Legislative eNews-April 13, 2007
LOCAL
County Business License Audits
The Beaufort County Administrator reported that in the coming weeks he will solicit bids for an outside firm to begin the audit of unincorporated Beaufort County businesses to improve compliance with the county’s business license program. Under an ordinance passed late last year, the federal immigration status of the business’ employees would be considered in obtaining and maintaining a Beaufort County business license, but not until 2008. Ordinance enforcement and penalty provisions do not go into effect until 2008. The cost of the audit would be $210,000 in the first year and the County anticipates auditing 25 percent of current business license holders.
Bluffton Town Council Votes to End Annexation Moratorium
The Bluffton Town Council voted 3-2 last week to end a moratorium on future annexations. The moratorium had been put in place last year to allow town staff to complete a comprehensive plan to guide the town in its growth planning. The comprehensive plan is expected to be completed in May or June.
Beaufort County Unemployment
Beaufort County’s claim to have the lowest unemployment in the state is in jeopardy after unexpectedly higher unemployment numbers in February and January. Beaufort County's unemployment rate was the third from the lowest in February, behind Dorchester, Charleston and Lexington counties, which had unemployment rates of 5.1 percent, 4.8 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively. Marion County was the highest at 13.6 percent.
The Lowcountry Council on Governments reports that the change could relate to slowing construction and the traditional winter lag in employment for the travel and tourism industry. It is also notable that the Beaufort rate of 5.1 was above 5.0, which is considered by economists to be full employment.
STATE
Jasper County Port
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue announced a six-member task force to develop a joint proposal for the Jasper port that would be owned, developed, and operated by the two states. Appointed from South Carolina are: Tom Davis, Gov. Sanford's chief of staff; Bill Stern, chairman of the South Carolina State Ports Authority; and Bill Bethea, former Ports Authority chairman. Appointed from Georgia are: Jim Lientz, Gov. Perdue's chief operating officer; Sen. Jack Hill; and Jim Balloun, former CEO of Acuity Brands. The joint task force will be responsible for overseeing the near-term permitting and contracting for the port’s development.
Smoking Ban Legislation
Smoking in indoor public places across South Carolina would be banned under a plan that emerged from a state Senate panel last week. Bars would be able to obtain special licenses allowing patrons to light up. The proposal would allow bar owners to get smoking licenses from the state only if their businesses are not attached to a restaurant. Cigar parlors, private clubs and designated hotel rooms would be exempt under the measure, which heads to the full Senate Judiciary Committee.
The Town of Hilton Head Island smoking ban will go into effect on May 1, 2007.
Cigarette Tax Increase Passes the House Committee
The House Ways and Means Committee passed a bill this week to increase the state’s cigarette tax by 30 cents per pack, to 37 cents, and lowering the state grocery tax by 1.5 cents. The extra revenue would be directed to fund health care programs in the state.
Bill to Elect SC Insurance Director
The state Insurance Department director would be elected by voters rather than appointed by the governor under a proposal passed last week by a Senate subcommittee. Scott Richardson, the current insurance director and former state senator from Hilton Head Island, was appointed to the position in February. Under the bill, the first election for insurance director would be in four years.
Hilton Head Island Airport Update
Discussions between Beaufort County and the Town of Hilton Head on how to cut trees around the airport to adhere to FAA requirements were slowed last week. The Town and the County continue discussions on permitting and other town and county code requirements to begin the clearing process.
The Hilton Head Town Council meets Tuesday, April 17 at 4:00 pm to consider a recommendation to amend the town’s Land Management Ordinance which would limit the length of the airport runway to its existing length and require new airport hangars to be buffered by 150 feet from the road.
FEDERAL
National Flood Insurance Program Bill Introduced in the US House
Reps. Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced H.R. 1682, the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007. The legislation will reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and ensure its continued viability by increasing accountability, and eliminating some Federal subsidies.
Under the bill, the NFIP would provide flood insurance that could not be purchased in the private marketplace to homeowners, renters and business owners in more than 20,000 communities across the country. The bill requires greater accountability and financial responsibility for the NFIP. FEMA would be required to report to Congress on the financial status of the NFIP and conduct a thorough review of the nation’s flood maps. The bill makes the updating and modernization of flood maps an ongoing process, and calls for greater disclosures to consumers about flood insurance. The NFIP borrowing authority would be increased to ensure that all outstanding claims and Federal obligations are paid. The bill increases the amount FEMA can raise policy rates in any given year from 10 percent to 15 percent. And, in order to help ensure that those homeowners who should have flood insurance do have flood insurance, the bill increases the fines on lenders who do not enforce the mandatory flood insurance policy purchase requirement for those who live in floodplains and hold a federally-backed mortgage.
Federal Immigration Update
On Monday, President Bush outlined the latest version of his plan to overhaul the nation's immigration laws. President Bush said the overhaul should combine increased border security and added pressure on employers who hire illegal immigrants with a legal avenue for large numbers of guest workers to come into the country, while resolving the status of undocumented workers already here.
The President’s staff and Republican Senators have been working on a comprehensive immigration reform bill. Under the proposal, undocumented workers could apply for three-year work visas, renewable at a cost of $3,500 each time. To become legal permanent residents, they would have to return to their home countries, apply for reentry at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and pay a $10,000 fine.
Last year, Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and John McCain (R-AZ) led the effort with a bipartisan immigration reform bill which passed the Senate but could not be reconciled with a very different bill passed by House Republicans.
This year, Democratic leadership in the House are drafting legislation. The House Democrat bill with the White House/Senate Republican proposal, and a possible bipartisan bill in the Senate, the dynamics Capitol Hill have changed since the last congress. It appears this divisive issue will continue to dominate the national political scene for much of the year. The Senate has allotted time for consideration of immigration before its Memorial Day recess, but that date could be postponed.
US Senate Opens Possibility for Small Business Health Plans
The Senate Budget Committee unanimously approved an amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution that provides the necessary financial foundation for any proposal to create a market-based pooling plan for small business healthcare insurance. The amendment creates a deficit-neutral reserve fund that would be used if the Senate develops a bill to allow market-based small business health care pooling plans. This is a positive step forward in the Senate, which has not yet garnered enough bipartisan votes to approve the small business health plans.
