Senate Summary
Week of April 22 – 24, 2008
Quote of the Week– “The people of South Carolina deserve better
than what the House is doing. The House has tried to kill this bill
twice this year and they are now hiding behind some strange
interpretation of the rules to avoid delivering strong illegal
immigration reform to the people of South Carolina.”
Senator Jim Ritchie (R-Spartanburg), Chairman of the Joint Legislative
Conference Committee on illegal immigration reform, commenting on the
events of the past week by the House of Representatives and their
refusal to seek approval for free negotiating powers.
Immigration Reform Needs House Vote to Move Forward (Wednesday, April
23)
The Senate is waiting on the House to vote on free conference powers in
hopes of resolving the current legislative stalemate on illegal
immigration reform. Senator Jim Ritchie (R-Spartanburg) received
unanimous, bipartisan approval this week from Senate members that a vote
on free conference powers would be taken without extended debate after
the House has voted to grant free conference powers to its Joint
Legislative Conference Committee members. Free Conference Powers are
needed to allow the committee members from both chambers to craft new
provisions, currently not in either bill, needed to reach an agreement.
Child Abuse to Include Exposure to Dangerous Drugs (Thursday, April 24)
The Senate approved the expansion of the child abuse definition to
include “knowingly exposing” children to dangerous chemicals like
those used in the manufacturing of methamphetamines. The bill (S.1038)
is expected to receive final Senate approval next week.
Education Funding Effectiveness and Fairness Panel (Thursday, April
24)
The Senate approved the establishment of the Public Education Funding
and Fairness Panel (S.1311) sponsored by Senator Hugh Leatherman
(R-Florence) and co-sponsored by the entire membership of the Senate.
The eleven-member panel will conduct a comprehensive study of how South
Carolina currently funds public education and recommend legislative
changes by January 01, 2010. The bill now moves to the House of
Representatives for consideration.
Fallen Heroes Appreciation Bill Approved (Thursday, April 24)
The Senate gave key approval to the Fallen Heroes Appreciation Bill
(S.1006), sponsored by Senator Jim Ritchie (R-Spartanburg), which
provides for continued health and dental benefits to spouses or
dependents of law enforcement officers and fire fighters killed in the
line of duty. The bill is expected to get final Senate approval next
week
McConnell Energy Bills Receive Approval (Thursday, April 24)
Several key pieces of an energy conservation package, sponsored by
Senator Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston), gained key approval in the
Senate this week.
S.1140 requires all state agencies to replace all incandescent light
bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs by July 1, 2011.
S.1141 also known as “The Energy Efficient Manufactured Homes
Incentive Program,” provides income tax credits to people who purchase
energy efficient, manufactured homes. The bill also provides additional
tax credits for certain energy efficient upgrades to existing
manufactured homes.
S.1143 will provide sales tax relief on energy efficient appliances
purchased in the month of October, beginning in 2009, and continuing
each year until 2019. October is also National Energy Efficiency Month.
All three of the bills are expected to get final Senate approval next
week.
Post Conviction DNA Act Gains Approval (Thursday, April 24)
The Senate gave key approval to the “Post-Conviction DNA Procedures
Act” (S.429). The bill designates the procedures to be followed for
testing the DNA of someone convicted of a crime when that testing may
confirm the identity of the perpetrator. If the DNA testing shows a
person may be innocent of the crime for which they were convicted the
bill outlines the subsequent legal proceedings. The bill is expected to
receive final Senate approval next week.
Public Prayer (Thursday, April 24)
The Senate gave final approval to the “South Carolina Public
Invocation Act” (S.638), sponsored by Senator Chip Campsen
(R-Charleston). The bill will allow a local or state government body to
adopt policies preserving the tradition of opening public meetings with
an invocation.
The invocation must be administered on a rotating basis by a member of
the public body, or the body can elect a chaplain from among its
members, or an invocation speaker may be selected on a rotating basis
from religious leaders serving established religious congregations in
the local community in which the public body meets. The bill now moves
to the House of Representatives for consideration
Tax Realignment Commission Passes Senate (Wednesday, April 23)
The Senate approved the establishment of The South Carolina Taxation
Realignment Commission (S.1242) sponsored by Senator Hugh Leatherman
(R-Florence). The eleven-member commission will conduct a comprehensive
study of the state’s tax system with the goal of maintaining the
state’s competitive edge in attracting new businesses and individuals
to South Carolina. Recommendations and proposed legislation would be
required of the commission by January 1, 2010. The bill was sent to the
House of Representatives and was referred to the House Ways and Means
Committee.
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