Senate rejects 30-year sunset amendment to County Economic Opportunity District bill

Senators on Feb. 21 debated an amendment to Senate Bill 749 (which authorizes county economic opportunity development districts) that would require any district that issues bonds after Jan. 1, 2026, to be subject to a 30‑year final life cycle.

Senator from Lewis, who offered the amendment, said it “brings uniformity to the code” and provides “consistency, predictability, and responsible government” by starting a 30‑year clock for new bond issues. He said the change would not stop refinancing or prevent additional infrastructure or growth, and that it aligns new financings with how many existing districts operate.

Opponents argued the amendment risks undermining S.B. 749’s ability to attract private capital and complete large projects. The junior senator from the sixteenth warned the amendment could jeopardize a package of projects in Berkeley County (including indoor athletic and medical facilities and retail development) and urged rejection to avoid losing investment. The senator from Harrison said the program had attracted hundreds of millions in outside investment and that “changing the rules in the middle of the game” would create uncertainty for bond markets and local leaders.

Senator from Lewis closed by repeating that the amendment provides clarity and certainty for taxpayers and bondholders and urged adoption; however, the yeas-and‑nays were ordered. The clerk reported 13 yeas, 20 nays and 1 absent; the amendment was rejected and the bill was advanced unchanged.

What it means: Supporters framed the amendment as a code‑consistency measure meant to protect taxpayers and align financing terms; opponents said the automatic 30‑year limitation is an arbitrary constraint that could deter outside capital or jeopardize projects already planned or under negotiation. The record shows a divided floor and a failed amendment vote; the bill itself proceeded to third reading advancement.