South Carolina General Assembly
125th Session, 2023-2024
Journal of the House of Representatives

NO. 7

JOURNAL

of the

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

of the

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

REGULAR SESSION BEGINNING TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
________

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023
(STATEWIDE SESSION)

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 12:00 noon.
Deliberations were opened with prayer by Rev. Charles E. Seastrunk, Jr., as follows:

Our thought for today is from Psalm 18:31: "Who is God except the Lord?"

Let us pray. Dear God, for Your message of freedom that is more desired than gold and sweeter than honey, we give thanks. We give thanks and praise for these women and men as we begin another week of service for the people of South Carolina. Help these Representatives and Staff to see in Your awesome might and power to love and provide for each other. Bless our defenders of freedom as they care for us. Remember our World, Nation, President, State, Governor, Speaker, Staff, and all who serve in these Halls of Government. Heal the wounds, those seen and those hidden, of our brave men and women who suffer and sacrifice for our freedom. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers. Amen.

Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by the SPEAKER.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of Friday, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.

MOTION ADOPTED

Rep. LEBER moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of Arthur Ravenel, Jr., which was agreed to.

SILENT PRAYER

The House stood in silent prayer for the family and friends of Arthur Ravenel, Jr.

SILENT PRAYER

The House stood in silent prayer for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

REPORT RECEIVED

The following was received:

Sen. Thomas C. Alexander Sen. John L. Scott, Jr. Sen. Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin, III Senator Harpootlian

Staff: Macey Webb College and University Trustee Screening Commission

429 Blatt Building P.O. Box 142 Columbia, South Carolina 29202 Phone: (803) 734-3054 Email: [email protected]

Rep. William R. Whitmire, Chairman Rep. John King Rep. Seth Rose Rep. Timothy A. "Tim" McGinnis

College and University Trustee Screening Commission
Report to the General Assembly
January 17, 2023

The College and University Trustee Screening Commission found the following individuals qualified and nominated for the Trustee seats to which they applied. These individuals will be released to receive commitments on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. noon. The Joint Assembly to elect the trustees is currently set for Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). A complete transcript of the hearings for these candidates will be printed in today's Senate and House Journals.

The Citadel

CANDIDATES FOUND QUALIFIED AND NOMINATED

One (1) at-large seat         -   Benjamin D. Dixon - Wadmalaw Island
- terms expires June 30, 2028         -Withdrew 4/19/22

-   Dylan W. Goff - Columbia

-   Kara Irvin - North Charleston        

Clemson University

CANDIDATES FOUND QUALIFIED AND NOMINATED

Three (3) at-large seats         -   Patricia H. McAbee - Greenville
- terms expire June 30, 2026     -   John N. McCarter - N. Myrtle Beach

-   Sharka Marie Prokes - Inman

-   Joseph D. Swann - Greenville
Lander University

CANDIDATES FOUND QUALIFIED AND NOMINATED

At-Large - Seat 8             -   Robert A. Barber, Jr. - Charleston
- term expires June 30, 2026

At-Large - Seat 9             -   James C. Shubert - Simpsonville
- term expires June 30, 2026

At-Large - Seat 10             -   Peggy Makins - Lexington
- term expires June 30, 2026

At-Large - Seat 11             -   Donald H. Scott - Waterloo
- term expires June 30, 2026

At-Large - Seat 12             -   DeWitt B. Stone, Jr. - Clemson
- term expires June 30, 2026

At-Large - Seat 13             -   Raymond D. Hunt, Sr. - Chapin
- term expires June 30, 2026

At-Large - Seat 14             -   Marcia T. Hydrick - Seneca
- term expires June 30, 2026

At-Large - Seat 15             -   John E. Craig, Jr. - Lancaster
- term expires June 30, 2026

Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School

CANDIDATES FOUND QUALIFIED AND NOMINATED

Two (2) At-Large seats         -   J. Blake Lindsey - West Columbia
- terms expire June 30, 2026     -   Marilyn E. Taylor - Columbia

University of South Carolina

CANDIDATES FOUND QUALIFIED AND NOMINATED

1st Judicial Circuit             -   Charles H. Williams - Orangeburg
- term expires June 30, 2026

3rd Judicial Circuit             -   C. Dorn Smith III - Lake City
- term expires June 30, 2026

5th Judicial Circuit             -   Alexander English - Blythewood
- term expires June 30, 2026  

7th Judicial Circuit             -   D. Benjamin Graves - Spartanburg
- term expires June 30, 2026           -Withdrew 4/25/22

-   Henry L. Jolly, Jr. - Gaffney

-   J. Patrick Anderson - Spartanburg

-Withdrew 5/2/22

9th Judicial Circuit             -   John C. von Lehe - Mount Pleasant
- term expires June 30, 2026

11th Judicial Circuit           -   Thad H. Westbrook - Lexington
- term expires June 30, 2026

12th Judicial Circuit           -   C. Edward Floyd - Florence

13th Judicial Circuit           -   D. Hollis Felkel II - Simpsonville
- term expires June 30, 2026           -Withdrew 4/25/22

-   C. Brody Glenn - Greenville

-Withdrew 4/28/22

-   Reid T. Sherard - Greenville

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY TRUSTEE
SCREENING COMMISSION

REVIEW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA TRUSTEE

CANDIDATES IN CARRY OVER STATUS

TRANSCRIPT OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

Date:       Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Time:       3:39 P.M.
Location:     Blatt Building

1101 Pendleton Street

Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Committee Members Present:

Representative William R. Whitmire, Chairman

Senator Thomas C. Alexander, Vice-Chairman

Senator John L. Scott, Jr.

Senator Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin, III

Senator Richard A. "Dick" Harpootlian

Representative John King

Representative Seth Rose

Representative Timothy A. "Tim" McGinnis

Also Present:

Macey Webb, Staff Counsel

MR. CHAIRMAN: This is the January 10th, 2023 Screening Committee for Colleges and Universities. A this time I would like to call on my good friend, President Alexander, for a brief prayer.
PRESIDENT ALEXANDER: Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we just give you thanks for the opportunity to serve you and serve the people of this great state of South Carolina. Just be with us this afternoon in the deliberations and the opportunities that you provide. Be with us throughout this new year and in this new legislative session. In Thy holy name we pray. Amen.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to introduce the Commission members. On my right, you've already met -- of course everybody knows President Alexander. Senator Scott to his right. Then Senator Verdin. So welcome -- oh, sorry. Senator Harpootlian. How did I forget him? Don't be mad at me. Now, on my left, is -- we have Representative John R. King, who is with us in the last few sessions. And we've got two new members, Representative Tim McGinnis, from the Myrtle Beach area and Representative Seth Rose, who is from the Columbia area. And I will now challenge the Senate to tennis match sometime in the spring. Because I think we've got a real chance. For our meeting today, our Commission's goal is to take a vote to ratify the previous Commission's work that we completed last session, in 2022. We'll take a vote to approve all of the trustee candidates that our Commission screened last session and found qualified and nominated. This way, those trustees will not have to be re- screened this session and can instead go to the floor, to be voted on in a Joint Assembly. We will also take a vote on the five University of South Carolina trustee members that we have in carry-over status. We're going to vote to approve last session's screening work so I would defer to our staff member, Macey Webb.
MS. WEBB: Good afternoon. So, bear with me. We have long list of candidates that I'm going to read through that we screened and gave a favorable report to last session. So, please be patient with me as we go thorough that. So, the College and University Trustee Screening Commission found the following individuals qualified and nominated for the Trustee seats to which they applied. For the Citadel: Benjamin D. Dixon, Dylan W. Goff, Kara Irvin. For Clemson University: Patricia H. McAbee, John N. "Nicky" McCarter, Sharka Marie Prokes, Joseph D. Swann. For Lander University: Robert A. Barber, Jr., James C. Shubert, Peggy Makins, Donald H. Scott, DeWitt B. Stone, Jr., Raymond D. Hunt, Sr., Marcia T. Hydrick, John E. Craig, Jr. For Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School: J. Blake Lindsey, Marilyn E. Taylor.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Any comments by members of the Commission? (No replies are heard.)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Hearing none, do I hear a motion to adopt.
SENATOR VERDIN: Mr. Chairman?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Yes, sir. VOTE:
SENATOR VERDIN: I would move adoption of the Commission's report from the previous committee meeting.
PRESIDENT ALEXANDER: Second.
MR. CHAIRMAN: All right. All those in favor, please signify by raising your right hand. (Hands are raised.)
MR. CHAIRMAN: And it's unanimous, eight to zero. Okay. Thank you. All right. Next, we'll take up the five University of South Carolina Trustee candidates in carry-over status. But first, before we vote on them, I would like to let Senator Harpootlian make some remarks.
SENATOR HARPOOTLIAN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As everyone knows, I have been deeply involved examining the Board of Trustees. I had legislation last year that just didn't quite make it on the last day, of the legislation structure of the board. And let me say, sort of the good news/bad news. I have since then met with the new chairman of the board, Thad Westbrook. I'm impressed with his efforts to make sure the Board acts like a board. I've met with the new president. I'm impressed with his understanding that it's his job to talk to department heads, that board members talk to him, and not to department heads directly. I'm also impressed with their follow-thorough on a couple of issues that they got back to me on. So, not that you have to make me happy, but what does concern me is that, in my opinion, some members of this board -- I see Charles Williams out here. I have no problem with him whatsoever. I think he is a good board member. I know that he objected to the process by which they pick the President Caslen. I know he objected to the borrowing of general fund money -- or to use to buy off -- or pay off the contract for football coach, twelve million dollars. And I think he's been a good steward of the State's money and has acted in a responsible fashion. By contrast, I've spent since that last vote, looking -- serving FOIs on the University of South Carolina for emails and texts between the board members and department heads. I've done some additional searching in terms of residences. And as to the former chairman, Dorn Smith, I've determined a couple of things. He routinely bypassed the president of the University and talked to department heads, specifically on numerous occasions, the head of the athletic department, without going through the president, about matters that he had no business discussing. Secondly, I have huge questions about where he lives. His wife's residence is in Florence County. He claims to live in Lake City, in a different county, to qualify to be on the board. I've got to tell you -- and I'm going to vote no on him today. And if I'm able to, I'll vote no on him when he comes to the floor of the Joint Assembly. The last thing I'd say, one of the board members has been on that board since 1998. Another one of the board members has been on there not that long but thirty years. And I seriously hope that this legislation has been introduced by Senator Hembry that we come up with some restructuring, term limits, something, to insure that the board is the board and not twenty-something different presidents that communicate with department heads as to what they want, not what the majority of board wants. This is a problem that has plagued USC. Again, we have somebody here, Charles Williams, who has not done that. So it's not every board member. But a number of them have done this. So, Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to express why I'm going to vote no on Dorn Smith today. And while I would do so again, I'm sure he's got the votes to get to the floor. And I will do so again, when it comes to the floor.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Senator. Are there any other members of the Commission that would like to make remarks at this time. If not, we will proceed to the University of South Carolina candidates. First, we're going to take up the candidates that were found qualified last fall. And I will refer to Macey for that.
MR. WEBB: Yeah, so just for clarification of the record, I'm now going to read the University of South Carolina candidates that the Commission found as qualified and nominated last session and then we will move on to the other five USC candidates that we have in carry over status. So please bear with me as I read the names of the five University of South Carolina candidates that our Commission found qualified and nominated in 2022, and then we will take the vote on them. For the University of South Carolina: Alexander English, D. Benjamin Graves, Henry L. Jolly, Jr., J. Patrick Anderson, D. Hollis Felkel, C. Brody Glenn, and Reid T. Sherard. All received a favorable report from our Commission last session and were found qualified and nominated. VOTE:
MR. CHAIRMAN: Do I have a motion?
SENATOR SCOTT: I'd make a motion, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHAIRMAN: And a second. All those in favor signify by raising your right hand. (Hands are raised.)
MR. CHAIRMAN: And it's unanimous. All right. On the other five, we're going to vote on each candidate individually, of course. And I will need a motion by a sitting member to insert the name of the candidate. And we will either vote to qualify or we will not vote qualified or if you don't want to, you don't have to vote at all. Senator Harpootlian. VOTE:
SENATOR HARPOOTLIAN: Mr. Chairman, I would move to find Charles Williams qualified and nominated.
MR. CHAIRMAN: There's a motion to find Charles Williams qualified and nominated.
SENATOR SCOTT: And a second.
MR. CHAIRMAN: And a second. All those in favor, signify by raising your right hand. (Hands are raised.)
MR. CHAIRMAN: It's unanimous, eight/zero. All right, next.
PRESIDENT ALEXANDER: Mr. Chairman, I would move that on the Third Judicial Circuit, that C. Dorn Smith, III be found qualified and nominated.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there a second?
SENATOR VERDIN: Second.
MR. CHAIRMAN: All those in favor of C. Dorn Smith, please raise your right hand. (Hands are raised.)
MR. CHAIRMAN: All those opposed? (A hand is raised.)
MR. CHAIRMAN: One? Okay. Seven to one. Thank you, Mr. President. All right.
SENATOR SCOTT: Mr. Chairman?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SCOTT: The Ninth Judicial Circuit, John C. von Lehe in Mt. Pleasant, to find him qualified and nominated.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Second?
REPRESENTATIVE McGINNIS: Second.
MR. CHAIRMAN: All those in favor, signify by raising your right hand. (Hands are raised.)
MR. CHAIRMAN: It's eight/zero. Thank you, Senator Scott. All right, next. We have Thad Westbrook.
SENATOR SCOTT: Mr. Chairman?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SCOTT: For the 11th Judicial Circuit I would like to nominate Thad H. Westbrook, from Lexington, qualified and nominated.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Second?
REPRESENTATIVE ROSE: Second.
MR. CHAIRMAN: All of those in favor signify by raising your right hand. And it's eight/zero. All right last is Dr. C. Edward Floyd. Do I have someone making that nomination. Mr. President?
PRESIDENT ALEXANDER: Mr. Chairman, I would move that for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit that Dr. C. Edward Floyd be found qualified and nominated.
MR. CHAIRMAN: There's a second. All those in favor signify by raising your right hand. (Hands are raised.)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Unanimous. I'm sorry, seven and one no.
MS. WEBB: To clarify, on the record and for the court reporter, for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, C. Edward Floyd, by a vote of seven to one, with Representative John King voting no.
SENATOR HARPOOTLIAN: And I'd like to change my vote to no.
MS. WEBB: Okay. All right. By a vote of six to two, for the clarification of the record, with Representative King and Senator Harpootlian voting no on Dr. Floyd.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Okay. Our Commission will set a date and time for the Joint Assembly. We're going to try to hold a Joint Assembly on February 1st, 2023, along with the judges. That should be a nice long day. The hope is that we can vote on all the candidates as well trustee candidates in the Joint Assembly. Does anyone have anything else to say? That it? I'm sorry, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT ALEXANDER: Before you do, I just want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and the work of all of the Commission members to get us to this point. I thank everyone for their service and their time and energy from that standpoint.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Mr. President. I have to say, this has been the most difficult year we've had as far screening out candidates and I've been on here a long time. So, hopefully we can get the votes with a yay or nay with the General Assembly and we'll see where it goes from there. And also, Macey, do you have any timetable when we will -- I guess it depends on court decisions, on the ....
MS. WEBB: Yeah, so as far as where the Commission will proceed from here, I'll be working in close contact with Chairman Whitmire, President Alexander's office and Speaker Smith's office to determine where we will go from here. The next step from here will be getting all of these trustees that did receive a favorable report today, getting them included in the Joint Assembly for February 1st. That's going to be the goal so they can be elected on the floor in that Joint Assembly. And then from there we still have, I believe, eight at-large 2022 candidates that still need to be screened from 2022 as well several other 2022 congressional district seats, which we have not officially decided on the congressional districts. But the next goal will be to get the eight at-large 2022 candidates screened, at the very least.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Senator Scott.
SENATOR SCOTT: I know this process took a little longer than folk would like. But I think what's most important in all of that is to understand that this Committee will be doing checks and balances. Those days of rubber stamping and cutting through this process are long passed and gone. And I think that because of that time frame, folk have had to re-gather their behavior and their management practices back at the board. Although it may have one particular board that had had a lot of conversation, trust me, other boards have gone back and taken a look at their behavior and some of what's going on in these boards of trustees. Managing these boards, managing schools is big business. We want to make sure we're putting on boards of trustees who understand their responsibility and the separation between management and policy. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Representative Rose.
REPRESENTATIVE ROSE: Just briefly. I just want to say that I, too, favor and I supported the bill to restructure the USC board. I went to undergrad at USC. I also went to law school. I live very close to the campus and so obviously some of the things that have transpired have been very troubling. But I also recognize that there are a lot of good things that happen as well. But I think the way the board is made up, I think the size of the board, the lack of diversity on the board, are all things that trouble me. And that is also why I supported the bill that Senator Harpootlian referenced that unfortunately died in the Senate and I hope that there will be a push to have that come forward again. Thank you.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Any other members? First off, let me thank all of you, both Senators and Representatives for your hard work on this. And Macey, you did yeoman's work. Thank you for volunteering for this job. And I wish both the House and the Senate have very productive years this year. With that, we're adjourned. (There being nothing further, the proceeding concluded at 3:56 p.m.)

Received as information.

REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE

Rep. BANNISTER, from the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

H. 3604 (Word version) -- Reps. Bannister, G. M. Smith and Murphy: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE CONTINGENCY RESERVE FUND FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND FEDERAL FUNDS DISBURSED TO THE STATE IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021, AND TO SPECIFY THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FUNDS MAY BE EXPENDED.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 3699 (Word version) -- Reps. Hartnett, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CAPTAIN WHITEMARSH "WHIT" SEABROOK SMITH III, PRESIDENT OF THE CHARLESTON BRANCH PILOTS ASSOCIATION, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER FIFTY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 3700 (Word version) -- Reps. Hyde, Chumley, Harris, Henderson-Myers, Lawson, Long, Magnuson, T. Moore, Moss, Nutt, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Leber, Ligon, Lowe, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DEPUTY CHRISTOPHER ROJAS AND DEPUTY STEVEN ESCOBAR OF THE SPARTANBURG COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON BEING AWARDED THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 3701 (Word version) -- Reps. Hyde, Chumley, Harris, Henderson-Myers, Lawson, Long, Magnuson, T. Moore, Moss, Nutt, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Leber, Ligon, Lowe, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE MEMBERS OF THE SPARTANBURG COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SWAT TEAM INVOLVED IN THE JULY 7, 2021, SHOOTING INCIDENT IN SPARTANBURG AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON BEING AWARDED THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 3702 (Word version) -- Reps. Hyde, Chumley, Harris, Henderson-Myers, Lawson, Long, Magnuson, T. Moore, Moss, Nutt, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Leber, Ligon, Lowe, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DEPUTY AUSTIN ALDRIDGE AND DEPUTY BENJAMIN MCCOMBS OF THE SPARTANBURG COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TO SALUTE THEM ON BEING AWARDED THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION MEDAL OF VALOR.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 3705 (Word version) -- Reps. Taylor, Blackwell, Clyburn, Hixon and Oremus: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE KATHY RAWLS, AIKEN COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER, AS SHE RETIRES AFTER MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS OF DEVOTED AND EXEMPLARY SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND PLEASURE IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 3709 (Word version) -- Reps. Weeks, G. M. Smith, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE THOMAS J. LOWERY OF SUMTER AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

The Resolution was adopted.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 3703 (Word version) -- Reps. Whitmire, King, McGinnis and Rose: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO FIX 12:00 NOON ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2023, AS THE TIME TO ELECT ONE AT LARGE MEMBER TO THE BOARD OF VISITORS FOR THE CITADEL FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2028; FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING THREE AT LARGE MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR CLEMSON UNIVERSITY FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026; FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A MEMBER TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF LANDER UNIVERSITY TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT LARGE SEAT 8, WHOSE TERM WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT LARGE SEAT 9, WHOSE TERM WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT LARGE SEAT 10, WHOSE TERM WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT LARGE SEAT 11, WHOSE TERM WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT LARGE SEAT 12, WHOSE TERM WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT LARGE SEAT 13, WHOSE TERM WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT LARGE SEAT 14, WHOSE TERM WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, AND THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT LARGE SEAT 15, WHOSE TERM WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026; FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A MEMBER TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, THE MEMBER FOR THE THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, THE MEMBER FOR THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, THE MEMBER FOR THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, THE MEMBER FOR THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, THE MEMBER FOR THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, THE MEMBER FOR THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, AND THE MEMBER FOR THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026; AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING TWO AT LARGE MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE WIL LOU GRAY OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL, WHOSE TERMS WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 3704 (Word version) -- Reps. Hixon, Hiott, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE MEMBERS OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S FFA, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA, AND ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT, PROMOTE, AND ENCOURAGE THESE OUTSTANDING STUDENTS OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION, AND TO JOIN THEM IN OBSERVANCE OF NATIONAL FFA WEEK, FEBRUARY 18-25, 2023.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

The following Bills were introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committees:

H. 3706 (Word version) -- Rep. Beach: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "PROTECTION OF MINORS FROM PORNOGRAPHY AND OBSCENITIES ACT" BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-305, RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF DISSEMINATING, PROCURING, OR PROMOTING OBSCENITY, SO AS TO INCLUDE ADVERTISING AND PROMOTING ANYTHING OBSCENE IN THE PURVIEW OF THE STATUTE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-375, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS APPLICABLE TO THE ARTICLE REGARDING OBSCENITY LAWS, SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM "PROFANE LANGUAGE" AND MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES INCLUDING ANY PORTION OF MATERIALS AND PERFORMANCES THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED OBSCENE.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary

H. 3707 (Word version) -- Reps. S. Jones and White: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-2937 SO AS TO PROVIDE PERSONS CONVICTED OF RECKLESS VEHICULAR HOMICIDE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR ANY OTHER DRUG OR COMBINATION OF DRUGS, OR CONVICTED OF RECKLESS VEHICULAR HOMICIDE AND HAD AT LEAST ONE PRIOR CONVICTION FOR DRIVING MOTOR VEHICLES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, ANY OTHER DRUG, OR A COMBINATION OF OTHER DRUGS OR SUBSTANCES, OR DRIVING MOTOR VEHICLES WITH AN UNLAWFUL ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION AND WHOSE VICTIMS WERE PARENTS OF MINOR CHILDREN, MUST PAY RESTITUTION IN THE FORM OF CHILD MAINTENANCE TO EACH OF THE VICTIMS' CHILDREN UNTIL EACH CHILD REACHES EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND HAS GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL; AND BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-118 SO AS TO PROVIDE PERSONS CONVICTED OF OPERATING MOVING WATER DEVICES WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS WHEN DEATH RESULTS, OR RECKLESS HOMICIDE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS AND WHOSE VICTIMS WERE PARENTS OF MINOR CHILDREN, MUST PAY RESTITUTION IN THE FORM OF CHILD MAINTENANCE TO EACH OF THE VICTIMS' CHILDREN UNTIL EACH CHILD REACHES EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND HAS GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary

H. 3708 (Word version) -- Reps. S. Jones, Cobb-Hunter, Jefferson, Thigpen, White, Gilliam, Gibson, May, Long, Chumley and West: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "PERINATAL INTEGRATION ACT OF 2023"; AND BY ADDING SECTION 44-89-110 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS THAT INTEGRATE MIDWIVES AND BIRTHING CENTERS INTO THE ORGANIZATION OF PERINATAL LEVELS OF CARE.
Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

ROLL CALL

The roll call of the House of Representatives was taken resulting as follows:

Alexander                Anderson                 Atkinson
Bailey                   Ballentine               Bamberg
Bannister                Bauer                    Beach
Bernstein                Blackwell                Bradley
Brewer                   Brittain                 Burns
Bustos                   Calhoon                  Carter
Caskey                   Chapman                  Chumley
Clyburn                  Cobb-Hunter              Collins
Connell                  B. J. Cox                B. L. Cox
Crawford                 Cromer                   Davis
Dillard                  Elliott                  Erickson
Felder                   Forrest                  Gagnon
Garvin                   Gatch                    Gibson
Gilliam                  Gilliard                 Guest
Guffey                   Haddon                   Hager
Hardee                   Harris                   Hart
Hartnett                 Hayes                    Henderson-Myers
Henegan                  Hewitt                   Hiott
Hixon                    Hosey                    Howard
Hyde                     Jefferson                J. L. Johnson
S. Jones                 W. Jones                 Jordan
Kilmartin                King                     Kirby
Landing                  Lawson                   Leber
Ligon                    Long                     Lowe
Magnuson                 May                      McCabe
McCravy                  McDaniel                 McGinnis
Mitchell                 J. Moore                 T. Moore
A. M. Morgan             T. A. Morgan             Moss
Murphy                   Neese                    B. Newton
W. Newton                Nutt                     O'Neal
Oremus                   Ott                      Pace
Pedalino                 Pendarvis                Pope
Rivers                   Robbins                  Rose
Rutherford               Sandifer                 Schuessler
Sessions                 G. M. Smith              M. M. Smith
Stavrinakis              Taylor                   Tedder
Thayer                   Thigpen                  Trantham
Vaughan                  Weeks                    West
Wetmore                  Wheeler                  White
Whitmire                 Williams                 Willis
Wooten                   Yow                      

Total Present--122

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER granted Rep. J. E. JOHNSON a leave of absence for the day.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER granted Rep. SCHUESSLER a temporary leave of absence due to a prior family commitment.

CO-SPONSORS ADDED AND REMOVED

In accordance with House Rule 5.2 below:

"5.2 Every bill before presentation shall have its title endorsed; every report, its title at length; every petition, memorial, or other paper, its prayer or substance; and, in every instance, the name of the member presenting any paper shall be endorsed and the papers shall be presented by the member to the Speaker at the desk. A member may add his name to a bill or resolution or a co-sponsor of a bill or resolution may remove his name at any time prior to the bill or resolution receiving passage on second reading. The member or co-sponsor shall notify the Clerk of the House in writing of his desire to have his name added or removed from the bill or resolution. The Clerk of the House shall print the member's or co-sponsor's written notification in the House Journal. The removal or addition of a name does not apply to a bill or resolution sponsored by a committee."

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3022 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   NUTT

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3035 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   NUTT

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3071 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   NUTT

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3115 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   NUTT

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3127 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   NUTT

CO-SPONSORS ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3161 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   NUTT and S. JONES

CO-SPONSORS ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3197 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   NUTT and S. JONES

CO-SPONSORS ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3222 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   WHITE and KILMARTIN

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3239 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   S. JONES

CO-SPONSORS ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3256 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   WHITE and KILMARTIN

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3282 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   NUTT

CO-SPONSORS ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3393 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   HARTNETT and LEBER

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3422 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   NUTT

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3424 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   NUTT

CO-SPONSORS ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3464 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   LEBER, NUTT and HARTNETT

CO-SPONSORS ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3486 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   HARTNETT, BREWER, S. JONES, BUSTOS and LEBER

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3549 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   LEBER

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:   H. 3604 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
01/17/23   MURPHY

CO-SPONSOR REMOVED

Bill Number:   H. 3585 (Word version)
Date:   REMOVE:
01/17/23   KILMARTIN

Rep. HIXON moved that the House do now adjourn, which was agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT

At 12:29 p.m. the House, in accordance with the motion of Rep. LEBER, adjourned in memory of Arthur Ravenel, Jr., to meet at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow.

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