Cap report

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“They’re trying to get drunk.”

— Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, on a bill to outlaw alcohol inhaler machines that allow people to inhale alcohol instead of drink it

S.C. PRIMARY

Days left until the June 10 primary: 30

LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Days left before lawmakers adjourn June 5: 25

SCHMOOZING

Where and when lawmakers can eat and drink for free Tuesday — and who’s buying.

6-7 p.m.Reception by the S.C. Association of Certified Public Accountants at the Clarion Town House

7-9 p.m.Reception by S.C. Manufacturers Alliance at the University House

WEEKLY STATUS

Legislative action in week 17 of the session

STATE BUDGET: The House approved a final version of the state’s $7 billion budget Thursday that falls short of meeting a basic state function: getting children to schoolhouses. With diesel fuel prices stubbornly above $4 a gallon, the state will probably need more money than it budgeted in the fiscal year that begins July 1 to keep school bus tanks filled for the entire school year.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: The South Carolina House voted Wednesday to remove fines of up to $10,000 per worker from a bill intended to punish businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants, changing a key provision passed earlier by the Senate. The latest proposal also removed employers’ ability to use a new paper-based system created and audited by the state. Businesses could verify a worker’s immigration status only by using a federal database or state-issued identification. Instead of heavy fines, the House version would suspend a company’s business licenses for up to 30 days. The measure returns to the Senate. If it doesn’t accept the changes, the proposal will return to a conference committee for the second time this year.

CIGARETTE TAX: The Senate approved a 50-cent-a-pack increase to the state’s cigarette tax, setting aside much of the new money for health care for low-income residents. South Carolina’s cigarette tax currently is 7 cents, the lowest in the nation. The tax is expected to collect $159 million yearly. Republican Gov. Mark Sanford has promised to veto it.

SEX OFFENDERS: Sex offenders would be barred from living within 1,000 feet of places where children gather — such as schools, day-care centers and parks — under legislation sent to the Senate floor. The measure exempts sex offenders who bought their homes before the bill’s passage. At least two Senate Democrats worry the bill would force sex offenders to move to rural areas they represent.

ABOLISHING PAROLE: Legislation creating an alternative court system for nonviolent offenders and requiring prisoners to serve most of their sentences was sent to the House floor. As a compromise, the House Judiciary Committee decided the alternative courts must be in place before requiring all prisoners to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences. Opponents say getting rid of parole will cost the state money and make prisoners more unruly, but supporters say the proposal makes the justice system more accountable.

COPPER THEFTS: People selling scrap copper would have to show photo identification, and thieves could face up to 10 years in prison under legislation heading to the Senate floor. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the House bill Tuesday as a way of trying to curb copper theft. The requirements also would apply to people selling stainless-steel beer kegs.

BOOZE INHALER: A device that turns liquor into a breathable vapor of oxygen and alcohol would be banned from South Carolina under legislation sent to the House floor. The House Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday to ban the Alcohol Without Liquid device, known as AWOL.

CIVIL WAR: South Carolina’s observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War would be overseen by a new board under legislation approved by a House committee. The bill creating the South Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial Advisory Board was sent to the House floor Tuesday.

MORE ONLINE

For fresh political and legislative news, click on S.C. Politics Today.

To read the full text of bills, click on Find a Bill under the General Assembly category.

Also, find out how much state employees earn by clicking on S.C. salary data and searching the online list.