House and Senate members met in regular session this week. Legislators debated and approved permitless firearm carry legislation in both chambers, while the Senate spent a majority of its time on a judicial reform bill.
A new Supreme Court chief justice was elected on Wednesday and the House put H5066, the liquor liability bill, on the contested calendar. Other liquor liability bills remained in committee. The House of Representatives begins budget debate on the House Ways and Means Committee’s version of the budget on Monday at 1 p.m.
Permitless Carry bill signed into law
The conference committee on H3594, the permitless firearm carry legislation, met on Tuesday morning and adopted a conference report. The House of Representatives adopted the conference report on Tuesday afternoon, while the Senate adopted the report on Wednesday. The bill was ratified and signed into law by the governor on Thursday.
For information on this bill, contact Scott Slatton (sslatton@masc.sc) at 803.933.1203.
Military TIF bill passes the House
H4552, a bill that amends current law to include affordable housing developments as allowable projects in a military tax increment financing district, was unanimously passed by the House of Representatives. The bill was amended to include language that expands where TIF dollars can be spent and extends the bonding period from 15 years to 30 years. Next, the bill goes to the Senate for debate.
For information on this bill, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc) at 803.354.4793.
Property Tax Exemption bill remains on the Senate calendar
S1017, the bill makes changes to a bill passed in 2020 that had unintended consequences to property tax revenue for cities, counties and school districts, remains on the Senate’s uncontested calendar. 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. Senators have been debating other issues this week and have been unable to get to this bill.
For questions about this bill, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc) at 803.354.4793.
Abandoned Building Tax credit bill remains on the Senate calendar
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, remains on the Senate’s uncontested calendar. Similar to S1017, the property tax exemption bill, S1021 hasn’t been debated because of extended debate on other bills on the calendar.
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 Judiciary Committee
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.
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 Municipal and Public Affairs subcommittee
H4609 – Allows certain municipalities to allow golf carts to operate at night – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows certain municipalities and counties to enact ordinances allowing golf carts to operate in a designated area within the jurisdictions at night.
H4681 – Increases the number of First Responder Advisory Committee members to include a representative of the SC Coroners Association – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Increases the number of First Responder Advisory Committee members to include a representative of the SC Coroners' Association.
H4996 – Permits the transfer of development rights – adjourned debate
Summary of the bill as introduced: Permits the voluntary transfer of development rights.
Senate Banking and Insurance Banking and Insurance subcommittee
S1050 – Excludes liquor liability policies from the definition of exempt commercial policies – carried over
Summary of the bill as introduced: Excludes liquor liability policies or general liability insurance policies with a liquor liability endorsement from the definition of exempt commercial policies.
Senate Medical Affairs Committee
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.