THE MOSS REPORT

As you review the actions of the House of Representatives this week, consider if it would pass your mother's test for what is right and good and let me know if you believe these are matters that require closer examination.

The House approved and sent to the Senate or enrolled for ratification the following bills of interest:

The House amended, approved, and sent to the Senate H.4355, a bill ALLOWING THE STATE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR GROCERIES TO BE EXTENDED TO LOCALLY IMPOSED SALES TAXES. The legislation authorizes a county governing body by ordinance to exempt unprepared food items eligible for purchase with United States Department of Agriculture food coupons from a locally imposed sales and use tax, including the Local Option Sales Tax, the Capital Project Sales Tax, the Personal Property Tax Exemption Sales Tax, and the Transportation Infrastructure Sales Tax.

The House amended, approved, and sent to the Senate H.4984, a bill providing REVISIONS TO THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER ACT. The bill revises the definition of youthful offender to include persons who commit a broader range of criminal offenses. This bill also provides that a person under the age of 21 sentenced pursuant to the Youthful Offender Act, convicted of armed robbery shall receive and serve a minimum sentence of at least three years, no part of which may be suspended. The person is not eligible for parole or probation until he has served a three-year minimum sentence. A person between the ages of 21 and 25 who is convicted of armed robbery may not be sentenced pursuant to the Youthful Offender Act.

The House of Representatives amended, approved and sent to the Senate H.5001. This bill creates the offense of trespass upon the grounds or structure of a DOMESTIC VIOLENCE shelter; violations are felonies.

The House amended, approved, and sent to the Senate H.4892, the ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SUSTAINABLE HOMES ACT. The legislation establishes a $1,000 state income tax credit for a residential builder who constructs a high-performance residence in this state that meets the legislation's green building standards for maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing adverse environmental impact.

The House amended, approved, and sent to the Senate H.4337 relating to STORM WATER RUNOFF FEES. This bill exempts agricultural lands, forest lands and undeveloped lands from any fee imposed by a local governing body for a storm water, sediment or erosion control program.

The House, amended, approved, and sent to the Senate H.3975. This joint resolution authorizes the governing body of a county by ordinance to POSTPONE FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR A COUNTYWIDE PROPERTY TAX EQUALIZATION AND REASSESSMENT PROGRAM.

The House approved and sent to the Senate H.4312, which provides for the PROTECTION OF PERSONS UNDER DISABILITY AND THEIR PROPERTY. This bill provides that a guardianship, conservatorship, or other protective order established by reason of incapacity, and not merely minority, does not terminate automatically upon the attainment of the age of majority by the incapacitated person.

Some of the bills that were introduced in the House this week included:

S.145, GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (GED) PILOT PROGRAM. Subject to funds appropriated by the General Assembly, this bill creates the General Education Development (GED) Pilot Program to be implemented beginning in the 2008-2009 school year. The program shall be designed to allow students, ages 16- 19, currently enrolled in a high school and who are one to two years behind in high school graduation requirements, the opportunity to remain a high school student while receiving appropriate instruction to achieve a GED diploma.

S.429, ACCESS TO JUSTICE POST-CONVICTION DNA TESTING ACT AND PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE ACT. This comprehensive legislation outlines procedures for post-conviction DNA testing as well as provides procedures for the preservation of evidence.

S.1010, HEALTH CARE ACCESSIBILITY FOR YOUNG AMERICANS ACT. This bill establishes provisions for health insurance coverage under a parent's policy for an unmarried child under the age of 25 years who primarily is dependent for financial support from his parent. The legislation also establishes provisions for health insurance coverage under a parent's policy for certain military personnel on termination of active duty status.

S.1156, STAFFING REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACIES. This bill states that a pharmacist can supervise up to four pharmacy technicians of whom at least two must be state certified. If a pharmacist supervises three technicians at least one of the three must be state-certified.

If you have a comment or opinion concerning the matters discussed in this report, or if I may be of assistance to you at any time, please feel free to call your legislative office in Columbia (803-734-3073), office 422A Blatt Building, Columbia, SC 29211; or by e-mail at:

mossd@scstatehouse.net or my home in Gaffney (864-487-2121); or write 306 Silver Circle, Gaffney, SC 29340.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the House of Representatives.