Details from Each Chamber
HOUSE
The House worked through the Calendar this week, giving third reading to various bills on Tuesday. During the Majority Caucus meeting, the Speaker told the members that both Chairman White and Chairman Leatherman are working towards finishing the budget in time to deal with the vetoes prior to the June 5th Sine Die adjournment. He mentioned they might have to reconvene on Wednesday, June 25th if they had to return for vetoes.
Wednesday, the House met at 10:00 to address their Calendar, receive committee reports and introduce several groups and visitors.
The House moved quickly through their Calendar Thursday until they stalled on H. 5225, a contested Florence-area bill. The bill finally got third reading and was sent to the Senate. The Speaker told the House to prepare to work before and after lunch on Tuesday, May 20th. Representative Saab reminded the members of the SC/NC basketball game scheduled for Thursday, May 22nd. The lobbyists game will begin at 5:00 and the legislative game at 6:00.
The House will reconvene Tuesday at noon.
Several bills of interest passed the House this week:
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S. 997 Speech Pathologist & Audiology Practice Act Revisions
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S. 913 Falconry Permits
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S. 1071 Game Zones/DNR
SENATE
The Senate spent much of the week deliberating amendments to the budget, while working through the uncontested Calendar. On Tuesday, several resolutions and conference reports were adopted.
Wednesday, the Senate continued deliberations on the state budget, H.4701, giving the bill third reading late in the afternoon. On Thursday, the Senate debated and voted on H.4702, the Capital Reserve Fund.
If you have any questions on amendments or actions on the budget, please let us know and we will be happy to assist you.
The Senate will reconvene Tuesday at noon.
The House returned several bills with amendments to the Senate. Some of interest include:
Top News Articles of the Week
Job prospects in bloom for May graduates
Job prospects appear promising for the 4,500 graduates of the University of South Carolina Class of 2014, particularly for those who plan to go to work in the Palmetto State. Read more.
U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford visits Gulf oil operation as feds near decision on seismic testing off South Carolina
Mark Sanford visited a Gulf oil platform in advance of the debate about oil exploration off the Southeast coast. Read more.
Compromise SC solar bill continues to advance
South Carolina could quickly catch up to its northern and southern neighbors in solar energy production if a solar bill that's headed for House debate gets passed this session, solar advocates said Thursday. Read more.
Update on SC sex-ed law closer to passage
Sex education advocates are looking at the finish line as the Legislature nears passage of an update to the state's 26-year-old health education law. Read more.
Expense allowance raised for lawmakers
The Senate this afternoon raised lawmakers' expense allowance by $12,000 per year but lawmakers would have to request the increase. Read more.
MUSC partners with biotech firm on lupus biomarkers
The Medical University of South Carolina will work with biopharmaceutical firm Berg to identify potential biomarkers to treat lupus, according to a news release. Read more.
S.C. Senate approves budget plan for 2014-15
South Carolina state senators have approved a $7 billion spending plan for state taxes after again rejecting Democrats' push to expand Medicaid. Read more.
Dust up over powdered alcohol in SC: Should it be banned?
Powdered alcohol is not legal yet, but S.C. legislators want to stop the mixing before it can start. Read more.
Former SC Lt. Gov: SC must regain its culture of political collaboration
Former Lt. Gov. Nick Theodore said the collaboration he's seen in state government in 50 transformational years of policy in South Carolina has all but disappeared. Read more.
SC's Gowdy faces risks in leading Benghazi panel
Residents of U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy's conservative South Carolina Upstate district are applauding his assignment to run a new House investigation into the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, local political observers say. Read more.
Senate to disapprove of college books in budget
South Carolina senators voted Tuesday to censure two public colleges for assigning books on homosexuality by forcing them to spend money on teaching the nation's founding documents. Read more.
SC measure would allow card games, dice in clubs
The South Carolina House has advanced a measure to overturn an 1802 antigambling bill by allowing card games and dice in social clubs and homes. Read more.
SC senators remove pay raise to themselves
South Carolina senators have removed a pay raise for lawmakers from their budget plan and given the money to local governments instead. Read more.
Sanford attending offshore energy tour in Gulf
South Carolina Congressman Mark Sanford is visiting the Gulf of Mexico to learn more about offshore energy development. Read more.
Judge to AG Wilson: Stop SLED and grand jury probe of House Speaker Harrell
Circuit Judge Casey Manning ruled Monday that Attorney General Alan Wilson and SLED must stop their ongoing state grand jury criminal investigation of possible ethics violations by House Speaker Bobby Harrell. Read more.
SC attorney general won't end inquiry into SC House speaker
The investigation into S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell's potential misuse of campaign money will continue despite a circuit judge's order that ongoing probes by SLED and the state grand jury be shut down immediately, state Attorney General Alan Wilson says. Read more.
S.C. moves up to No. 5 in CEO ratings
South Carolina ranks as the fifth-best state in which to do business, according to Chief Executive magazine's annual Best & Worst States for Business survey. Read more.
Meetings and Events
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
5:30 Fundraising Reception for Vida Miller, Candidate for SC House District 108
First Citizens Café
5:30 Fundraising Reception for Representative Beth Bernstein
Tin Roof Bar and Grill
5:30 Fundraising Reception for Representative Donna Wood
1215 Hampton Street
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
5:30 SC Senate Republican Caucus 2014 Spring Reception
First Citizens Cafe, 1210 Main Street
The Nexsen Pruet State House Update is published as a service to our attorneys, clients, and friends. It is intended to be a high level overview of the weekly activity at the South Carolina State House and does not constitute legal advice regarding any specific situation.
