1st Legislative Update

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

Here is my first Legislative Update. My goal is to keep you informed about the latest issues currently being addressed at the State house. Since we concluded only the third full week of Session, there is not too much to report. As always, I am interested in hearing your thoughts and concerns on the issues.

Thank you for electing me to serve you and our community at the State House.

Warm regards,

Beth

HOUSE WEEK IN REVIEW January 11, 2013 On Tuesday, January 8, 2013, the House of Representatives convened in Columbia for the commencement of the 120th South Carolina General Assembly.

As the House begins its legislative session, the body adopted a rules change that revises the COMPOSITION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMITTEE by increasing its size from six members to ten and providing for representation on the committee to be divided equally between the majority and minority parties.

HOUSE WEEK IN REVIEW January 18, 2013

The House of Representatives amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3248, a bill relating to the ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION OF IDENTITY THEFT OFFENSES. The legislation enhances identity fraud and financial identity fraud provisions by establishing more expansive criteria for personal identifying information and financial resources that are to be used in determining whether fraud has been committed.

HOUSE WEEK IN REVIEW January 25, 2013

The House of Representatives amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3096, the “STATE HEALTH CARE FREEDOM ACT”. The bill provides that the state of South Carolina must not elect to establish or operate an American Health Benefit Exchange as provided for in the federal “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” of 2010.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION

AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

The full Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee met on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, and reported out one bill. H.3290, dealing with the “BUSINESS FREEDOM TO CHOOSE ACT.” The legislation provides that any prior, existing, or future county ordinance that restricts or prohibits disposal of waste at any permitted solid waste management facility, regardless of location, or impedes the development or implementation of a public or private recycling program, regardless of location, is considered inconsistent with the provisions of the South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act.

JUDICIARY

The full Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday, January 22, and reported out two bills. H.3247 This legislation clarifies the ROLE OF THE CIRCUIT SOLICITOR IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GENERAL SESSIONS COURT DOCKET and provides that this ability to administer the docket shall not interfere with the court’s ability to safeguard a litigant’s rights.