The following is the amendment to the roads bill that the House adopted yesterday. I voted in favor of it.
The bill is still alive and kicking though reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated as Mark Twain might say.
3579 House Amendment #1 – Strike All and Insert
Section 1
All Highway Commissioners are appointed by the Governor, 7 district and 1 state-wide
Keeps the qualifications for Commissioners removed in senate version
Requires that “other demographic factors such as residence in rural or urban areas” be considered
Advice and consent of General Assembly by a roll call vote of both bodies
Commissioners serve four year terms, no more than two consecutive terms, and may not serve more than 12 years, regardless of when the term is/was served (retroactive)
Section 2
Commission appoints a Secretary of Transportation with Advice/Consent of General Assembly by a roll call vote of both bodies
Secretary serves at the pleasure of the Commission
Sections 3
Places the SCDOT Chief Internal Auditor under the State Auditor
Sections 4
Repeals the JTRC code sections and eliminates the Committee
Section 5
Sections 1-4 take effect on July 1, 2016
Members serving on the Commission on June 30, 2016 shall continue to serve until their current term expires, and until their successor is appointed and confirmed
Vacancies are filled by appointment of the Governor, and serve until the end of that unexpired term
Any eligible commissioner may be reappointed by Governor on or after June 30, 2016
Section 6
Before any loan or financial assistance can be provided by the SIB, the board must submit the decision to the DOT Commission for approval, rejection, or a request for additional information from the SIB Board
Does not relate to any payment or contractual obligations that the DOT has to the bank that are pledged to any bonds issued by the bank
Section 7
SIB cannot provide financial assistance for any project below $25 M
Section 8
SIB must follow the Act 114 prioritization criteria
A Joint Resolution for a single, specific project can override this provision
Section 9
Transfers remaining $65 M of auto sales tax revenues from the general fund to the State Highway Fund at the Department of Transportation
Section 10
Except where otherwise provided, this act takes effect on July 1, 2016
The following is what the Senate sent to us after sitting on the bill for a year. Senate Passed version of H-3579 –
Section 1
Commissioners are appointed by the Governor, 7 district and 1 state-wide, with Advice and Consent of the Senate
State-wide appointment serves as Chairman
Requires that “other demographic factors such as residence in rural or urban areas” be considered
Commissioners serve four year terms which expire December 31 of the appropriate year
Commissioners may serve in a hold-over capacity for a maximum of 5 months
Commissioners serve out remainder of current terms
Section 2
Commission appoints a Secretary of Transportation with consultation and approval of the Governor, must have Advice/Consent of the Senate
Section 3
Before any loan or financial assistance can be provided by the SIB, the board must submit the decision to the DOT Commission for approval, rejection, or a request for additional information from the SIB Board
Does not relate to any payment or contractual obligations that the DOT has to the bank that are pledged to any bonds issued by the bank
Section 4
General Assembly must appropriate $400 M to the State Highway Fund
Does not specify recurring/non-recurring
Funds must be contained in W&Ms, House, SFC, Senate and Conference Report of the Appropriations Bill.