Copper Dome Chronicle: 2023 Session Week 20
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Copper Dome Chronicle, sponsored by Advocatus. We strive for substantive writing with brevity, inspired by the book Smart Brevity; one of the best books about communications and writing we’ve read in years.
This week’s edition, May 22-26, 2023, is 361 words or just under a 2 minute read. There are an unknown number of days remaining in the special session. Thanks for reading and sharing; we welcome your feedback and commentary!
1. Senate Concurs in House Amendments to Abortion Bill
The Senate convened on May 23 and after 6 hours, 39 minutes of floor time agreed to the House amendments to S.474 by a vote of 27-19. Six amendments were offered but none were adopted; Governor Henry McMaster signed the bill on May 25. On May 26, Judge Clifton Newman issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the implementation of the new law until the State Supreme Court could hear arguments and render a decision on its constitutionality. Judge Newman was the trial court judge in the Alex Murdaugh double-homicide case that drew international attention.
The Senate took action on a few other bills last week. First, H.4299 (budget continuing resolution) received third reading and Gov. McMaster signed it into law on May 25; this ensures no state government shutdown in the unlikely event there is no budget by July 1, 2023. A fentanyl anti-trafficking bill, H.3503, was given a third reading after the adoption of an amendment proposed by Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto that prohibits the possession of a firearm or ammunition by someone convicted under this bill. Lastly, H.3553 (comprehensive adoption and permanency bill) received a third reading. The amended bill contains several statutory changes championed by House Speaker Murrell Smith that were originally separate bills, but then combined into this one bill.
The House convened on May 24, ratified two bills, and promptly adjourned as promised by Speaker Smith.
2. Still No Budget Yet
The budget conference committee members did not meet last week. Media reports suggested funding for the three research universities - Clemson, USC, and MUSC - was the holdup, as well as funding for land conservation efforts since there are multiple state entities involved in land conservation. However, most observers believe a budget deal will be agreed to before the end of the fiscal year.
As mentioned above, H.4299 (budget continuing resolution) was signed into law so state and local subdivisions can rest easy knowing there will be no government shutdown if a budget is not enacted by July 1, 2023. As of May 29 no conference committee meeting notices have been published.
