February 17, 2017
Inside this issue
·  •Statehouse Report
·  •Congressional Report
Statehouse Report
Due to the sudden death of Representative Joe Neal (Richland), the bulk of the week's work was done in committee. Wednesday and Thursday, saddened legislators took to the podium and remembered the late Representative. Speaker Jay Lucas (Darlington) called Neal an institution within their institution. "No one ever commanded the podium like Joe Neal," said Lucas. He added that Representative Cobb-Hunter (Orangeburg) asked what the House would be like without Joe and he replied, "I don't know. I can't imagine this body without him."
Conservation Bank Reauthorization
The Senate Finance Natural Resources & Economic Development Subcommittee met Tuesday and discussed S.219 SC Conservation Bank Reauthorization Act. The bill extends the sunset period for ten years. Much discussion centered on public vs. non-public vs. limited access to the land. Jim Rockmore, Chairman of the Conservation Bank Board, and others spoke in support of the bill. No action was taken; Subcommittee will meet again at the call of the chairman.
Other Bills of Interest
H.3748 Night Hunting of Hogs, etc.
AMEND CODE OF LAWS RELATING TO THE NIGHT HUNTING OF CERTAIN ANIMALS, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISIONS THAT REGULATE THE HUNTING OF FERAL HOGS, COYOTES, AND ARMADILLOS, TO DELETE THE PROVISIONS THAT DEFINE THE TERMS "NIGHT" AND "NOTICE TO THE DEPARTMENT", AND TO DELETE THE PENALTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE NIGHT HUNTING OF FERAL HOGS, COYOTES, AND ARMADILLOS; AND BY ADDING THE HUNTING OF FERAL HOGS, COYOTES, AND ARMADILLOS AT NIGHT, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
S. 404Tax Credits
A BILL ALLOW A TAX CREDIT TO AN AGRIBUSINESS OPERATION OR AN AGRICULTURAL PACKAGING OPERATION THAT INCREASES ITS PURCHASES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS WHICH HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS SOUTH CAROLINA GROWN, AND TO SPECIFY THE MANNER IN WHICH THE CREDIT IS ADMINISTERED
S. 407 SC Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act
TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA AGRIBUSINESS AND RURAL JOBS ACT", TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS, TO PROVIDE FOR AN APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS, TO ALLOW FOR A TAX CREDIT, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REVOCATION OF TAX CREDIT CERTIFICATES, AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTING.
Top
Congressional Report
Mulvaney Confirmed as Budget Director; 5th District Special Election Announced. On Thursday, the U.S. Senate confirmed South Carolina Congressman Mick Mulvaney of the 5th Congressional District as the next director of the White House Office of Budget and Management (OMB). Upon his confirmation, Mulvaney resigned his congressional seat.
Governor McMaster signed an executive order setting the dates for the special election to fill the vacancy. The primary is set for May 2, with the primary runoff set on May 16. The general election is set for June 20.
So far six candidates, all Republicans, have declared they will run for the upcoming special election to replace Mulvaney. Those candidates are Chad Connelly, Sheri Few, Tom Mulliken, Rep. Ralph Norman, Rep. Tommy Pope, and Kris Wampler.
Top