What's New
The House met this week in session, but spent most of their time holding committee meetings. Some of the bills that passed the House this week include:
• H.3193 – Ethics/Define Election Cycle
• H.3197 – Ethics/Black out Period Reporting
• H.3200 – Higher Ed/Intellectual Property
• H.3266 – Trespasser Responsibility Act
• H.3323 – SC Noxious Weed Act
• S.364 – SC Read to Succeed
The Senate spent the week working on the Calendar and continuing discussions on ethics. Senator Leatherman appointed several Senators to work on an ethics compromise in order for them to move forward on the ethics legislation. Senators Rankin, Hutto, Scott, L. Martin and Massey were named and asked to start work on the language.
Senator Leatherman announced that the Senate will take a week off after Easter, and if their work schedule allows, he will consider furloughing the Thursday and Friday before Easter as well. The House will furlough the week before and after Easter.
Several appointments were received from the Governor on Wednesday, including Eleanor Kitzman for Director of DHEC. Appointments reported favorably from committees were also received as information, including the Director of DSS.
On Wednesday, the Senate and House met in joint session to elect judges. The results are below.
Appellate Court
John C. Few, Chief Judge, Seat 5 – re-elected, unopposed
Aphrodite K. Konduros, Seat 6 – re-elected, unopposed
Circuit Court
Perry H. Graveley, 13th Cir, Seat 1 – re-elected, unopposed
Jeffrey Young, At Large, Seat 1 – re-elected, unopposed
Roger Henderson, 4th Cir, Seat 2 - re-elected, unopposed
Carmen T. Mullen, 14th Cir, Seat 2 – re-elected, unopposed
Benjamin H. Culbertson, 15th Cir, Seat 2 – re-elected, unopposed
R. Markley Dennis, Jr., At-Large, Seat 2 – re-elected, unopposed
Robert E. Hood, 5th Cir, Seat 3 - re-elected, unopposed
Roger Young – 9th Cir, Seat 3 – re-elected, unopposed
Robin B. Stillwell, 13th Cir, Seat 3 – re-elected, unopposed
Cliffton Newman, At Large, Seat 3 – re-elected, unopposed
Edward W. Miller, Jr., At-Large, Seat 4 - re-elected, unopposed
J. Mark Hayes, At-Large, Seat 5 - re-elected, unopposed
William Henry Seals, At-Large, Seat 6 - re-elected, unopposed
J. Cordell Maddox, Jr., At-Large, Seat 7 – re-elected, unopposed
David C. Brown, At-Large, Seat 8 - re-elected, unopposed
Tonya A. Gee, At-Large, Seat 9 – elected– 83 votes
James R. Barber, At-Large, Seat 10 – re-elected, unopposed
Family Court
Alice A. Richter Lehrman, 9th Cir, Seat 2 - re-elected, unopposed
Administrative Law Court
Debra D. Durden, Seat 4 – re-elected, unopposed
Harold “Bill” Funderburk, Jr. – Seat 3 – elected – 87 votes
Top News Articles
Roads bill change could improve chance of passage
Counties in the state wouldn't be forced to take over local roads in the state's inventory under the latest revision of a House infrastructure bill, according to its chief sponsor. Read more.
Clyburn: SC getting $4M for early Head Start programs
South Carolina is getting $4 million from the federal government for Early Head Start programs. Read more.
Port of Georgetown picks up $2M for dredging project
One day after being excluded from the president’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, the Port of Georgetown obtained $2 million in federal funding for a harbor dredging project. Read more.
S.C. Republicans to colleges: Don't interfere with with campus religious groups
Republicans in South Carolina’s congressional delegation, worried about battles over religious freedom in other states, are warning colleges in the state not to interfere with campus religious groups. Read more.
Spend $600 million more on schools over 5 years, new superintendent urges
S.C. schools Superintendent Molly Spearman says the state should bridge the $600 million gap in K-12 education spending within the next five years. Read more.
Road plans divided SC House, Gov. Haley
Competing state roads-funding plans from the GOP-controlled S.C. House and Republican Gov. Nikki Haley appear to be on a collision course unless a compromise can be reached by next week. Read more.
Proterra lands nearly $30 million in new business
More than half of $55 million in grants announced Thursday by the Federal Transit Administration will be used to buy battery-powered buses and chargers made by Proterra in Greenville. Read more.
Meetings and Events
February 10, 2015
5:30 SC Senate Democratic Caucus Opening Legislative Reception – Palmetto Club
5:00 Fund Raiser, for Rep. Bales, Rep. Hodges & Rep. Hosey – Pearlz Oyster Bar
February 11, 2015
12:30 Legislative Luncheon, by SC Association of Community Economics Development - Blatt 112
5:30 Fund Raiser for Representative Beth Bernstein – Debt Retirement – Tin Roof
5:30 SC Senate Republican Winter Reception – Stone River
5:30 Fund Raiser for Representative Bill Sandifer – Palmetto Club
Newly Introduced Legislation
EMPLOYMENT:
S. 410 Leatherman:RELATING TO THE PURPOSE OF CHAPTER 22, TITLE 40 CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF ENGINEERS AND SURVEYORS
GOVERNMENT:
S. 11 Martin: RELATING TO THE NOTICE OF MEETINGS FOR PUBLIC BODIES
HEALTHCARE:
H. 3508 G. M. Smith: SO AS TO ENACT THE "MEDICAL ASPECTS OF ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSING ACT"
TAX/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
H. 3490 Quinn: SO AS TO ENACT THE 'BUSINESS LICENSE TAX REFORM ACT'
H. 3507 Williams: SO AS TO ALLOW AN INCOME TAX CREDIT TO A TAXPAYER THAT OPERATES A SCHOOL TO WORK PROGRAM WHICH LINKS STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS WITH THE WORKPLACE
H. 3511 Sandifer: RELATING TO DEDUCTIONS ALLOWED FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TAXABLE INCOME OF INDIVIDUALS FOR PURPOSES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA INCOME TAX ACT
H. 3523 Funderburk: SO AS TO ENACT THE "LIVABLE HOMES TAX CREDIT ACT"
