By Representative Jackie Hayes
March 9, 2017
The House tackled many controversial, longstanding issues during the past two weeks, adopting measures to raise funds to repair our deteriorating roads and paying down the massive debt of the S.C. Retirement System, that serves three out of every ten families in our state.
After nearly five hours of debate, members approved a bill (H 3516) to raise $600 million a year to fix our roads. I voted for the bill only after legislators adopted an amendment to ensure funding for roads would not be taken from public education funds. One version of the roads bill had diverted to roads a portion of vehicle sales taxes that currently goes to education and classroom needs.
Specifically, the bill would gradually increase the state’s current fuel tax of 16.75 cents per gallon, raising it two cents a year over five years, for a total increase of ten cents per gallon. The state’s fuel tax is the second lowest gas tax in the nation and has not been adjusted since 1987.
The bill also would raise the vehicle registration fee by $16, increase the current sales tax cap on vehicle purchases from $300 to $500, create a new $250 fee for residents purchasing cars out-of state, increase the vehicle sales tax fee, reform the Department of Transportation (DOT) and ensure funds will be provided to repair rural roads.
The condition of our roads is a constant complaint among state drivers, as potholes and ditches cause vehicle damage, accidents and even deaths. In fact, our roads are ranked among the most dangerous in the country. The state Department of Transportation says it need an additional $1.1 billion a year to repair 22,000 miles of roads considered in poor condition.
The House adopted a bill (H 3726) to pay down the debt of the S.C. Retirement system, which is estimated to be between 25 billion to $35 billion. The state retirement system serves retirees and employees of state agencies and local governments, as well as teachers. The debt was caused, in part, by poor investment decisions by the state Retirement System Investment Commission and the stock market crash of 2008. It is hard to believe that until 17 years ago, the retirement system was nearly debt-free.
The bill would increase the amount participants must pay into the retirement system from 8.66 of their salaries to 9 percent, while also increasing the burden on employers. Police officers and firefighters who pay into a separate retirement plan also would have to pay a larger share. The House budget is expected to include $147 million to help local governments recover the some of the costs.
A measure (H 3247) adopted by the House would strengthen regulation of mopeds in our state, by defining them as motor vehicles. Moped drivers would need to register with the state Department of Motor Vehicles, carry a valid driver’s license or moped license and be subject to DUI laws and other rules for drivers of motor vehicles. The bill would set a maximum speed limit of 35 mph and require mopeds to stay off highways with speed limits greater than 55 miles per hour. The bill would raise the minimum age of moped drivers from 14 to 15, require the use of reflective vests at night and require that drivers and passengers younger than 21 wear helmets.
There was much debate on a bill (H 3529) that would have prohibited local communities from placing restrictions on the use of plastic bags or other products deemed harmful to the environment. The bill was continued until next year, meaning it is essentially dead this year.
Some business groups supported the bill, as they do not want to deal with different regulations in different communities. Opponents, however, said the bill was an instance of state interference into the affairs of local communities, which should have the power to govern themselves.
Another bill (H 3358) would authorize the state Department of Motor Vehicles to comply with the federal Real ID Act. That federal law, enacted in 2005 to deter terrorism, requires states to meet federal standards for establishing personal identity. Under the act, states must ensure that residents update their driver’s licenses or obtain special identification cards to show they have met the new standards. If residents do not get the updated cards, they will no longer be permitted to enter federal buildings, military installations or board commercial airplanes.
We’ve been told that DMV will most likely add a special sticker to your driver’s license, after you have presented your birth certificate (long form), Social Security document and proof of residence. I am thankful that Governor Henry McMaster has asked for an extension of the deadline set by the federal government. I will keep you posted and will send you details on when and how to update your identification.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at 803-734-3099, at 333C Blatt Building, P.O. Box 11867, Columbia, S.C. 29211 or call me at home at 843-774-6125, at 240 Bermuda Road, Dillon, S.C. 29536. My email address is JackieHayes@schouse.gov.
