Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 10:00 A.M.

Deliberations were opened with prayer by the Chaplain of the House of Representatives, the Rev. Dr. Alton C. Clark as follows:

Almighty God, we are grateful that You are always seeking to minister to our needs: quieting our restlessness, healing our heartaches, comforting our sorrows, and forgiving us of our wrongdoings. Emancipate us from everything that undermines our faith or holds back our complete surrender to the way You would have us to go. Forbid that we should walk on a lower level when You are calling us to take the lofty way.

May Your will find fruition and fulfillment in us and through us. To You we give unending gratitude and praise. Amen.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of yesterday, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.

The following Bills and Joint Resolution were taken up, read the second time, and ordered to a third reading:

H. 5006 -- Reps. Hutson, A. Young and G. Bailey: A BILL TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS OF ELECTION FOR DORCHESTER COUNTY MUST BE APPOINTED BY THE DORCHESTER COUNTY COUNCIL, AND PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY MUST BE APPOINTED.

H. 5008 -- Reps. Gonzales, Whipper, Fulmer, Harrell, Hallman and J. Bailey: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 340 OF 1967, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN A VACANCY OCCURS ON THE CONSTITUENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OR ON THE CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD, THE COUNTY COUNCIL SHALL APPOINT A TRUSTEE TO SERVE UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION OR UNTIL THE GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION IF THE VACANCY OCCURS FEWER THAN FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE GENERAL ELECTION.

H. 5007 -- Reps. Walker, Davenport and Allison: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT, FOR THE 1993-94 SCHOOL YEAR, SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY IS EXEMPTED FROM THE REQUIREMENT THAT SCHOOL DAYS MISSED MUST BE MADE UP AS A RESULT OF COMPLICATIONS RESULTING FROM A SEVERE WINTER STORM.

The following Bills and Joint Resolutions were taken up, read the third time, and ordered sent to the Senate.

H. 4552 -- Reps. Barber, Wright, McKay, Rudnick, Baxley and Neilson: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-29-85, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY LABELING ON MANUFACTURED HOMES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A PERMANENT LABEL AND A CONSUMER NOTICE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2110, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SALES TAX ON MANUFACTURED HOMES SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN EQUIVALENT HEAT LOSS CALCULATION MAY BE USED IN DETERMINING IF STANDARDS HAVE BEEN MET TO QUALIFY FOR THE EXEMPTION FROM THE TAX DUE ABOVE THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE EXEMPTION APPLIES IN MANUFACTURED HOMES WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY OCCUPIED BUT MEET THE STANDARDS; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE EDITION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEATING, REFRIGERATING, AND AIR CONDITIONING ENGINEERS GUIDE IN EFFECT AT THE TIME IS THE SOURCE FOR THE HEAT LOSS CALCULATION.

H. 4478 -- Reps. Snow, Inabinett, Riser and Law: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-15-65 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR AN ALLIGATOR HARVEST PROGRAM ON PRIVATE LANDS.

H. 4480 -- Reps. Snow, Inabinett and Law: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-17-515 SO AS TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO SHARKS.

H. 4482 -- Reps. Snow, Riser and Law: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 50-17-1110, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS PERTAINING TO THE POINT SYSTEM FOR VIOLATIONS OF COASTAL FISHERIES LAWS, SO AS TO INCLUDE STAMPS AS WELL AS LICENSES AND PERMITS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 50-17-1120, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE POINT SYSTEM, SO AS TO REVISE THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH PRIVILEGES, LICENSES, PERMITS, AND STAMPS MAY BE SUSPENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

H. 4351 -- Reps. P. Harris, Neilson, Waldrop, Allison, Baxley, J. Brown, Cobb-Hunter, Corning, Cromer, Davenport, Farr, Fulmer, Gonzales, Harrelson, Harrison, Harvin, Hines, Inabinett, Keegan, Kelley, Kirsh, Littlejohn, Marchbanks, Phillips, Rhoad, Rogers, Rudnick, Shissias, D. Smith, Snow, Stuart, Tucker, Vaughn, Waites, Walker, Wells, Whipper, D. Wilder, Wilkes, Keyserling, Breeland, Richardson and Gamble: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING TITLE 29, CHAPTER 4, SO AS TO ENACT THE SOUTH CAROLINA REVERSE MORTGAGE ACT WHICH DEFINES "REVERSE MORTGAGE", PROVIDES RULES FOR GOVERNING THESE MORTGAGES, EXEMPTS REVERSE MORTGAGES FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF OTHER MORTGAGE TRANSACTIONS, AND REQUIRES THAT CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING REVERSE MORTGAGES IS AVAILABLE TO LOAN APPLICANTS.

H. 4375 -- Reps. Richardson, Snow, Fulmer and Keyserling: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-75-310, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO WIND AND HAIL INSURANCE, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF "ESSENTIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE".

H. 4861 -- Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE LIVESTOCK-POULTRY HEALTH DIVISION, CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, RELATING TO IMPORTATION OF RATITES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 1734, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

H. 4843 -- Reps. Tucker, P. Harris, McCraw, D. Smith, Phillips, Wilkins and Haskins: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF THE U. S. INTERSTATE I-85 CORRIDOR IN GREENVILLE, SPARTANBURG, ANDERSON, AND CHEROKEE COUNTIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING A TWENTY-YEAR PLAN FOR BETTER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND TO REPORT THE FINDINGS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

H. 4702 -- Reps. J. Brown, Beatty, Cobb-Hunter, Gamble, Stuart, McAbee, Canty, McMahand, Byrd, Govan, Inabinett, Lanford, Whipper, Wells, Keyserling and Hutson: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 40-19-105 SO AS TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS TO RENEW A LICENSE FOR FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND EMBALMERS.

The following Bill was taken up, read the third time, and ordered returned to the Senate with amendments.

S. 541 -- Senators Saleeby, Land, McConnell, Courtney, Rankin and Rose: A BILL TO ENACT THE "SMALL EMPLOYER HEALTH INSURANCE AVAILABILITY ACT", INCLUDING AMENDING SECTIONS 38-71-920, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR SMALL GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE PURPOSES, SO AS TO MAKE CERTAIN CHANGES TO THE DEFINITIONS OF "SMALL EMPLOYER" AND "HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN" OR "PLAN", AND TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION FOR "LATE ENROLLEE"; 38-71-730, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR GROUP ACCIDENT, GROUP HEALTH, AND GROUP ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN LANGUAGE AND PROVISIONS, INCLUDING THE PROVISION THAT, FOR GROUPS OF TEN OR LESS PERSONS, EVIDENCE OF INDIVIDUAL INSURABILITY MAY BE REQUIRED FOR PERSONS FIRST BECOMING ELIGIBLE FOR INSURANCE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE POLICY, AND ADD CERTAIN PROVISIONS; 38-70-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR THE PROVISIONS OF LAW ON UTILIZATION REVIEWS AND PRIVATE REVIEW AGENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ALLOCATION OF HEALTH CARE RESOURCES AND SERVICES FOR A PATIENT OR GROUP OF PATIENTS, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN LANGUAGE AND PROVISIONS FROM THE DEFINITION OF "PRIVATE REVIEW AGENT"; 38-70-15, RELATING TO THE APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER 70 OF TITLE 38 (UTILIZATION REVIEWS AND PRIVATE REVIEW AGENTS), SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHAPTER APPLIES TO INSURANCE COMPANIES, ADMINISTRATORS OF INSURANCE BENEFIT PLANS, AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS LICENSED AND REGULATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, AND PROVIDE THAT SUCH INSURANCE COMPANIES, ADMINISTRATORS, AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS ARE EXEMPT FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF LAW; AND 38-71-940, RELATING TO SMALL GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE AND PREMIUM RATES, RATING FACTORS, AND THE PROHIBITION ON THE INVOLUNTARY TRANSFER OF A SMALL EMPLOYER INTO OR OUT OF A CLASS OF BUSINESS, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN PROVISIONS, PROVIDE THAT SMALL EMPLOYER INSURERS SHALL NOT USE CASE CHARACTERISTICS, OTHER THAN AGE, GENDER, INDUSTRY, GEOGRAPHIC AREA, FAMILY COMPOSITION, AND GROUP SIZE WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE CHIEF INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, AND PROVIDE THAT IF A SMALL EMPLOYER INSURER USES INDUSTRY AS A CASE CHARACTERISTIC IN ESTABLISHING PREMIUM RATES, THE HIGHEST RATE FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH ANY INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SHALL NOT EXCEED THE LOWEST RATE FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH ANY INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION BY MORE THAN FIFTEEN PERCENT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE SEVERABILITY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.

The following Bills and Joint Resolution were read the third time, passed and, having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title of each be changed to that of an Act, and that they be enrolled for ratification.

S. 1048 -- Senators Courson, Hayes, Martin, Gregory, Passailaigue and Rose: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-73-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ANNUAL REPORTS REQUIRED OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING BOARDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT COPIES OF THE REPORTS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES AND MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION WITHIN THE OFFICES OF THE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD, RATHER THAN THE OFFICES OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

S. 954 -- Senators Leventis, Martin, Land, Peeler, Holland and Drummond: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 34 TO TITLE 48 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE PRESCRIBED FIRES TO BE CONDUCTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, DEFINE TERMS, PROVIDE FOR PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS, LIMIT RELATED LIABILITY, AND PROVIDE FOR PRESCRIBED FIRES CONDUCTED WITHOUT A PRESCRIBED FIRE MANAGER.

S. 1105 -- Senator Leatherman: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ERECT CERTAIN DIRECTIONAL SIGNS RELATING TO THE LOCATION OF THE FLORENCE COUNTY VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER.

S. 1063 -- Senator Bryan: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 40-25-30, 40-25-40, AND 40-25-80, ALL AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL WITH REGARD TO THE LICENSING OF PERSONS ENGAGING IN THE PRACTICE OF SPECIALIZING IN HEARING AIDS, THE COMMISSION OF HEARING AID SPECIALISTS, AND EXCEPTIONS TO THE APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER 25 OF TITLE 40 (THE PRACTICE OF SPECIALIZING IN HEARING AIDS), SO AS TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE DEPARTMENT APPOINT LICENSED HEARING AID SPECIALISTS TO CONDUCT OR SUPERVISE THE EXAMINATION OF APPLICANTS FOR LICENSES, INCREASE FROM FOUR TO FIVE THE NUMBER OF LICENSED HEARING AID SPECIALISTS ON THE COMMISSION AND CHANGE THEIR QUALIFICATIONS FOR SERVING ON THE COMMISSION, AND PROVIDE THAT CHAPTER 25 OF TITLE 40 DOES NOT APPLY TO AN AUDIOLOGIST LICENSED TO PRACTICE IN SOUTH CAROLINA; TO AMEND SECTION 40-25-110, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE QUALIFICATIONS OF APPLICANTS FOR EXAMINATION AS A HEARING AID SPECIALIST, SO AS TO DELETE PROVISIONS RELATING TO AUDIOLOGISTS BEING LICENSED WITHOUT WRITTEN EXAMINATION AND A PRACTICAL TEST.

At 11:00 A.M. the House in accordance with the ruling of the SPEAKER adjourned to meet at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, April 5.

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