Bills
Appropriations
Bill #: H.5150
Session: 2021-2022
Topics:
Regulatory
In 2021, the General Assembly had an unprecedented amount of money to spend with a budget surplus in the billions.
Initially, the House approved a pro-conservation budget with millions set aside for land conservation, PFAS remediation (toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water), and resilience. Unfortunately, the Senate approved a budget that allocated far less money for our conservation priorities.
After a lot of negotiation and the announcement of even more money in the pot to spend, the Senate and the House agreed on a budget that included $68-million for land conservation (spread between agencies) and $10-million for PFAS remediation projects across the state.
How Legislators Voted on H.5150
Votes:
- + Pro Conservation Vote
- - Anti Conservation Vote
- EA Excused Absence
- NV Not Voting
- NA Not in Office
- A Abstained (Conflict of Interest)
H.5150 Part 34 DHEC Appropriations (Senate Adoption)
Contained within the section (part 34) for the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) was a new fund, the PFOS, PFOA, and Emerging Contaminants Remediation Fund.
This fund gave DHEC the authority – and the money – to finish its monitoring strategy and to give out grants to water systems and private well owners who’s water is contaminated with PFAS chemicals at the health advisory limit. In the end, the fund was allocated $10-million dollars.
The Senate adopted this Part with a vote of 36-3. This is a Pro-Conservation Appropriation vote in the Senate. The pro-conservation vote was “Yea”.
- + Pro Conservation Vote
- - Anti Conservation Vote
- EA Excused Absence
- NV Not Voting
- NA Not in Office
- A Abstained (Conflict of Interest)
H.5150 Part 53 Conservation Bank Appropriations (House Adoption)
The Conservation Bank was allocated $28-million for land conservation grants across the state. This, coupled with other legislation passed in 2021, is another tool in the tool box for our State to continue to advance land protection goals.
The House adopted this Part by a vote to 111-4. This is a Pro-Conservation Appropriation vote in the House. The pro-conservation vote was “Yea”.
- + Pro Conservation Vote
- - Anti Conservation Vote
- EA Excused Absence
- NV Not Voting
- NA Not in Office
- A Abstained (Conflict of Interest)
H.5150 Part 34 DHEC Appropriations (House Adoption)
Contained within the section (part 34) for the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) was a new fund, the PFOS, PFOA, and Emerging Contaminants Remediation Fund.
This fund gave DHEC the authority – and the money – to finish its monitoring strategy and to give out grants to water systems and private well owners who’s water is contaminated with PFAS chemicals at the health advisory limit. In the end, the fund was allocated $10-million dollars.
The House adopted this Part with a vote of 70-11. This is a Pro-Conservation Appropriations vote in the House. The pro-conservation vote was “Yea”.