In a dynamic session where all House and Senate members are up for reelection, legislative efforts become particularly complex.
This week included committee hearings on many bills that the Chamber is following, I want to focus on two bills in particular. One will be a positive step forward for South Carolina’s business climate, while the other threatens the ability for businesses to operate without government overreach.
H. 5118 10-Year Energy Transformation Act
The 10-Year Energy Transformation Act gives the public policy tools necessary to meet the challenge of a growing energy demand including removing inefficiencies in the regulatory process, re-establishing the consideration of economic development and ultimately saving ratepayers money. The Chamber supports reliable energy generation to meet the demands of current and future population and business growth.
After the Economic Development Ad Hoc and Utility Modernization Committee heard hours of testimony over several days to help craft the latest bill language, the Energy Transformation Act began in the Public Utilities Subcommittee. The subcommittee met three times this week to hear testimony on the bill. Testimony included representatives from the Lowcountry: Dominion Energy, Santee Cooper and the Coastal Conservation League.
Thursday afternoon, the committee adjourned. We appreciate the committee’s dedication to ensuring South Carolina has an adequate energy supply and look forward to hearing further debate on the bill in the coming weeks.
S. 975 Medical Freedom Act
The Medical Freedom Act creates consequences for employers to include fines and imprisonment if they make a novel vaccine or gene therapy a condition for employment. The Chamber firmly believes that employment decisions should be left to individual businesses in our state subject to what each business believes is right for their operations.
The Chamber joined the Metro Chamber Coalition in sending a letter to the Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee to express our desire that the committee support free enterprise and reject this unprecedented step against the internal operations of our state’s job creators.
During subcommittee discussion, Sen. Tedder proposed an amendment to strike the section of the bill that put a mandate on employers and the penalties that were associated. The Senator was told to wait until the full committee since the amendment was not in writing.
Ultimately, the bill passed subcommittee 3-2 with Sen. Garrett, Sen. Cash and Sen. Corbin voting in favor of the bill and Sen. Tedder and Sen. Sabb voting against. We will continue to work with Senators in full committee to eliminate the mandate on businesses and the associated penalties.
In addition to H. 5118 and S. 975, 12 other bills the Chamber is following were in committee.
S. 533 SC Justice Act
H. 4552 Military TIF
H. 5105 Technical College Credit for Military Experience
H. 5066 Fair Access to Insurance Requirements
S. 1021 Abandoned Buildings Tax Credit
H. 3811 Industry Partnership Fund Tax Credit
H. 4365 Social Work Interstate Compact
H. 3992 Delinquent Unemployment Compensation Tax Rates
H. 4589 Municipal Election Protests
H. 1017 Low Income Housing Property Tax Credit
H. 4561 Campaign Finance for Dependent Care
H. 4928 Veterans’ Trust Fund
If you have any questions on the legislation above or the Chamber’s position, please do not hesitate to contact me.
As the Chamber continues our involvement at the State House, there is opportunity for you to get involved with an issue right here in Charleston. The work to develop a new plan for Union Pier continues with the community’s feedback playing a significant role. Next week, you have the opportunity to attend the Union Pier Open House and Site Tours.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the site and provide your feedback.
Union Pier Open House and Site Tours
Tuesday, March 5
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Drop-In Format with Ongoing Bus Tours
Union Pier Cruise Terminal
32 Washington Street, Charleston, SC 29401
unionpiersc.com
Have a great weekend!
