Immunity for Industry (Nuisance) – Senators finished the filibuster on H.3653 this week with an amendment that addresses the most egregious elements of the bill, but that still makes it more difficult for South Carolinians to hold neighboring industry accountable for noise and odor issues. We appreciate the 14 Senators who voted against the bill and want to give special thanks to Senators Sheheen, Davis, Hutto, Kimpson, Fanning, Martin, Bright Matthews, and Campsen who spoke out against the bill.
Energy – House members continued to fight for ratepayers this week as they passed H.4375 by a vote of 119-1. This bill will temporarily halt the ability of utilities to charge customers for the botched nuclear project under the Base Load Review Act. In a rare speech from the House floor, Speaker Jay Lucas shared that “We need to protect the ratepayer. That is our job. That is what we were elected to do.” (Post & Courier)
Litter – H.4458 passed the House easily last week (100-4) and is now headed over to the Senate for discussion. This bill addresses fines and enforcement related to littering and illegal dumping in SC, further assisting local communities in addressing this prolific problem. Many thanks to the Representatives that pushed this important bill, with a special shout out to Rep. Johnson and Dillard.
Conservation Bank – H.4727, the House version of the Conservation Bank Reauthorization bill, moved out of subcommittee last week. Both the testimony and discussion about the future of the Bank was very positive. The vote of the subcommittee and discussion is an encouraging sign for the Bank this session. We look forward to working with House and Senate members in the weeks ahead as this bill heads to full Ways & Means, the House floor, and then to the Senate.
Shoreline Management – Many thanks to all of the great shoreline management advocates that testified this week on ways to improve S.927. This bill would undo decades of study, collaboration, and implementation of sound coastal management policies that balance conservation and shoreline development. Join the discussion on how to improve this bill and H.4683, its House counterpart, so we can be responsible
to shoreline property owners and conservations needs.
Click here to visit the Conservation Coalition Legislative Action Center.