Local Radar

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General Assembly tackles issues that strike close to home

web posted March 24, 2006

STATE – The South Carolina General Assembly has addressed several issues important to citizens of our county recently. The first being eminent domain takings that have come to the forefront due to the recent Kelo US Supreme Court case. The vote on amendment to make takings harder for government, H.4502, passed 63 to 54. The constitutional amendment H.4502 sent to the Senate addresses eminent domain and statutory legislation. H.4503 contains both the eminent domain changes and the regulatory takings provisions.

The bill strengthens private property rights of property owners and is adamantly opposed by the South Carolina Associate of Counties, which hosts the seminars for local elected leaders.

The Senate Agriculture Committee, with amendment, brought the 2006 version of the hog bill (S.1205) forward. The committee amendment would permit local zoning as long as the zoning did not conflict with state regulations. According to the amendment, if a county zoning plan contains set back provisions that do not correspond with state regulations, local zoning would be ruled invalid. The amendment would also invalidate any local ordinances that impact local agriculture if they do not meet state standards. The bill would strengthen current legislation regarding agriculture in South Carolina.

Another Senate Bill (S.1002) concerns booking fees into local detention centers. Provisions under this bill permit a detention center director to charge inmates a $30.00 fee to cover booking costs without the local governing body approval. The money collected would be deposited into the county’s general fund and earmarked for the Detention Center’s use without oversight of the county’s governing body. The bill is pending a second reading in the Senate.

House Bill H.3343 would provide for a traffic ticket diversion program that would allow the Solicitor to establish a program, similar to the pre-trial intervention program, for traffic tickets and waive fines for those who successfully complete educational or public service programs. A House Judiciary subcommittee will hear the bill next Wednesday.

Another House Bill, H.4438, would require the release of a detainee within one hour of posting bond. This bill is presently in a House Judiciary subcommittee.

A Finance subcommittee is addressing vehicle valuation this week. The Bill, S.747 would require auditors to use the lowest value as the fair market value of a vehicle for tax purposes. Presently all vehicle values billed in Edgefield County are at the highest and best use to promote greater revenues for the county.

Newly introduced legislation in the House includes H.4820, which would prohibit a commercial vehicle traveling on highways from operating at speeds in excess of 5 miles below the maximum-posted speed for automobiles. 

H.4833 provides that no chance meeting of a public body could be used to discuss matters within the jurisdiction of that public body. House bill H.4834 limits the amount a public body may charge for copies of public records. H.4836 would require public officials who participate in executive sessions to sign an affidavit swearing they did not discuss undisclosed topics during the executive session.

A Bill that strikes closer to home, House Bill H.4844, would make it illegal to smoke in your car if it is occupied by a preschool age child even if the child is your own child. Passage of this Bill would clear the way for further intrusions into your home since your car is, by law, considered an extension of your home.

H.4853 would require vehicle license plates to show the county name in which they are issued.

Senate Bills newly introduced include S.1258 that would provide an inmate confined in a Department of Corrections facility to attend the funeral service or visit certain individuals under certain circumstances. Senate Bill S.1259 would provide that unimproved property must be classified for property tax purposes as agriculture for as long as it remains in the status that gave rise to the income tax credit.

To reach your state representatives on these, and other matters, visit our Info Now! Section.

 

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