

(5)    provide the minority community with assistance and information on Voting Rights Act submissions in the State, as well as other related areas of concern to the minority community.;

(6)    determine, approve, and acknowledge by certification state recognition for Native American Indian entities;

(7)    establish advisory committees representative of minority groups, as it considers appropriate to advise the board;

(8)    act as liaison with the business community to provide programs and opportunities to fulfill its duties under this chapter;

(9)    seek federal and other funding on behalf of the State of South Carolina for the express purpose of implementing various programs and services for African Americans, Native American Indians, Hispanics/Latinos, and other minority groups;

(10)    promulgate regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this article including, but not limited to, regulations regarding State Recognition of Native American Indian entities in the State of South Carolina; and

(11)    perform other duties necessary to implement programs.

(B)    The commission may delegate these powers and duties as necessary.

SECTION    3.    Of the two members added to the Commission for Minority Affairs by the amendment to Section 1-31-10 of the 1976 Code, as contained in this act, one must be appointed for an initial term of two years which must be noted on the appointment and until his successor is appointed and qualifies. Thereafter, that commissioner shall serve for the term provided by law.

SECTION    4.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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