South Carolina Legislative Report - January 11, 2013
January 11, 2013
On the Floor
120th General Assembly Commences
The 1st session of the 120th General Assembly began on Tuesday and will run through June 6th. We anticipate government restructuring, election and ethics reform, tax reform, and funding infrastructure to be some of the top priorities this coming session.
Both houses will meet each week on Tuesday through Thursday, unless otherwise specified. Being the first of a two-year session, all proposed legislation must be introduced and work its way through the legislative process. Any bills remaining on the calendar at the end of the first session can be considered next year.
Introduction of New Legislation
H. 3167 – Concurrent Resolution declaring participation in Medicaid expansion
H. 3228 – Expiration of regulations after 5 years
H. 3264 – Elimination of Corporate Income Tax
H. 3265 – Property Tax Exemptions for manufacturing property
S. 178 – Unemployment Benefits: calculations for use of illegal drugs
In Committee
Senate Judiciary passes “Ballot Fix”
This week the Senate Judiciary Committee met to consider S. 2, legislation that would reconcile the law regarding candidates for office filing a statement of economic interest when declaring the candidacy. The committee reported it out favorably with an amendment. The bill will require that all candidates, including current office holders, to file their statements electronically. Confusion in the law resulted in over 200 candidates across the state being removed from the ballot after a State Supreme Court decision.
Budget Hearings Begin
The House Ways & Means subcommittees began taking testimony this week from state agencies regarding the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 budget. Some agencies that testified were the Election Commission, Parks Recreation and Tourism, the Legislative Audit Council, Inspector General, Office of the Adjutant General, Department of Commerce, the Forestry Commission, S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority, the Conservation Bank, Department of Corrections, Probation, Pardon and Parole Services, the Judicial Department, the Public Service Commission and the colleges and universities.
The full Ways & Means committee also heard a briefing on revenue forecasts from the Board of Economic Advisors. The state is expected to continue to experience slow growth that mirrors the national average as the economy continues to recover. South Carolina’s GDP makes up 1.1% of the nation and total growth in revenue is expected to be approximately 4.7%.
In The News
House Democrats Elect New Leader
The House Democratic Caucus elected Todd Rutherford (D-Richland) to be the Minority Leader this week. Rutherford will replace Harry Ott (D-Orangeburg) who is rumored to be considering a run for governor. Rutherford, an 8 term House member, beat Ted Vick (D-Chesterfield) for the seat. Rutherford expects Democrats to push for the state to accept the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Governor Haley has stated that she will not be accepting the expansions.
First District Congressional Race
The race to replace newly appointed Senator, Tim Scott, is getting big. Currently, the lists of announced candidates are: Former Gov. Mark Sanford (R), Former State Sen. John Kuhn (R), Teddy Turner (R), Sen. Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley), Rep. Chip Limehouse (R-Charleston). In addition, a list of likely candidates are: Rep. Peter McCoy (R-Charleston), Wendell Gilliard (D-Charleston), Robert Burton (Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for SC1 in 2010) and Former Charleston County Councilman Curtis Bostic.
The timeline for the special election is:
- Jan. 18 - Filing period opens and ends at noon on Jan. 28.
- March 19 - Primary Election Day.
- April 2 - Run-off from primary.
- May 7 - General Election Day.
Meetings
Monday, January 14
- 10:00 am Gressette Room 308 Energy Advisory Council of the State Regulation of Public Utilities Review Committee
Tuesday, January 15
- 10:00 am Blatt Room 511 Ways and Means Legislative, Executive and Local Government Subcommittee
- 10:00 am Blatt Room 501 Ways and Means Transportation and Regulatory Subcommittee
- 10:30 am Gressette Room 209 State Regulation of Public Utilities Review Committee
- 10:30 am Gressette Room 209 State Regulation of Public Utilities Review Committee
- 1 hour after the House adjourns Blatt Room 321 Ways and Means Higher Education, Technical, and Cultural Budget Subcommittee
- 1½ hours after the House adjourns Blatt Room 523 Ways and Means Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee
- 2:30 pm Blatt Room 305 Ways and Means Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Subcommittee
- 2:30 pm or 1½ hours after the House adjourns Blatt Room 427 Full Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee
- 2:30 pm Blatt Room 516 Judiciary Criminal Laws Subcommittee
- 2:30 pm Blatt Room 511 Ways and Means Legislative, Executive and Local Government Subcommittee
- 1 hour after the House adjourns Blatt Room 521 Ways and Means Public Education and Special Schools Subcommittee
- 1½ hours after the House adjourns Blatt Room 108 Ways and Means Healthcare Subcommittee
- 3:00 pm Gressette Room 308 Finance Committee
Wednesday, January 16
- 9:00 am Blatt Room 321 Ways and Means Higher Education, Technical, and Cultural Budget Subcommittee
- 10:00 am Blatt Room 521 Ways and Means Public Education and Special Schools Subcommittee
- 10:00 am Blatt Room 305 Ways and Means Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Subcommittee
- 10:00 am Blatt Room 403 L.C.I. Health Insurance Subcommittee (Agenda Available)
- 10:00 am Blatt Room 501 Ways and Means Transportation and Regulatory Subcommittee
- 10:00 am Blatt Room 108 Ways and Means Healthcare Subcommittee
- 10:00 am Gressette Room 209 Fish, Game and Forestry Committee
- 10:30 am Blatt Room 511 Ways and Means Legislative, Executive and Local Government Subcommittee
- 11:00 am Gressette Room 207 Transportation Committee
- 11:00 am Blatt Room 523 Ways and Means Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee
- 12:30 pm Blatt Room 516 Judiciary Election and Ethics Laws Subcommittee
Thursday, January 17
- 9:00 am Blatt Room 516 Judiciary Special Laws Subcommittee
- 9:00 am Gressette Room 209 Corrections and Penology Subcommittee on S.146
- 9:30 am Gressette Room 105 Judiciary Subcommittee on S.22 and S.28
- Upon adjournment of the House Blatt Room 110 Full Ways and Means Committee