South Carolina Legislative Update - February 21, 2014

February 21, 2014

South Carolina General Assembly 

Ethics Legislation

The Senate advanced an ethics reform bill, H. 3945, late Thursday, agreeing that lawmakers should not have political action committees, anonymous political groups must reveal their donors and public officials must disclose their income. 

Annual Appropriations Bill

The House Ways and Means Committee approved a $24 billion spending plan for next year that includes a 1.5 percent pay raise for state employees, 31 new State Law Enforcement Division agents and at least $65 million for an education initiative backed by Gov. Nikki Haley.

Electronic Waste Recycling

On Thursday, the Senate concurred in the House amendments to H. 3847.  The act awaits ratification and Governor Haley’s review.

Industrial Hemp

With little debate but many qualifications, a state Senate subcommittee Thursday advanced S. 839 to allow the cultivation of industrial hemp in South Carolina.

Driving While Texting

South Carolina drivers should be subject to stiff fines and penalties for texting while driving, a Senate subcommittee decided Thursday, as senators try to gain momentum on an issue where municipalities around the state have begun to enforce their own bans. The two bills of interest are S. 416 and S. 459. 

Gun bill shot down

The Senate Judiciary Committee struck down S. 115 that would have allowed people to carry firearms concealed or not, with or without permits.

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incentives

The Senate Finance Committee approved S. 402 this week, which provides a tax credit for the purchase of hybrids, electric battery, compressed natural gas and other alternative fuel vehicles.  The amount of the tax credit – from $500 to $5,000 – is based on gross vehicle weight.  Minority reports were placed on the bill preventing debate on the Senate floor.  

In the News 

Toray announces $1 billion more to SC plant

Toray Industries, Inc. will invest $1 billion and create 500 jobs over the next decade at a new high-performance carbon fiber production facility to serve the aerospace industry in Spartanburg, South Carolina.   

SC economy on the upswing at halfway point

Now that the January numbers are in, South Carolina’s fiscal year is more than half over.  How are we doing?  Overall, tax collections are up 3.2 percent over last year.  That means, so far, South Carolina has collected about $138 million more in tax money this year than it did over the same time period last year.  

Meeting Schedule

Monday, February 24

No Meetings Scheduled

Tuesday, February 25

10:00 am -- Gressette Room 105 -- Joint Bond Review Committee

10:45 am -- Gressette Room 407 -- Finance Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee Budget Hearing

• I. SC State PSA

2:30 pm or 1½ hours after the House adjourns -- Blatt Room 403 -- LCI Public Utilities Subcommittee on H.4731

• I. H.4731— Public Service Commission

2:30 pm or 1½ hours after the House adjourns -- Blatt Room 427 -- Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee

• I. R.4433 - Standards for Licensing In-Home Care Providers
• II. R. 4434 - Vaccination, Screening and Immunization Regarding Contagious Diseases
• III. H.4550 – Long Term Healthcare
• IV. R.4439 - Licensure in Practice of Psychology

2:30 pm -- Blatt Room 410 -- Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee

• I. H. 4596 -- Snapper-Grouper fishery
• II. H. 4574 -- Environmental Certification Board
• III. H. 4561 -- Interstate Boating Violator Compact
• IV. H. 4551 -- Great White Shark
• V. H. 4543 -- Blue Catfish
• VI. H. 4501 -- State Underground Petroleum Environmental Response Bank Act
• VII. S. 699 -- Inspection fee on the distribution or sale of commercial fertilizer

3:00 pm -- Gressette Room 105 -- Judiciary Committee

• I. S. 505 -- Public Integrity Unit established
• II. S. 561 -- Nonferrous metals
• III. S. 416 –  Texting
• IV. S. 459 – Use of cellphone while operating a motor vehicle
• V. S. 866 – County Election Commissions and Board of Voter Registration
• VI. S. 520 – Use of restraints on juveniles in court
• VII. S. 864 -- Children's Advocacy Medical Response System Act
• VIII. S. 872 – Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children
• IX. S. 687 -- Blind Person's Right To Parent Act
• X. S. 841 – Childcare facilities
• XI. H. 3024 -- Child abuse
• XII. H. 3124 -- Child abuse
• XIII. S. 343 -- Uniform Commercial Code

1½ hours after the House adjourns -- Blatt Room 433 -- EPW K-12 Subcommittee on H.3435, H.3532, H.3648 and H.4413

• I. H.3435 -- Comprehensive Health Education Act
• II. H.3532 -- Childcare providers
• III. H.3648 -- School Calendars
• IV. H.4413 -- Report-A-Bully In School Website Act

6:00-8:00 p.m. Reception, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, by the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina.

7:00-9:00 p.m.  Reception, Seawell's, by the South Carolina Association of Conservation Districts.

Wednesday, February 26

8:00-10:00 a.m. Breakfast, Room 112, Blatt Bldg., by the South Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association

9:00 am -- Blatt Room 110 -- Procurement Review Panel

9:00 am -- Blatt Room 427 -- 3-M Subcommittee III, Local Government and Corrections Affairs

• I. H.3288 -- Regulations promulgated under the Administrative Procedures Act

9:00 am -- Blatt Room 433 -- EPW Transportation Subcommittee on H.4386

• I. H.4386 -- Use of cellphone while driving

10:00 am -- Gressette Room 307 -- Finance Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee Budget Hearing

• I. Department of Agriculture
• II. Clemson University PSA
• III. Forestry Commission
• IV. Jobs-Economic Development Authority

10:00 am -- Gressette Room 209 -- Transportation Subcommittee

• I. Local Ordinances Regarding Speeding

11:00 am -- Gressette Room 308 -- Banking and Insurance Committee on S.569, S.826, S.908, S.909 and S.1007

• I. S.569 -- Competitive Insurance Act
• II. S.826 -- Worker's compensation insurance
• III. S.908 -- Risk-based capital
• IV. S.909 -- Captive insurance companies
• V. S.1007 -- Mortgage foreclosures

12:00-2:00 p.m. Luncheon, Room 112, Blatt Bldg., by the South Carolina Athletic Trainers' Association

2:30 pm or 1½ hours after the House adjourns -- Blatt Room 403 -- LCI Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee on H.4498

• I. H.4498 -- South Carolina Wage Assignment Act

3:00 pm -- Blatt Room 433 -- EPW Motor Vehicles and Public Works Subcommittee on H.4073 and H.4499

• I. H.4073 -- Fire Departments
• II. H.4499 -- Department of Motor Vehicles Fees

6:00-8:00 p.m. Reception, 701 Whaley, by the City of Columbia

7:00-9:00 p.m. Reception, Clarion Hotel Downtown, by the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners

Thursday, February 27

8:00-10:00 a.m.  Breakfast, Room 112, Blatt Bldg., by the Association of Cosmetology Salon Professionals

9:00 am -- Blatt Room 403 -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee on H.4578, H.4604, H.4643 and H.4644

• I. H.4578 -- Modular Buildings Construction Act
• II. H.4604 -- Engineering, licensure
• III. H.4643 -- Professional licensing fees
• IV. H.4644 -- Real Estate Appraisers License and Certification Act

9:00 am -- Blatt Room 516 -- Judiciary Constitutional Laws Subcommittee

• I. H. 4452     Authorized Use of Campaign Funds         
• II. H. 4453     Use of Campaign Funds      
• III. H. 4454     Authorized Use of Campaign Funds         
• IV. H. 4455     Campaign Bank Accounts   
• V. H. 4456     Campaign Contribution Limits      
• VI. H. 4457     Use of Campaign Funds for Personal Expenses

9:00 am -- Gressette Room 308 -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee

• I. S.862 --  Residential property improvements       
• II. H.3149 -- Precious metals
• III. Regulation #4378 -- Office of the State Fire Marshal  Rules and Regulations
• IV. Regulation #4382 -- Office of Elevators and Amusement Rides Qualifications of Special Inspectors
• V. Regulation #4423 -- Geologists Renewal

9:30 am -- Gressette Room 207 -- Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee

• I. S. 839 -- Industrial Hemp
• II. S. 890 --  Permits for Coastal Zone Critical Areas

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