As the second session of a two-year session starts to head to a June close, fewer bills of significance are introduced. In the past week, lawmakers have introduced about 70 bills. Of note:
IN THE SENATE
Hazing. S. 1163 (Fair) is the “Tucker Hipps Student Organization Act,” which seeks to expand the definition of hazing to prohibit someone from doing anything to jeopardize their safety or health, with several provisions, including felony ramifications hazing results in a life-threatening injury or death.
Building codes. S. 1164 (Alexander) seeks to update and expand building code requirements in several ways.
S.C. State. S. 1166 (Leatherman) is a vehicle that would allow debt forgiveness for S.C. State University, with several provisions.
IN THE HOUSE
Budget bills. H. 5001 is the annual state budget bill. H. 5002 is the annual bill dealing with the state Capital Reserve Fund.
Animal abuse. H. 5079 (Long) seeks a state registry and notification process for animal abusers.
Clean water. H. 5080 (Whipper) seeks DHEC to get a feasibility study on efficient and cost-efficient ways to provide clean drinking water to places without water systems.
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