City Quick Connect Podcast From The Municipal Association Of South Carolina

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton cover the House overriding the governor’s veto of S31, the bill that would allow smaller cities and towns to provide a compilation of financial statements instead of a full audit. They also talk about progress on H3503, the fentanyl trafficking bill, and the latest on the work of the budget conference committee.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the upcoming state budget work in budget conference committee, including the Municipal Association’s monitoring of the short-term rental proviso. They also talk about the Association’s recent visit to Washington to meet with the state’s Congressional delegation, the need for municipal leaders to connect with their U.S. representatives and senators, and Act 57, the state’s accommodations tax and workforce housing bill.

Municipal Association Executive Director Todd Glover and Chief Operating Officer Jake Broom talk about the Association’s first-ever Small City Summit, a one-day session on July 27 focusing on the specific needs and challenges of smaller cities and towns. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/association-events/small-city-summit

Municipal Association Executive Director Todd Glover and Chief Operating Officer Jake Broom discuss the upcoming Annual Meeting, taking place in Greenville July 27 – 29, including sessions focused on civility and reconciliation, affordable housing, youth engagement, economic development, placemaking, communication, law enforcement and many others. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/2023-annual-meeting

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the General Assembly’s passage of an abortion bill, as well as the passage of a budget continuing resolution in case no new state budget is passed by June 30. They also discuss the Senate’s override of the governor’s veto of S31, the compilation of financial statements bill.

Casey Fields and Joannie Nickel talk about the General Assembly’s actions since Gov. Henry McMaster called them back into session, including the abortion bill debate and ongoing budget work. S363, the bill prohibiting squat trucks, has been signed into law. S31, the compilation of financial statements bill; and S284, the development of workforce housing bill; have been ratified.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss how the coming weeks at the State House will look in the absence of a sine die resolution, or adjournment resolution; and the final legislative steps for items such as the squat trucks bill, compilation of financial statements bill and the workforce housing bill.

Casey Fields, Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright discuss state budget action at the end of the legislative session, as the short-term rental bill, which did not advance out of subcommittee. They also discuss progress on the municipal audit bill, the squat truck bill, the bond reform bill and the affordable housing bill.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton take a look at the testimony of numerous mayors on H3253, the bill that would prohibit municipalities from enacting an ordinance that stops short-term rentals. After the original recording, the House subcommittee scheduled a new hearing for Wednesday, May 3, giving local leaders another opportunity to advocate. Casey gives updated details at the end. Scott and Casey also cover the bond reform bill, the squat truck bill, and debate adjournment on S284, the bill that allows local accommodations and hospitality taxes for the development of workforce housing.

Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray returns to the podcast to discuss Beaufort’s approach to short-term rentals and the importance of maintaining cities’ and towns’ ability to regulate STRs. Murray's portion of the podcast begins at 19:45. Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the need for local officials to contact their legislators about H3253, the bill that would prevent ordinances banning or regulating STRs. They also discuss the Senate version of the squat truck bill, progress on the ARPA funding bill and movement on the municipal election bill.

Erica Wright and Casey Fields talk about the current state of the bond reform bill, tort reform bill, American Rescue Plan Act allocations to the SC Office of Resilience and SC Rural Infrastructure Authority, as well as the hate crimes bill stopped for now by the objections of several senators.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about the Senate Finance Committee’s version of the state budget. They also cover the proposed squat truck prohibition, the tobacco flavoring bill, the SC Constitutional Carry Act, and the municipal election bill that would require municipalities to have elections during certain months of odd-numbered years, clarify when a municipal term of office begins and require county election offices to run municipal elections when requested.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton explain the need for municipal officials to advocate for H3014, the hate crimes bill, and also discuss the latest action on the squat truck bill, the compilation of financial statements bill, the tor claims bill, the workforce housing bill and the tobacco flavoring bill.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss action on S423, the new version of the medical cannabis bill, including how it would affect zoning in cities and towns. They also discuss S284, which would make workforce housing an allowable use of accommodations and hospitality tax, and S414, the bill that would prohibit cities from regulating ingredients and flavors of cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Joannie Nickel gives an update on the SC House of Representatives version of the state budget. Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about the impact of “culture-war” issues on legislation, the Scout Motors incentive package, efforts to remove the state’s Comptroller General, the sober homes bill, the “shooting up a utility” bill and the affordable housing bill.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton explain how the Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act passed the SC House of Representatives. They also preview the state budget work to take place next week and talk about the $1.3 billion incentive package that the House passed for Scout Motors to locate a plant in Blythewood.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the advancing Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act and the bill that would allow some cities and towns to complete a compilation of financial statements instead of a full audit, which passed the Senate. Slatton explains the background of the bill that would clarify that content delivered over the internet is not subject to franchise fees.

Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray joins the podcast to talk about his testimony in support of the bill that would enact the Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act. Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about action on the fentanyl trafficking bills, the compilation of financial statements bill, the state budget and the bill that would change laws for those who commit crimes while on pretrial release on bond.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss H3253, the bill that would prohibit municipalities from prohibiting short-term rentals, the need to protect local regulatory authority on the issue. They cover movement on S31, the bill that allows some municipalities to provide a compilation of financial statements instead of a full audit, and S363, the bill that would ban squat trucks. They also discuss budget provisos that would allow the state to withhold payment to municipalities that have not met audit and report requirements, and that would impact return-to-work retirees.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk about the 2023 Hometown Legislative Action Day, civility issues at the state and local level, the tobacco flavoring bill and the proposed Freedom of Information Act amendment that would prohibit a public body from recovering legal fees when successfully defending a FOIA lawsuit.