The State Capitol Report
By Rep. Robert Q. Williams
SC House District #62
The House of Representatives adopted the conference committee report on S.196, legislation enhancing provisions for COMBATTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING. The legislation includes human trafficking offenses within the jurisdiction of the state grand jury. The legislation also includes new requirements for posting National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline information that apply to a list of establishments such as adult businesses, massage parlors, hospital emergency rooms, agricultural labor contractors, hotels, motels, airports, train stations, bus stations, rest areas, and truck stops. Penalties are established for failing to comply with these posting requirements.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3119, a bill establishing the FELONY CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF THEFT OF A FIREARM punishable with a fine of up to five thousand dollars and/or imprisonment for up to ten years.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3116, a bill establishing FRAUDULENT FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION PURCHASE PREVENTION provisions. The legislation provides that it is unlawful for a person to knowingly solicit, persuade, encourage or entice a licensed dealer or private seller of firearms or ammunition to transfer a firearm or ammunition under circumstances that the person knows would violate the laws of this state. Additionally, it is unlawful for a person to knowingly provide to a licensed dealer or private seller of firearms or ammunition materially false information with intent to deceive the dealer or seller about the legality of a transfer of a firearm or ammunition.
The House amended, approved, and sent the Senate H.3115, a bill PROHIBITING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM REGULATING KNIVES. The legislation provides that no governing body of any county, municipality, or other political subdivision in the state may enact or promulgate any regulation or ordinance that regulates the transfer, ownership, possession, carrying, or transportation of knives by adding knives to the list of firearms, ammunition, and related items that cannot be regulated by any governing body other than the General Assembly.
If you have a comment or opinion concerning the matters discussed in this report, or if I may be of assistance to you at any time, please feel free to call your legislative office in Columbia 803-734-3142, or my home 843- 395-9408.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the House of Representatives.
