The House of Representatives concurred in Senate amendments to H.3221 and enrolled the bill for ratification. The legislation establishes a statewide program for ADDRESSING UNSOUND SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCES which affords the State Department of Education authority that extends beyond academic matters to include fiscal affairs. Under the legislation, the State Department of Education is to work with district superintendents and finance officers to develop and adopt a statewide program with guidelines for: (1) identifying fiscal practices and budgetary conditions that, if uncorrected, could compromise the fiscal integrity of a school district; and (2) advising districts that demonstrate these financial problems on the corrective actions that should be taken. The department must establish three escalating levels of fiscal and budgetary concern so that the State Superintendent of Education can declare a ‘fiscal watch', a ‘fiscal caution', and a ‘fiscal emergency' with regard to school district finances. The succeeding levels of budgetary concern carry increasingly stringent requirements for school district recovery plans, audits, and inspections as well as more intensive technical support from the state department. Should a school district's finances warrant the most severe level of concern prompting the State Superintendent of Education to declare a ‘fiscal emergency', the State Department of Education is authorized to take intensive steps including assuming control over the district's financial operations to preclude a default on any type of debt and prevent further decline in the district's finances. These provisions also apply to the statewide charter school district and a variation of these fiscal accountability measures applies to special schools where a state agency operates as a Local Education Agency, such as the educational programs of the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School, and the Governor's Schools.

The House approved S.617 and enrolled the bill for ratification. The legislation provides authorization for the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue "UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA 2017 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONS" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.

The House approved S.415 and enrolled the bill for ratification. The legislation provides for comprehensive PROBATE COURT REVISIONS to bring greater statewide uniformity to the probate process, reduce costs for filing probate actions, and enhance protections for the disabled, such as allowing for the appointment of a limited guardian when an incapacitated individual is capable of managing most of their affairs.

The House approved S.342, relating to LEGAL IMMUNITY FOR SURVEYORS VOLUNTEERING DURING EMERGENCIES, and enrolled the bill for ratification. The legislation establishes conditions for affording surveyors immunity from legal liability while volunteering their services during natural disasters and other declared state or national emergencies.

The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3790, a bill enacting "RYAN'S LAW" to provide for MORE EXPANSIVE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF AUTISM. The legislation expands requirements for health insurers to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorder treatments so that these requirements apply not only to the State Health Plan and larger group health insurance plans, but also to health insurance policies for small employers and individuals. Coverage requirements are also revised to eliminate the maximum yearly dollar amount imposed on coverage benefits for behavioral therapy and to remove eligibility restrictions that limit required coverage to individuals who are under sixteen years of age who have been diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder at age eight or younger. The definition "autism spectrum disorder" within these insurance provisions is revised so that it means autism spectrum disorder as defined by the most recent publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or a pervasive developmental disorder as defined in any previous edition of the DSM. This definition of "autism spectrum disorder" is also included in the "South Carolina Intellectual Disability, Related Disabilities, Head Injuries, and Spinal Cord Injuries Act" which governs treatment services offered through the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

The House returned S.344 to the Senate with amendments. The legislation allows for the option of including an AUTISM DESIGNATION ON DRIVER'S LICENSES and special identification cards by establishing a process for someone to voluntarily disclose a medical diagnosis of autism to the Department of Motor Vehicles and provide documentation from a licensed physician in order to have a symbol included on these identification cards. These provisions allowing an autism symbol to be included on I.D. cards are offered to reduce the likelihood of law enforcement officers misinterpreting movements and behavior during traffic stops and other interactions.

The House amended Senate amendments to H.3720, the General Appropriation Bill, and H.3721, the joint resolution making appropriations from the Capital Reserve Fund, which together comprise the $26.9 billion FISCAL YEAR 2017-2018 STATE GOVERNMENT BUDGET. The version of the budget approved by the Senate differs from the House-approved version in certain notable areas, such as: a base student cost for K-12 public education set $35 higher; an alternate mechanism for providing some of the funding offered as the first phase in an effort to make the state's pension systems financially sound; funding for an additional class of troopers; appropriations for the position of Director at the Department of Public Safety; funding for South Carolina's compliance with federal REAL I.D. requirements; and, more expansive funding for the Conservation Bank. The budget legislation was amended, in large part, to return it to the version approved by the House earlier this year. The General Appropriation Bill was also amended to include the comprehensive INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING AND GOVERNANCE measures approved by the House earlier this year in H.3516. The budget legislation was returned to the Senate with amendments.

The House approved and sent the Senate H.3818, a bill establishing certain LEGAL IMMUNITY WHILE SEEKING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR A DRUG OR ALCOHOL OVERDOSE as a means of encouraging individuals to obtain life-saving treatment. The legislation establishes conditions under which someone is exempt from prosecution for certain drug and alcohol-related offenses while seeking medical attention for a drug or alcohol-related overdose or assisting someone else to obtain medical treatment for an overdose. The legislation establishes civil and criminal immunity for law enforcement officers who arrest anyone who is later found to be qualified for the limited immunity provisions of this legislation.

The House returned S.480, a bill addressing DENMARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE GOVERNANCE, to the Senate with amendments. The legislation makes provisions for all powers, duties, and obligations vested in the Denmark Technical College Area Commission to be devolved upon the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, during the time period beginning May 1, 2017 and ending November 1, 2018. During this eighteen month period, the state board is required to provide quarterly status reports to the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee concerning its actions to stabilize Denmark Technical College, including its operations, financial standing, and the recruitment and retention of students. The state board is also charged with studying the most effective, efficient delivery of technical college educational opportunities to Allendale, Bamberg, and Barnwell Counties and reporting its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the legislative budget-writing committees by February 1, 2018.

The House returned S.200 to the Senate with amendments. The legislation establishes a process for billboard owners to follow that allows for the RESTORATION OF AN OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN DAMAGED BY VANDALISM.

The full committee gave a favorable report to S.465, a bill which provides for additional license and permit requirements relating to OUT OF SEASON SHELLFISH HARVESTING by shellfish mariculture permittees. Shellfish mariculture means the controlled cultivation of shellfish in confinement from seed size until harvest. The legislation states that a resident molluscan shellfish license is $10 and must apply ten days before removing shellfish.

The committee gave S.570, a bill concerning NURSERY REGISTRATION FEES AND NURSERY DEALER FEES FOR THE SHIPMENT AND SALE OF TREES, PLANTS AND SHRUBS, a favorable recommendation. The legislation clarifies definitions and improves language that is currently in Regulations. The legislation deletes registration fee for big stores (i.e., Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, etc.) and improves fee schedule for turf grass growers.

H.3929, a bill dealing with the PERMITTING OF CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL ANIMAL FACILITIES known as the "POULTRY BILL", was given a favorable with an amendment recommendation by the committee. In an effort to expand the poultry industry in this state, the legislation establishes setbacks, buffers and other specific requirements for the review and appeal of decisions by the Department of Environmental Control regarding the permitting of certain agricultural animal facilities, other than swine facilities. The legislation changes the distance from two miles to one mile in which an affected person must live in order to appeal the facility's operating permit. The legislation further outlines that affected person(s) challenging the process must be done individually and not collectively.

S.443, legislation dealing with a NIGHT HUNTING PROGRAM REGISTRATION FOR ARMADILLOS, COYOTES, AND HOGS, was given a favorable with an amendment report by the committee. In an effort to reduce the population of armadillos, coyotes and hogs, hunting properties and hunters must be register with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to hunt these animals at night.

The committee gave a favorable report to S.367, WATERCRAFT SAFETY legislation which increases the distance from 50 feet to 100 feet away from a dock in order to operate a watercraft at full speed.

The full committee gave a favorable recommendation, with amendments, to S.107 JOINT GOVERNOR/LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TICKET. Beginning with the 2018 General Election, if the Lieutenant Governor resigns, or is removed from office, the Governor will appoint a successor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets filing dates. Gubernatorial candidates will select their Lieutenant Governor running mate. The Governor would be responsible setting the duties and responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor. Requires the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to be elected jointly. They will be considered as a single candidate regarding campaign contributions or establishing election committees. Revises contribution amounts for candidates, including statewide candidates and jointly elected candidates. Future contribution caps could be increased based on the changes in consumer price index. Revises statutory references from President Pro Tempore of the Senate to be Senate President instead. Beginning in 2018, when sufficient funds are available, the Agency Head Salary Commission will determine the salaries for all state constitutional officers, including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General, Comptroller General, Superintendent of Education, Attorney General, and Agriculture Commissioner.

They voted for a favorable recommendation of S.173 CONTINUING MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS that would require law enforcement officers, as part of their recertification over a three-year period, to complete continuing education credits in mental health, or addictive, disorders under a specified curriculum.

It also voted a favorable recommendation to S.213 UNIVERSITY TRUSTEE SCREENING COMMISSION, which proposes to create the College and University Trustee Screening Commission. It would consider candidates for trustees to state-supported colleges and universities, the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity Schools, and the Old Exchange Building Commission. Establishes qualifications for membership as well as procedures for investigating, nominating, and electing these trustees.

Also receiving a favorable report was S.234 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DATA. Under this legislation, the identities of patients and emergency medical technicians, and the information and data collected by emergency medical services, are subject to being released when subpoenaed.

They gave a favorable recommendation, with amendments, to S.289 SOUTH CAROLINA CRIME VICTIM SERVICES ACT that restructures and consolidates victim services operations. Consolidates crime victim grants and other victim funds in the Attorney General's Office.

The full committee gave a favorable recommendation, with amendments, to S.334 ON-PREMISES ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AT SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEXES Adds permits to allow purchasing and selling beer and wine for on-premises consumption at baseball complexes. Legalizes biennial licenses to sell alcoholic drinks at baseball complexes, too. Increases the total number of licenses that may be held by one licensee from 3 to 4 in 2018; from 4 to 5 in 2019, from 5 to 6 in 2021, from 6 to 8 in 2023, and from 8 to 9 in 2025. Also would permit liquor stores to sell condiments, mixers, beverage accessories, and cooling accessories.

The full committee gave a favorable recommendation to S.342 EMERGENCY SURVEYING IMMUNITY which would extend the limited immunity currently enjoyed by engineers, with exceptions, to surveyors who volunteer their services during a declared state, or national, emergency.

They gave a favorable recommendation to S.359 UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES BY FUEL RETAILERS that removes references to the Department of Consumer Affairs, However, it retains references to the Attorney General's Office, and appropriate recordkeeping requirements, for motor fuel retailers selling below their actual cost, in state code sections related to unfair trade practices by motor fuel retailers.

The full committee gave a favorable recommendation of H.3818 DRUG OVERDOSE GOOD SAMARITANS. Under it, limited immunity from prosecution would be extended to certain drug and alcohol-related offenses. This limited immunity would apply, under specified circumstances, to anyone who seeks medical assistance for another person who is experiencing a drug or alcohol-related overdose. It can also apply to anyone experiencing an overdose who seeks medical attention. Provides civil and criminal immunity for law enforcement officers who arrest anyone who is later found to be qualified for the limited immunity provisions of this legislation.

The full committee gave a favorable recommendation, with amendments, to H.3883 PYRAMID PROMOTIONAL SCHEME PROHIBITION ACT. This legislation modernizes South Carolina laws covering Ponzi, pyramid, and other such ‘plans' or ‘operations' and places them under our South Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act [SCUTPA]. Entitles victims to seek the relief specified in this existing Act.

As a last item of business, it gave a favorable recommendation, with amendments, to H.4036 LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COUNCIL AGENCY DEFINITIONS which would expand current Legislative Audit Council audit responsibilities to include school districts, and sets deadlines for audits to be completed.

The committee gave a report of favorable with amendments on S.254, a bill enacting the "OWN RISK AND SOLVENCY ASSESSMENT ACT" to establish a framework that allows an insurer affiliated with a larger insurance group to maintain a risk management framework and conduct an Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) of the relevant risks associated with their current business plan and the sufficiency of capital resources to support those risks.

The committee gave a favorable report on S.315, a bill that revises eligibility provisions for certain GRANT PROGRAMS FOR PROACTIVE HAZARD MITIGATION home upgrades and relief for residential property damaged by hurricanes, floods, and other disasters so as to provide for their distribution under a formula based on an applicant's household income.

The committee gave a report of favorable with amendments on S.9, a bill ELIMINATING THE MEDICAL EXPENSE INSURANCE POLICY EXCLUSION FOR INTOXICATION so that insurers are not allowed to deny hospital, medical, and surgical expense coverage in accident and sickness insurance policies because the insured is intoxicated or impaired by alcohol or drugs. The legislation also makes provisions for ELECTRONIC INSURANCE DOCUMENTS, including authorization for insurers to deliver, store, or present evidence of insurance coverage by electronic means and provisions that afford consumers the option of receiving and signing notices and documents electronically.

The committee gave a favorable report on S.279, a bill enacting the "APPRAISAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY REGISTRATION ACT" to update and revise state laws governing appraisers so that they are in keeping with federal standards, including requirements for maintaining greater separation between those who determine appraised values of homes and the banks that extend loans based upon those appraised values.

The committee gave a favorable report on S.321, a bill that removes motor homes from automobile franchise provisions and instead provides for the separate regulation of manufacturers, distributors, and dealers of RECREATIONAL VEHICLES.

The committee gave a favorable report on S.366, a bill providing for MORTGAGE LENDING ACT REVISIONS to bring state law into conformity with federal standards.

S.499 DRIVER'S LICENSES Sen. Malloy

H.4184 CITIZENSHIP Rep. Elliott

H.4200 PLEDGE OF PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS Rep. Huggins

H.4202 INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES Rep. G. R. Smith

S.131 DISTURBING SCHOOLS Sen. McLeod

Restructures disturbing schools criminal offenses to add a list of specific actions which constitute disturbing schools. Provides penalties for violations. Similar to H.3794.

S.179 DRUG USERS' LIMITED IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION Sen. Hutto

Creates limited immunity for certain drug and alcohol-related offenses committed by anyone who seeks medical assistance for someone experiencing an overdose. Allows these reports to be mitigating factors in proceedings relating to other offenses. Gives civil and criminal immunity to law enforcement officers for arresting a person who is later granted this immunity. Similar to H.3818.

S.199 CAR OWNERS LIABILITY FOR CAR DRIVERS Sen. Bryant

S.415 PROBATE COURT REFORMS Sen. Malloy

Clarifies Probate Court authority to enforce penalties for contempt. Probate judges may waive filing fees for indigent persons. Also, clarifies probate court jurisdiction in matters involving the establishment, administration, or termination of a special needs trust for intellectually disabled individuals. Establishes that authorized notice can also be made by qualifying commercial delivery services. Promotes uniformity amongst our state's forty-six probate courts. Similar to H.3511.

S.448 CHILD FATALITY REPORTS Sen. Young

H.4126 FAKE 911 CALLS Rep. Pope

H.4130 COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN TERM LIMITS Rep. Arrington

H.4154 PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM TELECOMMUNICATIONS OR INTERNET USE Rep. Stavrinakis

H.4161 REVISED GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING DAYS Rep. Whipper

S.446 INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP FUND TAX CREDIT INCREASE

H.4177 TURNPIKE PROJECTS Rep. Clemmons

H.4182 "STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION ENTERPRISE ACT" Rep. White