757 S.E.2d 408
S.C.2014Background
- Petitioners seek a declaration that DHEC must enforce the CON Act and fund the CON program despite the Governor’s line-item veto and House inaction override.
- The CON Act requires DHEC to administer the program and regulate facility construction, services, and equipment to control costs.
- Governor vetoed the CON program funding in the 2013-2014 appropriation; the House sustained the veto, and DHEC announced suspension of funding.
- DHEC suspended the CON program effective July 1, 2013, leaving many undecided CON applications and pending requests.
- Petitioners filed for original jurisdiction; the Court granted relief and accepted the Governor’s amicus brief.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the CON program was suspended by Veto 20 | Petitioners: no suspension; CON Act remains in force | Governor/House: veto effectively suspended funding and operation | Veto did not suspend the CON program; funding and administration remain mandated |
| Whether DHEC must fund the CON program for 2013-2014 | Petitioners: DHEC must fund the program despite appropriation shortfall | DHEC: without appropriated funds, funding depends on budget and agency discretion | DHEC must fund the CON program; alternatives exist to fund via fees or budget transfers |
Key Cases Cited
- Jackson v. Sanford, 398 S.C. 580 (2011) (line-item veto cannot alter the underlying permanent law)
- Ex parte Georgetown Cnty. Water & Sewer Dist., 284 S.C. 466 (1985) (appropriations impact on permanent statutes; irreconcilable conflict standard)
- McLeod v. McInnis, 278 S.C. 307 (1982) (appropriations can suspend permanent statutes when irreconcilable with budget)
- Beaufort Cnty. v. S.C. State Election Comm'n, 395 S.C. 366 (2011) (budget provisos can suspend temporal limitations of statutes)
- Drummond v. Beasley, 331 S.C. 559 (1998) (line-item veto authority must be strictly construed; cannot rewrite permanent law)
- State ex rel. Long v. Jones, 99 S.C. 89 (1914) (line-item veto effects where veto not overridden)
- Florida Senate v. Harris, 750 So.2d 626 (Fla. 1999) (veto power destroys funding but cannot undermine permanent law)