Here are the highlights from the 4th week of the 2018 session in the Senate:
VC SUMMER – Last week the House of Representatives passed H. 4375 , a bill that would remove all charges approved under the Base Load Review Act (roughly 18% of SCANA customers’ bills) on an interim basis while the Public Service Commission considers the request by SCANA and Dominion to abandon the VC Summer project.
The bill also provides definitions for “prudence” and “imprudence” for the PSC to use when making its abandonment decision. I expect a Senate Judiciary subcommittee will begin consideration of the bill soon.
While the House passed H. 4375, the Senate introduced three important resolutions: S. 953 to ensure the General Assembly can return to address VC Summer related issues even after adjournment on May 10, 2018, S. 954 to prohibit the PSC from making a decision on the abandonment request and the Dominion/SCANA merger proposal for up to a year to allow everything to be vetted fully, and S. 955 to reopen filing for the three PSC seats that are scheduled for election this spring to allow additional candidates to seek those positions. S. 954 and S. 955 will be on the Judiciary Committee’s agenda tomorrow.
NUISANCE LAWSUITS – The Senate passed H. 3653, a bill that would limit nuisance lawsuits against existing manufacturing and transportation facilities. The limitation would apply only to those who move in or buy land near the facility after the manufacturing facility has begun operations.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ACTION – The Senate Judiciary Committee law week discussed bills that would outlaw abortions except to save the life of the mother and allow residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit. As expected, those bills received significant interest. The committee did not have a final vote on either bill, but those bills will be on the committee’s agenda tomorrow for additional consideration.
Constituent Interests
SCDOT PROJECTS – SCDOT Secretary, Christy Hall, recently appeared before the Senate Transportation Committee to present an annual State of the SCDOT. You can view Secretary Hall’s power point presentation here.
SCDOT’s website provides a good bit of information about projects across the state. You can see a list of statewide priorities here and a map with all projects here.
WANT TO SEE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ACTION? – The Senate meets in statewide session on Tuesdays at 2:00, Wednesdays at 12:00, and Thursdays at 11:00. Committees and subcommittees meet Tuesday mornings, Wednesday mornings, and Thursday mornings. You can watch live coverage of the Senate, House of Representatives, and committees here.
OUR SENATE DISTRICT – Senate district 25 consists of all of Edgefield County and parts of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda Counties. If you’d like to see the district map, go here.
VOTING RECORD – If you’d like to see how I’ve voted on issues, go here. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, and clicking on the “Voting Record” tab.
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