TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 46-3-280 SO AS TO TRANSFER THE STATE VETERINARIAN FROM CLEMSON UNIVERSITY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TO PROVIDE THAT UPON THIS TRANSFER THE STATE VETERINARIAN IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO THE DIRECTION OF ANY ENTITY OR INDIVIDUAL OTHER THAN THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER OF EMPLOYEES, APPROPRIATIONS, PROPERTY, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.

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

SECTION    1.    Chapter 3, Title 46 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 46-3-280.    As of July 1, 2011, the State Veterinarian is transferred from Clemson University to the Department of Agriculture. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon this transfer, the state veterinarian is under the sole direction and of the Commissioner of Agriculture and is no longer under the direction of any other entity or individual including, but not limited to, the State Livestock-Poultry Heath Commission or Clemson University."

SECTION    2.    The functions, powers, and duties of the State Veterinarian are transferred with the transfer of the State Veterinarian to the Department of Agriculture and, all employees, authorized appropriations, real and personal property, and any other assets and liabilities of the State Veterinarian are transferred to the Department of Agriculture.

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.