Texting, taxes on minds with new bills

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina lawmakers filed bills Tuesday that would outlaw texting while driving and offer new tax breaks.

They are a couple of the measures among 51 bills and resolutions filed in the House as legislators get a head start on the January session.

Most of the attention, however, will be on a resolution that calls for impeaching Gov. Mark Sanford. Legislators fear that effort will mire the Legislature.

The legislation all taps into themes that have played well nationally or in South Carolina.

Rep. Don Bowen, R-Anderson, filed a bill that would let police seize a phone to find out if someone was texting while driving when they were stopped. And if they were involved in an accident without injuries they'd face up to 60 days in jail, $2,500 fine and a license suspension for a year. If a death was involved, they'd be sent to prison for up to 25 years.

Meanwhile, Rep. Garry Smith, R-Simpsonville, filed a bill that cell phone use should be a factor in determining who was at fault in car accidents that result in lawsuits.

While cell phones may be a problem on roads, state Rep. Herb Kirsh, D-Clover filed a bill that would outlaw cell phones on prison property, unless they're locked in a car. People who give a cell phone to an inmate could be sent to prison for a year.

Sellers also filed a bill requiring parents to keep their children in safety seats until they're 8 years old, up from the current law's 5-year-old limit. And he wrote a bill that makes it optional for courts to suspend licenses of people convicted of marijuana or hashish possession.

Property tax breaks were big with lawmakers in a year where local and state governments are struggling to balance budgets. One filed by state Rep. Tim Scott, R-Charleston, would double the tax exemption on homes for seniors. The state is expected to put more than $193 million into the homestead exemption during the upcoming budget year.

Meanwhile, Rep. Mike Pitts, R-Laurens, introduced a bill that would let livestock operations skip sales taxes when they buy all-terrain vehicles.

And Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, says teachers of 4-year-old kindergarten shouldn't be required to visit their students' homes.

Some school districts require home visits to give teachers a better understanding of their students' backgrounds, and to help parents and the tykes feel comfortable with the teacher. But Smith said teachers often must make the trips after regular hours and worry for their safety.

"The perception is, it's dangerous in some of these places. Teachers are worried about visiting homes where they feel they're not safe, especially in the evenings," Smith said.