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AMENDED
April 19, 2022
H. 4831
Introduced by Reps. Elliott, B. Cox, Caskey, Ballentine, Wooten, McGarry, Forrest, Erickson, Bernstein, Wetmore, Carter, Atkinson, Cogswell, W. Cox, Weeks, Wheeler, Henegan and Murray
S. Printed 4/19/22--S.
Read the first time February 3, 2022.
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.
Amend Title To Conform
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 headquarters for the Carolina Panthers. 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, Clemson University, or any other state agency 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, and Chairman of the Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee one year from the date of funding.
SECTION 3. In addition to the study committee required pursuant to SECTION 1, the Department of Commerce must conduct a study evaluating the impacts on taxpayers for any economic development project that fails to reach completion, and must include a report to the General Assembly any recommendations for taxpayer reimbursements for impacts from a failed project.
SECTION 4. Implementation of the provisions of this joint resolution is contingent upon funding by the General Assembly.
SECTION 5. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on April 19, 2022 at 1:42 PM