The SC General Assembly convened on Tuesday, January 9, for the second half of the two-year session. House and Senate members met in session on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and continued debate on bills on their calendars. Any bill that didn’t pass into law last year is still active for the 2024 session. The House Ways and Means Committee began work on the state budget, while senators worked through bills on their calendar.
House Ways and Means Constitutional subcommittee
The House Ways and Means Constitutional subcommittee met to hear budget requests and testimony from several state agencies and cities and towns. Joannie Nickel, legislative and public policy advocate for the Municipal Association, testified on behalf of cities and towns. Nickel asked that lawmakers follow the current law, Act 84, which requires the Local Government Fund’s appropriation to follow the increase or decrease of the state budget. Reps. Chris Murphy (R-Dorchester), Micah Caskey (R-Lexington) and Brandon Newton (R-Lancaster) are the House Ways and Means Constitutional subcommittee members.
For questions about the Local Government Fund, contact Joannie Nickel (jnickel@masc.sc) at 803.354.4794.
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.
Don’t forget to listen to the From the Dome to Your Home podcast every Friday for a recap of the week’s legislative issues and a look to the week ahead at the State House.
House Judiciary General Laws subcommittee
H4231 – Allows a micro-distillery to sell certain liquors distilled on the premises on Sundays and allows Sunday retail liquor sales in certain counties – favorable report as amended. The amendment allows any city or county to put a referendum on the ballot for Sunday retail liquor sales instead of just the ten counties that qualify under the bill’s current accommodations tax threshold language.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows a micro-distillery to sell certain liquors distilled on the premises on Sundays and allows Sunday retail liquor sales.
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.