Legislators pile on bills for January

Immigration, erosion among prefiled issues

Immigration, erosion among prefiled issues

COLUMBIA — Immigration may be a focus for state legislators in 2008, but plenty more proposals are sure to draw debate this upcoming election year, such as mandatory sprinklers for public buildings, penalties for cranking up a car stereo and additional oversight for young drivers.

There were 98 bills introduced this week in the second and final round of advance filing before the Legislature reconvenes Jan. 8. The bills also reveal potential solutions for a number of weighty problems the state faces, including a disparity in the interest rates blacks and whites pay for mortgages in the Charleston area, beach erosion at Wild Dunes and traffic congestion in Summerville.

Every seat in the 170-member Legislature will be up for election, a dynamic that's sure to add color. Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, who prefiled a bill exempting military personnel from participating in mandatory hunting training courses, said the session is expected to be marked by some of the same issues dominating the presidential election.

"We're addressing the issues which the public is screaming the loudest about — illegal immigration, spending, earmarks," Smith said.

Dozens of bills have been filed intended to crack down on illegal immigration, while a handful aimed at curbing state spending were introduced amid forecasts of an economic slowdown.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell sponsored a bill that seeks to stop hidden earmarks in the state's budget, a practice that's raised much contention on the federal level.

"This is the taxpayers' money we are talking about; they have the right to know exactly how it is being spent," Harrell, R-Charleston, said in a statement. The bill requires legislators to attach their names and a description of the project to be funded, which isn't the practice now.

Here's a look at some of the bills up for consideration:

--Sen. David Thomas, R-Seneca, wants sprinkler systems installed in all commercial and industrial buildings. The bill also calls for income tax credits to offset the cost and requires insurance premium credits. Earlier this month, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, submitted a bill that would use financial incentives to encourage businesses to install sprinklers.

--Sen. Randy Scott, R-Summerville, proposed statewide penalties, including a fine between $200 and $500, for playing music so loudly it is audible outside the vehicle. Scott said the bill is intended to strengthen local noise ordinances. "The vulgar and illicit music, a lot of people are offended by that and don't want to hear it," he said. "It's like someone blowing smoke in your face."

--Rep. Chip Huggins, R-Columbia, submitted a bill that says drivers younger than 18 would not be allowed to drive between midnight and 6 a.m. without a parent, much like the restrictions in place for beginning drivers.

--Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, is a sponsor of a bill aimed at correcting the disparity between the interest rates blacks and whites pay for mortgages in South Carolina. It prohibits lenders from certain practices, mandates more industry oversight and requires specific disclosures to the public.

--Sens. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, and McConnell are sponsors of two bills that seek to designate funds for road improvements and construction. One bill, supported by several important House members, including Harrell, would direct money from the car sales tax, which is expected to generate $91 million this year, to the state Transportation Infrastructure Bank.

--The bank has promised to fund a variety of local projects, including a new Interstate 26 interchange in Berkeley County, improving congested traffic arteries around Summerville and expanding the Interstate 526 interchange at U.S. Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant.

Reach Yvonne M. Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.

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