Gov. Henry McMaster called the legislature back into session this week and next week to finalize several issues that remain unresolved from the first half of the legislative session.
The House of Representatives met on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, working all day and late into the night, on a Senate abortion bill. House members gave the bill third reading on Wednesday night, returning the amended bill back to the Senate. The House returns on Wednesday, May 24 to consider the state budget conference report and other available conference reports.
The Senate plans to return to Columbia on Tuesday, May 23, to receive and vote on the state budget conference report, along with other bills on the calendar.
Both chambers plan to return the last week in May to receive and vote on gubernatorial budget vetoes.
Conference committee meets but no conference report yet
House and Senate members could not agree on a version of the state budget so a budget conference committee was appointed. Conferees met this week to iron out the differences between the two versions of the budget. Budget conferees Sens. Peeler, Alexander and Setzler as well as Reps. Bannister, Herbkersman and Weeks met twice this week and made some progress, but they did not adopt a final conference report. They will reconvene at the call of the chair to continue working out the differences.
For questions about the budget conference report, contact Joannie Nickel (jnickel@masc.sc) at 803.354.4794.
At the time From the Dome to Your Home was published on Friday morning, the budget conference committee had not met again.
Squat trucks ban signed into law
Gov. Henry McMaster signed S363 into law on May 16. This new law 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. This new law takes effect 180 days after the signature of the governor. A second 180-day warning period will commence after the effective date. During this time, law enforcement may only issue warning tickets for squat trucks.
Because of concerns for the safety of pedestrians in downtown districts, the Municipal Association included banning squat trucks in its 2023 – 2024 Advocacy Initiatives.
For questions about the squat truck law, 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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