South Carolina General Assembly
124th Session, 2021-2022

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Bill 4831


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Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO CONDUCT AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STUDY TO EVALUATE THE STATE'S BUSINESS ADVANTAGES, ECONOMIC CLIMATE, WORKFORCE READINESS, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT STATE ASSETS TO CREATE A ROADMAP TO EFFECTIVELY COMPETE IN ATTRACTING OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN INDUSTRIES TO THE STATE; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PURPOSE AND DUTIES OF THE STUDY.

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

SECTION    1.    (A)    The Department of Commerce must conduct an economic development study to evaluate the state's business advantages, economic climate, workforce readiness, and any other relevant state assets to create a roadmap for South Carolina to effectively compete in attracting offshore wind energy supply chain industries to the State. This study will build upon South Carolina's existing breadth of research, including, but not limited to, the previous Phase I and Phase II Economic Impact Studies conducted by Clemson University in 2012 and 2014. The Department of Commerce also must coordinate with the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff where deemed necessary to exchange information and expertise.

    (B)    To the extent necessary to carry out study responsibilities, the department is authorized to employ third-party consultants and industry experts, by contract or otherwise, as the department may consider necessary to assist in the proper discharge of the responsibility as provided by this section.

    (C)    In conducting the economic development study and in creating a roadmap, the department must consider at least all of the following:

        (1)    identification and characterization of discrete segments within the offshore wind supply chain, including major manufacturing operations, specialty component manufacturing, component assembly, and ancillary services for future offshore wind energy projects along the east coast of the United States;

        (2)    estimated number and type of direct manufacturing jobs;

        (3)    potential ancillary economic benefits;

        (4)    potential industry investment in South Carolina and opportunities for rural economic development;

        (5)    highest impact investment opportunities to produce the largest net economic benefit;

        (6)    potential benefits to local tax bases;

        (7)    expected additional contribution to state economic output;

        (8)    any additional information the department identifies as relevant to the conduct of its study; and

        (9)    actionable next steps the State should take to recruit new, and assist the expansion of existing offshore wind supply chain companies, in order to capitalize on the 109 billion dollar offshore wind industry.

SECTION    2.    The Department of Commerce must submit the reports, roadmap, and any legislative recommendations to the Speaker of the House, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Chairman of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, the President of the Senate, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Chairman of the Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee on or before February 1, 2023.

SECTION    3.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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This web page was last updated on January 20, 2022 at 11:33 AM