Legislative Hotlist: May 1, 2023
Sine Die is approaching and session is wrapping up—we’ve got six legislative days left and lots to do. Let’s Dive in!
DHEC Reform: The Senate Medical Affairs Committee met last week and passed the amended DHEC Reform bill (S.399) out of committee. The amendment protects the automatic stay compromise struck in 2018 and we support it. It now sits on the Senate calendar to be taken up—we will be watching to ensure no changes are made to the compromise!
But what happens if they pass it? Then the Senate version of the bill heads to the House to undergo the committee process all over again. This issue looks like it will be carried over into the next year.
A Successful Subcommittee! Last week, a Ways and Means subcommittee chaired by Representative Brandon Newton successfully voted out two pro-conservation bills: The Alternative Fuels Tax Credits (H.3824)and the Trails Tax Credit (H.3121). H.3824 extends the alternative fuels tax credit to taxpayers that build electric vehicle charging stations, and H.3121 extends an income tax credit to property owners that place a trail easement on their property. We were thrilled to see so much enthusiasm around both and we can’t wait for a full committee hearing!
In Energy News: Today, the Energy Market Reform Study Committee met to discuss the long-awaited Brattle Report. This years-long effort initiated by Act 187 of 2020 at the cost of half a million dollars consists of recommendations made to the committee on ways to increase competition in our energy market. Pursuing these recommendations could save ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year and enhance reliability.
The report was released before the hearing, and CVSC staff and other partners have been digging into the details. We expect that the report will inspire a lot of energy legislation in the coming years.
Midlands Gives: CVSC-Education Fund is participating in Midlands Gives again this year! Join us in raising $3,500 to help protect historic Rosenwald Schools across South Carolina. Every donation up to $1,500 will be matched!
Rosenwald schools are a priceless piece of SC history, and protecting them from natural deterioration, urban sprawl, and development also means establishing vital green space in communities. To learn more and support our efforts, check out our Midlands Gives profile.
The Legislative Hotlist is a weekly update from our Government Relations Director, Meagan Diedolf. Sign up for emails to get the Hotlist delivered directly to your inbox!