My legislative week began last Tuesday with Agricultural, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs subcommittee meetings that resulted in two of my bills passing out of both subcommittee and the full committee.
My deer doe tag bill, H. 3750, passed, which would modify the current doe tag program from eight specific date tags to two any day tags. This would allow hunters more flexibility in days to hunt does.
The other bill that passed the committee is H. 3732, which requires opioid abuse training as part of the continuing education requirements for veterinarians, who are able to prescribe opioids for animals that might fall into the wrong hands. This bill was strongly supported by the Opioid Abuse Prevention Study Committee.
On Wednesday, I joined a bipartisan group of legislators in sponsoring legislation, H. 3968, that would change the way civil forfeiture cases are handled. Right now, law enforcement can seize property from residents, sometimes without charging or convicting them of a crime, and then profit from the proceeds. Our bill ensures that no person can lose their property unless they are convicted of a crime.
Also, on Wednesday, our Legislative Oversight Committee held a subcommittee meeting to review the operations of the Department of Motor Vehicles with Executive Director Kevin Shwedo to look for ways to increase efficiency.
On Thursday, the House unanimously passed a bill that will end a loophole in our current DUI law that allows those charged with drunk driving to get back on the road within days of their arrest. H. 3312 would force DUI offenders to have ignition-interlock devices (breathalyzers) in order to start their cars. The proposed law is supported by Gov. McMaster and Attorney General Alan Wilson.
And finally, on Friday I attended an event in Charleston with Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston, and Rep. Joe Daning, R-Berkeley, where Trident Health employees could ask us questions. I enjoyed meeting constituents and appreciated the thoughtful questions.
It’s a privilege to serve District 108 in the House of Representatives! Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt