FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 7, 2017

Contact: Reagan C. Kelley

reagankelley@scsenate.gov

803-212-6332

SENATOR RICHARD CASH INTRODUCES FIRST BILL IN STATE SENATE

Legislation Aims to Provide Safety Procedures for All Churchgoers

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Senator Richard Cash, R-Anderson, today prefiled his first legislation since joining the South Carolina Senate in May 2017. The proposal, Senate Bill 769 would permit a concealed weapon permit holder to carry a concealable weapon on school property that is leased by a church for church services.

Under the new proposal, the permit holder must receive express permission from the appropriate church official or governing body, and only applies during the times which the church has the use, pursuant to its lease with the school.

“Many churches now have security teams, so it is not unusual for someone with a concealed weapons permit who is approved by the church to be carrying,” Senator Richard Cash said. “Current law, however, prohibits carrying a concealed weapon on school property. This change would allow churches that lease school facilities to provide for the security of their members as them deem necessary “

Richard Cash was elected to the South Carolina Senate during the Special Election, on May 30, 2017 to fulfill the unexpired term of Kevin L. Bryant, who assumed Office of Lt. Governor. Senator Richard Cash is the resident senator for District 3, representing portions of Anderson County.

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 SENATOR PEELER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO SAFELY RID OF UNUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Bill Provides Drug Disposal Boxes at County Sheriff Offices

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Senator Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, today introduced Senate Bill 755 aimed at reducing opioid-related deaths by improving the mechanism to safely dispose of unwanted controlled substances. The program would provide prescription drug drop boxes at Sheriff’s departments in all South Carolina counties to be available during regular business hours.

“The opioid epidemic is ripping apart communities and families nationwide, and South Carolina is feeling the effects,” Senator Harvey Peeler said. “This program will allow a safe, convenient way to rid of unused prescription drugs – and hopefully reduce the use, sell and distribution of these drugs. Opioids present a real danger to families and law enforcement as it makes its way back on the streets. Proper disposal will reduce the availability of dangerous, illegal opioids.”

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control estimates 550 deaths occurred in 2016 as a result of prescription drug overdose, up 18% from 2014.

Elected to the South Carolina Senate in 1981, Senator Harvey Peeler represents Cherokee County and portions of Spartanburg, Union and York counties. In addition to serving as the chairman of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee, he serves on the Education, Ethics, Finance, Interstate Cooperation, and Transportation committees.

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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 7, 2017

Contact: Senator Harvey Peeler

HarveyPeeler@scsenate.gov

STATE SENATE TO REVIEW DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME IN NEW PROPOSAL

Bill Seeks Study and Input for Opting Out of the Federal Program

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Included in a resolution released today, South Carolina could exempt itself from observing daylight saving time. Senator Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, sponsored the resolution to direct the Senate Committee on Interstate Cooperation to conduct a study of the potential impact of not recognizing daylight saving time.

If approved, the committee would work with other southeastern states to review the possible impacts resulting from South Carolina choosing to opt out of the federal daylight saving time program.

Senator Harvey Peeler said, “Every year we are told to ‘spring forward’ and most of us don’t even know why. From my observations, this abrupt change in time causes a loss of sleep and productivity. There are potential safety concerns on highways due to longer darkness in the morning hours. I want the committee to look into the real and modern day consequences of South Carolina opting out of this antiquated federal program.”

Elected to the South Carolina Senate in 1981, Senator Harvey Peeler represents Cherokee County and portions of Spartanburg, Union and York counties. In addition to serving as the chairman of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee, he serves on the Education, Ethics, Finance, Interstate Cooperation, and Transportation committees.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 4, 2017

Contact: Reagan C. Kelley

reagankelley@scsenate.gov

803-212-6332

BIPARTISAN SENATE LEADERS CALL FOR SPECIAL SESSION TO CONSIDER HALT TO FURTHER ACTION ON V.C. SUMMER NUCLEAR PROJECT

Joint Letter Issued by Party Leaders Requests Reconvening General Assembly

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, and Minority Leader Nikki Setzler, D-Lexington, issued a joint letter to President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, requesting the General Assembly reconvene to consider a joint resolution halting new action on the V.C. Summer Project until the legislature has a chance to act during the 2018 session.

 “As the Republican and Democratic Leaders of the Senate, we and the members of our caucuses are greatly concerned by the announcement earlier this week by SCANA and Santee Cooper that the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station of the project would be abandoned,” the letter states.

A copy of the full letter issued on August 4, 2017 is attached.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 26, 2017

Contact: Reagan Kelley

ReaganKelley@scsenate.gov

803-212-6332

SENATE PASSES H.3516, A BILL TO FIX SOUTH CAROLINA ROADS

The Three-pronged Bill Includes Increased Revenue, Agency Reforms and Reductions

COLUMBIA S.C. — Tonight at 10:52 p.m., the Senate gave a key second reading to House Bill 3516, commonly referred to as the roads bill. The bill, recognized as the most priority piece of legislation this year, cleared the important hurdle by a 33-10 vote.

 

The bill, as passed by the Senate, raises the state’s gasoline tax 2 cents over 6 years, 12 cents in total, in addition to other fees. The increased user fee will provide approximately $800 million annually in new revenue to be sent to a newly created Maintenance Infrastructure Trust Fund fully designated to repairing existing state roads. Under competitive safeguards, at no point may South Carolina’s gasoline tax be higher than border states North Carolina and Georgia.

 

Senate Republicans successfully added stronger reforms to the Department of Transportation to ensure the agency will operate more efficiently and be more accountable to the taxpayers. The bill provides the governor the authority to remove the Commissioners at will, and adds an additional ninth Commissioner at-large to be appointed by the governor with advice and consent of the Senate.

 

The Senate plan protects taxpayers by allowing South Carolina residents to receive a tax credit applied to vehicle maintenance based on the amount of gasoline used throughout a year.

 

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said, “from day one, fixing South Carolina’s roads and bridges was our top priority. I am pleased the Senate acted in a way that provides long-term funding, protects taxpayers and ensures that SCDOT will operate more efficiently and be held more accountable.”

 

“It has long been clear to me that the most appropriate and fiscally responsible solution to South Carolina’s road crisis must include sustained and dedicated funding to roads, reforms to inequitable areas of our tax system and reforms to the SCDOT that ensure efficiency and accountability. All three components were included in the plan that passed the Senate tonight. Because of that, we can now begin to fix our roads,” Senator Sean Bennett said.

 

“The Senate passed a bill tonight that will fix our roads, repair our broken DOT structure and do it in a way that is responsible to the S.C. taxpayer,” Senator Larry Grooms said.

 

“We’ve recognized from the beginning of this year’s session that solving South Carolina’s infrastructure and providing long-term funding to the SCDOT is paramount,” Senator Greg Hembree said. “The debate on how to best improve our state’s roads received extensive, substantive debate often into late hours of the night. These thorough debates over how to best solve one of the state’s most pressing issues is what the democratic process is about.”
The bill now heads to the House for consideration of added amendments. The House may concur with the Senate amendments and send the bill to the governor’s desk, or non-concur with amendments and send the bill to a Conference Committee consisting of three House members and three Senators to form the final bill to receive a vote.

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