House Amendment 19
H 5118 - Session 125 (2023-2024)
Electrical Utilities, Electricity Regulation, and Economic Development
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Rep. W. Jones proposes the following amendment (LC-5118.HA0045H):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

SECTION X. Chapter 1, Title 58 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 Section 58-1-70. (A) Electrical utilities, including the Public Service Authority, must work to ensure tangible benefits are provided to the surrounding community and promotes community well-being through a community benefit agreement. For purposes of this section, a "community benefit agreement" means a legally binding agreement between the electrical utility and the community that outlines specific benefits and commitments to be provided to the community.
 (B) Electrical utilities shall negotiate a community benefit agreement with representatives of the surrounding community, including but not limited to:
  (1) community organizations;
  (2) residential groups;
  (3) small businesses; and
  (4) local government.
 (C) A community benefit agreement must include:
  (1) job training and employment opportunities for local residents;
  (2) community facilities and infrastructure improvements;
  (3) environmental mitigation measures;
  (4) community health initiatives;
  (5) small business support and development; and
  (6) other benefits as determined by the community.
 (D) The community benefit agreement must be signed and executed prior to the commencement of construction of a facility for the electrical utility. The electrical utility must provide annual reporting regarding compliance with the community benefit agreement to the community and to the Public Service Commission.
 (E) Failure to comply with the community benefit agreement shall result in penalties and sanctions as determined by the Public Service Commission. In addition, the community shall have legal recourse to enforce terms of the community benefit agreement.