The House and Senate met in regular session this week, convening a joint session on Wednesday to elect judges, boards of trustee members for colleges and universities, as well as board members for other commissions in the state. Both chambers will meet in regular session next week, with the Senate beginning debate on the Senate Finance Committee’s version of the state budget on Tuesday.
The last day of the regular session is Thursday, May 9. This is the second year of a two-year session, so any bills that do not pass into law will be dead and must be reintroduced for the 2025 – 2026 session.
Both chambers passed S1192, the sine die, or adjournment, resolution. This resolution outlines the legislation that the General Assembly can consider when the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House bring members back to Columbia after the May 9 adjournment to finish the budget.
Abandoned buildings passes subcommittee
S1021, the abandoned buildings revitalization tax credit bill, was amended and given a favorable report by the House Ways and Means Economic Development subcommittee. The amendment adds language from H3737, the Shortline Railroad Modernization Act. The original language from S1021 is still in the bill. Next, the bill goes to the full House Ways and Means Committee for debate.
For questions about this bill, contact Joannie Nickel (jnickel@masc.sc) at 803.354.4794.
Property tax exemption bill adjourned debate in subcommittee
The House Ways and Means Property Tax subcommittee adjourned debate on S1017, the affordable housing property tax exemption bill. The subcommittee is scheduled to meet again on Tuesday immediately after the House adjourns to continue debate on the bill.
For questions about this bill, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc) at 803.354.4793.
Military TIF bill amended and sent back to the Senate
House members amended H4552, the military tax increment financing bill, and sent it back to the Senate for concurrence or nonconcurrence. The first amendment compels the submission of property taxes to a former military base redevelopment authority and the second amendment deals with competition among LLC partners in affordable housing developments.
For questions about this bill, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc) at 803.354.4793.
New Bill Introductions
Each week, House and Senate members introduce new bills that are referred to a committee to begin the legislative process. Bills that have an effect on municipal government are tracked by the Municipal Association legislative team in the legislative tracking system.
For questions about the new bill introductions, contact Casey Fields (cfields@masc.sc) at 803.933.1203.
Stay in Touch
The Municipal Association legislative team is on X. Follow Joannie Nickel (@JoannieMuniSC) and Erica Wright (@EricaMuniSC) for updates from the State House. Also follow the Association at @MuniAssnSC.
Don’t forget to listen to the From the Dome to Your Home podcast every Friday for a recap of the week’s legislative issues and a look to the week ahead at the State House.
Senate Judiciary subcommittee
S909 – Makes changes to energy policy in the state – the subcommittee did not take action on the bill although it was on the agenda. This bill was discussed in the full Senate Judiciary Committee later that afternoon, but the committee did not take action on the bill.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Makes changes to energy policy in the state.
Senate Transportation subcommittee
H3359 – Defines the term "utility terrain vehicle" and outlines the registration and operation of these vehicles on highways and streets – carried over
Summary of the bill as introduced: Defines the term "utility terrain vehicle" and outlines the registration and operation of these vehicles on highways and streets.
Senate Judiciary Committee
H3734 – Requires all municipal elections to be held on certain dates – the committee did not take action on the bill although it was on the agenda.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Makes several changes to municipal elections including dates, voting machines and terms of office.
H4563 – Clarifies the power of special purpose districts to own, acquire, purchase or dispose of property - the committee did not take action on the bill although it was on the agenda.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Clarifies the power of special purpose districts to own, acquire, purchase, hold, use, lease, convey, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of property.
H4231 – Allows a micro-distillery to sell certain liquors distilled on the premises on Sundays – the committee did not take action on the bill although it was on the agenda.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows a micro-distillery to sell certain liquors distilled on the premises on Sundays.
House Judiciary Constitutional Laws subcommittee
S915 – Creates the Executive Office of Health and Policy – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Creates the Executive Office of Health and Policy to include departments on public health, aging and intellectual disabilities.
House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Medical and Health Affairs subcommittee
S445 – Requires the SC DAODAS to approve a credentialing entity to develop a voluntary certification program for recovery housing – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Requires the SC DAODAS to approve a credentialing entity to develop a voluntary certification program for recovery housing.
House Labor, Commerce and Industry Insurance subcommittee
S728 – Changes the definition of firefighter to include non-residents of South Carolina who work in the state – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Changes the definition of firefighter in the Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan to include non-residents of South Carolina who work in the state.
House Ways and Means Sales, Use and Income Tax subcommittee
S969 – Increases the subsistence deduction amount from the individual taxable income of law enforcement officers and firefighters – favorable report as amended. The amendment phases in the increase and the tax deduction over the next four years.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Increases the subsistence deduction amount from the individual taxable income of law enforcement officers and firefighters.
House Ways and Means Property Tax subcommittee
H5232 – Allows only the General Assembly to regulate co-owned homes – adjourned debate
Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows only the SC General Assembly to pass laws restricting, regulating, prohibiting, or taxing a co-owned home.
House Labor, Commerce and Industry Business and Commerce subcommittee
S542 – Enacts the SC Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resilience Act - favorable report as amended. The amendment only makes technical changes.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Establishes the C-PACE program that local governments can voluntarily implement to offer low-cost, long-term financing for qualifying improvements to increase sustainability and decrease energy and water costs.
House Judiciary Criminal Laws subcommittee
S1 – Creates the offense of fentanyl-induced homicide – favorable report as amended. The amendment strengthens penalties for dealers of fentanyl.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Creates the offense of fentanyl-induced homicide for a person who illegally delivers, dispenses or provides fentanyl to another person and the cause of death for that person is fentanyl-related.