The House approved S. 291, a State Government Budget Continuing Resolution, and enrolled the legislation for ratification. This joint resolution provides for the continuing authority to pay the expenses of State government should the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year begin without a general appropriations act having been enacted. Under the resolution, recurring expenses of state agencies and programs would continue to be funded at the levels approved in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 General Appropriations Act. Provisions are, however, made to ensure that sufficient amounts are appropriated to ensure timely debt service on state obligations and to meet constitutionally required funding obligations such as transfers the Capital Reserve Fund.

H. 3276 South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act

H. 3276, the "South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act," is in the Senate after passing the House this week. It would create a two-point traffic offense for mobile unit device users who repeatedly violate this distracted driving prohibition. In addition, it levies unsuspendable mandatory fines of $100 for 1st time offenders or $200 fine for second or more violations committed within a three-year time span.

Of note, these violations could not be reported to violators’ insurers.

Law enforcement officers suspecting drivers violating these prohibitions would have to have a clear and unobstructed view of drivers using a mobile unit device to compose, send, or read text-based communications while driving on a public roadway before they would have probable cause to initiate any traffic stops.

Drivers would be able to use earpieces, wrist worn, or other such hands free technology, as well as touch their devices to activate or deactivate them and to report any emergencies but could not support their devices with any body part.

It also would prohibit so-called “citizens arrests” of violators.

If passed by the General Assembly, this law would be enforceable one year after receiving the Governor’s signature; however, no violations could be written for 90 days after this effective date.

H. 3863 South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act

H. 3863 was amended, adopted, given third reading and sent to the Senate. The bill would enact the "South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act." The bill would establish the South Carolina Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Coalition (Coalition) by merging the existing South Carolina's Coalition for Mathematics & Science (SCCMS) and S2TEM Centers SC. The purpose of the coalition is to build public/private partnerships among state agencies, state funded entities, not for profits, private businesses, entities, organizations, and industries with the goal of building a technology-ready STEM workforce and ensuring South Carolina students are prepared for STEM career opportunities within South Carolina. The bill would create a STEM Education Fund.

H. 3201 Computer Science Education Initiative Act

H. 3201 was adopted, given third reading and sent to the Senate. The bill would enact the "South Carolina Computer Science Education Initiative Act" to provide for the expansion and enhancement of computer science education in public high schools. The bill seeks to create and implement a periodically reviewed statewide computer science education plan and requires that each public school offers at least one computer science course that meets certain criteria (beginning in elementary school) and to provide related requirements (creating certification pathways for teachers) of the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education. The House has repeatedly sent the Senate legislation since 2017.

S. 2 Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

In an effort to consolidate efficient healthcare that will result in the reduction of administration duplication and improve public health outcomes, the House read the bill a third time and returned S. 2 to Senate with amendments. This bill creates within the executive branch of state government an agency to be known as the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (the replacement agency for the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs). The governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoints the director to act as the head and governing authority. There will be three components of this new agency; the Office of Substance Use Services (currently known as DAODAS); the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (currently known as DDSN). Each component office shall be headed by an office director who shall be appointed by the department's director.

The legislation outlines that the Director shall develop and execute a cohesive and comprehensive plan for services provided by the component offices housed within the department. Among many things, the bill also outlines that the director may, to the extent authorized through the annual appropriations act or relevant permanent law, 1) organize the administration of the department, including the assignment of personnel to the offices and among its component departments, as is necessary to carry out the department's duties; 2) develop the budget for the department, including the component offices, to reflect the priorities of its comprehensive service plan and 3) provide to the governor and General Assembly, an annual accountability report containing the agency's mission, objectives to accomplish the mission, and performance measures that show the degree to which objectives are being met. In addition, the department's annual accountability report shall include a review of efforts to maximize efficiency and identify any duplicative services, develop a plan to consolidate or coordinate identified duplicative programs and to eliminate redundancy, while ensuring that the quality, accessibility, and specialization of services are preserved or enhanced. As a result, the bill makes conforming changes throughout the code to reflect the newly formed department and offices.

H. 3569 Domestic Violence Incident Survivors as Protected Tenants

Also residing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, after passing the House this week, is H. 3569, a proposal whereby domestic violence incident survivors would be able to terminate their leases without penalty. They would have to show a documented qualifying incident within 60 days before making a written request to end their lease agreement obligations. Co-tenants on any lease would remain obligated to pay the rent. If protected tenants remain in the residence during the 60-day notice period, they will have to pay rent, but cannot be made responsible for any fees, penalties, or other payments in addition to the monthly rent for exercising their rights. No future landlord could use anyone’s protected tenants designation to refuse to rent to them or otherwise discriminate against them.

As amended during the House debate on this bill, landlords acting in good faith would be exempt from civil liability for exercising the procedures outlined in this proposed legislation.

H. 3127 Aggravated Failure to Stop for a Blue Light or Siren

As passed by the House and is now for consideration by the Senate, H. 3127, would allow motor vehicle operators to be found guilty of a felony for failing to stop for a blue light or siren if they exceed 100 m.p.h.; commit traffic violations including-but not limited to-driving in the wrong lane, improperly passing other vehicles, following too closely, driving improperly in a work zone, using traffic circles incorrectly, following fire trucks, failing to drive on the right side of the road when able to do so, and other specified moving violations; throw illegal drugs in an amount that would support a possession with intent to distribute or trafficking in drugs charge; throw weapons from their vehicles; drive toward another vehicle, person, or law enforcement officer in a way that would intimidate any reasonable person or otherwise cause them fear or intimidation; flee a scene on foot after stopping; collide with any other people and cause them great or moderate bodily injury as defined in the bill. As amended during debate, it would take effect one year after the Governor signs it.

H. 3285 Autism Spectrum Disorder Training

The House has passed and sent the Senate H. 3285. This bill now resides in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Under this proposed bill, law enforcement officers and emergency medical technicians would have to complete training in autism spectrum disorders, including how to identify and interact properly with these individuals.

H. 3924 Hemp-Derived Ingestibles

The Senate now has H. 3924. This bill proposes regulating the sale of hemp‑derived consumables at locations with valid off-premises beer and wine permit or a retail liquor store licenses. In its current version, it lists all substances subject to these restrictions and includes synthetics or analog derivatives of them. They could not be sold to anyone under 21 years old, and retailers will have to have signage, shelf-talkers, and stickers on cooler doors, so as to clearly indicate to consumers the product contains hemp-derived cannabinoids.

Minors assisting law enforcement with investigations, who have their parents’ or guardians’ permission as well as anyone aged 18 to 21 years old, would be exempt from these statutory prohibitions while doing so.

Also, everyone is still prohibited from consuming any of these edibles containing any controlled substances.

Violators face from $200 to $500 in fines and/or imprisonment for up to 30 days for each infraction. Limited exceptions to these prohibitions are also contained in this bill. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture would have no enforcement responsibilities under this current version.

H. 3930 Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act

The Senate also now has H. 3930. This proposed “Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act” would restrict any government entity—other than law enforcement conducting legitimate criminal investigations—from keeping records of privately-owned firearms. Violators would face penalties set out in this pending bill.

H. 4160 More Resident Circuit Judges

Also sent to the Senate was H. 4160. The current version of this bill would convert existing at-large circuit judge seats into additional resident circuit court judge seats in the third, fifth, seventh, ninth, eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth judicial circuits.

S. 126 Public Persona Personal Information Protections

The House has also passed the Senate bill S. 126, which has been enrolled for ratification. This Senate bill is follow-up legislation to further clarify how active and retired judges and law enforcement officers could better protect their personal contact information by applying to have that done. It adds these individuals’ names and real estate tax parcel numbers to the information to privacy protections already covered by existing state law. Applications to protect a specific home address would have to be updated any time it changes, however. This bill requires South Carolina’s Office of Court Administration and the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy to work together to develop an appropriate form for processing these requests.

It also allows this information to be kept from publicly available internet websites and indices maintained by state or local governments. Nevertheless, this restricted personal contact information would still be in judges and law enforcement officials records held by state or local government agencies. If the information appears on a UCC filing statement or other business filing with the SC Secretary of State, it would not be protected by this pending legislation.

This information could be disclosed to personal representatives of a deceased eligible requesting party, title insurance providers, title insurance agents, professional engineers, as well as South Carolina licensed lawyers and land surveyors. It would protect state or local government employees or agents from legal liability for handling this information.

This bill also would delay implementation of it from July 1, 2025 [the effective date set in 2023 Act 56] to January 1, 2026.

S. 156 Fentanyl-Induced Homicide

The House has passed, and sent to the Senate, with amendment, S. 156 creating a criminal offense of Fentanyl-Induced Homicide. Under this amended proposal, anyone providing fentanyl, or any fentanyl-related substances, to users who die as a direct cause of ingesting it, would be committing a new South Carolina criminal offense of fentanyl-induce homicide under the provisions contained in the current version of this pending legislation. Violators would face up to 30 years in jail. In addition, any contributory negligence by the deceased cannot be used as a defense to prosecutions for this crime.

H. 4011 DMV May Issue Temporary Driver Identification Certificates

H. 4011 provides that the DMV may issue temporary driver identification certificates. The bill was amended, adopted, given third reading and sent to the Senate. The bill would delete the term "temporary driver's permit" and replace it with the term "temporary driving certificate.” The bill would allow the DMV to collect an expedited fee for the accelerated production and mailing of beginners, permits drivers licenses and identification hard cards. This is in response to the DMV’s moved to a central issue method [Fall 2025] for providing cards.

Also, the term "resident of South Carolina" shall expressly include all persons authorized by the United States Department of Justice, the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, or the United States Department of State to live, work, or study in the United States on a temporary or permanent basis who present documents indicating their intent to live, work, or study in South Carolina.” A driver's license or identification card issued pursuant to this item to a person who is not a lawful permanent resident of the United States shall expire on the later of: (1) the expiration date of the driver's license applicant's authorized period of stay in the United States; or (2) the expiration date of the applicant's employment authorization document provided the driver's license or identification card is valid for no more than eight years.

H. 3856 Comprehensive DMV Changes and Updates

H. 3856 was amended, adopted, given third reading and sent to the Senate. The bill relates to numerous issues regarding driver’s licenses and permits, including definitions related to veterans, rental trailers, blood type, medical information, dealer licenses, dealer and whole sellers plates, auction licenses and fees, revise the definition of the term “bus,” modifies driver instructor permits (regarding the expiration dates for the permits and provide a schedule of fees), and would modify the points system for evaluating performance records of dealers.

H. 3768 Transportation Improvement Projects

H. 3768 was adopted, given third reading and sent to the Senate. The bill relates to highway system construction to change the sunset expiration provision regarding transportation improvement projects to July 1, 2031.

H. 3801 Repairs To Bridges, Highways and Roads

H. 3801 was adopted, given third reading and sent to the Senate. The bill relates to exemptions from the state procurement code, adding planning for repairs to bridges, highways, roads, and other improvements on South Carolina’s rights of way to the list of exemptions.

H. 3578 Cursive Writing

H. 3578 was amended, adopted, given third reading and sent to the Senate. The bill relates to the requirement that cursive writing be taught in public elementary schools, so as to specify that the cursive writing instruction must begin in third grade and continue in each grade through fifth grade.

H. 3831 Smart Heart Act

H. 3831 was adopted, given third reading and sent to the Senate. The bill would enact the "Smart Heart Act" and provide for the development and implementation of a cardiac emergency response plan in each public school. This would include the automated external defibrillator program in high schools - to provide that each public school would ensure the presence of an automated external defibrillator onsite and within certain proximity of school athletic venues (there are related testing, maintenance, and personnel training requirements).

S. 218 South Carolina Veterans Homes

The House gave third reading and enrolled for ratification S. 218. With the creation of the SC Department of Veterans Affairs, the South Carolina Veterans Retirement Homes, previously under the Department of Mental Health, was moved under the authority of Veterans Affairs. This legislation gives the Department the authority to fully manage and oversee operations by adopting policies and procedures for admissions and discharges. The legislation further allows the Department to set and collect residence and service fees, as well as to receive payments from the assignment of any state or Federal benefit.

H. 3333 Redevelopment of Military Installations

The House gave third reading and sent to the Senate H. 3333, legislation that expands projects that can be undertaken in the redevelopment of a federal military installation to include certain affordable housing projects. The bill defines “affordable housing” as residential housing for rent or sale that is appropriately priced for rent or sale to a person or family whose income does not exceed eighty percent of the median income for the local area, with adjustments for household size, from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The bill outlines that all or part of the new property tax revenues generated in the tax increment financing(TIF) district will be used to provide or support publicly and privately owned affordable housing, including supporting infrastructure projects, in the district. The obligations for redevelopment projects has been extended to not later than thirty-five years after the adoption of an ordinance.

H. 3910 Jurisdiction Over Certain Lands Relinquished by the United States

The House gave third reading and sent to the Senate H. 3910 - legislation that addresses crimes committed by children of military families. Currently, the only exception to the United States' exclusive jurisdiction over lands it acquires in South Carolina, including Department of Defense military installations, is for service by the state's civil and criminal process courts. This bill expands the concurrent jurisdiction with South Carolina and the United States over a military installation relating to any violation of federal law committed by a juvenile that is also an offense under state law with two conditions: (a) the United States Attorney, or the United States District Court, for the applicable district in South Carolina waives exclusive jurisdiction; and (b) the violation of federal law is also a crime or infraction under state law. The bill also states that when concurrent jurisdiction has been established, the Family court has exclusive original jurisdiction over these cases.

H. 4296 Military, Civil Defense and Veterans Affairs

The House gave third reading and sent to the Senate H. 4296, a bill that cleans up outdated language throughout Title 25 (Military, Civil Defense and Veterans Affairs) of the South Carolina Code of Laws.

H. 3175 Commemorating the 250^th Anniversary of the American Revolution

H. 3175 provides that the Department of Motor Vehicles shall issue license plates commemorating the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution.

S. 164 Legislative Review Period for Regulations

S. 164 was given third reading and returned to the Senate with amendments. It would reduce the legislative review period for regulations from 120 days to 110 days, addressing a timing issue created when the legislative session was shortened in 2017. In some years, such as 2025, there can be as few as 113 days in a legislative session. Consequently, regulations filed during those years would not become effective within the same session. The bill also codifies an existing practice, historically part of the Sine Die resolution, by pausing the legislative review period from the second Friday in May through the second Monday in January.

S. 388 Palmetto Fellows Enhancements for Accounting and Education Majors

S. 388 was given third reading and was enrolled for ratification – it is a joint resolution that would make permanent the $2,500 Palmetto Fellows enhancements for accounting and education majors. Legislation authorizing these enhancements passed last year (Act 156 of 2024), and the regulations were initially implemented under emergency provisions. However, due to a timing issue, a joint resolution is now required to ensure the permanent regulations become effective in time for the fall semester so students can continue receiving these scholarships.

S. 389 Life Scholarship Enhancements for Accounting and Education Majors

S. 389 was given third reading and was enrolled for ratification– it is a joint resolution that would make permanent the $2,500 LIFE scholarship enhancements for accounting and education majors. Legislation authorizing these enhancements passed last year (Act 156 of 2024) and the regulations were initially implemented under emergency provisions. However, due to a timing issue, a joint resolution is now required to ensure the permanent regulations become effective in time for the fall semester so students can continue receiving these scholarships.

H. 3841 Extension of Property Tax Exemptions Following a Homeowner’s Death

The House approved and sent the Senate H. 3841, a bill authorizing the extension of property tax exemptions and special assessment rates following a homeowner’s death. The legislation provides that when an owner receiving the special property tax assessment rate on a residence dies, the property shall continue to receive the special assessment rate until the decedent’s estate is closed, upon the recording of a deed or deed of distribution out of the estate, or after December thirty‑first of the year following the date of death, whichever occurs first. This extension does not apply if the property is rented for more than seventy‑two days in or following the calendar year of the decedent’s death or if a change of use occurs. The legislation provides a similar extension for any property tax exemption that the deceased owner had been receiving.

H. 3869 Sales Tax Exemption for Clothing Used in Food Manufacturing Facilities

The House approved and sent the Senate H. 3869, a bill providing a sales tax exemption for protective clothing used in perishable prepared food manufacturing facilities. The legislation establishes a sales tax exemption for clothing required by current good manufacturing practices at perishable prepared food manufacturing facilities to prevent health hazards, including outer garments, gloves, hairnets, headbands, beard covers, caps, and other attire worn by workers to protect against contamination of food.

H. 3163 Firefighters’ Occupational Diseases

The House amended and gave second reading approval to H. 3163, a bill addressing firefighters’ occupational diseases under Workers’ Compensation. The legislation includes stroke among occupational diseases compensable under Workers’ Compensation and conditions presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of employment for firefighters. The legislation provides for more detailed presumption entitlement criteria to clarify that they include conditions developed while actively engaged in fighting a fire, a technical rescue incident, or a strenuous training exercise. Clerical, administrative, or sedentary activities are specifically excluded from the presumption.

H. 3129 Personal Delivery Devices

The House amended and gave second reading approval to H. 3129, a bill addressing the operation of personal delivery devices. The legislation establishes provisions governing the operation of relatively small, electrically-powered personal delivery devices intended for transporting cargo that are equipped with automated driving technology enabling operation with or without the remote support and supervision of a human. Provisions include speed limits for personal delivery devices and specification of the pedestrian areas where they are permitted to operate. For the purpose of assuring public safety, a local government having jurisdiction over public streets, sidewalks, alleys, bridges, and other ways of public passage may, by ordinance, regulate the time and place of the operation of personal delivery devices, but they are not allowed to prohibit their use, altogether. A business that operates a personal delivery device is required to maintain an insurance policy that includes general liability coverage of not less than five hundred thousand dollars per claim for damages arising from its operation. These provisions are set to expire three years after their enactment.

Committees

Education and Public Works

While the Committee did not meet, below are several bills recommended by the committee that may not have been included in the previous committee recapitulation.

H. 3251 Repeal of the Metric Education Committee

H. 3251 would repeal provisions relating to the metric education committee and its mandate to develop and encourage implementation of a metric education plan.

H. 3250 Technical College Libraries

H. 3250 would repeal requirements that technical college libraries convert to computer-based automated systems compatible with state library systems.

H. 3258 Mobile Panic Alert Systems

H. 3258 would require the acquisition and implementation of mobile panic alert systems in each public school in the state.

H. 3778 Inclement Weather Waivers Regarding Hurricane Helene

H. 3778 is a joint resolution that would provide that the governing body of a school district may waive the statutory requirement that public schools make up full days missed due to clement weather for public schools in the districts closed due to inclement weather associated with Hurricane Helene during the 2024-2025 school year, and to extend such waivers to home school programs.

H. 3944 Electric Battery Powered Motor Vehicles

H. 3944 relates to weighing vehicles and their loads and would provide maximum weights for electric battery powered motor vehicles. H. 3944 raises the maximum gross vehicle weight for motor vehicles powered by a battery from 80,000 to 82,000 pounds.

Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

H. 3996 Anesthesiologist’s Supervisory Ratio

The full Medical, Military, Municipal and Public Affairs Committee met on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and reported out favorably H. 3996, a bill that changes the anesthesiologist’s supervisory ratio, from two to four, of anesthesiologist's assistants at any one time. In addition, the bill also removes the in-person interview requirement for anesthesiologist assistants.

Labor, Commerce, and Industry

The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee met on Wednesday, April 9, and reported out several bills.

H. 3752 Social Work Interstate Compact Act

The Committee gave a favorable report on H. 3752, the “Social Work Interstate Compact Act.” This bill makes provisions for South Carolina to join a compact to facilitate interstate practice of regulated social workers with the goal of improving public access to competent social work services while preserving the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure.

H. 3163 Firefighters’ Occupational Diseases Under Workers’ Compensation

The Committee gave a report of favorable with amendments on H. 3163, a bill addressing firefighters’ occupational diseases under Workers’ Compensation. The legislation includes stroke among occupational diseases compensable under Workers’ Compensation and conditions presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of employment for firefighters. The legislation provides for more detailed presumption entitlement criteria to clarify that they include conditions developed while actively engaged in fighting a fire, a technical rescue incident, or a strenuous training exercise. Clerical, administrative, or sedentary activities are specifically excluded from the presumption.

H. 3931 Coastal Tidelands And Wetlands Permit Applications.

The Committee gave a report of favorable with amendments on H. 3931, a bill addressing Coastal Tidelands and Wetlands Permit Applications. The legislation revises timelines for the Department of Environmental Services to act on permit applications for coastal development plans. Within the timeframe, a fifteen-day window is established for DES to request any additional technical information that the department needs from an applicant.

Introductions

Education and Public Works

S. 269 Security Personnel Licensed as a Proprietary Security Business Sen. Turner

S. 269 9 would provide that public school districts with more than 15,00 students may use security personnel licensed as a proprietary security business.

H. 4339 South Carolina Healthy Schools Act Rep. Erickson

H. 4339 would enact the "South Carolina Healthy Schools Act" to protect the health and well-being of children by prohibiting the use of harmful food additives in school meals, ensuring ingredient transparency, establishing compliance procedures and enforcement mechanisms, and providing a periodic review and possible updates of prohibited additives.

Judiciary

H. 4336 Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature – Expansion Rep. Hartnett

This bill would extend penalties applicable to convictions for assault and battery of a high and aggravate nature incidents. Under this proposal, these assaults on emergency response workers, law enforcement and corrections officers, as well as healthcare and educational professionals would be specifically included.

H. 4337 Expansion of Legislative Audit Council Purview Rep. W. Newton

Our state Legislative Audit Council would be given subpoena power, access to all state agency documents, and the right to attend agency meetings under this proposed legislation. It also sets out additional rights and responsibilities when it conducts its audits.

H. 4340 Early Voting in Presidential Primaries Rep. Bauer

If enacted, this legislation would allow early voting in presidential preference primaries at specified locations[s] by repealing the existing prohibition under current state law from doing so.

Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

H. 4335 Telehealth And Telemedicine Providers Rep. Sessions

This bill outlines the requirements to practice telemedicine in the state so as to provide that licensees do not need to reside or maintain a physical office in order to be considered actively practicing medicine within the state.

H. 4342 Restricted Dental Instructor's Licenses Rep. M. M. Smith

This bill removes limitations on certain credentialing requirements for the issuance of a restricted dental instructor’s license.

H. 4343 Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Training Rep. Wetmore

This bill adds that certain healthcare professionals are to successfully complete a one-hour human trafficking awareness and prevention course.

Labor, Commerce, and Industry

S. 171 Waste Tires, Unsafe Used Tires, And Tire-Derived Products Sen. Gambrell

This bill establishes provisions regulating waste tires, including revised fees and record-keeping requirements for waste tire generators, waste tire haulers, and operators of waste tire facilities. Fees collected on sales of new tires are extended to used tires. The legislation includes provisions making it unlawful to install onto a passenger car or light an unsafe used tire with damage or tread wear that fails to conform to safety standards. The legislation authorizes the Department of Environmental Services to provide local government grants from the Waste Tire Trust Fund to assist in recruiting industries that utilize waste tires for alternative productive uses, such as rubber modified asphalt, to keep waste tires out of the solid waste stream. Grants from the Waste Tire Trust Fund may also be awarded to businesses or manufacturers that generate or process waste tires to develop, create, or otherwise utilize waste tires for alternative productive uses or tire‑derived products including, such as rubber modified asphalt, so long as they also satisfy relevant job creation requirements. The legislation directs the Department of Environmental Services to collaborate with the Department of Commerce to identify, pursue, and develop a statewide market infrastructure for tire‑derived products and develop a state plan for the efficient and effective management of waste tires with priority focus on market development.

S. 210 Captive Insurance Companies Sen. Turner

This bill makes numerous revisions to statutes governing captive insurance companies. The definition of an alien or foreign captive insurance company is revised so that it excludes a corporation controlled by an alien adversary. The legislation authorizes a captive insurance company and any protected cell, with the approval of the Director of the Department of Insurance, to include within its plan of operation that it will: (a) receive payments of premium in a specified non‑U.S. currency and pay claims on insured losses in a specified non‑U.S. currency; (b) authorize the payment of claims in a specified non‑U.S. currency; and (c) hold a specified non‑U.S. currency as capital, surplus, or net assets, or any combination thereof. The non‑U.S. currency may only be the currency of the country in which the owner of insured of the captive insurance company or protected cell is located and may not be the currency of an alien adversary. All required payments to the Department of Insurance must be made in U.S. currency, and all reports and other information required to be submitted to the department must be converted to U.S. currency, based on exchange rates as may be approved by the department.

H. 4338 Prohibiting Local Government Restrictions on Exterior Cladding or Finish Materials for Buildings Rep. Sanders

This bill prohibits county councils, city councils, or governing bodies of incorporated cities or towns from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, provision, building code, or other regulation that prohibits or limits, either directly or indirectly, the use of a specific style of exterior cladding or finish materials for residential or commercial buildings in a manner that is more restrictive than state or national building codes. This restriction does not apply to a special purpose district, overlay zone, or historic area.

Index

H. 3333, 12

H. 3910, 12

H. 3996, 15

H. 4335, 17

H. 4342, 17

H. 4343, 18

S. 002, 6

S. 218, 11

Acts

Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, 9

Smart Heart Act, 11

Social Work Interstate Compact Act, 16

South Carolina Computer Science Education Initiative Act, 6

South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, 5

South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act, 6

aggravated failure to stop for a blue light or siren

felony, 7

aliens with status to be in the United States, 10

American Revolution

license plates commemorating the 250^th anniversary of the, 12

anesthesiologist’s supervisory ratio

from two to four, 15

assault and battery of a high and aggravate nature

emergency response workers, law enforcement and corrections officers, as well as healthcare and educational professionals, 17

autism spectrum disorders, 8

auto insurers, 5

automated external defibrillator, 11

Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

currently known as DDSN, 6

Office of Substance Use Services

currently known as DAODAS, 6

the replacement agency for the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, 6

cardiac emergency response plan in each public school, 11

coastal tidelands and wetlands permit applications, 16

Committees, 15

Computer Science Education Initiative Act

for the expansion and enhancement of computer science education in public high schools, 6

cursive writing, 11

decedent’s estate, 13

Department of Motor Vehicles, 12

distracted driving, 5

DMV, 10

Domestic violence incident survivors, 7

domestic violence incident survivors as protected tenants, 7

driver identification certificates, temporary, 10

driver’s licenses and permits, 10

driver’s records and identification, 10

Education

H. 3175, 12

H. 3201, 6

H. 3250, 15

H. 3251, 15

H. 3258, 15

H. 3578, 11

H. 3768, 11

H. 3778, 15

H. 3801, 11

H. 3831, 11

H. 3856, 10

H. 3863, 6

H. 3944, 15

H. 4011, 10

H. 4339, 17

S. 269, 16

Education and Public Works, 15, 16

electric battery powered motor vehicles, 15

enrolled for ratification

S. 126, 9

S. 218, 11

S. 291, 5

S. 388, 13

S. 389, 13

expedited fee for the accelerated production and mailing of cards, 10

Fentanyl-Induced Homicide, 10

firearms. See guns

firefighters’ occupational diseases, 16

firefighters’ occupational diseases under Workers’ Compensation, 14

food manufacturing facilities

perishable prepared food, 14

garments

protective regarding food, 14

guns, 9

H. 3127, 7

H. 3129, 14

H. 3163, 14, 16

H. 3175, 12

H. 3201, 6

H. 3250, 15

H. 3251, 15

H. 3258, 15

H. 3276, 5

H. 3285, 8

H. 3333, 12

H. 3569, 7

H. 3578, 11

H. 3752, 16

H. 3768, 11

H. 3778, 15

H. 3801, 11

H. 3831, 11

H. 3841, 13

H. 3856, 10

H. 3863, 6

H. 3869, 14

H. 3910, 12

H. 3924, 8

H. 3930, 9

H. 3931, 16

H. 3944, 15

H. 3996, 15

H. 4011, 10

H. 4160, 9

H. 4296, 12

H. 4335, 17

H. 4336, 17

H. 4337, 17

H. 4338, 19

H. 4339, 17

H. 4340, 17

H. 4342, 17

H. 4343, 18

hemp‑derived consumables, 8

House Floor, 5

Hurricane Helene

school days missed, 15

identification card, 10

Index, 19

judges, 9

Judiciary, 17

H. 3127, 7

H. 3276, 5

H. 3285, 8

H. 3569, 7

H. 3924, 8

H. 3930, 9

H. 4160, 9

H. 4336, 17

H. 4337, 17

H. 4340, 17

S. 126, 9

S. 156, 10

Labor, Commerce, and Industry, 16, 18

law enforcement officers, 9

law enforcement officers and emergency medical technicians, 8

LCI

H. 3163, 16

H. 3752, 16

H. 3931, 16

H. 4338, 19

S. 171, 18

S. 210, 18

Legislative Audit Council

subpoena power, access to all state agency documents, and the right to attend agency meetings, 17

LIFE scholarship, 13

LIFE scholarship enhancements for accounting and education majors, 13

Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs, 15, 17

metric education committee

repeal of, 15

military, civil defense and veterans affairs, 12

mobile panic alert systems in each public school in the state, 15

Palmetto Fellows, 13

personal delivery devices

electrically-powered personal delivery devices intended for transporting cargo that are equipped with automated driving technology enabling operation with or without the remote support and supervision of a human, 14

personal information protections

judges and law enforcement, 9

presidential preference primaries, 17

Regulations

S. 164, 13

S. 388, 13

S. 389, 13

Rep. Bannister, 15

Rep. Bauer, 17

Rep. Hartnett, 17

Rep. Newton, W., 17

Rep. Sanders, 19

Rep. Sessions, 17

Rep. Smith, M. M., 17

Rep. Wetmore, 18

S. 002, 6

S. 126, 9

S. 156, 10

S. 164, 13

S. 171, 18

S. 210, 18

S. 218, 11

S. 269, 16

S. 291, 5

S. 388, 13

S. 389, 13

school days missed due to inclement weather

wavier due to Hurricane Helene, 15

Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, 9

Sen. Gambrell, 18

Sen. Turner, 18

Sine Die resolution, 13

Smart Heart Act

cardiac emergency response plan in each public school, 11

Social Work Interstate Compact Act, 16

South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, 5

South Carolina Healthy Schools Act, 17

South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act, 6

the goal of which is to build a technology-ready STEM workforce and ensure South Carolina students are prepared for STEM career opportunities, 6

State Board of Education, 6

State Department of Education, 6

state library systems, 15

state procurement code, exemptions from

planning for repairs to bridges, highways, roads, and other improvements, 11

taxes

extension of property tax exemptions and special assessment rates following a homeowner’s death, 13

sales tax exemption for protective clothing used in perishable prepared food manufacturing facilities, 14

tax increment financing(TIF), 12

technical college libraries, 15

temporary driving certificate, 10

transportation improvement projects, sunsetting, 11

W&M

H. 3129, 14

H. 3163, 14

H. 3841, 13

H. 3869, 14

S. 291, 5

without reference

H. 4296, 12

H. 3276 South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act

H. 3863 South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act

H. 3201 Computer Science Education Initiative Act

H. 3569 Domestic Violence Incident Survivors as Protected Tenants

H. 3127 Aggravated Failure to Stop for a Blue Light or Siren

H. 3285 Autism Spectrum Disorder Training

H. 3924 Hemp-Derived Ingestibles

H. 3930 Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act

H. 4160 More Resident Circuit Judges

S. 126 Public Persona Personal Information Protections

H. 4011 DMV May Issue Temporary Driver Identification Certificates

H. 3856 Comprehensive DMV Changes and Updates

H. 3801 Repairs To Bridges, Highways and Roads

H. 3831 Smart Heart Act

S. 218 South Carolina Veterans Homes

H. 3175 Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

H. 3251 Repeal of the Metric Education Committee

H. 3250 Technical College Libraries

H. 3258 Mobile Panic Alert Systems

H. 3944 Electric Battery Powered Motor Vehicles

S. 269 Security Personnel Licensed as a Proprietary Security Business Sen. Turner

H. 4336 Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature – Expansion Rep. Hartnett

H. 4337 Expansion of Legislative Audit Council Purview Rep. W. Newton

H. 4340 Early Voting in Presidential Primaries Rep. Bauer

H. 4335 Telehealth And Telemedicine Providers Rep. Sessions

H. 4342 Restricted Dental Instructor's Licenses Rep. M. M. Smith

H. 4343 Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Training Rep. Wetmore

S. 171 Waste Tires, Unsafe Used Tires, And Tire-Derived Products Sen. Gambrell

S. 210 Captive Insurance Companies Sen. Turner

H. 4338 Prohibiting Local Government Restrictions on Exterior Cladding or Finish Materials for Buildings Rep. Sanders

H. 3175 Commemorating the 250^th Anniversary of the American Revolution