Legislative Priorities

Clean Water- Clean water supports tens of thousands of jobs in South Carolina.  Our commercial fishing industry alone is valued at $34 million annually.  Over 58,000 jobs are tied to fishing, boat manufacturing and outdoor recreation.  If we do not keep our water clean, these jobs will disappear.

We propose a ban on phosphorus detergents in order to reduce this harmful chemical in our lakes and rivers.  Phosphorus is already banned in 15 states because it kills fish and lowers recreational revenues and home values.

We support legislation that will clean up the small number of waste treatment plants responsible for nearly all of South Carolina’s costly sewage spills.  These plants are risking our health and hurting our economy.

Green Energy - Reduce energy costs by investing in clean energy.

The Department of Energy states that South Carolina’s offshore wind resources could produce 20,000 manufacturing jobs and $80 billion in revenues by 2030.

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy reports that reforming our energy policies would create 22,000 new jobs by 2025, the equivalent of bringing six new Boeing plants to our state.

Best of all, these polices rely on incentives to spur the private sector. Electricians, construction workers and insulation companies are eager to build South Carolina’s new economy. But without incentives from the State House, we will see these jobs go to other states.  Tax credits for solar, (2 bills).

Conservation Bank

Investing in Our Future- A recent study concluded that CEOs rank parks and open space as the highest priority in choosing a new location for their businesses – even above access to markets and skilled labor.

Since 2004, the South Carolina Conservation Bank has protected over 150,000 acres of our state’s most valuable forests, farms and waterways at the bargain price of $534 per acre.  This land is protected and easements help landowners continue to use their land as originally intended.

Today, the Conservation Bank is threatened on two fronts.

The Bank law has a sunset clause that will cause it to end in 2013.  This needs to be amended to extend the life of the bank to 2023. In tight budget years a “death clause” strips the Bank of its entire budget.  We know that South Carolina’s “beautiful places” attract new businesses to our state.  Will the General Assembly protect our state’s economic future by keeping the Conservation Bank alive?

Recycling

Recycling is one of the fastest growing sectors of the American economy and shows tremendous growth potential in our state.  In 2009 the recycling industry created 1354 new jobs, $6.5 billion in economic impact, and over $300 million in capital investments in South Carolina.

The conservation community has partnered with the recycling industry to create jobs and reduce the amount of trash we send to landfills.

A Waste Reduction Incentive Bill would ask waste generators to pay their fair share by adding a $3 per ton charge for solid waste going to Class 3 landfills.  Revenues would finance pay-as-you-throw programs in counties and municipalities and recycling programs in the business community.

The Alcohol Beverage Container (ABC) Recycling bill would require bars and restaurants to start recycling their plastic, glass, aluminum containers and cardboard boxes by 2013. This incentive would lead to lower taxes, since it costs significantly less to recycle our trash ($30 a ton) than to send it to a landfill ($50 a ton) or to incinerate it ($75 a ton).

Supporting our State Agencies

Forestry, agriculture, outdoor recreation and tourism are the largest sectors of South Carolina’s economy.

These sectors account for $54 billion, or one-third, of our economy. That’s over 450,000 jobs, or 25% of all jobs in South Carolina – more than manufacturing and construction combined.

In recent years, the state agencies charged with managing these sectors have seen their operating budgets drastically slashed.  Even before the recession, the combined budgets of South Carolina Agriculture Department, Forestry Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism accounted for less than one percent of the state budget.

Recent cuts to core agency operations threaten our state’s capacity to manage our land and water assets for both public recreation and private sector growth.  Conversely, recent studies demonstrate that even modest investments in these agencies would increase revenues by millions of dollars and create thousands of jobs.  The conservation community believes that the General Assembly should invest in the agencies that manage our valuable land and water resources because they are vital to South Carolina’s economy and quality of life.

SC Senate Conservation Related Legislation 2011

Alcohol Beverage Container (ABC) Recycling bill (S.461, Sen. Ray Cleary) PRIORITY

This bill establishes a model program for statewide recycling of glass, plastic and aluminum beverage containers among permit holders for on-site alcohol consumption.

Conservation Bank:  Gets rid of Death Clause, replacing it with language stating that the Conservation Bank budget cuts will be the same as other state agencies when their budgets are cut.  It also extends the sunset clause to 2023.

Conservation Bank: Establishes the Bank into perpetuity by making permanent law.

Conservation Bank: Makes the Bank permanent law and removes Death Clause.

DNR and Film Incentives: Allows for increased use of funds for film marketing by DNR.

Transportation Infrastructure Bank: Uses sales, use, and casual excise tax revenue for the State Highway Fund and requires that an equal amount of non-state dollars go into the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank, instead of the Education Improvement Act of 1984 Fund.  It also puts gas tax revenue into the STIB instead of the General Fund.

Renewable Energy: Defines renewable energy resources as solar photovoltaic energy, solar thermal energy, wind power, hydroelectric, geothermal energy, tidal energy, recycling, hydrogen fuel derived from renewable resources, biomass energy, and landfill gas.

Renewable Energy: Concurrent resolution requesting SC Congressional delegates to oppose Cap and Trade legislation and support legislation that encourages states to establish and develop their own renewable energy portfolio standards.

DOT and I-73 Toll: Allows DOT to solicit proposals for public-private initiatives from public-private entities, allows eminent domain regarding public-private initiatives, and allows a toll on I-73 but no tolls on federal interstates without approval of the General Assembly.

DOT and River Basins: The Department of Natural Resources must coordinate with DOT to put up road signs designating SC river basins.

DOT and Agri-Tourism: SC DOT must create and supervise a statewide program that provides info on agritourism facilities.

Lake Greenwood: Defines litter and requires DHEC to maintain a litter offender database.  It specifically addresses litter and solid waste offenses as they relate to Lake Greenwood, but the definitions apply to various public/private properties and seem to exclude mining waste from mining operations and fertilizer/animal waste from "normal" agricultural operations.

Solar Tax Credits: Provides an additional state income tax credit equal to 20% of the 30% income tax credit offered by the Federal gov't; exempts machinery, etc used in energy production from a renewable source from sales tax.

Restructuring: Creates a Department of Administration; creates an Office of State Inspector General; establishes the Department of the State Chief Information Officer.

Department of Energy Restructuring: Enacts the State Department of Energy Restructuring Act by adding that the State DOE is to be headed by the State Energy Director, who is appointed by the Governor (advised by Senate)

Timber Sales: Increases the penalty for cutting, removing, or transporting timber products without consent of the landowner from $500 to $1500.

Local Government Funding: Relieves local government from having to pay state mandates when the amount of money appropriated to the Local Gov't Fund is less than the previous year.

Tax Credits: Requires tax credits to be introduced as separate legislation subject to recorded vote; makes tax credits conditional, forgivable loans; requires analysis of tax incentives and subsidies by BEA

Rice Field Impoundment: Enacts the Wetlands Restoration Act which provides that certain impoundments that originally impounded a parcel of tideland or marshland but no longer completely impounds that parcel may be repaired or restored.

Annexation (S.313 General Bill, By Davis and Rose) (referred to Judiciary) Similar (H3247): Requires a "plan of services" before approval of all annexation proposals, and requires that new annexations be consistent with local comprehensive land use plans.

SC House of Representatives Conservation Related Legislation 2011

Phosphorus Bill (H.3467, Rep. Dwight Loftis and Mike Pitts) SUPPORT – House Agriculture Committee

This bill prohibits the use, sell or manufacture of dishwashing detergents containing phosphates, a harmful chemical found in our lakes and rivers. Phosphorus is already banned in 15 states because it kills fish and lowers recreational revenues and home values.

Protecting Our Groundwater (H. 3389, Rep. Robert Brown) SUPPORT – House Agriculture Committee

H.3389 would require any construction, demolition or installation of a landfill to adhere to proper guidelines.  Specifically, landfill liners would be used to prevent seepage into the groundwater lying underneath it.  This bill would help ensure that neither our communities nor our natural landscape would be adversely affected by contaminated groundwater from landfills.

Right to Hunt and Fish (H.3276, Rep. Brian White) SUPPORT – House Agriculture Committee

This bill asserts that hunting and fishing are valuable parts of South Carolina’s heritage, important for conservation, and a protected means of managing non-threatened wildlife.

Conservation Bank: Eliminates the Sunset Provision and establishes the Bank into perpetuity.

Conservation Bank: Eliminates both the Sunset Provision and Death Clause and makes the Bank permanent law.

Conservation Bank: Removes Death Clause language and makes the amount of CB budget cut equal to the percentage that other state agencies are cut.

Solar Tax Credits (H. 3346, Rep. Dwight Loftis)

This bill establishes a 35 percent state tax credit for the installation of solar energy equipment for both residential and commercial purposes placed in service in taxable years after 2010. This legislation not only promotes renewable energy, but is also an incentive vital to the future competitiveness and economic growth of our state by encouraging solar installations while simultaneously creating jobs.

Special Purpose Districts: Revises definition of special purpose district

Special Purpose Districts and Water: Allows special purpose districts to broaden boundaries as long as there is no infringement on water service in another political subdivision

Municipal Public Utility Reg.: Removes authority of PSC or regional transportation authority to regulate municipal public utilities

Dock Owner Fees: Increases fees for owners of docks, piers, or boathouses extending wholly or in part over a public body of water or wetland

Governor Appointments DNR: Puts DNR in Executive Dept subject to Governor appointment of DNR Director

Spending Accountability: Requires budget to be approved section by section and that there be a recorded roll call vote for each section upon 2nd reading

No New Fees: Concurrent resolution and roll call vote for any new fees, fines, or penalties

Plug-in Vehicle Tax Credit: Revises definition to state "Plug-In Hybrid" vehicles and gives a tax credit

Department of Administration: SC Government Restructuring Act

Governor Appointment Department of Agriculture: Makes Dept. of Agriculture part of the Executive Department and subject to Governor appointment of Ag Commissioner

Energy Facility Property Tax Breaks: Reduces the amount of tax revenue paid by energy facilities (newly constructed) to local government.

DHEC: Transfers responsibilities of the DHEC Board to the DHEC Director

Transfer Fee Covenants: Imposes fees on the transfer of covenants

Natural Gas Facilities: Establishes safety standards and other specifications for natural gas facilities

Department of Natural Resources: Transfers the Land Resources and Conservation Districts Division from DNR to the Department of Agriculture.