South Carolina General Assembly
122nd Session, 2017-2018
H. 3508
STATUS INFORMATION
Joint Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Allison, Henegan, Brown and Whipper
Document Path: l:\council\bills\agm\19053wab17.docx
Introduced in the House on January 18, 2017
Currently residing in the House Committee on Education and Public Works
Summary: School start date
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
DateBodyAction Description with journal page number
1/18/2017HouseIntroduced and read first time (House Journalpage10)
1/18/2017HouseReferred to Committee on Education and Public Works (House Journalpage10)
1/24/2017HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Henegan
1/26/2017HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Brown, Whipper
2/9/2017HouseCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education and Public Works (House Journalpage2)
2/16/2017HouseDebate adjourned until Tues., 22117 (House Journalpage29)
2/21/2017HouseDebate adjourned until Wed., 2217 (House Journalpage18)
2/22/2017HouseRecommitted to Committee on Education and Public Works (House Journalpage21)
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
1/18/2017
2/9/2017
COMMITTEE REPORT
February 9, 2017
H.3508
Introduced by Reps. Allison, Henegan, Brown and Whipper
S. Printed 2/9/17--H.
Read the first time January 18, 2017.
THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLIC WORKS
To whom was referred a Joint Resolution (H.3508) to provide that the opening date for students to attend public schools during the 20172018 School Year may be as early as Thursday, August seventeenth, etc., respectfully
REPORT:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the joint resolution, as and if amended, by deleting all after the enacting words and inserting:
/SECTION1.Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 591425(A) regarding the opening date for students to attend public schools, a local school board may choose Thursday, August 17, 2017, as the opening date for students attending schools in the district. Schools that open prior to the third Monday in August must provide grade appropriate science, mathematics, and other relevant instruction to students regarding the solar eclipse. Students must be provided the opportunity to safely observe the eclipse prior to and during totality. These provisions only apply to the 20172018 School Year.
SECTION2.This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
MERITA A. ALLLISON for Committee.
STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT
Explanation of Fiscal Impact
Introduced on January 18, 2017
State Expenditure
House Bill 3508 allows public school districts to set August 17, 2017 as the opening date of the 2017-2018 school year rather than the third Monday in August. The Department of Education indicates the bill does not operationally or fiscally impact the department or local school districts. Therefore, the bill does not have an expenditure or revenue impact on the general fund, federal funds, or other funds.
Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director
Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office
[3508-1]
AJOINT RESOLUTION
TO PROVIDE THAT THE OPENING DATE FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS DURING THE 20172018 SCHOOL YEAR MAY BE AS EARLY AS THURSDAY, AUGUST SEVENTEENTH, AT THE ELECTION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
Whereas, on Monday, August 21, 2017, South Carolina will be in the path of the largest total solar eclipse experienced in North America since February 1978, providing a rare learning opportunity for people in the Palmetto State; and
Whereas, to capitalize on the potential educational value of this eclipse, South Carolina public school districts should be given the flexibility to move their opening dates to before the eclipse. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION1.Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 591425(A) regarding the opening date for students to attend public schools, a local school board may choose Thursday, August 17, 2017, as the opening date for students attending schools in the district. These provisions only apply to the 2017-2018 School Year.
SECTION2.This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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