Rep. Lee Hewitt

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 58-33-220, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS UNDER THE BASE LOAD REVIEW ACT, SO AS TO ADD CERTAIN DEFINITIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION MUST NOT ACCEPT A BASE LOAD REVIEW APPLICATION, NOR MAY IT CONSIDER ANY REQUESTS MADE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 4, CHAPTER 33, TITLE 58, OTHER THAN IN A DOCKET CURRENTLY PENDING BEFORE THE COMMISSION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 4, CHAPTER 33, TITLE 58 ARE REPEALED UPON THE CONCLUSION OF LITIGATION CONCERNING THE ABANDONMENT OF V.C. SUMMER UNITS 2 AND 3; BY ADDING CHAPTER 34 TO TITLE 58 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH AND PROCEDURES UNDER WHICH ELECTRICITY RATES FOR CERTAIN RATEPAYERS WHO ARE PAYING ADDITIONAL CHARGES UNDER THE BASE LOAD REVIEW ACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NUCLEAR PLANTS OR PROJECTS SHALL BE REVISED AND DETERMINED, AND TO PROVIDE FOR PROCEDURES AND PROVISIONS OF LAW WHICH APPLY AND DO NOT APPLY IN REGARD TO THE ADJUSTMENT OF ELECTRICITY RATES AS PROVIDED BY CHAPTER 34; TO AMEND SECTION 58-33-280, RELATING TO REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL OF REVISED RATES UNDER THE BASE LOAD REVIEW ACT, SO AS TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE COMMISSION MUST GIVE SUBSTANTIAL WEIGHT TO AN AGREEMENT WHERE BOTH THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF AND THE UTILITY AGREE ON THE REVISED RATES AND INSTEAD PROVIDE IN THIS INSTANCE THAT THE COMMISSION MAY GIVE WEIGHT TO THE AGREEMENT IN ISSUING ITS REVISED RATES ORDER BUT MAY CONSIDER ADDITIONAL FACTORS AT ITS DISCRETION; TO AMEND SECTION 37-6-602, RELATING TO THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE CONSUMER ADVOCATE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, SO AS TO REVISE THESE QUALIFICATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-6-604, RELATING TO THE FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER ADVOCACY, SO AS TO DELETE A PROHIBITION AGAINST THE DIVISION REPRESENTING CONSUMERS IN UTILITY MATTERS, AND PERMIT THE CONSUMER ADVOCATE TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF CONSUMERS IN CERTAIN MATTERS BEFORE THE COMMISSION AND APPELLATE COURTS THAT AFFECT CONSUMERS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-6-607, RELATING TO PERMITTING THE CONSUMER ADVOCATE TO MAINTAIN ACTIONS FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW AND TO INTERVENE IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS ON BEHALF OF CONSUMERS, SO AS TO DELETE LANGUAGE WHICH PROVIDES THAT THE ABOVE PROVISIONS DO NOT APPLY IN MATTERS ARISING UNDER TITLE 58 AFFECTING PUBLIC UTILITIES, SERVICES, AND CARRIERS; TO AMEND SECTION 58-4-10, RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF, SO AS FURTHER DEFINE THE TERM "PUBLIC INTEREST" IN REGARD TO THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF'S REPRESENTATION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST BEFORE THE COMMISSION; TO AMEND SECTION 58-4-80, RELATING TO ACTIONS FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ORDERS OF THE COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ON APPEAL, THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF DOES NOT REPRESENT THE COMMISSION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 58-4-55, RELATING TO THE PRODUCTION OF BOOKS, RECORDS, AND INFORMATION AS REQUIRED BY THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF, AND OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO NONCOMPLIANCE, INSPECTIONS, AUDITS, EXAMINATIONS, AND COSTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE SUCH PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE REQUIREMENT OF A CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT OR PROTECTIVE ORDER, EXCEPT UNDER SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE WHEN SUCH INFORMATION MUST BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND WHEN SUCH INFORMATION MAY BE DISCLOSED, TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC PROCEDURES TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY, AND TO ALLOW THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF TO APPLY IN CIRCUIT COURT FOR SUBPOENAS TO BE ISSUED TO ENTITIES OVER WHICH THE COMMISSION DOES NOT HAVE JURISDICTION. - ratified title

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION SHALL NOT HOLD A HEARING ON THE MERITS BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 2018, FOR A DOCKET IN WHICH REQUESTS WERE MADE PURSUANT TO THE BASE LOAD REVIEW ACT, EXCEPT THAT THE COMMISSION MAY HOLD AN ADMINISTRATIVE OR PROCEDURAL HEARING FOR SUCH A DOCKET PRIOR TO A HEARING ON THE MERITS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION MUST ISSUE A FINAL ORDER ON THE MERITS FOR A DOCKET IN WHICH REQUESTS WERE MADE PURSUANT TO THE BASE LOAD REVIEW ACT NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 21, 2018; TO PROVIDE THAT NO FINAL DETERMINATION OF MATTERS DESCRIBED IN THIS JOINT RESOLUTION, WHETHER BY A FINAL ORDER ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, SHALL OCCUR EARLIER THAN THE TIME PERIOD PRESCRIBED ABOVE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION'S FAILURE TO ISSUE A FINAL ORDER PRIOR TO THE TIME PERIOD ESTABLISHED IN THIS JOINT RESOLUTION SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE APPROVAL BY THE COMMISSION, AND A UTILITY MUST NOT PUT INTO EFFECT THE CHANGE IN RATES IT REQUESTED IN ITS SCHEDULE; AND TO SUSPEND PROVISIONS IN TITLE 58 OF THE 1976 CODE THAT ARE IN CONFLICT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOINT RESOLUTION FOR MATTERS RELATED TO THE V.C. SUMMER NUCLEAR REACTOR UNITS 2 AND 3 UNTIL THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ISSUES ITS FINAL ORDER IN THE MATTER. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-103-15, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE MISSIONS AND FOCUSES OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE APPLIED BACCALAUREATE IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY DEGREES, AND TO PROVIDE AUTHORIZATIONS OF SUCH DEGREES ONLY ARE ALLOWED WHEN NEW STATE GENERAL FUNDS ARE NOT APPROPRIATED FOR THE OPERATIONS OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMS. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY AND SOUTH CAROLINA JOBS CHALLENGE PROGRAM EXPUNGEMENT ACT"; BY ADDING ARTICLE 10 TO CHAPTER 22, TITLE 17 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT OF A CRIMINAL RECORD PURSUANT TO CERTAIN DESIGNATED PROVISIONS WHO SUCCESSFULLY GRADUATE AND COMPLETE THE SOUTH CAROLINA YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY AND SOUTH CAROLINA JOBS CHALLENGE PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD MAY APPLY TO HAVE THEIR RECORD EXPUNGED UPON SUCCESSFUL GRADUATION AND COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAMS UNDER CERTAIN DELINEATED CIRCUMSTANCES; TO AMEND SECTION 17-22-910, RELATING TO APPLICATIONS FOR EXPUNGEMENT OF CERTAIN CRIMINAL RECORDS, SO AS TO ADD PERSONS WHO COMPLETE THE YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY AND JOBS CHALLENGE PROGRAM TO THE LIST OF THOSE THAT ARE ABLE TO APPLY FOR EXPUNGEMENT; AND TO AMEND SECTION 17-22-940, RELATING TO THE EXPUNGEMENT PROCESS, SO AS TO INCLUDE A REFERENCE TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY ATTESTING TO THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE CHARGE FOR EXPUNGEMENT ON AN EXPUNGEMENT APPLICATION. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-160 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL CREATE MODEL FIRE AND SAFETY POLICY AND PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND MAKE SUCH GUIDELINES AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS BEFORE THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR, TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS SHALL ADOPT CERTAIN FIRE AND SAFETY POLICIES AND PROGRAMS BEFORE THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR AND SUBMIT THESE POLICES AND PROGRAMS TO THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THEIR COLLABORATIVE REVIEW AND COMMENT BEFORE JULY 1, 2021, TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS MAY REQUEST RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS, AND TO EXCLUDE CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT PRIMARILY DELIVER INSTRUCTION ONLINE FROM THESE PROVISIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-63-910, RELATING TO REQUIRED MONTHLY FIRE DRILLS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SO AS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SCHOOLS INSTEAD SHALL CONDUCT A CERTAIN NUMBER OF FIRE DRILLS, ACTIVE SHOOTER/INTRUDER DRILLS, AND SEVERE WEATHER/EARTHQUAKE DRILLS DURING EACH SEMESTER, TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION SHALL DEVELOP CERTAIN RELATED GUIDELINES AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE TRAINING MATERIALS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EMPLOYED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PERIODIC UPDATING OF THESE GUIDELINES, TO PROVIDE THESE GUIDELINES MUST BE INCLUDED IN REQUIRED ANNUAL TEACHER COLLEGIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND TO DELETE MONETARY PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE BY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-63-920, RELATING TO OBSOLETE COMPLIANCE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND MONETARY PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC SCHOOL FIRE DRILL REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO INSTEAD REQUIRE DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLIANCE AND REMOVE THESE MONETARY PENALTIES; TO REPEAL SECTION 59-63-930 RELATING TO OBSOLETE REQUIREMENTS THAT COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF EDUCATION PRINT AND POST CERTAIN STATUTES RELATED TO MANDATORY PUBLIC SCHOOL FIRE DRILLS; AND TO REDESIGNATE ARTICLE 9, CHAPTER 63, TITLE 59 AS "SAFETY AND SECURITY DRILLS". - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 17-22-910, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO APPLICATIONS FOR THE EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES, SO AS TO ADD FIRST OFFENSE SIMPLE POSSESSION OR POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE DRUGS TO THE LIST OF OFFENSES ELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT, AND TO PROVIDE FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR EXPUNGEMENT OF OFFENSES SUBSEQUENTLY REPEALED WHEN THE ELEMENTS OF THE OFFENSE ARE CONSISTENT WITH AN EXISTING SIMILAR OFFENSE WHICH IS SUBJECT TO EXPUNGEMENT AND TO CLARIFY THAT EXPUNGEMENT PROVISIONS APPLY RETROACTIVELY TO THE OFFENSES DELINEATED; TO AMEND SECTION 22-5-910, RELATING TO SUMMARY COURT OFFENSES ELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT, SO AS TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY BEYOND FIRST OFFENSES AND CLARIFY THAT EXPUNGEMENT PROVISIONS APPLY RETROACTIVELY; TO AMEND SECTION 22-5-920, RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT OF PERSONS CONVICTED AS YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS, SO AS TO REDEFINE "CONVICTION" TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY, TO INCLUDE THAT A PERSON REQUIRED TO REGISTER ON THE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT, AND PROVIDE RETROACTIVE APPLICATION UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; BY ADDING SECTION 22-5-930 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR EXPUNGEMENT ELIGIBILITY FOR FIRST OFFENSE CONVICTIONS OF CERTAIN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE OFFENSES; TO AMEND SECTION 63-19-2050, RELATING TO DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS OF PERSONS ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT, SO AS TO ALLOW FOR EXPUNGEMENT OF ANY NUMBER OF OFFENSES FROM A SINGLE SENTENCING PROCEEDING FOR CLOSELY CONNECTED OFFENSES; TO AMEND SECTION 17-22-940, RELATING TO FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXPUNGEMENT PROCESS, SO AS TO RESTRUCTURE THE FEES PROCESS AND ALLOW FOR THE COLLECTION OF PRIVATE DONATIONS, AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; AND BY ADDING SECTION 17-22-960 SO AS TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY FOR EMPLOYERS WHO HIRE PERSONS WHOSE CRIMINAL RECORDS HAVE BEEN EXPUNGED. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-32, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A LICENSE TO PRACTICE MEDICINE IN THE STATE, SO AS TO WAIVE CERTAIN ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS WHO ARE TO PRACTICE IN A POSITION WITHIN THE DISABILITY DETERMINATION SERVICES UNIT OF THE STATE AGENCY OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION; AND TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-1-1540, 9-9-65, AND 9-11-80, RELATING TO DISABILITY RETIREMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND THE POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM, RESPECTIVELY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A MEMBER IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN SERVICE ON THE DATE THE APPLICATION FOR DISABILITY RETIREMENT IS FILED IF THE LAST DAY THE MEMBER WAS EMPLOYED IN THE SYSTEM OCCURRED NOT MORE THAN ONE YEAR BEFORE THE DATE OF FILING. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-103-15, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE MISSIONS AND FOCUSES OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE APPLIED BACCALAUREATE IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY DEGREES, AND TO PROVIDE AUTHORIZATIONS OF SUCH DEGREES ONLY ARE ALLOWED WHEN NEW STATE GENERAL FUNDS ARE NOT APPROPRIATED FOR THE OPERATIONS OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMS. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 56-15-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS REGARDING THE REGULATION OF MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND DEALERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "DEALER" OR "MOTOR VEHICLE DEALER" TO EXCLUDE CERTAIN PERSONS CONDUCTING AUCTIONS OF CERTAIN INVESTMENT GRADE OR COLLECTOR MOTOR VEHICLES, AND TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR CERTAIN ADDITIONAL TERMS. - ratified title

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO REMOVE THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF JOHN DE LA HOWE SCHOOL AND DEVOLVE THE BOARD'S POWERS UPON AN INTERIM BOARD OF TRUSTEES WHO SHALL SERVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2019 OR UNTIL A FULL NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS APPOINTED AND QUALIFIED; TO PROVIDE THAT THE INTERIM BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SELECTION, PERIODIC EVALUATION, RETENTION, AND TERMINATION OF THE SCHOOL'S PRESIDENT; TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER SPECIFIC DUTIES OF THE INTERIM BOARD OF TRUSTEES; AND TO DIRECT THE INTERIM BOARD OF TRUSTEES, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL, TO REVIEW EDUCATIONAL ACCREDITATION AND THE PAST AND CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE SCHOOL AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO DIRECT THE SCHOOL OUT OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL CRISIS, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON DETERMINING THE MOST FEASIBLE PATH THE STATE MUST PURSUE TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JOHN DE LA HOWE.