Feb. 4, 2005

Welcome to GovNET

This marks the first issue of Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s new e-newsletter, GovNET. We will send this e-newsletter every other Friday during the S.C. General Assembly’s 116th session. Here you will find the latest legislative news, as well as information on the various bills we are tracking. If you have any questions or comments about GovNET or any of the chamber’s publications, please e-mail us.

Week in Review

Time Share Fees
Although Horry County Council is backing an ordinance that would charge renters of time shares a $5 nightly fee, the Myrtle Beach City Council unanimously rejected the proposal. The City Council will reconsider time share fees in a few months if representatives of the time share and condominium industries can suggest a fee structure that charges all industries equally, council members say. County Council is still deciding their next step.

Legislative Agenda

Bill Name	Summary of Bill	Chamber's Position	Status
S 0019 Sale of Alcoholic Liquor Sponsored by: Sens.McConnell, Campsen, Elliott, Hayes, Fair, Richardson and Bryant	Bill pertaining to alcoholic liquors and beverages - regulates liquor sale in containers of such size as the General Assembly considers appropriate. Highlights: 5 percent cocktail tax replaces 25 cent minibottle tax; 11 percent of revenue to go to counties for alcohol rehabilitation and education programs.	The chamber supports these regulations.	Senate referred to committee on Judiciary
S 0054 Uniform Start Date for Schools Sponsored by: Sens. Rankin, Richardson, Elliott, Fair and Ford	Bill to establish that the start date for elementary and secondary schools of this state must not be set earlier than Aug. 25 of each year and to provide that the school end date must not be set more than seven days after the last day of the Palmetto Achievement Challenge test.	The chamber supports this bill.	Senate referred to committee on Education
S 0002 Tort Reform Sponsored by: Sens. Leatherman, Bryant, Mescher, Gregory, Alexander, Fair and Richardson	Bill to establish a limit of $250,000 for noneconomic damages; Economic Development, Citizens and Small Business Protection Act of 2005. (Several other Tort Reform bills filed incluing S 81-84 and H 3008)	The chamber supports meaningful tort reform, including the amount of money spent on tort claims.	Senate referred to committee on Judiciary

Top Five Legislative Priorities

Our goal is to present the 2005 legislative agenda to the appropriate levels of government — advocating for change on your behalf. (View Full Agenda)

Transportation - We are committed to growing and diversifying the state’s economy by aggressively pursuing the funding for road construction and maintenance and expanded air service.

Liquor Laws - Voters decided on Nov. 2, 2004, to amend the state constitution to allow lawmakers to drop the requirement that minibottles are used to serve alcohol in bars and restaurants. With the passing of this constitutional amendment, it is now time to focus on liquor law reform, including enabling choice of distribution and implementing a fair and reasonable tax.

Education - Your chamber is committed to partnering with schools, state agencies, legislature, training providers, and members to develop solutions to current and future work force problems, including optimal funding for our local institutions of higher learning and seeking a uniform later school start date.

Health Care - Obtaining affordable health insurance is one of the greatest challenges facing businesses. Costs must be controlled. We will continue to lobby for market driven solutions to this critical issue, including health insurance programs through nonprofit organizations like trade associations and chambers of commerce.

Beach Protection - To assure that our beaches remain wide and healthy, funding for beach renourishment and ocean water outfall must be a high priority. We will aggressively push for funding in these areas.

U.S. Chamber Update

As a U.S. Chamber of Commerce member, you have the opportunity to shape the business community's agenda on a wide range of issues. At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Web site, you can preview some of the business issues that Congress is likely to consider in 2005 and sign up for e-mail alerts on legislation that affects your business.

S.C. Chamber Focus

Discover the S.C. Chamber of Commerce Web site and read about the chamber's legislative positions, as well as valuable educational tools that will help you keep informed on legislative issues and your legislators' voting records. Here you also can send pre-written letters asking House members to back certain bills.

Chamber Launches New Advocacy Web Section

The recently launched advocacy section of myrtlebeachinfo.com/chamber provides a user-friendly format on many of the most important legislative issues facing the Myrtle Beach area. It features the chamber’s 2005 legislative agenda, information on our Legislative Policy Council, a public officials list and other hot topics. Take a minute to explore this new feature.

Hit or Miss

Sen. Dick Elliott, D-North Myrtle Beach, for stepping up to play a role in the development of legislation aimed at solving the dispute about tort reform.