Sen. Stephen Goldfinch

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-1-1085, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION RATES, SO AS TO CHANGE FUTURE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION RATES AND TO REQUIRE THAT THE UNFUNDED LIABILITIES OF THE SYSTEM MUST BE ON A CERTAIN AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE; TO AMEND SECTION 9-11-225, RELATING TO THE POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION RATES, SO AS TO CHANGE FUTURE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION RATES AND TO REQUIRE THAT THE UNFUNDED LIABILITIES OF THE SYSTEM MUST BE ON A CERTAIN AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE; TO AMEND SECTION 9-16-335, RELATING TO THE ASSUMED RATE OF RETURN, SO AS TO CHANGE THE ASSUMED RATE OF RETURN TO SEVEN AND ONE QUARTER PERCENT AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE ASSUMED RATE OF RETURN EXPIRES EVERY FOUR YEARS; TO AMEND SECTION 9-4-10, RELATING TO THE TERM OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AUTHORITY (PEBA), SO AS TO CHANGE THE TERM FROM TWO TO FOUR YEARS AND TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO EMPLOY AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; TO AMEND SECTION 9-4-40, RELATING TO THE AUDIT OF PEBA, SO AS TO REQUIRE PEBA TO BE AUDITED EVERY FOUR YEARS; TO AMEND SECTION 9-1-240, RELATING TO THE APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF THE ACTUARY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AUTHORITY SHALL APPROVE THE ACTUARY AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM INVESTMENT COMMISSION IS A THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY OF THE CONTRACT WITH THE ACTUARY; TO AMEND SECTION 9-16-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO RETIREMENT SYSTEM FUNDS' "FIDUCIARY" DEFINITION, SO AS TO ADD THE COMMISSION'S "CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER" TO THE DEFINITION; TO AMEND SECTION 9-16-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS BY THE COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL CAST CERTAIN SHAREHOLDER PROXY VOTES; TO AMEND SECTION 9-16-90, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CERTAIN INVESTMENT REPORTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN REPORTS MUST CONTAIN A SCHEDULE OF NET MANAGER FEES AND EXPENSES; TO AMEND SECTION 9-16-315, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM INVESTMENT COMMISSION, SO AS TO CHANGE CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, TO ADD QUALIFICATIONS, AND TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION TO EMPLOY A CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER; TO AMEND SECTION 9-16-330, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CERTAIN STATEMENTS OF ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS AND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, SO AS TO ALLOW FOR CERTAIN DELEGATIONS TO THE CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, AND TO REQUIRE THE INVESTMENT PLAN TO INCLUDE THE FINAL AUTHORITY TO INVEST BE MADE BY THE COMMISSION; TO AMEND SECTION 9-16-380, RELATING TO THE AUDIT OF THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM INVESTMENT COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM INVESTMENT COMMISSION BE AUDITED EVERY FOUR YEARS; BY ADDING SECTION 9-16-100 SO AS TO PLACE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYISTS AND TO PROHIBIT THE COMMISSION FROM MAKING CERTAIN INVESTMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 9-1-1310, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM, SO AS TO CHANGE A TRUSTEE FROM THE STATE FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AUTHORITY TO THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM INVESTMENT COMMISSION; TO AMEND SECTION 9-1-1320, RELATING TO THE CUSTODY OF THE ASSETS OF THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM, SO AS TO CHANGE THE CUSTODIAN OF THE ASSETS FROM THE STATE TREASURER TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PEBA; TO AMEND SECTION 1-3-240, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF OFFICERS BY THE GOVERNOR, SO AS TO ADD THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT INVESTMENT COMMISSION MEMBERS AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC BENEFIT AUTHORITY MEMBERS; AND TO REPEAL SECTIONS 9-4-45, 9-8-170, 9-9-160, 9-10-80, AND 9-11-250 RELATING TO POLICY DETERMINATIONS AND THE CUSTODY OF FUNDS FOR THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR JUDGES AND SOLICITORS, THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE NATIONAL GUARD RETIREMENT SYSTEM, AND THE POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM. - 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.

A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 21, CHAPTER 5, TITLE 56 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO REQUIRED STOPS FOR VEHICLES, BY ADDING A NEW SECTION, TO ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO OBTAIN A CIVIL PENALTY CITATION AGAINST THE REGISTERED OWNER OF A VEHICLE VIOLATING SECTION 56-5-2770 AND TO PROVIDE A METHOD TO APPEAL THE CITATION.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-425 SO AS TO PROVIDE IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR SCHOOL OR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO MAKE THREATS TO TAKE THE LIVES OF OR TO INFLICT BODILY HARM UPON OTHERS BY USING ANY FORM OF COMMUNICATION WHATSOEVER, AND TO PROVIDE THE SECTION MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO REPEAL, REPLACE, OR PRECLUDE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER CRIMINAL STATUTE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-17-420, RELATING TO OFFENSES INVOLVING DISTURBING SCHOOLS, SO AS TO RESTRUCTURE THE OFFENSES TO PROVIDE A DELINEATED LIST OF THOSE ACTIONS WHICH CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION, TO LIMIT ITS APPLICATION TO ACTIONS BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT STUDENTS, TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMINOLOGY, TO REVISE THE PENALTY FOR A VIOLATION OF A DISTURBING SCHOOLS OFFENSE, AND TO ELIMINATE JURISDICTION OF SUMMARY COURTS AND FAMILY COURTS. - ratified title

AN ACT TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS AND TO PROVIDE REVENUES TO MEET THE ORDINARY EXPENSES OF STATE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2017, TO REGULATE THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF STATE GOVERNMENT DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. - ratified title

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE MONIES FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016-2017, AND TO ALLOW UNEXPENDED FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO BE CARRIED FORWARD TO SUCCEEDING FISCAL YEARS AND EXPENDED FOR THE SAME PURPOSES. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-9-750 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MAY ISSUE SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FOR HUNTING AND FISHING TO ANY PERSON WHO IS NOT MORE THAN TWENTY-ONE YEARS OLD WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A TERMINAL OR LIFE THREATENING ILLNESS OR INJURY WHO IS SPONSORED BY CERTAIN NONPROFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, TO PROVIDE THAT LICENSE, TAG, AND FEE REQUIREMENTS FOR HUNTING AND FISHING ARE WAIVED, AND TO ALLOW THE DIRECTOR TO DETERMINE THE PERIOD OF TIME IN WHICH THE SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION IS VALID. - ratified title

A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-940, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO AUTHORIZED USES OF UNFOUNDED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE RELEASE OF INFORMATION ABOUT CHILD FATALITIES OR NEAR FATALITIES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-1990, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT RECORDS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION ABOUT CHILD FATALITIES OR NEAR FATALITIES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-39-100, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE UNIFORM DIPLOMA FOR GRADUATES OF ACCREDITED HIGH SCHOOLS, SO AS TO PROVIDE PERSONALIZED PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS TO EARN THE DIPLOMA AND TO PROVIDE RELATED COURSE OF STUDY-BASED ENDORSEMENTS STUDENTS MAY EARN, TO REVISE THE COURSEWORK STUDENTS ENTERING NINTH GRADE DURING THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR MUST EARN FOR GRADUATION, TO PROVIDE THIS REVISED COURSEWORK REQUIREMENT MUST SUPPORT THE PROFILE OF THE GRADUATE, TO PROVIDE FOR A UNIFORM EMPLOYABILITY CREDENTIAL AVAILABLE FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO DIPLOMA PATHWAYS, AND TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL MONITOR NUMBERS OF DIPLOMAS AND EMPLOYABILITY CREDENTIALS EARNED BY STUDENTS AND BIANNUALLY REPORT SUCH NUMBERS TO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. - ratified title

A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 47-1-145, TO ENACT THE "PROVISIONS FOR COST OF ANIMAL CARE ACT OF 2017", TO PROVIDE THAT THE CUSTODIAN OF AN ANIMAL TAKEN INTO CUSTODY DUE TO CIVIL OR CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS BY ITS OWNER MAY PETITION THE COURT FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO PROVIDING CARE TO THE ANIMAL, TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR HEARING SUCH PETITIONS AND FOR THE COLLECTION AND USE OF FUNDS ORDERED TO BE PAID, TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO FAILS TO PAY SUCH FUNDS FORFEITS RIGHTS OF OWNERSHIP TO THE ANIMAL, TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISPOSITION OF SUCH AN ANIMAL, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE RETURN OF FUNDS WHEN A PERSON IS NOT FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION.