House Week in Review

As the session moves along, there are more bills coming to the floor for debate. This week there were several bills up for debate.

S. 62 Education Scholarship Trust Fund.

This bill got most of the attention. The bill deals with the Education Scholarship Trust Fund. There was a bill signed into law last session that was found to be problematic by the State Supreme Court. The court ruled that the bill uses public money thus it cannot go directly to fund private schools. S. 62 is a new bill that some feel complies with the ruling. The Senate version directs Education Lottery Funds to the Education Trust Fund. The Education Trust Fund is designed to provide scholarships to students to attend any schools that can best suit the student’s needs.  

The bill was taken up by the House and it was amended several times. One of the amendments extends this program to all students. Another amendment changes the funding mechanism from the lottery funds to the state general funds. This, ultimately, was a deal-breaker for me. I voted against the bill. It passed anyway 79-38.

The following bills I voted for:

H. 3523 Organized Retail Crime and Aggravated Retail Crime

The House concurred in a Senate amendment to H. 3523, an effort to stem the rising number of ‘smash and grab’ incidents of retail thefts that are occurring, by creating the offenses of organized retail crime and aggravated retail crime. It has been enrolled for ratification and will head to the Governor for his signature once it has been ratified.

H. 3571 Underground Facility Damage Prevention Act

The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H. 3571, a bill providing enhancements for the “Underground Facility Damage Prevention Act” with its requirements for providing notice to South Carolina’s 811 call center before engaging in excavation, tunneling, drilling, or other activities that might damage buried power lines, fiber optic cables, pipes, or other underground facilities. 

H. 3654 Child Welfare Records Access and Department of Children’s Advocacy Procedures and Responsibilities

The House has passed, and sent to the Senate, H. 3654 Child Welfare Records Access and Department of Children’s Advocacy Procedures and Responsibilities. Among other things, this bill would allow the Department of Children’s Advocacy, including guardians ad litem, and employees of its division of guardians ad litem, to provide child welfare reports to county guardian ad litem program staff, the guardian ad litem division, and the state’s child advocate. It also seeks to clarify that the Department of Children’s Advocacy could employ a Continuum of Care director, will hire a division director and staff, as well as continue to provide annual reports as it has been doing all along.

H. 3259 Personal Automobile Insurance Policies of First Responders

The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate. This bill addresses personal automobile insurance policies of first responders.  This legislation provides that, in determining the premium rates for a personal automobile insurance policy of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic, or emergency medical technician, it is unlawful to consider the work‑related driving records of the first responders if they are found to be noncontributing on a collision report or are involved in a collision when responding to an emergency call.  The provision applies to volunteer first responders and first responders employed by local, state, or federal governments.

H. 3048 Coroner Candidate Additional Qualifications

The House passed and sent this bill to the Senate. This bill would revise additional eligible qualifications, so that in order to be a viable candidate, the completion of a forensic science degree or certification program would count. Mere enrollment in either educational pursuit would no longer be considered an additional qualification should this bill be enacted.

H. 3629 Timberland

In an effort to help the declining timber industry, the House approved the committee’s amendment and gave second reading, with unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day to H. 3629. The bill allows the Forestry Commission to acquire timberland (in addition to what is currently acquired) submarginal agricultural lands.  The legislation also cleans up and clarifies language as a result of the House Legislative Oversight Committee report on the State Forestry Commission.

H. 3447 HOA Forecloses on Property

The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H. 3447, a bill requiring homeowners associations to provide homeowners with additional notice before a HOA forecloses on property.  The legislation provides that any homeowners association with the authority to foreclose on the property of a homeowners association member must in the case of a default by a defendant property owner make application for a rule to show cause to be issued to the defendant property owner.  No foreclosure sale may be noticed prior to the issuance of the rule to show cause.

H. 3947 Continuing Education Requirements for Real Estate Professionals

The House approved and sent the Senate H. 3947, a bill restoring reciprocity in continuing education requirements for real estate professionals between South Carolina and other states.  The legislation revises continuing education requirements for licensure renewal by South Carolina’s Real Estate Commission to provide that nonresident brokers and nonresident associates who successfully satisfy continuing education requirements of their jurisdiction of residence may be exempt from the continuing education requirements of this state with approval of the commission.

H. 3872  Managed Lands Owned by the Department of Natural Resources

The House approved the committee’s amendment and gave second, with unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day to H. 3872, a bill dealing with managed lands owned by the Department of Natural Resources, under the Hunting Heritage Protection Act.  The Department of Natural Resources can only manage land that is owned.  As a result, the legislation deletes the reference “lease” land to ensure that there is no net loss of the department’s managed land for hunting and fishing.

S. 271  Timely Election of Public Service Commissioners

The House amended and returned S. 271 to the Senate. This joint resolution suspends for Calendar Year 2025 a provision prohibiting the General Assembly from holding an election for Public Service Commissioners until a final determination is made by the courts regarding its review of congressional districts’ compliance with statutory or constitutional requirements. 

Feb. 16-20, 2025

Things are beginning to pick up the pace as more bills emerge from Committees and come to the House floor for debate. There are many more in the works. Here are some bills that I supported this past week.

H. 3431 No Unrestricted Minor-Owned Social Media Accounts

This legislation provides protections for our youths and stipulates that social media companies (i.e., those earning over $25 million in annual gross revenues, that provide services, products, or other features to the public over the internet) could not allow certain minors to be account holders without easy-to-use parental controls.

Providers would be required to identify users’ compulsive usage of their offered features. Compulsive usage would include disturbance of major life activities including sleeping, eating, learning, reading, concentrating, communicating, working, or any combination of them.

South Carolina’s Attorney General would have responsibility for enforcing the prohibitions contained in this bill, as well as any other applicable state laws. For example, in addition to existing civil and criminal causes of action, the use of dark patterns by providers would be an unfair trade practice subject to litigation as set forth under South Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act.  

H. 3430 Governor-Appointed State Auditor

This measure would have South Carolina’s governor appoint the state auditor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, if it is enacted.

H. 3843 Budget Proviso Codification Act of 2025

This bill gathers numerous temporary provisions routinely included in previous years’ general appropriation acts and incorporates them into South Carolina’s statutes as permanent law provisions.

H. 3813 Bear Hunting

This bill deals with bear hunting in Game Zone 1.  Current legislation allows for still gun and dog party to be used during the open season.  Because the Department of Natural Resources now uses the tag system, the legislation extends the hunting season for still and updates legislation by removing references to registered party dog.

H. 3510  County Veterans’ Affairs Office

This bill that states upon securing of funding in the General Appropriations Act, the General Assembly shall provide for two full-time employees in each county Veterans’ Affairs Office.  The legislation also outlines that a county Veterans Affairs Officer is subject to removal for cause at any time by a majority of the Senators representing the county, and a majority of the House members representing the county. There was a debate when one House member tried to amend the bill to provide three full time employees. His amendment was voted down (I voted with the majority) because that member didn’t take into account that offices in small population counties do not necessarily need three full time employees.

H. 3563 County Veterans’ Affairs Offices

This legislation deals with the evaluation of county veterans’ affairs offices.  It requires the SC Secretary of Veterans Affairs to evaluate each county office no less than once per year to ensure the level of services are being provided and ensuring compliance with procedures. Additionally, this bill requires the secretary to report the written findings to the legislative delegation and the county administrator within ninety days.  Further, a county officer who fails to participate in the annual evaluation is ineligible for reappointment, unless the secretary waives the requirement in writing.

Meeting with local FFA members

Wednesday was FFA day at the State House. It was my pleasure to meet with some of the FFA students from Calhoun Falls Charter and Dixie High Schools. Thank you to Mrs. McCannon at Calhoun Falls Charter and Mr. Murdock for their leadership.

2-13-2025

Strengthening Public Safety, Energy Security & Online Protections

The fight to protect South Carolina families, businesses, and values is in full swing at the State House. This week, the House took major steps to crack down on organized crime, secure our energy future, and protect kids online. These efforts reflect our continued work to advance the House GOP’s Six Pillars for Progress, the conservative agenda outlined at the start of this session to cut taxes, grow our economy, protect families, and strengthen public safety.

Cracking Down on Organized Retail Crime

On Tuesday, I was proud to support H.3523, a bill aimed at cracking down on organized retail crime. Across the country, we’ve seen smash-and-grab thefts grow more brazen, with criminal rings coordinating large-scale retail thefts that drive up prices and threaten jobs. The days of slaps on the wrist for repeat offenders are over—this legislation ensures that those who steal thousands in merchandise face felony charges, increased penalties, and real consequences. It also allows law enforcement to prosecute thefts across multiple counties as a single crime, helping to shut down organized crime networks that have long taken advantage of legal loopholes. South Carolina businesses and consumers deserve protection, and this bill gives law enforcement the tools to deliver it.

Keeping the Lights On: Securing South Carolina’s Energy Future

The House also took bold action this week to secure our state’s energy future. On Wednesday, I voted to pass H.3309, the South Carolina Energy Security Act, ensuring that as our population grows, we have the reliable and affordable power needed to fuel our economy. South Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and if we don’t act now, we could face energy shortages that threaten businesses and jobs. This legislation expands access to nuclear, natural gas, hydrogen, and renewables, cuts red tape to speed up approval of energy projects, and protects consumers from rising costs. The failure of the V.C. Summer nuclear project and the strain on our power grid during Winter Storm Elliott exposed serious vulnerabilities in our state’s energy infrastructure—this bill ensures we don’t wait until the next crisis to act. Energy security is economic security, and our caucus is committed to making sure South Carolina remains strong and independent.

Protecting Kids Online & Holding Big Tech Accountable

In addition to protecting our communities and securing our energy future, we made important progress on keeping South Carolina’s children safe online. The Social Media Regulation Act (H.3431) moved forward this week, passing out of the Judiciary Committee with a favorable vote. It’s no secret that social media has negatively impacted the mental health of children and teens, fueling rising rates of anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying. This legislation ensures that social media companies verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for minors, limits the collection of personal data from children, and restricts features designed to increase screen addiction. It also prohibits adults from directly messaging minors they aren’t connected to, helping to prevent online exploitation and predatory behavior. Big Tech has spent years putting profits over child safety, and it’s time to hold them accountable. South Carolina must lead the way in ensuring that parents have the tools to protect their children online.

I also had the pleasure to meet with members of the Little River Electric Co-op on Thursday. They did an outstanding job last fall during Hurricane Helene. They have been and will continue to be a great asset to our community.

4-7-2023

This past week was “Crossover Week”. This is historically the week that signifies the last week to pass a bill out of one chamber and send it to the next for it to have a chance at passing before the official final day of this year’s session ends. Bills are brought to the floor in droves. The past two weeks on the House floor was no exception as the floodgates opened and many bills were placed on the calendar, debated and sent to the Senate. 

I voted in the affirmative for the following bills with one notable exception. Remember, these bills are not laws yet. They must pass through the Senate and, if passed by both chambers, receive the Governor’s signature to do that.

H. 4060 passed and was sent to the Senate. The bill addresses improvements in the delivery of workforce education in K-12 and higher education.

H. 3295 was amended, passed, and sent to the Senate.  The bill allows the State Board of Education to waive applicable laws and regulations if a district is successful in its application to start a competency-based school.

H. 3843 was passed and sent to the Senate. The bill amends statutes regarding students attending public schools outside their attendance zone and school district. The bill also directs school boards to adopt an open enrollment policy by the 2023-24 school year  that is based on the requirements set forth in the legislation, and the State Department of Education (SDE) must develop a template to assist.

H. 4023 passed and was sent to the Senate. This bill deals with changing the First Steps to School Readiness Act, making it permanent and stating that future reauthorizations are not required. Future Executive Directors of the Office of First Steps to School Readiness must be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.  Directors serve at the pleasure of the First Steps Board of Trustees. The bill revises the composition, appointment process, and terms of membership for local First Steps Partnership Boards (as well as provides for the termination of certain current board members and the transition of certain tasks by local partnerships). 

H. 3682 passed and sent to the Senate. This bill facilitates Levying on Seized Animals for Care Costs in the ill-treatment of animal cases. As amended, animal owners found innocent of any ill-treatment of animal charges made against them would receive full reimbursement of all related care costs they fronted during the pendency of these charges.

H. 4066, State Executive Committee Election Protests, passed the House and headed to the Senate. This bill would limit state conventions to a maximum of 943 delegates. The state executive committee would hear all election protests and could require protest bonds to be posted by anyone contesting an election. Before doing so, however, they would have to pass an appropriate resolution prior to that election being held. Bonds are proposed to be capped at $750.  Successful protests would mean any bond posted would be returned to its poster.

H. 3359 passed and was sent to the Senate.  House amendments made minimal changes regarding highway crossing and helmet requirements.  H. 3359 extensively addresses the subject of utility terrain vehicles (UTV).  This bill defines the term utility terrain vehicle and provides for the registration and operation on highways and streets (to include side-by-side, four-wheel drive, off-road vehicle, transporting individuals and cargo or both, tires, width, steering, and seating). The bill also addresses speed and engine power parameters to ensure they are over the size of UTVs designed for young people.  UTVs must be registered like passenger vehicles. They would be exempt from county property tax and subject to registration renewal biennially among many other requirements.

H. 3952, a bill revising the administrative authority of the Department of Consumer Affairs relating to motor vehicle dealers under the state’s Consumer Protection Code was passed and sent to the Senate.

Amended, approved, and sent the Senate H. 3782, a bill revising statutes governing telephone, cable television services, and other telecommunications public utilities to specify that video streaming services are not subject to the franchise fees that local governments charge for the use of public rights of way.

Approved and sent the Senate H. 3977, a bill facilitating property and casualty insurance policies that are posted on a website.

The House concurred with Senate amendments and enrolled for ratification H. 3312, legislation that creates the Child Food and Nutrition Services Study Committee. The committee shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 2024, at which time the study committee terminates.

Amended, approved, and sent to the Senate H. 3951. This legislation gives landowners another option for protection by creating the Working Agricultural Lands Preservation Program.

H. 4120 passed and was sent to the Senate.  This bill would create an “Illegal Immigration Enforcement Unit” within the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).  

H. 3414 passed and sent to the Senate. This bill is referred to as the “Anti Carolina Squat” bill. It prohibits motor vehicle modifications that result in the motor vehicle’s front fenders being raised four or more inches above or below the height of the rear fenders.

H. 3514, the “South Carolina Equine Advancement Act” passed and was sent to the Senate. Among many things, this bill would set up a South Carolina Equine Commission.  It would be chaired by our Department of Revenue Director.  They will select and oversee up to three entities in South Carolina that would operate pari-mutuel betting entities for equestrian activities. I did not support this bill as it creates another Government agency (as well as more gambling) and very little of the proceeds benefit the State General Fund. 

H. 3865 was passed with no opposition.  It sets out Additional Optional Coroner Candidate Qualifications. This bill would add anyone with three years’ experience as a licensed paramedic as an additional qualification to become a coroner.

H. 3553 a bill to remove Adoption Waiting Periods was passed without opposition. This bill would eliminate the existing statutory 90-day waiting period. Adoptions of special needs children would be allowed up to twelve months for completion.

H. 3138, a bill dealing with the disposal of abandoned aircraft by an airport manager was passed without opposition. The bill provides requirements for the notification and sale process for an airport manager of a publicly owned or public-use airport when it is determined an abandoned aircraft, or a derelict aircraft is located on the premises of the airport.

H. 3691, legislation stating that a coroner, deputy coroner, or coroner’s designee may administer an opioid antidote in accordance with the requirements of the “South Carolina Overdose Prevention Act” passed without opposition. 

H. 3681, a bill that prohibits municipalities from enacting laws, ordinances or rules pertaining to ingredients and flavors of tobacco products such as cigarettes or electronic smoking devices, and vapor products passed 98-4 and sent to the Senate.

H. 3690, the “ESG Pension Protection Act.”  “ESG” refers to “Environmental, Social, and Governance.”  The bill revises provisions governing the state’s retirement system funds to require decisions about investing and managing assets to be based on pecuniary factors.

H. 4116 passed and was sent to the Senate. This bill makes revisions relating to the licensure and regulation of funeral directors and other licensed funeral service providers. 

S. 604, a joint resolution authorizing American Rescue Plan Act appropriations was amended and sent back to the Senate. The legislation appropriates $586 million to the Rural Infrastructure Authority ARPA Water and Sewer Infrastructure Account to be used towards fulfilling existing grant applications.

H. 4087 was passed and sent to the Senate. The legislation expands the corporate income tax credit provisions for establishing a corporate headquarters in South Carolina. Batteries, solar panels, turbines, and related structures are included in the definition of “postconsumer waste material” for recycling facilities.

H. 4124, a bill restructuring the Department of Health and Environmental Control.  The legislation makes comprehensive reform provisions to replace the Department of Health and Environmental Control with a newly created Department of Public Health to assume DHEC’s health‑related functions and a newly created Department of Environmental Services to assume DHEC’s environmental‑related functions.

H. 4020, a bill enhancing motion picture production company tax rebates. The legislation revises the tax rebate provisions for certain motion picture production companies by increasing the total annual limit from ten million to thirty million dollars and by allowing the use of rebates for certain additional expenditures and expenses.

H. 3737, the “Short Line Railroad Modernization Act” (which I cosponsored) was passed and sent to the Senate. This bill makes provisions for an income tax credit equal to fifty percent of an eligible taxpayer’s qualified railroad reconstruction or replacement expenditures as a means of encouraging the rehabilitation of certain comparatively small rail lines.

H. 3563 passed unanimously and was sent to the Senate. The bill establishes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products including tampons, sanitary napkins, and other similar personal care items for use in connection with the menstrual cycle.

H. 3908 passed without opposition and was sent to the Senate. This bill addresses paid parental leave for school district employees. The legislation establishes provisions under which school district employees are eligible to receive paid parental leave upon the birth of a child or initial legal placement of a foster child or a child by adoption.

This week, the General Assembly was hosted by our firefighters with a luncheon on the State House grounds. I met with members of the Abbeville County Fire Commission. Among them were Chief Tim Williams and Paul Parnell.

As the session moves along, there have only been a few bills acted upon in the State House. However, behind the scenes, many committees and subcommittees are meeting to get many other bills to the floor.

Two weeks ago, the House passed H.3774 the Human Life Protection Act after a protracted debate only brought to an end by invoking “cloture”. When cloture is invoked, no additional amendments are allowed, bebate is limited to 10 minutes per amendment and then one hour is allotted for debate in favor of and one hour in opposition to the bill. Ultimately, the bill overwhelmingly passed the House by a vote of 77-31 with only 2 Republicans and 29 Democrats voting “no”. The bill will allow a licensed physician to perform an abortion only in cases where a pregnancy results from incidents of rape or incest, when a fatal fetal anomaly is present, or when the life of the mother is at risk. It also protects contraception, in vitro fertilization [IVF], and other assistive reproduction technologies. In addition, biological fathers will be responsible for paying 50 percent of the birth mother’s pregnancy expenses from the time of conception as well as child support to be calculated from the date of conception.

This week, an equally contentious bill, H. 3594, the “Constitutional Carry” bill passed the House, and been sent to the Senate for consideration. It, too, invoked a cloture motion to limit debate.

It declares that law-abiding South Carolina citizens have a constitutional right to carry their firearms anywhere in South Carolina except in any facility clearly marked with a sign complying with state specifications that disallows firearms on those premises.  They also could store their firearms anywhere within their motor vehicles.

Anyone openly carrying their firearm in compliance with this proposed legislation would not give any law enforcement officer or official with arrest powers either a reasonable suspicion or probable cause to be searched, detained, or arrested for doing so.

Also as amended, first time violators of these prohibitions would face up to 5 years in jail, second time offenders would face from 5 to 20 years in jail, and third time or more violators would face 10 to 30 years in jail.  Anyone convicted of a crime punishable by up to one year in jail would be prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Firearm owners would have to report the loss or theft of their guns to an appropriate law enforcement agency within 30 days after discovering it.  The General Assembly encourages all gun owners to receive appropriate gun safety training before carrying their firearms.  CWP holders would have to report losing their permits within 48 hours, and pardons that are granted could ban gun possession, transport, or sales if this bill is enacted.

The House approved H. 3340, Gold Alerts,and has sent it to the Senate for deliberation. This proposal would add anyone with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disability diagnosis to the list of people eligible for inclusion in the State Law Enforcement Division’s Endangered Person Notification System.

H. 3802, a bill that reduces the membership of the Board of Trustees for the Veterans’ Trust Fund of South Carolina from nineteen to eleven, was amended, approved, and sent to the Senate.  The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoints the Board. The Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall serve as the executive director of the trust fund and an ex officio nonvoting member of the board.

H. 3797 was approved and sent to the Senate.  The bill would enact the “Military Temporary Remote School Enrollment Act” outlining requirements (including to districts) for school enrollment for children of military personnel who are transferred to a military installation within the state of South Carolina while on active military duty (a pupil would be considered a resident of the school district). 

The House approved and accepted a motion on Thursday to give third reading the next day to H. 3505.  The bill removes certain possession restrictions (unlawful to possess more than two blue catfish greater than thirty-two inches in length in any one day) for blue catfish.

It was a great pleasure to have as a guest this last week the FFA from Calhoun Falls Public Charter School at the state house. Ms. Nancy McCannon does a wonderful job with the youngsters in her program.

As always, it is an honor and a privilege to serve you in Columbia. If you need help navigating state government, or have any thoughts or concerns about what we are doing, please do not hesitate to contact me at home at (864) 366-4112 or in Columbia at (803) 212-6934 or by email at craiggagnon@schouse.gov.

January 31-February 2, 2023

The House passed on third reading, and sent the Senate, H. 3503, with amendments, a bill to establish and enhance criminal penalties for trafficking or distributing fentanyl, or fentanyl-related substances, which would be considered Schedule I drugs.  Anyone possessing over 4 grams of fentanyl would trigger these new criminal enforcement penalties.

As amended, first time offenders with four grams or more, but less than 14 grams, of fentanyl would face mandatory minimum jailtime sentences of 10 years, and maximum incarceration for 25 years.  A fine of $50,000 would also be levied.  Second and subsequent offenders trafficking these amounts potentially face a minimum of 25 years in jail and a fine of $100,000.

Second or subsequent, offenders with 14, but less than 28, grams of fentanyl would face a minimum 25 years in jail and a fine of $100,000.  Subsequent offenders with 28, or more, grams of fentanyl would face a minimum of 25 years in jail and up to a maximum of 40 years incarcerated once convicted.  All these categories of subsequent offenders also would be fined $200,000.

No part of any of these listed sentences or fines could be suspended by a judge.  Judges also could not put these offenders on probation.

The House of Representatives approved S. 381, providing for the ratification of the State Constitutional Amendment enhancing financial reserve funds, and enrolled the bill for ratification.  The legislation provides for the ratification of the amendment to the South Carolina Constitution approved by the state’s voters at the 2022 general election to enhance the state financial reserve funds that are used to cope with revenue shortfalls.  The amendment provides for the state’s General Reserve Fund, currently set at 5 percent of General Fund revenue of the latest completed fiscal year, to be increased each year by 0.5% until it equals 7 percent of such revenue.  The amendment increases the state’s Capital Reserve Fund from 2 percent to 3 percent of General Fund revenue and provides that the first use of the Capital Reserve Fund must be to offset midyear budget reductions.

The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H. 3605, a bill addressing the screening of applicants for professional and occupational licenses and the investigation of complaints filed against those who hold such licenses.  The legislation provides that a professional or occupational board under the authority of the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation may not solely or in part deny a license to an applicant because of a prior criminal conviction, unless the criminal conviction directly relates to the duties, responsibilities, or fitness of the occupation or profession for which the applicant is seeking a license.  Boards are prohibited from using vague or generic terms, such as “moral turpitude” or “good character”, nor may they consider charges that have been dismissed or dropped or that have resulted in a finding of not guilty as a justification for denying an applicant a license.  An applicant who has submitted a completed application may not be denied a license because of a prior criminal conviction unless the licensing board has given the applicant an opportunity to appear at a hearing to determine the applicant’s fitness for the occupation or profession.  When a license is solely or in part denied because of the applicant’s prior criminal history, the board must, within thirty days of the hearing, issue a written final order that includes the grounds for denial and notification that appeals are to be made to the Administrative Law Court.  The legislationrevises provisions governing the investigation of professional and occupational licensees when complaints have been filed against them.  Within 30 days after an investigation is initiated, the LLR Director is responsible for sending: (1) a letter advising the licensee that a complaint has been filed, an investigation has been initiated, and the licensee is requested to respond in writing within 14 days; (2) a copy of the complaint; (3) the name of the complainant, unless the board believes good cause exists to withhold the name; and (4) all materials filed with the complaint.  In any case where an investigation prompts a licensing board to recommend a formal complaint, the legislation requires a procedural review in which the LLR Director is charged with verifying that notification requirements have been fulfilled and that any response from the licensee has been included and considered in the investigative file.  Any procedural defects that the Director finds during the review must be rectified before a formal complaint can be issued.

The House approved and sent the Senate H. 3614, the “Rate Payer Protection Act“, which affords employees of public utilities whistleblower protections so that they might not refrain from reporting wrongdoing out of fear of retaliation.  The legislation prohibits a public utility from dismissing, demoting, or taking other adverse employment actions against an employee who has, in good faith, reported waste, fraud, abuse, or other wrongdoing by the public utility to the Office of Regulatory Staff.  Remedies are established should a public utility retaliate against an employee who acts as a whistleblower.

The House gave third reading, and sent to the Senate, H. 3122, a bill repealing outdated statutory requirements for the Attorney General to inspect local county offices and to approve all easements or other access agreements to be signed by officials with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health.

Third reading was given to H. 3209 permit expiration extensions.  It would allow permits by the South Carolina Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, Department of Health and Environmental Control, the State, other agencies, or subdivisions of South Carolina that were issued on January 1, 2018, or later, and set to expire during the COVID-19 declared emergency, to remain in effect until December 31, 2023.  As amended, covered permits also include development approvals for providing water or wastewater removal services, and air quality permits.

House Week in Review – February 22-25, 2022

The State House convened this week and had a number of bills on the floor for deliberation. Many more are on the way, including the state budget bill which was passed out of Ways and Means and will be taken up the week of March 14^th.  

Among the most important bills was H. 4880, a bill providing for income tax relief. This legislation restructures the state income tax brackets ultimately saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of their tax dollars. The bill collapses several tax brackets as well as lowering the top tax bracket making South Carolina among the lowest in the southeast. It also exempts all military retirement income from South Carolina individual income tax, regardless of the taxpayer’s age. I supported this bill as it has important safeguards against a major downturn in the economy. It passed unanimously. The bill might be in for some further scrutiny in the Senate, however, as Senate Finance Committee Chairman Harvey Peeler vows to out-do any tax reductions offered by the House.

The House approved and sent the Senate H. 3347, a proposed state constitutional amendment for increasing state financial reserve funds that are used to cope with revenue shortfalls. The Resolution raises the State’s reserve fund from the current 5 percent to 7 percent over the next few years. I support this resolution. The voters will have the final say-so on at the ballot.

The House gave third reading and sent to the Senate H. 4939, a bill requiring the Department of Agriculture to develop a “Certified S.C. Raised Beef”designation.

The House gave third reading (which I voted for) and sent to the Senate H. 4778, a bill that adds that an entity that has contracted for the right to store water in a reservoir owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers has exclusive rights to any return flows generated to that reservoir under the “Water Resources Planning and Coordination Act.” The bill further outlines that the “return flow” means water that is discharged directly or indirectly to a reservoir from a water recovery facility. This will help many areas bordering the Savannah River.

The House gave third reading (again, I voted for) and sent to the Senate H. 3598, a bill that creates the “Veterans Service Organization Burial Honor Guard Support Fund.”  The purpose of this fund is to help offset the costs paid by South Carolina chapters of congressionally chartered veterans service organizations that provide well-equipped and properly trained honor guard burial details at the funerals of qualifying South Carolina veterans.

The House unanimously approved H. 4143, as amended by the committee, gave third reading and sent to the Senate, legislation dealing with the warning lights on tow wreckers. This bill outlines that a wrecker must use a mounted oscillating, rotating, or flashing light at an emergency scene and at any time when rendering roadside assistance.

The House unanimously approved H. 3538, as amended by the committee, gave third reading and sent to the Senate, legislation that requires the Department of Natural Resources to set conditions under the Alligator Management Program for the humane taking and disposition of alligators. 

The House unanimously gave third reading and sent to the Senate H. 4904, legislation that allows the Department of Natural Resources to obtain and utilize Schedule III Nonnarcotic and Schedule IV Controlled Substances for the capture and immobilization of wildlife. 

The House unanimously gave third reading and sent to the Senate H. 4905, a bill that includes the referenceof hybrid bass in the striped bass statutes.

The House unanimously passed, gave third reading and sent to Senate H. 4906. In an effort to prevent the introduction or distribution of a disease, in particular the chronic waste disease, that affects the deer population.

The House unanimously passed, gave third reading and sent to Senate H. 4907, legislation that updates the freshwater game fish laws to include other specifies of bass, such as the Alabama bass, and trout hybrids.  The legislation outlines that it is illegal to sell certain game fish in this state.

The House unanimously passed, gave third reading and sent to the Senate H. 4600, a bill that modernizes the code of laws pertaining to persons authorized to make healthcare decisions for a Department of Mental Health patient unable to consent so as to be consistent with 2019 legislative changes to a statute governing care for all adults unable to provide consent for treatment.

The House unanimously passed, gave third reading and sent to Senate H. 4597, a bill that outlines that an individual who is in need of an anatomical gift shall not be deemed ineligible to receive an anatomical gift solely because of the individual’s physical or mental disability.

The House approved by 103-3 (which I voted for) H. 3599, as amended by the committee, gave third reading and sent to Senate, a bill that enacts the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. This bill allows South Carolina to enter into a multistate licensure compact to provide for the reciprocal practice of occupation therapy among the states that are part of the compact.

The House approved 103-3 (which I voted for) H. 3833, as amended by the committee, gave third reading and sent to Senate, a bill that allows for South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology Board to enter into the Psychology Inter-jurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT).  This bill permits eligible psychologists to practice telepsychology and temporary in-person psychology across state boundaries. 

After informing the House that it non-concurred in the amendments proposed by the House toS. 203 (on the subject of the removal of school district trustees and filling of vacancies) a conference committee was appointed to iron out the differences.

On Wednesday, I was honored to meet with several FFA members from Abbeville, Dixie and Calhoun Falls High Schools. I grateful to Ms. Finley from AHS, Mr. Murdock from Dixie and Ms. McCannon from Calhoun Falls Charter for teaching these fine students and taking time to visit the State House.

As always, it is an honor and a privilege to serve you in Columbia. If you need help with any state agency, or have any thoughts or concerns about what we are doing, please do not hesitate to contact me at home at (864) 366-4112 or in Columbia at (803) 212-6934 or by email at craiggagnon@schouse.gov.

HOUSE WEEK IN REVIEW

The House spent little time on the floor this week, but did the bulk of their work in committees. The House is anticipating a busy schedule however as we deal with the Santee Cooper issue and the upcoming budget debate. The Ways and Means Committee is tasked each year to assemble the State Budget by reviewing every state agency and their funding requests. The committee begins working on the budget as early as September. The FY 2020-21 budget passed out of Ways and Means and is now on the calendar for floor debate starting March 10.

Among the proposed budget items:
⁃ $128 million will be refunded directly to taxpayers in an income tax credit ($100 per return)
⁃ Funds to bring the total reserve fund to almost $800 million in case of recession or natural disaster
⁃ $77 million for immediate, accelerated, and expanded road repairs on shovel ready projects for farm-to-market roads in every county
⁃ $23 million for repairs and maintenance of state-maintained roads ($500,000 per county)
⁃ $120 million devoted to lowering the income tax rate from 7% to 6.8%
⁃ $213 million for an across-the-board pay raise to our teachers, ranking SC in top 25 for teacher pay
⁃ $165 million to ensure college tuition rates are frozen so that college is more affordable for in-state students
⁃ $138 million to the Department of Corrections to fund safety upgrades
⁃ $40 million to provide pay raises based on merit for state employees
The budget will assuredly look different as it goes to the Senate and the Governor for their approval/amending.
In the few bills that were discussed on the floor. The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3197, the “Student Loan Bill of Rights Act”, which establishes consumer protection measures for those who obtain loans to finance postsecondary education or other school-related expenses. The legislation provides for the licensure and regulation of student loan servicers by the Department of Consumer Affairs. A list of prohibited activities is established for student loan servicers. I voted against this bill as I feel that federal law already covers this issue and it will cost the state at least $166,000 per year to have a full time “student loan ombudsman”.

The House approved and sent the Senate H.3455, a bill that provides for the licensure and regulation of swimming pool installers by classifying them as residential specialty contractors. The legislation adds swimming pool installers to the list (which already includes HVAC installers, stucco installers, plumbers and electricians) of those classified as residential specialty contractors, who are independent contractors who contract with licensed residential builders, general contractors, or individual property owners to do certain construction work, repairs, improvement, or restoration which requires special skills and involves the use of specialized construction trades or craft.

As always, it is an honor and a privilege to serve you in Columbia. If you need help navigating state government, or have any thoughts or concerns about what we are doing, please do not hesitate to contact me at home at (864) 366-4112 or in Columbia at (803) 212-6934 or by email at craiggagnon@schouse.gov

In the State House the Week of March 4th, the following bills were acted upon. I voted in the affirmative for the following:

The House approved S.326 and ordered the legislation enrolled for ratification. The joint resolution directs the State Law Enforcement Division to distribute two hundred fifty thousand dollars to the South Carolina State Firefighters Association to provide for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder insurance and programs for firefighters.

The House approved and sent the Senate H.3294, a bill increasing the age limit in Safe Havens for Abandoned Babies provisions that designate locations, such as hospitals, police stations, and fire stations, where someone may leave an infant under certain circumstances without criminal penalty. The legislation provides that the safe haven provisions apply to infants who are up to one year old rather than the current standard of no more than sixty days old.

The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3973, a bill establishing the crime of female genital mutilation. The legislation establishes felony criminal provisions that apply to the mutilation of the genitalia of females who are under the age of eighteen or older females who are unable to consent to the procedure. The legislation also revises the Children’s Code to add female genital mutilation to provisions addressing child abuse and harm.

The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3263, the “Armed service Members and Spouses Professional and Occupational Licensing Act”. The legislation establishes a protocol that allows the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to expedite the issuance of professional and occupational licenses to spouses of military personnel transferred to South Carolina when the spouse holds a professional or occupational license issued by another state that has similar requirements.

The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3200, the “South Carolina Lactation Support Act”. The legislation requires employers to make reasonable efforts to provide workers with reasonable unpaid break time and space to express milk at work. The legislation does not require employers to compensate employees for breaks taken to express breast milk unless the employer already provides compensated breaks and does not require employers to create a permanent or dedicated space for use by pumping employees.

The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3586, a bill revising and updating the Coordinated Statewide 911 Emergency Telecommunications System.

The House approved and sent the Senate H.3601, a bill establishing a procedure that allows a court to grant a conditional discharge for a first-time offender charged with public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3029, a bill expanding state political party executive committee jurisdiction to include county officers. The legislation expands political party state executive committee authority so that it includes hearing protests and contests in county officer, and less than county officer, elections. The legislation repeals provisions for hearings by county executive committees and appeals from decisions of county executive committees.

The House approved and sent the Senate H.4157, a joint resolution to extend the deadline to submit offers for a solicitation for a statewide voting system solution for the South Carolina Elections Commission and to create a special evaluation panel to evaluate and score each proposal for new voting machines.

The House approved and sent the Senate H.4054, a joint resolution to allow for the submission of less than three qualified applicants to the Governor to serve as executive director of the Department of Employment and Workforce.

The House rejected (I voted no) H.3031, a bill revising voter registration deadlines. Although current voter registration deadlines are quite cumbersome, the efforts to move the deadline to 25 days prior to an election from the current 30 days are a rather sticky business. The deadline should be moved to 35 prior to elections, not moved up. However, the Federal Election Laws prohibit making the deadline greater than 30 days prior to the election.

This past week was “Budget Week,” the weeklong debate on the $8.7 billion 2019-2020 budget. After going through the budget line by line and working past midnight, we successfully sent this year’s budget to the Senate with only one “nay” vote.

After months of working with Gov. McMaster, building consensus, and many hours of debate, we passed our General Appropriation Bill for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. This year’s budget is focused on investing in education and workforce development by increasing teacher pay, providing tuition assistance, and funding for workforce training programs.

Not only does the budget not increase taxes, it actually provides tax relief in the form of a rebate for everyone who pays income tax.

Many amendments were proposed, one of which was to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood. Last year’s Planned Parenthood budget amendment (de-funding Planned Parenthood) was not crafted well and it backfired and ultimately cost SC taxpayer $2 million. This year’s amendment was crafted well and will wait for the Governor to receive a waiver from the Federal government before any de-funding takes place.

The budget will now go to the Senate for their consideration.

The House budget contains:

• Nearly $160 million to provide every teacher a pay raise, helping to ensure that we recruit and retain the very best teachers. 30% of the budget surplus from last year will be devoted to raising teacher pay.
• $50 million for high-poverty school districts to use for building renovations and upgrades.
• $20 million for new and improved textbooks and instructional for our schools.
• $10 million to hire 120 more school-resource officers for schools that don’t already have one and cannot afford them.
• $41 million to raise state employee salaries.
• $49.7 million to cover state employee health and dental insurance increases.
• $32 million for retired state employees, who are covered by the state’s retirement system, to return to work without facing a $10,000 salary cap as long as they have been retired for a year.