FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 28, 2018

Contact: Reagan Kelley

ReaganKelley@scsenate.gov

803-212-6332

UNWARRANTED, UNENDING PROJECT DELAYS RECTIFIED IN SENATE BILL HEADED TO GOVERNOR’S DESK

House Passes Bill, Legislation Now Awaits Governor’s Signature

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina House of Representatives today gave final passage to Senate Bill 105, commonly referred to as the “automatic stay” bill. The bill, as passed by the Senate last year, provides better protection to capital projects from unwarranted delays that stalled job creation and resulted in high costs on the taxpayers.

 Sponsors of the bill say passage restores the integrity of project appeals process, and reserves it for legitimate, well-founded complaints. It will also ensure that those complaints be heard and ruled on in a timely manner as to avoid unnecessary delays for permitted, regulated projects.

“This bill strikes the proper balance between the business and environmental communities, and allows South Carolina to join the majority of other states in placing the burden of proof on those opposing a permitted project with the responsibility to prove it,” Senator Luke Rankin says.

Senator Stephen Goldfinch says, “This is a win for the taxpayers of South Carolina. Passage of this bills says loud and clear — we will not let economic obstructionists stand in the way and blackmail the people of our state anymore. 

The automatic stay, although well intentioned, had become a tool of abuse by extreme environmentalists,”Senator Greg Hembree says. “This substantial change to automatic stay will curtail abuse, lead to a more balanced judicial system, and save taxpayer money.”

Current law allows for a project to receive an automatic “stay,” if a petitioning body or person requests a hearing by the Administrative Law Court to a project that may have unintended, harmful consequences on our state. Senate Bill 105 still allows that process to occur but allows the Administrative Law Court to remove the stay after ninety days of a contested case, and requires a hearing to be held within thirty days to hear the merits of the stay.

The bill – which passed the Senate with a 26 to 6 vote, and passed the House with a 86 to 30 vote – now heads to the governor’s desk for signature to become law.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 11, 2017

Contact: Reagan Kelley

ReaganKelley@scsenate.gov

803-212-6332

SENATE MAJORITY ISSUES RESPONSE TO STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

Congratulates Governor Haley on Presumed Final Address

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina is a growing state, rich with opportunity. The governor’s address offered reflection on key accomplishments that make our state better – the lowest unemployment rate in 15 years, one of the most competitive manufacturing footprints in the southeast, reform to our ethics code by requiring income source disclosure and independent oversight, tougher domestic violence laws and a resolute response to one of the most destructive natural disasters in more than 25 years. Governor Haley should be commended for seven years of strong leadership.

We’ve made tremendous strides to better our state, but there is work that remains to be done. As we begin a new legislative session, we must continue to highlight South Carolina’s robust, business-friendly environment. A strong, diverse workforce demands educational opportunities for all children across our state. We must make it clear that earning a high-quality education does not depend on economic status or geography. While our pro-jobs climate and port drive our economy, it’s critical that we provide a long-term solution to our state’s infrastructure challenges. South Carolinians are watching and have given us the opportunity – and responsibility – to make this the most productive time in our state’s history.

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