Senate group resolves to keep DHEC intact

COLUMBIA - A Senate subcommittee decided against breaking up the state's health and environmental agency as it passed massive government restructuring legislation.

The subcommittee held five public hearings and three subcommittee hearings on the nearly 2,000 pages of legislation before it approved the bill Tuesday morning.

The legislation was sent that afternoon to the full Judiciary Committee, a sign of the importance of the legislation and the desire to get the bill passed by the General Assembly this session.

Under the bill, voters would decide whether to change the state constitution and eliminate elections for the education superintendent, secretary of state, agriculture commissioner, adjutant general and comptroller general.

The bill also would shift or eliminate some state agencies.

One plan previously discussed would have put the Department of Health and Environmental Control's health division under a new Department of Health Services, which would include the Mental Health and the Disabilities and Special Needs departments.

The DHEC board last week voted against restructuring the department, sending a message to the legislature and governor to keep the agency intact.

The subcommittee approved an amendment Tuesday that requires DHEC to coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services and report annually to the General Assembly on that effort.

No action was taken in full committee Tuesday afternoon, as some lawmakers questioned the need for a major overhaul.

"What's broken about the current system?" asked Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston.