Legislative Update

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News from the House of Representatives

 Independent Schools

On Wednesday the House voted 111-0 to extend the date by which an independent school must apply to become an eligible institution for purposes of the educational tax credit for exceptional needs children. The resolution extends the date until February 15, 2016. The resolution received third reading on Thursday and was sent to the Senate Education Committee for its consideration of the matter.

Mopeds

The House gave second reading to a bill by Representative Bill Crosby dealing with mopeds. The legislation requires mopeds to be registered and have liability insurance. Drivers must also wear reflective vests while riding a moped and drivers would not be able to operate a moped if they do not have a driver’s license because of a DUI charge.   The bill received second reading by a vote of 67 to 41 and was sent to the Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday.

2016 House Budget Calendar

The House Ways & Means Committee has released the House’s tentative 2016 budget calendar, which is listed below.

  • January 19-21: Budget Subcommittee Meetings
  • January 26-28: Budget Subcommittee Meetings
  • February 2-4: Budget Subcommittee Meetings
  • February 9-11: Proviso Subcommittee Meetings
  • February 15-18: Full Ways & Means Committee Budget Deliberations
  • February 23-25: Appropriation Bill Printed
  • March 1-3: Printed Appropriation Bill Distributed to All House Members
  • March 7-11: House Floor Budget Deliberations

 

News from the Senate  

Refugees

On Thursday the Senate debated whether or not to recall a joint resolution from committee that would prohibit state agencies from taking action in relation to refugees placed in South Carolina until new security measures are implemented by the federal government. The resolution, sponsored by Senator Kevin Bryant, would also direct SLED to work with local law enforcement agencies to confirm refugees placed in South Carolina by the federal government do not pose a public safety risk. The bill was referred to the Senate General Committee and failed to be recalled to the floor since it did not receive a favorable vote of more than two-thirds of the Senators voting.

New Committee Assignments

Senator Margie Bright Matthews was officially seated in the Senate on Wednesday and was assigned to the following committees: Judiciary; Agriculture and Natural Resources; Corrections and Penology; Fish, Game and Forestry; and General.

Senator John Scott (D-Columbia) and Senator Shane Martin (R-Spartanburg) were assigned to the Senate Finance Committee to fill the vacancies due to Senator Pinckney and Senator O’Dell’s passing.

To view all Senate Committees and their members, please click here.

 

State of the State

Governor Nikki Haley will address the General Assembly on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 to give her annual State of the State address. The State of the State will begin at 7:00pm and will be aired on SC ETV.

 

 

 

 

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