January 31, 2025

The SC General Assembly met in regular session this week with the Senate adopting private school voucher legislation on Thursday. The House spent a majority of Wednesday debating changes to the rules that govern the chamber.

Several subcommittees met this week and debated bills that deal with solid waste, cryptocurrency and septic tanks. Several bills were introduced related to annexing farmland, short-term rentals and a continuing budget resolution. Legislators plan to return to Columbia next week in regular session and meet in a joint assembly on Wednesday to elect judges.

Stay in Touch 
The Municipal Association legislative team is on X. Follow Erica Wright (@EricaMuniSC) for updates from the State House. Also follow the Association at @MuniAssnSC.  Don’t forget to listen to the From the Dome to Your Home podcast every Friday for a recap of the week’s legislative issues and a look to the week ahead at the State House. 

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Committee Report

Senate Family and Veterans’ Services Committee
S89 – Military Advisory Council – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Increases the membership of the SC Military Affairs Advisory Council to include additional mayors, county council chairs and representatives from military communities.

House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Environmental Affairs subcommittee
H3503 – construction of a solid waste management facility – adjourned debate
Summary of the bill as introduced: Prohibits the SC Department of Environmental Services from issuing any permit for the construction of a solid waste management facility or for mining activities if it's located within a certain proximity to a public park or other public natural area.
H3656 – repair or replacement of a well or septic tank – adjourned debate
Summary of the bill as introduced: Prohibits the SC Department of Environmental Services from denying property owners the right to repair or replace a well or septic tank.

House Labor, Commerce and Industry Public Utilities subcommittee
H3309 – enacts the SC Energy Security Act – the subcommittee met and heard testimony from stakeholders, but did not take any action on the bill.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Makes changes to the state's energy policy through the Public Service Commission and the regulation of utilities. 

Senate Banking and Insurance Banking subcommittee
S163 – local zoning and digital asset mining – carry over
Summary of the bill as introduced: Prohibits a governing authority from accepting or requiring a payment using central bank digital currency. The bill also prohibits a political subdivision from placing zoning restrictions on digital asset mining businesses that do not generally apply to other businesses in the area. 

House Judiciary Constitutional Laws subcommittee
H3570 – disclosure of economic interests – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Changes who is responsible for filing of statements of economic interest with the SC Ethics Commission.

Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee
S2 – establishes the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities – the subcommittee met and heard testimony, but did not take action on the bill.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Establishes the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Senate Judiciary subcommittee
S157 – storm damage recovery – carried over
Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows an electric utility to include storm recovery costs for Hurricane Helene in its cost of capital from the date of the storm through the issuance of storm recovery bonds.
S12 – Santee Cooper joint project authorization – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Authorizes Santee Cooper to jointly own, with investor-owned utilities, electrical generation and transmission facilities.  