Bill poses fire sprinkler tax credit

Sofa store blaze prompts legislation

COLUMBIA — People who equip a home or business with a fire sprinkler system would get a state tax credit for 80 percent of the cost under a bill introduced Tuesday in the House.

The bill, authored by Speaker Bobby Harrell and signed by 12 co-sponsors, was filed in response to the June 18 fire at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston that killed nine firefighters.

"It is unfortunate when it takes a tragedy for us to see the need for certain legislative actions," Harrell, R-Charleston, said in a statement. "It is our goal that these incentives will cause businesses and individuals to act and install this lifesaving device."

The bill also calls for the fire sprinkler tax to be repealed. Local governments would only be allowed to charge for the actual cost associated with adding a waterline for the purpose of supporting a fire sprinkler system.

The tax credit would qualify toward the cost of purchasing, installing and retrofitting fire sprinklers but is capped at $50,000. Additionally, sprinkler systems also would become exempt from the sales tax.

The proposal is similar to a bill pre-filed in December by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston; however, the House bill adds tax credits for homes.

McConnell said he supports Harrell's addition and wants to see it included in the final form.

Another bill is pending in the Senate, introduced by Sen. David Thomas, R-Greenville, that mandates businesses install fire sprinklers. Six people died in a 2004 fire at a Comfort Inn in Greenville.

All three bills are being considered by the appropriate legislative committees before they reach the House and Senate floors.

Harrell and McConnell said they support using market-based incentives instead of mandating sprinkler installation.

Local sponsors of the House bill include Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island; Rep. Ben Hagood, R-Sullivan's Island; Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston; Rep. Wallace Scarborough, R-Charleston; Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, D-Charleston; and Annette Young, R-Summerville.

In addition to McConnell, the Senate bill is co-sponsored locally by Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Isle of Palms.

"The nine firefighters who died in the line of duty are heroes," Scarborough said in a statement.

"Our firefighters are in the business of saving lives and we need to give them the tools that will help them succeed. We should honor those fallen firefighters by passing this bill and give them the helping hand they need to save lives," he said.

Reach Yvonne M. Wenger at (803) 799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.