Rep. Robert Reese

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 17-22-50 AND 17-22-60, BOTH RELATING TO PRETRIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY, BOTH SO AS TO PROVIDE A PERSON MAY PARTICIPATE IN A PRETRIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAM IF TWENTY YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE THE DATE OF SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A PRETRIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAM BY THE PERSON, RATHER THAN LIMITING ELIGIBILITY OF PARTICIPATION TO ONLY ONCE. - RATIFIED TITLE

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 45 TO TITLE 58 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA UTILITY CITIZENS COUNCIL TO SERVE AS AN INDEPENDENT ADVISORY BODY TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE UTILITY CITIZENS COUNCIL'S MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES; TO PERMIT THE UTILITY CITIZENS COUNCIL TO HAVE ACCESS TO CERTAIN INFORMATION SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE UTILITY CITIZENS COUNCIL FROM REGULATED UTILITIES, ESTABLISH COST RECOVERY REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE FUNDING, AND PROVIDE FOR ITS ADMINISTRATION; TO REQUIRE THE SOUTH CAROLINA ENERGY JUSTICE COALITION TO PROVIDE STAFFING AND OTHER DUTIES; TO REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO PROVIDE THE COUNCIL WITH RELEVANT DOCUMENTATION UPON NOTICE OF A UTILITY RATE CASE OR MAJOR FILING, TO PERMIT THE COUNCIL TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS, AND TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION TO INCLUDE A SUMMARY OF THE COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMISSION'S RESPONSES IN COMMISSION ORDERS; AND TO REQUIRE THE COUNCIL, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF, TO DEVELOP ENERGY AFFORDABILITY METRICS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "UTILITY BILLING ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OF 2026" BY ADDING CHAPTER 44 TO TITLE 58 SO AS TO PROHIBIT A UTILITY FROM CHANGING BILLING OR PAYMENT PRACTICES WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION; TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION; TO PERMIT TEMPORARY APPROVAL PROCESSES IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY; TO REQUIRE UTILITIES TO SUBMIT QUARTERLY REPORTS TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF; TO REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF, TO ENGAGE AN AUDITOR TO EXAMINE PRESCRIBED BILLING ISSUES; TO REQUIRE A UTILITY TO PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS FOR BILLING OR PAYMENT CHANGES; TO ESTABLISH CONDITIONS AND PROHIBITIONS IN CERTAIN RENTAL CIRCUMSTANCES; TO REQUIRE ELECTRIC, GAS, AND WATER UTILITIES TO IMPLEMENT CONSUMER PROTECTIONS FOR RURAL ENERGY-BURDENED HOUSEHOLDS, TO REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO PUBLISH A RURAL ENERGY BURDEN REPORT, AND TO CONSIDER METRICS IN ALL RATE PROCEEDINGS; TO PERMIT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO IMPOSE ADMINISTRATIVE FINES FOR VIOLATIONS, FOR A CUSTOMER TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE COMMISSION, AND TO REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO PROMULGATE RELATED REGULATIONS.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 61 TO TITLE 48 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE "SOUTH CAROLINA PROTECTED LANDS AND CONSERVATION COORDINATION ACT"; TO RECOGNIZE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AS AN IMPORTANT STATE INTEREST; AND TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE PROTECTED LAND BENCHMARK. - RATIFIED TITLE

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 6-1-200 SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS AND PROHIBIT A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION FROM UNREASONABLY RESTRICTING PRIVATE WELLS ON AGRICULTURAL OR SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AND FROM REQUIRING CONNECTION TO A WATER SYSTEM IF THE SYSTEM IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES, AMONG OTHER THINGS. - RATIFIED TITLE

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR EBONY YOUNG FOR HER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND FOR HER INSTRUMENTAL ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PALMS PROJECT.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND PALMETTO MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR ITS INSTITUTION OF "YOU MATTER DAY" IN MEMORY OF AUSTIN SMITH, A FORMER SEVENTH GRADE STUDENT AT PALMETTO MIDDLE, IN ORDER TO RAISE SUICIDE AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS AND ASSURE THEM THAT THEIR LIVES MATTER IN THIS WORLD.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR DR. AKIL E. ROSS SR. OF LEXINGTON-RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT FIVE UPON BEING NAMED 2027 SOUTH CAROLINA SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE JEAN MOREE GORTHY UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HER FOR HER FORTY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS AN EDUCATOR, AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF COLONEL HOWARD D. BARNARD III OF HORRY COUNTY AND TO EXTEND DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.