South Carolina House of Representatives
James H. "Jay" Lucas, Speaker of the House
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND CONSTITUENT SERVICES
Room 212, Blatt Building, P.O. Box 11867, Columbia,
S.C. 29211, (803) 734-3230
The House of Representatives gave second reading approval to H.3274, a bill providing for the PREEMPTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF VAPING, E-CIGARETTES, CIGARETTES, AND OTHER TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCTS. The legislation provides that political subdivisions of this state may not enact any laws, ordinances, or rules pertaining to ingredients, flavors, or licensing of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, tobacco products, or alternative nicotine products. Local government laws, ordinances, or rules enacted prior to January 1, 2019, are exempt from the preemption imposed by this legislation.
The House concurred in Senate amendments to H.3630, a joint resolution that provides a three-month EXTENSION IN REAL PROPERTY TAX PENALTIES FOR WORKERS LEFT UNPAID DURING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, and enrolled the legislation for ratification. For property taxes due on January 15, 2019, this legislation provides a three-month delay in the penalty schedule for unpaid property taxes and assessments that applies to real property owners who are federal government employees who did not receive their salaries on the normal schedule during the shutdown that began on December 22, 2018. This delayed penalty schedule also applies to federal government contractors who were denied at least half of their income during the shutdown.
The House approved S.168 and enrolled the legislation for ratification. This joint resolution charges the State Department of Education with developing recommendations for REDUCING AND STREAMLINING THE AMOUNT OF PAPERWORK AND REPORTING REQUIRED OF TEACHERS, SCHOOLS, AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS. The department is to report its recommendations to the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and the Chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee by August 1, 2019.
The House approved and sent the Senate H.3398, a bill permanently authorizing the "TUCKER HIPPS TRANSPARENCY ACT" by repealing the three-year sunset provision that calls for the legislation to expire on June 29, 2019. Named in memory of the Clemson University student who died during a fraternity activity in September of 2014, the legislation was enacted in 2016 to require the state's public institutions of higher education, excluding technical colleges, to maintain reports detailing student misconduct investigations related to fraternity and sorority organizations formally affiliated with the institution that include violations of a Student Code of Conduct for offenses involving alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, physical assault, and hazing.
The House approved and sent the Senate H.3929, a joint resolution making provisions for TEMPORARY ENHANCED AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE MISSED SCHOOLS DAYS in light of the flooding experienced by areas of the state in recent months. The legislation provides that, during the 20182019 School Year, the State Board of Education may waive the requirements of making up days beyond the three days forgiven by the local school district for any days missed during the 20182019 School Year because of snow, extreme weather conditions, or other disruptions requiring schools to close. Such a waiver only may be considered and granted upon the request of the local board of trustees through a majority vote of that local school board.
The House approved and sent the Senate H.3639, a bill relating to the IN-STATE TUITION AND FEES at the state's public colleges and universities. The legislation revises state law to bring it into compliance with recently-changed federal law which now requires that certain veterans with service-connected disabilities be eligible for in-state tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education, regardless of the length of time the individual has resided in this state. Compliance is needed so that G.I. Bill benefits and similar provisions may continue to be used at South Carolina's institutions of higher learning.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3845. This joint resolution authorizes the transfer of certain Education Improvement Act carry-forward funds to the South Carolina Public Charter School District to provide FUNDS FOR THREE AND FOURYEAROLD CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY who are eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
The House approved and sent the Senate H.3131, a bill allowing an anonymous MEDICAL HISTORY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD'S BIOLOGICAL PARENTS to be submitted, maintained, and disclosed. The legislation establishes a procedure that allows someone who is placing a child up for adoption to provide a medical history of the adoptee's biological parents in a form that does not disclose personally identifiable information. Should the biological parents choose to provide this material, the medical history is included in the information that the Department of Social Services discloses to prospective adoptive parents. The medical history must also be deposited with the family court that enters a final decree of adoption and may be disclosed to the adoptee upon reaching the age of majority or before such time, should the court determine that it is in the best interest of the child.
The House gave second reading approval to H.3417, a bill TRANSFERRING THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT UNIT from the Department of Public Safety to the State Law Enforcement Division. The legislation implements a recommendation of the House Legislative Oversight Committee from the committee's study of the Department of Public Safety.
The House amended and gave second reading approval to H.3031, a bill revising VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES and related provisions to bring greater consistency to the statutory timelines, regardless of the method used to register, and to reduce confusion surrounding when one must register in order to vote in an upcoming election. The legislation implements recommendations of the House Legislative Oversight Committee from the committee's study of the State Election Commission.
The House approved and sent the Senate H.3072, a bill clarifying that those who previously participated in an alcohol education program are not prevented from subsequent PARTICIPATION IN A PRETRIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAM.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3388, a bill designating March as "MOVE OVER AWARENESS MONTH" in South Carolina. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety are charged with conducting programs during the month of March every year that emphasize the importance of motor vehicle drivers moving over into an adjacent lane whenever possible when approaching or passing through a highway work zone, an emergency scene, or any other traffic incident. Under the legislation, the Department of Transportation must allow a driver of a wrecker or towing service vehicle to take traffic incident management training free of charge.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3310, legislation establishing a procedure for an insurance company to obtain a SALVAGE CERTIFICATE OF TITLE for a damaged vehicle when a claimant does not provide documentation. The legislation provides that, if an insurance company or its agent is unable to obtain the certificate of title from the claimant within thirty days after acceptance by the claimant of an offer in settlement of total loss, the insurance company or its agent, on a form provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles, may submit an application to the department for a salvage certificate of title. The application shall include evidence that the insurance company or its agent has fulfilled its settlement with and made two or more written attempts to obtain the certificate of title from the claimant.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3359, a bill allowing those who served in the National Guard to receive the VETERAN DESIGNATION ON DRIVER'S LICENSES and identification cards by providing the Department of Motor Vehicles with a National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service, also known as an NGB Form 22, that documents qualifying service. The legislation further specifies what documents may be used to obtain the veteran designation.
The House approved and sent the Senate H.3312, a bill that provides for various statutory updates and revisions relating to DRIVER'S LICENSES AND PLATES recommended by the House Legislative Oversight Committee as a result of its study of the Comptroller General's Office. The legislation modernizes numerous code provisions by removing references to the Comptroller General in statutory accounting responsibilities that have been handled internally by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3051, a bill allowing certain RECREATIONAL TOWING ARRANGEMENTS on the public roads for a pickup truck with a fifth wheel assembly. The legislation provides that, for recreational purposes only, a pickup truck with a fifth wheel assembly may not tow more than one separate trailing vehicle. The combination of vehicles subject to this provision may not exceed a length of seventyfive feet overall dimension, inclusive of front and rear bumpers and load carried on it. However, the final trailing vehicle with its load must weigh no more than 3,000 pounds.
The House approved and sent the Senate H.3127, a joint resolution establishing a temporary MOLD ABATEMENT AND REMEDIATION STUDY COMMITTEE to examine the health effects of mold in South Carolina's public buildings, with a focus on children in public schools, and to ascertain the best methods for mold abatement and the prevention of future growth. The study committee, comprised of three Senators appointed by the President of the Senate and three House Members appointed by the Speaker of the House, is charged with making a report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2019, at which time the study committee shall dissolve.
The House approved and sent the Senate H.3700, a bill revising beachfront management restrictions placed on erosion control structures or devices seaward of the setback line to allow for the placement of shoreline perpendicular WINGWALLS that extend landward at a 90 degree angle from the ends of existing erosion control structures or devices that are consistent in height with the existing erosion control structures to which they are attached, subject to any special conditions imposed by the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
The Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee met on Thursday, February 14, 2019, and reported out five bills.
H.3092, a bill establishing REGULATED SHOOTING AREAS (RSA) FOR MALLARD DUCKS, was given a favorable with amendment recommendation by the committee. In an effort to help DNR with mallard duck identification, the bill outlines the department to issue permits for regulated shooting areas for privately owned mallard ducks. No person may release mallard ducks for the purpose of hunting unless there is a regulated shooting area permit for mallard ducks except for bona fide dog training or field trial purposes. The fee for an annual permit is two hundred dollars and existing shooting preserves with mallards are not required to pay that fee. The permit owner must make a report annually that should include, but not be limited to, the number of captive-raised mallard ducks released and killed on the regulated shooting area and any outbreaks of avian influenza or other diseases in the captive-raised mallard ducks raised, released or taken on the regulated shooting area. Violations of this provision is a misdemeanor and upon conviction must be punished by a fine of two hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days for each offense.
The committee gave a favorable with amendment recommendation to H.3750, a bill dealing with DEER HUNTING. Currently, purchasing a SC Hunting License and a Big Game permit allows a person to get three deer tags and eight date specific individual antlerless deer tags which are valid only on specified days. This bill revises that a resident who purchases a hunting license and permit will receive, in addition to the three deer tags, two antlerless deer tags that are not date specific. As a result, the bill deletes any reference to the minimum number of days for the taking of antlerless deer in Game Zones 1, 2, 3, and 4.
H.3699, a bill regarding the CONSTRUCTION OF PRIVATE RECREATIONAL DOCKS IN THE ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY, was given a favorable with amendment report by the committee. This bill authorizes the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to defer to the US Army Corps of Engineers in determining the allowable dock square footage of the structure in a county where more than eighty percent of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is outside of the critical area.
As a result of the House Opioid Abuse Prevention Study Committee's recommendation, the committee gave a favorable with amendment report to H.3732, legislation regarding VETERINARIANS WHO PRESCRIBE OPIOIDS. The bill requires veterinarians, who are registered and who prescribe certain controlled substances, to complete a two-hour continuing education regarding opioid distribution. The two hours will be part of the existing 30 hours of continuing education that is currently required every two years.
As a result of the 2018 Federal Farm Bill defining Industrial Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity, the committee to give a favorable with amendment recommendation to H.3449, a bill regulating HEMP in South Carolina. The legislation is the Department of Agriculture's state plan that will be submitted to USDA for approval. Once the plan is approved, the legislation will be known as the "South Carolina Hemp Farming Act". The bill allows for the department to promote the cultivation and processing of hemp and the commercial sales of hemp products. A person only cultivate, handle, or process hemp with a hemp license issued by the department under the state plan. A person seeking to cultivate hemp must, but not limited to, provide a legal description and location of fields or greenhouses; provide written consent allowing representatives of the department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and local law enforcement, to enter onto all premises where hemp is cultivated, processed, or stored for the purposes of conducting physical inspections, obtaining samples of hemp or hemp products, or otherwise ensuring compliance with the requirements of applicable laws and regulations. Nothing in this chapter authorizes a person to violate a federal or state law or regulation. "Hemp" means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the nonsterilized seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with the federally defined THC level for hemp. "Hemp products" means all products with the federally defined THC level for hemp derived from, or made by, processing hemp plants or hemp plant parts, that are prepared in a form available for commercial sale, including, but not limited to cosmetics, personal care products, food intended for animal or human consumption, cloth, cordage, fiber, fuel, paint, paper, particleboard, plastics, and any product containing one or more hempderived cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol. Unprocessed or raw plant material, including nonsterilized hemp seeds is not considered a hemp product.
The House Judiciary Committee met Tuesday, February 12th, and reported out the following bills:
They gave a favorable report to H.3072 ALCOHOL EDUCATION PROGRAM GRADUATION NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTING PRETRIAL ELIGIBILITY, which clarifies that anyone who successfully participates in an alcohol education program is not prevented from subsequently participating in a pretrial intervention program
They also favorably reported out H.3131 BIOLOGICAL PARENT INFORMATION TO PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS. This legislation allows biological parents to provide their personal medical history information to prospective adoptive parents at the time of their consent or relinquishment of a child for adoption. This information also must be deposited with the court. It may be made available to the adoptee when the adoptee reaches the age of majority, or, prior to that time, if it is in the best interest of the adopted child.
The last legislation receiving a favorable report, with amendment, was H.3180 SOUTH CAROLINA SERVICE MEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT. The "South Carolina Servicemembers Civil Relief Act" enumerates certain rights, benefits, and obligations of servicemembers and their dependents. The amendment sets out an affirmative duty on servicemembers to notify telecommunication service, internet service, television service, athletic club or gymnasium, or satellite radio service providers of their service dates, as well as the date this service will terminate. Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action for intentional violations of this act. Establishes available remedies and penalties for violations. The adjutant general has to post certain information about this Act on the South Carolina National Guard website.
The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee met on Thursday, February 14, and reported out several bills.
The committee gave a report of favorable with amendments on H.3754, a bill addressing VACATION TIMESHARING PLANS. The legislation revises vacation time sharing plan provisions, so as to define the term "timeshare instrument" and further provides for when a timeshare closing is considered to have occurred. The legislation enacts the "Vacation TimeSharing Plan Extensions and Termination Act", including provisions to clarify and supplement the procedures and requirements as to how owners of vacation timesharing interests may terminate vacation timesharing plans or extend the terms of these plans.
The committee gave a report of favorable with amendments on H.3760, legislation MERGING THE PATIENTS' COMPENSATION FUND WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE JOINT UNDERWRITING ASSOCIATION and establishing it as market of last resort for ensuring the availability of medical malpractice and other types of liability insurance for health care providers that it is no longer in competition with the private insurance market. The legislation addresses governance following the merger, makes provisions to eliminate the accumulated deficit of the JUA and the Patients' Compensation Fund, and provide for rates for policies issued to be adequate and established at a level that permits the association to operate without accumulating additional deficits over time.
The committee gave a report of favorable with amendments on H.3659, a bill establishing ELECTRICAL POWER CUSTOMER CONSUMER PROTECTIONS in order to: shield customers from rising utility costs; provide opportunities for customer measures to reduce or manage electrical consumption from electrical utilities in a manner that contributes to reductions in utility peak electrical demand and other drivers of electrical utility costs; and, equip customers with the information and ability to manage their electric bills. The legislation provides that every customer of an electrical utility has the right to a rate schedule that offers the customer a reasonable opportunity to employ such energy and cost saving measures as energy efficiency, demand response, or onsite distributed energy resources in order to reduce consumption of electricity from the electrical utility's grid and to reduce electrical utility costs. The legislation makes revisions to build upon the successful deployment of solar generating capacity through the South Carolina Distributed Resource Act to continue enabling marketdriven, private investment in distributed energy resources across the state by reducing regulatory and administrative burdens to customer installation and utilization of onsite distributed energy resources. The legislation authorizes the development of solar power generation and other distributed energy resources above the cap that has been set at 2% of the previous fiveyear average of the electrical utility's South Carolina retail peak demand. The legislation establishes new provisions governing net metering. The legislation discontinues existing arrangements where all of an electrical utility's customers are subsidizing solar power programs, regardless of whether they are participating in the programs. Provisions are made for Neighborhood Community Solar Energy Programs to expand access to solar energy options for all South Carolinians, including those who lack the income to afford the upfront investment in solar panels or those that do not own their homes or have suitable rooftops. A new consumer protection protocol is established that must be followed before construction commences on a new major utility facility for power generation in the state. The Office of Regulatory Staff, in collaboration with the Department of Consumer Affairs, is directed to develop new consumer protection regulations.
The committee gave a favorable report on S.75, a bill providing for INSURER CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURES. The legislation establishes requirements for insurers and insurance groups to submit an annual disclosure to the Department of Insurance that summarizes their corporate governance structure, policies, and practices.
The committee gave a favorable report on S.358, a bill addressing the MERGER OF A SELFINSURER WITH A LICENSED INSURER. The legislation provides that South Carolina Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association provisions do not apply to any claims or losses covered by selfinsurance that occurred prior to the assumption, transfer, merger, or other acquisition of a block of business by a licensed insurer. The legislation requires the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission to secure an actuarial opinion before approving the transfer of a selfinsurer to a licensed insurer.
The committee gave a report of favorable with amendments on S.360, a bill providing INSURANCE LAW REVISIONS. The legislation provides for various technical changes, updates, and clean-up provisions for the laws governing insurance and regulation by the Department of Insurance.
The Medical, Military Public and Municipal Affairs Committee met on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, and reported out two bills.
The full committee gave a favorable with amendment report to H.3157, legislation defining the SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR GENETIC COUNSELORS. Currently, there are no regulations for genetic counselors in South Carolina. Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. They provide information and support to other healthcare providers, or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
The legislation creates the Genetic Counselors Committee, a five-member advisory committee, under the auspices of the State Board of Medical Examiners, to license genetic counselors. The legislation defines the scope of practice for genetic counselors and prohibits unlicensed practice. It states that an applicant for licensure must have a master's degree from a genetic counseling training program or a doctoral degree from a medical genetics training program that is accredited by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) and be certified either as a genetic counselor by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) or the ABMG, or as a medical or clinical geneticist by the ABMG. Persons from another state which has substantially the same licensing or registration requirements may be licensed in South Carolina. The bill provides also for licensure exemptions.
In addition, the committee gave a favorable with an amendment report to H.3253, a bill authorizing the Board of Examiners to regulate and issue permits for MOBILE BARBERSHOPS. The bill defines mobile barbershop as a self-contained unit where the practice of barbering is conducted. The unit can be moved, towed, or transported from one location to another and includes equipment used for barbering on a temporary basis, including but not limited to a client's home, a nursing home, or another institution or location authorized by the board. A mobile barbershop permit is not transferable and if sold and the new owner must apply to the board for a permit before providing barbering services.
The legislation also states that the provisions do not apply to master haircare specialist or registered barber while providing barbering services in a nursing home or community residential care facility setting equipped and maintained in compliance with regulations and other requirements concerning the equipping and maintenance of barbershops. The board will promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.
H.3936 RELATING TO PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIPS Rep. Davis
This bill relates to eligibility for Palmetto Fellows Scholarships, so as to include two-year institutions of higher learning and technical colleges.
This bill relates to DMV issuance of golf cart permits and the operation of golf carts along the state's highways, so as to provide that a municipality may adopt an ordinance that allows for the operation of golf carts that are equipped with working headlights and rear lights during non-daylight hours.
H.3952 GOLF CARTS AND MOPEDS Rep. Clemmons
This bill relates to the registration of golf carts and the issuance of golf cart permits by the DMV and the operation of golf carts along the state's highways, so as to provide that a local governmental body may regulate an entity offering golf carts for rent or lease within its jurisdiction under certain circumstances and by providing that a local governmental body may regulate an entity offering mopeds for rent or lease within its jurisdiction under certain circumstances.
H.3969 COMPETITIVE EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT ACT Rep. Rivers
This bill would enact the "Competitive Education Employment Act" and relates to the adoption of educational standards in certain core academic areas, to include Spanish among these areas.
H.3972 SOUTH CAROLINA COURSE ACCESS ACT Rep. Elliott
This bill would enact the "South Carolina Course Access Act" so as to create a state course access program through which eligible students may take courses approved by the CHE to be offered by certain providers.
H.3981 HANDICAPPED PARKING Rep. Fry
This bill relates to free parking in metered or timed parking places for handicapped persons, so as to provide the circumstances in which free parking must be offered by an airport to vehicles that transport handicapped persons.
S.279 BOARD OF JUVENILE PAROLE QUORUMS Senator Talley
Changes quorum requirements for the SC Department of Juvenile Justice Board of Juvenile Parole to conform with board membership changes.
H.3941 POPULAR ELECTIONS FOR JUSTICES AND JUDGES Rep. King
This legislation proposes a state constitutional amendment referendum question on whether the Judicial Merit Selection Commission should be eliminated and qualifications for justices and judges in our state be revised. These qualifications would include being between the ages of 32 and 72, a resident of South Carolina for 10 years, and a licensed lawyer for 10 years. Also allows the Governor to appoint, with the advice and consent of the State Senate, a justice or judge to fill an unexpired term of a vacant position.
H.3942 REQUIRING APPELLATE JUSTICES AND JUDGES TO HAVE TRIAL COURT JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE Rep. King
In addition to all of the other qualifications for justices and judges in our state, the Supreme Court chief justice and associate justices -- as well as the Court of Appeals chief judge and judges--would have to have previous service as a judge in a South Carolina court of record.
H.3943 ELECTING FAMILY COURT JUDGES Rep. King
The Judicial Merit Selection Commission would no longer qualify and nominate family court judges. Instead, family court judges would be elected at large, and be subject to the Ethics, Government Accountability, and Campaign Reform Act just the same as someone holding "elective office."
H.3944 LANDLORD/TENANT REFORMS Rep. Pendarvis
Alters the definitions of "fee" and "minimum habitability standards." Declares certain types, and contents, of rent contracts to be unconscionable. Prohibits criminal enterprises in rental units. Allows tenants to make repairs and deduct these costs from rent payments, after providing notice to landlords. On the other hand, landlords could terminate rent contracts after giving tenants 14 days-past-due-rent notices. They could not, however, seek evictions for failure to pay fees associated with late rent payments. Tenants could make past due rent payments within 14 days of any court order finding that rent is owed.
H.3945 CITY ORDINANCES FOR NIGHTTIME GOLF CART DRIVING Rep. Bryant
Under this proposal, cities could adopt ordinances to allow golf cart driving after dark when these vehicles have working headlights and taillights.
H.3951 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR COUNTY SHERIFF CANDIDATES Rep. Clary
Candidates for sheriff would have to have the same qualifications as serving sheriffs in this state.
H.3953 JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION CANDIDATE LISTS Rep. King
Rather than release only up to 3 qualified and nominated candidates for judicial seats, the Judicial Merit Selection Commission would have to release the names of all qualified judicial candidates under this proposed legislation. In addition, this released list would be required to contain a percentage of female and African American candidates that corresponds to the general population percentage of females and African Americans.
H.3967 RESTRAINING PREGNANT AND POST PARTUM INMATES Rep. Mace
Sets out methods for restraining inmates with a clinical diagnosis of pregnancy, or determined to be in postpartum recuperation.
H.3968 ASSET FORFEITURE AND PRIVATE PROPERTY PROTECTION ACT Rep. Clemmons
Enacts the "Asset Forfeiture and Private Property Protection Act." It specifies property subject to forfeiture after criminal convictions. The State of South Carolina could petition for substitute property in certain circumstances. Describes the circumstances when state entities can transfer criminal investigations to the federal government. Any property subject to forfeiture would have to be identified in an indictment, or by information in court proceedings. Requires law enforcement officers who seize property to give itemized receipts. At the time any property is seized, provisional title would then be in the name of the State of South Carolina. Owners could post bond or give substitute property in certain circumstances. With these seizures, procedures for the criminal charge resolution and property seizure disposition are described. Sets out appeal procedures and other particulars. Requires all state law enforcement agencies to submit annual seizure and forfeiture reports to the attorney general.
H.3971 STATE WORK PROGRAM FOR INMATES Rep. Chumley
Establishes a state work program to be administered by the SC Department of Corrections. Replaces contracts with private companies for rights of way landscape care and minor road repairs to be performed by these eligible inmates instead.
H.3973 CRIMINAL FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION Rep. Crawford
Prohibits genital mutilation of a female under the age of eighteen years. Establishes the criminal offense of female genital mutilation of a minor. Adds female genital mutilation of a minor to the definitions of "child abuse or neglect" and "harm."
H.3982 SOUTH CAROLINIANS WITH DISABILITIES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND Rep. Long
Enacts the "South Carolinians with Disabilities Economic Development Trust Fund." It would provide assistance to individuals with disabilities to pursue entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities. This assistance includes business development grants for startup, expansion, or acquisition of businesses operated within South Carolina. Adds this fund to the list of funds that taxpayers may make contributions to through their state individual tax returns.
H.3983 FETAL ANOMALY ABORTIONS Rep. Long
Makes abortions during any trimester a criminal act if the sole reason for the procedure is that the unborn child has a fetal anomaly. Eliminates the fetal anomaly exception to the "South Carolina Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act", when the probable post-fertilization age of an unborn child is twenty weeks or more.
S.360 INSURANCE LAW REVISIONS Sen. Cromer
This bill provides for various technical changes, updates, and clean-up provisions for the laws governing insurance and regulation by the Department of Insurance.
H.3965 PREPAID ENTERTAINMENT CONTRACTS Rep. Norrell
This bill establishes new provisions governing prepaid entertainment contracts that: provide requirements for a prepaid entertainment contract; establish the buyer's rights under a contract; prohibit certain practices; require a seller to purchase a surety bond or establish an escrow account; establish certain record keeping requirements; and, provide remedies for the breach of a prepaid entertainment contract.
S.309 INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP FUND TAX CREDIT INCREASE Sen. Setzler
This bill increases annual amounts for the Industry Partnership Fund Tax Credit to two hundred fifty thousand dollars for a single taxpayer, not to exceed an aggregate credit of twelve million dollars for all taxpayers.
S.314 MEDICAL CARE TRAINING INCOME TAX CREDITS Sen. Alexander
This bill allows an income tax credit for clinical rotations served by a physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant as a preceptor for public teaching institutions and independent institutions of higher learning.
S.426 TRANSFER OF FUNDS FOR A BOAT RAMP IN GEORGETOWN COUNTY
Sen. Goldfinch
This joint resolution provides that, in the current fiscal year, the Department of Transportation must transfer to the Department of Natural Resources any funds remaining from the $150,000 appropriation for the Sandy Island Boat Ramp in Georgetown County in Act 101 of 2013. Once transferred, the Department of Natural Resources shall credit the funds to the water recreational resource fund for Georgetown County. The crediting of such transferred funds must not be considered to be part of the annual allocation formula for water recreational resource funds.
H.3940 COLLEGE TUITION WAIVERS FOR CHILDREN OF WARTIME ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS Rep. Murphy
This bill revises provisions for college tuition waivers for certain wartime veterans' children, so as to extend these waivers to the children of active duty service members who have served in wartime.
H.3966 PROPERTY TAXES ON AIRLINES CREDITED TO THE STATE AVIATION FUND Rep. Herbkersman
This bill provides for the proceeds of property taxes on airlines to be credited to the state aviation fund under a phasedin schedule.
H.3984 EMPLOYER MAY PAY EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION RATES UNDER THE SOUTH
CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM Rep. Banister
This bill revises provisions for employer and employee contribution rates under the South Carolina Retirement System and the Police Officers Retirement System to provide that an employer, up to certain limits, may elect to pay all or a portion of required employee contributions during a fiscal year.