Council Legislative Committee

Columbia Council Legislative Committee Meeting Agenda Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 3:00 PM City Hall • Mayor's Conference Room 1737 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201 City Clerk’s Office: (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov The Honorable Daniel J. Rickenmann, Mayor The Honorable Will Brennan, District III • The Honorable Sam P. Johnson, At-Large Call to Order Approval of Minutes 1. August 19, 2025 Council Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes Committee Discussion 2. Federal Legislative Update - Mr. Ralph Garboushian, Debra DeHaney-Howard and Kennedy Bailey, CapitalEdge Funding Requests, Grants, and Policies Status of Pending Project Requests Homeless and Housing Discussions 2026 Capitol Hill Visit Executive Session 3. Receipt of legal advice relating to matters covered by attorney-client privilege pursuant to S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(2) 1835 Assembly Street 1601 Assembly Street Adjournment Page 1 of 1 Page 1 of 4  COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The Council Legislative Committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), 1737 Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. The Honorable Daniel J. Rickenmann, Mayor called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. and the following members were present: Attendee Name Title Status Daniel J. Rickenmann Chair Present Will Brennan Member Present Aditi Bussells Member Present APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of August 13, 2024 September 17, 2024 Council Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes – Approved Upon a motion made by Mr. Brennan and seconded by Dr. Bussells, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the August 13, 2024 and September 17, 2024 Council Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes. COMMITTEE DISCUSSION Ms. Pamela Benjamin, CPM, Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services acknowledged the team’s efforts during an unusual legislative year. Despite challenges, there were several key successes. She thanked everyone for their hard work in keeping the City’s priorities at the forefront throughout the session. Ms. Payton Lang, Policy and Programs Advisory / Office of the Mayor shared that both federal and state sessions were atypical and affected funding progress. She noted that federal budget delays stalled the City’s community project requests, which have been resubmitted. At the state level, the budget excluded earmarks to support a tax reduction from 6.2% to 6%, though the City still received $3.703 million from the local government fund. She emphasized the need for continued engagement and advocacy to advance City priorities. Page 1 of 3 Page 2 of 4  COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025 2. Federal Legislative Report - Mr. Ralph Garboushian, CapitalEdge – Received as information. i. FY 24/25 Federal Legislative Year in Review ii. Grant/Funding Updates iii. Looking Ahead Mr. Ralph Garboushian, CapitalEdge provided a federal legislative update. He noted that none of the twelve FY2025 appropriations bills have passed, resulting in a continuing resolution and no earmarks. He highlighted the Budget Reconciliation Law, which repeals Inflation Reduction Act clean energy incentives, makes Opportunity Zones permanent, extends New Markets Tax Credits, and raises the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap to $40,000. For FY2026, most House and Senate appropriations bills are advancing, though completion before the September 30 fiscal deadline appears unlikely. Both chambers plan to fund Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership programs at prior- year levels. There was discussion about proposed Continuum of Care changes; federal uncertainty; monitoring new legislation and executive orders; collaborating with federal agencies on housing and homelessness; and shifts in competitive grant funding. 3. State Legislative Report - Mr. Kyle Michel, Kyle Michel Law Firm; Mr. Damon Jeter, Jet Corp Consulting Group, LLC; and Ms. Caroline Delleney, Due South Advocacy, LLC – Received as information. i. FY 24/25 State Legislative Year in Review ii. Funding Update iii. Looking Ahead Mr. Kyle Michel, Kyle Michel Law Firm highlighted several legislative updates. He noted strong collaboration with City staff and the Columbia Legislative Delegation to advance budget and policy priorities. He explained that all FY2025 state earmarks were removed after action by the Senate Finance Committee and House leadership. He also highlighted the statewide Hands Free and Distracted Driving Act which became effective; liquor liability tort reform, which reduces insurance costs for hospitality venues; the Underground Facility Damage Prevention Act, which grants municipalities greater authority over utility digging enforcement; and H. 3292 Golf Page 2 of 3 Page 3 of 4  COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025 Cart Operation, which has been amended to give municipalities the ability to enact golf cart operation ordinances within certain limits. There was discussion about digital ID going into effect; liquor liability; operations for golf carts in regards to business licensing; consolidation of state behavioral-health and developmental-disability departments; regulation of vaping products and THC consumables; state use of speed cameras; status of red light case study and connecting with school districts; stiffer litter fees and penalties; increasing municipal fines for criminal offenses; and upcoming dates for pre-filing in the House and the Senate. OTHER DISCUSSION No additional items were discussed at the time. EXECUTIVE SESSION Upon a motion made by Mr. Brennan and seconded by Dr. Bussells, the Committee voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 2:35 p.m. for the discussion of Item 4. 4. Discussion of negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements pursuant to S. C. Code §30-4-70(a)(2) · Legislative Affairs ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Erika D. Moore Hammond, MMC, CPM City Clerk Page 3 of 3 Page 4 of 4