Last week, bills I cosponsored were introduced to ensure your tax dollars are spent responsibly, strengthen our economy, and uphold the values that make our state great.
H.3926, the DOGE Bill, creates the Commission on Fiscal Restraint and Government Efficiency to identify wasteful spending, repeal burdensome regulations, and eliminate unnecessary government programs. This commission will review every dollar the state government spends and make recommendations to cut unnecessary programs.
For too long, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies have been used to push identity-based quotas, force ideological training, and undermine merit-based success. I’m fighting to stop this failed social experiment with H.3927, which will completely dismantle DEI programs in our government, universities, and public schools.
We must ensure our energy infrastructure keeps up with growth. That’s why I cosponsored the South Carolina Energy Security Act, to keep our power supply affordable, reliable, and independent. This bill reforms the Public Service Commission, encourages investment in nuclear and renewable energy, and expands energy transmission and storage capacity.
On a local level, derelict and abandoned boats continue to plague our waters, raising safety and environmental concerns. I’ve filed H.3771, which requires an owner of a boat that’s anchored in the waters of this state more than 14 days to maintain marine recovery insurance on the boat. To obtain insurance, the owner must provide the insurer a recent vessel survey that includes a declaration that the boat is seaworthy and can move under its own power.
When someone dies and owns a home taxed at the four percent assessment rate, it’s not fair for counties to change the rate to six percent even before an estate is closed. That’s why I sponsored H.3841, which requires the special assessment rate and any tax exemptions to continue until the decedent's estate is closed, the recording of a deed or deed of distribution out of the estate, or after December 31st of the year following the date of death, whichever occurs first.
On Friday, I was honored to be reelected as chair of the Grand Strand Area Transportation Study Policy Committee. GSATS serves as the agency that plans and programs transportation improvements in the coastal areas of Georgetown, Horry and Brunswick (NC) counties.
The policy committee welcomed Georgetown County Council Chair Clint Elliott to his first meeting. The committee approved a Hwy 17 corridor study of the area around the intersection with Hwy 707 in Murrells Inlet. It also got updates on these Murrells Inlet projects: Riverwood traffic circle, Wachesaw Road repaving, and the Old Kings Hwy segment of the Inlet to Intercoastal Waterway multipurpose path – all scheduled for completion by May 1st.
I’m honored to represent District 108 in the House. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt