House members sat in their committees and subcommittees last week debating legislation and holding multiple public hearings to learn more about the legislation before us.

House committees held nearly two dozen hearings debating everything from restructuring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to strengthening our Right to Work laws.

One major piece of legislation that moved this week was a new DOT reform bill that was approved by a House Judiciary Subcommittee. This legislation eliminates the Department of Transportation Commission, eliminates the Joint Transportation Review Committee, and makes the Secretary of Transportation the governing authority for the DOT.

The Secretary of Transportation would be appointed by the Governor and would become a member of the Governor’s cabinet. The DOT reform bill, which began three years ago, is part of an ongoing effort to streamline and reform our sometimes disjointed state government.

Last year, the House approved a number of measures to consolidate agencies under a Department of Administration.

The House also approved ballot measures that would give the voters the opportunity to make the state Superintendent of Education appointed by the Governor and to make the Lieutenant Governor appointed by the Governor.

All of these bills are currently in the state Senate.

In one of the meetings I attended, the Ways and Means sub-committee heard from Mac Burdette, from the Patriot’s Point Development Authority. He explained to the committee that they were not asking for any funding this year. In fact, he reported that revenue projections were estimated to be $200,000 ahead of expectations.

Rep. Chip Limehouse, chairman of the sub-committee, asked if the Authority had considered paying back some of the $9 million loan.  Mr. Burdette said the Authority would have a repayment plan in place by the end of the year.

In the K-12 Education subcommittee that I attended, the committee discussed the Jason Flatt Act (H. 4690). This bill mandates suicide training for teachers so they could better identify potential suicide in students.   

The mandated training was supported by the State Teachers Association Executive Director Cathy Manus and also Jay Ragley of the State Department of Education.  

Mr. Lindsey, State Director of the National Association of Mental Illness, reported that we had 620 suicides (teens and adults) last year in South Carolina, which is twice the number of homicides. It was also noted that this bill would not have a fiscal impact since many agencies provide the training for free.

The bill passed unanimously in subcommittee and now goes to full committee.

I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to represent you 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 home at 553-9288 or at the State House (803) 734-2951 or email me at joedaning@schouse.gov.