From the Dome to Your Home: May 6, 2011
The House of Representatives and the Senate met in regular session this week and held subcommittee and committee meetings. The Senate debated the state budget for the second week, while the House worked on legislation on the calendar. There are four weeks left in the 2011 legislative session. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have a holiday on Tuesday for Confederate Memorial Day. The House will reconvene Wednesday, May 11, at noon and the Senate will reconvene Wednesday, May 11, at 10 a.m.
Highlights of the Week
Both point of sale bills on House and Senate calendars – ACTION NEEDED NOW
As amended, H3713 and S647 eliminate the point of sale reassessment meaning property values will no longer be “trued up” when property is sold. Instead, the new owner would inherit the tax exemption of the previous owner. Contact Melissa Carter (mcarter@masc.sc) at 803.933.1251 if you have questions about the point of sale bills.
- House point of sale bill UPDATE
H3713 remains on the House contested calendar. On Wednesday, Representative B.R. Skelton (R- Pickens) moved to adjourn debate on the bill until Wednesday, May 11. The adjourn debate motion was adopted, so the bill will be up for debate in the House next week.
It is still very important for ALL LOCAL OFFICIALS to continue to call ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and urge them to vote against H3713 when it comes up for debate. This is a critical time to contact your House members. - Senate point of sale bill UPDATE
S647, the Senate version of the point of sale bill, remains on the Senate calendar. The Senate debated the state budget bill again this week and did not take up any contested legislation.
Continue to call your local school board members and county council members to partner together against these bills which do not fix the problems brought about by the 15 percent reassessment cap in Act 388. Instead, they magnify the existing problems and raise additional concerns. Also, talk with your local homebuilders about these bills. Let them know that these bills in current form would discourage new construction because new homes will be taxed at full market value, while existing homes will inherit the tax exemption of the previous owner. After you talk to your House member or Senator, contact Casey Fields (cfields@masc.sc) at 803.933.1256 and let her know what they said about the bill.
Senate continues debate on the budget
The Senate continued to debate the state budget for the second week and adjourned on Thursday afternoon without giving the budget second reading. Senators will reconvene on Wednesday at 10 a.m. to continue budget debate. Senator Harvey Peeler (R –Cherokee) expects the Senate to work next Friday because of the Confederate Memorial holiday on Tuesday. Included is the Senate version of the budget is the same 10 percent cut to the current year distribution of the Local Government Fund as included in the House version of the budget. This equals an $8.9 million loss to cities and towns for FY 2011-2012. To allow this cut, the Senate Finance committee approved H3516, the bill passed by the House that allows the General Assembly to reduce the Local Government Fund for one year beyond the amount allowed by law. H3516 remains on the Senate calendar. Contact Melissa Carter (mcarter@masc.sc) at 803.933.1251 if you have questions about the budget or Local Government Fund.
Weekly Bill Introductions
Committee Action This Week
The Association’s legislative team covered these bills in committee or subcommittee and provided testimony where needed. Click on the bill's link for a full chronology of amendments and committee progress.
House Labor, Commerce and Industry Real Estate subcommittee
H3604 – Resolution that encourages walkable, mixed-use town centers – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Encourages the SC Councils of Governments to adopt ordinances intended to enable the retrofitting of shopping malls and shopping centers into dense, walkable, mixed- use town centers.
S693 – Orders and appeals from the state fire marshal - favorable report with an amendment
Summary of the bill as introduced: Increases the amount of time from 24 hours to 14 days that an occupant or owner may appeal the decision of the deputy or resident fire marshal. This bill also requires the fire marshal's decision to be filed within ten days of receiving notice of the appeal.
House Labor, Commerce and Industry Public Utility subcommittee
S766 – Allows SC Electric Cooperatives to use unclaimed property as equity in energy efficiency programs – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows the SC Electric Cooperatives to use the state's unclaimed property as equity in energy efficiency programs and renewable energy initiatives.
H4117 – Requires a special water board to establish water rates – the subcommittee met but did not take action on the bill although it was on the agenda.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Requires that each entity, including political subdivisions, in a county providing water service to at least 7,000 customers which is part of a joint regional water association and gets its water from a regional producing center to have a special water board to establish water rates for the entity based on certain factors.
Senate Judiciary subcommittee
H3508 – Makes changes to the law relating to government-owned telecommunications service providers – the subcommittee met but did not take action on the bill although it was on the agenda.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Clarifies that governments providing telecommunications services must comply with the 2002 Telecommunications Act and expands the definition to include broadband.
H3584 – Limits liability of a third party provider of electricity and natural gas – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Limits the liability of a third party provider of electricity and natural gas when that provider contracts with a third party.
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