Mia McLeod in SC legislative records

On Crime: Clear record for first time drunk/disorderly offenders

Analysis by ACU: This bill is designed to expand employment opportunities by providing individuals convicted of drunk or disorderly conduct offenses a pathway to have the charges expunged from public record.

Veto Message: Criminal history, like all history, should not be erased. Compassion should not be forced upon unwitting prospective employers. I am unwilling to sign legislation that effectively sanctions an employee failing to acknowledge--or consciously omitting information about--a prior arrest for public disorderly conduct.

Legislative Outcome: Vetoed on May/28/19; Veto Overridden in House 107-0-15, Roll Call #712 on Jun/25/19; Overridden in Senate 38-2-0 on June/25/19; State Sen. McLeod voted YES to override.

On Drugs: Require reporting of administration of opioid antidote

Analysis by Count On 2 NBC News: A new state law requires South Carolina health care facilities to report to the state health department every time they administer an opioid antidote. This information will be collected for the state's prescription monitoring program. DHEC already tracks antidote administrations from some law enforcement and firefighters, but now all first responders will be required to submit that data as well. The goal of the law is to get a fuller picture of opioid misuse in the state.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 44-0-2 on May/8/19; State Sen. McLeod voted YES; passed House 103-0-20 on May/9/19; Signed by Governor Henry McMaster on May/16/19

On Drugs: Additional licenses for more drug treatment facilities

Veto Letter from Gov. Haley: I am vetoing this bill because I believe the Certificate of Need program create unnecessary regulation for the healthcare market. The CON process allows government to ration care, stifle competition in the medical field, and pick which facilities and practices are allowed to succeed. While I understand that this bill is designed in-part to control the growth of treatment facilities that distribute controlled substances, these facilities are already highly regulated & do not need additional licensure.

Legislative outcome: Bill passed Senate 31-11-0 on March 24; State Sen. McLeod voted YES; bill passed House 94-0-30 on May 4; vetoed by Governor Haley on May 23; Veto overridden, law took effect 6/15/2011.

On Energy & Oil: Supported SC Energy Freedom Act promoting solar power

EnergyNews.US in favor:The recently passed Energy Freedom Act supports a more resilient, clean energy future for South Carolina by supporting solar PV and battery storage technologies. The act promotes more economical systems for utility customers and requires utilities to explore the investments in solar-plus-storage generation assets.

A.C.U. in opposition: This bill contains a key provision that drives up electricity costs by expanding a program known as "net metering" which subsidizes solar producers. Under the program, utility companies are forced to purchase excess electricity from solar energy producers at above-market rates and infrastructure and delivery costs are transferred to other ratepayers.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 40-0-0, Roll Call #400 on May/8/19; State Sen. McLeod voted YES; Passed House 103-0-20, Roll Call #669 on May/9/19; Signed by Governor Henry McMaster on May/16/19

On Government Reform: Voted NO on requiring photo ID in order to vote

• [When voting, a person must present photo ID and] a voting official shall compare the photograph contained on the ID and verify that the photograph is that of the person seeking to vote.
• For voting purposes, determining a person's domicile includes: income tax returns; legal residence tax assessment; address on driver's license; or legal and financial documents.
• If the voter cannot produce the identification as required, he may cast a provisional ballot that is counted only if the voter brings a valid photo identification before certification of the election.
• If a voter suffers from a reasonable impediment that prevents the elector from obtaining photograph identification, he may complete an affidavit under the penalty of perjury at the polling place.

On Immigration: Voted NO on police checking immigration status

• It is a felony for a person who has remained in the US in violation of law to conceal themselves from detection or to conspire to conceal that person from state or federal authorities.
• A law enforcement officer, when stopping a person for some other criminal offense, must determine the immigration status of that person if the officer suspects that the person is illegally in the US.
• If a prisoner who is an alien unlawfully present in the US completes the prisoner's sentence of incarceration, the keeper of the jail shall notify the US Department of Homeland Security [or ICE agency] and shall securely transport the prisoner to a federal facility [for deportation].
• Implement a fee on wire transfers to foreign countries: a 1% fee with a minimum of $5.

On Environment: Rebuild banned sea wall for gated community

Veto message:Where the State has worked for several years to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework to protect our shared coastal resources, it would be unwise to hastily enact a special exception to the Beachfront Management Act. I oppose a practice that is tantamount to enacting local or special legislation, prohibited by our constitution.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 34-3-5 on 5/5/19; State Sen. McLeod voted YES (overriding veto); Vetoed on 5/15/19; House Sustained Veto 60-43-19, Roll Call #698 on 5/20.