House and Senate members met in regular session on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday was a long day for both chambers with debate in the House about the Ten Commandments in public schools and in the Senate about a data center amendment to a tax credit bill.
Next week, legislators will vote in a Supreme Court justice election among other judicial races on Wednesday in joint session.
Bond bill in the Senate
S891, a bill that eliminates Installment Purchase Revenue Bonds for cities and counties, was introduced in the Senate sponsored by Sen. Tom Corbin (R-Greenville). This bill would eliminate the ability of cities to use IPRBs for projects that benefit residents and businesses. If cities and towns have current projects in place, are planning to use an IPRB for future projects or have used an IPRB for a past project since 2006, this bill would affect the project and the financing.
For questions about this bill, contact Daina Phillips (dphillips@masc.sc) at 803.933.1203.
Property tax cut bills update
S768, an increase in the property tax homestead exemption to $150,000 for South Carolina resident homeowners 65 years old and older, was passed by the Senate and sent to the House for debate. This bill includes a local government reimbursement with the increase in the exemption for local governments. The bill is currently in the House Ways and Means Committee.
H3858, a bill that decreases the tax on boats by 50% in the state and deletes the requirement that outboard motors be titled separately from hulls, is on the Senate second reading calendar. As of Friday, Sen. Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg) objected to the bill stopping debate.
H5006, a bill that exempts $10,000 from business personal property taxes for small businesses, unanimously passed the House of Representatives and is now in the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.
For questions about these tax bills, contact Webster Hall (whall@masc.sc) at 803.933.1232.
Senate Transportation bill amended and approved by the subcommittee
S831, the Senate version of the SC Department of Transportation modernization bill, was amended by a Senate Transportation subcommittee and given a favorable report. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Sean Bennett (R-Dorchester), strikes the proposed congestion mitigation fees; strikes electric vehicle fees; and strikes the language that allows a county council to serve as the county transportation committee. A proposed amendment that would have made cities responsible for road mitigation projects after an annexation was not included. Next, the Senate version of the bill goes to the full Senate Transportation Committee for debate.
H5071, the House version, remains in the House Ways and Means Revenue Policy subcommittee without action. For questions about both SCDOT modernization bills, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc) at 803.354.4793.
Immigration bill amended and approved in subcommittee
H4764, a bill that would require cities, towns and counties that operate correctional facilities to enter into agreements to enforce federal immigration laws, was debated by the House Judiciary AI, Cybersecurity and Special Laws subcommittee on Thursday. The subcommittee adopted an amendment by Rep. Travis Moore (R-Spartanburg) that does the following:
- Clarifies that holding cells are not included in the definition of correctional facility, which reduces the impact from over 160 cities to seven.
- Excuses municipalities from participation if they show that compliance will pose a fiscal or operational burden.
- Provides legal protections for political subdivisions executing duties per the agreement with federal immigration laws.
- Lessens the punitive actions for failing to comply.
For questions about the immigration bill, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc) at 803.354.4793.
From the Dome to Your Home podcast
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.
Committee Updates
House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Agriculture subcommittee
H3262 – Exemption of certain farm structures from regulations – adjourned debate
Summary of the bill as introduced: Exempts farm structures that can accommodate up to 300 people used for public or private events from certain regulations of construction or improvements.
House Judiciary General Laws subcommittee
H4763 – Enacts the Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction Act – favorable report as amended. The amendment expands the 25-foot zone to 50 feet for medical personnel and adds language that clarifies the definition as state and local law enforcement officers. Later that same day, the full House Judiciary Committee gave the original bill a favorable report tabling the subcommittee amendment.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Makes it illegal for a person to approach, impede, cause harm or harass a first responder or emergency medical care provider after receiving a verbal warning.
House Judiciary Committee
H5121 – Community juvenile crime prevention programs – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Establishes a community juvenile crime prevention program where public or private nonprofit entities may be certified by the SC Department of Juvenile Justice to provide services and activities to prevent juvenile crime.
H5120 – Fingerprinting minors – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Clarifies how juvenile fingerprint records and photographs are maintained by law enforcement.
H4151 – Definition of juvenile – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Adds to the exclusions to the definition of a child or juvenile for the purposes of the Juvenile Justice Code.
Senate Judiciary subcommittee
H3285 – Law enforcement training in autism spectrum disorder – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Requires law enforcement officers to complete continuing law enforcement education credits in autism spectrum disorder.