[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6262642,"mediaKeyId","3113005-73da03c77dd64b2cb62555302b7bbfc5","parentId",3113005,"title","Subcommittee pauses beachfront ‘maintenance’ bill; agencies, stakeholders seek regulatory fixes","audioSeconds",1718,"startMs",1478000,"endMs",3196000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113005-73da03c77dd64b2cb62555302b7bbfc5&start=1478&end=3196","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113005-73da03c77dd64b2cb62555302b7bbfc5/thumbnail_1478000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6262642/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-pauses-beachfront-maintenance-bill-agencies-stakeholders-seek-regulatory-fixes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262642-4e0540d01ebbf3aa9e201a06c8c1566d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770865426&Signature=AFILeSWuRy5rt1qsuCVdozJPt5nCE~yrv4iBd9qQcC77Hqh-xxlrW1x2jWzODZ5yMLTWM2icmQyDBialx51aCzHbmFHBP45SMj7IKcevJm3Wqy2AtCrzVS2e03Op3b8WWPruuimyyvNlnngXJxA-c~KND9zp5bZWjWeF6EDioiflOeizCxH4UEMZR3tmKNYyQ4ta2k2aeTH6RHuZ6eHcVPbotK1bkeVvxlfKJJndW45izFX8ttbnVU18lefJTNmD8fDpOzQehuknCdxOXeqko~zsCxSrSNTZbg-1ilx7X6wxULIlCgXzXXnCCdlu4l4MGJxrBsz9yCJ9dwWzeFoBIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Carolina Legislature","date","2025-04-24T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Bailey presented House Bill 3,770 to streamline repairs to piers, docks and similar shoreline structures by allowing certain maintenance without a permit, followed by an as-built survey filed within 60 days. He said lengthy review times sometimes prevent urgent fixes and risk losing entire structures.

Riley Egger, director of the Land, Water, and Wildlife program at the Coastal Conservation League and a member of the Department of Environmental Services (DES) stakeholder group, urged the committee to allow stakeholder deliberation before passing a statutory change. “I would love the opportunity to discuss with…land surveyors, construction companies, and the conservation groups about if this bill meets the need of all the interest,” Egger said.

Chris Stout, chief for the Bureau of Coastal Management at the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services, told the subcommittee that the statute currently contains a maintenance-and-repair exception and that DES’s review letters for maintenance are issued as a courtesy rather than as permits. Stout said DES is developing a general permit to streamline reviews and expected to put that general permit on public notice soon; he said the stakeholder group’s final report could inform regulatory changes by January.

Members and witnesses disputed whether homeowners currently need permits for minor repairs. Representative Bay pressed whether DHEC (Department of Health and Environmental Control) or DES was requiring permits despite the statutory maintenance exception. Chris Stout said the agency issues courtesy review letters to help contractors and local building officials and pledged to look into any instance where staff told a homeowner they would be jailed for repairs.

Representative Bailey said the bill’s as-built survey requirement is intended to show repairs did not enlarge a structure, and to allow owners to replace a destroyed dock where they can demonstrate they are restoring the previously permitted footprint. Committee members noted cost concerns for as-built surveys—Riley Egger estimated a simple survey could cost on the order of $350–$1,000 depending on scope—and asked whether small repairs would be burdened by new paperwork.

After discussion, Representative Bailey moved to adjourn debate until the bill’s language could be revised; the motion passed on a 4-to-1 roll call (Representatives Scribe, Harris, May and Morgan voted Aye; Chairman Burns voted No). The bill remains in subcommittee for redrafting and further stakeholder work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee -- Environmental Affairs Subcommittee of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs Committee Thursday, April 24, 2025 9:00 am ","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Bailey’s bill on repair and maintenance of docks and beachfront structures prompted lengthy discussion. Agency officials said a general permit and stakeholder work could address delays; the subcommittee voted 4–1 to adjourn debate until language is revised.","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},6262647,"Subcommittee advances bill letting some property owners install wells or septic if local provider cannot serve",1354,90000,1444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113005-73da03c77dd64b2cb62555302b7bbfc5&start=90&end=1444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113005-73da03c77dd64b2cb62555302b7bbfc5/thumbnail_90000.jpg","/articles/6262647/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-advances-bill-letting-some-property-owners-install-wells-or-septic-if-local-provider-cannot-serve","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262647-88f1e001b031774e2d37999f08181cf6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770865426&Signature=EKjTZLusGPWP0SvNGq~XStj97o0YuwYTKsdEVOdV~0QACKTreojhkkx31n380Us28X7GptmbHsxiScjONgYfxXk7kaVY4h3nGQTycYaETNPp5CHbwelsma-FyzI1nr~Lfds42Q1zveyck8jWhGfLXbpiDWwGDcR0dtbQqOL0FXYZBJQBEOLPzogR0wKJB02TfyFd5UCKeVQFMJKs-fqX6LYfvmOQLQdBFCXuYLdKJap2vHN5HGgBDq-tHOpMjhLWSSSi49Yf5uLF7vjRO3r3mpfX~YP3S6KHGA3dPrgNL3IoUETFb6LLb25EhEXQeyvC2YLT3V8nmKUXxElqRC0dFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Forrest presented House Bill 4,168, saying the two-paragraph bill would allow a small subset of property owners to drill private wells or install septic systems when a public water or sewer provider lacks capacity or when private systems are more economical.

The measure drew opposition from municipal and utility representatives, who warned of public-health and environmental risks if local control is preempted. Supporters from groundwater and home-builder groups framed the bill as a property-rights and affordability measure.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Forrest, told the subcommittee the bill “is really gonna apply to a very small minority of people around the state,” and that it allows homeowners to choose a private solution when public service is unavailable or costlier than a private well or septic system. He also said an amendment would protect owners who need to repair existing wells or septic systems.

Frank Eskridge, director of utility operations for Columbia Water and speaking for the South Carolina section of the American Water Works Association, urged a no vote. Eskridge said municipal utilities and special districts have built water and sewer infrastructure to protect public health and that a statewide mandate would “remove local authority” and risk proliferation of septic tanks in cities. “The proliferation of septic tanks in Columbia would present a public health hazard,” Eskridge said, adding that local ordinances in many cities already prohibit replacement or installation of septic tanks where public sewer is available.

Jay Swearingen of the South Carolina Groundwater Association said the bill provides needed relief when municipal or county systems “lack the capacity to serve that property” and allows property owners a cost-effective option; he estimated a household well might cost $5,000 to $15,000 depending on depth and geology. Alex James of the Home Builder Association said the bill is a “private property rights issue.” Dana Phillips and Avery Upchurch (Association of Counties) said they oppose the bill as drafted but welcomed the amendment to paragraph 1.

The subcommittee adopted Amendment 1, which requires that, if the providing entity cannot provide service, it must notify the property owner in writing within 30 calendar days of the request and clarifies that owners may repair existing private wells or septic systems rather than being forced to abandon them. The amendment passed on a 4-to-1 roll call (Representative Kramer voted No; Representatives Harris, May, Morgan and Chairman Burns voted Aye).

After the amendment, a motion to advance the bill from subcommittee passed on a roll call with Representatives Cromer, Harris, May, Morgan and Chairman Burns voting Aye. Chairman Burns said the bill will be considered by the full committee next Tuesday.

The record shows competing priorities: utilities argued for local control and long-term public-health safeguards; proponents emphasized cost and lack-of-service exceptions and required regulatory permitting for any private systems. The subcommittee did not change regulatory permitting requirements; witnesses and members noted that wells and septic systems must still meet Department of Environmental Services standards.

The subcommittee’s actions were procedural: the amendment established a 30-calendar-day written-notice requirement and a repair-protection clause; the bill was advanced to full committee for further consideration.","The Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Subcommittee advanced House Bill 4,168 after debate and an amendment that requires providers to respond in writing within 30 days when they cannot provide service and protects repair of existing private wells and septic systems.","actionData","errors"]

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Subcommittee pauses beachfront ‘maintenance’ bill; agencies, stakeholders seek regulatory fixes

Subcommittee advances bill letting some property owners install wells or septic if local provider cannot serve