Bills
Offshore Wind Industry
Bill #: H.4831
Session: 2021-2022
Topics:
Energy
The Offshore Wind Industries Bill, H.4831, was introduced by Representative Jason Elliott (R-Greenville) in 2022. The bill directed the Department of Commerce to study how South Carolina can attract offshore wind supply chain manufacturers into the state – creating green jobs and benefitting our economy.
It breezed through the House and Senate LCI committees but hit a snag in the Senate. On the day that the news broke that the Carolina Panthers were pulling out of their side of the deal on a Rock Hill training facility, Senator Martin (R-Spartanburg) decided to make a point and amended the bill to direct the Department to study how best to bring an “offshore headquarters” for the Panthers to the state – an intentionally nonsensical amendment. The bill continued to be amended right up until the day it received second reading in the Senate. Luckily, in conference committee, the Carolina Panthers amendment was removed and a clean bill moved on to the Governor’s desk for a signature.
How Legislators Voted on H.4831
Votes:
- + Pro Conservation Vote
- - Anti Conservation Vote
- EA Excused Absence
- NV Not Voting
- NA Not in Office
- A Abstained (Conflict of Interest)
H.4831 Offshore Wind Industries (Senate Vote on Conference Committee Report)
Despite the amendment that the Senate adopted to make this an anti-Carolina Panthers bill, the Senate approved the Conference Committee report that restored H.4831’s original purpose with a unanimous, 39-0, vote. This is a Pro-Conservation Bill. The pro-conservation vote was “Yea” to adopt the conference committee report.
- + Pro Conservation Vote
- - Anti Conservation Vote
- EA Excused Absence
- NV Not Voting
- NA Not in Office
- A Abstained (Conflict of Interest)
H.4831 Offshore Wind Industries (2nd Reading in House)
After being passed out favorably by the Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee; the House gave this bill second reading by a vote of 85-21. This is a Pro-Conservation Bill. The pro-conservation vote was “Yea” on second reading.
