Legislative Review: April 26 - April 29

by Administrator – 4/29/2011 – 2441 comments

What Happened: Weekly Legislative Review: 04/26 - 04/29

Highlights:

• The Senate took up H. 3700 – the state budget – this week, before voting to adjourn Thursday to resume consideration of the budget on Tuesday with the caveat that amendments to the bill will not be considered beyond 3PM on Tuesday.
• The attempt to amend H. 3488 – Durable Medical Equipment Sales Tax Exemption – to include the Amazon.com incentive deal failed by a vote of 47-71 on Wednesday.
 

Senate

• S. 823: Designate Collard Greens as the State Vegetable: Knotts, et. al.
  • Received 3^rd reading, introduced in House (4/27/2011)
• H. 3276: Ratification of Hunt/Fishing Amendment: White, et. al.
  • Received 3^rd reading, enrolled for ratification
• S. 824: Designation of Responsibilities of SC JEDA: Hutto, et. al.
  • Received 3^rd reading, introduced in House (4/27/2011)

House

• H. 3720: Corporate HQ Jobs Tax Credit: Cooper, Henderson, Patrick
  • Received 3^rd reading, introduced in Senate (4/29/2011)
• H. 3003: Voter ID: Clemmons, et. al.
  • Conference Committee report adopted (4/26/2011)
• H. 3226: SC Regulatory Reform Act: Bedingfield, et. al.
  • Received 3^rd reading, sent to Senate (4/28/2011)
• H. 3346: Solar Energy Equipment Tax Credit: Loftis, et. al.
  • Received 3^rd reading, sent to Senate (4/29/2011)
• H. 3456: Other Funds Oversight Committee: White, et. al.
  • Received 3^rd reading, sent to Senate (4/29/2011)
• H. 3051: Increase of Agency Fees: Erickson, et. al.
  • Received 3^rd reading, sent to Senate (4/29/2011) 

Legislative Preview: April 26 - 29

by matthewsnider – 4/26/2011 – 742 comments

Highlights:

• The House returns from furlough this week.
• The Senate will begin consideration of the state’s General Appropriations bill – H 3700 – on the floor Tuesday.

Senate

Meetings in the Senate

Wednesday

• Senate Judiciary Subcommittee – 9:00AM (Gressette 207)
  • S. 67: Referendum Amendment
  • S. 97: Recall of Public Officials from Office
  • S. 544: Initiative Petitions

 Legislation on the Floor

• H. 3700: General Appropriations Bill (Financing State Government): Ways and Means
  • Reported favorable with amendments from committee (4/19/2011)
• H. 3375: Tort Reform/Fairness in Civil Justice Act: Harrell, et. al.
  • Placed in interrupted debate (4/7/2011)
• S. 630: Prohibiting Non-candidate PACs: Knotts, et. al.
  • Set for special order (3/24/2011)
• S. 418: Proviso Codification Act of 2011: Leatherman
  • Reported favorable out of committee (2/23/2011)
• S. 419: Other Funds Oversight Committee: Setzler, et. al.
  • Reported (majority) favorable out of committee (2/23/2011)
• H. 3185: Higher Education Transparency Act of 2011: Harrell, et. al.
  • Reported favorably out of committee (2/24/2011)
• S. 225:Texting While Driving: Knotts, et. al.
  • Amended (3/24/2011)
• S. 432:Consolidating School Districts Study Committee: Jackson, et. al.
  • Reported favorably with amendments from committee (3/15/2011)

House

Meetings in the House

Tuesday

• Majority Caucus – 11:00AM (Blatt 112)
• House Ways & Means Sales and Income Tax Subcommittee – upon adjournment (Blatt 523)
  • H. 3055: Estimation of Tax Liability

Wednesday

• Education K-12 Subcommittee – 9:00AM (Blatt 433)
  • H. 3297: Superintendents Salary and Compensation Packages
  • H. 3495: Study Effectiveness of Consolidating School Districts
  • H. 3502: Restructure School District Administrations

Thursday

• Ways & Means Economic Development, Capital Improvement, and Other Taxes Subcommittee – 9:00 (Blatt 523)
  • H. 3688: Textiles Communities Revitalization Act
  • H. 3191: JEDA
• Judiciary Election Laws Subcommittee – noon, or upon adjournment (Blatt 516)
  • Discussion of Redistricting Criteria

Legislation on the Floor

• H. 3762: DEW Repayment of Federal Loans Estimate: Cooper, et. al.
  • Debated adjourned until April 26, 2011 (4/13/2011)
• H. 3986: Carry Forward School District Funds: Hayes and Bingham
  • Recalled from committee (4/13/2011)
• H. 3226: SC Regulatory Reform Act of 2011: Bedingfield, et. al.
  • Recalled from committee (4/13/2011)
• H. 3498: Judicial Interpretations of Construction Contracts: Herbkersman, et. al.
  • Recalled from committee (4/14/2011)
• H. 3788: Heritage Golf Preservation Act: Herbkersman
  • Requests for debate (Bikas, et. al.) (4/13/2011)
• H. 3456: Other Funds Oversight Committee: White, et. al.
  • Requests for debate (White, et. al.) (4/14/2011)
• H. 3194: Income Tax Deduction for Constables: Pope, et. al.
  • Requests for debate (Loftis, et. al.) (4/14/2011) 

Legislative Preview: April 4 - April 8

by Jamie Murguia – 4/6/2011 – 19 comments

What to Watch: The Legislative Week Ahead – 04/4 – 04/8

 Highlights:

• The House will take up Senate amendments to H. 3003 (Voter ID) this week. If the House concurs, the bill will be enrolled for ratification and send to the Governor’s desk to be signed.
• The full Ways & Means Committee will meet Tuesday (1.5 hrs after adjournment) to discuss a wide range of bills, related to investment and economic development in the state.

House

Meetings in the House

Tuesday

• Majority Caucus  (11:00) Blatt 112
• Minority Caucus (11:00) Blatt 305
• Ways and Means Property Tax Subcommittee  (11:30) Blatt 511
  • H. 3934 Multi-Lot Discounts
• Ways and Means General Government (upon adjournment) Blatt 511
  • H. 3051 Fee, Fine, and Penalty Increase Approval
  • H. 3929 Allow Joint Municipal Power Agencies in State Health Plan
• Full Ways and Means Committee (1 ½ after adjournment) Blatt 521
  • H. 3404 Index of Taxpaying Ability
  • H. 3190 Medicaid Pilot Project
  • H. 3456 Other Funds Committee
  • H. 3779 & H.3506 Angel Investment Act
  • H. 3720 Jobs Tax Credit – Definitions
  • H. 3059 Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles
  • H. 3762 Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund

Wednesday

• L.C.I. Business and Commerce Subcommittee (9:00) Blatt 403
  • H. 3675 Employees, Incentives, and Business Preference Program
• Ways and Means General Government, Personnel, and Benefits Subcommittee (1 hour after adjournment) Blatt 521
  • H. 3407 Educational Opportunity Act 

Legislation on the Floor

• H. 3003: Voter ID:Clemmons, et. al.
  • Status: Senate amendments sent to House (2/24/2011)
• S. 434: Reducing Medicaid Provider Rates: Bryant, et. al.
  • Status: Second reading (3/31/2011)
• H. 3788: SC Heritage Golf Preservation Act: Herbkersman
  • Status: Recalled from committee (3/3/2011)

 Senate

Meetings in the Senate

Tuesday

• Judiciary Committee (3:00) Gressette 308
  • H. 3066 Restructuring Act
  • H. 3152 Joint Ticket for Governor and Lieutenant Governor
• Finance Committee (3:00) Gressette 105
  • S. 310: Index of Taxpaying Ability
• Proviso Subcommittee (upon adjournment of full finance committee) Gressette 105

Wednesday

• Constitutional & Criminal Justice Budget Hearings (9:00) Gressette 407
  • Review Agency Funding Requests Including Federal & Other Funds
• K-12 Educational Subcommittee  (10:00) Gressette 207
  • S. 414 Educational Opportunity Act
• Judiciary Subcommittee (11:00) Gressette 308
  • S. 12 Prevent Raiding of Trust Funds

Thursday

• Judiciary Subcommittee
  • S. 14 General Appropriations
  • S. 262 Legislative Oversight of Executive Branch
  • S. 372 Deficit Prevention and Recognition Act

 Legislation on the Floor

•  H. 3375: SC Fairness in Civil Justice Act of 2011: Harrell, et. al.
  • Status: Interrupted debate (3/31/2011)
• S. 630: Banning Non-Candidate PACs: Knotts, et. al.
  • Status: Set for special order (3/24/2011)
• S. 633: Banning PACs: Sheheen, et. al.
  • Status: Second reading (3/16/2011)
• S. 211: I-95 Corridor Authority Act: Matthews, et. al.
  • Status: Second reading (3/31/2011)
• S. 418: SC Proviso Codification Act of 2011: Leatherman, et. al.
  • Status: Reported favorably out of committee (2/23/2011)
• H. 3185: SC Higher Education Transparency Act of 2011: Harrell, et. al.
  • Status: Reported favorably out of committee (2/24/2011)
• S. 312: Revise Fund Monies Language: Davis, et. al.
  • Status: Reported favorably out of committee (3/31/2011) 

Legislative Preview: March 29 - April 1

by Administrator – 3/30/2011 – 912 comments

Highlights:

• A number of Senate committees will be considering budget provisos throughout the week as part of the process of developing their version of the state budget.

House

Meetings in the House 

Tuesday

• Majority Caucus  (11:00) Blatt 112
• Minority Caucus (11:00) Blatt 305
• Full Ways and Means Committee (1 ½ hours after adjournment) Blatt 521
  • H. 3404: Index of Tax Paying Ability Alterations
  • H. 3190: Medicaid Pilot Project
  • H. 3456: Other Funds Committee
  • H. 3709: Transfer State Museum and Arts Commission to  PRT
  • H. 3779: Bill Wylie Entrepreneurship Act
  • H. 3720: Jobs Tax Credit – Definitions
  • H. 3506: Jobs Tax Credit – Technology Intensive Facility
  • H. 3059: Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles
  • H. 3194: Income Tax Deduction
  • H. 3346: Income Tax Credits
  • H. 3488: Sales Tax Exemption – Durable Medical Equipment and Service Warranties
  • H. 3747: Sales and Use Tax Exemptions
  • H. 3713: Point of Sale
  • H. 3762: Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund

Thursday

• Judiciary Constitutional Laws Subcommittee (9:00) Blatt 511
  • H. 3183: Lobbyist Registration

Legislation on the Floor

• H. 3788: Heritage Golf Preservation Act
• H. 3003: SC Election Reform Act/Voter ID
• H. 3735: SC Incandescent Light Bulb Freedom Act
• H. 3267: Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services

Senate

Meetings in the Senate

Tuesday

• Finance Subcommittee on Constitutional and Criminal Justice (9:00) Gressette 209
  • Proviso Review
• Judiciary Committee (3:00) Gressette 308
  • S. 258: Inspector General
  • H. 3066: S.C. Restructuring Act
  • H. 3070: Superintendent of Education Appointed
  • H. 3152: Joint Ticket for Governor and Lieutenant Governor
• Finance Committee (3:00) Gressette 105
  • S. 591: Tax Credit for Employers Hiring an Unemployed  Individual
  • S. 211: I-95 Corridor Authority Act
  • S. 312: Matching Federal Funds Oversight Act
  • S. 690: Reinstating Income, Corporate License Fee and Taxes

Wednesday

• Joint Other Funds Oversight Committee (8:30) Gressette 209
• Health and Human Services Budget Hearings (9:30) Gressette 207
  • Provisos
• Finance Subcommittee on Public Education Budget Proviso Work (9:30) Gressette 307
  • Proviso Review
• Finance Subcommittee  on Constitutional and Criminal Justice (10:00) Gressette 105
  • Proviso Review
• Finance Committee and Proviso Subcommittee (4:00 or 30 Minutes After Adjournment) Gressette 105
  • H. 3700: Review Part 1B of Budget

Thursday

• Finance Committee and Proviso Subcommittee (9:00) Gressette 105
• Judiciary Subcommittee of S.14, S.262, & S.372 (9:00) Gressette 308
  • S. 14: General Appropriations
  • S. 262: Legislation Oversight of Executive Department
  • S. 372: State Agency Deficit Prevention and Recognition Act
• Constitutional and Criminal Justice Budget Hearings (10:00) Gressette 407
  • Comptroller General
  • S.C. Department of Corrections

 Legislation on the Floor

• S. 419: Other Funds Oversight Committee
• H. 3185: Higher Education Transparency Act of 2011
• H. 3375: SC Fairness in Civil Justice Act of 2011
• S. 630: Banning Non-Candidate PACs
• S. 633: Banning PACs

Legislative Preview: March 22nd - March 25th

by Administrator – 3/23/2011 – 212 comments

Highlights:

• The House will be in recess for the duration of the week, following its passage of the budget and capital reserve fund bills (H. 3700 & 3701) last week.

Senate

Meetings in the Senate

Tuesday

• Finance Subcommittee on Sales & Income Tax (3:00) Gressette 209
  • S. 591: State Tax Credit for Hiring Unemployed Persons
  • S. 435: Periodic Expenditure Reports
  • S. 211: I-95 Corridor Authority Act
  • S. 205: Restrictions on Fines in Appropriations Bill/Other Funds Study Committee
  • S. 312: SC Federal and Other Fund Oversight Act

Wednesday

• Finance Subcommittee on Health & Human Services (9:00) Gressette 207
  • Budget Hearings:
  • HHS
  • DSS
• Judiciary Subcommittee (11:00) Gressette 308
  • Department of Corrections Projected Budget Shortfall
• Judiciary Subcommittee (12:00) Gressette 209
  • S. 14: General Appropriations
  • S. 262: Legislative Oversight of Executive Department
  • S. 372: State Agency Deficit Recognition & Prevention Act

Thursday

• Judiciary Subcommittee (9:00) Gressette 209
  • S. 132: Appointment of Superintendent of Education
  • S. 134: SC Restructuring Act of 2011
  • S. 238: SC Restructuring Act
  • S. 261: Department of Administration
  • H. 3152: Joint Election Lt. Gov. & Governor
• Finance Subcommittee on Public Education (9:30) Gressette 207
  • Fiscal Review of Education Finance Act – S. 433
• Constitutional & Criminal Justice Subcommittee (10:00) Gressette 407
  • Budget Hearings
  • Ethics Commission
  • Election Commission

Legislation on the Floor

• H. 3375: Fairness in Civil Justice/Private Attorney Retention Sunshine Act: Harrell, et. al.
  • Status: Set for Special Order: (3/15/2011)
• S. 172: Higher Education Financial Transaction Transparency Act: Fair, et. al.
  • Status: Received second reading (2/3/2011)
• S. 633: Banning PACs: Sheheen, et. al.
  • Status: Received second reading (3/16/2011)
• H. 3285: Constitutional Amendment for Roll-Call Voting: Ballentine, et. al.
  • Status: Reported by committee, majority favorable (2/16/2011)
• S. 419: Other Funds Oversight Committee: Setzler, et. al.
  • Status: Reported by committee, majority favorable (2/23/2011)
• H. 3185: SC Higher Education Transparency Act of 2011: Harrell, et. al.
  • Status: Reported by committee, majority favorable (2/24/2011) 

Legislative Review: March 14th - 18th

by Administrator – 3/18/2011 – 662 comments

Highlights:

• H. 3004 – Roll Call Voting Statute – passed in the Senate after three days of debate. The legislation that passed is a standalone bill, rather than the proposed enabling legislation discussed earlier this year. The bill will be taken up for concurrence by the House upon its return from a week-long furlough, before going to the Governor’s desk to sign into law.  Read an update on the legislation on The Nerve here.
• The House passed their version of the budget bill – H. 3700 – after three days of deliberations. It was introduced in the Senate the same day (Wednesday).
• The House will be on furlough from March 17^th to March 29^th.
• The Comptroller General was called to testify before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee tasked with reporting on various restructuring bills. The subcommittee summoned the Comptroller General in an attempt to determine who in state government was aware that Health & Human Services would be running a deficit and when.

House

• H. 3700: General Appropriations Bill: Ways & Means
  • Received second reading via roll-call vote (3/15/2011)
  • Received third reading, sent to Senate (3/16/2011)
  • Introduced in Senate, referred to Finance (3/16/2011)
• H. 3701: Capital Reserve Fund: Ways & Means
  • Received second reading via roll-call vote (3/15/2011)
  • Received third reading, sent to Senate (3/16/2011)
  • Introduced in Senate, referred to Finance (3/16/2011)

 Senate

•  S. 633: Banning PACs: Sheheen, et. al.
  • Recalled from Judiciary Committee (3/16/2011)
  • Received second reading via roll-call vote (3/16/2011)

Legislative Preview: March 14th - March 18th

by Administrator – 3/16/2011 – 595 comments

Highlights:

• The House began budget deliberations, Monday. They are expected to complete debate on the budget bill by the end of the week. 
• The Senate is expected to begin debate on H. 3004 – Roll Call Voting Statute, Tuesday. The bill was previously on Special Order, and is now in the status of Interrupted Debate – making this bill a priority on the Senate calendar.
• A public hearing will be held on the S. 414 – Educational Opportunity Act – on Wednesday before the Senate K-12 Education Subcommittee.

House

Meetings in the House

Monday

• Majority Caucus (upon recess) Blatt 112

Wednesday

• Majority Caucus (upon recess) Blatt 112

Thursday

• Majority Caucus (upon recess) Blatt 112

Friday

• Majority Caucus (upon recess) Blatt 112

Legislation on the Floor

• H. 3700: General Appropriations Bill: Ways & Means
• H. 3701: Capital Reserve Fund

Senate

Meetings in the Senate

Tuesday

• Finance Subcommittee: Sales & Income Tax (3:00) Gressette 308
  • S. 591: Tax Credit for Hiring Unemployed Persons
  • S. 211: I-95 Corridor Authority Act
  • S. 205: Restrictions on Fines & Fees
  • S. 312: SC Federal and Other Funds Oversight

Wednesday

• Health & Human Services: Budget Hearings (9:00) Gressette 207
  • Department of Mental Health
  • DHEC
  • Governor’s Office of Executive Policy & Programs
• K-12 Education Subcommittee (9:00) Gressette 105
  • Public Hearings (S. 414: Educational Opportunity Act)
• Finance Public Education Subcommittee: Budget Hearings (11:00) Gressette 209
  • State Library
  • Arts Commission
  • State Museum
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • SC ETV
  • Department of Archives & History
• Judiciary Subcommittee (11:00) Gressette 207
  • Resolution of the Dept. of Corrections projected budget shortfall

Thursday

• Judiciary Subcommittee (9:00) Gressette 105
  • S. 258: Office of Inspector General
• Natural Resources & Econ. Development Subcommittee: Budget Hearings (8:30) Gressette 307
  • Dept. of Agriculture
  • Procurement Review Panel
  • Public Service Commission
  • Clemson PSA
  • SC Parks & Recreation
• K-12 Education Subcommittee (9 – 10:00) Gressette 207
  • H. 3241: Charter Schools
• Senate Judiciary Committee (10:00) Gressette 209
  • S. 14: General Appropriations
  • S. 262: Legislative Oversight of Executive Department
  • S. 372: State Agency Deficit Recognition & Prevention Act

Legislation on the Floor

• S. 172: Higher Education Transaction Transparency
  • Status: Received second reading
• S. 336: Amend Traffic Citation Code (Photographic Evidence)
  • Status: Received second reading
• H. 3285: Roll-Call Voting
  • Status: Committee reported out favorably
• S. 418: Enact Proviso Codification Act
  • Status: Committee reported out favorably
• H. 3185: Higher Education Check Register
  • Status: Committee reported out favorably
• S. 630: Banning PACs
  • Status: Committee reported out favorably

Legislative Review: March 1st to March 3rd

by Administrator – 3/4/2011 – 599 comments

Worst of the Week:

S. 584: Extend 1 cent Sales Tax for Lexington County School District

Best of the Week:

S. 434: Prohibiting DHHS from Reducing Provider Rates
   • See the latest The Nerve article on Medicaid here

Senate

• S. 584: Extend 1 cent Sales Tax for Lexington County School District
   o Received second reading on a roll-call vote (3/2/11)
• H. 3004: Recorded Votes Statute: Allison, et. al.
   o Set for Special Order via roll-call vote (3/2/2011)
• H. 3241: Powers and Duties of Charter Schools: Owens, et. al.
   o Introduced in Senate, referred to Education (3/1/2011)
• S. 434: Prohibiting DHHS from Reducing Provider Rates: Bryant, et. al.
   o Received third reading on roll-call vote (3/1/2011)

House

• H. 3066: SC Restructuring Act of 2011: G. R. Smith, et. al.
   o Amended and received second reading on roll-call vote (3/2/2011)
   o Received third reading (3/3/2011)
• H. 3070: Appointment of Superintendent of Education: Young, et. al.
   o Received second reading on roll-call vote (3/2/2011)
   o Received third reading (3/3/2011)
• H. 3410: SC Higher Education Efficiency and Administrative Policies Act: Owens, et. al.
   o Amended (3/2/2011)
• H. 3419: Taxpayer Fairness Act: Merrill, et. al.
   o Moved to Contested Calendar (3/2/11)
• H. 3716: Education Finance Act: Ways and Means Committee
   o Moved to Contested Calendar (3/2/11)

Legislative Preview: March 1st to March 3rd

by Administrator – 3/1/2011 – 85 comments

House

Meetings in the House
Tuesday

• Majority Caucus – Room 112, 11 a.m.

Wednesday

• Ways and Means Committee Meeting, General Government, Personnel, and Benefits Subcommittee – Room 521 – 1 ½ hours after adjournment
   o H.3190 – Medicaid pilot project, H.3407 – Educational Opportunity Act, H.3363 – Education Professional Performance & Pay Accountability Act of 2011, H.3642 Experienced Based Salary Increases for Teachers, H.3643 Local school district Notification of Teacher Employment , H.3709 – Transfer State Museum & Arts Commission to PRT
• Ways and Means Economic Development, Capitol Improvements & Other Taxes Subcommittee
   o H 3233 – Redevelopment Project Costs, H 3506/H 3720 – Jobs Tax Credit

Legislation on the Floor
• H.3066 – SC Restructuring Act
   o Status: Second reading
• H. 3070 – Constitutional Amendment
   o Status: Second reading
• H. 3419 – Taxpayer Fairness Act
   o Status: Second reading
• H. 3368 – General Funds Appropriations
   o Status: Second reading
• H. 3716 – Education Finance Act
   o Status: Second reading

Senate

Meetings in the Senate
Tuesday
• Agency Head Salary Commission, Room 406 – 9:30 a.m.
• Judiciary Committee, Room 105 – 3:00 p.m.
   o S.225 – Texting While Driving Fines for texting while driving
• Finance Sales & Income Tax Subcommittee
   o S 524/S 560/ S 586 – Extending State Health Plan to New Groups

Wednesday
• Other Funds Oversight Committee, Room 209 – 8:30 a.m.
• Health and Human Services Budget Hearings, Room 207 – 9:00 a.m.

Thursday
• Judiciary Subcommittee, Room 105 – 9:00 a.m.
   o S.14 General Appropriations and S.372 Deficit Preventions and Recognition Act
• Judiciary Subcommittee, Room 406 – 9:30 a.m.
   o S. 271 Retirement Accounts
• Judiciary Subcommittee, Room 307 – 10:00 a.m.
   o S.477 Government Restructuring
• Judiciary Subcommittee, Room 105 – Upon adjournment of the Senate
   o S.262 Legislative Oversight of Executive

Legislation on the Floor
• S.584 – Extend one cent sales tax for Lexington County School District
   o Status: Third Reading
• S.434 – Prohibiting DHHS from Reducing Provider Rates
   o Status: Special Order
• S.172 – Higher Education Detailed Transaction Registers
   o Status Third Reading
• H.3004 – Roll Call Voting Statute
   o Status: Second Reading
• H.3285 – Roll Call Voting Constitutional Amendment
   o Status: Second Reading
• S.428 – Municipal Property Tax
   o Status: Second Reading
• S.533 – Sales and Use Tax Exemptions
   o Status: Second Reading
• H.3375 – Tort Reform
   o Status: Second Reading
• H.3185 – Higher Education Transparency Act
   o Status: Second Reading