Clemson Undergraduate Student Government (CUSG) Senate passed a bill designed to clarify and improve the impeachment process during its meeting on Feb. 26.
The bill, known as SB 45, is a constitutional amendment. In order for the bill to become law, it must pass a public referendum on March 7. In order for the bill to pass, two-thirds of voters will need to vote in support of the bill. Should the bill pass, it will be the first amendment to the CUSG constitution since 2011.
The bill was proposed by Senator Mason Hammond, who worked with various parties involved in the recent impeachment trial, including CUSG Attorney General Janay Crosland, Senate President Leland Dunwoodie and Vice President Jaren Stewart.
Hammond said the goal is to make the bill more cohesive to the entire impeachment process.
“Obviously it [the impeachment process] was imperfect this year. I’m working to fill some holes that the old legislation had,” Hammond said.
In order to develop the bill, Hammond consulted with faculty in Clemson’s Political Science department and looked at student government constitutions from other colleges and universities.
“My main three objectives are to make this [impeachment process] clearer, more efficient and to really increase due process,” Hammond said.
Some of the major changes to the include removing the examples of what should constitute a reason for impeachment for the sake of clarity. The impeachment process can be started for any reason, and comes down to the voting itself.
Hammond said that he doesn’t believe this change will be an issue.
“It’s not as if you can be impeached for anything at any time,” Hammond said. “There’s a huge burden that goes into it.”
Further changes involve the Attorney General presiding over the impeachment trial rather than the Senate President. The current method has the Senate President presiding, with the Senate Pro Tempore taking their spot should they be under trial. Hammond said this new way with the Attorney General is designed to clear up any conflicts of interest.
The Tiger has reached out to several members of CUSG for comment.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.