South Carolina General Assembly
115th Session, 2003-2004

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S. 51

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill
Sponsors: Senators Elliott and Ravenel
Document Path: l:\council\bills\bbm\9294zw03.doc

Introduced in the Senate on January 14, 2003
Introduced in the House on May 20, 2003
Last Amended on May 14, 2003
Currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary

Summary: Chicora-Waccamaw and Pee Dee Indian Tribes recognized as native American tribes of SC; rights and privileges as provided by state law

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   12/4/2002  Senate  Prefiled
   12/4/2002  Senate  Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   1/14/2003  Senate  Introduced and read first time SJ-41
   1/14/2003  Senate  Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-41
   4/23/2003  Senate  Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary 
                        SJ-19
   4/24/2003          Scrivener's error corrected
   5/14/2003  Senate  Amended SJ-14
   5/14/2003  Senate  Read second time SJ-14
   5/15/2003          Scrivener's error corrected
   5/20/2003  Senate  Read third time and sent to House SJ-24
   5/20/2003  House   Introduced and read first time HJ-11
   5/20/2003  House   Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-11

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

12/4/2002
4/23/2003
4/24/2003
5/14/2003
5/15/2003

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

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED

May 14, 2003

S. 51

Introduced by Senators Elliott and Ravenel

S. Printed 5/14/03--S.    [SEC 5/15/03 3:21 PM]

Read the first time January 14, 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, TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN ADVISORY COMMITTEES, AND TO SEEK FUNDING FOR IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS, NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS, HISPANICS/LATINOS, ASIANS, AND OTHER MINORITY GROUPS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADDITIONAL DUTIES ASSIGNED TO THE COMMISSION ARE CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING.

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 also 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 are culturally and linguistically 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 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 must 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 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 164 of 1993, is amended to read:

"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; however, notwithstanding their state certification, the tribes have no power or authority to take any action which would establish, advance, or promote any form of gambling in this State;

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

(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, Asians, and other minority groups; and

(7)(10)    perform other duties necessary to implement programs.

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

(C)    Nothing in this chapter recognizes, creates, extends, or forms the basis of any right or claim of interest in land or real estate in this State for any Native American tribe which is recognized by the State."

SECTION    3.    (A)    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor, except that the additional duties given to the Commission for Minority Affairs by the amendments to Section 1-31-40 as contained in this act do not apply unless sufficient additional funds, as determined by the commission, are appropriated or otherwise made available to the commission to implement these additional duties.

(B)    Of the two members added to the Commission for Minority Affairs by the amendment to Section 1-31-10, as amended by 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, the members shall serve for the term provided by law.

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