Last week, the Legislature returned for its second full week of session after having been furloughed for the week of inaugural activities. The House gave third reading to H.3347, a bill that relates to the Department of Motor Vehicles instructing them to give applicants the option to make voluntary contributions to Donate Life of South Carolina increasing the amount that may be donated. Third reading was also given to H.3281, a joint resolution that directs the Department of Health and Human Services when adjusting its budget because of revenue reductions to maintain funding for hospice services at the same level in place on December 31, 2008.

Some bills of interest that were introduced this week concerning local governments included H.3243, a bill that requires that a business license tax imposed on a business by a county or municipal government must be based on the size of the business and not on its gross income. Another bill introduced pertaining to local governmental entities is H.3253, a bill that relates to municipal annexation issues and requires a new annexation be consistent with local comprehensive land use plans. Relating to alternate methods where a petition is signed by all or seventy-five percent of landowners, this bill gives standing to other persons or entities to bring suit to challenge a proposed or completed annexation. The bill requires public notice of a public hearing before acting on an annexation petition.

A number of bills pertaining to education matters were introduced this week, one bill, H.3282, would require that physical education courses in secondary schools to be taught over six semesters.

There is a continuing theme that began in last year’s session by some lawmakers who wish to restructure South Carolina government through constitutional amendments. These bills would take the privilege of electing constitutional officers away from the people and give the Governor the authority to appoint these officers. The positions that are proposed to be impacted by these bills are the Adjutant General, the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Treasurer, the Comptroller General, the Secretary of State and the State Superintendent of Education.

Another topic that received much debate in prior years and is still being discussed is restrictions on deferred presentment services also known as finance companies. H.3301 would require that this industry would implement a real-time Internet accessible database for deferred presentment providers to verify if deferred presentment transactions are outstanding for a particular person. The legislation prohibits a deferred presentment provider from entering into a deferred presentment transaction with a person who has an outstanding deferred presentment transaction or who has entered into an extended payment plan agreement. The legislation revises deferred presentment restrictions and requirements, so as to provide that the total amount advanced to a customer for deferred presentment or deposit, exclusive of permissible fees, may not exceed six hundred dollars, it is now $300. The bill does not provide for a cap on the amount of interest that can be charged.

If you have a comment or opinion concerning the matters discussed in this report, or if I may be of assistance to you at any time, please feel free to call your legislative office in Columbia (803-212-6789); me directly in Winnsboro (803-718-2992); or write P. O. Box 26, Winnsboro, SC 29180. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the House of Representatives