Legislative Updates 2025

Protecting Land & Water | Advocacy | Balanced Growth

www.upstateforever.org

Legislative Updates 2025 - Week 2: January 20 - 24

Highlights:

Save the Date: February 25th - Conservation Lobby Day and Oyster Roast
Deadlines extended for surface water reports
What to expect this week, including the Governor's State of the State Address

Welcome Back!

It was a quiet week in Columbia — a rare occurrence in itself had it not been for the even more surprising snow day for our friends on the coast. On days with even the slightest chance of snow, I remain fixed on the dependable reporting from DNR's State Climatology Office. Their accurate and entertaining updates help temper my expectations and keep my eyes on the summer horizon. If you were a fan of the distinct narrative of the Prudent Mariner, Mark Malsick, you won’t be disappointed by Frank Straight, who took over the job a few years ago. Sign up for Weather Alerts here.

Most of the committee meetings we mentioned last week were justifiably — canceled, with one notable exception we will talk about below. Committees will be back at it this week, piling onto an already heavy load of hearings.

Save the Date for the SC Conservation Coalition Lobby Day & Oyster Roast: February 25th, 2025!

Each year, around 100 conservation-minded advocates and residents gather at the Statehouse to remind lawmakers that the protection of our land and water resources cannot be separated from the multitude of decisions facing them every day. It’s a great opportunity to meet lawmakers and fellow advocates, learn how to advocate directly for the issues you care about, and celebrate together with a few well-deserved oysters.

Want to talk to your lawmaker about an issue that matters to you? We’ll show you the ins and outs of the Statehouse, watch the legislative process play out in the gallery of the House and Senate, and talk to lawmakers one-on-one in the lobby. We’ll also provide materials and coach you on how to talk about the Coalition’s priorities.

Read here for highlights from our 2024 Conservation Lobby Day.

Want more time with your lawmaker to discuss an issue in-depth? This year, we can help you schedule an office visit with your lawmaker, so contact me if you’re interested!

News from the Statehouse

Last week the House and Senate were in perfunctory session so that members could attend the Presidential Inauguration and committees could focus on advancing bills to the floor of each chamber. The snow and ice that graced the midlands and the lowcountry led to the cancellation of most committee hearings, with a few exceptions.

While not strictly related to conservation, the State’s financial integrity should be of concern for anyone who cares about good governance. The Senate Finance committee met last week to address the $1.8 billion accounting error, discovering that most of the funds never existed and adding to pressure from an ongoing federal investigation over a $3.5 billion error revealed in 2023. The House Ways and Means Committee will take up the issue this week.

Closer to home, the House Majority Leader Davey Hiott (District 4 - Pickens County) announced he plans to retire in 2026 and endorsed Pickens resident Clay Counts. Representative Hiott has served in the House of Representatives since 2004 and chaired the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.

WaterSC Deadline Extended

After the snow cleared, the new Surface Water Study Committee met briefly to elect officers and discuss the process for how the committee will interact with the Governor’s WaterSC task force, which was tasked with preparing a report of legislative recommendations to the Surface Water Study Committee by January 31 and an updated State Water Plan by December 31.

The Department of Environmental Services (DES), who oversees WaterSC, requested a deadline extension to continue to bring task force members up to speed on issues related to surface water withdrawals and find consensus on legislative and regulatory solutions.

As a member of this task force, Upstate Forever has recommended that we pay attention to the consensus gained and lessons learned from DNR’s State Water Plan Advisory Committee, which dissolved after the famous DHEC split, formation of DES, and transfer of DNR’s Water Program to the new agency.

Questions remain as to how the ongoing work of the eight River Basin Councils will be incorporated into the legislative report and the State Water Plan, but we are hopeful that the voices of experts and those who have dedicated years to this effort will remain at the forefront.

The Week Ahead

Wednesday, 1/29 at 10:00 am – the Senate Fish, Game, and Forestry Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Dr. Tom Mullikin, who has been selected by the DNR Board to become the next DNR Director. As an advocate for floodwater mitigation through conservation and as someone who deeply understands the rich natural heritage of our state, we support Dr. Mullikin in this role and will miss the leadership of outgoing Director Boyles.

Wednesday, 1/29 at 10:00 am – the House LCI Public Utilities Subcommittee will continue deliberations on the SC Energy Security Act (H.3309). After a long hearing two weeks ago, packed with testimony advocating for caution, the subcommittee has indicated interest in amending the bill, so we will keep a close eye on what comes out of this hearing.

Noticing a pattern? Wednesday, 1/29 at 10:00 am – the Senate Special Committee on Energy will hold its first hearing since hosting a series of meetings over the fall to continue talks on the SC Energy Security Act. This time, they want to hear about solutions for large energy users, which have been the driving force behind calls for natural gas buildout throughout the Southeast.

Wednesday, 1/29, upon adjournment – the Senate Judiciary subcommittee will meet after last week’s snow cancellation to consider three utility-related bills: financing for Hurricane Helene recovery (S.157), authorization for Santee Cooper to build a 2,000 megawatt gas plant at Canadys with Dominion (S.12), and a bill that requires Santee Cooper to issue an RFP to solicit private financing for buildout of the abandoned units at VC Summer (S.51).

Wednesday, 1/29, 30 minutes upon adjournment - the Ways and Means Economic Development Subcommittee will hear from the SC Office of Resilience and Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and consider their budget requests.

Wednesday, 1/29 at 7:00 pm - Governor McMaster will deliver his eighth State of the State address, which we expect will largely mirror the priorities outlined his Executive Budget.

Remember, you can stream all of these hearings by visiting the Statehouse website, or the video archives page to watch later.

As the session gains momentum, stay tuned for opportunities to get involved and learn more about the legislative issues that affect our daily lives. We’ll continue to keep you informed on their progress and ways to get involved throughout the legislative session!

Be well. Until next week...

Megan Chase-Muller

State Policy Director

mchase@upstateforever.org

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Upstate Forever is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects critical lands, waters, and the unique character of Upstate South Carolina. Over the past two decades, we have worked to protect the natural assets that make the Upstate so special — our farmlands, forests, natural areas, rivers, and clean air. We are committed to ensuring that our communities are vibrant and retain their green spaces, outdoor heritage, and unique identities in the face of rapid development and significant sprawl. Our vision is an environmentally healthy, economically prosperous Upstate that offers a high quality of life now and for future generations.

For more information, visit our website at upstateforever.org or send us an email.