South Carolina Legislative Update - April 28, 2014
April 28, 2014
South Carolina General Assembly
The House and Senate were on furlough last week. The only meeting scheduled was a special House panel weighing ethics reform changes wherein nothing advanced and no votes were taken. However, several members introduced amendments and proposed ideas for the legislation and staff is currently preparing those amendments. The Committee is scheduled to meet this Thursday upon adjournment of the House and each member will be given the opportunity then to introduce and propose their amendments for consideration.
In the News
Lawmakers mulling how far government should go to make certain crime records secret
Although Gov. Nikki Haley vetoed a bill two years ago that would have allowed various kinds of criminals to have their criminal histories deleted from the public record, new efforts are underway again in the General Assembly this year to try again. Read more here.
New SC law deletes high school exit exam mandate
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina is replacing its high school exit exam with tests considered more useful to students' future success, with scores that could go on work resumes or college admissions applications. A new law signed by Gov. Nikki Haley deletes South Carolina's 3-decade-old requirement that high school students pass an exit exam to graduate, starting with the Class of 2015. Read more here.
In South Carolina, leaders reconsider drilling along the coastline
The push to start drilling in the Atlantic Ocean is gaining momentum and dividing people along the grand coast of South Carolina, where some local leaders fear what it could mean for tourism. Read more here.
Graham agrees to SC Debate
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has agreed to debate his June Republican primary challengers in an event hosted by Educational Television in collaboration with The State newspaper, The Greenville News and other state newspapers, ETV said Thursday. Read more here.
Veterans rally at SC Statehouse to seek benefits
Dozens of South Carolina veterans gathered at the Statehouse on Wednesday to press lawmakers to boost benefits for those who served in the military and their families. "We salute you and welcome you here, and hope you can convince our legislators to do more for our veterans," retired Army Col. David Lobb, of the state Military Officers Associated for America, told the gathering at the Statehouse steps.
130 Jobs moving into old Springs building in Fort Mill
An engineering services firm is moving its headquarters into the historic former Springs Industries offices in Fort Mill, bringing with it 130 jobs, state officials announced last week. UC Synergetic, and engineering and technical services company supporting power and communications utilities, is locating its corporate headquarters and engineering operations in York County.
Meeting Schedule
| Monday, April 28 | |
| 9:00 am -- Blatt Room 110 -- Judicial Merit Selection Commission Public Hearing 1:00 pm -- Blatt Room 433 -- Education Oversight Committee I. Cyclical Review of the Accountability System II. FY2014-15 Budget Recommendations III. 2014-15 Communications Plan IV. P-20 Reading Initiative | |
| Tuesday, April 29 | |
| 9:00 am -- Gressette Room 207 -- State Regulation of Public Utilities Review Committee I. PSC Subcommittee Screening Report II. Discussion of Report 10:00 am -- Gressette Room 209 -- Joint Transportation Review Committee I. Public Screening of Individuals for the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission ‘s 3rd District 11:00 am -- Blatt Room 318 -- Legislative Group (Rep. Shannon Erickson) 11:00 am -- Blatt Room 112 -- Majority Caucus 11:00 am -- Blatt Room 305 -- Minority Caucus 11:30 am -- Blatt Room 108 -- National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater Carolina Chapter 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm -- State House Grounds -- Legislative Luncheon - State Farm Insurance Companies 2:30 pm or 1½ hours after the House adjourns -- Blatt Room 516 -- Judiciary Committee I. H. 4180 – Alimony II. H. 5015 – Child Abuse and Neglect Registry III. S. 4 – Early Voting Procedures IV. S. 764 – Vulnerable Adult Guardian Ad Litem Program V. S. 817 – Commission on National and Community Service VI. S. 1035 – Medical Cannabis Therapeutic Treatment Research Act VII. H. 4453 – Campaign Funds 3:00 pm -- Gressette Room 105 -- Finance Committee I. H. 4701 – General Appropriations II. H. 4702 – Capital Reserve Fund 3:00 pm -- Gressette Room 308 -- Judiciary Committee I. S. 861 – Field Sobriety Tests II. S. 916 – Trespasser Responsibility Act III. S. 868 – Clerk of Court or Register of Deeds IV. S. 869 – Dating Violence V. S. 1029 – Criminal Domestic Violence VI. H. 4560 – Expungement of Criminal Records VII. H. 4922 – Veterans VIII. S. 1136 – Barbecue IX. S. 1147 – Protective Proceedings X. S. 527 – Pregnant Women’s Protection Act XI. H. 4382 – Homeless XII. H. 3024 – Child Abuse XIII. H. 3833 – Retail Wine/Beer Permit XIV. H. 3369 – Workers Compensation 4:30 pm -- Blatt Room 427 -- SC Legislative Black Caucus | |
| Wednesday, April 30 | |
| 8:00 am -- Blatt Room 305 -- Benedict College 8:00 am - 10:00 am -- Blatt Room 112 -- Legislative Breakfast - Piedmont Natural Gas (Members Only) 8:00 am -- Blatt Room 110 -- South Carolina Educator's Association "Home School Day" 8:30 am -- Blatt Room 410 -- Agriculture Environmental Affairs I Subcommittee on S.1032, S.1198 and H.5052 I. S. 1032 – Coastal Zone Critical Areas II. S. 1198 – Water Pollution Control Permits III. H. 5052 – Coastal Zone Critical Areas 9:00 am -- Gressette Room 308 -- Review and Oversight Commission on the South Carolina Ports Authority I. Reappointment Consideration of Mr. David J. Posek, Board of Directors of the South Carolina Ports Authority 9:00 am -- Gressette Room 407 -- Medical Affairs Subcommittee on Regulation No. 4389 and on H.3098, H.3567 and H.4223 I. H. 3098 – Long Term Care Facility II. H. 3567 – Mental Health III. H. 4223 – Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act 10:00 am -- Gressette Room 307 -- Banking and Insurance Subcommittee on S.422, H.3134, H.4911 and H.4916 I. H. 3134 – Electronic Satisfaction of a Mortgage II. H. 4911 – Small Employer Health Insurance Availability Act III. H. 4916 – Notice Requirements of an Insurer IV. S. 422 – Insurance Coverage Requirement for Breast Ultrasound Screening 10:00 am -- Gressette Room 207 -- Education Committee I. H.3428 – First Steps to School Readiness Initiative II. H.4749 – Early Literacy Assessment III. H.4871 – Charter Schools IV. S.910 – Home School Students 10:00 am -- Gressette Room 209 -- Fish, Game and Forestry Committee 11:30 am - 2:00 pm -- State House Grounds -- Legislative Luncheon - Certified South Carolina (Palmetto Agriculture & Food Industry Council, South Carolina Department of Agriculture) 1:30 pm -- Gressette Room 111 -- Florence County Senators | |
| Thursday, May 1 | |
| 8:00 am -- Blatt Room 305 -- Conservation Voters of South Carolina 8:00 am - 10:00 am -- Blatt Room 112 -- Legislative Breakfast - South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (Members Only) 9:00 am -- Gressette Room 207 -- Consumer Affairs Screening 9:00 am -- Gressette Room 307 -- Education K-12 Subcommittee I. H. 3365 – Mental Health Screening 9:00 am -- Gressette Room 209 -- Judiciary Subcommittee on S.1121 and H.4371 I. S. 1121 – Unlawful Trade Practices II. H. 4371 – Patents 9:30 am -- Gressette Room 308 -- Medical Affairs Committee on H.3098, H.3567 and H.4223 I. H. 3098 – Long Term Care Facility II. H. 3567 – Mental Health III H. 4223 – Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act 10:00 am -- Gressette Room 207 -- Judiciary Subcommittee on S.773 and S.788 I. S.773 – Transparency in Private Attorney Contracts Act II. S.788 – Noneconomic Damages Limit Upon adjournment of the House -- Blatt Room 516 -- Judiciary Constitutional Laws Subcommittee (Ethics Reform) I. H. 3945 – Ethics Reform 11:30 am -- Blatt Room 112 -- Legislative Group (Sen. Ross Turner) | |
| Friday, May 2 | |
| No Meetings Scheduled. |