The Senate and House of Representatives met in regular session this week and worked through bills on their calendars. The Senate debated a House version of the abortion bill and the House approved a school choice bill.
The last day of the regular session is Thursday, May 11, 2023.
Short-term rental bill remains in subcommittee
H3253, the bill that would prohibit a municipality from enacting an ordinance that stops the rental of a residential dwelling to a short-term guest, was heard by the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Municipal and Public Affairs subcommittee on Wednesday. City of North Charleston Economic Development Coordinator Ryan Johnson and Mayors Rick Osbon, Aiken; Will Haynie, Mount Pleasant; Greg Habib, Goose Creek; Phillip Pounds, Isle of Palms; Crawford Moore, Edisto Beach; Stephen Murray, Beaufort; and Pat O’Neil, Sullivan’s Island, testified against the bill asking the subcommittee to adjourn debate and continue to allow cities and towns to regulate short-term rentals. The subcommittee did not take action on the bill after hearing testimony.
Subcommittee members plan to meet again on Wednesday, May 3 at 9 a.m. in Blatt Building Room 427 to continue to debate the bill and take action.
The language in this bill would prohibit cities and towns from enacting ordinances that ban short-term rentals and prohibit cities from regulating short-term rentals. If the bill passes out of the subcommittee, the full House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee will debate the bill next. Please continue to contact House members and urge them not to support taking away short-term rental regulatory authority from cities and towns.
For questions about the short-term rental bill, contact Scott Slatton (sslatton@masc.sc) at 803.933.1203.
House subcommittee adjourns debate on affordable housing
The House Ways and Means Licenses, Fees, Insurance Tax and Other Charges subcommittee adjourned debate without testimony on S284, the bill that allows state and local accommodations and hospitality taxes to be used for the development of workforce housing. Rep. Todd Rutherford (D-Richland) asked subcommittee members for a motion to adjourn debate and once the motion was voted on and approved, the subcommittee adjourned. No indication was given to the possibility of a future subcommittee meeting. The bill remains in the House Ways and Means subcommittee.
For questions about the affordable housing bill, contact Scott Slatton (sslatton@masc.sc) at 803.933.1203.
Squat trucks on the House floor
The House Education and Public Works Committee amended and passed S363, the Senate version of the squat truck bill. The bill prohibits motor vehicle modifications that result in a motor vehicle's front fender being raised 4 or more inches above the height of the rear fender. The committee adopted the subcommittee amendment that defines fender and adds an additional warning period of 180 days. Next, the bill will go to the full House of Representatives for debate.
For questions about the squat truck bill, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc) at 803.354.479.
Municipal election bill passes the House
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives gave second reading by a vote of 111-0 to H3734, the municipal election bill that requires all municipal elections to be held on specific dates. The House approved the committee amendments to set the time of commencement of terms and adjust terms of office to comply with odd-year elections. The House gave third reading to the bill on Thursday. Next, the bill goes to the Senate for debate.
For questions about the election bill, contact Scott Slatton (sslatton@masc.sc) at 803.933.1203.
Bond reform legislation back to the Senate
House members amended H3532, the bill that creates sentencing enhancements for persons who commit certain additional crimes while on pretrial release on bond. The amendments take the bill back to the original House language, rejecting the Senate’s amendments to the bill. Next, the bill goes back to the Senate for concurrence or nonconcurrence. If the Senate concurs on the amendments, the bill will go to the governor’s desk for his signature or veto. If the Senate nonconcurs, the bill will go to a conference committee.
For questions about the bond reform bill, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc) at 803.354.4793.
Stay in Touch
The Municipal Association legislative team is on Twitter. Follow Scott Slatton (@ScottMuniSC), Joannie Nickel (@JoannieMuniSC) and Erica Wright (@EricaMuniSC) for updates from the State House. Also follow the Association at @MuniAssnSC.
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Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Professions and Occupations subcommittee
H4115 – Creates the SC Contractor's Licensing Board and applies all changes to current law to apply to counties and municipalities – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Creates the SC Contractor's Licensing Board and applies all changes to current law to apply to counties and municipalities.
House Labor, Commerce and Industry Insurance subcommittee
S500 – Establishes grant criteria and matching grant funds available to local governments from the SC Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Establishes grant criteria and matching grant funds available to local governments from the SC Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program.
House Ways and Means General Government subcommittee
H3425 – Removes the SC Police Officers Retirement System and SC Retirement System earnings limitation upon returning to work in certain circumstances – favorable report as amended. The amendment only makes technical changes.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Removes the SC Police Officers Retirement System and SC Retirement System earnings limitation upon returning to work after 12 consecutive months away from work.
S108 – Provides a death benefit for law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Provides a death benefit for law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
House Judiciary Criminal Laws subcommittee
S330 – Adds tiered penalties for damage to an electric utility system – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Adds tiered penalties for damage to an electric utility system.
House Labor, Commerce and Industry Public Utilities subcommittee
H3989 – Enacts the Solar, Agricultural, Farmland and Environmental Act – the bill failed to be voted out of the subcommittee.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Establishes certificate requirements for construction of photovoltaic energy facilities.
House Ways and Means Sales, Use and Income Tax subcommittee
H3824 – Adds electricity to the definition of alternative fuel – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Adds electricity to the definition of alternative fuel for the purposes of an income tax credit equal to 25 percent of the cost of purchasing, constructing and installing the eligible property.
House Ways and Means Property Tax subcommittee
H3948 – Creates a property tax exemption for certain renewable energy resource properties – favorable report as amended. The amendment prevents solar farms from benefiting from the exemption.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Creates a property tax exemption for certain renewable energy resource properties.
House Judiciary General Laws subcommittee
H4231 – Allows a micro-distillery to sell certain liquors distilled on the premises on Sundays – adjourned debate
Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows a micro-distillery to sell certain liquors distilled on the premises on Sundays.
H3144 – Allows the sale of alcoholic liquors on Sunday to be authorized by referendum – adjourned debate
Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows the sale of alcoholic liquors on Sunday to be authorized by referendum.
Senate Judiciary Committee
S109 – Enacts the South Carolina Constitutional Carry Act of 2023 – carried over
Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows anyone to carry a handgun, whether concealed or not, without a permit.
S251 – Provides workers' compensation benefits to first responders medically diagnosed with PTSD – carried over
Summary of the bill as introduced: Provides workers' compensation benefits to first responders medically diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in the course and scope of employment.
Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources subcommittee
H3682 – Outlines hearing procedures for ordering the cost of care of seized animals after the arrest of the owner – favorable report as amended. The amendment only makes technical changes. Later in the week, the full Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee gave the bill a favorable report as amended. The amendment adds reimbursement costs and language from the Senate version, S456.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Outlines hearing procedures for ordering the cost of care of seized animals after the arrest of the owner.