The House of Representatives concurred in Senate amendments to H.3826 and enrolled the bill for ratification. The legislation draws upon the work of the special House Opioid Abuse Prevention Study Committee that was appointed by the Speaker of the House to examine the growing misuse of prescription painkillers and recommend legislative actions to counter the epidemic of ruinous addiction and fatal overdoses. The legislation requires a written prescription for any Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substance to be written on a TAMPER-RESISTANT PRESCRIPTION PAD that meets the counterfeit-resistant standards required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for prescriptions. Prescription orders transmitted by facsimile, orally, or electronically are exempt from the tamper-resistant prescription pad requirement. The tamper-resistant prescription pad requirements do not apply to refill prescriptions of an original written prescription that was issued before the effective date of this act. A pharmacy may fill a prescription written on a non-tamper-resistant pad on an emergency basis as long as the pharmacy receives a verbal, facsimile, electronic, or compliant written prescription from the prescriber within seventytwo hours after the date on which the prescription was filled.

The House concurred in Senate amendments to H.4705, a bill ENHANCING REQUIREMENTS FOR MANDATORY REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, and enrolled the legislation for ratification. The legislation expands the category of those who are required to report suspected child abuse and neglect by adding clerical or nonclerical religious counselor who charges for services. The legislation specifies that mandatory reporters must make their reports of suspected child abuse and neglect to law enforcement agencies and cannot satisfy their legal duties simply by making reports to their supervisors. The duty to report is not superseded by an internal investigation within an institution, school, facility, or agency.

The House approved to S.27, a bill making provisions for the APPOINTMENT OF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION BY THE GOVERNOR with the advice and consent of the Senate, and enrolled the legislation for ratification. Under the provisions of the legislation, the State Superintendent of Education is no longer to be elected through a statewide vote and is, instead, to be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve at the Governor's pleasure. Qualifications are established for the office of State Superintendent relating to educational attainment and professional experience. Compensation for the position is to be set by the Agency Head Salary Commission. A procedure is established for filling a vacancy in this office.

The House amended Senate amendments to H.4950, the FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019 GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL to return the proposed state government budget, for the most part, to the version approved by the House earlier this year, with notable exceptions.

A conference committee has been appointed to address the differences between the House and Senate on to H.4950, the FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019 GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.

The House approved and sent the Senate H.5341, a bill CONFORMING SOUTH CAROLINA'S INCOME TAX PROVISIONS TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX PROVISIONS and making accommodations for the federal tax changes that were enacted by Congress in December 2017 so that these changes at the federal level will not result in increased tax collection at the state level. The legislation continues the practice of conforming state tax provisions to federal provisions to simplify tax preparation, but retains, at the state level, an array of deductions that were eliminated in the federal tax changes of 2017 so that South Carolina taxpayers may still take advantage of these deductions for state income tax purposes.

The House approved S.891, legislation dealing with INFORMATION THAT MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE TO PARENTS OF NEWBORNS, and enrolled the bill for ratification. Currently, state law requires every hospital to make a video approved by the Department of Health and Environmental Control on the dangers associated with shaking infants and young children available to the parents of each newborn baby delivered in the hospital. The bill requires the educational video to include information on safe sleeping practices and the causes of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome, as well.

The House approved and enrolled for ratification S.79, a bill designating July of each year as "FIBROID TUMOR AWARENESS MONTH" to raise awareness of the impact fibroid tumors have on women's health.

The House approved and enrolled for ratification S.888, a bill authorizing local public school policies that allow TEACHERS TO RECEIVE PAY FOR UNUSED ANNUAL LEAVE AND SICK LEAVE. The legislation authorizes a local school district board of trustees or, in the case of a charter school, the governing body of a charter school, to adopt a policy that allows classroom teachers and certain other public school faculty members to receive payment at the end of each fiscal year for unused annual leave and sick leave time in excess of ninety days at the rate established for substitute teacher pay or another approved amount. These optional local policies apply only to sick leave and annual leave in excess of ninety days that is accrued after July 1, 2018.

The House approved and enrolled for ratification S.28, a bill addressing the criteria for public schools to award ELECTIVE CREDIT FOR RELEASED TIME CLASSES IN RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. Addressing situations where a student is transferring to a public high school from a private high school, the legislation provides that the criteria for awarding the maximum of two elective credits is satisfied if a school district leaves the evaluation and assessment function for an offcampus released time class to an accredited private school, and accepts the offcampus released time transfer of credit without individually assessing the quality or subject matter of the class, trusting the private school accreditation process to ensure adequate academic standards.

The House concurred in Senate amendments to H.4672, a bill REINSTATING VISION SCREENING REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIVER'S LICENSE RENEWALS, and enrolled the legislation for ratification. The legislation provides that individuals will once again be required to satisfy vision screening requirements in order to renew a driver's license by either passing a vision test administered at the Department of Motor Vehicles or through the submission of a certificate of vision examination form executed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. A certificate of vision examination form executed by a certifying ophthalmologist or optometrist must be transmitted to the DMV electronically. These provisions take effect October 1, 2020.

The House approved and enrolled for ratification S.874, a bill that establishes criteria for ORGAN PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATION VEHICLES to considered authorized emergency vehicles when transporting human organs, human tissue, or medical personnel for the purpose of organ recovery or transplantation in a situation involving an imminent health risk.

The House approved S.1042 and enrolled the bill for ratification. The legislation revises insurance law provisions to define the term "INTERNATIONAL MAJOR MEDICAL INSURANCE" and include this form of insurance in the definition for the term "surplus lines insurance". International major medical insurance is a temporary health insurance policy that covers the expenses associated with illnesses or accidents that occur while traveling or when temporarily residing outside of a person's home country.

The House approved to S.812, a bill making revisions to RAFFLES CONDUCTED BY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES, and enrolled the legislation for ratification. The legislation modifies nonprofit, charitable organization raffle rules to increase the maximum value of noncash prizes from $500 to $950, and maximum ticket price from $100 to $300. The legislation also provides that a volunteer who assists a house in operating bingo games is not an agent, promoter, or representative of the house and may participate in a bingo game at the house in which he volunteers except on days he has volunteered.

The House approved and enrolled for ratification S.1083, a bill providing authorization for the Department of Motor Vehicles to administer a UNIFORM PROGRAM FOR THE ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY LICENSE PLATES FOR NEWLY ACQUIRED VEHICLES. The program includes provisions for uniform plate design, dimensions, and materials and vehicle identifying information requirements including the date of issue, the date of expiration, the name of the issuing entity, and a unique identifying license plate text that will be assigned by the DMV.

The House approved S.337, a bill that revises the authorized activities of CREDIT UNIONS so that the state's credit unions are able to offer services that allow them to be competitive with national credit unions. The legislation authorizes credit unions to sell, to persons in the field of membership, negotiable checks, including traveler's checks, money orders, and other similar money transfer instruments, including international and domestic electronic fund transfers and remittance transfers and cash checks and money orders for persons in the field of membership for a fee. The legislation revises provisions relating to membership in a credit union, so as to provide a procedure to admit new community groups to a credit union. The legislation relating to board meetings, so as to provide that, unless the bylaws provide otherwise, one regular meeting each calendar year must be conducted in person. If a quorum is present in person for the annual in person meeting, then the remaining board members may participate using audio or video teleconference methods. The other regular meetings may be conducted using audio or video teleconference methods. The legislation revises provisions relating to permissible investments of credit union funds, so as to allow for an investment in certain charitable donation accounts.

The House approved on S.877. This bill revises APPRAISAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS to allow the option of satisfying a registration requirement with a surety bond in an amount not to exceed fifty thousand dollars.

The House approved S.567, a bill that revises the "South Carolina Amusement Rides Safety Code" so that its provisions govern the operation of concession gokarts, but do not apply to SUPERKARTS.

The House approved S.1099, a bill addressing SOUTH CAROLINA MINING ACT EXEMPTIONS. The legislation revises provisions governing the application of the South Carolina Mining Act, to add exemptions for the Department of Commerce, Division of Public Railways, and persons acting under contract with the Department of Commerce.

The House concurred in Senate amendments to H.4673 and enrolled the bill for ratification. The legislation revises the REVOCATION OF CERTAIN BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS BY DIVORCE, ANNULMENT, OR AN ORDER TERMINATING MARITAL PROPERTY RIGHTS UNDER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS ADMINISTERED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AUTHORITY.

The House concurred in Senate amendments to H.4807 and enrolled the bill for ratification. The legislation provides an extension, until July 1, 2019, for WILD TURKEY HUNTING SEASON and bag limit revisions while the Department of Natural Resources conducts its required study of the state's wild turkey population.

A conference committee has been appointed to address the differences of the House and Senate on H.4434, a bill making provisions for comprehensive DYSLEXIA SCREENING AND INTERVENTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to H.4727, legislation RESTRUCTURING AND REAUTHORIZING THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSERVATION BANK on a permanent basis.

The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to H.4117, a bill AFFORDING DRUG COURTS ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM INFORMATION.

The House returned S.345 to the Senate with amendments. The legislation revises the scope of practice and supervision requirements for an ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE (APRN). The legislation includes authorization for nurse practitioners to participate in telemedicine.

The House amended and approved S.1043, a bill revising tax incentives available for the REVITALIZATION OF ABANDONED BUILDINGS and textile mill sites.

The House amended and gave second reading approval to S.962, a bill providing CRITERIA FOR LICENSURE AS AN ADDICTION COUNSELOR.

The House amended and approved S.1116, a bill by which the General Assembly ratifies and confirms the actions of the GREENVILLE HEALTH SYSTEM in entering into the amended Master Affiliation Agreement and the Lease and Contribution Agreement.

The House amended Senate amendments to H.3895, a bill updating and clarifying the duties of the REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE, and returned the legislation to the Senate.

The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3751, a bill establishing provisions for the licensure and regulation of GENETIC COUNSELORS.

The House approved and sent the Senate H.4489, a bill that specifies that KIDNEY TREATMENT CENTERS are exempt from Certificate of Need review requirements of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, but these centers are still subject to licensing requirements.

The House continued S.367, WATERCRAFT SAFETY legislation.

S.1044, a bill establishing a YEAR-ROUND "CATCH AND RELEASE" ZONE ON THE LOWER REACH OF THE SALUDA RIVER, was given a favorable recommendation by the committee. As a result, it is unlawful to take and retain trout from the eastbound I-20 bridge downstream to Stacey's Ledge. The bill also outlines that the Department of Natural Resources shall make a study of the lower Saluda River trout fishery and make recommendations on any needed modifications to the fishery by November 1, 2023.

S.1111, a bill regarding the COBIA (RACHVCENTRON CANADUM), was given a favorable recommendation by the committee. The bill conforms the Federal law to state law which outlines that the possession of a cobia caught in the waters outside the Southern Cobia Management Zone is limited to one per person per day and no more than six per boat per day. The minimum size of the possession is thirty six inches in fork length.

The full committee gave a favorable report to S.913, a bill dealing with changes to the SOUTH CAROLINA YOUTH HUNTING DAY, was given a favorable with amendment recommendation by the committee. The legislation outlines that the South Carolina Youth Hunting Day must be held on the Saturday before the regular game zone season for hunting antlered deer only. The daily bag limit on this day is one antlered deer. The license or tag requirement is waived for the youth hunters on youth hunting day. The legislation further outlines that youth hunters who have not completed the hunter education program, who hunt on the statewide youth hunting day must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years old. As a result, the adult may not harvest or attempt to harvest game on this special day.

S.933, a bill that reduces the CATCH LIMITS FOR RED DRUM FISH from 3 to 2 catches in any one day and not to exceed six in any one day on any boat, was given a favorable recommendation by the committee. In an effort to address the decline in the Red Drum Fish, the bill also outlines that it is unlawful to gig this type of species.

The committee gave a favorable report to S.758, a bill extending the period for DUCK HUNTING on Lake H. Taylor Blalock through the 2023-2024 federal waterfowl hunting season. Lake Blalock is located in Spartanburg County.

S.841, a bill which adds provisions for DOG TETHERING to the cruelty of animals' law, was given a favorable with amendment recommendation by the committee. The bill outlines that a dog tethered unattended for more than two hours shall be provided continuous access to food, water and shelter, and the chain, rope, cable, trolley or running line to which the dog is attached must be at least twelve feet long. The bill also outlines that it is unlawful to tether a dog by means of a choke collar or prong collar. The bill increases the penalties for violations.

A favorable report, as amended, was given to S.109 TRESPASSING DRONES AT MILITARY INSTALLATIONS. This bill would make it unlawful to operate an unmanned aerial vehicle, also known as a drone, within a certain distance of state or federal military installations. Exempt from this prohibition would be any drones registered with the FAA that are operated by electric, water, communications, and transportation providers who first notify commanders of specific military installations about their planned activities.

Another favorable report, with amendment, was voted out on S.115 RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING ACT. Establishes comprehensive mandatory training for alcohol servers. The Department of Revenue is responsible for approving these training programs. This proposed legislation also directs the Department of Revenue, State Law Enforcement Division, SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, as well as other state and local agencies to work together to enforce this training requirement. Sets fines and penalties for violations, including server education certificate suspensions after convictions for violations of this law.

Also receiving a favorable report was S.131 DISTURBING SCHOOLS. It would restructure disturbing schools criminal offenses to add a list of specific actions which constitute violations of it. Students would not be subject to most of its provisions unless they have been suspended or expelled and return to campus. One exemption exception is students threatening bodily injury or property damage. Provides penalties for violations.

Another favorable report, with amendments, was given to S.176 TRESPASSING DRONES AT CORRECTIONS FACILITIES. These drones would be banned within 500 feet and any altitude lower than 250 feet of any SC Department of Corrections facilities. Sets penalties for violations. Exempt from these prohibitions would be any unmanned aerial vehicles registered with the FAA that are operated by electric, water, communications, and transportation providers who first notify the Director of the SC Department of Corrections about their planned activities.

A favorable report, with amendments, was given to S.820 TEMPORARY ALCOHOL SALES PERMIT REFERENDUMS. This proposal relates to temporary alcohol permits, for nonprofits and on-premises-licensed businesses, approved in municipal, or county referendums. Unsuccessful referendums could be reheld 48 months later.

S.862 SECURITIES COMMISSION ACTIONS IN RICHLAND COUNTY also received a favorable report. This bill would clarify that in Securities Commissioners' investigations, including any issued subpoenas, any affected parties would apply to the Richland County Court of Common Pleas when they believe they need to seek appropriate relief.

A favorable report with amendments was given to S.928 SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS/DEACCESSIONING WORKS OF ART. All special purpose districts that have acquired artworks, whether by gift, bequest, purchase, or by other legal means, could transfer them to any other nonprofit corporation that displays artworks under the provisions contained in this legislation. Methods of deaccession would be setup by the special purpose district governing body. In any event, all transfers would have to be memorialized in writing.

A favorable report was given to S.959 VANDALISM TRIALS IN MAGISTRATE AND MUNICIPAL COURTS. First offense illegal graffiti vandalism cases could be tried in magistrate or municipal courts under this bill.

Finally, a favorable report with amendments was given to S.1033 CERTAIN SCDSS REMOVAL CASE RESPONSIBILITIES SUSPENDED IN TORTURE CASES. This proposed legislation would relieve SCDSS of the responsibility for reuniting families in cases of torture. Torture would be a basis for terminating parental rights of torturing parents. It also would add death of a child by torture, by conspiring to torture, or allowing a child to be tortured as actions constituting elements of the criminal offense of death by abuse. Amendments to this original legislation removed coercion as an element of this crime.

H.5369 SINE DIE RESOLUTION ADDENDA Rep. J. E. Smith

This concurrent resolution would add to the list of matters, which that could be considered by the General Assembly June 19, 2018, certain bills related to utilities, corrections, school resource officers, state teachers shortages, and state employee pay. The specific utility bills include H.4375, Base Load Review Act rate increase suspensions; H.4376, Public Service Authority membership qualifications; H.4377, Public Service Commission appointee qualifications; H.4378, Utility Oversight Committee; H.4379, Utilities Consumer Advocate; H.4380, Base Load Review Act ratepayer refunds; H.4421, Electric Consumer Bill of Rights; and H.4425, Public Utility Consumer Protection Act. Also, matters to be considered could include concurrence and non-concurrence in amendments as well as receipt, consideration, and disposition of conference and free conference reports.

H.5371 CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC LAWS Rep. Bernstein

H.5372 CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY TOOL-FREE COMPLAINT NUMBER Rep. Funderburk

H.5370 A'JA WILSON MONUMENT COMMISSION Rep. Howard

H.5341 TAX CONFORMITY Rep. Lucas