Workforce and Regulation

Don't ignore these red flags in South Carolina's energy mega-bill

Update 4/4/24: The bill passed the House and is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.    RATEPAYERS COULD BE CHARGED FOR ABANDONED UTILITY PROJECTS A massive utility bill (H.5118) awaiting debate on the floor of the S.C. House threatens to blur the line between economic development and energy policy. To...

  • Don't ignore these red flags in South Carolina's energy mega-bill

    Update 4/4/24: The bill passed the House and is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.    RATEPAYERS COULD BE CHARGED FOR ABANDONED UTILITY PROJECTS A massive utility bill (H.5118) awaiting debate on the floor of the S.C. House threatens to blur the line between economic development and energy policy. To...
  • Energy mega-bill reduces checks and balances, pushes new ecodevo projects

    Update 3/20/24: The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee on Wednesday advanced the bill with amendments. Certain details in this summary may not be reflective of the amended bill. Read our updated summary here.  A massive energy bill (H.5118) gaining steam in the House bears resemblance to past legislation that wound up...
  • Alcohol delivery bill watered down by regulations, licensing requirements

    A bill (H.4364) recently passed by the S.C. House would allow retailers to offer curbside pickup or at-home delivery of beer and wine, subject to licensing requirements, fees and other regulations.
  • Analysis: SC lending bill would reduce consumer options, harm competition

    A proposal filed this year would reduce the financial options available to S.C. consumers and could force lenders to exit the state. The Senate bill (S.910) aims to heavily restrict lenders’ ability to market their products, among other measures, potentially making South Carolina untenable for business and cutting off borrowers’...
  • An interest rate cap would harm SC consumers, reduce options

    A legislative proposal filed this year would reduce the borrowing options available to South Carolina consumers and could force lenders to leave the state. The Senate bill (S.518) would set a 36% cap on the annual percentage interest rate (APR) that can be charged for loans, which risks cutting off...
  • McMaster signs bipartisan bill to expedite road work

    On Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law a unanimously passed bill (S.361) that will speed up road improvement projects in South Carolina. The bill simplifies how construction contracts that are awarded by S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) can be extended to include more work.
  • South Carolina should remove its cap on title insurance commission

    South Carolina unnecessarily regulates the relationship between title insurance agencies and their underwriters. A recently filed state House bill would embrace the free-market system and allow the two parties to negotiate commission payments on their own terms. Title insurance is a way to protect yourself from financial loss and related legal expenses...
  • Bridging the divide: A balanced approach to short-term rental regulation

    The annual college football game between South Carolina and Georgia kicks off in Columbia this weekend, and local short-term renters couldn’t be happier. A recent search of Airbnb listings in Columbia indicated that far more homes were booked ahead for gameday weekend than the weekend prior (when the UofSC football team was out of...
  • As session wraps up, promising bills near the finish line

    South Carolina’s regular legislative session ends May 12, meaning just three weeks remain (including this one) to send most bills to the governor’s desk for signing. Fortunately, there’s some great legislation near the finish line.  Below is an overview of these proposals, several of which SCPC has supported or sought...
  • Analysis: Bill would let for-profit pipeline companies take citizens’ property

    A House committee this week deliberated a bill that would allow for-profit pipeline companies to take citizens’ property using eminent domain. Two similar bills were filed in 2020.