[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6255741,"mediaKeyId","3161797-3d11ef70396d2cad274f2f9d3df4b6e7","parentId",3161797,"title","Senate committee gives favorable report to SAFE Act allowing voluntary DMV 'SAFE' designation for certain diagnoses","audioSeconds",131,"startMs",4665000,"endMs",4796000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3161797-3d11ef70396d2cad274f2f9d3df4b6e7&start=4665&end=4796","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3161797-3d11ef70396d2cad274f2f9d3df4b6e7/thumbnail_4665000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6255741/South-Carolina/Senate-committee-gives-favorable-report-to-SAFE-Act-allowing-voluntary-DMV-SAFE-designation-for-certain-diagnoses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6255741-9c7b4ad8889487c426560150e40d25c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773706548&Signature=bIg76dhUmOpMeXyeu4gMjp1UgYciibBB5SBDW7y387czAuBqv1uGv6Bow4l2gqnYeXhoDvANAOqZSNyGympiDRlS4c8XbDf41N85y5GsRHOMAI6giaEE2y5Vb3f6ljKLnWKlSywvlQAmo3UmOo844yLMARNE~zAdsjATr23VYWatSiulq8yqYtPDEpeSIrX~TllU-QF-w5eRdtwaWX9rkCuk4W85~S~u8cXorXAGmmmmiz07ojW4lnsq~2jGqreyJZR3ZEq-8catRkKKrBXWQ~-q-6PfbhXEkF8SZQq6-Ahwt~MIfOGurnICfz6xLVLqaHQ1mg4jY2gotCFOlBH0~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Carolina Legislature","date","2025-04-30T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Transportation Committee on Oct. 12 gave a favorable report to S585, the Safeguarding American Families Everywhere Act (SAFE Act), a bill that would allow applicants for motor vehicle registration to voluntarily designate that they or a household member have certain diagnoses so the Department of Motor Vehicles may add a non-identifying \"SAFE\" designation to the motor-vehicle record.

David Owens presented the bill to the committee, listing conditions that registrants could voluntarily indicate, including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, Alzheimer's and related dementias, and other listed conditions. Owens told the committee that if a registrant elects the designation, the DMV \"must include the designation SAFE in the motor vehicle record\" but \"may not include personal identifying information or the diagnosis itself in the motor-vehicle record,\" language the committee cited as protecting privacy while signaling law enforcement.

The Senator from Charleston said she had discussed the proposal with Senator Adams and noted law-enforcement support, saying it helps officers prepare for interactions. Committee members moved and seconded a favorable report; the vote was recorded as a voice vote with \"the ayes have it.\" Specific numeric tallies were not provided in the hearing record.

Key features in committee discussion:

- Participation would be voluntary. Registrants could add or remove the SAFE designation at any time.

- DMV must refrain from including personal identifying information or the specific diagnosis in motor-vehicle records.

- Sponsors named in the hearing record: Senators Tedder and Adams (bill sponsors listed by staff presentation).

Committee action: The committee moved and seconded a favorable report on S585 and recorded a voice vote in favor; the bill will proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Transportation Committee -- Senate Transportation Full Committee Wednesday, April 30, 2025 10:30 am ","oneSentenceSummary","The committee gave a favorable report to S585, the SAFE Act, which would let motor-vehicle registrants voluntarily indicate specified diagnoses so the DMV can add a non-identifying 'SAFE' marker to the motor-vehicle record; law enforcement supported the measure in committee remarks.","taxTitle","2025 Legislative Meetings, South Carolina","taxId",78666,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6255746,"Senate subcommittee amends golf-cart measure to give local governments wider control; committee reports bill favorably",300,4250000,4550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3161797-3d11ef70396d2cad274f2f9d3df4b6e7&start=4250&end=4550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3161797-3d11ef70396d2cad274f2f9d3df4b6e7/thumbnail_4250000.jpg","/articles/6255746/South-Carolina/Senate-subcommittee-amends-golf-cart-measure-to-give-local-governments-wider-control-committee-reports-bill-favorably","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6255746-69032ef75d4e81374895efbafcd1428e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773706548&Signature=kDQnrYm-OLfN9xvR2mYbV~fCBh9Zwukd~ioj~wU5jK1kwXkAeP-rIbuQuSHZpXm6YDBhTodBRPFG27~gEYZHSUaQ22QeHt~e2Pht-i-Zxy1DPzfPMLlPxzhUsASJ2OhM9x5nic2bgSI7xFVzI9ia66RqsgefB7cX8GhicqHMFLjK4c2Ikn6-t26pWtw2WyYnaFQDR1ZoUJgmVE5wH~KuQhkopsJGXVjaXK3TTC2TggegIXhispN5GgtXOKA3~djLevvYPm8TMgHpFwsfE5qnVhnOsePA5siFDTqu6qx20ZhOwx0NFiNCBahz-b0h0W9i~gPYwPcJzG3V02l1Cc2HbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate subcommittee on Oct. 12 reported H 3,292 — a bill altering where and when golf carts may operate — to the full committee with an amendment that gives municipalities and counties authority to regulate golf-cart hours, methods and locations.

Senator Hembry, who presented the subcommittee recommendation, said the existing statute had accumulated piecemeal changes and the subcommittee chose to draft an approach that groups golf-cart operation into three regulatory buckets: municipal authority (by ordinance), county authority in unincorporated areas and a default state rule if local governments decline to regulate. The default cited by the committee remains the existing state standard: operation only during daylight hours, a 35-mph speed limit ceiling in practice and a limit tied to registration distance (the committee described the existing 4-mile-in-address rule).

The subcommittee amended the bill on the floor after questions from the Senator from Pickens and others. Pickens noted business districts where a primary highway might have a 25-mph limit (Main Street in some towns) and asked that local governments be allowed to authorize golf carts there. The committee agreed to strike the phrase limiting operation to \"secondary highways\" in municipal districts and instead allow operation where the speed limit is 35 mph or less if the local government authorizes it.

The amendment was adopted by voice vote and the committee then voted to report the bill favorably as amended. Senators discussed safety concerns and multiple examples of local exceptions in North Myrtle Beach and Pickens County; the committee emphasized the need to balance local control with traffic-safety considerations.

Key provisions discussed:

- Municipalities and counties may adopt ordinances setting hours, locations and methods for golf-cart operation.

- If a local government declines to regulate, the bill leaves in place the state default (as described in testimony): daylight-only operation, limited to roads with a practical 35-mph limit and a 4-mile registration-radius rule.

- Carts must remain registered and carry liability insurance under existing law.

Committee action: The committee adopted a subcommittee amendment (removing \"secondary highway\" language) and gave H 3,292 a favorable report as amended. The committee recorded voice votes; numeric tallies were not provided in the hearing record.

What to watch: The change expands local authority over golf carts but keeps statewide safety guardrails. Local governments that choose to regulate can set more permissive rules, including limited night operation where local ordinances allow lights and other safety equipment.","A Senate subcommittee rewrote and amended H 3,292 to place decisions about golf cart hours, locations and operations with local governments, then advanced the bill with a technical amendment removing a 'secondary highway' limitation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6255751,"Senate committee forwards seven South Carolina Ports Authority nominees after questions about Charleston representation",4335,42000,4377000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3161797-3d11ef70396d2cad274f2f9d3df4b6e7&start=42&end=4377","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3161797-3d11ef70396d2cad274f2f9d3df4b6e7/thumbnail_42000.jpg","/articles/6255751/South-Carolina/Senate-committee-forwards-seven-South-Carolina-Ports-Authority-nominees-after-questions-about-Charleston-representation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6255751-b8e8b0d9b7d7bf2b8497d58c519b9f28/orig.mp4?Expires=1773706548&Signature=W-dRS3SVyaO~OtFspDzkRfhFQZRWAkDxQJX4P3itHJFspUB0J1unpWX0TQdhftyH8MyBvKJvomO23tz19E2Q1OqithRbCte92Dv-Qsr1XEXYqMvNgEjmF6KbfsJI2pUwU8MeUvM9HJ9KCKjUDSdsldch23UcD~cxV~1aw~kOY7Ug9dSbQxahklD5G7guSYHduKTt5F3e2-OY6Z3De1L67zN72HuauaMuAqwrUr1q-X54vAvih6aGXhpMzF0bgl9wDcEuEXvDZcNFiwFdwzSuY6zv6JPf8gKF~ivS6hf~~4SW6mpzN4KeQaSkzU6uRIflfFSVG9EajVd-zt6rLGcphw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate Transportation Committee on Oct. 12 advanced seven nominees to the South Carolina Ports Authority to the full South Carolina Senate, voting to forward each with a favorable report after brief confirmation hearings and questions about port operations and regional representation.

The committee heard from initial appointee James Burns and several reappointments and initial appointees, including Mark Bike, Dan Elzey, Barnwell Fishburne, Pamela Lackey, Rob Raine and Chairman William (Bill) Stern. Staff member David Owens conducted the recorded questioning for the committee and Barbara Melvin, CEO and president of the South Carolina Ports Authority, attended and sat with agency senior staff.

Why it matters: The Ports Authority oversees Charleston Harbor and inland-port operations that officials say support a large share of the state’s economy. Several senators pressed nominees about labor relations at Leatherman Terminal, local representation for Charleston and the board’s role in port capacity and economic development.

Most nominees described prior public or private-sector experience they said is relevant to overseeing a multimodal port operation. James Burns, an initial appointee who identified himself as a partner at Nelson Mullins and a Citadel and Navy veteran, said, \"I look forward to the opportunity to serve if confirmed\" and said he would follow statutory procedures when conflicts arise. Mark Bike, a reappointment, described his long history of public service and said the Dillon inland port was a particular interest. Dan Elzey and Rob Raine said their economic-development and logistics experience shaped their interest. Pamela Lackey emphasized business and government experience and cited the port's statewide economic impact. Barnwell Fishburne said he had worked in local economic development and on transportation bodies. Chairman William Stern — present to answer questions on the authority’s operations — said recent deals and capacity decisions position the port to remain competitive.

Several senators raised questions about representation of Charleston on the Ports Authority. The \"Senator from Charleston\" repeatedly expressed concern that, with recent appointments and reappointments, the board would for the first time have no member from Charleston and urged nominees to be cognizant of Charleston’s specific congestion and infrastructure impacts. Rob Raine and Barnwell Fishburne, both representing or near Charleston, said they regularly spend time in Charleston and would consider Charleston interests. Fishburne explicitly said he would take on a role to look out for Charleston interests.

Labor and Leatherman Terminal: Senators asked about the June 24, 2024 framework agreement between the ports and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) that reopened Leatherman Terminal and about the Supreme Court decision tied to litigation over the terminal. Several nominees said they had not read the court decision or the full framework agreement; others said they were broadly supportive of the current operating model or deferred to staff and legal counsel. Pamela Lackey and Barnwell Fishburne indicated support for the framework agreement; others said they would learn more if confirmed. Chairman Stern and multiple senators emphasized the port’s economic impact and noted purchases and transactions meant to preserve capacity at Charleston (including a paper-mill site acquisition discussed during the hearing).

Votes at a glance: The committee moved and seconded favorable reports for each nominee and recorded voice votes for all items (committee announcements recorded \"the ayes have it\"). Specific tally numbers were not provided in the hearing minutes. The committee will forward each name to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation.

- James Burns — initial appointment; motion for favorable report made by the Senator from Pickens; outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

- Mark Bike — reappointment; motion for favorable report made by the Senator from Florence; outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

- Dan (Daniel) Elzey — initial appointment; motion for favorable report made by the Senator from Horry (second by the Senator from Richland); outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

- Barnwell Fishburne — initial appointment; motion for favorable report (mover: Senator from Colloton); outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

- Pamela Lackey — reappointment; motion and second for favorable report (Senator from Richland among movers); outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

- Rob (Robert) Raine — initial appointment; motion for favorable report made by a member of the Spartanburg delegation; recorded recusal: the Senator from Charleston noted a recusal from the Raine vote for a stated familial relationship; outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

- William (Bill) Stern — reappointment as chairman; motion for favorable report made by the Senator from Richland (second by the Senator from Florence); outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

What the nominees said about conflicts: Nominees repeatedly said they were unaware of personal conflicts of interest tied to the Ports Authority and that, if conflicts arose, they would follow statutory recusal procedures or seek board advice. Several nominees described prior service in the military, state government, or business and to varying degrees noted experience with ports, inland ports, logistics and economic development.

What the committee recorded: The committee recorded general praise for the port executive team and their access to legislators; Chairman Stern and CEO Melvin were thanked for outreach and for recent actions intended to preserve port capacity and partner with local stakeholders in Charleston.

Next steps: Each nominee’s name will be submitted to the full South Carolina Senate with a favorable committee report. The committee did not adopt or change any statutory language during the confirmation process; final appointment requires full-Senate confirmation.","A Senate Transportation Committee hearing advanced seven nominees to the South Carolina Ports Authority to the full Senate after brief questioning about conflicts of interest, maritime experience and local representation in Charleston. All nominees received favorable committee reports and will be submitted to the full Senate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee gives favorable report to SAFE Act allowing voluntary DMV 'SAFE' designation for certain diagnoses

Senate subcommittee amends golf-cart measure to give local governments wider control; committee reports bill favorably

Senate committee forwards seven South Carolina Ports Authority nominees after questions about Charleston representation