SCAPA Legislative Update

SCAPA Legislative Update - April 2022

Submitted by Sunnie Harmon and John DeWorken, LobbySC

LobbySC Week 13 Highlights

Speaker Jay Lucas Announces Retirement

Long time House member and Speaker of the House Jay Lucas (R-Darlington) announced that he would not be seeking another term to serve in the House, ending almost a decade as the House leader and years representing Darlington County.

It is expected that Rep. Murrell Smith (R-Sumter) will take over as Speaker, which will open the House Ways and Means Chairmanship.

Legislative Session Winding Down

With Sine Die coming quickly (May 12), there are less than 10 legislative days left in this year’s Session. It is important to note that this marks the second year of a two-year Session, which means all bills that do not make it to the Governor’s desk are dead and will have to begin the Legislative process all over again in 2023.

Senate Finance Committee Passes Budget

The Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee), passed the State budget equal to $12.6B. The budget includes an unprecedented $1B rebate and a $1B tax cut.

Adopted unanimously by the Senate Finance Committee, the package will be debated on the Senate floor the week of April 26.

Here are some highlights of the Senate Finance budget:

$100M- Federal Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (State Match)
$350M - SC Ports– Naval Base & Intermodal Facility & Container Barge Infrastructure
$250K - Coordinating Council for Workforce Development
$450M – SC Department of Commerce Closing Fund

American Rescue Plan Act Advances

The Senate amended the House version of how to expend ARPA funds. The bill will go back to the House where the House can accept or reject changes made in the Senate.

Here is the Senate breakdown:

$453.5M to the Department of Transportation to establish the Transportation Infrastructure Acceleration Account
$900M to Rural Infrastructure Authority to establishes ARPA Water & Sewer Infrastructure Account, which includes:
- $800M to run a competitive infrastructure grant program
- $20M dedicated to the planning of a grant program for very small water systems
- $80M to create a regional solutions grant program
$400M to Office of Regulatory Staff to establish the ARPA Broadband Account
$104M to the Department of Health & Environmental Control for a new public lab

New Senator Sworn In

Mike Reichenbach was sworn in Tuesday as the Senate’s 46th Senator. Reichenbach won a Special Election on March 29 to replace Senator Hugh Leatherman. Senator Reichenbach (R-Florence) is the owner of Mike Reichenbach Automotive.

House Passes Shortline Railroads Tax Credit

H. 4817, a bill by Rep. Randy Ligon (R-Chester) that passed the House would provide for an income tax credit equal to 50% of an eligible taxpayer’s qualified railroad expenditures.

Vaccine Mandate Prohibition

The Senate passed H. 3126, a bill that allows employees to collect unemployment benefits if they are fired, have hours reduced, or are suspended due to their Covid-19 vaccination status. The House previously passed this bill.

Medical Marijuana Clears First Hurdle in House

S. 150, by Senator Tom Davis (R-Beaufort), that would legalize medical marijuana for individuals with certain conditions passed the House Medical, Military, and Municipal Affairs Committee. It now moves to the House floor for debate.

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Sunnie Harmon & John DeWorken

LobbySC

Sunnie Harmon

864.337.1584

Sunnie@LobbySC.com

John DeWorken

864.905.5529

John@LobbySC.com