2018 Legislative Summary

It was a long hard fight, but H.3529, the bill that would have made it illegal for local governments to enact bans on plastic bags, did not pass the Senate and is officially dead. This anti-home rule pro-plastic pollution bill was being pushed by the plastic bag industry and their lobbyists and mouthpiece the "American Progressive Bag Alliance". While many groups worked hard to defeat this bill, we have to give a big shout out to our partners on the coast, especially Charleston Waterkeeper and the Coastal Conservation League, for taking the lead on this issue. 

Unfortunately, the plastic bag folks have already said they'll be back again next year fighting to make it harder for our communities to deal with the serious issue of plastic pollution.

S.1044 passed the House on the last day of session, was signed by the Governor on May 17th, and will go into effect on July 1st. This bill establishes a 2 mile stretch of the Lower Saluda River, from the I-20 bridge to Stacey's Ledge, as a catch-and-release only zone for trout fishing. This effort was supported by the Saluda River Chapter of Trout Unlimited, SCDNR, and Congaree Riverkeeper. 

As we prepare for the opening of the Saluda Riverwalk and the increased pressure that will come with it, it is important to put in place regulations and management strategies that will protect this unique fishery. With recent improvement to water quality in the Lower Saluda trout are finally starting to naturally reproduce in the river and the new catch-and-release zone was identified as a critical area for spawning and nursery habitat.

In March, the Legislature passed S.105, a bill that limits the automatic stay, an important legal tool that helps prevent irreparable harm to the environment and communities while permit decisions are being reviewed. This is yet another example in recent years of legislators putting the interests of polluters and developers ahead of citizen's rights. 

You would think after two major storms and more than 70 dam failures across the state our legislators would be able to pass some very simple, common sense, dam safety reforms. Well, they didn't. 

The Legislature must return to the State House to finish up work on the budget and several bills dealing with the VC Summer fiasco and energy reform.