Legislative Update, March 15-19

It was another busy, yet exciting week at the State House for the CCL Legislative Team! While the House debated the budget, the Senate continued their discussions on conservation issues and passed important water legislation:

S.452 Water Withdrawal Permitting
S.452, the Surface Water Withdrawal Permitting, Use and Reporting Act passed the full Senate on Tuesday, March 16th! The bill will be heard by the House Environmental Affairs Subcommittee on Wednesday, March 24th. CCL supports the S.452 compromise because it is an important first step at managing our rivers and negotiating with other states over shared water resources.

S.1054 Mega Mall Tax Incentives
Debate continues on S.1054 by Sen. Clementa Pickney (D-Jasper) this week with a potential amendment that would make passage more likely. A provision granting Hardeeville or Jasper County the authority to impose an additional 1 or 2 cents sales tax is being discussed. We are awaiting a final version of this amendment. The bill is currently being opposed by CCL and others on environmental and fiscal policy grounds.

S.903/H.4269 Conservation Bank
The Conservation Bank found itself in the uncomfortable position between a proposed increase in the tax on cigarettes and an intense abortion debate during last week's House budget hearing. While the base funding proviso is included in the House version of the appropriations bill, amendments sponsored by Rep. Jim Merrill (R-Berkeley) and Rep. David Umphlett (R-Berkeley) to transfer $2 million from either DNR or LLR were tabled. The good news is that there is still considerable bi-partisan support for the Conservation Bank and the CCL legislative team will be working on passage of H.4269 (the "Death Clause") in the House Ways and Means Committee. It is a difficult year for the Bank - thanks to all our supporters who contacted their legislator about the base funding proviso. Thanks are also due to Rep. Bill Herbkersman (R-Beaufort), as he continues to champion H.4269 which moves us closer to eliminating an unfair budgeting practice that takes land conservation off the priority list for the state.