Upon returning to Columbia this week, state lawmakers filed 138 new bills in the House and Senate. Prior to this week, they prefiled 573 bills in December. If you’re keeping count, that means there are just over 700 bills on the legislative calendar already.
IN THE SENATE
Big brother. S. 275 (Davis) would prohibit state agencies from helping the federal government from collecting electronic data or metadata without informed consent or a warrant, with other provisions.
Telecom. S. 277 (Alexander) would clarify the jurisdiction of the state Public Service Commission in relation to myriad telephone statutes.
Cervical cancer. S. 278 (Hutto) would allow DHEC to offer cervical cancer vaccinations to adolescent students, with several provisions.
Tort reform. S. 282 (Massey) seeks amendments to state tort reform laws, including restrictions on punitive damages and other provisions.
Child restraints. S. 285 (Alexander) would toughen state child passenger restraint standards and prohibit children under 12 from sitting in a car’s front seat.
Childcare inspections. S. 286 (Alexander) calls for annual inspection of childcare facilities.
Uber law. S. 299 (Bryant) would change state taxi-related law to prohibit local governments from enacting regulations related to transportation network companies, with several provisions.
Wetlands restoration. S. 309 (Campsen) would allow repair or restoration of some former rice impoundments.
Capital gains. S. 311 (Campsen) would increase the deduction for net capital gains from 44 percent to 100 percent, with other provisions.
Older judges. S. 316 (Malloy) seeks to remove a retirement cap of age 72 for judges, solicitors and public defenders, with several provisions.
Dedicated judiciary revenue. S. 317 (Malloy) proposes a constitutional amendment to dedicate 1 percent of General Fund revenue to the judiciary.
Voter ID. S. 318 (Malloy) would allow a voter without a valid photo ID to make a written affirmation of identity to be able to vote a provisional ballot, with other provisions.
Drug courts. S. 327 (Malloy) seeks to direct each circuit solicitor to establish a drug court program, with several provisions.
Constitutional convention. S. 329 (Sheheen) calls for a constitutional convention as outlined in the current constitution to draw up a new constitution.
Rename Metts Landing. S. 345 (Setzler) seeks to rename a Saluda River landing so it doesn’t bear the name of deposed Lexington County ex-Sheriff James Metts.
State of the State. Both houses passed a House resolution that sets the State of the State address by Gov. Nikki Haley to be 7 p.m. Jan. 21 in Columbia.
IN THE HOUSE
Tracking devices. H. 3285 (Rutherford) seeks to make it unlawful to use tracking devices, with several provisions.
Choke holds. H. 3287 (Crosby) would make it unlawful for someone to apply choke holds, with several provisions, including some related to domestic violence.
Live in the district. H. 3288 (Crosby) seeks a constitutional amendment to require people running for House and the Senate to live in the district for which they are running at least 90 days before filing opens.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!