TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2003
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
(Statewide Session)
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
The General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, begun and holden at Columbia on the second Tuesday in January, being the 14th day of the month.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution, the members of the Senate assembled this day in the Senate Chamber at 12 o’clock Noon.
The Senate was called to order by the PRESIDENT, the Honorable Robert L. Peeler.
Proceedings were opened with prayer by the Chaplain, the Reverend George E. Meetze, of Columbia, S.C., as follows:
Beloved, hear words from the Prophet Jeremiah at a period in history of national and international turmoil, Jeremiah 6:16:
“Thus says the Lord; stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths where the good-way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” Let us pray.
Father, whether in ancient times or in our modern days, others have spoken of “turning crises into opportunities.” Others have told us that “man’s extremities are God’s opportunities.” But Father, we sense danger today, and no human being can guess what will happen before this session ends.
We pray for Divine guidance and strength beyond our own as we pray together the prayer taught by the Man-from-Galilee: “Our Father who art in Heaven: Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory, forever and ever.” Amen.
Motion Adopted
Senator McCONNELL made a motion to adopt the following Agenda of Business:
Agenda of Business
January 14, 2003
1.Call to Order by the PRESIDENT
2.Prayer
3.Pledge of Allegiance
- Receipt of Communications
5.Election of Officers
6.Members select seat assignments
7.Members select committee assignments
8.PRESIDENT appoints committees to inform the House and Governor that the Senate has organized
9.Introduction of Bills and Resolutions
10.Regular Order of Business
Election of Senate Officers
On motion of Senator LEATHERMAN, the Senate proceeded to the Election of Officers.
Election of the PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
The PRESIDENT announced that nominations for the PRESIDENT Pro Tempore were in order.
Senator LEATHERMAN nominated Senator McCONNELL as PRESIDENT Pro Tempore.
Senator MOORE seconded the nomination.
Senator MARTIN moved that the nominations be closed and that Senator McCONNELL be elected PRESIDENT Pro Tempore.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Ayes 45; Nays 0
AYES
AlexanderAndersonBauer
BrantonCoursonDrummond
ElliottFairFord
GieseGloverGregory
GroomsHawkinsHayes
HollandHuttoJackson
KnottsKuhnLand
LeathermanLeventisMalloy
MartinMatthewsMcGill
MescherMooreO'Dell
PattersonPeelerPinckney
RankinRavenelReese
RichardsonRitchieRyberg
SetzlerShortSmith, J. Verne
ThomasVerdinWaldrep
Total--45
NAYS
Total--0
Senator McCONNELL was elected PRESIDENT Pro Tempore.
Administration of the Oath of Office
The PRESIDENT Pro Tempore presented himself at the Bar and the oath of office was administered by the PRESIDENT.
Presentation of Ceremonial Robe
On motion of Senator COURSON, the PRESIDENT Pro Tempore was escorted to the podium by Senators J. VERNE SMITH, LEATHERMAN, LAND, HOLLAND and DRUMMOND and was presented a ceremonial robe.
On motion of Senator McCONNELL, the following individuals were nominated for the respective positions and elected en banc:
On motion of Senator McCONNELL, with unanimous consent, the name of Mr. Jeffrey S. Gossett was placed in nomination as Clerk; the name of Mr. John O. Wienges was placed in nomination as Reading Clerk; the name of Mr. James R. Melton was placed in nomination as Sergeant-at-Arms; and the name of Reverend George E. Meetze was placed in nomination as Chaplain.
The following individuals were elected en banc by acclamation:
ClerkMr. Jeffrey Stephen Gossett
Reading Clerk Mr. John Othniel Wienges
Chaplain Reverend George Elias Meetze
Sgt.-at-Arms Mr. James R. Melton
Administration of the Oath of Office
On motion of Senator McCONNELL, with unanimous consent, the Clerk, Reading Clerk, Chaplain and Sergeant-at-Arms presented themselves at the Bar and the oath of office was administered by the PRESIDENT.
Clerk's Appointments
The Clerk announced the following appointments:
Mr. Michael HitchcockAssistant Clerk
Mrs. Darlene M. Griggs Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Joyce D. Reid Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Agnes H. Walker General Desk Clerk
Mrs. Cynthia C. Aiken Calendar Clerk
Mrs. Betty Graham Chief Administrative
Assistant to the Clerk of
the Senate
Mrs. Beth Dworjanyn Director of Senate Finance
Mrs. Jean Tisdale Bookkeeping
Mrs. Jean Padgett Payroll/Personnel Specialist
Ms. Alicia Eatmon Bill Clerk
Ms. Susan H. Edwards Assistant Bill Clerk
SEATING SELECTIONS
Pursuant to Rule 4B, Senator McCONNELL moved that the Senate proceed to seating selections.
The Reading Clerk called the seniority roll for the purpose of seating selections as follows:
Seat 1Senator McConnell
Seat 2Senator J. Verne Smith
Seat 3Senator Leatherman
Seat 4Senator Giese
Seat 5Senator Gregory
Seat 6Senator Courson
Seat 7Senator Peeler
Seat 8Senator Thomas
Seat 9Senator Hayes
Seat 10Senator Ryberg
Seat 11Senator Richardson
Seat 12Senator Fair
Seat 13Senator O’Dell
Seat 14Senator Martin
Seat 15Senator Grooms
Seat 16Senator Branton
Seat 17Senator Mescher
Seat 18Senator Verdin
Seat 19Senator Alexander
Seat 20Senator Waldrep
Seat 21Senator Ravenel
Seat 22Senator Hawkins
Seat 23Senator Ritchie
Seat 24Senator Land
Seat 25Senator Holland
Seat 26Senator Drummond
Seat 27Senator Leventis
Seat 28Senator McGill
Seat 29Senator Moore
Seat 30Senator Setzler
Seat 31Senator Patterson
Seat 32Senator Matthews
Seat 33Senator Short
Seat 34Senator Hutto
Seat 35Senator Rankin
Seat 36Senator Reese
Seat 37Senator Elliott
Seat 38Senator Pinckney
Seat 39(vacant)
Seat 40Senator Kuhn
Seat 41Senator Knotts
Seat 42Senator Malloy
Seat 43Senator Jackson
Seat 44Senator Anderson
Seat 45Senator Glover
Seat 46 Senator Ford
The Senate proceeded to a selection of Standing Committees.
SELECTION OF
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE
AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Waldrep, Robert L., Jr., Chairman
Leventis, Phil
Peeler, Harvey S., Jr.
Matthews, John W., Jr.
McGill, J. Yancey
Glover, Maggie W.
Hutto, C. Bradley
Ravenel, Arthur
Grooms, Larry R.
Elliott, Dick
Verdin, Danny
Pinckney, Clementa C.
Kuhn, John R.
Martin, Larry A.
Knotts, John M. “Jake”, Jr.
Fair, Michael
Malloy, Gerald
BANKING AND INSURANCE
Thomas, David L., Chairman
Leatherman, Hugh K.
McConnell, Glenn F.
Setzler, Nikki
Courson, John E.
Matthews, John W., Jr.
Patterson, Kay
Reese, Glenn G.
Hayes, Robert W., Jr.
Jackson, Darrell
Martin, Larry A.
Rankin, Luke
Alexander, Thomas C.
Richardson, Scott H.
Ford, Robert
Ritchie, James H., Jr.
Short, Linda H.
CORRECTIONS AND PENOLOGY
Fair, Michael L., Chairman
Thomas, David L.
Giese, Warren K.
Patterson, Kay
Ford, Robert
Glover, Maggie W.
Gregory, Greg
Ryberg, Greg
Anderson, Ralph
Holland, Donald H.
Branton, William S., Jr.
Hawkins, John D.
Pinckney, Clementa C.
Knotts, John M. “Jake”, Jr.
Land, John C.
Ravenel, Arthur
Malloy, Gerald
EDUCATION
Giese, Warren K., Chairman
Setzler, Nikki
Matthews, John W., Jr.
Courson, John E.
Hayes, Robert W., Jr.
Glover, Maggie W.
Mescher, William C.
Rankin, Luke A.
Short, Linda H.
Waldrep, Robert L., Jr.
Anderson, Ralph
O’Dell, William H.
Patterson, Kay
Gregory, Greg
Fair, Michael L.
Peeler, Harvey S.
Grooms, Larry
ETHICS
Hayes, Robert, Chairman
Leatherman, Hugh K.
McConnell, Glenn F.
Courson, John E.
Giese, Warren K.
Leventis, Phil P.
Matthews, John
Land, John C. III
Moore, Thomas L.
Reese, Glenn G.
FINANCE
Leatherman, Hugh K., Chairman
Drummond, John
Smith, J. Verne
Land, John C. III
Setzler, Nikki
Leventis, Phil
Peeler, Harvey S., Jr.
Giese, Warren K.
Thomas, David L.
Patterson, Kay
McGill, J. Yancey
Courson, John E.
Matthews, John W., Jr.
O'Dell, William H.
Reese, Glenn G.
Hayes, Robert W., Jr.
Ryberg, Greg
Short, Linda H.
Alexander, Thomas C.
Ravenel, Arthur
Branton, William S.
Grooms, Larry R.
Pinckney, Clementa C.
FISH, GAME AND FORESTRY
Gregory, Greg, Chairman
Drummond, John
Holland, Donald H.
Land, John C. III
McGill, J. Yancey
Elliott, Dick
Waldrep, Robert L., Jr.
Moore, Thomas L.
Hutto, C. Bradley
Ravenel, Arthur
Branton, William S., Jr.
Grooms, Larry R.
Kuhn, John R.
Richardson, Scott H.
Knotts, John M. “Jake”, Jr.
Jackson, Darrell
Verdin, Danny
GENERAL COMMITTEE
Mescher, William, Chairman
Holland, Donald H.
O'Dell, William H.
Martin, Larry A.
Alexander, Thomas C.
Ryberg, Greg
Richardson, Scott H.
Patterson, Kay
McGill, J. Yancey
Hayes, Robert W., Jr.
Elliott, Dick
Hawkins, John D.
Leventis, Phil
McConnell, Glenn F.
Thomas, David L.
Reese, Glenn G.
Short, Linda H.
INTERSTATE COOPERATION
Smith, J. Verne, Chairman
Drummond, John
Leatherman, Hugh K.
Holland, Donald H.
Setzler, Nikki
INVITATIONS
Courson, John E., Chairman
Matthews, John W., Jr.
Patterson, Kay
O'Dell, William H.
McGill, J. Yancey
Alexander, Thomas C.
Peeler, Harvey S.
Kuhn, John R.
Reese, Glenn G.
Knotts, John M. “Jake”, Jr.
Waldrep, Robert L.
JUDICIARY
McConnell, Glenn F., Chairman
Holland, Donald H.
Moore, Thomas L.
Ford, Robert
Glover, Maggie W.
Gregory, Greg
Jackson, Darrell
Martin, Larry A.
Mescher, William
Rankin, Luke
Elliott, Dick
Waldrep, Robert
Fair, Michael L.
Hutto, C. Bradley
Anderson, Ralph
Richardson, Scott H.
Hawkins, John D.
Ritchie, James H., Jr.
Verdin, Danny
Kuhn, John R.
Knotts, John M. “Jake”, Jr.
Malloy, Gerald
LABOR, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Smith, J. Verne, Chairman
Drummond, John
Setzler, Nikki
Leventis, Phil
McConnell, Glenn F.
Moore, Thomas L.
O'Dell, William H.
Reese, Glenn G.
Ford, Robert
Mescher, William
Ryberg, Greg
Alexander, Thomas C.
Leatherman, Hugh K.
Branton, William S., Jr.
Hawkins, John D.
Verdin, Danny
Jackson, Darrell
MEDICAL AFFAIRS
Peeler, Harvey S., Jr., Chairman
Smith, J. Verne
Moore, Thomas L.
Courson, John E.
Giese, Warren K.
Thomas, David L.
Hayes, Robert W., Jr.
Jackson, Darrell
Short, Linda H.
Fair, Michael L.
Hutto, C. Bradley
Anderson, Ralph
Branton, William S., Jr.
Ford, Robert
Pinckney, Clementa C.
Glover, Maggie W.
Ritchie, James H., Jr.
RULES
Martin, Larry A., Chairman
Smith, J. Verne
McConnell, Glenn F.
Reese, Glenn G.
Land, John C. III
Moore, Thomas L.
Alexander, Thomas C.
Hutto, C. Bradley
Anderson, Ralph
Ritchie, James H., Jr.
Setzler, Nikki G.
Matthews, John W., Jr.
Kuhn, John R.
Knotts, John M. “Jake”, Jr.
Peeler, Harvey S.
Leatherman, Hugh K.
Malloy, Gerald
TRANSPORTATION
Ryberg, Greg, Chairman
Land, John C. III
Leatherman, Hugh K.
Leventis, Phil
McGill, J. Yancey
Elliott, Dick
Rankin, Luke
Grooms, Larry A.
Richardson, Scott H.
Hawkins, John D.
Ritchie, James H., Jr.
Verdin, Danny
Drummond, John
Ravenel, Arthur
Pinckney, Clementa C.
Kuhn, John R.
Malloy, Gerald
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS OF THE SENATE
ALEXANDER, THOMAS C.
Banking and Insurance
Finance
General
Invitations
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Rules
ANDERSON, RALPH
Corrections and Penology
Education
Judiciary
Medical Affairs
Rules
BRANTON, WILLIAM S., JR.
Corrections and Penology
Finance
Fish, Game and Forestry
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Medical Affairs
COURSON, JOHN E.
Banking and Insurance
Education
Ethics
Finance
Invitations, Chairman
Medical Affairs
DRUMMOND, JOHN
Finance
Fish, Game and Forestry
Interstate Cooperation
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Transportation
ELLIOTT, DICK
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Fish, Game and Forestry
General
Judiciary
Transportation
FAIR, MICHAEL L.
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Corrections and Penology, Chairman
Education
Judiciary
Medical Affairs
FORD, ROBERT
Banking and Insurance
Corrections and Penology
Judiciary
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Medical Affairs
GIESE, WARREN K.
Corrections and Penology
Education, Chairman
Ethics
Finance
Medical Affairs
GLOVER, MAGGIE W.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Corrections and Penology
Education
Judiciary
Medical Affairs
GREGORY, GREG
Corrections and Penology
Education
Fish, Game and Forestry, Chairman
Judiciary
GROOMS, LARRY R.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Education
Fish, Game and Forestry
Finance
Transportation
HAWKINS, JOHN D.
Corrections and Penology
General
Judiciary
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Transportation
HAYES, ROBERT W., JR.
Banking and Insurance
Education
Ethics, Chairman
Finance
General
Medical Affairs
HOLLAND, DONALD H.
Corrections and Penology
Fish, Game and Forestry
General
Interstate Cooperation
Judiciary
HUTTO, C. BRADLEY
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Fish, Game and Forestry
Judiciary
Medical Affairs
Rules
JACKSON, DARRELL
Banking and Insurance
Fish, Game and Forestry
Judiciary
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Medical Affairs
KNOTTS, JOHN M. “JAKE”, JR.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Corrections and Penology
Fish, Game and Forestry
Invitations
Judiciary
Rules
KUHN, JOHN R.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Fish, Game and Forestry
Invitations
Judiciary
Rules
Transportation
LAND, JOHN C. III
Corrections & Penology
Ethics
Finance
Fish, Game and Forestry
Rules
Transportation
LEATHERMAN, HUGH K.
Banking and Insurance
Ethics
Finance, Chairman
Interstate Cooperation
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Rules
Transportation
LEVENTIS, PHIL
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Ethics
Finance
General Committee
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Transportation
MALLOY, GERALD
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Corrections and Penology
Judiciary
Rules
Transportation
MARTIN, LARRY A.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Banking and Insurance
General
Judiciary
Rules, Chairman
MATTHEWS, JOHN W., JR.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Banking and Insurance
Education
Ethics
Finance
Invitations
Rules
McCONNELL, GLENN F.
Banking and Insurance
Ethics
General
Judiciary, Chairman
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Rules
McGILL, J. YANCEY
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Finance
Fish, Game and Forestry
General
Invitations
Transportation
MESCHER, WILLIAM
Education
General, Chairman
Judiciary
Labor, Commerce and Industry
MOORE, THOMAS L.
Ethics
Fish, Game and Forestry
Judiciary
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Medical Affairs
Rules
O'DELL, WILLIAM H.
Education
Finance
General
Invitations
Labor, Commerce and Industry
PATTERSON, KAY
Banking and Insurance
Corrections and Penology
Education
Finance
General
Invitations
PEELER, HARVEY S., JR.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Education
Finance
Invitations
Medical Affairs, Chairman
Rules
PINCKNEY, CLEMENTA C.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Corrections and Penology
Finance
Medical Affairs
Transportation
RANKIN, LUKE
Banking and Insurance
Education
Judiciary
Transportation
RAVENEL, ARTHUR
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Corrections and Penology
Finance
Fish, Game and Forestry
Transportation
REESE, GLENN G.
Banking and Insurance
Ethics
Finance
General
Invitations
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Rules
RICHARDSON, SCOTT H.
Banking and Insurance
Fish, Game and Forestry
General
Judiciary
Transportation
RITCHIE, JAMES H., JR.
Banking and Insurance
Judiciary
Medical Affairs
Rules
Transportation
RYBERG, GREG
Corrections and Penology
Finance
General
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Transportation, Chairman
SETZLER, NIKKI
Banking and Insurance
Education
Finance
Interstate Cooperation
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Rules
SHORT, LINDA H.
Banking and Insurance
Education
Finance
General
Medical Affairs
SMITH, J. VERNE
Finance
Interstate Cooperation
Labor, Commerce and Industry, Chairman
Medical Affairs
Rules
THOMAS, DAVID L.
Banking and Insurance, Chairman
Corrections and Penology
Finance
General
Medical Affairs
VERDIN, DANNY
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Fish, Game and Forestry
Judiciary
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Transporation
WALDREP, ROBERT L., Jr.
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chairman
Education
Fish, Game and Forestry
Invitations
Judiciary
STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
Pursuant to Rule 19, the following members are designated as Standing Committee Chairmen:
AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Senator Waldrep
BANKING AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE
Senator Thomas
CORRECTIONS AND PENOLOGY COMMITTEE
Senator Fair
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Senator Giese
ETHICS COMMITTEE
Senator Hayes
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Senator Leatherman
FISH, GAME AND FORESTRY COMMITTEE
Senator Gregory
GENERAL COMMITTEE
Senator Mescher
INTERSTATE COOPERATION COMMITTEE
Senator J. Verne Smith
INVITATIONS COMMITTEE
Senator Courson
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Senator McConnell
LABOR, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE
Senator J. Verne Smith
MEDICAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Senator Peeler
RULES COMMITTEE
Senator Martin
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Senator Ryberg
The PRESIDENT called for Petitions, Memorials, Presentments of Grand Juries and such like papers.
COMMUNICATION
The Senate of South Carolina
Post Office Box 142
Columbia, SC 29202
December 12, 2002
The Honorable Robert L. Peeler
President of the Senate
Post Office Box 142
Columbia, South Carolina 29202
Dear Mr. President:
It has been my distinct honor and privilege to represent the citizens of District 18 in the South Carolina Senate since 1999. However, it is with great anticipation that I look forward to assuming the duties of South Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor.
In an effort to assure that the citizens of District 18 have the opportunity to choose a new Senator at the earliest possible date, I hereby offer my irrevocable resignation under the provisions of South Carolina Code §8-1-145 to be effective at 12:00 noon on January 15, 2003.
Sincerely,
/s/André Bauer
cc:Glenn F. McConnell, President Pro Tempore
Jeffrey Gossett, Clerk of the Senate
Doctor of the Day
Senator GREGORY introduced Dr. R. Duren Johnson of Lancaster, S.C., Doctor of the Day.
Leave of Absence
On motion of Senator RITCHIE, at 12:15 P.M., Senator HAWKINS was granted a leave of absence for the week for the purpose of fulfilling his duties to the South Carolina Army National Guard.
Privilege of the Floor
On motion of Senator McCONNELL, with unanimous consent, the Privilege of the Floor was granted to the Honorable Marshall C. (Mark) Sanford, Governor-elect of the State of South Carolina.
Mr. Sanford addressed the Senate with brief remarks.
Motion Adopted
Senator McCONNELL asked unanimous consent to move that the list of prefiled Bills and Resolutions, a copy of which has been placed on each member’s desk, be entered in the Journal as having been read and referred, as noted, unless any member shall make a motion to refer a Bill or Resolution to a different committee.