Week 14 Update
Sunday, April 14, 2024
As we passed the critical crossover deadline this week, the pace at the State House was fervent. Crossover day marks the point when bills must move from one chamber to the other to have a chance of becoming law this session. Our diligent efforts ensured several key pieces of legislation advanced.
Combating Organized Retail Crime:
I'm proud to have supported H.4187, a vital measure to curb organized retail theft. This legislation recognizes coordinated theft as a serious felony, reflecting its impact on our communities. Under this bill, involvement in organized retail crime could lead to significant penalties, enhancing security and deterring crime in our retail environments.
Enhancing Healthcare Transparency:
In our ongoing commitment to transparency, the House passed H.4622, ensuring that healthcare providers must provide patients with an itemized bill in plain language within 30 days. This initiative, aimed at demystifying healthcare costs, will empower you with clear information about the financial aspects of your care.
Advancing Energy Security:
The South Carolina Energy Security Act (H.5118) is making rapid progress in the Senate, having been passed out of the Judiciary Committee this week. This bill is a comprehensive strategy to ensure our state's energy future is robust and reliable, integrating new gas generation facilities and supporting a diverse energy mix to meet our growing needs.
Protecting Our Agricultural Heritage:
The Farmers Protection Act (H.5169) swiftly moved through the Senate Agriculture Committee this week. This legislation protects our farmers from discriminatory financial practices based on environmental policies, (think ESG against cows and pigs), ensuring that our agricultural sector remains vibrant and unimpeded by undue restrictions.
Looking Ahead:
As the Senate deliberates on the South Carolina Energy Security Act and other critical bills, we are also preparing to reconcile differences in the state budget to finalize our fiscal plans for the coming year. These discussions are pivotal in shaping a prosperous future for South Carolina.
We are at a crucial juncture in this legislative session, and I am as committed as ever to representing your interests and ensuring our laws reflect the values and needs of our great state.
"Squatters" and Protection of Property Rights in South Carolina:
As soon as news broke several weeks ago of the highly publicized cases of squatters taking over people's private property in some states, I checked into what law we have on the books to protect our citizens who are property owners in South Carolina. It turns out that another House member, Rep. Adam Morgan had the same thought at the same time, so we acted as primary co-sponsors of H.5375 - Removal of Unauthorized Persons. Already, South Carolina has much stricter laws regarding squatters than many other states, including that they cannot claim rights unless they have been in a property continuously for 10 years; however, to get a squatter out, you have to serve them a legal eviction notice through a sheriff, and file a lawsuit. Our bill states that a property owner may request immediate removal of a person unlawfully occupying a residential dwelling, and also provides for strict penalties including a felony charge and jail time for damages exceeding $1000 in value to the property.
Welcoming More Teacher Fellows to the State House:
This week we welcomed the SC Teaching Fellows from Anderson University, Clemson University, the College of Charleston, Francis Marion University, and Winthrop University. As mentioned in last month's visit from 6 other universities across SC, the Teaching Fellows initiative is designed to recruit high-achieving students.into the teaching profession. Fellows agree to teach for one year in SC for each year of their possible loan forgiveness. This program has led to significant results in attracting and maintaining top young teachers across our state. We were happy to provide a warm State House welcome to these remarkable individuals, and to honor their commitment and dedication to our future students throughout South Carolina!
Around the District and the Lowcountry:
The week before last, Reps. Hartnett, Bustos and myself met with the Mount Pleasant Town Administrator, as well as our Chief of Police and the Mayor to discuss the very serious problem of repeat criminal offenders in our community. Chief Mark Arnold presented us with eye-opening information regarding known criminals who have been arrested, charged, and tried multiple times for serious crimes such as armed robbery, drug trafficking, child abuse, and other terrible behavior, yet continue to live out in the community due to judges that let them off with lenient treatment, often as little as "time served" while they were awaiting trial. Out of 25 or so cases presented to us, the same judge was responsible for at least 10 of them. What is so truly disturbing is that not only are these criminals continuing to live among us in the community because of these judges, but also some of the lawyer legislators who are criminal defense attorneys in the State House are responsible for having "qualified" these judges for election by the House through the Judicial Merit Selection Committee.
Two major goals came out of this very important meeting. First, we absolutely must change the JMSC makeup to eliminate or at least limit the number of lawyer legislators, and so that no criminal defense attorneys are able to sit on this board to help select the candidates for judicial openings. Secondly, we must change our laws in South Carolina so that instead of only listing "maximum penalties," we also have "minimum penalties" to include fines and/or prison sentences. We cannot leave the door open for judges to potentially let criminals out on the street with very little punishment.
You may have seen an article this past week on the front page of the Moultrie News about the passage of my bill to assist families with members who have autism when in their vehicle encountering law enforcement or other first responders. I mentioned this in an earlier newsletter but wanted to express my gratitude to the Moultrie News for continuing to highlight the work that we are doing in the State House to improve the lives of South Carolinians. This bill, which is part of another bill, H.5204, now crosses over to the Senate. Our own Senator Larry Grooms is the Chairman of the Transportation Committee, which reviews all special license tag requests. I hope the companion bill that I introduced, H.4950, which requires training for all law enforcement and other first responders when dealing with autistic individuals will be heard in the House before the end of Session. While it might be too late to be passed into law, I plan to resubmit this bill for next year provided I am reelected.
Speaking of bills that truly needed to pass this year but did not make it through "Crossover Week," we still need to pass so many that are urgent in nature, yet were not heard in their respective sub-committees. This is not from a lack of trying by many of us. We must close the primaries, pass drug-induced homicide, pass the S.A.V.E. Act H.4935 to secure our elections, pass some version of the EMP Protection bill, etc.... There are many more important topics. I am disappointed that some of these committees, especially the Judiciary Committee seem to get bogged down with much less critical issues.
Thanks as always for reading about what we do in the State House, and how this may affect your daily life. Please let me know if I can improve in serving our District by answering your questions and pursuing appropriate legislation where needed. Your feedback is invaluable to me, and I encourage you to reach out with any concerns you may have by emailing me back.