COMMITTEE REPORT

January 27, 2016

S. 267

Introduced by Senators Young, Campsen, Hembree, Bennett, Turner and Thurmond

S. Printed 1/27/16--S.    [SEC 1/28/16 11:29 AM]

Read the first time January 13, 2015.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 267) to amend Section 2-1-180 of the 1976 Code, relating to adjournment of the General Assembly, to change the date for the mandatory adjournment of the General Assembly, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 2, line 5, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/        SECTION    ___.    Section 11-9-880(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 11-9-880.    (A)    The Board of Economic Advisors shall make an initial forecast of economic conditions in the State and state revenues for the next fiscal year no later than November tenth of each year. Adjustments to the forecast must be considered on December tenth and January tenth. A final forecast for the next fiscal year must be made on February fifteenth tenth. The February fifteenth forecast may be adjusted monthly if the board determines that changing economic conditions have affected the February fifteenth forecast. However, prior to June thirtieth, the board may reduce forecasts for the next fiscal year as it considers necessary. Before making or adjusting any forecast, the board must consult with outside economic experts with respect to national and South Carolina economic business conditions. All forecasts and adjusted forecasts must contain:

(1)    a brief description of the econometric model and all assumptions and basic decisions underlying the forecasts;

(2)    a projection of state revenues on a quarterly basis;

(3)    separate discussions of any industry which employs more than twenty percent of the state's total nonagricultural employment and separate projections for these industries."        /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

A. SHANE MASSEY for Committee.

            

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

Fiscal Impact Summary

This bill would have a savings to the general fund of $345,789. The savings are based on the assumption of 100% attendance of the members using current reimbursement rates. In the event that session is extended, the savings would be reduced by $38,422 per day. There is no impact to federal funds or other funds.

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill would change the date of adjournment of the General Assembly from the first Thursday in June to the first Thursday in May. In addition, if the House of Representatives fails to give third reading of the general appropriations bill by March 1st, then the date of adjournment is extended by one statewide day for each statewide day after March 1st.

The Senate. The Senate indicates a potential savings of $31,562 per week for subsistence and mileage. By reducing the session by three weeks to the first Thursday in May, the Senate would have a savings of $94,686 to the general fund. In the event that the House of Representatives fails to give third reading of the general appropriations bill by March 1st, each day the session is extended would have an expenditure impact of $10,521 to the general fund. The House of Representatives. The House of Representatives indicates a potential savings of $83,701 per week for subsistence and mileage. By reducing the session by three weeks to the first Thursday in May, the House of Representatives would have a savings of $251,103 to the general fund. In the event that the House of Representatives fails to give third reading to the general appropriations bill by March 1st, each day the session is extended would have an expenditure impact of $27,901 to the general fund.

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 2-1-180 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO ADJOURNMENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, TO CHANGE THE DATE FOR THE MANDATORY ADJOURNMENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM THE FIRST THURSDAY IN JUNE TO THE FIRST THURSDAY IN MAY, AND PROVIDE THAT IN ANY YEAR THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FAILS TO GIVE THIRD READING TO THE APPROPRIATIONS BILL BY MARCH FIRST, RATHER THAN MARCH THIRTY-FIRST, THE DATE OF ADJOURNMENT IS EXTENDED BY ONE STATEWIDE DAY FOR EACH STATEWIDE DAY AFTER MARCH FIRST, THAT THE HOUSE FAILS TO GIVE THE BILL THIRD READING.

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

SECTION    1.    Section 2-1-180 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 2-1-180.    The regular annual session of the General Assembly shall adjourn sine die each year not later than 5:00 five o'clock p.m. on the first Thursday in June May. In any year that the House of Representatives fails to give third reading to the annual General Appropriation Bill general appropriations bill by March thirty first first, the date of sine die adjournment is extended by one statewide day for each statewide day after March thirty first first that the House of Representatives fails to give the bill third reading. The session also may also be extended by concurrent resolution adopted by a two-thirds vote of both the Senate and House of Representatives. During the time between 5:00 five o'clock p.m. on the first Thursday in June May and the extended sine die adjournment date, as set forth herein, no legislation or other business may be considered except the General Appropriation Bill general appropriations bill and any matters approved for consideration by a concurrent resolution adopted by two-thirds vote in both houses."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and first applies for the next annual regular session of the General Assembly.