THE MOSS REPORT

REP. DENNIS MOSS

This week's report gives you a good synopsis of the wide spectrum of issues that come before the General Assembly; read and marvel. I read something interesting this week that, upon occasion, reminds me of what sometimes goes on in Columbia. It was an obituary for our old friend Mr. Common Sense.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

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

The House of Representatives concurred in Senate amendments to H.4364, and enrolled the bill for ratification. This bill REDUCES FROM 21 TO 18 THE MINIMUM AGE FOR LAWFULLY PURCHASING A HANDGUN.

The House concurred in Senate amendments to S.668, and enrolled the bill for ratification. This bill provides an EXEMPTION FROM CONTRACTORS LICENSING ACT PROVISIONS FOR FARM BUILDINGS AND PORTABLE STORAGE BUILDINGS with less than five thousand square feet of floor space that are owner-constructed and used only for livestock or storage.

EDUCATION AND PUBLIC WORKS: H.4888, COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE IN SCHOOL AND TRUANCY. This bill provides for compulsory attendance in school until age 18. Current law provides for compulsory attendance in school until age 17.

JUDICIARY: S.1039, PROHIBITIONS ON REGULATIONS OF FIREARMS.

Relating to the prohibition against regulation of certain matters, this bill provides that counties and municipalities may not enact regulations to prohibit a landowner from discharging a firearm on his property to protect family members, employees, or the general public from animals posing a direct threat or danger on a parcel of land comprised of at least 25 contiguous acres.

H.4884, SUSPENSION OF DRIVER'S LICENSE OF A PERSON OPERATING AN UNINSURED VEHICLE. This bill provides that the driver's license of a person who operates an uninsured motor vehicle may be suspended for a period of not more than one year.

LABOR, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: S.187, ADVERTISING A NONSMOKING WORKPLACE. This bill authorizes an employer to advertise that employees cannot smoke in the workplace and designate in his advertisement that the workplace is a nonsmoking environment.

WAYS AND MEANS: H.4883, EDUCATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS SALES AND USE TAX ACT. This bill enacts the "Education Capital Improvements Sales and Use Tax Act" to allow a 1 percent local sales and use tax to be imposed in a county for not more than 15 years upon referendum approval with the revenues of the tax used by the county's school district board of trustees to pay for specific public school capital improvements in the county.

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.