2014 Legislative Overview, Immigration Crisis & Project Jackson

Dear Friends,

I sure hope everyone has enjoyed their summer this year! Labor Day is just right around the corner, and School starts in Aiken County on August 18, 2014. Edgefield County will start August, 19, 2014. I want to wish all to have a great school year.

Even though the House is not currently in session, there are still a lot of things happening that I felt you needed to know about. In this Legislative Newsletter we will get you up to date on Project Jackson, The Immigration Crisis and How it effects South Carolina, The MOX facility at SRS plus other items that you may find noteworthy.

We ended the 120th Session of the South Carolina House of Representative in June of 2014. We will begin our new Session, the 121st, in January of 2015.

In order for me to have a strong voice in Columbia, I have to communicate with my constituents. And that means you! My website, newsletters, mailers and Facebook are the communication tools that I use. It takes extra time, staff and campaign funds to maintain these tools.

If you would like to contribute, please mail a check to Hixon For House, P.O. Box 7927, North Augusta, SC 29861 or contribute online by going HERE.

I hope that you find this update helpful and informative. If I can help you with any issue, please let me know. Thank you for reading and allowing me to serve you.

Update On Projects I Worked On During The Year

Emergency & Maintenance Access on I-20

I was able to work with the Department of Transportation to get them to cut an emergency access in the safety cable that is in the median at the State Line in front of the South Carolina Welcome Center. That project will now allow emergency personnel the ability to easily access the part of east bound I-20 from the state line to Exit 1. Before this change, they had to go all the way into Georgia and turn around at the Riverwatch exit.

Trash Pickup on I-20
I had received many notices that the trash was not being picked up near the South Carolina Welcome Center. The prison detail that was assigned this area was not able to go any further than exit 1, because they were not be able to turnaround without going into the State of Georgia. You can not take South Carolina prisoners into Georgia. With the new cut through access at the State Line the prison detail crews are able to reach both sides of I-20 at the State line.

Thanks to the City of North Augusta
The City of North Augusta stepped up to the plate and sent their maintenance crews out, and pruned the crape myrtles that line the center of I-20 that you see coming into South Carolina from Georgia.

Update On Legislation or Issues Effecting Our Area

Penny Sales Tax Option Referendum Legislation

This legislation allows Aiken County to have the option. Property owners in some school districts in counties that do not have the penny option have newer school facilities and the property owners are paying from 41% to 144% more in property taxes on school bond debt than property owners in Aiken County are. If voters approve a School District proposal under this option later this year or years from now, this legislation ensures that property owners will get some tax relief while all taxpayers in the county and visitors to the county will pay for any new school buildings and renovations specified in a proposed referendum rather than those improvements being paid for only by property owners within the county.

Update: Sales Tax Option Will Be On November Ballot

Aiken County Board of Education will be seeking public support to obtain revenue for new construction and maintenance needs in Aiken County. They approved wording of 2 questions that will appear on the ballot in November of 2014. One question will specifically ask voters to approve the sales tax hike. The other would authorize the Board to issue bonds as a mechanism to obtain the revenue. The ballot will also describe how the funding will be utilized. The revenue from the sales tax would pay for “some or all the costs of constructing and equipping additions, renovations and improvements. One penny in Aiken County generates 17 to 18 million dollars in one year.

Read more:Board takes next step on sales tax ballot questions | Aiken Standard

Project Jackson Update

Photo Credit: Greenstone Properties

There was no ruling on the lawsuit concerning Project Jackson Thursday July 24, 2014. The Judge was unable to deliver a verdict because the plaintif did not submit his paper work on time. The Judge is on vacation and will return some time around Aug. 4, 2014. There could be a ruling by early August. This delay could have an impact on the completion date of the planned baseball stadium.

Update On The MOX Facility At SRS

The Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, or MOX facility is the preferred pathway for plutonium disposition. The facility will take surplus weapon-grade plutonium, remove impurities, and mix it with uranium oxide to form MOX fuel pellets for reactor fuel assemblies. These assemblies will be irradiated in commercial nuclear power reactors. MOX at SRS will be a major component in the United States’ program to dispose of surplus weapon-grade plutonium.

On Monday, July 18, 2014, Energy Department Secretary Ernest Moniz paid a visit to SRS to discuss MOX and other facilities at SRS. Governor Nikki Haley, Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Tim Scott, and Representative Joe Wilson stood by his side at the press conference that was held. State Representative Bill Hixon was in attendance as well.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott said that congressional budgets have the money to keep the mixed oxide fuel project from being suspended, at least in the next fiscal year.

“It won’t go to cold standby as far as we can tell,” Scott said, saying that a House proposal already includes money to keep the project open, while a continuing resolution that will likely be hashed out in the Senate will have the funding, too.

“There’s money for MOX,” Graham said. “There is no cheaper alternative to MOX, and now is not the time to break an agreement with the Russians.”

Moniz said Monday that construction on MOX will continue at least into fall, adding that all sides need to come up with a long-term funding plan for the site.

Halting the construction at Savannah River Site’s MOX, will likely be the next step if a sustainable funding stream for the project cannot be secured.

On Monday, July 18, 2014, Energy Department Secretary Ernest Moniz said.

“The issue is if there will be a sustainable funding stream. We charged the contractors to look at a different track, depending on what the funding is and its adequacy,” said Moniz. “In the end, if the budgets don’t support construction, we’ll have to act accordingly.”

Germany has plans to bring highly radioactive waste to Savannah River for reprocessing. Haley and others reiterated the desire that South Carolina not become a permanent home for the world’s trash. So it’s very important to find the proper funding to finish construction and bring the facility on line as soon as possible.

Read More Here | Fox Business News

Read More Here | The Augusta Chronicle

Boeing To Make 787-10 Dreamliners Exclusively In South Carolina

Boeing will assemble the 787-10 Dreamliner at its non-unionized plant in North Charleston. That will have the State of South Carolina assembling all three versions of the 787 Dreamliner!

This was Governor Haily’s Response on her Facebook Page:

“This announcement from Boeing is huge for South Carolina. The fact they are committing the future of the Dreamliner to our state – the first place, ever, outside of Washington State that Boeing has built a commercial airplane – lets the whole world know that South Carolina workers are the best around. The success that Boeing South Carolina has become in less than five years is a testament to the Boeing leadership and above all, the Boeing employees whose talent and dedication make all of us so proud. It truly is another great day in South Carolina.”

Read More Here | The State

Legislation I Sponsored or Co-Sponsored That Is Now Law

Property Tax Legislation

This legislation has passed and was signed by the Governor. (S-437) allows homeowners to rent their primary residence up to 72 days and maintain a 4% assessment ratio. The bill strikes existing language limiting this to 15 days.

Masters Housing and Rentals

An amendment (H-3767) that I sponsored was added to Senate legislation (S-437). This amendment will allow primary property owners to rent their residence up to 15 days a year and not declare it as income for tax purposes or pay accommodations taxes. I pushed this amendment because of all the homes that are rented in the Aiken & Edgefield areas during the Masters tournament.

Uncle Preston’s Law

On 5/29/2014, The House also passed (H-4520), known as Uncle Preston’s Law. Uncle Preston’s Law would allow a family member to own a 4% assessed property, in addition to their primary residence, to provide housing for an elderly family member. The legislation is aimed at keeping those South Carolinians who are 65 and older in homes and make it more affordable for their family members to care for them. It was sent to the Senate and it still resides in Committee on Finance.

Interstate Boating Violator Compact

The House and Senate have now passed into law a bill that I was the primary sponsor of and something that I have been working on for a long time. (H-4561) authorizes the SC Department of Natural Resources to enter into an Interstate Boating Violator Compact with other States. The boater compact is the first of it’s kind in the nation and eases penalties for boaters if they are cited for violations in the other states’ waters. Rep. Bill Taylor and I stood with Georgia Governor Nathan Deal at Lake Hartwell when he signed the identical bill that puts Georgia also into the compact.

Immigration Crisis And It’s Impact On South Carolina

Correspondence between Governor Haley and the United States Department of Homeland Security Secretary.

Recently we have learned that over 350 minors from the immigration crises have been placed with individuals or sponsors in South Carolina. Governor Haley was assured that South Carolina was not being used nor were there any plans to use any facilities to mass house any immigrants. That part was and has been true. However, later we find out that some of these immigrants have been here since the first of the year.

No Immigrants In SC Confirmation

On July 18, 2014, Governor Haley sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Jeh Johnson. She referred to a conversation that She and Jeh had concerning any potential impact the immigration crisis could have on South Carolina. In that phone conversation Governor Haley was assured that no immigrant minors were being housed in South Carolina in mass shelters.

Governor Haley’s office issued a statement:

“Governor Haley was assured by the Homeland Security Secretary that South Carolina was not being used as a mass sheltering location for these children, and we are not. The governor intends to stay in close working contact with the secretary to make sure that does not change. Now that we know there are some children being placed with sponsors in South Carolina, we will work with Homeland Security, understand our options, and make sure that we are doing everything we can to protect our state. Ultimately, though, the humanitarian crisis on the border with Mexico will not be solved until the federal government secures the border and puts in place sensible immigration policies. The lack of leadership from the President on this crisis is as disappointing as it is astounding.”

Governor Haley was assured that the children staying with relatives and sponsors in South Carolina would not cost the State any money. However, Haley’s office pointed out the cost of educating the children would be a state expense. Even though Homeland Security did run background checks on the relatives and sponsors to make sure the homes were safe, the background evaluations did not determine if the relatives or sponsors are here legally.

You can Download the letter from Governor Haley HERE

You can Download the letter from Secretary Johnson HERE

2014 Legislation Overview

All of the legislation included in this overview has passed this year. The legislation has either been signed into law by the Governor, has become law without her signature, or has become law by an overturned veto.

You can Download a complete PDF version HERE

South Carolina Restructuring Act of 2014
In its second regular session, the 120th South Carolina General Assembly authorized the most significant government restructuring that the state has seen in twenty years by approving the “South Carolina Restructuring Act of 2014” (S-22) which makes comprehensive changes to the organization and oversight of state government that are geared towards enhancing accountability and efficiency.

Emma’s Law
The General Assembly approved new legislation (S-137) to combat drunk driving designated as “Emma’s Law” in memory of Emma Longstreet, the six-year-old Lexington County girl who was killed in a collision with a repeat DUI offender as her family was traveling to church on New Year’s Day 2012. The new law provides for a more expansive use of ignition interlock devices installed on the vehicles of driving under the influence offenders that are designed to prevent a vehicle from being started and operated by someone who has consumed alcohol.

Texting While Driving
Legislators approved a prohibition on texting while driving (S-459) which makes it unlawful for a person to use a handheld wireless electronic communication device to compose, send, or read a text based communication while operating a motor vehicle on the public streets and highways of this state.

Restaurant Carry Provisions
Legislators approved a bill (S-308) that replaces South Carolina’s current prohibition on carrying a pistol or firearm into a business that sells alcoholic liquor, beer, or wine for on-premises consumption with new provisions, commonly referred to as restaurant carry provisions, that afford concealed weapon permit holders new legal authority to carry their firearms into bars, restaurants, and other establishments that serve alcohol.

Statewide Education Standards And Assessments – Common Core
(H-3893) Adoption of statewide education standards and assessments for use in the state’s public schools which addresses issues relating to national Common Core academic standards that have become aligned with federal programs and waivers offered through the U.S. Department of Education. Under the legislation, all proposed new standards and revisions to existing academic standards that are developed by anyone other than South Carolina’s Department of Education must be sent to the General Assembly for review so that lawmakers may approve or reject them.

South Carolina Read to Succeed Act
(S-516) was approved to establish a comprehensive K-12 initiative for promoting reading proficiency in the state’s public schools with an emphasis on early intervention to assist students who are not demonstrating an ability to read at grade level.

Back to Basics in Education Act of 2014
(H-3905) was approved to add cursive writing and memorization of multiplication tables to the required subjects of instruction in public schools and to require students to demonstrate competence in each subject before completion of the fifth grade.

Charter Schools Accountability
The General Assembly approved legislation (H-3853) to provide enhanced accountability for charter schools. Charter schools are required to adhere to national industry standards for quality.

School Safety Task Force
A temporary School Safety Task Force will be developing standards for district level policies to promote effective school discipline and mental health intervention services and examining how improved collaboration and organization could make the most of mental health resources and funding for school-based mental health services. The legislation provides for the membership of the task force and requires its recommendations to be reported to the General Assembly by the end of the year, at which time the task force must be dissolved.

School Bus Video Traffic Enforcement
Lawmakers approved (H-5014) new provisions for the use of digital video recordings to enforce traffic violations involving the unlawful passing of stopped school buses. Provisions are included to allow traffic citations to be issued to motorists based entirely or partially upon images obtained from a digital video recording device mounted on a school bus and for recordings to be used as evidence at hearings to corroborate the testimony of the school bus driver or any other witnesses.

South Carolina Budget
Lawmakers approved the general appropriation bill (H-4701) and the joint resolution making appropriations from the Capital Reserve Fund (H-4702) which together comprise the $7.2 billion fiscal year 2014-2015 state government budget.

Adjutant General Appointed by the Governor
The General Assembly approved (H-3541) a proposed constitutional amendment for the Adjutant General to be appointed by the Governor rather than elected. This proposal must be submitted to the state’s voters at the next general election as a ballot question to decide whether the South Carolina Constitution should be amended by removing the Adjutant General from the list of statewide elected officials and providing instead for this head of the state’s National Guard and other military resources to be appointed by the Governor, upon the advice and consent of the Senate. If the constitution is amended, the new appointment process (H-3540) would begin with the expiration of the term of the Adjutant General who is serving in office when the amendment is ratified.

Industrial Hemp Cultivation
The General Assembly approved legislation (S-839) that distinguishes hemp grown for scientific, economic, and environmental uses from the narcotic marijuana, a genetically different cultivar of the same plant species, and provides authorization for cultivating industrial hemp in South Carolina to be used for any lawful purpose such as the manufacture of twine, rope, paper, construction materials, carpeting, and clothing, its applications in manufacturing industrial oils, cosmetics, medicines, and food, and its potential use as a cellulosic ethanol biofuel.

Julian’s Law – Medical Marijuana
The General Assembly approved legislation (S-1035) addressing access to cannabidiol, a substance derived from marijuana, for treatment of severe forms of epilepsy. Named for the Summerville child whose severe seizures prompted his family to move to Colorado in order to gain lawful access to CBD oil treatments, “Julian’s Law” is enacted to provide authorization for the state’s academic medical centers to conduct expanded access clinical trials approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the value of cannabidiol as a treatment for patients suffering from severe forms of epilepsy that are not adequately treated by traditional medical therapies.

Below are other items that passed this year.
You can Download a complete PDF version HERE