Rep. Bill Herbkersman

A HOUSE RESOLUTION WELCOMING UPSILON PHI CHAPTER OF THE DARLINGTON - FLORENCE AREA ~ SOUTHEAST REGION OF CHI ETA PHI SORORITY, INC. TO COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THEIR INAUGURAL VISIT TO THE STATE HOUSE AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON A SUCCESSFUL SEVENTY-FIRST SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CONFERENCE HELD MARCH 12-16, 2025, IN HILTON HEAD ISLAND, AND TO THANK THE MORE THAN FOUR HUNDRED NURSES WHO ATTENDED FOR THEIR SERVICE TO HUMANITY.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR JUNE BRAILSFORD, SECRETARY/TREASURER OF THE CLARENDON COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND TO WISH HER MANY MORE YEARS OF SERVICE TO HER COMMUNITY AS SHE TURNS NINETY IN 2025.

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO SUSPEND THE PROVISION IN SECTION 58-3-20(C) THAT PROHIBITS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM HOLDING AN ELECTION UNTIL A FINAL DETERMINATION IS MADE BY THE COURTS REGARDING ITS REVIEW OF CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS FOR CALENDAR YEARS 2025 AND 2026; AND TO SUSPEND SECTION 2-20-15 FOR ELECTIONS BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION DURING CALENDAR YEARS 2025 AND 2026. - RATIFIED TITLE

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE CANDICE HERLONG POU OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COUNCIL UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HER FOR FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER MUCH CONTINUED SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS TO COME.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-10, RELATING TO STATE COMMODITY CODE DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE STATE COMMODITY CODE BE THE SOUTH CAROLINA ATTORNEY GENERAL; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-40, RELATING TO TRANSACTIONS WHERE PROHIBITION IS NOT APPLICABLE, SO AS TO ADD AGENTS OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR REPRESENTATIVES AS INDIVIDUALS SUBJECT TO ORDERS TO DENY, SUSPEND, OR REVOKE A PERSON'S LICENSE; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-60, RELATING TO PROHIBITED ACTS, SO AS TO REPLACE SECTION 39-73-310 WITH SECTION 39-73-30; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-315, RELATING TO ADMINISTRATOR ACTIONS TO PREVENT VIOLATIONS OR IMMINENT VIOLATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR CAN ISSUE ORDERS RELATED TO ANY ACTION THAT MAY VIOLATE THIS CHAPTER; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-320, RELATING TO LEGAL, EQUITABLE, AND SPECIAL REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO A COURT FOR ENFORCEMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR MAY MAINTAIN AN ACTION IN THE RICHLAND COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-325, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR MAY REFER VIOLATIONS TO THE APPROPRIATE DIVISION OF THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL OR OTHER AUTHORITY; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-330, RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS CHAPTER, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-340, RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS, FORMS, AND ORDERS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-350, RELATING TO THE APPLICABILITY OF SECTIONS 39-73-20, 39-73-50, AND 39-73-60 TO PERSONS WHO SELL, BUY, OR OFFER TO SELL OR BUY COMMODITIES IN THIS STATE, SO AS TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR APPLICABLE RADIO AND TELEVISION COMMUNICATIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-360, RELATING TO JUDICIAL REVIEW, SO AS TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-370, RELATING TO DEFENSE IN A CASE BASED ON FAILURE TO MAKE PHYSICAL DELIVERY, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY ADDING SECTION 39-73-375 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY RETAIN FUNDS FROM FINES AND PENALTIES TO OFFSET RELEVANT EXPENSES; BY REPEALING SECTION 39-73-355 RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 4-9-145, RELATING TO LITTER CONTROL OFFICERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE WHAT DATA IS USED TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF LITTER CONTROL OFFICERS. - RATIFIED TITLE

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DECLARE THE WEEK OF MAY 18-24, 2025, AS THE FIFTY-FIRST "EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK" IN SOUTH CAROLINA, IN RECOGNITION OF THE VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS THAT EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TEAMS MAKE TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA ENERGY SECURITY ACT" BY AMENDING SECTION 58-3-140, RELATING TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION'S POWERS TO REGULATE PUBLIC UTILITIES, SO AS TO ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE FOR CERTAIN TESTIMONY AND DISCOVERY IN CONTESTED PROCEEDINGS, TO PERMIT ELECTRICAL UTILITY CUSTOMERS TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION AS PUBLIC WITNESSES, AND TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR AN INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY CONSULTANT HIRED BY THE COMMISSION; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-3-250, RELATING TO SERVICE OF ORDERS AND DECISIONS ON PARTIES, SO AS TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CHANGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-4-10, RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF AND ITS REPRESENTATION OF PUBLIC INTEREST BEFORE THE COMMISSION, SO AS TO ESTABLISH ITS CONSIDERATIONS FOR PUBLIC INTEREST; BY ADDING SECTION 58-4-150 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF TO PREPARE A COMPREHENSIVE STATE ENERGY ASSESSMENT AND ACTION PLAN AND TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS PLAN; BY ADDING SECTION 58-33-195 SO AS TO ENCOURAGE DOMINION ENERGY, THE PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY, DUKE ENERGY CAROLINAS, AND DUKE ENERGY PROGRESS TO EVALUATE CERTAIN ELECTRICAL GENERATION FACILITIES AND PROVIDE FOR CONSIDERATIONS RELATED TO THESE FACILITIES; BY ADDING SECTION 58-31-205 SO AS TO PERMIT THE PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY TO JOINTLY OWN ONE OR MORE NATURAL GAS-FIRED GENERATION FACILITIES AND RELATED TRANSMISSION FACILITIES WITH DOMINION ENERGY SOUTH CAROLINA IN COLLETON COUNTY, AND TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINT OWNERSHIP; BY ADDING SECTION 6-29-1220 SO AS TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM PLANS IF A COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE RELATED RURAL ZONING OR ORDINANCES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS REQUIRING MORE THAN THIRTEEN ACRES OF LAND; BY AMENDING ARTICLE 9 OF CHAPTER 7, TITLE 13, RELATING TO THE GOVERNOR'S NUCLEAR ADVISORY COUNCIL, SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE COUNCIL IN THE SC NEXUS FOR ADVANCED RESILIENT ENERGY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, TO PROVIDE FOR ITS DUTIES AND MEMBERSHIP, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE COUNCIL'S DIRECTOR; BY ADDING ARTICLE 24 TO CHAPTER 27, TITLE 58 SO AS TO ALLOW ELECTRIC UTILITIES TO REQUEST THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ADJUST THEIR RATES ANNUALLY, ADJUST UTILITY RATES, ESTABLISH THE BASELINE RATE ORDER AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ADJUSTMENTS IN RATES, TO PROVIDE PROTECTIONS FOR CUSTOMERS, AND TO AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF; BY ADDING SECTION 58-33-196 SO AS TO ENCOURAGE CONSIDERATION OF DEPLOYMENT OF FUSION ENERGY AND ADVANCED NUCLEAR FACILITIES AND TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 58-37-70 SO AS TO PERMIT THE EVALUATION OF SMALL MODULAR NUCLEAR FACILITIES IN THIS STATE AND TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS; BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 37, TITLE 58 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR STATE AGENCY REVIEW OF ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT APPLICATIONS, TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS, TO PROVIDE A SUNSET PROVISION, AND TO DESIGNATE ALL SECTIONS CURRENTLY IN CHAPTER 37 AS ARTICLE 1, ENTITLED "PLANNING FOR ENERGY SUPPLY"; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-40-10, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF "CUSTOMER-GENERATOR," SO AS TO ESTABLISH CHARACTERISTICS FOR A "CUSTOMER-GENERATOR"; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-41-30, RELATING TO VOLUNTARY RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR THESE PROGRAMS; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-41-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO ADD THE DEFINITION OF "ENERGY STORAGE FACILITIES"; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-41-20, RELATING TO THE REVIEW OF AND APPROVAL PROCEEDINGS FOR ELECTRICAL UTILITIES' AVOIDED COST METHODOLOGIES, STANDARD OFFERS, FORM CONTRACTS, AND COMMITMENT TO SELL FORMS, SO AS TO REITERATE THE SECTION; BY ADDING CHAPTER 42 TO TITLE 58 SO AS TO ESTABLISH COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT PROGRAM STANDARDS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY STORAGE, AND TO REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO OPEN A DOCKET TO ESTABLISH A COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT PROGRAM FOR ENERGY STORAGE FACILITIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-33-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO ADD THE DEFINITION "LIKE FACILITY" AND AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "MAJOR UTILITY FACILITY," SO AS TO REITERATE THE DEFINITION; BY AMENDING ARTICLE 3 OF CHAPTER 33, TITLE 58, RELATING TO CERTIFICATION OF MAJOR UTILITY FACILITIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A LIKE FACILITY, TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR PROPOSED FACILITIES, TO PROVIDE WHAT ACTIONS MAY BE TAKEN WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE COMMISSION, AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-37-40, RELATING TO INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLANS, SO AS TO ADD CONSIDERATION OF A UTILITY'S TRANSMISSION REPORT, TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION BY THE COMMISSION, AND REQUIRE PARTIES TO BEAR THEIR OWN COSTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-3-260, RELATING TO COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND PARTIES, SO AS TO MODIFY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALLOWABLE EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS AND BRIEFINGS, AND TO PERMIT COMMISSION TOURS OF UTILITY PLANTS OR OTHER FACILITIES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-3-270, RELATING TO EX PARTE COMMUNICATION COMPLAINT PROCEEDINGS AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT, SO AS TO PERMIT AN ORDER TOLLING ANY DEADLINES ON A PROCEEDING SUBJECT TO A COMPLAINT IF TRUE TO THE EXTENT THE PROCEEDING WAS PREJUDICED SO THAT THE COMMISSION COULD NOT CONSIDER THE MATTER IMPARTIALLY; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-33-310, RELATING TO AN APPEAL FROM A FINAL ORDER OR DECISION OF THE COMMISSION ISSUED PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 33, TITLE 58, SO AS TO ESTABLISH A TIMELINE FOR A PETITION FOR REHEARING OR RECONSIDERATION, AND TO REQUIRE A FINAL ORDER BE IMMEDIATELY APPEALABLE TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-33-320, RELATING TO JUDICIAL JURISDICTION, SO AS TO REITERATE THE SECTION; BY ADDING SECTION 58-4-160 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO EVALUATE VARIOUS THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATOR MODELS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-37-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO ADD A REFERENCE TO "DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM" AND PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR "COST-EFFECTIVE" AND "DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM"; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-37-20, RELATING TO COMMISSION PROCEDURES ENCOURAGING ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS, SO AS TO EXPAND COMMISSION CONSIDERATIONS FOR COST-EFFECTIVE, DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS, REQUIRE EACH INVESTOR-OWNED ELECTRICAL UTILITY TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMISSION REGARDING ITS DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, AND TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION TO REVIEW THESE PORTFOLIOS ON AT LEAST A TRIENNIAL BASIS; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-37-30, RELATING TO REPORTS ON DEMAND-SIDE ACTIVITIES, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING CHANGES; BY ADDING SECTION 58-37-35 SO AS TO PERMIT PROGRAMS AND CUSTOMER INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE OR PROMOTE DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR CUSTOMER-SITED DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES, AND TO PROVIDE CONSIDERATIONS FOR THESE PROGRAMS; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-37-50, RELATING TO AGREEMENTS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION MEASURES, SO AS TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN TERMS AND RATE RECOVERY FOR AGREEMENTS FOR FINANCING AND INSTALLING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION MEASURES, AND FOR APPLICATION TO A RESIDENCE OCCUPIED BEFORE THE MEASURES ARE TAKEN; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-3-70, RELATING TO COMPENSATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION MEMBERS, SO AS TO ESTABLISH SALARIES IN AMOUNTS EQUAL TO NINETY PERCENT OF SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICES; BY ADDING SECTION 58-41-50 SO AS TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS AND CONSIDERATION FOR CO-LOCATED RESOURCES BETWEEN AN ELECTRICAL UTILITY AND ITS CUSTOMER UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT OF A DIVERSE MIX OF LONG-LEAD, CLEAN GENERATION RESOURCES, AND TO PERMIT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO FIND CERTAIN ACTIONS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO PERMIT AN ELECTRICAL UTILITY TO CAPTURE AVAILABLE INCENTIVES FOR RATEPAYERS; TO PERMIT DEFERRAL OF CERTAIN REASONABLE AND PRUDENT COSTS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-40-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCE"; BY ADDING CHAPTER 43 TO TITLE 58, SO AS TO ESTABLISH CONSIDERATIONS FOR ELECTRICITY RATE AND CONDITIONS FOR CERTAIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS; BY ADDING SECTION 58-37-135 SO AS TO TRANSFER A PENDING APPEAL REGARDING ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE PERMITS TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-3-530, RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE'S DUTIES, SO AS TO REQUIRE AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER ADVOCACY RELATED TO ITS REPRESENTATION OF CONSUMERS IN UTILITY MATTERS; BY ADDING SECTION 58-3-65 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION'S CHIEF CLERK'S SALARY BE BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE AGENCY HEAD SALARY COMMISSION; BY ADDING SECTION 58-33-200 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF TO RETAIN AN INDEPENDENT CONSTRUCTION ANALYST FOR ANY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT BUDGET OF AT LEAST FIVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS; TO REQUIRE A REPORT BY THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 24, CHAPTER 27, TITLE 58; TO REQUIRE DOMINION ENERGY TO EVALUATE CONVERTING THE WATEREE GENERATION STATION TO BIOMASS-FIRED GENERATION, AND TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 58-4-50, RELATING TO OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF DUTIES, SO AS TO INCLUDE CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS. - RATIFIED TITLE

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 7-7-110, RELATING TO DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, SO AS TO SPLIT CERTAIN PRECINCTS AND TO REDESIGNATE THE MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THESE PRECINCTS ARE DELINEATED. - RATIFIED TITLE

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-36-2120, RELATING TO THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION ON DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, SO AS TO DELETE AN ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT THAT THE SELLER HAVE A PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IN THIS STATE. - RATIFIED TITLE

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MARY LOUISE "MARY LOU" REYNOLDS LEE, BELOVED SECOND GRADE TEACHER AT WILSON HALL, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER FIFTY-SIX YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.