Legislative Update – February 13

From this week’s Irmo News and Lake Murray News

I am proud to be working with like-minded colleagues in the State House to fight for conservative reforms that put South Carolinians first. We are taking bold action to rein in wasteful spending, secure South Carolina’s energy future and eliminate conflicts of interest in auditing.

This week, bills were introduced to ensure your tax dollars are spent responsibly, to strengthen our economy, and uphold the values that make South Carolina great. The work is getting done, and I’m hopeful these bills can become law before we adjourn in May.

Holding Government Accountable & Cutting Waste

One of the biggest threats to conservative governance is an out-of-control, bloated government that wastes taxpayer money. That’s why I’m working with my colleagues to pass H.3926, the DOGE Bill, which creates the Commission on Fiscal Restraint and Government Efficiency to identify wasteful spending, repeal burdensome regulations, and eliminate unnecessary government programs. I know there’s a lot of hub-bub about DOGE in Washington; but locally – after the billion dollar financial oversights by our Comptroller General (resigned), State Auditor (resigned) and State Treasurer – we can use all the help we can get.

One thing to note about our state budget that is different than Washington is that we pass a balanced budget. Something we all wish could be done in Washington.

Simply put this bill stops wasteful spending – this commission will review every dollar the state government spends and make recommendations to cut unnecessary programs. It also reduces burdens on businesses – Small businesses and property owners shouldn’t have to fight through miles of red tape; and most importantly, the legislation comes at no new costs to taxpayers – this commission will do its job without adding a dime to the budget.

South Carolinians deserve a leaner, more efficient government that respects taxpayer dollars. I’m working to make that happen.

A Stronger Energy Future for South Carolina

With South Carolina’s economy booming, we must ensure our energy infrastructure keeps up with our growth. H.3309, the South Carolina Energy Security Act, will help keep our power supply affordable, reliable, and independent.

The bill reforms the Public Service Commission to provide stronger oversight of utility companies and also encourages investment in nuclear and renewable energy to keep costs low and ensure long-term reliability. In addition to that, this legislation expands energy transmission and storage capacity to support our growing communities

President Trump has prioritized American energy independence, and here in South Carolina, we’re taking the steps necessary to secure our own energy future.

Addressing Liquor Liability & Public Safety

I’m working with House Republicans to find common-sense solutions to address the challenges of rising DUI rates and skyrocketing liquor liability insurance costs that are hurting responsible businesses. This week, we continued discussions on a bill, H.3497, that would require alcohol server training to improve safety standards, address massive insurance rate hikes that threaten small businesses, and strengthen DUI laws to prevent reckless behavior.

Be sure you let me know any concerns or questions you have because the debate and the viewpoints are complex. There isn’t an easy solution and several groups are coming at the debate from different viewpoints. Ultimately the goal is simple: support responsible business owners, and crack down on bad actors who put lives at risk.

Strengthening Oversight & Eliminating Conflicts in State Auditing

Many of us in office are committed to increasing government accountability and eliminating conflicts of interest. That’s why I’m supporting a critical reform bill, H.3430, that moves the State Auditor under the Governor’s office.

Right now, the Auditor reports to the very people they are supposed to hold accountable—creating a broken system that undermines transparency. This bill fixes that by: making the State Auditor a gubernatorial appointment with Senate confirmation. Also we want to ensure the Auditor has independence to conduct reviews without political interference by implementing a key recommendation from the Alix report on government accountability

This is a commonsense conservative reform that will increase transparency, improve oversight, and hold government accountable.

One other thing that got my attention this week was the election of judges in our state. South Carolina is one of only two states where the Legislature elects the judges. I’m not sure that’s the best way and so after seeing some interesting elections Wednesday (relatives of sitting members as well as former members being elected to the bench, etc) I decided to again lend my name as a cosponsor to H. 3526. That bill would give the Governor the ability to appoint our states’ judges with the consent of both the Senate and the House. I’m interested in your thoughts on this. Please let me know because our judicial system is more vital to your everyday life than you know.

As the session progresses, I will continue to share updates like this one to keep you informed about the work being done in Columbia. These weekly columns are designed to provide insight into legislative priorities, progress, and key developments. If you ever have questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your input is invaluable to me and helps ensure that I am representing your needs effectively.

Also, the first week of every month, look for my regular COMMUNITY UPDATE EMAIL in your inbox. If you aren’t receiving this email, please let me know at [email protected] and I’ll add you to the distribution. You can always call me at home as well at 803-834-4613.

Thanks for the honor and privilege to serve you in Columbia. Stay informed regularly by visiting www.NathansNews.com.

The post Legislative Update – February 13 appeared first on Nathan Ballentine.

Source: https://nathansnews.com/2025/02/legislative-update-february-13/