Weekly Update from the State House - April 14, 2014 - The Senate voted 41-0 to concur with the House amendment known as "Emma's Law" relating to ignition interlock devices...

Details from Each Chamber

HOUSE

The House worked through the calendar this week, breaking for a Joint Assembly Wednesday to hear Chief Justice Toal give her annual State of the Judiciary Address. The bulk of the afternoon on Wednesday was spent debating the texting while driving bill, H. 4386. After 9 amendments and numerous members speaking on the matter, the bill was amended and given a second reading.

On Thursday, the House moved through their Calendar in an effort to move bills forward before the May 1^st crossover deadline. The Speaker told the members to be prepared to work all day April 29^th and 30^th.

The following bills of interest passed the House this week:

H. 3959 Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
H. 3198 Election Commission and Board of Registration
H. 3539 Sale of Alcohol on Election Day
H. 3626 Motorsports entertainment complex
H. 4386 Use of Cell Phone while driving

The House will convene at noon on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.

SENATE

On Tuesday, the Senate worked quickly through the uncontested calendar, in order to begin work on the State budget in the Finance Committee. After convening with the House for the Joint Assembly Wednesday, the Senate worked steadily through the uncontested calendar, giving numerous bills readings. A motion was adopted for the Senate to meet in perfunctory session from April 17^th- through April 28^th. After numerous tabled amendments proposed by Senator Malloy, the Senate voted 41-0 to concur with House amendments to S. 137, known as "Emma's Law" relating to ignition interlock devices. S. 516, Read to Succeed and S. 459, relating to texting, received third reading this year.

On Thursday, the Senate worked through the uncontested calendar, carrying over a large number of bills. S. 1145, Common Core, was set for Special Order upon the motion of Senator Peeler. S. 866, Election Commission, was amended and carried over in order for the Senate Finance Committee to convene. Senator Leatherman announced in Committee that they would continue work on the remaining subcommittee provisos on Tuesday and Wednesday. He plans for the Committee to complete work on the provisos before the Senate breaks for the furlough on Wednesday afternoon, April 16^th.

The following bills of interest passed the Senate this week:

S. 516 Read to Succeed
S. 862 Projects by property owner for personal use
S. 459 Texting/Beginners Permits
H. 4604 Exemptions from Licensure to Practice Engineering
H. 4644 SC Real Estate Appraisers License and Appraisal Act

The Senate will convene at noon on Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Newly Introduced Legislation

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TAX:

S. 1206 Alexander: RELATING TO TAX LIENS - Referred to the Committee on Finance. - Referred to the Committee on Finance.

H. 5105 Felder: RELATING TO DEFINITIONS PERTAINING TO THE JOB TAX CREDIT - Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.

H. 5109 Sellers: RELATING TO THE CONTINGENCY RESERVE FUND - Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.

EDUCATION:

H. 5065 Bedingfield: RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE AS A MASSAGE/BODYWORK THERAPIST - Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs.

H. 5074 White: SO AS TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP AND ADOPT A STATEWIDE PROGRAM FOR IDENTIFYING FISCAL PRACTICES AND BUDGETARY CONDITIONS - Placed on calendar without reference.

INSURANCE:

S. 1221 Hayes: RELATING TO AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE RATE REDUCTIONS FOR NON-YOUTHFUL OPERATORS - Referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance.

JUDICIAL:

S. 1217 L. Martin: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO FIX NOON ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014, AS THE TIME TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE - The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.

H. 5096 Clemmons: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO FIX NOON ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014, AS THE TIME TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE - Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate.

GOVERNMENT:

H. 5118 Clemmons: SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT BY OCTOBER THIRTY-FIRST OF EACH YEAR, EACH STATE AGENCY SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT DETAILING ITS FEDERAL RECEIPTS AND DEVELOPING A PLAN SHOULD ITS FEDERAL RECEIPTS BE REDUCED - Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.

H. 5119 Clemmons: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO CREATE THE SOUTH CAROLINA FEDERAL FUNDS STUDY COMMITTEE - Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.

TRANSPORTATION:

H. 5102 Lucas: SO AS TO PROVIDE A FORMULA, BEGINNING JULY 1, 2014, FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE BANK BASED ON THE BOUNDARIES OF REGIONAL COUNCILS OF GOVERNMENTS - Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.

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