CHAPTER 20

(HB 1279)

Establish committee to study funding formula
for the state technical institutes.

         ENTITLED, An Act to  create a task force to study permanent funding options for the state technical institutes, to provide for its composition, and to declare an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:

     Section  1.  There is hereby established the Technical Institute Funding Task Force. The task force shall consist of the following nineteen members:

             (1)    The speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint four members of the House of Representatives, no more than three of whom may be from one political party;

             (2)    The president pro tempore of the Senate shall appoint four members of the Senate, no more than three of whom may be from one political party;

             (3)    The Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council shall appoint five private employers or members of the general public representing business and industry from the four technical institute regions, no more than three of whom may be from one political party;

             (4)    The Governor shall appoint two members of the general public, no more than one of whom may be from one political party; and

             (5)    Each president of the four state technical institutes shall serve ex officio.

The initial appointments shall be made no later than May 10, 2007. If there is a vacancy on the task force, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

     Section  2.  The task force shall be under the supervision of the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council and staffed and funded as an interim legislative committee. The Executive Board shall appoint the chair and the vice chair from among the legislators appointed to the commission.

     Section  3.  The task force shall evaluate the current system of technical institute funding and recommend alternative financing and allocation options. Based on these recommendations, the task force shall submit a report and draft legislation to the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council no later than November 1, 2007.

     Section  4.  Whereas, this Act is necessary for the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.

     Signed March 5, 2007

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