The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce is committed to keeping our region competitive and improving the business climate. Through the legislative process, the Chamber works on behalf of its members to advocate for policies that contribute to the economic prosperity of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. This year we worked to advance legislation in the following priority areas: Economic Development Criminal Justice Reform - support full exemption of military - advance responsible reforms retirement income from state tax, to strengthen public safety, support funding for statewide reduce recidivism and address military retention plan and ensure workforce needs the future energy needs of residents and businesses are met Taxes & Regulation - support state incentives to attract Talent high-impact jobs, reauthorize the Angel - secure funding to renovate Trident Investor Tax Credit program, remove Technical College’s Berkeley Campus the uncertainty of indefinite automatic and allow for a one-time expungement stay and protect existing manufacturing of minor, non-violent drug crimes facilities from frivolus litigation To view the full Legislative Agenda and Guiding Principles, visit www.charlestonchamber.org/legislativeagenda CHAMPIONS OF BUSINESS Thanks in large part to the leadership From the South Carolina Senate: shown by the Charleston region • Senator Sean Bennett delegation in the House and Senate, • Senator Paul Campbell we ended the 2018 Legislative • Senator Chip Campsen Session with three major public • Senator Stephen Goldfinch policy victories with a fourth likely. • Senator Larry Grooms On critical votes this year, 22 of our • Senator Sandy Senn 29 delegation members voted at or above 75% with the Charleston Metro Chamber’s Legislative Agenda. From the South Carolina Those 22 are our 2018 Champions House of Representatives: of Business. • Representative Katie Arrington • Representative Lin Bennett • Representative Bill Crosby CHAMPIONS • Representative Joe Danning • Representative Sylleste Davis OF BUSINESS • Representative Wendell Gilliard RECIPIENTS • Representative Lee Hewitt • Representative Joe Jefferson VOTED AT LEAST • Representative Patsy Knight 75% FOR • Representative Nancy Mace • Representative David Mack CHAMBER • Representative Peter McCoy PRIORITY ISSUES • Representative Chris Murphy THIS YEAR. • Representative Samuel Rivers • Representative Mike Sottile • Representative Leon Stavrinakis LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES S.105 Automatic Stay This legislation removes the indefinite automatic stay making it much more difficult for outside groups to shut down the permitting process for road and 8 development projects in the Administrative Law Court. 1 0 Previously, a $600 fee and postage to file could stop a 2 - project in its tracks for up to two years. The legislation 2 1 provides a timeline for cases to be heard by the - 3 courts, and requires plantifs to show cause that the ed project will be harmful to people or the environment, Sign as well as, potentially pay a bond to cover legal costs. This legislation is critically important for any major infrastructure projects in the Lowcountry. H.3653 Nuisance Lawsuits This legislation protects existing manufacturers and industrial facilities from frivolous litigation and 8 1 legal expenses as residential growth moves closer. 0 2 - The law will restrict frivolous lawsuits, create more 2 certainty for the homeowners and businesses and 1 - minimizes legal expenses for both. Homeowners still 2 retain the ability to file a nuisance lawsuit if there is a d igne change in production of the manufacturer beyond S their local, state and federal permits. H.3209 Workforce Expungement This legislation addresses our state’s workforce shortage by improving pathways to employment for those previously incarcerated for non-violent 8 1 offenses. There are thousands of people who are 0 2 unable to enter the workforce due to a minor mistake - made years earlier. This bill allows for a one-time 2 1 - expungement of minor non-violent drug crimes, 7 which will help to expand our workforce. It also ed adds employer liability protection. This legislation Sign had to overcome a veto by the Governor, but was overridden by overwhelming margins in both the House and Senate. S.404 / 1043 High Impact Incentives S.404 language was added to S.1043, a bill dealing with abandoned building tax credits, in the waning hours of session. The Senate used this method because the House Ways and Means Committee had not taken up S.404. S.404 is a jobs tax credit for qualifying legal, accounting, banking, investment services operations and other fields to help economic developers attract high-impact jobs that do not meet current incentive programs. Current incentive packages are geared toward manufacturing. This adds another g n i tool to the state’s economic development tool box. d n e Both the House and Senate voted on the final day to P e support the conference report of S.1043. However, t o the following week the Governor vetoed S.1043, citing V e concern of late additions to the bill. The General d rri Assembly agreed to meet in September to take up Ove the vetoes on the budget and Chamber staff feels reasonably confident that the General Assembly will also vote to override the Governor’s veto on S.1043. Key: Y – voted with us N – voted against us NV – did not vote NV / A – did not vote excused absence H.3209 H.3209 S.105 H.3653 Workforce Expungement Workforce Expungement Automatic Stay Nuisance Lawsuits S.1043 Final Reading Veto Override Final Reading Final Reading High Impact Incentives SENATE Sean Bennett Y Y Y Y Y Paul Campbell Y Y Y Y Y Chip Campsen Y Y Y N Y Stephen Goldfinch Y Y Y Y Y Larry Grooms Y Y Y Y Y Marlon Kimpson Y Y N N Y John Matthews NV Y Y N Y Margie Bright Matthews Y Y Y N Y Ronnie Sabb Y Y Y N Y Sandy Senn N N Y Y Y HOUSE Katie Arrington Y NV / A Y Y NV / A Lin Bennett N Y Y Y Y Robert Brown Y Y N N Y William Cogswell NV / A Y N NV / A NV Bill Crosby Y Y Y Y Y Joe Daning Y Y Y NV Y Sylleste Davis Y Y Y Y Y Wendall Gilliard Y Y N Y NV Lee Hewitt Y Y Y Y Y Joe Jefferson Y NV / A Y Y Y Patsy Knight Y Y NV Y Y Nancy Mace Y Y Y Not in the House yet Y David Mack Y Y N Y Y Peter McCoy Y Y N Y Y Chris Murphy Y Y Y NV / A Y Marvin Pendarvis Y Y N Not in the House yet Y Samuel Rivers Y NV Y Y Y Mike Sottile Y Y NV / A Y Y Leon Stavrinakis Y Y N Y Y UNFINISHED LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2019 The following public policy priorities did not cross the finish line in 2018. We will continue working to advance these important outcomes for the business community statewide. Business Liceness Fee Reform The Chamber will continue to push for legislation that streamlines and standardizes the license fee process with common payment dates. It is critical for businesses that operate in multiple municipalities to have uniformity in the business license process statewide. Legislation was considered in the House early in 2017 but didn’t make it to the floor for a vote. Capital Improvement Bond Bill Money generated by a bond bill will be used by state agencies, colleges, universities and technical schools for capital and technology improvements. Next year, the Chamber will continue to push for the passage of the first bond bill in over 18 years. Angel Investor Tax Credit Reauthorization The Angel Investor Tax Credit provides assistance to investors who put their capital in small growing businesses. South Carolina’s current program has been beneficial for expanding small businesses. The Charleston Metro Chamber was integral in the passage of the initial bill, which will sunset in 2019. This will be a top priority for the Chamber next year. Full Exemption of Military Retirement Benefits The Chamber will work with the South Carolina Military Base Task Force to push full exemption of military retirees from the state income tax. Two years ago, the General Assembly increased the tax deductions for military retirement benefits significantly, however this remains a critical need to recruit and retain military retirees to our region. Criminal Justice Reform A special committee will continue to meet over the fall to create new legislation aimed at responsible reforms to the criminal justice system that strengthen public safety, reduce the likelihood of repeat offenders and address workforce needs. The Chamber will continue to work with Pew Trusts on a legislative solution. CHAMBER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM The Chamber’s Government Relations team is your voice in the halls of government, representing you at the local, state and federal levels. They are working every day to ensure our operating climate is supportive of your business. Ian Scott George Ramsey Senior Vice President Business Lobbyist of Government Relations [email protected] [email protected] 843.805.3116 843.805.3089 Our advocacy efforts at the The senior member of the State House are led by Chamber Chambers Government Relations Lobbyist George Ramsey. George is team, Ian is focused on driving our in Columbia each day the legislature regional policy agenda and building is in session, advocating on behalf of relations with local partners and the region’s business community. elected officials. Erica Wright Scott Barhight Regional Government Associate Director of Relations Director Government Relations [email protected] [email protected] 843.805.3002 843.805.3059 Activates volunteers to advance Primary staff liaison for Government the Chamber’s public policy Relations committees and assists priorities and works to advance with organizational efforts and to our regional policy agenda build sustainable advocacy funding..