WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016
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Wednesday, June 1, 2016
(Statewide Session)
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
The Senate assembled at 11:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the PRESIDENT.
A quorum being present, the proceedings were opened with a devotion by the Chaplain as follows:
In the book of Proverbs we are reminded that:
“Just as water reflects the face, so one human heart reflects another.”
(Proverbs 27:19)
Let us pray:
The sands of time continue falling through the hourglass, O Lord. With precious little time remaining, the members of this Senate still have a number of matters to address, as well as issues that cry out for resolution. We ask with all our heart that You will hold each Senator and every staff member in Your loving embrace, dear God, encouraging them as only You can here in these final days of this regular legislative session. May their debates, their actions, their intentions be genuinely heartfelt, reflecting their commitment to bringing about the very best results, and may every citizen of our State be blessed by their actions. In Your hopeful name we pray, O Lord. Amen.
The PRESIDENT called for Petitions, Memorials, Presentments of Grand Juries and such like papers.
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR
The following appointments were transmitted by the Honorable Nikki Randhawa Haley:
Local Appointments
Reappointment, Greenville County Magistrate, with the term to commence April 30, 2014, and to expire April 30, 2018
Letonya T. Simmons, 202 Twilight Place, Simpsonville, SC 29681
Initial Appointment, Greenville County Magistrate, with the term to commence April 30, 2014, and to expire April 30, 2018
Laura M. Saunders, 228 Cammer Ave., Greenville, SC 29605
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Doctor of the Day
Senator KIMPSON introduced Dr. Hugh Durrence of Charleston, S.C., Doctor of the Day.
Leave of Absence
On motion of Senator MALLOY, at 5:00 P.M., Senator THURMOND was granted a leave of absence for the balance of the day.
Leave of Absence
On motion of Senator CROMER, at 5:00 P.M., Senator CLEARY was granted a leave of absence for the balance of the day.
Leave of Absence
On motion of Senator SHANE MARTIN, at 5:48 P.M., Senator RANKIN was granted a leave of absence for the balance of the day.
Leave of Absence
On motion of Senator JACKSON, at 7:00 P.M., Senator WILLIAMS was granted a leave of absence for the balance of the day.
Expression of Personal Interest
Senator CLEARY rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.
Expression of Personal Interest
Senator DAVIS rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.
Expression of Personal Interest
Senator KIMPSON rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.
Expression of Personal Interest
Senator JOHNSON rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.
Expression of Personal Interest
Senator SETZLER rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.
Remarks by Senator JOHNSON
Thank you Mr. PRESIDENT, members of the Senate. I tried to beat Senator CAMPSEN; I tried to get up here after Senator DAVIS. Senator DAVIS has been giving us some very important stories of folks that he is dealing with on an issue that he is passing. It relates to medical marijuana. I really do appreciate his passion on that issue and when the
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Medical Marijuana Bill came up before the Medical Affairs Committee, I was against it but I stated my reasons why and I will state again why, I am against the Bill.
I am against the Bill because of some conversation that I’ve had with law enforcement on all levels in South Carolina and conversations I’ve had with the medical community -- some in my district and some outside of my district. Also with some issues I think could happen to the State -- I think that it wouldn’t be so good for the State. I applaud his passion and I understand how he feels about people who have some very serious health issues that can possibly be helped, or at least comforted, with the use of medical marijuana or cannabis oil. As I said before, I understand and, I am not saying my position will not ever change, but that is my position as it stands today.
I want to talk about Medicaid expansion. Although it’s been well documented by Senator DAVIS that the use of medical marijuana or cannabis oil will benefit people who have health issues, I still have a sincere and a deep concern for folks who have health issues across the spectrum that cannot even get those issues addressed because they don’t have access to health insurance and quality health care. I think there are a lot more people in South Carolina, depending on what you look at -- several hundred thousand people could have a healthier life and live longer if they had access to health insurance. I just want to make that point because I’ve heard Senators and heard their passion and plea for certain segments, but we have a lot of South Carolinians that can’t even get health care because they can’t afford it, it’s not available to them, or they don’t have access to it. Expanding Medicaid will help them. If we really want to help people live healthier, live longer, have access to quality care, and not have them run to the emergency room for the most expensive type of health care that they would not be able to pay for and that the hospitals and health care facilities would not be able to collect from -- I still say that we need to take a look at Medicaid expansion and I would hope that those of us that really are passionate about plight of the health care of South Carolina citizens will join me. I will be making that push again in January so let’s put politics aside and let’s try to help the hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians gain or have access to quality health insurance. Thank you.
On motion of Senator NICHOLSON, with unanimous consent, the remarks of Senator JOHNSON, were ordered printed in the Journal.
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RECALLED AND ADOPTED
H.5419 -- Rep. W.J.McLeod: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DECLARE MAY 2016 “ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH” IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS TO ESTABLISH AND PRACTICE ELECTRICAL SAFETY HABITS IN THE HOME, SCHOOL, AND WORKPLACE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ELECTRICALLYRELATED FIRES, INJURIES, AND DEATHS.
Senator ALEXANDER asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Concurrent Resolution from the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
The Concurrent Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
Senator ALEXANDER asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take the Concurrent Resolution up for immediate consideration.
There was no objection.
The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Concurrent Resolution.
The question then was the adoption of the Concurrent Resolution.
On motion of Senator ALEXANDER the Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered sent to the House.
RECALLED AND ADOPTED
H.4322 -- Rep. Anderson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF SIMS STREET IN THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH NORTH CONGDON STREET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH NORTH MERRIMAN ROAD “MARINE CORPORAL NATHANIEL JACKSON MEMORIAL STREET” AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS STREET THAT CONTAIN THIS DESIGNATION.
Senator GROOMS asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Concurrent Resolution from the Committee on Transportation.
Senator GROOMS asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take the Concurrent Resolution up for immediate consideration.
There was no objection.
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The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Concurrent Resolution. The question then was the adoption of the Concurrent Resolution.
On motion of Senator GROOMS, the Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered sent to the House.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
The following were introduced:
S. 1365 -- Senator Alexander: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR EDWARDS PRINTING, LLC IN WESTMINSTER FOR CONSISTENTLY EMPLOYING THOSE WITH DISABILITIES AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON BEING NAMED "MEDIUM EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR" BY THE GOVERNOR'S COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 1366 -- Senators Leatherman, Campbell, Grooms and Campsen: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE BOEING COMPANY ON THE OCCASION OF CELEBRATING ITS CENTENNIAL AND TO THANK THE COMPANY FOR ITS MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 1367 -- Senators Gambrell, Alexander, Allen, Bennett, Bright, Bryant, Campbell, Campsen, Cleary, Coleman, Corbin, Courson, Cromer, Davis, Fair, Gregory, Grooms, Hayes, Hembree, Hutto, Jackson, Johnson, Kimpson, Leatherman, Lourie, Malloy, L. Martin, S. Martin, Massey, J. Matthews, M. B. Matthews, McElveen, Nicholson, Peeler, Rankin, Reese, Sabb, Scott, Setzler, Shealy, Sheheen, Thurmond, Turner, Verdin, Williams and Young: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE BELTON-HONEA PATH HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO
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CONGRATULATE THEM FOR CAPTURING THE 2016 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 1368 -- Senator Williams: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE AYNOR HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE SOUTH CAROLINA 2016 CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
H. 5402 -- Rep. Alexander: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF THE PAMPLICO HIGHWAY IN FLORENCE COUNTY FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH FLOWERS ROAD TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH BRANCH ROAD "CHIEF APOSTLE FRED GRAHAM HIGHWAY" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY CONTAINING THIS DESIGNATION.
On motion of Senator GROOMS, with unanimous consent, the Concurrent Resolution was adopted and returned to the House.
H. 5404 -- Rep. W. J. McLeod: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 26/SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 773 INTERCHANGE IN NEWBERRY COUNTY THE "SENATOR TOM POPE INTERCHANGE" IN HONOR OF FORMER SENATOR TOM POPE AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS REFLECTING THIS DESIGNATION.
The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.
H. 5405 -- Rep. W. J. McLeod: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 26/SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 202 INTERCHANGE IN NEWBERRY COUNTY THE "SENATOR EUGENE GRIFFITH INTERCHANGE" IN HONOR OF FORMER
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SENATOR EUGENE GRIFFITH AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS REFLECTING THIS DESIGNATION.
On motion of Senator GROOMS, with unanimous consent, the Concurrent Resolution was adopted and returned to the House.
H. 5416 -- Rep. G. A. Brown: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE INTERSECTION LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 401 AND DOG ISLAND ROAD IN LEE COUNTY "ATKINSON CROSSROADS" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS THAT CONTAIN THIS DESIGNATION.
The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.
H. 5420 -- Rep. Daning: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PLACE SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF CROWFIELD BOULEVARD AND UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 176, AND AT THE INTERSECTION OF CROWFIELD BOULEVARD AND COLLEGE PARK ROAD IN BERKELEY COUNTY THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "HOME OF THE STRATFORD HIGH SCHOOL LADY KNIGHTS, THE 2016 AAAA STATE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS".
On motion of Senator GROOMS, with unanimous consent, the Concurrent Resolution was adopted and returned to the House.
H. 5454 -- Reps. Bernstein and J. E. Smith: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE JOEL LOURIE FOR HIS TWELVE YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF SENATE DISTRICT 22 IN KERSHAW AND RICHLAND COUNTIES AND SIX YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF HOUSE DISTRICT 78 IN RICHLAND COUNTY AND TO WISH HIM CONTENTMENT AND SUCCESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.
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H. 5455 -- Reps. Rutherford, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Anthony, Atwater, Bales, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bedingfield, Bernstein, Bingham, Bowers, Bradley, Brannon, G. A. Brown, R. L. Brown, Burns, Chumley, Clary, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cole, Collins, Corley, H. A. Crawford, Crosby, Daning, Delleney, Dillard, Douglas, Duckworth, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrester, Fry, Funderburk, Gagnon, George, Gilliard, Goldfinch, Govan, Hamilton, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hicks, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hodges, Horne, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Johnson, Jordan, Kennedy, King, Kirby, Knight, Limehouse, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mack, McCoy, McEachern, McKnight, M. S. McLeod, W. J. McLeod, Merrill, Mitchell, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Nanney, Neal, Newton, Norman, Norrell, Ott, Parks, Pitts, Pope, Putnam, Quinn, Ridgeway, Riley, Rivers, Robinson-Simpson, Ryhal, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, Sottile, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stringer, Tallon, Taylor, Thayer, Tinkler, Toole, Weeks, Wells, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis and Yow: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE COLUMBIA COLLEGE WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP IN SOUTH CAROLINA COURSE FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP IN THE PALMETTO STATE.
The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.
Message from the House
Columbia, S.C., June 1, 2016
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it insists upon the amendments proposed by the House to:
S.913 -- Senators L.Martin, Davis, Hembree, Fair and Malloy: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 30-4-50 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS, 1976, RELATING TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, TO INCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE MOUNTED VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDINGS IN THE LIST OF SPECIFIC CATEGORIES OF INFORMATION THAT IS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, AND TO PROVIDE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT MAY APPLY FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT IF THERE IS CLEAR AND