Regulations for electric fences
S.109 would impose regulations on electric fences used in security systems. Installers would be subject to fence height and power limitations, sign posting rules and even a requirement that the battery must be charged primarily by solar panel. Individuals who violate these rules could face fines of up to five thousand dollars. While certain safety […]
Bans cell phones in prisons
S.156 would codify Department of Corrections’ (SCDC) current policy by making it illegal for a person to bring a telecommunication device (including cellphones, laptops and handheld radios) into any state or local prison or jail without permission. A violation of this law would carry a penalty of up to three years in prison and the […]
General Assembly to Censor Video Games and Movies?
Lawmakers often wait until the closing weeks of session to drop their most controversial bills. This year was no exception, with H.5218 and H.5219 aiming to censor gun violence in digital entertainment. The former would make it illegal to sell video games depicting gun violence, and the latter would prohibit theaters or other streaming services […]
Mobile Barber Shops? Good Idea, But Never Mind.
WHY NOT JUST DEREGULATE? Ronald Reagan used to tell a joke that went like this: “Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” Members of the South Carolina House have taken the […]
More ‘Official’ Time-Wasters
WHY MUST THE STATE DECIDE THE RIGHT AND WRONG WAY TO DRAW A TREE? South Carolina faces many problems. The fact that graphic designs of palmetto trees aren’t standardized is not one of them. Nonetheless, H.4201 – co-sponsored by Reps. Martin, Pope, Delleney, and Huggins – addresses this non-problem. The bill would task the director of […]
Friday Follies: Licensing Sign Language Interpreters
WE CAN’T HAVE UNLICENSED INTERPRETERS OUT THERE! You probably didn’t know this, but South Carolina apparently has a problem with unlicensed sign language interpreters. That’s right – using sign language to interpret audible messages without a license. Fortunately, Sen. Katrina Shealy has introduced S. 548 to combat this problem. This bill would license, regulate, and […]
Biz License Reform Bill Not Much of a Reform
BUSINESS LICENSE TAXES ARE CONFUSING AND PUNITIVE. A REFORM BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE WOULD DO NOTHING TO CHANGE THAT. By any reckoning, one of the most widely hated taxes is the business licensing tax – and that’s true in virtually any state or municipality where such a tax is levied. The reason for this dislike […]
H.3218 – Giving DHEC Additional Jurisdiction Over Private Dams
H.3218 expands the definition of “dam” to include dams which could cause serious damage to property or roads if they fail, and removes the specification that the Department of Transportation must be responsible for the road(s) subject to possible damage. This bill would also greatly expand the regulatory jurisdiction of the Department of Health and […]
H.3408 – Free Hunting/Fishing Licenses for Police, Firefighters, State Guard Members
H.3408 would allow police officers, volunteer firefighters, or state guard members who are South Carolina residents to obtain three-year fishing or combination license (a combination license covers big game and migratory waterfowl hunting, hunting on wildlife management area lands, and fishing) for free. It is unclear why public servants should not pay for privileges that all other South […]
H.3409 – Free Museum Admittance for Police, Firefighters, State Guard Members
H.3409 would allow police officers, volunteer firefighters, or state guard members who are South Carolina residents to enter the State Museum for free. It is unclear why public servants should not pay for privileges that all other South Carolinians must pay for. Good government in a free society mandates that everyone be treated equally under the law […]
