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 amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3659, a bill furthering voluntary programs that make use of RENEWABLE ENERGY generation resources, such as solar power, and establishing ELECTRICAL POWER CUSTOMER CONSUMER PROTECTIONS in order to: shield customers from rising utility costs; provide opportunities for customer measures to reduce or manage 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 removes the cap on the development of solar power generation and other distributed energy resources that has been set at 2% of the previous fiveyear average of an electrical utility's South Carolina retail peak demand. The legislation requires the adoption of new provisions governing the way in which electrical utilities purchase power generated by renewable energy facilities and new requirements for metering customergenerators. In making the revisions, the legislation discontinues existing arrangements where solar power programs are subsidized by all of an electrical utility's customers, regardless of whether an individual customer is participating in a program. The Public Service Commission is directed to establish a new Community Solar Energy Program for each electrical utility to permit the utility's customers to participate in a solar energy project that allows for a credit to the customer's utility bill based upon the electricity generated that is attributed to the customer's participation in the solar energy project. Provisions are made for neighborhood solar 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. The Public Service Commission, in coordination with the Office of Regulatory Staff, is authorized to initiate an independent study to evaluate the integration of renewable energy and emerging energy technologies into the electric grid for the public good. The Office of Regulatory Staff, in collaboration with the Department of Consumer Affairs, is directed to develop new consumer protection regulations. 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 House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3449, a bill enacting the "SOUTH CAROLINA HEMP FARMING ACT" to promote the cultivation and processing of hemp, expand the state's hemp industry, open new commercial markets for farmers and businesses through the sale of hemp products, and encourage research into hemp growth and hemp products at state institutions of higher education and in the private sector. The legislation addresses the use of the Cannabis sativa L. plant, with federally defined THC level for hemp, for such uses as cloth, cordage, fiber, fuel, paint, paper, particleboard, plastics, cosmetics, personal care products, food, and any product containing one or more hempderived cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol. In light of the enactment of the 2018 Federal Farm Bill, which classifies hemp as an agricultural commodity, this legislation replaces the state's provisions for cultivating industrial hemp that were previously enacted and provides for the South Carolina Department of Agriculture is to submit a state plan to the USDA for approval. The legislation eliminates various restrictions that were imposed on the cultivation of hemp, such as the limitations on the number of permits issued and the maximum acreage that could be cultivated. While these maximum limits are no longer imposed, individuals may only cultivate, handle, or process hemp by obtaining a license issued by the Department of Agriculture under the state plan in a process that includes: providing a legal description and location of fields or greenhouses; providing 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; and submitting to a criminal records check. No one who has been convicted of a felony, a drugrelated misdemeanor, or drug related violation in the ten years prior to the submission of the application is eligible to obtain a license. The state plan must include laboratory testing for delta9 tetrahydrocannabinol to ensure that hemp crops do not contain the high THC levels found in controlled substances. Criminal penalties continue to be provided to address the cultivation of industrial hemp as a means of disguising marijuana production or distribution operations. A violation is a misdemeanor that carries a term of imprisonment for up to three years and/or a fine of up to three thousand dollars.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3180, the "SOUTH CAROLINA SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT". The legislation aligns South Carolina with federal law that provides for contracts for telecommunication services, Internet services, cable, direct satellite, and other television services, satellite radio services, and athletic club or gym memberships to be cancelled, without early termination charges, when those in military service are deployed or reassigned. The legislation sets out duties for notifying service providers and establishes civil penalties for violations. The Adjutant General is directed to post on the South Carolina National Guard website a list of the rights a servicemember or a servicemember's dependent has under the South Carolina Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3157, a bill establishing provisions for the licensure and regulation of GENETIC COUNSELORS.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3732, a bill addressing CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VETERINARIANS WHO PRESCRIBE OPIOIDS. The legislation requires veterinarians who are authorized to prescribe controlled substances to obtain a South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Controlled Substances Registration and complete at least two hours of continuing education every two years related to approved procedures of prescribing and monitoring certain controlled substances. 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 House amended and gave second reading approval to H.3760, legislation MERGING THE PATIENTS' COMPENSATION FUND WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE JOINT UNDERWRITING ASSOCIATION and establishing it as a market of last resort for ensuring the availability of medical malpractice and other types of liability insurance for health care providers that it is not 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 House approved S.75, a bill providing for INSURER CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURES, and enrolled the legislation for ratification. 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 House approved S.358, a bill addressing the MERGER OF A SELFINSURER WITH A LICENSED INSURER, and enrolled the legislation for ratification. 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 House returned S.360, a bill providing INSURANCE LAW REVISIONS, to the Senate with amendments. 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 House amended, approved, and sent the Senate 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 House amended, approved, and sent the Senate to H.3253, a bill authorizing the Board of Examiners to regulate and issue permits for MOBILE BARBERSHOPS that can be moved, towed, or transported to provide barbering services on a temporary basis at such locations as a client's home, a nursing home, or another institution or location authorized by the board. An exclusion from the provisions is provided for a master haircare specialist or registered barber while providing barbering services in a nursing home or community residential care facility.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3750, a bill dealing with DEER HUNTING. Currently, a resident purchasing a SC Hunting License and a Big Game permit is issued three unrestricted individual antlered deer tags and eight date-specific individual antlerless deer tags which are valid only on specified days. This bill provides, instead, that a resident receives, in addition to the three antlered deer tags, two antlerless deer tags that are not date-specific with the purchases a hunting license and permit. As a result, the bill eliminates any reference to the minimum number of days for the taking of antlerless deer in Game Zones 1, 2, 3, and 4.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3092, a bill authorizing REGULATED SHOOTING AREAS (RSA) FOR MALLARD DUCKS. In an effort to help Department of Natural Resources with mallard duck identification, the legislation provides DNR to issue permits for regulated shooting areas for privately owned, captive-raised, 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. A Violations is a misdemeanor punishable with a fine of two hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days for each offense.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3699, a bill regarding the CONSTRUCTION OF PRIVATE RECREATIONAL DOCKS ON THE ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY. The legislation provides that for permit applications to construct private recreational docks on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Federal Navigation Project in a county where more than eighty percent of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is outside of the critical area, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control shall defer to the United States Army Corps of Engineers in determining the total allowable dock square footage of the structure.
The House reconsidered the vote by which H.3845 was given third reading approval and adjourned debate on the legislation until March 19. 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 Judiciary Committee met Tuesday, February 19th, and reported out the following bills:
They gave a favorable report to H.3362 TRAFFIC TICKET NONPAYERS ARE NOT HABITUAL TRAFFIC OFFENDERS. Under this bill, the term "habitual offender" would not include suspensions of a person's driver's license for failing to pay traffic tickets. These suspensions are not convictions make any motorist a "habitual offender."
Also favorably reported out was H.3370 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM CONFIDENTIALITY. Under this legislation, nonprofit victim assistance organizations serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault would be required to protect the confidentiality and privacy of their clients, with limited exceptions
.
The final bill receiving a favorable report by the full judiciary committee was H.3916 FAILURE TO REGISTER MOTOR VEHICLES. It modifies penalties for failing to register motor vehicles, so that anyone who fails to register a motor vehicle will be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined $500 or imprisoned for up to 30 days, or both.
The Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee met on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, and reported out several bills.
The full committee gave a favorable report to H.3101, a bill enacting the "INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT". Under current law, a physician must apply for licensure with the licensure board of each state in which he or she wishes to practice medicine. The Compact allows qualified physicians to practice medicine in all member states by applying for an expedited license through the licensure board of the physician's principal state. The compact is administered by the Interstate Commission which consists of two voting representatives appointed from the medical licensing boards of each participating state. To date, 25 states have joined the Compact. This bill requires applicants for expedited licensure to undergo a criminal background check to include fingerprint or other biometric data checks. The Compact requires a participating physician to be under the jurisdiction of the state medical board where the patient is located. Each participating physician will be charged a non-refundable $700 fee for applying to the Commission of which $300 will be remitted to the SC Board of Medical Examiners for physicians whose state of primary licensure is SC. The physician will be required to pay licensure fees for each of the states chosen plus a $100 handling fee to the commission for requesting additional state licenses. The bill further outlines that a member state may withdraw from the compact by repealing the statute authorizing membership. A member state may be terminated from the compact if the state fails to comply with its provisions.
H.3438, a bill regarding the DIVISION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, was given a favorable with amendment recommendation by the committee. Currently the Division of Veterans Affairs is within the Department of Administration. This bill reorganizes the Division of Veterans Affairs to become the Department of Veterans Affairs within the executive branch of government. As a cabinet agency, the Governor will appoint the director of the Department of Veterans Affairs and will be confirmed by the General Assembly. The bill further defines the role of the director, including but not limited to, working with federal officials to obtain additional federal resources and coordinate veterans policy development and information exchange. The bill outlines that the Department of Administration will provide administrative support. The bill also clarifies that a nonveteran may serve as a county veterans' affairs officer.
H.3726, a bill requiring CONTINUING EDUCATION ON THE IDENTIFICATION OF OPIATE RELATED DEATHS FOR CORONERS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND DEPUTIES, was given a favorable recommendation by the committee.
The committee gave a favorable with amendment recommendation to S.80, a joint resolution dealing with the MEMBERSHIP OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA AMERICAN REVOLUTION SESTERCENTENNIAL COMMISSION. The bill increases the membership of the commission from 12 to 15 persons. In addition to the three ex-officio members, four members are to be appointed by the President of the Senate of which at least one of whom must be of AfricanAmerican descent; four members are to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of which at least one of whom must be of AfricanAmerican descent; and four members are to be appointed by the Governor of which at least one of whom must be of AfricanAmerican descent. Any member who was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor shall be deemed to have been appointed by the President of the Senate and may continue to serve on the commission.
S.327, a bill regarding the STATE INTERAGENCY PLANNING AND EVALUATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, was given a favorable recommendation by the committee. Currently, the Senate General Committee has the responsibility of appointing persons to the advisory committee. This bill codifies the name change from Senate General Committee to Senate Family and Veterans Services Committee.
The Ways and Means Committee reported out H.4000, the General Appropriation Bill, and H.4001, the joint resolution making appropriations from the Capital Reserve Fund, which together comprise the FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020 STATE GOVERNMENT BUDGET. The budget includes $9.3 billion in recurring state general fund revenue, $152 million in Capital Reserve Funds, $177 million in the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Contingency Reserve Fund, and $159 million in nonrecurring surplus funds projected for Fiscal Year 2018-2019.
The budget provides for $35 million in nonrecurring funds to be returned to the state's taxpayers as rebates.
$614 million in recurring funds is transferred into the Tax Relief Trust Fund that facilitates the residential property tax caps.
$41.4 million in recurring funds is used to provide a 2% state employee pay increase. Employees of institutions of higher education and technical colleges that earn a base salary of at least $100,000 are not eligible to receive the increase in compensation.
$50 million in recurring funds is included to cover the increased costs of operating the state's health insurance plan.
$32.4 million in recurring funds is devoted to the 1% increase in the employer contribution rates for the South Carolina Retirement System and the Police Officers Retirement System that is in keeping with the schedule for addressing the unfunded liability facing the state's pensions established in Act 13 of 2017.
$2.6 billion in recurring funds is utilized to set State Aid to Classrooms at $3,846 per pupil. Various funding lines are consolidated to form State Aid to Classrooms as a replacement for the Base Student Cost.
$159 million in recurring funds is devoted to raising the minimum teacher salary to $35,000 and providing teacher pay increases of at least 4%.
Provisions are made for a Rural Teacher Recruitment pilot program at the University of South Carolina's College of Education for the development of innovative and cost-effective teacher recruitment strategies, customized training for new teachers, and dedicated, ongoing mentoring support.
A Rural School District and Economic Development Closing Fund is established within the Department of Commerce to facilitate economic development and infrastructure improvements for projects that create a minimum of fifty jobs located within the twenty-eight school districts with the lowest Index of Taxpaying Ability (ITA) in the State of South Carolina
Provisions are made for the transfer of excess debt service funds in the amounts of $85 million to the Department of Commerce for the Rural School District and Economic Development Closing Fund and $50 million to the Department of Education for school district capital improvements.
$20 million in lottery funds is included for instructional materials.
$10 million in Education Improvement Act funds is allocated for school resource officers.
$15 million in Education Improvement Act funds is included to address S.C. Public Charter School District growth.
$19 million in lottery funds is provided for school buses.
Full funding is provided for the LIFE, HOPE, and Palmetto Fellows higher education scholarship programs.
The budget includes a higher education tuition mitigation initiative in which a total of $44 million in additional recurring funds is distributed among the state's institutions of higher learning. In order to retain these appropriations, the institutions must comply with provisions for freezing in-state tuition and mandatory fees during the 2019-2020 academic year.
The bulk of the Capital Reserve Fund is devoted to capital needs at the state's colleges and universities, with a total of $100 million in these nonrecurring funds allocated among the institutions for various repairs, renovations, and maintenance of facilities.
The Commission on Higher Education is afforded $20 million in lottery funds for need-based grants, $10 million in lottery funds for tuition grants, $2.6 million in lottery funds for National Guard Tuition Repayment, and $6 million in in unclaimed prize money for the Higher Education Excellence Enhancement Program.
$51 million in lottery funds is allocated for tuition assistance through the Commission on Higher Education and the Board of Technical and Comprehensive Education.
$8 million in lottery funds is dedicated to technology for the state's four-year and two-year colleges and universities and technical colleges.
The Board of Technical and Comprehensive Education is afforded $17 million in lottery funds and $11 million in in unclaimed prize money for SC Workforce Industry Needs scholarships, $12.5 million in lottery funds for high demand skill training equipment, and $10 million in lottery funds for worker training through the Ready SC Program at the state's technical colleges.
A study committee is established to develop a plan to determine the feasibility of transforming Denmark Technical College from a technical college to its original mission of an area trade school.
$3.7 million in nonrecurring funds is provided for the Deal Closing Fund that the Department of Commerce uses to recruit new business to the state. The Department of Commerce is afforded $4 million in nonrecurring funds for the Locate SC Site Inventory, $1.5 million in recurring funds for innovation, $625 thousand in recurring funds and $750 thousand in nonrecurring funds for the Military Base Task Force, and $400 thousand for the state's small and existing businesses.
$4 million is appropriated from the Capital Reserve Fund for Clemson University's Center for Advanced Manufacturing.
$4 million in nonrecurring funds is provided for the Jasper Ocean Terminal Port Facility Infrastructure Fund.
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism receives $1 million in nonrecurring funds for coastal tourism advertising, $8.5 million from the Capital Reserve Fund for deferred maintenance at state parks, $2.5 million in nonrecurring funds for parks revitalization, $1 million in recurring funds for its sports marketing grants program, $1.5 million in nonrecurring funds for the Saluda River Greenway, and $1.5 million in nonrecurring funds for the SC Aquarium.
$1.5 million in recurring funds is appropriated to the Rural Infrastructure Authority for Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund match.
The Department of Agriculture is afforded $1 million in recurring funds for agribusiness infrastructure grants.
Clemson PSA receives $1 million in recurring funds for its statewide extension programs, $2 million from the Capital Reserve Fund for water research facility renovation, and $750 thousand in recurring funds for livestock poultry health and regulatory programs.
The Department of Health and Human Services is afforded $50 million in recurring funds for Medicaid maintenance of effort to address program cost growth, $7.4 million in nonrecurring funds for the Medicaid Management Information System, and $2.8 million recurring and $2.8 million nonrecurring for medical contracts.
$5.5 million is appropriated to DHHS for the Children's Health Insurance Program to allow more children to be eligible for CHIP coverage.
The Medical University of South Carolina is afforded $2.2 million in recurring funds for the state's telemedicine network and $1.5 million in recurring funds for statewide health improvements.
$15 million from the Capital Reserve Fund and $2 million in recurring funds is provided for the Rural Health Initiative partnership between DHHS and the USC School of Medicine to improve access to life-saving emergency room care in the wake of rural hospital closures.
$1 million in recurring funds is appropriated for the SC Children's Advocacy Medical Response System at MUSC.
$2 million is appropriated from the Capital Reserve Fund for Clemson University's health innovation extension programming.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control receives $1 million in recurring funds for its prescription drug monitoring program, $500 thousand in recurring funds for communicable disease abatement, $202 thousand in recurring funds for mosquito borne disease abatement, $250 thousand in recurring funds for the orphan petroleum spills and releases contingency fund, $2 million in recurring funds for ocean outfalls, and $2 million in nonrecurring funds for Murrell's Inlet channel clearing.
The Department of Mental Health is afforded $1.3 million in recurring funds for inpatient services contractual adjustments, $2.2 million in recurring funds for school mental health services, $1.6 million in recurring funds for information technology, $482 thousand in recurring funds for the sexually violent predator treatment program, and $37 million in nonrecurring funds for VA nursing homes certification of state match.
The Department of Disabilities and Special Needs receives $10.4 million in recurring funds to address safety, quality of care, and workforce needs and $2 million in nonrecurring funds for the SC Genomic Medicine Initiative.
The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services is afforded $6 million in nonrecurring funds for infrastructure improvements in its substance abuse provider system.
The Department of Social Services is appropriated $29 million in nonrecurring funds for the development of the child support enforcement system, $3.9 million in recurring funds for child welfare information systems, and $800 thousand in nonrecurring funds for criminal domestic violence programs.
A Department of Social Services Reform Committee is established to examine how the mission and responsibilities of DSS might be better fulfilled.
The State Law Enforcement Divisions is afforded $814 thousand in recurring funds for officer rank change.
The Department of Public Safety is appropriated $711 thousand for master trooper and officer rank change, $1.8 million recurring and $500 thousand nonrecurring for vehicle replacement, and $600 thousand in recurring funds for local law enforcement grants.
The Department of Corrections receives $10 million in nonrecurring funds for detention services and equipment upgrades, $10 million in recurring funds for the Hepatitis C treatment program, and $2.3 million in recurring funds for electronic health records and support for mobile data collection,
The Department of Juvenile Justice is afforded $1 million in recurring funds for salary increases for juvenile corrections officers and community specialists, $1 million for electrical grid conversion, and $170 thousand in nonrecurring funds for child advocacy centers.
The Law Enforcement Training Council receives $2 million in recurring funds to reduce reliance on fees and fines, $1.2 million recurring and $271 thousand nonrecurring for mobile training.
The Attorney General's Office is appropriated $1.5 million in recurring funds for stability funding and $522 thousand in recurring funds for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The budget makes provisions for judicial pay increases.
$4 million in recurring funds is provided for Judges and Solicitors Retirement System pension stabilization.
The Judicial Department is afforded $11.2 million in recurring funds for safety enhancements and $13 million in nonrecurring funds for case management modernization.
$40 million in nonrecurring funds is provided to the Department of Administration for a new statewide voting system.
The State Election Commission receives $2.2 million in nonrecurring funds for the 2020 Presidential Primary.
$254 million in recurring funds is provided for the Local Government Fund. This includes an $11.1 million increase in recurring funds that is consistent with the revised approach to sending revenue to political subdivisions provided in H.3137, which was approved by the House earlier this year and sent to the Senate.
$22 million in nonrecurring funds is provided for the state FEMA match for Hurricane Florence.
The Adjutant General receives appropriations of $250 thousand in nonrecurring funds for improvements at the state's emergency operations center, $120 thousand in recurring funds for Emergency Management Division personnel, $2.2 million in nonrecurring funds for land management at the McEntire Joint National Guard Base, and $5.6 million in nonrecurring funds for armory construction and revitalizations.
The Forestry Commission is provided $1.5 million in recurring funds for recruitment and retention and $1 million in recurring funds and $1 million in nonrecurring funds for firefighting equipment.
The Department of Natural Resources $383 thousand in recurring funds for officer step increases and $714 thousand in recurring funds for statewide water monitoring and evaluation.
$5 million is appropriated from the Capital Reserve Fund for Francis Marion University's Freshwater Ecology Center.
The Conservation Bank is afforded $1.5 million in recurring and $4 million in nonrecurring for conservation grants.
The Human Affairs Commission is appropriated $71 thousand recurring and $70 thousand nonrecurring for SC Pregnancy Accommodations Act training.
The Workers' Compensation Commission receives $1.8 million in nonrecurring funds for information technology modernization.
The Department of Consumer Affairs is appropriated $118 thousand in recurring funds for an Assistant Consumer Advocate.
The Department of Motor Vehicles is afforded $4 million in nonrecurring funds for REAL ID implementation costs.
The Department of Transportation receives $4 million in nonrecurring funds for upgrades to the state's rest areas.
The Department of Administration is afforded $5 million in recurring funds, $27 million in nonrecurring funds, and $29 million from the Capital Reserve Fund for state-owned building deferred maintenance needs.
$114 thousand in recurring funds is provided for a Deputy Inspector General staff attorney position.
The Department of Archives and History receives $100 thousand in nonrecurring funds for the African American Heritage Commission's Greenbook of SC.
The Arts Commission is afforded $865 thousand in recurring funds for community arts development and education grants.
$1 million in recurring funds is provided for aid to county libraries.
H.4007 PROHIBITION ON THE IMPORTATION OF WILDLIFE Rep. Hixon
Recommended by the Legislative Oversight Committee, this bill prohibits a person from transporting certain types of wildlife for any purpose.
H.4009 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Rep. Hixon
Recommended by the Legislative Oversight Committee, this bill, among many things, updates names of divisions within the Department of Natural Resources. It also cleans up legislation as well as deletes unnecessary provisions.
H.4011 "WATER RESOURCE AND PLANNING COORDINATION ACT" Rep. Hixon
Recommended by the Legislative Oversight Committee, this bill makes statutory changes to reflect the duties of DNR as it relates the water resource and planning efforts.
H.4012 LAND RESOURCES CONSERVATION COMMISSION Rep. Hixon
Among many things, the bill updates definitions and reformats the state Land Resources Conservation Commission into the Land, Water and Conservation Division Advisory Committee.
H.4013 STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNIT Rep. Hixon
Recommended by the Legislative Oversight Committee, this bill changes certain requirements for the state geologist. The bill also requires that the state geologist become familiar with geologic hazards throughout the state.
H.4014 LEASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS TO GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES Rep. Hixon
Recommended by the Legislative Oversight Committee, this bill designates the Department of Health and Environmental Control as the exclusive agent in selecting lands.
H.4015 NEW HORIZONS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Rep. Hixon
Recommended by the Legislative Oversight Committee, this bill repeals Chapter 11 of Title 13 relating to the New Horizons Development Authority.
H.4016 PRETRIAL INTERVENTION RELATING TO CRIMES Rep. Hixon
Recommended by the Legislative Oversight Committee, this bill excludes persons who committed saltwater fishery-related offenses from intervention.
S.35 REINFORCING COLLEGE EDUCATION ON AMERICA'S CONSTITUTIONAL HERITAGE
ACT OR THE REACH ACT Sen. Grooms
This bill enacts the "Reinforcing College Education on America's Constitutional Heritage Act" or the "REACH Act" relating to the study of the United States Constitution requisite for graduation, to provide that each public high school must provide instruction concerning the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the Declaration of Independence to each student for at least one year. This also provides that each institution of higher learning must provide instruction concerning the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the Declaration of Independence to each undergraduate student for three semester credit hours, and repeals the section relating to the enforcement of the program of study of the United States Constitution by the State Superintendent of Education.
H.4003 MILITARY PRIORITY REGISTRATION ACT Rep. Huggins
This bill would enact the "Military Priority Registration Act" to provide priority course enrollment for militaryrelated students.
H.4051 PUBLIC RAILROAD CROSSING Rep. Murphy
This bill provides that prior to commencing repairs, rehabilitation, or maintenance of a public railroad crossing that requires the closure or blockage of the crossing to motor vehicle traffic, the railroad corporation or railroad company initiating the repairs, rehabilitation, or maintenance shall notify the affected local governmental entity not less than seventytwo hours before the free movement of motor vehicles is infringed upon or blocked and to prohibit railroad corporations or railroad companies from closing, blocking, or obstructing public railroad crossings for repairs, rehabilitation, or maintenance between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
H.4053 UTILITY TASK VEHICLE Rep. Bradley
This bill provides for the issuance of permit decals or registration cards by the DMV to certain owners of utility task vehicles, to allow the operation of permitted utility task vehicles on certain public streets and roadways, and to define the term "utility task vehicle".
S.181 BIOLOGICAL PARENT INFORMATION FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS Senator McElveen Biological parents could provide their personal medical history information--but no personally identifiable information-- when they consent to an adoption, or when they or relinquish their parental rights to facilitate an adoption. It will then be made available to the prospective adoptive parents as well as the family court. An adoptee may see it once turning 18, or prior to that time, if good cause is shown.
S.211 RELEASING CHILD FATALITY AND NEAR FATALITY INFORMATION IN ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES Senator Young Authorizes the release of information about child fatalities or near fatalities. Sets out a definition of a "near fatality".
S.260 REVISED UNIFORM UNINCORPORATED NONPROFIT ASSOCIATION ACT Senator Goldfinch Enacts the "Revised Uniform Unincorporated Nonprofit Association Act." It sets out powers of unincorporated nonprofit associations, specifies liability for debts; individual liabilities and immunities from liability; handling members; acquiring or disposing assets; and a process for resolving lawsuits and other legal actions brought against--or on behalf of-- these associations. They are also allowed to designate an agent for service.
H.3999 SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY ACT OF 2019 Rep. B. Cox Enacts the "South Carolina Constitutional Carry Act of 2019." This proposed legislation revises the locations and circumstances where carrying a handgun will not be legal, even if the firearm carrier has a concealed weapon permit. Prohibited sites for carrying a pistol include law enforcement or corrections facilities; courthouses; polling places; county, city, or school district meetings or offices; school or college events; daycares; federally prohibited venues; churches or religious sanctuaries; medical clinics or doctors' offices; dwellings of others; and locations with proper signage prohibiting firearms there. Replaces the term "weapon" with the term "firearm." Property owners would still be able to allow certain persons to carry a concealable weapon on their property without a permit.
H.4005 DESTRUCTIVE TENANTS AND EXPEDITED EVICTIONS Rep. Huggins Landlords, for a fee, could expedite the ejectments of certain tenants under this legislation.
H.4006 HOUSING AUTHORITY EMERGENCY MEASURES Rep. Pendarvis
Creates circumstances for county legislative delegation to declare a state of emergency. In that event, housing authority commissioners could be suspended, subject to review by the mayor where the housing authority exists. Also allows permanent removal of these commissioners under certain circumstances.
H.4023 CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS ON UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL GROUNDS Rep. Long
Deletes restrictions placed on concealed weapon permit holders from carrying firearms on post-secondary school campuses, including athletic event venues.
H.4031 POPULAR ELECTIONS FOR JUSTICES, APPELLATE JUDGES, AND TRIAL JUDGES Rep. King
State Supreme Court justices [for 6-year terms instead of 10 years], Court of Appeals judges, and Circuit Court judges [for 4-year terms instead of 6 years] would be popularly elected, by state qualified voters, by this proposed state constitutional amendment. Vacancies on these courts would be filled by our governor, upon with the advice and consent of the senate, for the unexpired term of any predecessor. Eliminates the Judicial Merit Selection Commission.
H.4044 VOLUNTARILY DISCLOSING PARTY AFFILIATION WHEN REGISTERING TO VOTE Rep. Fry Registrants could voluntarily disclose their political party affiliation at the time they register to vote. Furthermore, this voluntary, self-identification of one's political party affiliation could not be used to restrict primary voting. This information will be subject for disclosure under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
H.4045 HATE CRIMES DATABASE MAINTAINED BY SLED Rep. King The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) would establish a hate crimes database that would be made publically available.
H.4046 NO MORE NOTICE OF COUNTY POLITICAL CONVENTIONS IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS Rep. Fry Eliminates the requirement that a county political committee publish certain notices regarding county conventions in newspapers with a general circulation in that county.
H.4047 CANDIDATE'S NAME ONE TIME IN ONE ELECTION ON ONE BALLOT Rep. Fry Prohibits candidates from filing more than one statement of intention of candidacy for a single election. In addition, they can only be nominated by one political party for a single office in an election. The net result being that a candidate's name could only appear on the ballot one time for any one office.
H.4048 NOTICE TO INMATES ABOUT RESTORING VOTING RIGHTS Rep. Garvin The SC Department of Corrections would be required to provide inmates with specified information about, as well as forms for, restoring voting rights when an inmate is being released from their custody.
H.4049 UNLAWFUL ATLANTIC OCEAN SEISMIC TEST PERMITTING Rep. Stavrinakis Creates the criminal offense of unlawful permitting. It would prohibit the approval of any plan, license, application, or permit that would facilitate the construction, infrastructure installation, or use of any property in support of Atlantic Ocean seismic testing. This testing would be for locating oil and natural gas reserves. All construction and related activities would relate to oil and gas transportation or storage on South Carolina soil.
H.4052 PROBATE COURT PAYMENTS FOR MINORS AND INCAPACITATED PEOPLE Rep. Johnson
This proposal allows probate courts the discretion to order reasonable payments, expenditures, or disbursements for the specific needs of minors or incapacitated people not specifically authorized elsewhere in our state code.
S.310 UNSTAMPED OR UNTAXED CIGARETTES Sen. Alexander
This bill clarifies language pertaining to unstamped or untaxed cigarettes, to provide that unstamped or untaxed cigarettes are contraband goods that may be seized by the Department of Revenue or any law enforcement agency of the state without a warrant. The bill further clarifies that seized cigarettes must be delivered to the Department of Revenue.
S.323 DEBTOR NAMED ON A WARRANT FOR DISTRAINT Sen. Alexander
This bill allows the Department of Revenue to submit certain information to a financial institution regarding a debtor that has been named on a warrant for distraint and requires the financial institution to provide certain information to the department.
S.398 GRACE PERIOD ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE NEW CIGARETTE STAMP TAX
REQUIREMENTS Sen. Alexander
This joint resolution provides for a grace period on the enforcement of the new cigarette stamp tax requirements, running through October 1, 2019, to afford sellers additional time to deplete their remaining inventories of unstamped packages of cigarettes.
H.3998 "WORKFORCE AND SENIOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACT" Rep. Bannister
This bill enacts the "Workforce and Senior Affordable Housing Act" to allow a taxpayer eligible for a federal lowincome housing tax credit to claim a lowincome state tax credit.
H.4004 "PHYSICIAN ORDERS FOR SCOPE OF TREATMENT (POST) ACT" Rep. Clary
This bill enacts the "Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) Act" to enable certain persons to execute a POST form signed by a physician that sets forth the patient's wishes as to lifesustaining care. The legislation requires health care providers and health care facilities to accept a POST form as a valid medical order which takes precedence over an advance directive and to comply with the order, with exceptions. The legislation establishes a Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) Advisory Council and provides for its membership and duties. The legislation requires the Department of Health and Environmental Control to perform certain duties with respect to overseeing POST forms and to promulgate regulations. The legislation provides immunity from civil and criminal liability and from disciplinary action for certain persons acting in accordance with provisions of the legislation.
H.4008 HERITAGE TRUST REVENUE BONDS REPEALED Rep. Hixon
This bill revises Heritage Trust Program provisions by repealing provisions for Heritage Trust Revenue Bonds. This bill makes revisions recommended by the House Legislative Oversight Committee's study of the Department of Natural Resources.
H.4010 HERITAGE TRUST PROGRAM Rep. Hixon
This bill revises provisions for land acquired under the Heritage Trust Program, so as to remove the maximum acreage limitation. This bill makes revisions recommended by the House Legislative Oversight Committee's study of the Department of Natural Resources.
H.4017 SOUTH CAROLINA FILM COMMISSION OBJECTIVES Rep. Clary
This bill revises Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism provisions to establish objectives for the South Carolina Film Commission. This bill makes revisions recommended by the House Legislative Oversight Committee's study of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.
H.4018 DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM REVISIONS Rep. Clary
This bill makes revisions recommended by the House Legislative Oversight Committee's study of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. The makes provisions for funds from the defunct War Between the States Heritage Preserve Commission and repeals obsolete provisions relating to the defunct commission. The legislation repeals provisions relating to the Fort Watson Revolutionary Memorial. The legislation repeals provisions relating to "Family Week in South Carolina".
H.4019 HUNTING ISLAND Rep. Clary
This bill makes revisions recommended by the House Legislative Oversight Committee's study of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. The legislation revises Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism provisions to remove references to residential areas on Hunting Island.
H.4020 PRT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DUTIES Rep. Clary
This bill makes revisions recommended by the House Legislative Oversight Committee's study of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. The legislation adds duties relating to community development to the general powers and duties of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and repeals provisions relating to the agency's division of community development.
H.4021 USE OF CABINS AT STATE PARKS Rep. Clary
This bill makes revisions recommended by the House Legislative Oversight Committee's study of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. The legislation removes the prohibition on swimming and rental or use of cabins at state parks.
H.4022 "WORKFORCE EDUCATION ACT" Rep. Mace
This bill enacts the "Workforce Education Act". The legislation charges the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education with creating parameters and guidelines for a fiveyear South Carolina Workforce Education School Pilot Program for adults aged twentyone years and older seeking a high school diploma. The legislation makes provisions for acceptance into the pilot program and provides for program governance. The legislation makes provisions for reports and recommendations to be submitted annually to the General Assembly.
H.4050 TEACHER SALARY INCREASES Rep. Brown
This bill revises the teacher salary schedule to require a ten percent increase in each step on the schedule.