South Carolina § 59-8-160 - ESTF Review Panel.

§ 59-8-160. ESTF Review Panel.

(A) There is created the "ESTF Review Panel" that shall serve as an advisory panel to the department.

(B) The review panel shall consist of ten members, pursuant to the following:

(1) the Governor, or his designee, who shall serve as the chair of the panel;

(2) three members to be appointed by the Governor;

(3) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(5) one member appointed by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Education and Public Works Committee;

(6) one member appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee; and

(7) two parents of scholarship students to be appointed by the Governor.

(C) The review panel may advise the department on whether certain expenses meet the requirements to be considered a qualified expense under this chapter when requested by the department. The review panel periodically may make recommendations to the General Assembly about improving the program.

(D) Members shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority. In making appointments to the panel, the appointing authorities, as appropriate, shall consider legal, financial, accounting, and marketing experience and race, gender, and other demographic factors to ensure nondiscrimination, inclusion, and representation of all segments of the State to the greatest extent possible.

(E) Members may not receive mileage or per diem.

HISTORY: 2023 Act No. 8 (S.39), SECTION 1, eff June 3, 2023; 2025 Act No. 11 (S.62), SECTION 11, eff May 7, 2025.

Editor's Note

2023 Act No. 8, SECTION 3, provides as follows:

"SECTION 3. This act takes effect thirty days after approval by the Governor, provided that upon approval of this act by the Governor, the Department of Education shall begin undertaking and executing responsibilities incidental to the implementation of this act so that the provisions of this act may be fully implemented thirty days after approval by the Governor."

2025 Act No. 11, SECTION 16, provides as follows:

"SECTION 16. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. Current eligible participants may continue receiving benefits under the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, until the end of the 2024-2025 School Year."

Effect of Amendment

2025 Act No. 11, SECTION 11, reenacted the section with no apparent changes.