South Carolina General Assembly
124th Session, 2021-2022
Journal of the Senate

NO. 7

JOURNAL

OF THE

SENATE

OF THE

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

REGULAR SESSION BEGINNING TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021

_________

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021
Thursday, January 21, 2021
(Statewide Session)

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 10:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the PRESIDENT.

A quorum being present, the proceedings were opened with a devotion by the Chaplain as follows:

James 3:18

The author of James tells us that:
"Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

Let us bow in prayer, please: Holy and Everloving God, hear our prayers this day for our Nation and for our State. How powerful are our feelings of concern and of love for both. And how profound our concern and love is for all those servants who labor in the governing bodies of each.

Through the weeks, indeed over the years, that now stretch before us, may we all together affirm our desires and intentions to work actively as peacemakers, saying and doing those things which bind us as one in purpose and in our goals. Grant to each Senator and to all others who work in this complex the determination to embrace the call of James to "raise a harvest of righteousness," as well as to echo in thought and action the words of Dr. King, who reminded us that "peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding." May it be so, O God, for all of the people of South Carolina. In Your loving name we pray, dear Lord. Amen.

The PRESIDENT called for Petitions, Memorials, Presentments of Grand Juries and such like papers.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following appointments were transmitted by the Honorable Henry Dargan McMaster:

Statewide Appointments

Reappointment, Adjutant General, with the term to commence January 13, 2021, and to expire January 13, 2025
Roy Van McCarty, 200 Lakewood Dr., Prosperity, SC 29127-9222

Referred to the Committee on Family and Veterans' Services.
Initial Appointment, Board of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, with the term to commence June 30, 2019, and to expire June 30, 2023
6th Congressional District:
Morris E. Brown, III, 300 Charles Street, Lake City, SC 29560-2138 VICE Alex Albert Singleton

Referred to the Committee on Medical Affairs.

Initial Appointment, Director of Department of Public Safety, with the term to commence February 1, 2020, and to expire February 1, 2024
Director:
Robert G. Woods, IV, 503 Varsity Court, Chapin, SC 29036-7362 VICE Leroy Smith

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Reappointment, South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy, with the term to commence September 30, 2018, and to expire September 30, 2021
Occupational Therapist:
Lesly Wilson James, 135 Garden Brooke Dr., Irmo, SC 29063

Referred to the Committee on Medical Affairs.

Initial Appointment, South Carolina Commission for the Blind, with the term to commence May 19, 2020, and to expire May 19, 2024
7th Congressional District:
Susan L. John, 3755 Cedar Creek Run, Little River, SC 29566-8435

Referred to the Committee on Family and Veterans' Services.

Initial Appointment, South Carolina Commission for the Blind, with the term to commence May 19, 2020, and to expire May 19, 2024
3rd Congressional District:
Catherine C. Olker, 295 Todds Creek Road, Central, SC 29630-9457

Referred to the Committee on Family and Veterans' Services.

Initial Appointment, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, with the term to commence March 21, 2019, and to expire March 21, 2024
1st Congressional District:
Elliott E. Levy, 846 Seafarer Way, Charleston, SC 29412-4918

Referred to the Committee on Medical Affairs.

Initial Appointment, South Carolina Public Charter School District Board of Trustees, with the term to commence August 1, 2020, and to expire August 1, 2023
South Carolina Education Oversight:
Jonathan Butcher, 105 Bridgeton Dr., Greenville, SC 29615-2652

Referred to the Committee on Education.

Reappointment, South Carolina State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, with the term to commence April 6, 2019, and to expire April 6, 2025
Veterinarian - At Large:
Elizabeth M. Fuller, 1236 Sunset Dr., Charleston, SC 29407

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, with the term to commence April 6, 2019, and to expire April 6, 2025
2nd Congressional District:
Tracie Quick, 1125 Sam Bradshaw Road, Irmo, SC 29063-9057 VICE Ginger Macaulay

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, with the term to commence April 6, 2021, and to expire April 6, 2027
1st Congressional District:
LaDon S. Wallis, 886 Hunt Club Run, Charleston, SC 29414-9111

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Ethics Commission, with the term to commence April 1, 2020, and to expire April 1, 2025
At-Large - Gubernatorial:
Cashida N. Okeke, 105 Easton Meadow Way, Greer, SC 29650-2692 VICE Ashleigh R. Wilson

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Reappointment, South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission, with the term to commence June 30, 2020, and to expire June 30, 2026
At-Large :
Thomas Scott Beck, 422 Gold Nugget Point, Prosperity, SC 29127

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Reappointment, South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission Chairman, with the term to commence June 30, 2020, and to expire June 30, 2022
Chairman:
Thomas Scott Beck, 422 Gold Nugget Point, Prosperity, SC 29127

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Reappointment, South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission, with the term to commence June 30, 2020, and to expire June 30, 2026
At-Large :
Aisha K. Taylor, 156 Seaton Ridge Drive, Blythewood, SC 29016

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Reappointment, South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission, with the term to commence June 30, 2020, and to expire June 30, 2026
At-Large :
Avery B. Wilkerson, 329 Tamwood Circle, Cayce, SC 29033-1907

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Leave of Absence

At 10:17 A.M., Senator JACKSON requested a leaves of absence for Senators M.B. MATTHEWS, McLEOD and FANNING for the day.

Leave of Absence

At 10:17 A.M., Senator K. JOHNSON requested a leave of absence for Senator   McELVEEN until 10:45 A.M..

Leave of Absence

At 10:17 A.M., Senator GOLDFINCH requested a leave of absence for Senator   CLIMER for the day.

Leave of Absence

At 10:20 A.M., Senator BENNETT requested a leaves of absence for Senators   HEMBREE and TALLEY for the day.

Leave of Absence

At 10:20 A.M., Senator SCOTT requested a leave of absence for Senator KIMPSON for the day.

Leave of Absence

At 10:22 A.M., Senator GROOMS requested a leave of absence for Senator RANKIN for the day.

CO-SPONSORS ADDED

The following co-sponsors were added to the respective Bills:
S. 2 (Word version)       Sen. Senn
S. 436 (Word version)     Sen. Rice
S. 477 (Word version)     Sen. Young

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

The following were introduced:

S. 475 (Word version) -- Senators Rankin, Grooms, Williams, Scott, Hembree, McElveen, Senn, Talley, Adams, Harpootlian, Hutto, Goldfinch, Matthews and Campsen: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO REQUIRE NEXTERA ENERGY, INC. TO PROVIDE CERTAIN DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 476 (Word version) -- Senators McElveen, Shealy and Harpootlian: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 11 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE, BY ADDING SECTION 11-1-130, TO PROVIDE THAT A TREASURER, COMPTROLLER, OR ACCOUNTANT, OR HIS DESIGNEE, MAY USE A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION CARD FOR BUSINESS-RELATED EXPENDITURES, PURCHASES, OR PROCUREMENTS, TO PROVIDE FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND RECORDKEEPING, TO PROVIDE THAT NO ELECTED OFFICIAL, PUBLIC EMPLOYEE, OR MEMBER OF A PUBLIC BOARD OR COMMISSION MAY POSSESS OR USE A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION CARD THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED TO THE CARDHOLDER FOR ANY PURPOSE, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 477 (Word version) -- Senators Peeler, Campsen and Massey: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 2 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY ADDING SECTION 2-1-10, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EACH HAVE AN UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT TO INTERVENE IN CERTAIN ACTIONS FILED IN STATE COURT, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY INTERVENE IN CERTAIN ACTIONS FILED IN FEDERAL COURT, TO PROVIDE THAT THIS PROVISION DOES NOT DIMINISH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OBLIGATION TO REPRESENT THE STATE AND ITS AGENCIES IF SUED, TO PROVIDE THAT A STATE AGENCY MUST NOTIFY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF CERTAIN LAWSUITS BEING FILED AGAINST THE AGENCY, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL MAINTAIN THEIR OWN RESPECTIVE DEFENSES IN ACTIONS UNLESS AGREED TO OTHERWISE.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 478 (Word version) -- Senator K. Johnson: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 2 OF ACT 183 OF 2020, RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF CLARENDON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ONE AND THREE INTO CLARENDON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUR, TO INCREASE THE INITIAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLARENDON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES FROM SEVEN TO NINE MEMBERS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL BE COMPRISED OF SEVEN MEMBERS BEGINNING WITH THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTION, AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES.
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Read the first time and ordered placed on the Local and Uncontested Calendar.

S. 479 (Word version) -- Senators Bennett, McElveen, Turner, Cromer, Shealy, Gustafson, Massey, M. Johnson, Campsen, Hutto, Davis and Adams: A BILL TO AMEND SUBARTICLE 11, ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 6, TITLE 61 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF MANUFACTURERS AND MICRO-DISTILLERIES, BY ADDING SECTION 61-6-1155, TO PROVIDE THAT A LICENSED MICRO-DISTILLERY MAY OPERATE A MICRO-DISTILLERY FOOD ESTABLISHMENT ON ITS PREMISES AND TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH A FOOD ESTABLISHMENT; AND TO AMEND SECTIONS 61-6-1140 AND 61-6-1150 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO A MICRO-DISTILLERY'S TASTINGS AND RETAIL SALES, TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT TASTINGS AND SALES BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH A TOUR, TO MODIFY QUANTITY AND TIME LIMITS FOR THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS, TO REMOVE A LIMITATION ON THE SALE OF MIXERS, TO PROVIDE THAT OTHER BRANDS OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS MAY BE SOLD AT A MICRO-DISTILLERY FOOD ESTABLISHMENT, TO REMOVE LIMITATIONS ON SELLING OR STORING GOODS, WARES, OR MERCHANDISE IN THE SAME ROOM AS TASTINGS OR SALES OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS, TO PROVIDE THAT A MINOR MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT IN A MICRO-DISTILLERY FOOD ESTABLISHMENT, AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 480 (Word version) -- Senators Rankin and Hembree: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR BRENT D. GROOME, CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS WITH THE HORRY TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.

S. 481 (Word version) -- Senator Fanning: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MAGGIE J. JAMES FOR HER TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF DEDICATED AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE ON THE CHESTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.

S. 482 (Word version) -- Senator Cromer: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE CHAPIN WOMAN'S CLUB UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CLUB FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.

THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO A CALL OF THE UNCONTESTED LOCAL AND STATEWIDE CALENDAR.

SECOND READING BILL

S. 449 (Word version) -- Senator Young: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 2 OF ACT 926 OF 1962, RELATING TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE AIKEN COUNTY COMMISSION FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION, TO ADD TWO NONVOTING MEMBERS.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill.

The question being the second reading of the Bill.

The Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

S. 449--Ordered to a Third Reading

On motion of Senator YOUNG, S. 449 was ordered to receive a third reading on Friday, January 22, 2021.

SECOND READING BILL

S. 474 (Word version) -- Senators Setzler and Young: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 247 OF 1987, RELATING TO THE AIKEN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE CANDIDATES SEEKING ELECTION TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY RATHER THAN SIGNED PETITIONS.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill.

The question being the second reading of the Bill.

The Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

S. 474--Ordered to a Third Reading

On motion of Senator YOUNG, S. 474 was ordered to receive a third reading on Friday, January 22, 2021.

READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 3481 (Word version) -- Rep. G.M. Smith: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO SUSPEND SECTION 1-11-705(I)(2) OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 RELATING TO A TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE TRUST FUND.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Resolution.

Senator BENNETT explained the Resolution.

The question then was second reading of the Resolution.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 34; Nays 0

AYES

Adams                     Alexander                 Allen
Bennett                   Campsen                   Cash
Corbin                    Cromer                    Davis
Gambrell                  Garrett                   Goldfinch
Grooms                    Gustafson                 Hutto
Jackson                   Johnson, Kevin            Johnson, Michael
Kimbrell                  Leatherman                Loftis
Malloy                    Martin                    Massey
Peeler                    Rice                      Sabb
Scott                     Senn                      Shealy
Stephens                  Turner                    Verdin
Young

Total--34

NAYS

Total--0

The Resolution was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

H. 3481--Ordered to a Third Reading

On motion of Senator BENNETT, H. 3481 was ordered to receive a third reading on Friday, January 22, 2021.

  Expression of Personal Interest

Senator GOLDFINCH rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator VERDIN rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator McELVEEN rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Motion Adopted

On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Senate agreed to stand adjourned to meet on Monday, January 25, 2021, under the provisions of Rule 1B .

ADJOURNMENT

At 11:22 A.M., on motion of Senator MASSEY, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 11:00 A.M. under the provisions of Rule 1 for the purpose of taking up local matters and uncontested matters which have previously received unanimous consent to be taken up.

This web page was last updated on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 12:03 P.M.