SC Gov. Henry McMaster wants to use $45 million in tax money in response to the COVID-19 virus.

McMaster requested Mar. 12 that the South Carolina General Assembly pass a joint resolution to make money from the 2019-2020 Contingency Reserve Fund immediately available for the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The Senate Finance Committee Mar. 17 voted unanimously to approve the legislation.

The full Senate also passed the bill unanimously Tuesday afternoon.

It went on to its 3rd formal reading Wednesday, after press time.

Any funds not utilized by SCDHEC would be returned to the Contingency Reserve Fund upon completion of the department’s efforts.

“DHEC protocols and procedures require the agency to prepare for a variety of contingencies and situations,” Governor McMaster wrote. “This requires the agency identify and secure – in advance – the necessary resources, equipment and personnel to successfully address these contingencies.”

“The $45 million amount may be deducted from the $128 million 1-time taxpayer credit contained in the FY 2020-21 General Appropriations Act passed by the House of Representatives.

“This credit would not be available to state taxpayers until they file their taxes in 2021. I believe these 1-time surplus dollars should be utilized now to provide DHEC with funds, to the extent necessary, to address COVID-19.”