Prefiled bills ’09: We can’t drive 55
On to the transportation bills that don’t involve mobile phones. It’s great, we’ve got it all here: speeding, drugs and government travel. But, be reminded — this isn’t pre-Operation Lost Trust anymore. You can’t get do a gator-tail of blow, get inside a car and go flying down the Interstate on a government-funded trip. And if you know who can, we do have an email address.
Rep. Todd Rutherford is looking to raise the levels of speed limits on South Carolina roadways. Most major roads are pegged at 65 or 70mph. But, oh my — go and get yourself an eight-cylinder, boys and girls.
H. 4185: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-1520, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS IMPOSED ALONG THE STATE’S HIGHWAYS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT THAT MAY BE POSTED ALONG INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS AND FREEWAYS.
Yeah. You’ve guessed it. New maximum speed limit? A full hair-on-fire 80mph. Get this bill on the, erm, fast-track. And, if you’re minding your speed, or even just out with friends, and get nailed with possession of a controlled substance, you may get some leeway. Rep. Bakari Sellers is looking to make it only an optional, and not mandatory penalty, for a license suspension.
H. 4188: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-745, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE SUSPENSION OF THE DRIVER’S LICENSE OF A PERSON CONVICTED OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE VIOLATION, AND THE ISSUANCE OF A SPECIAL RESTRICTED DRIVER’S LICENSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE SUSPENSION OF A DRIVER’S LICENSE BY THE COURT UNDER THIS PROVISION IS OPTIONAL AND NO LONGER MANDATORY.
Then there’s state travel. It doesn’t specify whether it’s by plane or by car, but if it’s nonessential, Rep. John King is trying to make sure it can’t be paid for until the end of the legislative session. The idea is to get some standards nailed down.
H. 4176: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO IMPOSE A MORATORIUM ON REIMBURSEMENTS PAID IN CONNECTION WITH ALL NONESSENTIAL STATE EMPLOYEE TRAVEL AND ASSOCIATED MEALS AND LODGING THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES OF THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD SHALL PUBLISH GUIDELINES DEFINING ESSENTIAL TRAVEL QUALIFYING FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
