H 4147 Joint Resolution, By Limehouse, Sottile, H.B. Brown and Hutto
 A JOINT RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A STUDY COMMITTEE TO REVIEW, STUDY, AND MAKE
 RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE NEED TO REGULATE THE SALE OF POTENTIALLY HIGHLY
 FLAMMABLE FURNITURE IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY COMMITTEE'S
 MEMBERSHIP, AND TO REQUIRE THE STUDY COMMITTEE TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND
 RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NO LATER THAN JANUARY 20, 2011, AT
 WHICH TIME THE STUDY COMMITTEE IS ABOLISHED.

   06/16/09  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-72
   06/16/09  House  Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and
                     Industry HJ-72
   01/27/10  House  Committee report: Favorable Labor, Commerce and
                     Industry HJ-4
   02/02/10  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hutto
   02/02/10  House  Read second time HJ-58
   02/03/10  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-10
   02/03/10  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-27
   02/03/10  Senate Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and
                     Industry SJ-27

COMMITTEE REPORT

January 27, 2010

H. 4147

S. Printed 1/27/10--H.

Read the first time January 16, 2009.

To whom was referred a Joint Resolution (H. 4147) to establish a study committee to review, study, and make recommendations concerning the need to regulate the sale of potentially highly flammable furniture in this State, to provide, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

WILLIAM E. SANDIFER for Committee.

TO ESTABLISH A STUDY COMMITTEE TO REVIEW, STUDY, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE NEED TO REGULATE THE SALE OF POTENTIALLY HIGHLY FLAMMABLE FURNITURE IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY COMMITTEE'S MEMBERSHIP, AND TO REQUIRE THE STUDY COMMITTEE TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NO LATER THAN JANUARY 20, 2011, AT WHICH TIME THE STUDY COMMITTEE IS ABOLISHED.

Whereas, each year, numerous South Carolinians lose their lives or become permanently injured as a result of furniture catching fire within their homes; and

Whereas, prior attempts to regulate the sale of potentially highly flammable furniture on the federal level have been impeded by competing interests; and

Whereas, it is in the best interest of the health and safety of all South Carolinians that the General Assembly consider ways in which it may take action to prevent these tragedies from continuing to happen. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    There is established a study committee to review, study, and make recommendations concerning the need to regulate the sale of potentially highly flammable furniture in this State.

SECTION    2.    (A)    The study committee must be composed of the following nine members:

(1)    two members appointed by the Governor;

(2)    two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(3)    two members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

(4)    one member who represents the furniture manufacturing industry;

(5)    one member appointed by the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs; and

(6)    one member appointed by the South Carolina Product Safety Council.

(B)    Members of the committee shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified, and vacancies must be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner of original appointment.

(C)    Members of the study committee shall serve without pay.

SECTION    3.    The study committee shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than January 20, 2011, at which time the study committee must be abolished. The study committee may make recommendations it considers appropriate including, but not limited to, regulation of the sale of potentially highly flammable furniture.

SECTION    4.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.