All funds authorized, in this section, for Research and Education projects shall be funded wholly, out of the Real Estate Commission authorized allocation of five dollars from each annual renewal fee. All funds authorized in this section, for Research and Educational projects shall be expended for the purpose designated. Revenue in the Real Estate Appraisal Registry account shall not be subject to fiscal year limitations and shall carry forward each fiscal year for the designated purpose. The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations - Division of the State Fire Marshal is authorized to accept gifts or grants of services, properties or monies from individuals or public and private organizations to honor South Carolina firefighters who have died in the line of duty. All excess monies collected to erect a memorial are to be placed in a fund for upkeep and maintenance.
Any later contributions are to be used for upkeep and maintenance.
The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, working with the Office of State Budget, is directed to spread the base reduction as established in this Act and to adjust the base budget accordingly. Before reductions are made to programs or to special line items critical to the Department s mission, the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation is encouraged to reduce general operating expenses, which shall include but is not limited to, travel, training, procurement and the hiring of temporary and contractual employees. The Department is encouraged to only fill vacant positions which are critical to the mission and operation of the Department. Notwithstanding any provisos contained in this section which specifically direct the expenditure, transfer or appropriation of funds, the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation is authorized to reduce such expenditure, transfer or appropriation of funds up to the percentage of the reduction assessed to the Department s base budget. The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation is responsible for making certain that the earned special revenue funds used for this purpose do not exceed the General Fund base appropriation reduction.