2024 Week 6 Update
As we approach a brief pause in our legislative session, with the House on furlough until Tuesday, February 27th, I want to share some significant accomplishments from the past week and look ahead to our priorities upon reconvening.
An interesting fact to note: each furlough week for House members results in savings of over $66,000 for taxpayers. This furlough period will give the Ways and Means Committee the necessary time to diligently work through the House version of the State budget in full committee, ensuring our fiscal decisions are both thoughtful and strategic.
Empowering Student Athletes - A Milestone Achieved
On Wednesday, I was proud to support and ultimately pass H.4957, a landmark bill designed to empower college athletes in South Carolina with the ability to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). This move, strongly supported by coaches from our state's top universities, promotes fair and equitable opportunities for student athletes, ensuring our state aligns with national standards in collegiate sports.
ESG Pension Protection Act - Safeguarding Our Future
Last year, the House passed H.3690, the ESG Pension Protection Act, which was signed into law by the Governor this week. This critical legislation ensures the $39 billion in South Carolina's pension system is invested to maximize returns for over 600,000 state and local government employees, free from the influence of Environmental-Social-
Advancing Healthcare
On Wednesday, the Judiciary Committee passed H.4927. This bill proposes the creation of the Executive Office of Health and Policy by merging the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH). Following a comprehensive study by the Boston Consulting Group, the bill aims to address our healthcare system's fragmentation, enhancing care quality and accessibility, especially for our most vulnerable populations.
Second Amendment Rights - Staying True to Our Principles
In response to recent Senate amendments, the House Republican Caucus remains unified in our commitment to the Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act, H.3594. On Tuesday, we sent a clean version of the bill back to the Senate, underscoring our dedication to safeguarding the Second Amendment rights of South Carolinians.
Your support and engagement are crucial as we navigate these legislative efforts. Together, we are making strides towards a stronger, more prosperous South Carolina.
As always, it's a huge honor to serve the people of House District 39. Feel free to reach out to me anytime at calforrest@schouse.gov
Sincerely,
Cal
To keep up with the SC House Republican Caucus:
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https://twitter.com/SCHouseGOP
Other Important Links:
-For updates from the Governor, visit: https://governor.sc.gov
-To track a bill, live stream session or meetings, and other information, visit the State Legislature website: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/
-To download the SC Legislature Mobile app for iOS and Android devices, search “SC Legislature” on the App Store/Google Play.