Across South Carolina

Panel holds bill to require more review before increasing fees

COLUMBIA --- A bill that would slow down state agencies' ability to increase fees faces an uncertain future.

S. 517, introduced by Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, was carried over Tuesday by the Finance Subcommittee on Sales and Income Taxation. That means the bill could resurface as early as next week after staff and lawmakers study it further, or it could die.

Mr. Davis' bill calls for another level of legislative review before a fee increase for a license, such as for hunting or fishing, automatically goes into effect.

Under current law, if a state agency wants to increase a fee, the General Assembly must actively move to oppose it or the change will occur by default after 120 days, according to committee staff.

Mr. Davis' bill, which drew a host of co-sponsors, including Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, exempted some fee changes, such as tuition increases at universities, from the additional review.

Making teacher-student sex a felony goes to Senate panel

COLUMBIA --- South Carolina lawmakers will consider a bill making sex between high school teachers and students a felony.

The Senate Judiciary Committee debated the proposal Tuesday. It says school employees in supervisory roles can be sent to prison for up to five years for having sex with 16- and 17-year-old students. Under state law, teens can consent at 16.

The proposal says sex with an 18-year-old student could bring a $500 fine and 30 days in jail. A Senate panel last week tweaked the bill to separate the penalties.