08 May Roads Bill Update, Opioid Task Force, and CWP Reciprocity

While my House colleagues and I passed many significant pieces of legislation last week, the most anticipated action was the initiation of a conference committee to iron out the differences between the competing House and Senate plans to fix our roads and bridges. Simply put – this allowed three Senate members and three House members to represent each respective legislative body as conferees, working out the differences between the two bills. Late Friday, the conference committee produced a working “conference report” that will be given an up or down vote in each chamber before our May 11th deadline.

The House Opioid Abuse Prevention Study Committee will hold its first meeting since being created by House Speaker Jay Lucas (R-Darlington) last week. This issue affects every community and does not discriminate against race, age, gender, socioeconomic class or profession. “Because opioid abuse is different from other drug addictions, it is most important to consider and study every available option to prevent further damage and loss of life,” said Lucas. The 16-member bipartisan committee was created by Lucas after reports indicated the opioid epidemic was rapidly growing in our state.

Finally, last Wednesday, the House took up a bill to grant CWP rights to the citizens of states that also grant South Carolina citizens CWP rights. This concept, more commonly known as a “reciprocity agreement,” would not affect the Constitutional Carry legislation passed by the House earlier this year. I am proud to stand for the 2nd Amendment rights of South Carolinians and will never waver in my commitment to protect our right to keep and bear arms. The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you in Columbia. If I can ever be of assistance to you, or if you have ideas on issues you want me to share with the rest of the General Assembly, please don’t hesitate to contact me.