NO. 20

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 11:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the ACTING PRESIDENT, Senator MASSEY.

The following remarks by Senator SHEALY were ordered printed in the Journal of January 24, 2023:

I haven't served with Senator SETZLER that long. I've been here ten years and it has been a joy to serve with him and I will tell you we have the distinct honor of being the only resident Senators in Lexington County. So, we get to fight over -- not really -- who is going to be the chairman of the delegation every two years. This year we're fighting over who's not going to be the chairman of the delegation and he keeps saying he's not and I keep saying I'm not; because, we all know what's going on over there so nobody really wants to be the chairman.
I have a story about Senator SETZLER and the telephone because yours is about the telephone -- mine is too. When I see my phone ringing, Senator SETZLER's face pops up on my phone. It's kind of scary sometimes, but it will pop up and I answer it and he says, "Senator SHEALY, I've got something to tell you and don't you tell anybody else. This is just between us, nobody else knows," and you listen intently. You get off the phone and about five minutes later, the phone will ring. It will be Senator CROMER, he'll say, "Now I'm not supposed to tell anybody because Senator SETZLER just called me, but I'm going to tell you, okay". Well, he tells me and then about 20 minutes later the phone will ring, it will be Senator MASSEY and he'll say, "Now don't tell anybody because Senator CROMER just called me and he said Senator SETZLER said..." but anyway, we love you, and I have enjoyed working with you, and I hope you are here a lot longer. I'll never make it as long as you have because I started too late. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being a great Senator, great role model, and for everything you do for Lexington County. Thank you.

The following remarks by Senator KIMBRELL were ordered printed in the Journal of January 24, 2023:

Thank you, Mr. PRESIDENT and colleagues. I'm sure you all are aware that ATF -- alcohol, tobacco, and firearms -- just last week finalized an agency regulation with no congressional authorization, and frankly without even presidential executive order, that would essentially make about 10 to 40 million -- that's a large range according to the Congressional Research Service, but 10 to 40 million weapons in this country would be made illegal within 120 days. Now, a lot of people in South Carolina -- we're one of the larger states in terms of per capita firearm ownership -- and according to ATF and the Biden administration, they said this would only affect three million gun owners. Then it was revised to 10 million, now we're saying 10 to 40 million -- no one knows how many would be affected. What it essentially does is ban stabilizing braces. Now, this is a nonlethal addition to the gun. It has nothing to do with magazine capacity, has nothing to do with size of rounds, or calibers of ammunition. It is simply a stabilizing brace that uses pistols against the forearm that can stabilize a gun for firing purposes. The ATF has taken the position under the National Firearms Act, that because of a stabilizing brace being added to a pistol, it now qualifies as a short rifle that needs to be registered under the National Firearms Act. You have 120 days to register. If they don't register the gun within 120 days, they can surrender the weapon to ATF or have the weapon modified. The problem is, in most cases, a stabilizing brace is built into the weapons you buy, so having it modified isn't really an option. You're talking about two choices: within 120 days you can register your gun, or you can surrender it to the federal government. If not, ATF is prescribing that these individuals be charged under the National Firearms Act and be faced with up to ten years in a federal prison for a change of a law from the 1980s that hasn't been updated or debated in congress and hasn't even been addressed by the President.
So, I'm calling the Attorney General of this State to join other states in suing the Biden administration and ATF for a significant overreach on the Second Amendment that would turn potentially millions of Americans into would-be felons in three to four months' time. I think that's a violation of not only the Second Amendment, but the Fourth Amendment, and your protection against unreasonable search and seizure. So, Mr. PRESIDENT that is the purpose of the Resolution.

The following remarks by Senator GUSTAFSON were ordered printed in the Journal of February 2, 2023:

Please welcome to the Senate the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, also known as USCGLC. More than 150 USCGLC leaders are here in South Carolina. The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition works to strengthen America's civilian-led tools including development, diplomacy, and defense. By advocating for strong U.S. International Affairs programs, the USGLC brings together more than 500 American businesses, non-profits, and faith organizations.
  Today we have Jeremy Tolbert, the Deputy National Outreach Director from Greenville, S.C., and former staffer to Senator Tim Scott and Allison Love, a member of The Citadel's Board of Visitors, from Columbia, S.C.
I am also a proud member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition in the State and started my personal advocacy in 2017. I support the U.S. International Affairs budget to support our embassies worldwide.
South Carolina is a globally engaged State as highlighted by the following points. South Carolina's exports totaled $30 billion worth of goods in 2021, and our coastal location and ports help to fuel export growth and international business opportunities. 20% of jobs in South Carolina are supported by international trade, creating new jobs daily. South Carolina's agricultural exports are $812 million annually, and my Senate District 27 is especially thriving in agri-business. Thousands of our South Carolina students study abroad each year, and in 2020, nearly 6,500 international students were enrolled in South Carolina colleges and universities, contributing almost $200 million to South Carolina's economy. Finally, our equine industry, also very important in my district, contributes nearly $2 billion (which includes some international dollars) annually to the state's economy.
This introduction serves to remind us how deeply connected South Carolina is to the rest of the world! Thank you.

The following co-sponsors were added to the respective Bills:
S. 518 (Word version)   Sens. Gambrell and K. Johnson

The following Bill was read the third time and ordered sent to the House.

S. 454 (Word version) -- Senator Stephens: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 593 OF 1992, AS AMENDED BY ACT 254 OF 2022, RELATING TO THE LIMIT ON CASH RESERVES THAT MAY BE MAINTAINED BY DORCHESTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 2 AND 4, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE LIMIT ON CASH RESERVES DOES NOT APPLY TO DORCHESTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 4.

On motion of Senator STEPHENS.

The following Bill was read the third time and, having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act and enrolled for Ratification:

H. 3254 (Word version) -- Reps. Jefferson, Murphy, Brewer, Robbins, Tedder, Cobb-Hunter and Gatch: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 593 OF 1992, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LIMIT ON CASH RESERVES THAT MAY BE MAINTAINED BY DORCHESTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 2 AND 4, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE LIMIT ON CASH RESERVES DOES NOT APPLY TO DORCHESTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 2 AND 4 IN FISCAL YEARS 2023-2024 AND 2024-2025.

On motion of Senator STEPHENS.

At 11:04 A.M., on motion of Senator McLEOD, the Senate adjourned to meet next Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 12:00 P.M.

This web page was last updated on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 2:07 P.M.