TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2008

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 12:00 noon.

Deliberations were opened with prayer by Rev. Charles E. Seastrunk, Jr., as follows:

Our thought for today is from Isaiah 40:31: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Let us pray. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth. Thank You for preserving us during the last year and renewing our strength, courage, and integrity as we begin a new year in service to You and the people of this State. Instill in each the will, the desire, and the courage to do what needs to be done. Bless our Nation, President, Governor, State, Speaker, and this Honorable Assembly as we do Your will. Protect our defenders of freedom at home and abroad as they protect us. In the name of the Lord our God. Amen.

Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by the SPEAKER.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of Friday, August 3, 2007, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.

MOTION ADOPTED

Rep. HARRELL moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of Ethlyn Davis Hutto of Orangeburg, which was agreed to.

COMMUNICATION

The following was received:

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE

November 15, 2007

House of Representatives

Mr. Charles F. Reid

Clerk of the House

Post Office Box 11867

Columbia, SC 29211

Dear Mr. Reid:

The State Election Commission has certified to this office that the Honorable Shannon Erickson received the greatest number of votes cast for the House of Representatives, House District No. 124, in a special election held in Beaufort County on October twenty-third, 2007.

The Honorable Shannon Erickson is hereby certified as the duly and properly elected member of the House of Representatives, House District No. 124.

Sincerely,

Mark Hammond

Secretary of State

Received as information.

COMMUNICATION

The following was received:

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE

December 17, 2007

House of Representatives

Mr. Charles F. Reid

Clerk of the House

Post Office Box 11867

Columbia, SC 29211

Dear Mr. Reid:

The State Election Commission has certified to this office that the Honorable Heyward Hutson received the greatest number of votes cast for the House of Representatives, House District No. 94, in a special election held in Charleston and Dorchester Counties on December fourth, 2007.

The Honorable Heyward Hutson is hereby certified as the duly and properly elected member of the House of Representatives, House District No. 94.

Sincerely,

Mark Hammond

Secretary of State

Received as information.

MEMBER-ELECT SWORN IN

Mrs. Shannon Erickson, Member-elect from District No. 124, presented her credentials and the oath of office was administered to her by the SPEAKER.

MEMBER-ELECT SWORN IN

Mr. Heyward Hutson, Member-elect from District No. 94, presented his credentials and the oath of office was administered to him by the SPEAKER.

RESIGNATION

The following was received:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 22, 2007

The Honorable Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

Speaker, South Carolina House of Representatives

Post Office Box 11867

Columbia, SC 29211

Dear Speaker Harrell:

It is with pleasant memories and much pride in our accomplishments that I am submitting to you this letter of resignation from the South Carolina House of Representatives effective December 1, 2007.

As I hope you know, I have only the utmost respect for you and the fine men and women of the House. But, life often presents new challenges and new opportunities, and I have encountered one such moment. I have recently been offered a full-time position with the Lowcountry Graduate Center, and believe that accepting it is in the best interest of my family and me.

I also know that it would be unfair to my constituents to provide anything less than my undivided attention. Therefore, I am relinquishing my position so the fine people of Berkeley County can elect a new representative who has the ability to treat this position as the full-time job that we know it truly is.

Thank you for your kindness, leadership, and friendship over the years. I look forward to seeing you soon and appreciate your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Shirley R. Hinson

South Carolina House of Representatives

Received as information.

COMMITTEE OFFICERS

The following was received:

August 9, 2007

House of Representatives

Mr. Charles F. Reid

Clerk of the House

Post Office Box 11867

Columbia, SC 29211

Dear Mr. Reid:

I am writing to inform you of the newly elected officers to the House Rules Committee. The new Chairman is W. Brian White; the new Vice-Chairman is Alan D. Clemmons. These elections took place because the former chairman, Converse A. Chellis III, resigned from the South Carolina House of Representatives on August 3, 2007, to become the South Carolina State Treasurer.

If you have any questions or would like me to provide further information, please contact me at 803-734-3113. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Adam Anderson

Research Assistant, House Ethics & Rules Committees

Received as information.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The following was received:

November 7, 2007

The Honorable McLain R. “Mac” Toole

South Carolina House of Representatives

180 Dogwood Circle

West Columbia, South Carolina 29170

Dear Mac:

It is with pleasure that I appoint you to serve on the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, effective today. I know that you will serve on this committee with honor and distinction.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

Speaker of the House

Received as information.

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The following was received:

November 7, 2007

The Honorable Phillip W. Shoopman

South Carolina House of Representatives

4455 Skyland Drive

Greer, South Carolina 29651

Dear Phillip:

It is with pleasure that I appoint you to serve on the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, effective today. I know that you will serve on this committee with honor and distinction.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

Speaker of the House

Received as information.

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The following was received:

November 7, 2007

The Honorable James E. “Jim” Stewart, Jr.

South Carolina House of Representatives

584 Beaver Dam Road

Aiken, South Carolina 29805

Dear Jim:

It is with pleasure that I appoint you to serve on the Education and Public Works Committee, effective today. I know that you will serve on this committee with honor and distinction.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

Speaker of the House

Received as information.

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The following was received:

November 7, 2007

The Honorable J. Michael Mulvaney

South Carolina House of Representatives

550 Ralph Hood Road

Indian Land, South Carolina 29715

Dear Mick:

It is with pleasure that I appoint you to serve on the Judiciary Committee, effective today. I know that you will serve on this committee with honor and distinction.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

Speaker of the House

Received as information.

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The following was received:

November 7, 2007

The Honorable Leonidas E. Stavrinakis

South Carolina House of Representatives

1101 Lining Lane

Charleston, South Carolina 29407

Dear Leon:

It is with pleasure that I appoint you to serve on the Judiciary Committee, effective today. I know that you will serve on this committee with honor and distinction.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

Speaker of the House

Received as information.

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The following was received:


December 13, 2007

The Honorable Joan B. Brady

South Carolina House of Representatives

1101 Lining Lane

Charleston, South Carolina 29407

Dear Joan:

It is with pleasure that I appoint you to serve on the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, effective today. I know that you will serve on this committee with honor and distinction.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

Speaker of the House

Received as information.

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The following was received:

December 13, 2007

The Honorable Robert W. “Bob” Leach, Sr.

South Carolina House of Representatives

Post Office Box 25503

Greenville, South Carolina 29616

Dear Bob:

It is with pleasure that I appoint you to serve on the Ways and Means Committee, effective today. I know that you will serve on this committee with honor and distinction.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

Speaker of the House

Received as information.

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The following was received:

January 4, 2008

The Honorable Phillip W. Shoopman

South Carolina House of Representatives

4455 Skyland Drive

Greer, South Carolina 29651

Dear Phillip:

It is with pleasure that I appoint you to serve on the Rules Committee, effective today. I know that you will serve on this committee with honor and distinction.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

Speaker of the House

Received as information.

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The following was received:

January 4, 2008

The Honorable Don C. Bowen

South Carolina House of Representatives

1176 Embassy Drive

Anderson, South Carolina 29625

Dear Don:

It is with pleasure that I appoint you to serve on the Education and Public Works Committee, effective today. I know that you will serve on this committee with honor and distinction.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.


Sincerely,

Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

Speaker of the House

Received as information.

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The following was received:

January 4, 2008

The Honorable Shannon S. Erickson

South Carolina House of Representatives

129 South Hermitage Road

Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Dear Shannon:

It is with pleasure that I appoint you to serve on the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee, effective today. I know that you will serve on this committee with honor and distinction.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

Speaker of the House

Received as information.

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The following was received:

January 4, 2008

The Honorable Heyward G. Hutson

South Carolina House of Representatives

215 Golf Road

Summerville, South Carolina 29483

Dear Heyward:

It is with pleasure that I appoint you to serve on the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, effective today. I know that you will serve on this committee with honor and distinction.

I look forward to working with you in the coming year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Harrell, Jr.

Speaker of the House

Received as information.

CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT

The following was received:

State of South Carolina

Office of the Governor

Columbia, S.C., December 14, 2008

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives:

I am transmitting herewith an interim appointment for confirmation. This appointment is made with advice and consent of the General Assembly and is, therefore, submitted for your consideration.

Statewide Appointment

State Ethics Commission

Term Commencing: June 30, 2003

Term Expiring: June 30, 2008

Seat: 3rd CD

Vice: John L. Cannon

Initial Appointment

Mrs. E. Kay Biermann Brohl

48 Cherry Hills Drive

Aiken, South Carolina 29803


Respectfully,

Mark Sanford

Governor

The appointment was confirmed and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.

INVITATIONS

On motion of Rep. LEACH, with unanimous consent, the following were taken up for immediate consideration and accepted:

October 1, 2007

The Honorable Robert W. Leach, Sr.

Chairman, House Invitations Committee

503-A Blatt Building

Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Chairman Leach:

On behalf of the Association of Cosmetology Salon Professionals the Members and staff of the House of Representatives are invited to a breakfast. This event will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in Room 112 of the Blatt Building.

Sincerely,

Catherine Stabler

ACSP President

November 12, 2007

The Honorable Robert W. Leach, Sr.

Chairman, House Invitations Committee

503-A Blatt Building

Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Chairman Leach:

On behalf of the City of Columbia the Members and staff of the House of Representatives are invited to a reception. This event will be held on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at EdVenture Children’s Museum.

Sincerely,

Robert D. Coble

Mayor

November 9, 2007

The Honorable Robert W. Leach, Sr.

Chairman, House Invitations Committee