Published Thursday, January 19, 2012 11:30 AM
Updated Thursday, January 19, 2012 11:31 AM
Public hearings will be scheduled on each issue. Depending on the up or down vote, the bill will move from committee to the House floor for a vote.
The session has started with a variety of concerns covering all topics. Since this is the second year of the two-year session, those bills still pending from last year will be carried over in committee.
New House members sworn in were: Joshua Putnam (District 10, Anderson County) replaced Dan Cooper, and Edward “Eddie” Southard (District 100, Berkeley County) replaced the late Rep. David Umphlett. Many of you knew David, a long time resident of Moncks Corner and a dear friend of mine, who passed away last May.
Actions taken on two bills this week were: S.211, the I-95 Corridor Authority Act. The veto was sustained thereby defeating the bill.
In addition, H.3236, Compulsory Education would recognize the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools as a provider of K-12 compulsory education.
This bill passed unanimously with a vote of 102-0 and has gone to the Senate.
Another bill of interest that was introduced and assigned to my committee is H. 4451, Use of Cell Phone While Driving. It makes texting and use of electronic communication devices while driving illegal.
We will be holding public hearings and hope to get a great deal of input from the community. Those hearings will be advertised as to time and date.
Also, I am getting ready to pre-file a bill to eliminate the one-year waiting period to establish residency for honorably discharged veterans who move into our state. The new bill will allow the veteran and his dependents to be eligible for in-state tuition at our public colleges and universities. However, this will not relieve them of the responsibility of establishing residency.
I appreciate the opportunity you, the voter, have given me to represent you in Columbia in the South Carolina House of Representatives. If you have a comment or opinion, or if I may be of assistance to you, please feel free to call me at (843) 553-9288 or (803) 734-2951 or email me at joedaning@schouse.gov. I value your input to matters that affect Berkeley County and South Carolina.