South Carolina Legislative Report - April 26, 2013

April 26, 2013 

 

On the Floor

Utility Theft

This week the House of Representatives concurred with Senate amendments on H. 3568. The legislation will be sent to the Governor for approval once ratified. The bill proposes to enhance the penalties for altering, tampering with or bypassing electric, and gas or water meters. 

Electronic Waste Recycling

H. 3847 was approved by the House this week and sent to the Senate for consideration. The legislation revises the current electronic waste provisions by creating manufacturer driven solutions for the collection and recycling of covered electronic devices.

Pollution Control Act

H. 3925, Pollution Control Act revisions, was moved to the contested calendar in the House of Representatives this week.  Specifically, the bill clarifies the parties that may petition regarding a violation of the Act and the applicability of the savings clause of Act 198 of 2012 to cases filed before June 6, 2012.

Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act

This week the House passed H. 3093, the Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act. The legislation proposes tax credits to developers who renovate building that have been abandoned for at least 5 years.

High Growth Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2013

The House of Representative passed H. 3505 this week and sent it to the senate for consideration. The legislation would provide for nonrefundable income tax credits to certain investments primarily engaged in manufacturing, warehousing, wholesaling, software development, IT services, research and development and other qualified service.

Telemedicine Act

S. 290 was approved by the Senate this week and sent to the House.  The legislation authorizes telemedicine consultations and creates the Telemedicine Advisory Council.

Introductions of Notable Legislation

S. 659 – Unlawful to engage in business of deferred presentment services in South Carolina.

S. 642 - Resolution encouraging schools to utilize energy efficiency and incentives offered by the local utilities.

H. 4018 - Tax credit for employing a former inmate.

H. 4019 - Tax Increment Financing for Counties - Redevelopment costs will include environmental remediation. 

H. 4020 - First Steps Reauthorization.

H. 4025 - Employment Discrimination - Prohibition based on sexual orientation and gender identification.

 

In Committee

Medicaid Nursing Home Permits

The House Ways & Means Committee gave a favorable report to H. 3978 as amended this week. The legislation amends the definition of a “Medicaid Permit Day,” specifies how additional permit days may be allotted and sets compliance standards and penalties for violations.  The bill will be up for debate on the House floor next week.

Department of Administration

The House Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report, as amended to, S. 22 this week. The government-restructuring bill would create a Department of Administration and effectively eliminate the Budget & Control Board. The bill will also create a State Fiscal Accountability Authority made up of the Governor, Comptroller General, Treasurer, Ways and Means Chairman, and Senate Finance Chairman. Deficit Recognition will now be handled by the General Assembly, when in session, and a new Legislative Services Agency will now be responsible for all fiscal and revenue impact statements.

Appropriations

The Senate Finance Committee heard from the Office of State Budget and the Department of Mental Health this week. The committee will continue next week, taking testimony from Health and Human Services Director, Tony Keck. Senate Finance Committee will begin their budget deliberations next week.

 

In The News

South Carolina agency posts hospital financial data, showing profits over 4 years

The executive director of the Medical University Hospital called financial hospital data about individual profits posted on the S.C. Department of Health and Human Service’s website last week “very misleading” and “not entirely correct.”

SC House passes Obamacare ‘resistance’ bill 

House Republicans pushed through a bill Thursday that would ban state employees from carrying out provisions of the Affordable Care Act and empower the state’s attorney general to take action against violators.

Colbert Busch Outraises Sanford Nearly Two-to-One

Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch raised nearly twice as much money as did former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford over the last two months, ahead of the May 7 special election for the Palmetto State's 1st District seat, according to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission late on Thursday.

Meetings

Tuesday, April 30th

  • 10:00 am -- Gressette Room 207 -- Confirmation Hearing of the Finance Special
  • 10:00 am -- Gressette Room 105 -- Finance Special Subcommittee
  • 10:30 am -- Gressette Room 307 -- Finance Higher Education Subcommittee on Provisos
  • 11:30 am -- Blatt Room 511 -- Ethics Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Advisory Opinions
  • 3:00 pm -- Gressette Room 308 -- Judiciary Committee
  • 3:00 pm -- Gressette Room 105 -- Finance Committee

Wednesday, May 1st

  • 9:00 am -- Blatt Room 427 -- 3-M Subcommittee VI, Other Occupational Regulation and Licensing Boards
  • 9:00 am -- Gressette Room 308 -- K-12 Education Subcommittee
  • 9:00 am -- Gressette Room 307 -- Fish, Game and Forestry Subcommittee
  • 9:00 am -- Gressette Room 207 -- Judiciary Subcommittee
  • 9:15 am -- Gressette Room 407 -- Judiciary Subcommittee on H.3014
  • 10:00 am -- Gressette Room 207 -- Fish, Game and Forestry Committee
  • 10:00 am -- Gressette Room 209 -- L.C.I. Regulatory Subcommittee
  • 1.5 hours after the House adjourns -- Blatt Room 433 -- E.P.W. Motor Vehicles Subcommittee

Thursday, May 2nd

  • 9:00 am -- Blatt Room 427 -- 3-M Subcommittee III, Local Government and Corrections Affairs
  • 9:00 am -- Blatt Room 516 -- Judiciary Election and Ethics Laws Subcommittee
  • 9:00 am -- Gressette Room 207 -- Corrections and Penology Committee
  • 10:00 am -- Gressette Room 209 -- Judiciary Subcommittee
  • 10:00 am -- Gressette Room 207 -- Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee
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