Bills Assigned to Keyword - Utilities (24)

Date of Last Recorded Action: 7/27/2023


H 3145 Gives authority to the Office of Regulatory Staff to conduct audits of electric cooperatives 04.23.2019 The Senate Judiciary Committee gave this bill a favorable report as amended. The amendment allows a ratepayer to file a complaint with the Office of Regulatory Staff before a matter gets to court. The amendment also requires early voting, requires greater notice before elections are held, requires accommodations for elderly voters and places restrictions on the Office of Regulatory Staff's authority to inspect subsidiary entities. 04.11.2019 A Senate Judiciary subcommittee gave this bill a favorable report.02.28.2019 The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee gave this bill a favorable report as amended by the subcommittee. 02.27.2019 The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Public Utilities subcommittee gave this bill a favorable report as amended.  The amendment allows the Office of Regulatory Staff to audit the electric cooperatives; it allows the Public Service Commission to mediate disputes between the electric cooperatives and the Office of Regulatory Staff; it requires electric cooperative boards to disclose financial and operational information to members; and it prohibits conflicts of interest and nepotism by electric cooperative board members.Summary of the bill as introduced: Gives authority to the Office of Regulatory Staff to conduct audits of electric cooperatives.
Sponsor: Russell Ott House Com: LCI Senate Com: Judy
Status: Act No. 56 Status Date: 6/5/2019
Keywords: Electric House Utilities Week of 02.25.2019 Week of 04.08.2019 Week of 04.22.2019
Of Interest
H 3265 Enacts the SC Public Utility Employee Whistleblower Protection ActSummary of the bill as introduced: Applies laws that protect those public employees who report violations of state and federal law to the employees of a public utility. 
Sponsor: Micajah Caskey House Com: Judy Senate Com:
Status: House - Referred to Committee on Judiciary Status Date: 1/8/2019
Keywords: Employment/Personnel House Utilities
Of Interest
H 3344 Allows an electric service supplier to furnish electric service to any business, corporation or organization at a business location that is served by another electric supplierSummary of the bill as introduced: Allows an electric service supplier to furnish electric service to any business, corporation or organization at a business location that is identified on a current business license and served by another electric supplier.
Sponsor: McLain Toole House Com: LCI Senate Com:
Status: House - Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hill Status Date: 5/9/2019
Keywords: Electric House Utilities
Of Interest
H 3659 Enacts the South Carolina Energy Freedom Act04.09.2019 The Senate Judiciary Committee gave this bill a favorable report as amended. The amendment requires electric cities to submit integrated resource plans to the State Energy Office. If elements of the required integrated resource plan do not pertain to cities, those elements do not have to be included in the plan.04.02.2019 The Senate Judiciary Committee carried this bill over.03.28.2019 A Senate Judiciary subcommittee gave this bill a favorable report as amended. The amendment clarifies that there is a rebuttable presumption that fixed price contracts with a minimum term of 10 years are commercially reasonable and in the public interest. 03.20.2019 A Senate Judiciary subcommittee carried this bill over.02.14.2019 The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee gave this bill a favorable report as amended. The amendment provides protections to senior consumers to be administered by the Office of Regulatory Staff. 02.13.2019 The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Public Utilities subcommittee gave this bill a favorable report as amended. The amendment clarifies the procedure and parameters for electric utilities and solar users to enter into power purchase agreements. 02.07.2019 The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Public Utilities subcommittee carried this bill over.Summary of the bill as introduced: Enumerates specific rights owed to every electric utility customer in South Carolina.
Sponsor: Peter McCoy House Com: LCI Senate Com: Judy
Status: Act No. 62 Status Date: 6/5/2019
Keywords: Electric Utilities Week of 01.14.2019 Week of 02.04.2019 Week of 02.11.2019 Week of 03.18.2019 Week of 03.25.2019 Week of 04.01.2019 Week of 04.08.2019
Of Interest
H 4053 Allows the operation of permitted utility task vehicles on certain public streets and roadways03.26.2019 The House Education and Public Works Transportation subcommittee adjourned debate on this bill.Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows the operation of permitted utility task vehicles on certain public streets and roadways.
Sponsor: Jeffrey Bradley House Com: EdPW Senate Com:
Status: House - Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works Status Date: 2/21/2019
Keywords: Utilities Week of 02.18.2019 Week of 03.25.2019
Of Interest
H 4260 Enacts the SC Ratepayer Protection Act of 201903.26.2019 The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee gave this bill a favorable report as amended by the subcommittee. Summary of the bill as introduced: Protects employees of a public utility who report wrongdoing by the utility.
Sponsor: Micajah Caskey House Com: LCI Senate Com: Judy
Status: Senate - Referred to Committee on Judiciary Status Date: 4/2/2019
Keywords: Utilities Week of 03.18.2019 Week of 03.25.2019
Of Interest
H 4430 Allows a municipality up to four additional public works commissioners and representation of service areas outside of the municipality Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows a municipality four additional public works commissioners and representation of service areas outside of the municipality.
Sponsor: Roy Magnuson House Com: MMPMA Senate Com:
Status: House - Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Status Date: 4/9/2019
Keywords: Utilities Week of 04.08.2019
Of Interest
H 4738 Prohibits a public utility or a third party authorized by a public utility to accept payments for utility bills, to collect an additional service fee from a consumer's paymentSummary of the bill as introduced: Prohibits a public utility or a third party authorized by a public utility to accept payments for utility bills, to collect an additional service fee from a consumer's payment.
Sponsor: John King House Com: LCI Senate Com:
Status: House - Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry Status Date: 1/14/2020
Keywords: House Utilities
Of Interest
H 4940 Establishes the Electricity Market Reform Measures Study Committee03.12.2020 A Senate Judiciary subcommittee gave this bill a favorable report as amended. The amendment makes technical changes.02.06.2020 The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee gave this bill a favorable report as amended. The amendment removes the SC Chamber of Commerce from the study committee and adds farming interests.01.29.2020 The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Public Utilities subcommittee gave this bill a favorable report as amended. The amendment makes changes to clarify the scope and timeline of the study committee's work.Summary of the bill as introduced: Establishes a study committee to examine whether the General Assembly should adopt market reform measures affecting electric service in South Carolina.
Sponsor: William Sandifer House Com: LCI Senate Com: Judy
Status: Act No. 187 Status Date: 10/9/2020
Keywords: Electric Utilities Week of 01.13.2020 Week of 01.27.2020 Week of 02.03.2020 Week of 03.09.2020
Of Interest
H 4957 Allows for the election of additional members to municipal councils to represent nonresident water and sewer customersSummary of the bill as introduced: Allows for the election of additional members to municipal councils to represent nonresident water and sewer customers when these customers are charged higher rates for these utilities than residential customers within the municipal boundaries.
Sponsor: Chip Huggins House Com: LCI Senate Com:
Status: House - Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry Status Date: 1/16/2020
Keywords: Sewer Utilities Water Week of 01.13.2020
Of Interest
H 4992 Exempts a renewable energy source from property taxesSummary of the bill as introduced: Exempts a renewable energy source from property taxes if the renewable energy source has a nameplate capacity of and operating at no greater than 20 kilowatts.
Sponsor: Nathan Ballentine House Com: WM Senate Com:
Status: House - Referred to Committee on Ways and Means Status Date: 1/21/2020
Keywords: Electric Utilities Week of 01.20.2020
Of Interest
H 5057 Prohibits a public utility that supplies electricity from transferring or applying a late or delinquent unpaid balance from one account to another accountSummary of the bill as introduced: Prohibits a public utility that supplies electricity from transferring or applying a late or delinquent unpaid balance from one account to another account. 
Sponsor: Robert Williams House Com: LCI Senate Com:
Status: House - Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry Status Date: 1/29/2020
Keywords: Electric Utilities Week of 01.27.2020
Of Interest
S 0332 Enacts the Clean Energy Access Act 04.11.2019 A Senate Judiciary subcommittee carried this bill over.03.28.2019 A Senate Judiciary subcommittee carried this bill over.03.20.2019 A Senate Judiciary subcommittee carried this bill over.03.14.2019 A Senate Judiciary subcommittee carried this bill over.03.06.2019 A Senate Judiciary subcommittee did not take action on this bill, although it was on the agenda.02.20.2019 A Senate Judiciary subcommittee carried this bill over.Summary of the bill as introduced: Establishes certain rights for customers of an electrical utility.
Sponsor: Thomas Davis House Com: Senate Com: Judy
Status: Senate - Referred to Subcommittee: Gambrell (ch), Hutto, Massey, Sabb, Climer Status Date: 2/7/2019
Keywords: Electric Utilities Week of 01.07.2019 Week of 02.18.2019 Week of 03.04.2019 Week of 03.11.2019 Week of 03.18.2019 Week of 03.25.2019 Week of 04.08.2019
Of Interest
S 0334 Prohibits a public utility from including legal fees paid by the utility in its rate baseSummary of the bill as introduced: Prohibits a public utility from including legal fees paid by the utility for a violation of federal or state law in its rate base.
Sponsor: David Climer House Com: Senate Com: Judy
Status: Senate - Referred to Committee on Judiciary Status Date: 1/8/2019
Keywords: Utilities Week of 01.07.2019
Of Interest
S 0497 Limits the amount of a stormwater fee to 15 percent of the amount of property taxes levied by the local government body01.21.2020 The Senate Finance Property Tax subcommittee carried this bill over.Summary of the bill as introduced: Limits the amount of a stormwater fee to 15 percent of the amount of property taxes levied by the local government body imposing the fee.
Sponsor: Rex Rice House Com: Senate Com: Fin
Status: Senate - Referred to Committee on Finance Status Date: 2/12/2019
Keywords: Utilities Week of 01.20.2020 Week of 02.11.2019
Of Interest
S 0660 Revises the definition of major utility facility Summary of the bill as introduced: Revises the definition of major utility facility.
Sponsor: Paul Campbell House Com: Senate Com: Judy
Status: Senate - Referred to Committee on Judiciary Status Date: 3/14/2019
Keywords: Utilities Week of 03.11.2019
Of Interest
S 0695 Allows a municipality up to four additional public works commissioners from outside of the service areaSummary of the bill as introduced: Allows a municipality four additional public works commissioners with representation of service areas outside of the municipality.
Sponsor: Glenn Reese House Com: Senate Com: Judy
Status: Senate - Referred to Subcommittee: Talley (ch), Fanning, Rice Status Date: 3/28/2019
Keywords: Utilities Week of 03.18.2019
Of Interest
S 0840 Prohibits a vendor or contractor from submitting a bid in response to a request for proposal issued by the Spartanburg Water SystemSummary of the bill as introduced: Prohibits a vendor or contractor from submitting a bid in response to a request for proposal issued by the Spartanburg Water System.
Sponsor: Glenn Reese House Com: Senate Com:
Status: Senate - Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar without reference Status Date: 5/9/2019
Keywords: Utilities Water Week of 05.06.2019
Of Interest
S 0904 Prohibits natural gas and electric public utilities from disclosing customer information to a third party Summary of the bill as introduced: Prohibits natural gas and electric public utilities from disclosing customer information to a third party without the express consent of the customer.
Sponsor: Thomas Young House Com: Senate Com: Judy
Status: Senate - Referred to Committee on Judiciary Status Date: 1/14/2020
Keywords: Electric Gas Senate Utilities
Of Interest
S 0923 Requires a water or sewer utility to submit an integrated resource plan to the Public Service CommissionSummary of the bill as introduced: Requires a water or sewer utility, classified by the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners as Class A, to submit an integrated resource plan to the Public Service Commission
Sponsor: David Climer House Com: Senate Com: Judy
Status: Senate - Referred to Committee on Judiciary Status Date: 1/14/2020
Keywords: Senate Utilities Water
Of Interest
S 0924 Prohibits a water or sewer utility from receiving a rate of return during a period when the utility didn't provide serviceSummary of the bill as introduced: Prohibits a water or sewer utility from receiving a rate of return during a period when the utility didn't provide service. 
Sponsor: David Climer House Com: Senate Com: Judy
Status: Senate - Referred to Committee on Judiciary Status Date: 1/14/2020
Keywords: Senate Sewer Utilities Water
Of Interest
S 0951 Requires a public utility to be responsible for the cost of repairs to service linesSummary of the bill as introduced: Requires a public utility to be responsible for the cost of repairs to the portion of a service line, from the utility's service meter to the point of entry of the served facility of structure.
Sponsor: Richard Harpootlian House Com: Senate Com: Judy
Status: Senate - Referred to Committee on Judiciary Status Date: 1/14/2020
Keywords: Senate Utilities
Of Interest
S 0984 Requires the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control to provide public notice of a significant wastewater spillSummary of the bill as introduced: Requires the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control to provide public notice of a significant spill by a wastewater utility.
Sponsor: Vincent Sheheen House Com: Senate Com: MA
Status: Senate - Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs Status Date: 1/14/2020
Keywords: Sewer Utilities Week of 01.13.2020
Of Interest
S 1173 Requires SC DHEC to charge a $30 surcharge per ton on any coal combustion residuals transferred to a landfill by an electric utility Summary of the bill as introduced: Requires SC DHEC to charge a $30 surcharge per ton on any coal combustion residuals transferred to a landfill in a county with a certain population by an electric utility or electric cooperative. 
Sponsor: Thomas McElveen House Com: Senate Com: Judy
Status: Senate - Referred to Subcommittee: Malloy (ch), McElveen, Rice Status Date: 3/12/2020
Keywords: Electric Utilities Week of 03.09.2020
Of Interest






Municipal Association of South Carolina
1411 Gervais St., PO Box 12109, Columbia, SC 29211
Phone: 803.799.9574, Fax: 803.933.1299, mail@masc.sc