South Carolina Legislative Update - April 21, 2014
April 21, 2014
South Carolina General Assembly
The S.C. House and Senate are on furlough for the remainder of this week and will return on April 29. The House Judiciary Constitutional Laws Subcommittee on Ethics Reform will meet this Wednesday to discuss the ethics reform legislation, H. 3945. No other meetings are scheduled at this time.
Bill banning abortions beyond 19 weeks stalls, H. 4223
A bill banning abortion in South Carolina beyond 19 weeks of pregnancy has stalled in the state Senate, with lawmakers raising concerns the proposal also would ban contraception. A Medical Affairs subcommittee postponed a vote on the bill Wednesday. Senators said the bill is too broad. Debate likely will continue later this month. Read more here.
Proposal giving hiring preference to vets advances, H. 4922
A bill allowing S.C. employers to give hiring preference to veterans and spouses of disabled veterans has advanced in the Senate. The bill advanced Wednesday to the full Senate Judiciary Committee. The House unanimously approved the bill last month. Read more here.
In the News
SC Supreme Court hears challenge to nuclear plant’s higher costs
After hearing arguments Wednesday, the S.C. Supreme Court now will decide whether SCE&G is responsible for a $278 million cost increase at the V.C. Summer nuclear plant or if the utility can pass part of that tab along to ratepayers. Read more here.
SC congressional delegates talk infrastructure, energy
Several Republican members of the South Carolina congressional delegation gave their opinions on a variety of topics at a South Carolina Chamber of Commerce town hall meeting Wednesday.
SC economic advisers make no change in projections
State economic advisers said Thursday their tax collection projections for South Carolina are on target. The Board of Economic Advisors made no changes in its revenue projections. That means the Senate Finance Committee gets no additional money to spend as members craft their state budget proposal for the fiscal year starting July 1. The committee will finish its work after next week's legislative break.
State could buy some alternative-fuel school buses
A state budget proposal would provide new buses that run on alternative fuel to S.C. school districts willing to pay part of the bill. The Senate Finance Committee approved Wednesday creating a pilot program for up to three districts. The alternative-fuel buses are expected to cost roughly $10,000 more than the $82,000 average for regular-route buses. Read more here.
Meeting Schedule
| Wednesday, April 23 | |
| 10:00 am -- Blatt Room 516 – Judiciary Constitutional Laws Subcommittee on H.4223 I. H. 3945 – Ethics Reform |