Senate GOP Calls on Democrats to End Drug Testing Filibuster Vote on Candidate Drug Testing Bill delayed for Second Day
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Columbia, SC - For the second day the Senate Republican Caucus pushed for a vote on the Candidate Drug Testing bill (S. 1070), but Democrats continued to filibuster the bill preventing it from moving to a vote.
“This is really not an issue that should be decided by a few dissenting voices, it is a matter that should be decided by the people of South Carolina,” says Senate Majority Leader and sponsor of the bill Senator Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee).
Senator Peeler introduced the idea of candidate drug testing after the indictment of former State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel on drug charges.
“South Carolina has had several incidents over the years that warrants a move of this type, and I believe it is a measure the people of South Carolina will support, assuming they actually get a voice in the matter,” says Senator Peeler.
After completing the business on the Senate calendar the Senate could have moved to a vote on the drug testing bill, but Senator Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg) continued to filibuster the bill and at times appeared to disregard the seriousness of the bill by making light of the matter.
The Senate adjourned today with Senator Hutto retaining the floor, which sets the stage for continued debate on the bill when the Senate convenes next week.
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DUI Bill Conference Committee Begins Work
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Senate and House Members Want to Produce Strongest Bill Possible
Columbia, SC - Senate and House members sat down today to begin working out the differences between the two versions of H.3496. The conference committee consisting of three Senate members and three members from the House of Representatives went to work quickly as chairman of the Joint Legislative Conference Committee Senator Larry Martin (R-Pickens) oversaw today’s discussions.
“I am just glad we are at this point and have an opportunity to produce a strong DUI reform bill,” says Senator Martin. “I think we will be able to work through the differences quickly. Everyone here wants the same thing and that is to produce a strong DUI bill for the citizens of South Carolina.”
Committee members agreed to adopt the Senate language adding the offense of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher to be added to the list of offenses eligible for charging a person 18 years of age or older with child endangerment when a child is in the car.
The committee also agreed to remove a provision from the bill that would require those convicted of DUI to carry increased minimum liability limits on their automotive insurance, due to technical errors in the original version of the bill. “I want it to be understood that I am all for raising the minimum liability limits, and I want us to work to find another bill that we can use to move this amendment forward,” says Senator Martin. The language currently in the bill requires minimum limits on personal property damage not common among insurance carriers. The committee requested the language be corrected and attached to another bill germane to the matter.
The committee also began preliminary discussions on the questions that a jury must answer during a DUI case, and whether or not the initial question put to the jury should include the various levels of blood alcohol content. “I think the common objective is the same and that is to make the process for the jury as simple and straight forward as possible; not to run over anyone’s rights but to insure that the process is fair for the prosecution and the defense,” says Senator Martin.
The next Joint Legislative Conference Committee on DUI is expected to meet on Wednesday, April 2 at 9: 00 AM in the Gressette building. The debate is expected to center around the differences currently separating the House and Senate versions of the bill.
In addition to Senator Martin, the conference committee consists of Senators Jake Knotts (R-Lexington), and Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg), as well as Representatives George Murrell Smith (R-Sumter), Scott Talley (R-Spartanburg), and David Weeks (D-Sumter).
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Senate Summary | Week of March 25 - 27, 2008
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Quote of the Week: The Budget Stabilization Fund will take the State off the financial roller coaster that affects the budget on an annual basis and prevent run-a-way spending. This will spread the money out so that our growth and the handling of finances represent the 10-year average of annual revenue growth increases. Id also like to point out that there is nothing in the legislation that would prevent the General Assembly from spending less money.
Senate President Pro Tempore Senator Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston) commenting on the Spending Cap Limits Constitutional Amendment and Budget Stabilization Fund bills passed this week by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Spending Caps Study Committee Approves Constitutional Amendment Language
Limiting the growth of state spending is the goal for a Constitutional Amendment (S.718) being proposed by a Senate Spending Caps Study Committee. On Tuesday, March 25, the study committee, chaired by Senator Greg Gregory (R-Lancaster), approved language limiting spending growth to a rolling ten-year average of revenue increases, typically four to five percent.
This is perhaps the most important piece of legislation, in regards to the budget, that I have seen in the 24 years that I have been here, says Dr. William Gillespie, chief economist for the states Board of Economic Advisors.
The study committee also approved a measure that would place any excess revenue, beyond the spending cap, into a Budget Stabilization Fund (S.1220), which will smooth out the financial roller coaster that affects the state budget each year, says Senate President Pro Tempore Senator Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston). The Budget Stabilization Fund would be limited to 15% of the previous years general fund collections.
The Senate Judiciary Committee gave unanimous approval to both measures during its weekly meeting. The bills now head to the Senate Finance Committee before being debate by the full Senate.
Broadband Options Move Forward
A Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, chaired by Senator Luke Rankin (R-Horry), on Wednesday, March 26, gave key approval to the creation of the South Carolina Educational Broadband Service Commission. The seven-member commission would be charged with obtaining and evaluating proposals from private broadband providers seeking to lease South Carolina Educational Televisions excess broadcasting bandwidth.
Beginning in 2009, ETV will begin a process opening much of its licensed spectrum for other uses, including wireless broadband Internet availability.
It is imperative that we as a state maximize the value of the excess spectrum that will soon become available for expanding broadband access and pursue the most viable technology and partnership available to deliver that access, says Senator Rankin. The commission will be a key element in making sure that we do not lose the opportunity that is before us.
Budget Subcommittee Hearings Wrap-up
Senate Finance Subcommittee budget hearings drew to a close this week in preparation for full Senate Finance Committee meetings and budget debate next week. Budget debates on the Senate floor are expected to begin on April 15.
Candidate Drug Testing Caught-up in Filibuster
The Senate Republican Caucus is pushing to pass a Candidate Drug Testing bill (S. 1070) that would require anyone filing as a candidate for public office to submit the results of a recently completed drug test with candidate filing papers, but Democrat opponents have delayed the vote with a filibuster.
This is really not an issue that should be decided by a few dissenting voices, it is a matter that should be decided by the people of South Carolina, says Senate Majority Leader and sponsor of the bill Senator Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee).
Senator Peeler introduced the idea of candidate drug testing after the indictment of former State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel on drug charges. The Senate adjourned this week with Senator Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg) retaining the floor setting the stage for continued debate on the bill when the Senate convenes next week.
Concealed Weapons Permit Reciprocity Stalled by House
The House of Representatives rejected Senate amendments to the concealed weapons permit bill (H.3212) this week. The bill will now be sent to a Joint Legislative Conference Committee, where three members of the Senate and three members of the House of Representatives will try to come to an agreement on the bill.
The Senate amendment increases the number of states recognizing South Carolinas concealed weapons permit while allowing an additional 14 states permit holders to legally carry a concealed weapon in South Carolina.
Critical Needs Nursing Bill Heads to the House
On Thursday, March 27, the Senate approved a measure establishing The South Carolina Critical Needs Nursing Initiative Fund (S. 1022). The bill is an effort to address the critical shortage of nurses in the state. Nationally the number of nurses required to provide adequate health care is growing, while at the same time the number of nursing schools and capacity within those schools is declining.
The fund will be used to retain nursing school faculty; attract new faculty; provide loans, grants, and scholarships to in-state resident nursing students; establish a research office to predict health care workforce needs; and provide technology to increase accessibility to clinical education needs.
DUI Conference Committee Gets Quick Start
A Joint Legislative Conference Committee charged with reconciling the differences between the Senate and House versions of the DUI Reform Bill (H.3496) began working toward a resolution this week. The two versions of the bills contain much of the same language with only two or three differences separating the chambers.
Conference committee members agreed to adopt the Senate language adding child endangerment to the list of the offenses that a person 18-years-of-age or older can be charged with if they are driving with a child in the car and their blood alcohol concentration is .08% or higher.
Moving on to areas of disagreement between the two bills, the committee began preliminary discussions on the questions a jury must answer during a DUI case and whether or not the initial question should include the various levels of blood alcohol concentration.
The conference committee chaired by Senator Larry Martin (R-Pickens) also includes Senators Jake Knotts (R-Lexington), and Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg), as well as Representatives Murrell Smith (R-Sumter), Scott Talley (R-Spartanburg), and David Weeks (D-Sumter). Committee members agreed to meet again on Wednesday, April 2.
Education Subcommittee Reviews Accountability Act
A Senate Education Subcommittee, chaired by Senator Wes Hayes (R-York), heard testimony Thursday, March 27, on proposed changes to the Education Accountability Act (H.4662). Barbara Hairfield from the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee, and Kristin Maquire from the State Board of Education, both commented on amendments to the Education Accountability Act recently passed by the House.
Sandy Smith, a representative from the Department of Education presented additional amendments to the subcommittee for consideration and answered questions concerning the amendment. Subcommittee members will take the weekend to review the new amendments proposed by the Department of Education and are expected to meet again on Tuesday, April 1, at 2:00 PM in the Gressette Building.
Teen Driving Course Directed to Full Transportation Committee
A Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, chaired by Senator Chip Campsen (R-Charleston), gave a favorable report to a bill (S.997) that would require teens 15-years-of-age seeking a conditional drivers license, after December 31, 2008, to successfully complete a teen defensive driving course approved by the Department of Public Safety.
The bill is expected to be on the agenda of the full Senate Transportation Committee when it meets next week.
Water -Withdrawal Permitting Continues to Meander Through Legislative Process
The debate on the water-withdrawal permitting bill (S.428) took a dramatic shift this week when Senator Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley) offered an amendment creating an advisory council to study suitable withdrawal levels for the various free-flowing waterways in the state. The amendment moved the legislative debate away from the formulas of water-withdrawal and toward a broader discussion of how to best utilize a valuable natural resource.
Senator Grooms amendment proposes the creation of an eleven-member council with the scientific expertise necessary to understand the true impact of minimum flow levels on a river or stream. The council, as proposed in the amendment, would include: the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs; the Director of the Department of Natural Resources; and the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental Control. The advisory council will also include seven appointees by the Governor that must include representatives from the major stakeholders such as: environmental; recreational; manufacturing, business and industry; agricultural; energy producers; public water utilities; and an at-large chairman.
The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Senator Danny Verdin (R-Laurens) expects to have the bill before the full Senate around mid-April.
Coming Next Week:
Senate Finance Committee will begin budget meetings on Monday, March 31, at 1 PM in room 105 of the Gressette Building.
Senate GOP Pushes For Candidate Drug Testing
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Democrats Seek to Stall the Bill with Filibuster
Columbia, SC - The Senate Republican Caucus began debate today on a Constitutional Amendment (S.1070) that would require all candidates filing for elected office to submit a recently completed drug test along with their candidate filing papers. Senator Jim Ritchie, (R-Spartanburg) Majority Whip, lead the Republican Caucus efforts on the Senate floor urging members to pass the measure, while Senator Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg) engaged the Senate in a filibuster.
“I just think that the citizens of this state should be able to decide whether or not they want candidates for public office to be drug-free,” says chief sponsor of the bill and Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee). The Constitutional Amendment coincides with a statutory requirement Senator Peeler introduced after former state treasurer Thomas Ravenel was indicted on drug charges.
The Senate Republican Caucus is working to advance the candidate drug testing effort to bring more accountability to government officials. The bill must receive two-thirds approval from both the Senate and the House before it can be placed on the ballot in November for consideration by the voters.
“It is important for the people of South Carolina to have confidence in the people that they elect and serve as their judges,” says Senator Ritchie. “They trust us to make important decisions about their future. We should be willing to entrust them to decide whether or not our constitution should require us to be drug free.”
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