I wanted you to know that last week's House session was one of the busiest, mostly because of committee work.
The Agricultural, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee I serve on or one of our subcommittees met every day in an effort to catch up on hearings for bills delayed by House floor debate over the last several weeks on bills related to the abandoned nuclear reactor spending disaster.
I'm pleased the bill I'm the lead cosponsor of, H. 4683, which would reform the process for determining beachfront jurisdictional lines and allow a much better notification and appeals process for property owners, is scheduled for a hearing this Tuesday, February 13th, at 2 pm before the Environmental Affairs Subcommittee on which I serve.
I'm especially pleased that House Speaker Jay Lucas has signed as a cosponsor of the bill, giving the bill his complete support.
Beyond Speaker Lucas' support, it's important the committee receive supportive comments from the public. I urge you to email comments to Committee Chairman Rep. David Hiott at [email protected] no later than noon on Tuesday. Thank you in advance!
Last week I cosponsored bipartisan legislation, H. 4896, that would oppose offshore oil and gas drilling and seismic testing off South Carolina. We cannot afford to risk harming our coastal economy and environment by effectively playing Russian roulette with oil rigs off our coast. Sooner or later our coast will catch a bullet in the form of a major oil spill disaster. The bill has been referred to the Agricultural, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.
I'm disappointed a bill, H. 3529, to prohibit cities and counties from banning or regulating plastic bags or containers passed the House last week on a 73-41 vote. I think home rule is important for cities and counties - they should have the right to regulate plastic bags and containers if they so choose. Certainly, along the coast, plastics litter has presented not only a visual problem, but an environmental problem that threatens marine life.
On Thursday, it was my honor to introduce Georgetown County's Dr. Gerald Harmon as Doctor of the Day on the House floor. Dr. Harmon is a leader in medical care in our county, state and nation. He currently serves as Chairman of the American Medical Association.
It's an honor and privilege to serve District 108 in the House! Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt
P.S. I'm up for reelection this year and Democrats say that have a candidate to run against me. Please donate to my reelection campaign today by clicking here and make the largest donation that you can afford. I really need your help. Thank you in advance!