By SC Policy Council

This week at the State House, the House is considering the state budget while the Senate continues to work through bills on the floor and in committee.

Starting today, the House will begin debate on the nearly $30 billion dollar state appropriations bill for the upcoming fiscal year. In addition to routine spending, lawmakers must decide how to spend the roughly $61 million windfall resulting from the South Carolina lottery winner. It is unlikely the House will vote on any other legislation this week, nor are any important committee meetings scheduled.

Meanwhile in the Senate, a bill (S.259) that could lead to the use of eminent domain in the name of environmental projects is on the calendar and could receive a vote (SCPC analysis). The bill would authorize loans and grants for home buyouts and floodplain restoration – defined as “any activity” toward returning the land to its “natural state.” While the amended version prevents the loans/grants from directly funding eminent domain, local governments could easily get around that prohibition by seizing the land prior to applying for the funding.

There are also multiple hearings for S.419 (the Senate’s version of the education omnibus bill) this week. This bill would create a new committee to monitor students from K-12, and beyond. It would also amend teacher pay, the Read to Succeed program, and school district consolidation, among other things. A public hearing is being held tonight at Corker College in Hartsville. The meeting starts at 6pm (agenda here).

Finally, one bill (S.283) that would give colleges and universities the ability to create powerful – and unaccountable – mini-governments called “enterprise divisions” is scheduled for both subcommittee and full committee. This proposal is also being pushed via a higher education funding bill, which is now on the Senate floor.

For the full list of bills, see below.

House floor session

Budget deliberations (click to live stream)

Senate floor session

Monday – 3/11/19

Public hearing in Hartsville, SC (agenda here)

Tuesday – 3/12/19

Senate committee meetings

Education subcommittee

Finance subcommittee

Judiciary Committee

Select Committee on Santee Cooper

Wednesday – 3/13/19

Senate committee meetings

Family & Veterans’ Services Committee

Education subcommittee

Education Committee

LCI subcommittee

Medical Affairs subcommittee

Banking & Insurance Committee

LCI subcommittee

Education subcommittee

Judiciary subcommittee

Thursday – 3/14/19

House committee meetings

SC House Tax Policy Review Committee

Senate committee meetings

Judiciary subcommittee

Medical Affairs

Agriculture Committee

Education subcommittee

Judiciary subcommittee

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