House and Senate members met in regular session this week. The House spent long hours on Wednesday debating H4927, its version of the bill creating the Executive Office of Health and Policy. Senators debated bills on the calendar and placed a bill that reforms the judicial selection process in a priority position on their calendar.
The conference committee on H3594, the permitless firearm carry legislation, met on Tuesday afternoon but did not take any action on the bill. Conferees agreed to meet again at the call of the chair. Conferees include Reps. Micah Caskey (R-Lexington), Bobby Cox (R-Greenville) and Justin Bamberg (D-Bamberg) from the House and Sens. Shane Massey (R-Edgefield), Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg) and Shane Martin (R-Spartanburg).
Liquor liability bills moving forward
Both chambers advanced bills this week dealing with the liquor liability issue. The House Judiciary Liquor Liability Ad Hoc committee amended and approved H5066, a bill that provides an affordable option for liquor liability insurance. The committee amended the bill with a strike and insert amendment that allows reductions in the amount of liability coverage required if businesses comply with risk mitigation measures. The bill also includes language that reduces the coverage needed by nonprofits or special events to $500,000, and it funds a state trust fund to help reduce premiums. Later the same day, the full House Judiciary Committee gave the bill a favorable report, as amended, sending it to the House of Representatives for debate.
Members of a Senate Judiciary subcommittee met again to hear testimony on S533, a bill that would change joint and several liability in the SC Contribution Among Tortfeasors Act; and S844, a bill to create a study committee to look at the liquor liability insurance issue. S1048, the bill that establishes the basis for liability for a person who illegally furnishes alcohol, was also on the agenda. The subcommittee gave S844 a favorable report and did not take action on the other bills on the agenda. Next, S844 will go to the full Senate Judiciary Committee for debate. The other two bills remain in subcommittee.
For questions about the liquor liability issue, contact Scott Slatton (sslatton@masc.sc) at 803.933.1203.
Property Tax Exemption fix passes full Finance Committee
The Senate Finance Committee gave S1017 a favorable report. This bill makes changes to a bill passed in 2020 that had unintended consequences to property tax revenue for cities, counties and school districts. The bill limits the available property tax exemption for nonprofit housing corporations to the percentage that equals the corporation's or nonprofit’s ownership interest in the property. This bill also prohibits annexation of agricultural property by a municipality without express written agreement by the owner. Next, the bill goes to the full Senate for debate.
For questions about this bill, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc) at 803.354.4793.
Military TIF bill out of committee
H4552, a bill that amends current law to include affordable housing developments as allowable projects in a military tax increment financing district, was given a favorable report by the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee. The committee adopted the subcommittee amendments that expand where TIF dollars can be spent and extends the bonding period from 15 years to 30 years. Next, the bill goes to the full House for debate.
For information on this bill, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc) at 803.354.4793.
Abandoned Building Tax credit bill passes full Finance Committee
The Senate Finance Committee gave a favorable report to S1021, the bill that extends the SC Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act tax credit to 2035 and increases the maximum earned tax credit to $700,000. Next, the bill will be debated by the full Senate.
For questions about this bill, 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 Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Environmental Affairs subcommittee
H4712 – Makes it illegal to deposit yard debris onto a public highway – adjourned debate
Summary of the bill as introduced: Makes it illegal to deposit yard debris onto a public highway.
H4958 – Requires any person possessing a NPDES permit to post a sign – adjourned debate
Summary of the bill as introduced: Requires any person possessing a NPDES permit to allow the discharge of effluent into state waters to post a sign.
House Judiciary Committee
H4589 – Deletes language providing that in municipal elections that incumbents hold over pending final determination of any contests filed – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Deletes language providing that in municipal elections that incumbents hold over pending final determination of any contests filed.
H4590 – Extends the hours of operation of early voting centers – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Extends the hours of operation of early voting centers until 7 p.m.
House Labor, Commerce and Industry Public Utilities subcommittee
H5118 – Enacts the South Carolina Ten-Year Energy Transformation Act – adjourned debate
Summary of the bill as introduced: Makes changes to current energy policy to promote the development of new and reliable energy infrastructure resources, fostering resilient and reliable energy infrastructure.
House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee
H4680 – Revises the definition of firefighter for the Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan to include nonresidents of the state – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Revises the definition of firefighter for the Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan to include nonresidents of the state.
House Education and Public Work Committee
H3160 – Revises the definition of "personal vehicle" and "prearranged ride" in the law related to Transportation Network Companies – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Revises the definition of "personal vehicle" and "prearranged ride" in the law related to Transportation Network Companies.
Senate Finance Committee
S969 – Increases the subsistence deduction amount from the individual taxable income of law enforcement officers and firefighters – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Increases the subsistence deduction amount from the individual taxable income of law enforcement officers and firefighters.
H4720 – Continues to fund the operations of state government if the fiscal year begins without a General Appropriations Act – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Continues to fund the operations of state government if the fiscal year begins without a General Appropriations Act.
Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee
S965 – Prohibits a political subdivision from enacting a COVID-19 vaccine mandate – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Prohibits a political subdivision from enacting a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
House Judiciary Constitutional Laws subcommittee
H4563 – Clarifies the power of special purpose districts to own, acquire, purchase, or dispose of property – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Clarifies the power of special purpose districts to own, acquire, purchase, hold, use, lease, convey, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of property.
H4561 – Allows a candidate or public official to use campaign funds for dependent care of an immediate family member – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows a candidate or public official to use campaign funds for dependent care of an immediate family member.
H4274 – Enacts the SC Public Expression Protection Act – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Establishes a cause of action asserted in a civil action based on a person's communication.
Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee
S728 – Changes the definition of firefighter to include nonresidents of South Carolina who work in the state – carried over
Summary of the bill as introduced: Changes the definition of firefighter in the Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan to include non-residents of South Carolina who work in the state.