Legislative Update
May 10, 2021
Vol. 38, No. 16
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
BILLS INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK
NOTE: These summaries are prepared by the staff of the South Carolina House of Representatives and are not the expression of the legislation's sponsor(s) or the House of Representatives. They are strictly for the internal use and benefit of members of the House of Representatives and are not to be construed by a court of law as an expression of legislative intent.
After the House considered S.200 XE "S. 200" , death sentence methodology, it returned it to the Senate with House amendments. Under this bill, anyone sentenced to death could elect to die by firing squad, electrocution, or lethal injection. (The choice of lethal injection only if lethal injection is available at the time of election). Any written election that expires must be renewed in writing. Death must be administered by firing squad or electrocution for those waiving their right of election. A death sentence must be firing squad or electrocution, regardless of the method elected by the person, if execution by lethal injection is unavailable, or is held to be unconstitutional by an appellate court.
S.229, the South Carolina Child Abuse Response Protocol Act has been ratified as R. 41, and sent to the governor for his signature. It requires multidisciplinary teams to be involved in child abuse investigations. They also will have to follow specified child abuse response protocols. These protocols cannot be used by the defense in any criminal prosecutions. An advisory committee will work to review and update these protocols. Finally, it would make children's advocacy centers hold certain accreditation status, or be actively pursuing this accreditation.
The House gave second reading and ordered returned to the Senate with amendments to S.427, a bill allowing a renal drug manufacturer, registered with the State Board of Pharmacy, to deliver dialysate drugs or devices directly to a patient with end-stage renal disease for the patient's approved self-administration of dialysis therapy (or, deliver to a health care provider or institution for administration of dialysis therapy to a patient with end-stage renal disease). Currently under the Pharmacy Practice Act, pharmacist must take continuing education courses in person, this bill also allows a pharmacist and pharmacist technicians to take some continuing education classes online.
Also enrolled and on its way to the Governor after it is ratified is S.619, proposed legislation covering brewery, winery, and micro-distillery on-premises alcohol sales. If a winery is the primary American source of supply for the wine it sells; or a brewery is the primary American source of supply of beer with an alcohol content of twelve percent or less, or sealed beer with an alcohol content of fourteen percent or less, it sells; or a micro-distillery is the primary American source of supply of liquors produced, then they can make these sales on their premises, subject to specified quantity restrictions. It also allows manufacturer satellite certificates for breweries, wineries, and micro-distilleries to sell their products in certain locations, subject to certain conditions.
The House ratified and the Governor signed H.3017 (R. 49) which provides that two-year institutions of higher learning and technical colleges be among institutions of higher learning whose students may be eligible for Palmetto Fellows scholarships. Currently the Palmetto Fellows scholarship is available only to students attending an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina. The bill specifically deletes the current exclusion of two-year and technical institutions. Moreover, a student who uses the Palmetto Fellows scholarship to attend eligible two-year institution shall receive a maximum of four continuous semesters and may continue to use the scholarship to attend an eligible four-year institution. The Senate amendment that the House accepted would add three-year degrees and the use of the scholarship for six semesters. These programs are largely available in the technical college system.
The House gave third reading and sent to the Senate H. 3591 XE "H.3591" , the teacher preparation report card. This bill would improve the means for evaluating educator preparation programs to train new teachers by directing several agencies to develop and annually publish before November 1 an online report card known as the "South Carolina Teacher Preparation Report Card." The report will evaluate the ability of educator preparation programs including alternate programs, to train new teachers. The bill also would require SDE to share data regarding the graduates of the various preparation programs with the respective providers. In addition to the State Board of Education, the Department of Education and the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, the committee amendment adds the Center for Research on Teacher Education (SC-TEACHER). These entities will form a commission to conduct a detailed assessment of the teacher data infrastructure, develop metrics, determine weightings, construct a data upload system and create reports regarding educator preparation programs. The educator preparation report card must be published on the websites of SDE, CHE and educator preparation programs. Data on "nationally normed performance assessments that are data and evidence-based and can assess teacher effectiveness" are to be used.
The House gave third reading and sent to the sent H. 3592 XE "H.3592" . This bill regards the statewide assessment program to promote student learning and student performance. It establishes that an 'interim assessment' means a test that may be administered at least once, but no more than three times, over an academic year. The bill has details governing the frequency of tests (and exceptions). This bill would delete the requirement for an end of course assessment in United States history. The course would still be required. Specific diagnostic information must be included, among which is certain related information that districts and schools shall provide parents or guardians of students being assessed (including that if the assessment is administered more than once during the school year, information provided to the teacher and parent or guardian must document all prior administrations of the assessment so that the parent or guardian can determine the progress of the student). The bill would require the administration of the ACT (with the writing assessment) to eleventh grade students beginning with the 2021-2022 school year and for five years thereafter. The department shall procure a college readiness assessment provider that includes sections in mathematics, English, writing, and science. Further, that beginning with the 2022-2023 school year the Department shall embed items in standards-based assessments to address certain social studies standards on the SC Ready reading and writing assessments. Amended language ensures that the SC READY assessment remains the main determinant regarding whether a student needs additional assistance. The amendment also made a few technical changes ("interim" instead of "formative" regarding assessments) and clarified language and intent (including that there is to be only one assessment given to students over the course of the school year except for assessments that are designed to be administered more than once but not more than three times.
The House gave third reading and sent to the Senate with amendments S.201. The House amendment to the bill providing Assistance for Struggling Schools and Districts were a strike all and insert. This detailed and complex bill changes the definitions of "chronically underperforming schools," "underperforming schools," and "underperforming district." The Senate uses report card ratings, while the House uses the percentage of students scoring at certain levels on state assessments. The Senate version is an easier way to classify schools, but the issuance of report cards, especially for consecutive years, has been very inconsistent. The bill requires the State Department of Education to provide assistance to struggling schools and districts, and the Superintendent must provide an annual report to the General Assembly its progress. The legislative delegation, parents, and students must be informed about struggling schools in their area. The district must create a turnaround plan and broad-based community input is required. After the local school board adopts the plan, SDE must concur. The State Superintendent may seek a state-of-education emergency declaration for a school or district, and the State Board must approve. After a school has been in a state of emergency for three consecutive years, or five of the last seven years if the committee amendment is adopted, the State Superintendent may extend the state of emergency for an additional three-year period, but only with State Board approval. Once a school or district is placed under the care of the Department, the state Superintendent assumes management. If a district is in a state of emergency, the local board is dissolved, and an interim board is put in place. The amendment gives the Governor one appointment, the legislative delegation one appointment, and the Superintendent three appointments with legislative delegation consultation. A school and district takeover can be appealed to the Administrative Law Court. If a district is taken over, the county council assumes taxing and millage authority. Senate bill 201 is a companion to House bill 3610 that was adopted by the House on February 23 by a vote of 91-18.
S.231 XE "S. 231" , the Student Identification Card Suicide Prevention Act, was recalled from the committee on Education and Public Works, received second and third reading and was enrolled for ratification. This bill would enact the "Student Identification Card Suicide Prevention Act." This bill would provide that public schools and public and private institutions of higher learning shall add the telephone number for the national suicide prevention lifeline to student identification cards and may add telephone and text numbers for certain other hotlines to student identification cards, and provide for the use of student identification cards in existence before the implementation of this requirement.
The House ratified and the Governor signed S.685 (R. 48). This bill provides for the compensation of intercollegiate athletes by a third party for the use of an athlete's name, image, or likeness (NIL). Numerous definitions are provided. The bill provides for guidelines and safeguards to protect both the student athletes in college athletics from misuse or abuse of contracts. Per RFA's FI summary: "the bill establishes provisions for an intercollegiate athlete to earn compensation for the use of his name, image, or likeness (NIL). Compensation may only be provided by a third party, and may only be for third party endorsements, the athlete's non-athletic work product, or activities related to a business that the athlete owns. Such activities may not take place during the student's academic, athletic, or team-mandated activities. In addition, compensation may not be earned for the endorsement of tobacco, alcohol, illegal substances or activities, banned athletic substances, or gambling. For the purposes of this bill, "third-party" is defined as any entity other than the institution of higher learning in which the intercollegiate athlete is enrolled. This bill also allows student athletes to obtain an athlete agent for the purposes of securing compensation for their NIL. Athlete agents must be registered by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). A grant-in-aid awarded to the athlete by an institution of higher learning is not considered compensation. Such an award may not be revoked or reduced as a result of the athlete earning compensation. Compensation earned for the use of an athlete's NIL may not be used to limit athletic grant-in-aid, but may be used in the calculation or his need-based financial aid. Earning compensation in compliance with this bill does not affect the student's athletic eligibility. The bill prohibits compensation for the student's athletic participation or performance, or for his attendance at a particular institution. In addition, use of such compensation by an institution or its boosters as a recruiting inducement is prohibited. The athlete may not use his institution's facilities, uniforms, or intellectual property in connection with the use of his NIL. An institution of higher learning and its athletic conference are prohibited from directly or indirectly creating or facilitating compensation opportunities for an athlete. In addition, an institution and any entity that supports or benefits the institution or its athletic programs may not directly or indirectly compensate an athlete for the use of his NIL. An institution of higher learning may only prohibit an athlete from using his NIL for compensation if that use conflicts with an existing sponsorship agreement or the institution's values. The bill provides guidance on disclosure of information by the institution, the athlete, and the agent representing the athlete."
The House ratified and the Governor signed S.607 (R. 45), which relates to the removal of charter school district board members for cause or due to incapacity. The bill revises the bases for removal and provides that resulting membership vacancies must be filled pursuant to certain bylaws of the charter school. It also removes the charter school district from the provisions.
The House passed, and enrolled, a bill to redefine the state capitol grounds boundaries and authority of the Sergeant at Arms for each chamber, S.131. This bill modifies the existing definition of "capitol grounds" as the area inward from the vehicular traveled surfaces of Gervais, Sumter, Pendleton, and Assembly Streets in Columbia. It also sets out what constitutes unauthorized entry into the capitol. Specifies actions that are unlawful in any building on the capitol grounds. Declares the State House open to the public, and closed only under certain circumstances. As a final feature, it expands duties of each Chamber's Sergeants at Arms staff, and allows deputies to be hired.
The House ratified and the Governor signed S.667 XE "S. 667" . This bill provides options and parameters to adjust or relocate outdoor advertising signs to restore visibility, and provide for the costs of adjustment or relocation. This bill permits the owner of an outdoor advertising sign whose property is acquired by highway projects the option of relocating the sign to a position within five hundred feet of the original site or alter to where no portion of the sign overhangs the right of way. Also, the owner of an outdoor advertising sign, in which its visibility has been obscured by a project, has the option to alter the height or angle of the sign, or relocate the sign. This bill transfers the responsibility for compensation under a local highway project to the political subdivision responsible for the local highway project.
The House ratified and the Governor signed H.3689 (R. 50) (regarding an international truck registration plan). H.3689 is a bill that corrects inadvertent problems in Act 40, the 2017 "Road Funding Bill." One of the things that Act did was to create a "Road Use Fee (RUF)." This bill would provide that if a commercial motor vehicle is registered through the international registration plan and is operated under a United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) number assigned to a person other than the vehicle's owner, then the person to whom the US DOT number is assigned may register the commercial motor vehicle by submitting the appropriate application and fees to the Department of Motor Vehicles. This bill codifies existing agency procedures. This addresses integrated trucking fleets. The Senate amendments clarify that the DMV has administrative control over registration, treats intra-state vehicles like inter-state trucks, effectively freeing counties from certain administrative burdens -- clarifying that the DMV as the "1-Stop-Shop" for commercial truck customers. The amendments also restore quarterly-payment installment options.
The House ratified and the Governor signed H.3805 (R. 51). This legislation standardizes military license plates administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles Article by creating Article 147 Military Special License Plates for consistent treatment. Currently, there are different standards for similarly classified military-related license plates. This bill provides that the DMV may issue and regulate various military special license plates and repeal various articles. The Senate added Veteran or Veteran wheelchair if the registrant qualifies for handicapped parking and female Veteran or female Veteran wheelchair if the registrant qualifies for handicapped parking. Also, they added disabled female Veteran and the same regarding disabled female Veteran (wheelchair) (the applicant must be considered totally and permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability as evidenced by official military documentation). The following categories and lists are reflective of the bill, which bears reading for further identification. The House had also added language defining veteran or veteran wheelchair if the registrant qualifies for handicapped parking and Combat-Related Disabled Veteran where the registrant must have a combat-related disability as evidenced by a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs defining a combat and operations-related disability. The bill enumerates or touches on fifty-six different license plates.
The House approved and enrolled for ratification S.431, a bill that updates the name of the three major children's hospitals in the state that serve as the Regional Tertiary Level Developmental Evaluation Centers. These centers provide comprehensive developmental assessment and treatment services for children with developmental disabilities, significant developmental delays, or behavioral or learning disorders. Currently the names are the Department of Pediatrics of MUSC, University Pediatrics of USC, and Children's Hospital of the Greenville Hospital, the names will update to Medical University of South Carolina, Prisma Health - University of South Carolina Medical Group, and Prisma Health - University Medical Group. The children's hospital of Greenville and Columbia and are now part of Prisma Health System. The name change for the Charleston health system reflects a previous internal restructuring of clinical services at MUSC.
The House approved and enrolled for ratification S.455, a bill codifying the current practice of the temporary licensure for graduate nurses authorized last year under the public health emergency statute as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. The authorization allowed qualified nurse graduates to receive a temporary license, with certain conditions, to work under supervision of a licensed registered nurse while awaiting the nursing exam for permanent license. The bill also provides for situations in which temporary licensure as a graduate nurse can be immediately revoked.
The House approved and enrolled for ratification S. 503, a bill that provides for advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to issue orders for certain home health services, was given a favorable report by the committee. Currently, home health services can only be ordered by a physician.
The House gave third reading and sent to the Senate H.3416, a bill that clarifies that a county veterans officer is an at-will employee of the county legislative delegation and is considered a county employee. The bill adds that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may offer recommendations to the county delegation after annual reviews of the local county veterans' affairs office.
The House approved and enrolled for ratification S.107, a bill that make changes to the Beach Preservation Policy. The bill outlines that if the primary ocean front sand dune is more than two hundred feet landward of the current line of stable vegetation, then the baseline must be established seaward of the primary oceanfront sand dune at a distance equal to thirty percent of the measured distance from the primary oceanfront sand dune to the current line of stable vegetation. It further outlines that if there is no primary oceanfront sand dune, then the baseline must be established at whichever is further as written in existing law. In addition, the bill removes the study requirement in cases where primary oceanfront sand dunes do not exist.
The House gave third reading and ordered returned to the Senate with amendments S.545. This bill deals with nongame fishing devices, which allows for the use of set hooks on the Santee River with set limits of 50 and allows commercial use of hoop nets on the Wateree River with a limit of 10. In addition, the bill prohibits the use of hoop nets on the Congaree River.
The House gave third reading and ordered returned to the Senate with amendments S.36. The bill makes it unlawful to possess more than two blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) longer than thirty-two inches in length in any one day in all state waterways, including Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, or the upper reach of the Santee River, and the Congaree and Wateree Rivers. The bill also outlines a daily catch limit of twenty-five for blue catfish in all state waterways including Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, the upper reach of the Santee River.
The House amended Senate amendments, and returned to the Senate, H.3539, a bill that deals with transportation of feral hogs (swine) and the possession of non-native venomous reptiles. In order to address a growing concern for farmers, this bill requires transported hogs on public roads or waterways to have an official form of identification approved by the state veterinarian and must be transported in such a way that the swine is visible. Live hogs transported without identification are presumed to have been taken from the wild. Pigs that do not leave the premises of the swine owner are not subject to the identification requirement. The bill clarifies that it is unlawful to import, possess, buy, sell, offer for sale, transfer, or transport a live member of the family Suidae (pig) taken from the wild; or release a live member of the family Suidae (pig) into the wild. A person who violates this provision is guilty of a misdemeanor. The bill also gives the Department of Natural Resources the authority to seize or destroy any swine obtained as it relates to this provision. As amended, this bill also declares that no one may import, possess, keep, purchase, have custody or control of, reproduce, or sell non-native venomous reptiles. Doing so after July 1, 2021 will be an illegal activity that would carry a five-year prison sentence and/or fines of up to $5,000. SCDNR would have the right to confiscate these reptiles as contraband, and have other remedies available to it. Anyone having possession of these animals prior to July 1, 2021 may register them with the SCDNR, and follow the specified guidelines for retaining their custody of these animals. The bill has a sunset provision of July 1, 2024.
The Ways and Means Committee was the only committee to meet this week
The Ways and Means Committee met on Tuesday, May 4, and reported out several bills.
The committee gave a favorable report on S.463, a bill providing for a geothermal machinery tax credit extension. The legislation provides for an extension of the tax credits for the purchase of geothermal machinery and equipment so that these tax credits are set to expire at the beginning of 2032 instead of 2022.
The committee gave a favorable report on S.587, a bill addressing economic development bonds for meeting and exhibit spaces. The legislation revises provisions governing economic development bonds for conventions and trade shows, to provide that the provisions requiring the reimbursement of bond proceeds, plus interest, upon the sale of a meeting and exhibit space are not applicable if the sale proceeds are used in their entirety for a new meeting and exhibit space of not less than fifty thousand square feet.
The committee gave a favorable with amendment report on S.677, a bill addressing the allocation of tax credits earned by partnerships. The legislation makes provisions the allocation of a tax credits for affordable housing, the rehabilitation of historic structures, and textiles communities revitalization or unused credit amount carried forward that are earned by a partnership or limited liability company taxed as a partnership.
The committee gave a favorable report on S.436, relating to Community Development Tax Credits. The legislation revises provisions governing Community Development Tax Credits to provide that an aggregate limit for all taxpayers in all tax years is increased by three million dollars. Of this additional three million dollars, only one million dollars may be used for credits earned and certificates issued in tax year 2021, and the remaining two million dollars only may be used for credits earned and certificates issued for tax years beginning after 2021.
The committee gave a favorable report on S.675, relating to the State Aviation Fund. The legislation revises the distribution of revenue from aircraft property taxes so that the revenue is credited to the State Aviation Fund. This revised distribution is phased-in with all revenue credited to the State Aviation Fund after Fiscal Year 2021-2022. The legislation provides that these revenues credited to the State Aviation Fund shall be used, in part, to aid counties within the State that do not have an airport facility in obtaining or developing an airport facility through the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission.
The committee gave a report of favorable with amendments on S.627, a bill addressing income taxes for pass-through trade and business entities. The legislation revises income tax provisions for certain partnerships, 'S' corporations, and limited liability companies to allow these pass-through entities the option paying income tax as an entity rather than being taxed individually as partners.
The House passed and enrolled for ratification S.689, authorizing a South Carolina individual income tax deadline extension. This joint resolution provides that for purposes of the South Carolina individual income tax, for tax year 2020, the due date for returns and payments is extended until the same date as federal returns and payments for individuals are due, as extended by the Internal Revenue Service.
The committee gave a favorable report on S.461, the "South Carolina Pay-for-Success Performance Accountability Act." The legislation establishes a performance accountability trust fund that is to be used for pay-for-success contracts under which the state contracts with a private sector organization to achieve specifically defined measureable outcomes in which the state pays only to the extent that the desired outcomes are achieved.
The committee gave a favorable report on S.658, a bill that relates to designating contingent beneficiaries in state retirement systems. The legislation provides that a member who is not retired may nominate a contingent beneficiary for receipt of payment on death of the member within all state retirement systems.
The committee gave a favorable report on S.527, a bill addressing the application of property taxes when homeowners are legally separated. The legislation revises property tax provisions to establish a protocol for the application for the special four percent assessment ratio for owner-occupied residential property in situations where individuals are legally separated.
The committee gave a favorable report on S.609, a bill addressing the criminal background checks conducted on those who handle federal tax records. The legislation authorizes state agencies and political subdivisions that have access to federal tax information to conduct criminal background checks on its employees and contractors that comply with federal Internal Revenue Service requirements.
H. 4325 XE "H.4325" Student Protections Regarding Critical Race Theory Rep. Long
This bill would provide that public school districts, public schools, and public institutions of higher learning may not direct or otherwise compel students to personally affirm, adopt, or adhere to the tenets of "critical race theory" or provide related instruction.
H. 4343 XE "H.4343" Academic Integrity Act Rep. Taylor
This bill would enact the "South Carolina Academic Integrity Act." This bill would provide that public school websites must include certain information and means of providing related feedback concerning instructional materials and curricula in use; provide related reporting requirements of the state Department of Education and school districts; protect students by prohibiting a school district from directing or otherwise compelling students to personally affirm, adopt, or adhere to what have become known as identity politics; prohibit the teaching, use, or promotion of the 1619 Project or certain other tenets; provide for the withholding of funding for noncompliance with certain provisions and to provide reporting requirements for public schools that seek or receive federal grants related to history or social studies education.
H. 4347 XE "H.4347" Sunscreen in School Rep. Gatch
This bill would provide that public schools may allow students to possess and use certain sunscreen on school property and at school-sponsored events with parental consent. Public schools may adopt policies allowing students to use articles of sun-protective clothing and to provide school districts may allow school personnel to assist students in applying sunscreen with written parental consent. The legislation also provides that day camps regulated by the Department of Social Services may allow campers to possess and use certain sunscreen on school property or at school-sponsored events with parental consent. Also, it would allow campers to use articles of sun-protective clothing and to provide these day camps may allow their personnel to assist campers in applying sunscreen with written parental consent.
H. 4319 XE "H.4319" \t "See 4316" Name on Real ID Rep. Calhoon
This bill would provide that upon the request of a person, the DMV must issue a Real ID compliant driver's license that contains the person's name as it appears on their current driver's license. This bill was introduced to the House and placed on the calendar without reference. Later the bill was sent to the Committee on Education and Public Works. Also, see H.4316.
H.4299 Taiwan and South Carolina Relations Rep. May
A proposed House Resolution to support the democracy of the Republic of China, also referred to as Taiwan. Taiwan is our 10th largest export customer. It also supports an expansion of relations between Taiwan and South Carolina.
H.4316 REAL ID Reform Rep. Calhoon
This is a Concurrent Resolution memorializing Congress to act. An effort to assist women whose legal name may appear differently on various legal documents due to their marriage, divorce, adoption, a hyphenated married name, or other circumstances, to nevertheless qualify for REAL ID licensing. See H.4319.
H.4321 Third Party Workers' Compensation Claim Notices Rep. Johnson
Any notice requirements for filing these actions against third parties would be permissive rather than mandatory if this bill is enacted. It also would repeal the existing one-year statute of limitations.
H.4322 "Justice Forty Oversight Committee" Rep. Cobb-Hunter
The "Justice Forty Oversight Committee" would study opportunities to address environmental justice issues in certain communities, then submit any recommendations to the White House Council on Environmental Quality, if this bill is enacted.
H.4324 New Alcohol Sales Hours Rep. Tedder
This proposal seeks to delete state Constitutional provisions that prohibit alcoholic beverage sales between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
H.4336 "Gun Violence Awareness Month" Rep. Jefferson
A bill to declare the month of June as "Gun Violence Awareness Month" in South Carolina.
H.4338 Hard Cider and Mead Makers Direct Sales Rep. Herbkersman
Licensed hard cider makers could have on-site hard cider or mead tastings, if it is manufactured in this state. If passed into law, it would also allow up to three off-site locations for these activities.
H.4339 Protective Orders Reform Rep. Pope
Clarifies existing statutory language to authorize courts to award additional relief after conducting protective order hearings.
H.4340 Sarah Mae Flemming Day Rep. Johnson
This legislation seeks to declare every June 22nd to be "Sarah Mae Flemming Day" in South Carolina. This honor would be in recognition of her early contribution to the civil rights movement in our state.
H.4341 Legislative Council Federal Action Review Rep. Magnuson
A bill to ban implementation of unconstitutional federal actions at any level in our state. To monitor federal activities, and enforce this ban, Legislative Council could review any presidential executive order, act, law, treaty, regulation, rule, or regulatory order issued, adopted, or implemented on or after January 1, 2021. It would then refer any suspect federal activity to our governor and state attorney general, who could recommend a constitutional review within the parameters set forth in this bill. The attorney general would submit any findings to the General Assembly for its consideration.
H.4342 Probate Judge Qualifications Rep. Rutherford
Newly elected probate judges would be required to hold a four-year Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree--or have four years' experience working in a probate court--in order to be eligible for this seat, under this proposal.
H.4318 Refunds for Interruptions in Cable Service Rep. Rutherford
This bill requires cable service providers to issue a pro rata refund to customers due to an interruption in cable service within fourteen days of the interruption in service. Noncompliance with this requirements results in a fine to the cable service provider in the amount of ten thousand dollars per day.
H.4323 State Scholarship Eligibility for Career Schools and Colleges Rep. Bennett
This bill would add institutions accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges to the list of public or independent institutions in the eligibility provisions for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarships, the Legislative Incentives for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarships, and the SC Hope Scholarships.