The Emergency Notification bill H.3603 by Rep. Mike Pitts would have required DHEC to create a standard procedure for notification about major spills in public waters. This bill passed the House in 2009, but died in 2010 with Senate objections.
A Phosphate Limits bill, H.4503 by Rep. Mike Pitts aimed to place restrictions on the use, sale or manufacture of dishwashing detergents containing phosphates. This bill passed the House in March 2010, then stalled in the Senate Medical Affairs Committee.
The Prescribed Fire bill, H.3924 by Rep. Jim Harrison aimed to put protections in place for landowners who choose to perform a controlled burn on their property. This bill passed the House in April but died in the Senate in May.
A bill on School Health Food Standards, H.3297 by Rep. Bakari Sellers called for elementary schools to offer only full meals for student consumption, and aimed to create fat, calorie, and sugar content standards that snacks and beverages must meet in order to be sold in schools. It passed the House in 2009 and stalled on the Senate floor in 2010 when objections were raised.
A resolution calling for an Oil Spill Contingency Plan, S.1478 by Sen. Chip Campsen and Rep. Chip Limehouse passed the Senate and House in 2010. It directs DHEC, DNR, and the Governor's Office to develop contingency plans for protecting our coastline should oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf make its way to South Carolina's shores.
A bill that will make an immediate impact on the diversity of our state's wildlife,H.3121, the Turtle Export bill by Rep. James Smith, was signed into law in early May 2009. This bill prohibits the capture and mass export of South Carolina's turtles.
The Building Codes Reform Act, H.3550 introduced by Rep. Harry Cato, will ensure that South Carolina uses modern energy efficiency building practices that will save consumers as much as $400 annually, and save the state energy as well-- more than a single new power plant. This bill was signed into law in June 2009.
Read more in the 2010 Hotlist Legislative Wrap Up.
