NO. 55
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
The Senate assembled at 1:00 P.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:
Micah 6:8
Once again turning to the prophet Micah, we now hear him telling us:
"And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Let us pray, good friends: Truly, most blessed Lord, the work of this Senate is significant -- sometimes even far beyond our own borders. Yet as important as those realities happen to be, dear God, equally powerful are the messages each Senator conveys in a personal manner. And fellow citizens do pay attention, taking stock of how each Senator leads his or her life, noting what each truly values, observing how he or she interacts with fellow South Carolinians. Therefore, O loving Lord, we pray today that by Your grace each of these Senators and their aides will ever be counted among those who indeed act justly, who love mercy, and who walk humbly with You. May it ever be so, dear Lord, to Your glory. Amen.
The PRESIDENT called for Petitions, Memorials, Presentments of Grand Juries and such like papers.
Senator PEELER moved that a Call of the Senate be made. The following Senators answered the Call:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Garrett Goldfinch Graham Grooms Hembree Hutto Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
A quorum being present, the Senate resumed.
The following appointments were transmitted by the Honorable Henry Dargan McMaster:
Reappointment, Advisory Panel for Massage/Bodywork Therapy, with the term to commence June 30, 2025, and to expire June 30, 2029
Massage/Bodywork Therapist:
Janet W. Shaw, 802 Pinedale Rd., West Columbia, SC 29170
Referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina Arts Commission, with the term to commence June 30, 2022, and to expire June 30, 2025
At-Large:
David G. Hodges, 1600 Saint Julian Place, Columbia, SC 29204 VICE Delores H. Crawford
Referred to the Committee on Education.
Reappointment, South Carolina Arts Commission, with the term to commence June 30, 2025, and to expire June 30, 2028
At-Large:
David G. Hodges, 1600 Saint Julian Place, Columbia, SC 29204
Referred to the Committee on Education.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina Arts Commission, with the term to commence June 30, 2023, and to expire June 30, 2026
At-Large:
Jessica Rourke, 1307 Devonshire Dr., Columbia, SC 29204 VICE Sarah Lynn D. Hayes
Referred to the Committee on Education.
Reappointment, South Carolina Arts Commission, with the term to commence June 30, 2026, and to expire June 30, 2029
At-Large:
Jessica Rourke, 1307 Devonshire Dr., Columbia, SC 29204
Referred to the Committee on Education.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina Arts Commission, with the term to commence June 30, 2024, and to expire June 30, 2027
At-Large:
Danielle Thompson, 100 North Main Street, Sumter, SC 29150 VICE Dacey P. Bell
Referred to the Committee on Education.
Reappointment, South Carolina Panel for Dietetics, with the term to commence May 30, 2025, and to expire May 30, 2027
Dietician, Community or Public Health:
Katherine L. Bernard, 307 Magnolia Tree Road, Lexington, SC 29073-6731
Referred to the Committee on Medical Affairs.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina Panel for Dietetics, with the term to commence May 30, 2025, and to expire May 30, 2027
Dietetics Educator:
Deborah Hutcheon, DCN, 607 Dills Farm Way, Greer, SC 29651 VICE Elizabeth A. Weikle
Referred to the Committee on Medical Affairs.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Board of Podiatry Examiners, with the term to commence March 1, 2024, and to expire March 1, 2028
Lower District, Podiatrist:
Jamelah Lemon, 2602 Poplar Grove Place, Summerville, SC 29483 VICE Rahn A. Ravenell
Referred to the Committee on Medical Affairs.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, with the term to commence April 6, 2025, and to expire April 6, 2031
2nd Congressional District, Veterinarian:
Paige Mackey, 4144 East Buchanan Dr., Columbia, SC 29206 VICE Tracie Quick
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Ethics Commission, with the term to commence April 1, 2025, and to expire January 1, 2030
Governor's Appointee:
Helen Munnerlyn, P.O. Box 23205, Columbia, SC 29224 VICE Ms. Brandolyn T. Pinkston
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Reappointment, State Commission for Minority Affairs, with the term to commence June 30, 2024, and to expire June 30, 2028
7th Congressional District:
Michelle M. Law-Gordon, 801 Ashley Ct., Florence, SC 29505
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Initial Appointment, Florence County Magistrate, with the term to commence April 30, 2022, and to expire April 30, 2026
Florence County:
Alyssia Smith, 3124 Brookstone Drive, Effingham, SC 29541 VICE Hon. Kimberly B. Cox
Initial Appointment, Lee County Master-in-Equity, with the term to commence December 31, 2019, and to expire December 31, 2025
James Saverance, Jr., Esq., 345 Country Manor Estate, Bishopville, SC 29010 VICE Stephen B. Doby
Reappointment, Lee County Master-in-Equity, with the term to commence December 31, 2025, and to expire December 31, 2031
James Saverance, Jr., Esq., 345 Country Manor Estate, Bishopville, SC 29010
The following was received:
Document No. 5242
Agency: Public Service Commission
Chapter: 103
Statutory Authority: 1976 Code Sections 58-3-140, 58-23-590, 58-23-1010,
58-23-1070, and 58-23-1130
SUBJECT: Article 2, Motor Carriers
Received by President of the Senate January 14, 2025
Referred to Judiciary Committee
Legislative Review Expiration January 18, 2026
Withdrawn and Resubmitted April 16, 2025
On motion of Senator DEVINE, at 1:52 P.M., Senator MATTHEWS was granted a leave of absence for today.
On motion of Senator KIMBRELL, at 4:00 P.M., Senator GOLDFINCH was granted a leave of absence for the balance of the day.
On motion of Senator CLIMER, at 4:02 P.M., Senator GROOMS was granted a leave of absence for the balance of the day.
On motion of Senator CAMPSEN, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 35, the Privilege of the Chamber, to that area behind the rail, was extended to Mr. Robert Boyles in recognition of his outstanding service with the Department of Natural Resources upon his retirement.
Senator PEELER rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.
The following co-sponsors were added to the respective Bills:
S. 54 (Word version) Sens. Nutt and Corbin
S. 105 (Word version) Sen. Zell
S. 163 (Word version) Sen. Leber
S. 508 (Word version) Sen. Campsen
S. 522 (Word version) Sen. Campsen
S. 369 (Word version) -- Senator Young: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-10, RELATING TO STATE COMMODITY CODE DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE STATE COMMODITY CODE BE THE SOUTH CAROLINA ATTORNEY GENERAL; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-40, RELATING TO TRANSACTIONS WHERE PROHIBITION IS NOT APPLICABLE, SO AS TO ADD AN AGENT OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR REPRESENTATIVE AS INDIVIDUALS SUBJECT TO AN ORDER TO DENY, SUSPEND, OR REVOKE A PERSON'S LICENSE; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-60, RELATING TO PROHIBITED ACTS, SO AS TO REPLACE SECTION 39-73-310 WITH SECTION 39-73-30; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-80, RELATING TO STATE SECURITIES LAWS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-315, RELATING TO ADMINISTRATOR ACTIONS TO PREVENT VIOLATIONS OR IMMINENT VIOLATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR CAN ISSUE AN ORDER RELATED TO ANY ACTION THAT MAY VIOLATE THIS CHAPTER; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-320, RELATING TO LEGAL, EQUITABLE, AND SPECIAL REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO A COURT FOR ENFORCEMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR MAY MAINTAIN AN ACTION IN THE RICHLAND COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-325, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR MAY REFER VIOLATIONS TO THE APPROPRIATE DIVISION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE OR OTHER AUTHORITY; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-330, RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS CHAPTER, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-340, RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS, FORMS, AND ORDERS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-350, RELATING TO THE APPLICABILITY OF SECTIONS 39-73-20, 39-73-50, AND 39-73-60 TO PERSONS WHO SELL, BUY, OR OFFER TO SELL OR BUY COMMODITIES IN THIS STATE, SO AS TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR APPLICABLE RADIO AND TELEVISION COMMUNICATIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-360, RELATING TO JUDICIAL REVIEW, SO AS TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES; BY AMENDING SECTION 39-73-370, RELATING TO DEFENSE IN A CASE BASED ON FAILURE TO MAKE PHYSICAL DELIVERY, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY ADDING SECTION 39-73-375 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY RETAIN FUNDS FROM FINES AND PENALTIES TO OFFSET RELEVANT EXPENSES; BY ADDING SECTION 39-73-400 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR SEVERABILITY OF THIS CHAPTER; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 39-73-355 RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
On motion of Senator DAVIS, with unanimous consent, the Bill was recalled from the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources and committed to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
S. 459 (Word version) -- Senator Elliott: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE GREENVILLE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION TO USE THE CHAMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE AND ANY AVAILABLE COMMITTEE HEARING ROOMS IN THE GRESSETTE BUILDING FOR ITS YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, AND MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025. HOWEVER, THE CHAMBER MAY NOT BE USED IF THE SENATE IS IN SESSION OR THE CHAMBER IS OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE.
Senator ELLIOTT asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Resolution from the Committee on Operations and Management.
The Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Operations and Management.
Senator ELLIOTT asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take the Resolution up for immediate consideration.
There was no objection.
The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Resolution. The question then was the adoption of the Resolution.
On motion of Senator ELLIOTT, the Resolution was adopted.
S. 535 (Word version) -- Senator Devine: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS) ON THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO DECLARE SEPTEMBER AS "PCOS AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
Senator VERDIN asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Resolution from the Committee on Medical Affairs.
The Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Medical Affairs.
Senator VERDIN asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take the Resolution up for immediate consideration.
There was no objection.
The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Resolution. The question then was the adoption of the Resolution.
On motion of Senator VERDIN, the Resolution was adopted.
S. 557 (Word version) -- Senator Hutto: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE JUNE 2025 AS "SOUTH CAROLINA TRAILS MONTH" IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ABUNDANCE OF TRAILS IN THIS STATE AND ENJOY THE HEALTH, LEARNING, AND SOCIAL BENEFITS THAT CAN BE DERIVED FROM THEIR USE.
Senator HUTTO asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Resolution from the Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry.
The Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry.
Senator HUTTO asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take the Resolution up for immediate consideration.
There was no objection.
The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Resolution. The question then was the adoption of the Resolution.
On motion of Senator HUTTO, the Resolution was adopted.
S. 561 (Word version) -- Senator Reichenbach: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF RIVER ROAD (STATE ROAD S-40) FROM THE INTERSECTION OF PINE STREET (S-21-312) TO THE INTERSECTIONOF SHIRLEY ROAD (S-21-1114) IN FLORENCE COUNTY "BILLY EADDY ROAD" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THE DESIGNATION.
Senator GROOMS asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Concurrent Resolution from the Committee on Transportation.
The Concurrent Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Transportation and ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
H. 4158 (Word version) -- Rep. Taylor: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME OLD DIBBLE ROAD IN AIKEN COUNTY FROM BANKS MILL ROAD TO WOODWARD DRIVE "DR. CHARLIE TIMMERMAN MEMORIAL ROAD" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS OR MARKERS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THESE WORDS.
Senator GROOMS asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Concurrent Resolution from the Committee on Transportation.
The Concurrent Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Transportation and ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
The following were introduced:
S. 567 (Word version) -- Senators Young, Adams, Alexander, Allen, Bennett, Blackmon, Campsen, Cash, Chaplin, Climer, Corbin, Cromer, Davis, Devine, Elliott, Fernandez, Gambrell, Garrett, Goldfinch, Graham, Grooms, Hembree, Hutto, Jackson, Johnson, Kennedy, Kimbrell, Leber, Martin, Massey, Matthews, Nutt, Ott, Peeler, Rankin, Reichenbach, Rice, Sabb, Stubbs, Sutton, Tedder, Turner, Verdin, Walker, Williams and Zell: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR JAMES E. "JIM" STEWART, JR. FOR HIS THIRTY YEARS OF SERVICE ON THE AIKEN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.
S. 568 (Word version) -- Senators Young, Adams, Alexander, Allen, Bennett, Blackmon, Campsen, Cash, Chaplin, Climer, Corbin, Cromer, Davis, Devine, Elliott, Fernandez, Gambrell, Garrett, Goldfinch, Graham, Grooms, Hembree, Hutto, Jackson, Johnson, Kennedy, Kimbrell, Leber, Martin, Massey, Matthews, Nutt, Ott, Peeler, Rankin, Reichenbach, Rice, Sabb, Stubbs, Sutton, Tedder, Turner, Verdin, Walker, Williams and Zell: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE HONORABLE VICKI JOHNSON SNELGROVE UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HER FOR HER MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 569 (Word version) -- Senator Matthews: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DEPUTY KYLE RICHARD HORTON OF THE HAMPTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE IN THE FACE OF LIFE-THREATENING DANGER TO A CITIZEN WHILE ON DUTY AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON RECEIVING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION 2024 MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD.
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.
S. 570 (Word version) -- Senator Gambrell: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR SERGEANTS HUNTER RUFF, DANIEL MCCOWN, AND STEPHEN EARWOOD OF THE ANDERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON BEING AWARDED THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION 2024 MEDAL OF VALOR.
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.
S. 571 (Word version) -- Senator Jackson: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE DONALD JEFFREY SIMONS, MAGISTRATE JUDGE FOR RICHLAND COUNTY, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BENCH AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 572 (Word version) -- Banking and Insurance Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, RELATING TO MONEY SERVICES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5363, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
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Read the first time and ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.
S. 573 (Word version) -- Banking and Insurance Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, RELATING TO INSURANCE HOLDING COMPANY SYSTEMS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5320, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
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Read the first time and ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.
S. 574 (Word version) -- Senator Grooms: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE ENDURING FRIENDSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE STATE OF ISRAEL.
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The Senate Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
S. 575 (Word version) -- Senator Goldfinch: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 6-9-6 SO AS TO DEFINE "CLIMATOLOGICAL" AND OTHER TERMS RELATED TO BUILDING CODES; BY AMENDING SECTION 6-9-55, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT OF COUNCIL TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT REGULATIONS BE CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 9, TITLE 6; BY AMENDING SECTION 6-9-63, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA BUILDING CODES COUNCIL, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE COUNCIL TO GRANT MODIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 6-9-105; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 6-9-105, RELATING TO VARIATIONS BASED ON PHYSICAL OR CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A LOCAL MODIFICATION MUST BE GRANTED WHEN CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
S. 576 (Word version) -- Banking and Insurance Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, RELATING TO SECURITIES EXEMPTIONS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5365, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
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Read the first time and ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.
S. 577 (Word version) -- Senator Davis: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DIANA TISDELL OF BEAUFORT COUNTY FOR HER NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS ORGANIZATION AND TO CONGRATULATE HER UPON RECEIVING THE PRESTIGIOUS STARS AND STRIPES AWARD.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 578 (Word version) -- Senator Ott: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE REVEREND DR. LOUIS C. WILLIAMS SR. UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY AS PASTOR OF ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO HIS CONGREGATION AND THE SAINT MATTHEWS COMMUNITY.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 579 (Word version) -- Senators Reichenbach, Williams and Sabb: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR RAHSAAN "SAANI" PERRY, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF WEST FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL, AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON BEING HONORED AS THE 2025 NATIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 580 (Word version) -- Senator Devine: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE UPON THE PASSING OF LOUIS WELDON HAMMOND OF COLUMBIA AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 581 (Word version) -- Senators Matthews, Blackmon, Johnson and Stubbs: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF DAVID LEO JENKINS AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 582 (Word version) -- Senators Massey, Alexander and Rice: A BILL TO RATIFY AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 4, ARTICLE II, RELATING TO VOTER QUALIFICATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE OF THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN AND UPWARDS WHO IS PROPERLY REGISTERED IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AS PROVIDED BY LAW.
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Read the first time and ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.
S. 583 (Word version) -- Senators Davis, Massey and Johnson: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 40-19-250, RELATING TO CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS REQUIRED FOR LICENSEES OF THE BOARD OF FUNERAL EXAMINERS, SO AS TO REVISE PHYSICAL ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINIUNG EDUCATION INSTRUCTION, AND TO DEFINE "PHYSICAL ATTENDANCE."
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Senator DAVIS spoke on the Bill.
Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
S. 584 (Word version) -- Senator Devine: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "THE CROWN ACT"; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-13-30, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS PERTAINING TO THE STATE HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION SO AS TO DEFINE TRAITS HISTORICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH RACE, COLOR, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN AND TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS ILLEGAL TO DISCRIMNATE AGAINST AN INVIDIDUAL ON THE BASIS OF THESE CHARACTERISTICS; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-13-80, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES, SO AS TO PROHIBIT A COVERED EMPLOYER FROM DISCRIMINATING AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN; BY ADDING SECTION 31-21-65 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DISCRIMINATE IN THE SALE, RENTAL, OR FINANCING OF HOUSING, OR IN HOUSING-RELATED SERVICES ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN; BY ADDING SECTION 45-9-11 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY OWNER, OPERATOR, OR EMPLOYEE OF A PLACE OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION TO DENY ACCESS OR SERVICE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-40, RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION ON ACCOUNT OF RACE, CREED, COLOR, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC OR CHARTER SCHOOL MAY NOT IMPLEMENT POLICIES OR PRACTICES THAT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST STUDENTS BASED ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
S. 585 (Word version) -- Senators Tedder and Adams: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SAFEGUARDING AMERICAN FAMILIES EVERYWHERE (SAFE) ACT" AND BY ADDING SECTION 56-3-125 SO AS TO PROVIDE APPLICATIONS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS MUST INCLUDE LANGUAGE ALLOWING APPLICANTS TO VOLUNTARILY INDICATE THEY OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CERTAIN DISABILITIES OR DISORDERS, AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO INCLUDE THE DESIGNATION "SAFE" IN THE MOTOR VEHICLES' RECORDS.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation.
S. 586 (Word version) -- Senator Graham: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 172 OF 1995, RELATING TO THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE SHALL RECEIVE NINETY DOLLARS FOR EACH MEETING AT WHICH HE IS IN ATTENDANCE AND THAT THE CHAIRMAN SHALL RECEIVE ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH PAYMENTS SHALL NOT OCCUR MORE THAN EIGHTEEN TIMES EACH FISCAL YEAR.
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Read the first time and ordered placed on the Local and Uncontested Calendar.
S. 587 (Word version) -- Senators Williams and Reichenbach: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF JEFFORDS STREET IN THE CITY OF FLORENCE IN FLORENCE COUNTY FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH EAST PALMETTO STREET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH EAST PINE STREET THE "HONORABLE PAT GIBSON-HYE MOORE MEMORIAL STREET" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS CONTAINING THESE WORDS.
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.
Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable with amendment report on:
S. 99 (Word version) -- Senators Matthews and Tedder: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 22 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 16 SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PENALTIES FOR PERSONS WHO COMMIT CERTAIN DELINEATED CRIMES WHEN THE VICTIM WAS INTENTIONALLY SELECTED BASED ON CERTAIN FACTORS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT VICTIMS OF A VIOLATION OF THE ARTICLE MAY BRING A CIVIL ACTION FOR DAMAGES SUSTAINED.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable with amendment report on:
S. 114 (Word version) -- Senators Adams, Grooms and Rice: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 23-3-340 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT UPON REQUEST OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, A WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER SHALL PROVIDE CALL LOCATION INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE OF THE USER TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN ORDER TO RESPOND TO A CALL FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES OR IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION THAT INVOLVES THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS PHYSICAL HARM, TO PROVIDE A CIVIL OR CRIMINAL ACTION MAY NOT BE BROUGHT AGAINST A WIRELESS SERVICE PROVIDER UNDER THIS SECTION UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO PROVIDE SLED SHALL OBTAIN CONTACT INFORMATION FROM WIRELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS TO FACILITATE A REQUEST FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator YOUNG from the Committee on Family and Veterans' Services submitted a favorable with amendment report on:
S. 121 (Word version) -- Senators Garrett and Cash: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-40(B), RELATING TO SAFE HAVEN FOR ABANDONED BABIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SAFE HAVEN MUST OFFER THE PERSON LEAVING THE INFANT INFORMATION PREPARED BY THE DEPARTMENT CONCERNING THE LEGAL EFFECT OF LEAVING THE INFANT WITH THE SAFE HAVEN; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-1700(A), RELATING TO PERMANENCY PLANNING, SO AS TO DECREASE THE TIME IN WHICH A PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARING MUST BE HELD FROM NO LATER THAN ONE YEAR TO NO LATER THAN NINE MONTHS AFTER THE CHILD IS FIRST PLACED IN FOSTER CARE; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-1700(E), RELATING TO THE FILING OF A PETITION TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO COMPLETE AND FILE WITH THE COURT A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND REPORT REGARDING THE CHILD WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF THE FILING OF A PETITION TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-1700(F) AND SECTION 63-7-1700(H), RELATING TO AN EXTENSION FOR REUNIFICATION, SO AS TO DECREASE THE TIME IN WHICH AN EXTENSION MAY BE GRANTED FOR REUNIFICATION EFFORTS FROM EIGHTEEN MONTHS TO FIFTEEN MONTHS; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-1700(I), RELATING TO PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARINGS, BY PROVIDING THAT A TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS HEARING MAY SERVE AS THE NEXT PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARING ONLY IF IT IS HELD NO LATER THAN NINE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE PREVIOUS PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARING, AND SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARING MUST BE HELD QUARTERLY INSTEAD OF ANNUALLY AFTER THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS HEARING; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-1710, RELATING TO TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO COMPLETE AND FILE WITH THE COURT A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND REPORT REGARDING THE CHILD WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF THE FILING OF A PETITION TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-2550, RELATING TO SERVICE OF PETITION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN UNMARRIED BIOLOGICAL FATHER MUST RECEIVE SERVICE OF A TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS ACTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-2570, RELATING TO GROUNDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN FINDING THAT TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A CHILD, THE COURT MUST FIND THAT THE HOME OF THE CHILD'S PARENTS IS NOT SAFE FOR THE RETURN OF THE CHILD AT THE TIME OF THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS HEARING; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-9-730, RELATING TO NOTICE OF ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IF NOTICE OF AN ADOPTION PROCEEDING CANNOT BE EFFECTED BY PERSONAL SERVICE, THEN NOTICE MAY BE GIVEN BY PUBLICATION OF THE SUMMONS IN WHICH THE REQUESTED RELIEF OF TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, OR ADOPTION, OR BOTH, IS SET FORTH; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-9-760, RELATING TO THE EFFECT OF A FINAL ADOPTION DECREE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE FINAL DECREE IS NOT AFFECTED BY A POSTADOPTION AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BEFORE OR AFTER THE ADOPTION; BY ADDING SECTION 63-9-765, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR POSTADOPTION CONTACT AGREEMENTS TO BE ENFORCEABLE IF AGREED TO BY THE PARTIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-820, RELATING TO THE PUTATIVE FATHER REGISTRY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A REGISTRANT MUST INCLUDE ANY ALIASES WHEN HE REGISTERS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3595, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A TAX CREDIT FOR ANY RESIDENT TAXPAYER THAT CLAIMS THE FEDERAL TAX CREDIT FOR QUALIFIED ADOPTION EXPENSES RELATED TO A DOMESTIC ADOPTION.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator CROMER from the Committee on Banking and Insurance submitted a favorable report on:
S. 196 (Word version) -- Senator Cromer: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 91 TO TITLE 38 SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS, ESTABLISH LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, EXEMPTIONS, AND TYPES OF LICENSES, REQUIRE AN EXAMINATION FOR LICENSURE, PROVIDE EXEMPTIONS FOR EXAMINATION, REQUIRE CONTINUING EDUCATION, ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR RENEWAL, SET STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR ADJUSTERS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DENIAL, NONRENEWAL, OR REVOCATION OF A LICENSE AND PENALTIES, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY ADDING CHAPTER 92 TO TITLE 38 SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS, ESTABLISH LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS AND TYPES OF LICENSES, REQUIRE AN EXAMINATION FOR LICENSURE AND PROVIDE EXEMPTIONS TO EXAMINATION, PROVIDE FOR THE DENIAL, NONRENEWAL, OR REVOCATION OF A LICENSE, REQUIRE A BOND OR LETTER OF CREDIT, REQUIRE CONTINUING EDUCATION, ALLOW FOR FEES, AND SET STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR PUBLIC ADJUSTERS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-1-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION; AND BY REPEALING CHAPTERS 47 AND 48 OF TITLE 38.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable with amendment report on:
S. 214 (Word version) -- Senators Massey and Jackson: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 1-31-10, RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE COMMISSION FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS, ITS COMPOSITION, AND THE REQUIREMENT THAT A MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSION BE AFRICAN AMERICAN, SO AS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT A MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSION MUST BE AFRICAN AMERICAN.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable report on:
S. 288 (Word version) -- Senators Johnson, Turner and Graham: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 6-29-725 SO AS TO ALLOW FOR THE TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS BETWEEN DIFFERENT LANDOWNERS, TO PROVIDE FOR CONTENTS OF THE ORDINANCE NECESSARY TO REGULATE THE TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS, AND TO ALLOW TWO OR MORE LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES TO JOIN ONE ANOTHER IN SETTING UP A TRANSFER OF RIGHTS PROGRAM.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable report on:
S. 316 (Word version) -- Senator Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 1-7-95 SO AS TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES AND PROTECTIONS FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHEN BRINGING AN ENFORCEMENT ACTION IN THE NAME OF THE STATE; BY ADDING SECTION 39-5-55 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WITH THE REMEDY OF DISGORGEMENT; AND BY ADDING SECTION 39-5-85 SO AS TO PROVIDE PRIVILEGE TO MATERIALS PREPARED OR DRAFTED WHILE INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS OF THIS ARTICLE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator CROMER from the Committee on Banking and Insurance submitted a favorable report on:
S. 325 (Word version) -- Senators Massey and Alexander: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 1-30-10, RELATING TO DEPARTMENTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT, SO AS TO ADD THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO THE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT; BY ADDING SECTION 1-30-145 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSITION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT; BY AMENDING SECTION 37-6-103, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF "ADMINISTRATOR," SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UPON THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 37-6-104(6), 37-6-117(I), 37-6-501 THROUGH 510, 37-6-602, AND 37-6-604(B), ALL RELATING TO FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF THE COMMISSION ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO BE REPLACED WITH AN ADMINISTRATOR AS THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable with amendment report on:
S. 346 (Word version) -- Senators Alexander, Graham and Turner: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-3-600, RELATING TO ASSAULT AND BATTERY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO UNLAWFULLY INJURES A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL DURING THE COURSE OF HIS DUTIES OR INJURES A PERSON IN A HEALTHCARE FACILITY COMMITS THE OFFENSE OF ASSAULT AND BATTERY OF A HIGH AND AGGRAVATED NATURE, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable report on:
S. 357 (Word version) -- Senators Rankin, Alexander, Young, Hembree and Reichenbach: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-13-190, SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF MAIL THEFT AND PRESCRIBE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable report on:
S. 399 (Word version) -- Senators Elliott, Hembree and Reichenbach: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-11-635 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO, WITHOUT LEGAL CAUSE OR GOOD EXCUSE, ENTERS A TRANSPORTATION FACILITY, INCLUDING ANY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND ANY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, AFTER HAVING BEEN WARNED NOT TO DO SO BY THE TRANSIT DIRECTOR OR HIS DESIGNEE, IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR TRIABLE IN A MUNICIPAL OR MAGISTRATES COURT, TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR A WRITTEN WARNING AND FOR APPEALING THE WARNING, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION MUST BE CONSTRUED AS IN ADDITION TO, AND NOT AS SUPERSEDING, ANOTHER STATUTE RELATING TO TRESPASS OR UNLAWFUL ENTRY ON LANDS OF ANOTHER.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable report on:
S. 427 (Word version) -- Senator Adams: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING ARTICLE 11 OF CHAPTER 3, TITLE 47, RELATING TO TAUNTING, TORMENTING, INJURING, OR KILLING POLICE DOGS OR HORSES, SO AS TO EXPAND THE CONDUCT THAT RESULTS IN A VIOLATION, INCREASE THE PENALTIES, REQUIRE RESTITUTION TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY, AND MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator CROMER from the Committee on Banking and Insurance submitted a favorable report on:
H. 3259 (Word version) -- Reps. Pope, Gilliam, Lawson, Chapman, Pedalino, McCravy, M.M. Smith, Davis, Holman, B.L. Cox, Ligon and Gibson: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 38-77-128 SO AS TO PROHIBIT INSURERS OR AGENTS FROM CONSIDERING THE WORK-RELATED DRIVING RECORD OF A FIRST RESPONDER IN DETERMINING THE PREMIUM RATE FOR THE FIRST RESPONDER'S PERSONAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE POLICY.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator GROOMS from the Committee on Transportation submitted a favorable with amendment report on:
H. 3276 (Word version) -- Reps. Pope, Robbins, Chapman, W. Newton, Taylor, Forrest, McGinnis, Calhoon, Bernstein, Wooten, Hart, Erickson, Bradley, Ligon, Anderson, Schuessler, Hixon, M.M. Smith and Hartnett: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA HANDS-FREE AND DISTRACTED DRIVING ACT"; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-5-3890, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL USE OF A WIRELESS ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO USE A WIRELESS MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE, TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF DISTRACTED DRIVING AND PROVIDE PENALTIES, AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL REVISIONS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-720, RELATING TO POINTS THAT MAY BE ASSESSED AGAINST A PERSON'S DRIVING RECORD FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVING VIOLATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE OF DISTRACTED DRIVING IS A TWO-POINT VIOLATION.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable report on:
H. 3432 (Word version) -- Reps. W. Newton, Mitchell, Yow and T. Moore: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 27-6-20, RELATING TO NONVESTED PROPERTY INTEREST OR POWER OF APPOINTMENT, SO AS TO INCREASE THE TIME AN INTEREST CAN VEST FROM NINETY YEARS TO THREE HUNDRED SIXTY YEARS; BY AMENDING SECTION 27-6-40, RELATING TO REFORMATION OF PROPERTY DISPOSITIONS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE TIME LIMIT FROM NINETY YEARS TO THREE HUNDRED SIXTY YEARS; BY AMENDING SECTION 27-6-60, RELATING TO THE EFFECT OF TIMING OF CREATION OF PROPERTY INTEREST, SO AS TO UPDATE CERTAIN DATES; BY AMENDING SECTION 62-7-504, RELATING TO DISCRETIONARY TRUSTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN SITUATIONS IN WHICH A BENEFICIARY OF A TRUST MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED A SETTLOR; BY AMENDING SECTION 62-7-505, RELATING TO CREDITORS' CLAIMS AGAINST A SETTLOR, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN AMOUNTS PAID TO TAXING AUTHORITIES MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED AN AMOUNT THAT MAY BE DISTRIBUTED FOR THE SETTLOR'S BENEFIT; AND BY ADDING SECTION 62-7-508 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN GRANTOR TRUST REIMBURSEMENTS.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable report on:
H. 3472 (Word version) -- Reps. McCabe, W. Newton, Pedalino, Hixon, Gibson, Gagnon, Calhoon, Mitchell, Yow and Ligon: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 62-3-1201, RELATING TO COLLECTION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY BY AFFIDAVIT, SO AS TO INCREASE THE LIMIT OF AN ESTATE TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS; BY AMENDING SECTION 62-3-1203, RELATING TO SMALL ESTATES AND SUMMARY ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE, SO AS TO INCREASE THE LIMIT OF AN ESTATE TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 62-3-1204, RELATING TO SMALL ESTATES AND CLOSING BY SWORN STATEMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE, SO AS TO INCREASE THE LIMIT OF AN ESTATE TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable report on:
H. 3650 (Word version) -- Reps. G.M. Smith, Wooten, Pope, Chapman, W. Newton, Bailey, Robbins, Crawford, Guest, Caskey, Forrest, B. Newton, Hixon and Taylor: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-1-60, RELATING TO OFFENSES DEFINED AS VIOLENT CRIMES, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE OFFENSE OF DISCHARGING FIREARMS AT OR INTO A DWELLING HOUSE, OTHER BUILDING, STRUCTURE, ENCLOSURE, VEHICLE, AIRCRAFT, WATERCRAFT, OR OTHER CONVEYANCE, DEVICE, OR EQUIPMENT; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-23-440, RELATING TO DISCHARGING FIREARMS INTO A DWELLING HOUSE, OTHER BUILDING, STRUCTURE, ENCLOSURE, VEHICLE, AIRCRAFT, WATERCRAFT, OR OTHER CONVEYANCE, DEVICE, OR EQUIPMENT, SO AS TO CREATE A TIERED PENALTY STRUCTURE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator PEELER from the Committee on Finance submitted a favorable with amendment report on:
H. 4025 -- Ways and Means Committee: A BILL TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS AND TO PROVIDE REVENUES TO MEET THE ORDINARY EXPENSES OF STATE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, TO REGULATE THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF STATE GOVERNMENT DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator PEELER from the Committee on Finance submitted a favorable with amendment report on:
H. 4026 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE MONIES FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, AND TO ALLOW UNEXPENDED FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO BE CARRIED FORWARD TO SUCCEEDING FISCAL YEARS AND EXPENDED FOR THE SAME PURPOSES.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Senator GROOMS from the Committee on Transportation submitted a favorable report on:
Initial Appointment, Department of Transportation Commission, with the term to commence February 15, 2022, and to expire February 15, 2026
At-Large:
Thomas Rhodes, 5145 Lakeshore Drive, Columbia, SC 29206 VICE Nancy Whitworth
Received as information.
Columbia, S.C., April 16, 2025
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has returned the following Bill to the Senate with amendments:
S. 156 (Word version) -- Senators Alexander, Rankin, Garrett, Stubbs, Adams, Bennett, Kimbrell, Young, Turner and Peeler: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-80 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF FENTANYL-INDUCED HOMICIDE, TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR A VIOLATION, AND TO PROHIBIT AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-1-10, RELATING TO A LIST OF EXCEPTIONS FOR FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS, SO AS TO ADD FENTANYL-INDUCED HOMICIDE.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
Placed on Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO A CALL OF THE UNCONTESTED LOCAL AND STATEWIDE CALENDAR.
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. 4014 (Word version) -- Rep. Bustos: A BILL TO ABOLISH THE CONSTITUENT DISTRICTS OF CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THEIR RESPECTIVE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES AND TO DELEGATE THE POWERS DEVOLVED UPON THE TRUSTEES OF THE CONSTITUENT DISTRICTS BY ACT 340 OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
S. 522 (Word version) -- Senators Grooms and Campsen: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 2 AND 3 OF ACT 1235 OF 1970 SO AS TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE CHARLESTON COUNTY AIRPORT DISTRICT TO THE CHARLESTON REGIONAL AIRPORT DISTRICT AND TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE CHARLESTON COUNTY AVIATION AUTHORITY TO THE CHARLESTON REGIONAL AVIATION AUTHORITY.
On motion of Senator GROOMS.
On motion of Senator GROOMS, S. 522 was ordered to receive a third reading on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
S. 12 (Word version) -- Senators Rankin and Grooms: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 58-31-205 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY TO JOINTLY OWN, AS TENANTS-IN-COMMON OR THROUGH A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, WITH INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES, ELECTRICAL GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION FACILITIES.
Senator DAVIS objected to consideration of the Bill.
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. 3654 (Word version) -- Reps. Calhoon, Bernstein and Spann-Wilder: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 63-7-1990 AND 63-11-550, BOTH RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF CHILD WELFARE RECORDS AND INFORMATION, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE DISCLOSURE OF CASE RECORDS TO COUNTY AND STATE GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAM STAFF AND TO THE STATE CHILD ADVOCATE; AND BY AMENDING SECTIONS 63-11-700, 63-11-1340, AND 63-11-1360, RELATING TO CERTAIN DIVISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY, SO AS TO UPDATE REFERENCES TO THE DEPARTMENT AND THESE DIVISIONS.
S. 463 (Word version) -- Senator Grooms: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 50-21-125, RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS ON SWIMMING NEAR PUBLIC LANDINGS ON LAKES OR RESERVOIRS OWNED OR MAINTAINED BY AN INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR RESTRICTIONS ON SWIMMING NEAR PUBLIC BOATING LANDINGS ON LAKES OR RESERVOIRS OWNED OR MAINTAINED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the Bill.
Senator CAMPSEN proposed the following amendment (SFGF-463.BC0001S), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 1 and inserting:
SECTION X. Article 1, Chapter 21, Title 50 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:
Section 50-21-128. It is unlawful for a person to swim within fifty feet of a public boat landing or ramp maintained by the South Carolina Public Service Authority, if the landing or ramp is clearly marked with signage prohibiting swimming.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Senator CAMPSEN explained the amendment.
The amendment was adopted.
The question being the third reading of the Bill.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Garrett Graham Grooms Hembree Hutto Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
There being no further amendments, the Bill, as amended, was read the third time, passed and ordered sent to the House.
The following Bill was read the third time and ordered returned to the House with amendments.
H. 3813 (Word version) -- Rep. Hixon: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 50-11-430, RELATING TO BEAR HUNTING, SO AS TO REMOVE REFERENCES TO A REGISTERED PARTY DOG HUNT IN GAME ZONE 1.
S. 163 (Word version) -- Senators Verdin and Leber: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 47 TO TITLE 34 SO AS TO PROHIBIT A GOVERNING AUTHORITY FROM ACCEPTING OR REQUIRING PAYMENT USING CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY OR PARTICIPATING IN A TEST OF CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY; TO PERMIT INDIVIDUALS OR BUSINESSES USING DIGITAL CURRENCY FOR TRANSACTIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT DIGITAL ASSETS MAY NOT BE SINGLED OUT FOR DISPARATE TAX TREATMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT DIGITAL CURRENCY TRANSACTION MAY BE TAXED IF THE TAXATION IS THE SAME AS IF THE TRANSACTION USED UNITED STATES LEGAL TENDER; TO PROVIDE THAT DIGITAL CURRENCY OPERATIONS MAY BE NOT BE SUBJECTED TO DISPARATE ZONING TREATMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT DIGITAL ASSET MINING BUSINESS OPERATIONS SHALL NOT PLACE ANY ADDITIONAL STRESS ON THE ELECTRICAL GRID FOR WHICH THEY ARE CONNECTED AND TO PROVIDE THAT DIGITAL MINING BUSINESSES MUST PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION UPON REQUEST; TO PROVIDE THAT THOSE ENGAGED IN DIGITAL MINING OPERATIONS DO NOT HAVE TO OBTAIN CERTAIN LICENSES AND THAT THOSE WHO PROVIDE CERTAIN SERVICES RELATED TO DIGITAL MINING OR STAKING ARE NOT OFFERING A SECURITY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN PROSECUTE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO OR BUSINESS THAT FRAUDULENTLY CLAIM TO BE OFFERING DIGITAL ASSET MINING AS SERVICE OR STAKING AS A SERVICE; AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the Bill.
The Committee on Banking and Insurance proposed the following amendment (LC-163.PH0001S):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 34-47-10(5) and inserting:
(5) "Digital asset mining" means virtual currency, cryptocurrencies, natively electronic assets, including stablecoins, fungible tokens, and non-fungible tokens, and other digital-only assets that confer economic, proprietary, or access rights or powersusing computer hardware and software specifically designed or utilized for the purpose of validating data and securing a blockchain network.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 34-47-40 and inserting:
Section 34-47-40. (A) An individual shall not be prohibited, restricted, or otherwise prevented from participating in digital asset mining in an area zoned for residential use as long as the person engaging in digital asset mining complies with all local ordinances.
(B) In areas that are zoned for industrial use, a political subdivision shall not:
(1) place restrictions on a digital asset mining business that do not generally apply to businesses in that area.
(2) place a specific limit on sound decibels generated from a digital asset mining business other than limits generally imposed for sound pollution in that area; or
(3) change the zoning of a digital asset mining business without going through the proper notice and comment.
(C) A digital asset mining business may appeal a change in zoning to the proper court of jurisdiction.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 34-47-60(A) and inserting:
(A) A money transmitter license pursuant to Article 2, Chapter 11, Title 35 shall not be required byof an individual or business due to their participation in the following activities:
(1) engaged in digital asset mining;
(2) operating a node or a series of nodes on a blockchain protocol;
(3) developing software on a blockchain protocol, even if the software effectuates the exchange of one digital asset for another digital asset; or
(4) that exchangesexchanging a digital asset for another digital asset and does not exchangewithout exchanging digital assets for legal tender or bank deposits.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Senator VERDIN explained the amendment.
The question being the adoption of the amendment.
On motion of Senator VERDIN, the amendment and the Bill were carried over.
S. 494 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION - COMMISSIONERS OF PILOTAGE, RELATING TO COMMISSIONERS OF PILOTAGE, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5300, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Resolution was recommitted to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
S. 495 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION - BUILDING CODES COUNCIL, RELATING TO CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5306, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Resolution was recommitted to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
S. 496 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION - SOUTH CAROLINA REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS BOARD, RELATING TO SOUTH CAROLINA REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS BOARD, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5340, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Resolution was recommitted to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
S. 497 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION, RELATING TO FEE SCHEDULES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5348, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Resolution was recommitted to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
S. 498 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION, RELATING TO FEE SCHEDULES - BIENNIAL ADJUSTMENTS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5349, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Resolution was recommitted to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
S. 499 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION - STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION, RELATING TO STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5351, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Resolution was recommitted to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
S. 500 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION - OFFICE OF ELEVATORS AND AMUSEMENT RIDES, RELATING TO OFFICE OF ELEVATORS AND AMUSEMENT RIDES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5353, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Resolution was recommitted to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
S. 501 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION - SOUTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE, RELATING TO SOUTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5335, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Resolution was recommitted to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
S. 454 (Word version) -- Senator Hembree: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-40, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS PERTAINING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS, SO AS TO CHANGE REFERENCES FROM "SPONSOR" TO "AUTHORIZER" AND TO PROVIDE OTHER DEFINITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-50, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO REQUIRE A CHARTER SCHOOL TO POST THEIR ANNUAL AUDIT ON THEIR WEBSITE AND TO NOTIFY AND PROVIDE A COPY OF ANY EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS TO THE AUTHORIZER; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-55, RELATING TO AUTHORIZER POWERS AND DUTIES AND THE RETENTION OF FUNDS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE AUTHORIZER TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PRACTICES THAT ENSURE GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-60, RELATING TO CHARTER APPLICATIONS AND COMMITTEES, SO AS TO EXPAND THE CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION TO INCLUDE ANY PROPOSED CHARTER OR EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS CONTEMPLATED BY THE CHARTER SCHOOL; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-70, RELATING TO APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES, SO AS TO SET A TIME FRAME TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE APPLICATION FOR A CHARTER SCHOOL; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-75, RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF AN AUTHORIZER OR MEMBER OF A DISTRICT OR GOVERNING BOARD, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR TO VACATE THE SEAT OF A MEMBER OF AN AUTHORIZER OR CHARTER SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD WHO IS INDICTED FOR A CRIME; AND TO ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO REMOVE A MEMBER FOR CHRONIC UNEXCUSED ABSENTEEISM, MEDICAL INCOMPETENCY, OR MEDICAL INCAPACITY; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-90, RELATING TO APPEALS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT, SO AS TO ALLOW AN APPEAL FOR ANY FINAL DECISION MADE PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER BE MADE TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-115, RELATING TO TERMINATION OF A CONTRACT WITH AN AUTHORIZER, SO AS TO ALLOW A CHARTER SCHOOL TO TERMINATE ITS CHARTER AND CONTRACT WITH AN AUTHORIZER UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-150, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SERVE AS THE STATE EDUCATION AGENCY FOR EACH AUTHORIZER AND ANNUALLY REVIEW THE POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PERFORMANCE OF EACH AUTHORIZER FOR COMPLIANCE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-40-180, RELATING TO REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT GUIDELINES WILL BE APPLICABLE TO NEW AUTHORIZERS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.
S. 416 (Word version) -- Senators Hembree and Alexander: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-210, RELATING TO GROUNDS FOR WHICH TRUSTEES MAY EXPEL, SUSPEND, OR TRANSFER PUPILS; PETITIONS FOR READMISSION; AND EXPULSION, SUSPENSION, OR TRANSFER, SO AS TO PROHIBIT EXPELLED STUDENTS FROM ENTERING SCHOOL OR SCHOOL GROUNDS INCLUDING ATTENDING DAY OR NIGHT SCHOOL FUNCTIONS OR RIDING A SCHOOL BUS, TO FURTHER PROHIBIT SUSPENDED STUDENTS FROM ENTERING THE SCHOOL OR SCHOOL GROUNDS EXCEPT FOR ATTENDING DAY OR NIGHT SCHOOL FUNCTIONS OR RIDING THE SCHOOL BUS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-235, RELATING TO THE EXPULSION OF A STUDENT DETERMINED TO HAVE BROUGHT A FIREARM TO SCHOOL, SO AS TO REQURE A STUDENT TO BE EXPELLED FOR NO LESS THAN ONE ACADEMIC YEAR FOR KNOWINGLY BRINGING A FIREARM TO A SCHOOL, TO ESTABLISH THE EXPULSION HEARING BE CONDUCTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND TO ALLOW AN EXPELLED STUDENT TO RECIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN ALTERNATIVE SETTINGS TO INCLUDE VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-250, RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF PUPILS, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT A BOARD MAY TRANSFER A PUPIL WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND REQUIRE NOTIFICATION AND INPUT FROM THE PRINCIPAL AT THE RECEIVING SCHOOL.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the Bill.
The Committee on Education proposed the following amendment (SEDU-416.DB0001S), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-63-210(A)(1) and (2) and inserting:
(1) Expulsion or suspension must be construed to prohibit a pupil from entering the school or school grounds including, but not limited to, attending any day or night school functions or riding a school bus. An expelled student may only enter school or school grounds for a prearranged conference with an administrator. This prohibition shall continue for the duration of the expulsion period.
(2) Suspension must be construed to prohibit a pupil from entering the school or school grounds, except for a prearranged conference with an administrator, attending any day or night school functions, or riding a school bus. This prohibition shall continue for the duration of the suspension period.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 59-63-235 and inserting:
Section 59-63-235. (A)The district board must expel for no less than one year a student who is determined to have brought a firearm to a school or any setting under the jurisdiction of a local board of trustees. A student who is determined to have knowingly brought a firearm to a school or any setting under the jurisdiction of a local board of trustees must be expelled for no less than one year from the date of the incident. The expulsion hearing under this section must be conducted by the district board of trustees and must follow the procedures established pursuant to Section 59-63-240. The one-year expulsion is subject to modification by the district superintendent of education on a case-by-case basis.
(B) If the hearing is conducted by the district board of trustees, the one-year expulsion period is subject to modification by the board on a case-by-case basis.
(C) If the hearing is conducted by any authority other than the district board of trustees, the one-year expulsion period is subject to modification by the district superintendent of education. The board must receive and review a copy of the results of the expulsion hearing and affirm any modification recommendations by the district superintendent of education. If the board does not affirm a modification recommendation of the district superintendent the expulsion period established in this section shall be reinstated. A student shall retain all rights afforded to him by Section 59-63-240.
(D) Students expelled pursuant to this section are not precluded from receiving educational services in an alternative setting to include virtual programming. Each local board of trustees is to establish a policy which requires the student to be referred to the local county office of the Department of Juvenile Justice or its representative.
Amend the bill further, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
SECTION X. Chapter 63, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:
Section 59-63-237. (A) The district board of trustees must expel for no more than one academic year a student who is determined to have knowingly and willfully delivered or conveyed a threat to commit bodily harm by means of a weapon against students or employees of a school by means of any letter or paper, writing, document, electronic communication or other type of communication that is intended to reach another person. The expulsion period is subject to modification on a case by case basis as determined by the district board of trustees or district superintendent of education.
(B) In order for a student to be expelled under this section, the board or any authority the board designates to conduct an expulsion hearing, must find, at a minimum:
(1) the threat was directed at specific students, staff, or school;
(2) an ordinary person reviewing the threat would have a reasonable expectation of a violent act resulting in bodily harm;
(3) the student making the threat could be reasonably expected to have the capacity to carry out the threat; and
(4) the threat resulted in a material and substantial disruption to school operations, including, but not limited to, the cancellation of classes or families declining to send students to school in response to the threat or a lock-down of the school and students.
(C) The expulsion hearing must follow the procedures established pursuant to Section 59-63-240. Students expelled pursuant to this section must be afforded access to educational services through an alternative or virtual setting. Each local board of trustees is to establish a policy which requires the student to be referred to the local county office of the Department of Juvenile Justice or its representative.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 3, by striking Section 59-63-250 and inserting:
Section 59-63-250. The board or a designated administrator may transfer a pupil to another school within the school district in lieu of suspension or expulsion but only after a conference or hearing with the parents or legal guardian and notification to and input from the principal at the receiving school. The parents or legal guardian may request a conference in lieu of the hearing provided under this section. The parents or legal guardian may appeal a transfer made by an administrator to the board.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Senator ELLIOTT explained the amendment.
The amendment was adopted.
The question being the second reading of the Bill.
On motion of Senator ELLIOTT, the Bill was carried over.
H. 3196 (Word version) -- Reps. Erickson, G.M. Smith, B. Newton, Wooten, Mitchell, Pope, Martin, Spann-Wilder, McCravy, Chumley, W. Newton, Gilliam, Collins, Vaughan, Caskey, Terribile, Kilmartin, Magnuson, Haddon, Wetmore, M.M. Smith, Schuessler, Stavrinakis, Sanders, Duncan, Teeple, Grant, Hartnett, Pedalino, Taylor, Hixon, Govan, Calhoon, Ligon, Lawson, Yow, Edgerton, Cromer, Reese, Gilliard, Alexander, Rivers, Oremus, Hartz and Anderson: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "EDUCATOR ASSISTANCE ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 59-25-112 SO AS TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ARE PERMANENT UNLESS REVOKED OR SUSPENDED AND ARE NOT SUBJECT TO RENEWAL, TO PROVIDE NO TEACHER MAY BE REQUIRED TO RENEW A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE BOARD, AND TO PROVIDE A TEACHER WITH A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE SHALL CONTINUE TO COMPLETE ONGOING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT; BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-145 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF DATA BEING COLLECTED UNDER CURRENT PROCEDURES TO REPORT ON CERTAIN POSTSECONDARY MATTERS CONCERNING GRADUATES OF SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND TO REQUIRE THE STREAMLINING OF DATA COLLECTION TIMELINES AND PROCESSES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-47, RELATING TO POLICIES AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS FOR UNUSED TEACHER LEAVE, SO AS TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL POLICIES THAT ALLOW TEACHERS TO DONATE SUCH UNUSED LEAVE TO A LEAVE BANK FOR OTHER EMPLOYEES, AND TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POLICIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-410, RELATING TO ANNUAL NOTIFICATION OF SCHOOL TEACHER EMPLOYMENT AND ASSIGNMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE NOTIFICATION MUST INCLUDE CERTAIN SALARY INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS IN THE REQUIRED NOTICE, TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF TENTATIVE TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE PROVIDED NO LATER THAN FOURTEEN CALENDAR DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND TO PROHIBIT LIMITATIONS ON TEACHER REASSIGNMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-420, RELATING TO NOTICES CONCERNING ANNUAL TEACHER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE CONTRACT ACCEPTANCES SUBMITTED BEFORE THE STATUTORY NOTIFICATION DEADLINE MAY BE WITHDRAWN BY SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN TEN DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR, AND TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY NOT REPORT SUCH WITHDRAWALS AS A BREACH OF CONTRACT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-1-425, RELATING TO REQUIRED DAYS FOR COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE ANNUAL SCHOOL CALENDAR, SO AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DAYS TO FOUR, TO PROVIDE DISTRICTS MUST VERIFY COMPLETING OF THE REQUIRED COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN A CERTAIN MANNER, TO PROVIDE TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS MUST BE PROVIDED SELF-DIRECTED FREE TIME TO EVALUATE STUDENT ACADEMIC DATA, INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING, AND CLASSROOM PREPARATION, AND TO REMOVE A TWO-DAY MAXIMUM LIMITATION ON USE OF THESE COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS FOR PREPARATION AND OPENING OF SCHOOLS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-530, RELATING TO UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND BREACH OF CONTRACT BY TEACHERS, SO AS TO RECHARACTERIZE CERTAIN ACTIONS AS BEING BREACH OF CONTRACT INSTEAD OF UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT, TO REVISE THE PENALTIES AND CONSEQUENCES FOR SUCH BREACHES OF CONTRACT, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY REPEALING SECTION 59-101-130 RELATING TO HIGH SCHOOLS REPORTING TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION; INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING REPORTING TO HIGH SCHOOLS; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 59-101-140 RELATING TO TABULATION OF REPORTS.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the Bill.
The Committee on Education proposed the following amendment (SEDU-3196.DB0004S), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 3, by striking Section 59-25-47(B) and inserting:
(B) A local school district board of trustees or, in the case of a charter school, the governing body of a charter school, must adopt a policy enabling all certified and noncertifieddistrict or charter school employees to contribute any unused sick or annual leave in excess of sixty days to a sick leave bank that is made available to all district or charter school employees. Such policy must include criteria for employee eligibility to apply for use of the sick leave bank, procedures for review of applications for use of the sick leave bank, and criteria for the maximum number of days an employee may access from the sick leave bank during a single fiscal year.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 3, Section 59-25-47, by adding a subsection to read:
(D) A local district, prior to the effective date of this act, who has implemented a leave bank policy or a policy that advances the full annual leave balance to a new employee with the first payroll disbursement shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 4, by striking Section 59-25-410(A), (B), and (C) and inserting:
(A) The boards of trustees of the several school districts annually before May first shall decide and notify, in writing through the superintendent, a teacher, as defined in Section 59-1-130, whom the district employs concerning his reemployment for the ensuing year. If a board of trustees fails to provide notification as provided in this section, the Department of Education shall assess a penalty of ten thousand dollars to be deducted from a district's state allocated funding per occurrence. If the superintendent board of trustees fails fail to notify a teacher who has been employed by a school district for a majority of the current school year of his status for the ensuing year, the teacher is considered to be reemployed for the ensuing year and the board shall issue a contract to him as though the board had reemployed him in the usual manner. Notice of the superintendent's recommendation not to renew an employment contract must be given in writing before May first. The board of trustees must comply with the reporting requirements created by the Department of Education to ensure compliance with this section.
(B) The written notification of reemployment must include a projected minimum salary schedule for the district for the coming school year as well as an agreement to provide a final salary schedule as soon as practicable upon completion of annual state and local appropriations processes. The district upon request shall provide a teacher with the factors used to determine their pay category on the salary schedule. The written notification of employment should indicate downward adjustments to the projected minimum salary schedule only in the event of a loss or reduction in the amount of state, local, or federal funding anticipated by the district at the time of adoption of the projected minimum salary schedule.
(B)(C) On or before August fifteenthNo later than fourteen calendar days before students are scheduled to return to school at the start of the school year, the superintendent, principal, where applicable, or supervisor shall notify the teacher of his tentative assignment for the ensuing school year. Once assigned to a school, the teacher shall not be reassigned to work at another location in the district unless the superintendent can demonstrate the need for reassignment. Such reassignment must be approved by a majority vote of the board of trustees, and the teacher must be afforded written notice at least five school days in advance of the reassignment.A teacher must be afforded written notice of at least five school days in advance of the reassignment unless the superintendent demonstrates that advance notice cannot be accomplished because of a critical student need or the teacher requested the reassignment. The local board of trustees must be notified in writing of all teacher reassignments.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 4, by striking Section 59-25-410(E) and inserting:
(D)(E) For purposes of this article, "teacher" means an employee possessing a professional certificate issued by the State Department of Education, except an employee working pursuant to a multiyear contract, employed by any school district to teach students in an academic setting.
Amend the bill further, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
SECTION X. Section 59-25-160 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:
Section 59-25-160. "Just cause" may consist of any one or more of the following:
(1) Incompetence;
(2) Wilful neglect of duty;
(3) Wilful violation of the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education;
(4) Unprofessional conduct;
(5) Drunkenness;
(6) Cruelty;
(7) Crime against the law of this State or the United States;
(8) Immorality;
(9) Any conduct involving moral turpitude;
(10) Dishonesty;
(11) Evident unfitness for position for which employed; or
(12) Sale or possession of narcotics.;or
(13) Breach of contract.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 6, by striking Section 59-25-530 and inserting:
Section 59-25-530. (A) Any teachereducator who fails to comply with the provisions of his contract without the written consent of the school board shall be deemed guilty of unprofessional is considered to be in breach of contract. Notwithstanding Section 59-25-150 ,A a breach of contract resulting from the execution of an employment contract with another board within the State without the consent of the board first employing the teachereducator makes void any subsequent contract with any other school district in South Carolina for the same employment period. Upon the formal complaint of the school board, substantiated by conclusive evidence, the State board shallmay suspend or revoke the teacher'seducator's certificate, for a period not to exceed one calendar year. State education agencies in other states with reciprocal certification agreements shall be notified of the revocation of the certificate. The State Board shall not hear a complaint from a school board pursuant to this section unless it is received within sixty days of the breach of contract. The period for educator certificate suspension due to breach of contract must begin on the date such contract is breached with the district and run for a period of time deemed appropriate by the State Board of Education, not to exceed six months from the date of breach. During this suspension period, the educator may not be signed to an employment contract by any public school board in South Carolina. The department shall provide notification of the suspension to other state educator licensing authorities. (B) An educator who has a bona-fide residence change to a non-contiguous county during the term of the educator's contract is not considered to be in breach of contract as provided in this section. An educator has the burden of proving a bona-fide residence change to the local school board. Factors to consider in determining a bona-fide residence change shall include but are not limited to the following:
(1) address on legal documents and bank accounts;
(2) qualification for the reduced four percent property tax assessment on a primary residence;
(3) address on driver's license or official identification cards; and
(4) voter registration address.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 8, by striking Section 59-26-45(A)(3) and inserting:
(3) does not hold another valid South Carolina educator certificate and has never held a valid South Carolina educator certificate that has been suspended, revoked, or voluntarily surrendered; and
Amend the bill further, SECTION 8, by striking Section 59-26-45(B)(2) and (3) and inserting:
(2) A certificate may be renewed and, if approved, is valid for five years from the date of each issuance.Once issued, a retired educator in good standing must provide written notification of their desire to continue an active certificate may be maintained upon written request from a retired educator in good standing to the department at the end of a every five-year period.
(3) Department guidelines shall include the timeline, forms, and a process for submitting a request to maintain aan active retired educator certificate.and approving or denying certificate or renewal requests. (4) Renewal of a retired educator certificate does not require completion of professional learning or renewal credit.
Amend the bill further, by striking SECTION 11 and inserting:
SECTION 11. This act takes effect July 1, 2025. Section 59-25-410(A) shall have a delayed implementation date of July 1, 2026.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Senator TURNER explained the amendment.
The amendment was adopted.
The question being the second reading of the Bill.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Garrett Graham Grooms Hembree Hutto Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
There being no further amendments, the Bill, as amended, was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.
S. 54 (Word version) -- Senators Martin, Rice, Kimbrell, Leber, Kennedy, Nutt and Corbin: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "MEDICAL INFORMED CONSENT ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-780 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON, CORPORATION, HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTION, OR THE STATE TO IMPLEMENT A VACCINE MANDATE AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES; BY ADDING SECTION 41-1-55 SO AS TO PROHIBIT EMPLOYERS FROM TAKING ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WHO DECLINE TO RECEIVE A VACCINE AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-43-86, RELATING TO FACILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACIES AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG ORDERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH A PHARMACIST MAY REFUSE TO FILL A PRESCRIPTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-1-100, RELATING TO ASSISTANCE FROM PEACE AND HEALTH OFFICERS, SO AS TO REMOVE THE PROVISION THAT THE PUBLIC SAFETY AUTHORITY MAY REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE NATIONAL GUARD IN ENFORCING QUARANTINE MEASURES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-4-130, RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS OF "GENE THERAPY" AND "VACCINE" AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-4-510, RELATING TO PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS AND ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE OF PERSONS REFUSING EXAMINATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISOLATE A SYMPTOMATIC PERSON OR PERSON WHO HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO THE CONTAGIOUS DISEASE FOR WHICH A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-4-520, RELATING TO VACCINATIONS AND TREATMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MUST MONITOR THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF VACCINES, TESTS, AND TREATMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-4-530, RELATING TO ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE OF INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS, AS WELL AS PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE, SO AS TO PROVIDE A TIME LIMIT OF TWENTY-ONE DAYS FOR A QUARANTINED ASYMPTOMATIC PERSON; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-4-540, RELATING TO ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE PROCEDURES, SO AS TO CHANGE PROCEDURES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 44-4-570, RELATING TO EMERGENCY POWERS REGARDING LICENSING OF HEALTH PERSONNEL, SO AS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT STATE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ASSIST IN THE PERFORMANCE OF VACCINATIONS AS A CONDITION OF LICENSURE.
Senator MARTIN raised a Point of Order under Rule 39 that the Bill had not been on the desks of the members at least one day prior to second reading.
The PRESIDENT sustained the Point of Order.
S. 146 (Word version) -- Senators Nutt and Corbin: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-81-40, RELATING TO RIGHTS OF RESIDENTS OF LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT RESIDENTS MAY DESIGNATE ONE PERSON WHO IS PERMITTED TO VISIT THE RESIDENT IN THE EVENT THAT ACCESS TO THE FACILITY IS LIMITED OR PROHIBITED DUE TO A DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY ARISING FROM A DISASTER OR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.
Senator MARTIN raised a Point of Order under Rule 39 that the Bill had not been on the desks of the members at least one day prior to second reading.
The PRESIDENT sustained the Point of Order.
S. 221 (Word version) -- Senator Ott: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA KRATOM CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 20 TO CHAPTER 53, TITLE 44 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF THE SALE OF KRATOM PRODUCTS BY RETAILERS AND PROCESSORS AND TO CREATE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ARTICLE.
Senator MARTIN raised a Point of Order under Rule 39 that the Bill had not been on the desks of the members at least one day prior to second reading.
The PRESIDENT sustained the Point of Order.
H. 3333 (Word version) -- Reps. Davis, B.J. Cox and Caskey: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 31-12-30, RELATING TO REDEVELOPMENT OF FEDERAL MILITARY INSTALLATIONS DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT INCLUDES CERTAIN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 31-12-210, RELATING TO ISSUANCE OF OBLIGATIONS FOR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT BY MUNICIPALITY, SO AS TO PROVIDE WHEN CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS MUST BE ISSUED.
Senator MARTIN raised a Point of Order under Rule 39 that the Bill had not been on the desks of the members at least one day prior to second reading.
The PRESIDENT sustained the Point of Order.
H. 3563 (Word version) -- Reps. Davis, B.J. Cox, Spann-Wilder, McCravy, Taylor, Chapman, Kirby, Cromer, Gilreath, Weeks, Williams, Holman and Govan: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 25-11-50, RELATING TO COUNTY VETERANS' AFFAIRS OFFICERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY SHALL EVALUATE EACH COUNTY VETERANS' AFFAIRS OFFICE NO LESS THAN ONCE PER YEAR.
Senator MARTIN raised a Point of Order under Rule 39 that the Bill had not been on the desks of the members at least one day prior to second reading.
The PRESIDENT sustained the Point of Order.
S. 441 (Word version) -- Senator Devine: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY PALMETTO GIRLS STATE TO USE THE CHAMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE ON FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025.
The Resolution was adopted.
S. 543 (Word version) -- Senators Kimbrell and Verdin: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE INTERCHANGE OF INTERSTATE 26 AND HIGHWAY 11 AT EXIT 5 IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY "JOHN W. PARRIS INTERCHANGE" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THE DESIGNATION.
The Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.
H. 4211 (Word version) -- Reps. Sanders, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, B.J. Cox, B.L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J.E. Johnson, J.L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Schuessler, Sessions, G.M. Smith, M.M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE ESSENTIAL VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF SOUTH CAROLINA NATIVE PLANTS TO THE STATE'S ENVIRONMENT, LANDSCAPE, AGRICULTURE, HISTORY, AND ECONOMY, AND TO ENCOURAGE STATE AGENCIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO USE NATIVE PLANTS FOR LANDSCAPING, EROSION CONTROL, AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT WHENEVER POSSIBLE TO PROMOTE THE VIABILITY OF MIGRATORY AND NONMIGRATORY POLLINATORS AND TO HELP TO PRESERVE SOUTH CAROLINA'S UNIQUE FLORA AND FAUNA.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the Bill.
The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources proposed the following amendment (SR-4211.KM0005S), which was adopted:
Amend the concurrent resolution, as and if amended, by adding a final whereas clause to read:
Whereas, this resolution is not state law. It is merely intended to encourage the people of South Carolina to plant and foster the growth of plants native to South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Senator CORBIN explained the amendment.
The amendment was adopted.
The question being the adoption of the Resolution as amended.
The Resolution, as amended, was adopted, ordered returned to the House.
H. 3007 (Word version) -- Reps. G.M. Smith, W. Newton, Taylor, B. Newton, Pope, Pedalino, Hixon, Robbins, Mitchell, Yow, Ligon and Willis: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MAKE APPLICATION BY THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION FOR A CONVENTION OF THE STATES TO BE CALLED, RESTRICTED TO PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION TO IMPOSE FISCAL RESTRAINTS ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT.
Senator KIMBRELL asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Concurrent Resolution from the Committee on Judiciary.
Senator JACKSON objected.
H. 3008 (Word version) -- Reps. Forrest, G.M. Smith, W. Newton, Wooten, Pope, Pedalino, Taylor, Hixon, Davis, M.M. Smith, Teeple, Robbins, Mitchell, Yow, Ligon, J.L. Johnson and Willis: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR A CONVENTION UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION IN ORDER TO PROPOSE A CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS AMENDMENT.
Senator KIMBRELL asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Concurrent Resolution from the Committee on Judiciary.
Senator JACKSON objected.
THE CALL OF THE UNCONTESTED CALENDAR HAVING BEEN COMPLETED, THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO THE MOTION PERIOD.
H. 3007 (Word version) -- Reps. G.M. Smith, W. Newton, Taylor, B. Newton, Pope, Pedalino, Hixon, Robbins, Mitchell, Yow, Ligon and Willis: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MAKE APPLICATION BY THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION FOR A CONVENTION OF THE STATES TO BE CALLED, RESTRICTED TO PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION TO IMPOSE FISCAL RESTRAINTS ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT.
Senator MASSEY moved to recall the Concurrent Resolution from the Committee on Judiciary.
The Concurrent Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Judiciary and ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
H. 3008 (Word version) -- Reps. Forrest, G.M. Smith, W. Newton, Wooten, Pope, Pedalino, Taylor, Hixon, Davis, M.M. Smith, Teeple, Robbins, Mitchell, Yow, Ligon, J.L. Johnson and Willis: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR A CONVENTION UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION IN ORDER TO PROPOSE A CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS AMENDMENT.
Senator MASSEY moved to recall the Concurrent Resolution from the Committee on Judiciary.
The Concurrent Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Judiciary and ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
H. 3127 (Word version) -- Reps. Robbins, Wooten, Lawson, Pope, Chapman, Pedalino, W. Newton, Sanders, Duncan, Hixon, Taylor, Gagnon, Oremus, Hartz, Davis, M.M. Smith, Vaughan, Williams, Erickson, Bradley, Cromer and Gilreath: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-5-750, RELATING TO FAILURE TO STOP MOTOR VEHICLES WHEN SIGNALED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT WHERE CERTAIN AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES OCCUR THE OFFENDER IS GUILTY OF A FELONY, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.
Senator MASSEY moved to recall the Bill from the Committee on Judiciary.
The Bill was recalled from the Committee on Judiciary and ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
At 2:31 P.M., on motion of Senator MASSEY, the Senate agreed to dispense with the balance of the Motion Period.
THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO A CONSIDERATION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS RETURNED FROM THE HOUSE.
S. 2 (Word version) -- Senators Peeler, Alexander, Davis, Devine, Garrett, Turner, Jackson and Sutton: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 12 TO TITLE 44 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, TO PROVIDE FOR ITS POWERS, DUTIES, AND AUTHORITY, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS COMPRISED OF THE OFFICE OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, AND THE OFFICE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-30-10, RELATING TO DEPARTMENTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT, SO AS TO ADD THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND TO REMOVE THE DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH; BY AMENDING SECTION 8-17-370, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM THE STATE EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, ALL EMPLOYEES WHO REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE DIRECTOR, AND THE DIRECTOR FOR EACH OF THE COMPONENT OFFICES ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE STATE EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-20-30, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR THE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY, RELATED DISABILITIES, HEAD INJURIES, AND SPINAL CORD INJURIES ACT, SO AS TO CONFORM THE DEFINITIONS TO THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND TO REDESIGNATE THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS AS THE OFFICE OF INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AS A COMPONENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-20-210, RELATING TO CREATION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, MEMBERSHIP, TERMS OF OFFICE, REMOVAL, AND VACANCIES, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE COMMISSION AND CONFORM TO THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-20-220, RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION, SO AS TO TRANSFER THE DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION TO THE HEAD OF THE OFFICE OF INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-20-230, RELATING TO POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR, SO AS TO CONFORM TO THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-20-240, RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SCOPE OF AUTHORITY FOR THE OFFICE OF INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-20-255, RELATING TO OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY CONFIRMED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, SO AS TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-49-10, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE SERVICES, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE DEPARTMENT AND CONFORM TO THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THE OFFICE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-49-20, RELATING TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFICE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-9-10, RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, SO AS TO CONFORM TO THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND CREATE THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, PROVIDE FOR THE HEAD OF THE OFFICE, AND PROVIDE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE HEAD OF THE OFFICE; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-9-20, RELATING TO TRANSFER OF POWERS, DUTIES, RECORDS, AND FILES FROM THE FORMER MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION, SO AS TO FURTHER TRANSFER THOSE POWERS, DUTIES, RECORDS, AND FILES TO THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-9-30, RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE POWERS OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-3-420, RELATING TO PROCLAMATION OF EMERGENCY BY THE GOVERNOR, SO AS TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS THROUGH WHICH EMERGENCY PROCLAMATIONS MAY BE LIFTED; BY AMENDING SECTION 25-1-440, RELATING TO ADDITIONAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE GOVERNOR DURING A DECLARED EMERGENCY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A PROCESS THROUGH WHICH DECLARATIONS OF EMERGENCY MAY BE LIFTED; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-43-86, RELATING TO FACILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A PHARMACIST MAY REFUSE TO FILL OR REFILL A PRESCRIPTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-1-100, RELATING TO ASSISTANCE FROM PEACE AND HEALTH OFFICERS IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY, SO AS TO GIVE SHERIFFS AND POLICE OFFICERS THE DISCRETION AS TO WHETHER TO AID AND ASSIST THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN CARRYING OUT HIS ORDERS DURING A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-4-130, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING EMERGENCY HEALTH POWERS, SO AS TO ADD NECESSARY DEFINITIONS AND AMEND CERTAIN DEFINITIONS TO REFLECT CHANGES IN AGENCY NAMES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-4-510, RELATING TO PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS OR TESTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISOLATE OR QUARANTINE, PURSUANT TO THE SECTIONS OF THIS ACT AND ITS EXISTING POWERS UNDER SECTION 44-1-140, ANY SYMPTOMATIC PERSON OR PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE CONTAGIOUS DISEASE FOR WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED WHOSE REFUSAL OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OR TESTING RESULTS IN UNCERTAINTY REGARDING WHETHER HE IS INFECTED WITH THE CONTAGIOUS DISEASE; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-4-520, RELATING TO VACCINATIONS AND TREATMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH MAY VACCINATE OR TREAT PEOPLE TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASES, TO REQUIRE INFORMED CONSENT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO DEFINE INFORMED CONSENT; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-4-530, RELATING TO ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE OF INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH MAY ISOLATE OR QUARANTINE AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH OR EXPOSED TO THE CONTAGIOUS DISEASE FOR WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-4-540, RELATING TO ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE PROCEDURES, SO AS TO REQUIRE A HARD DEADLINE FOR A PETITION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE OF AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-4-570, RELATING TO EMERGENCY POWERS REGARDING LICENSING OF HEALTH PERSONNEL, SO AS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT STATE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS MAY BE COMPELLED TO ASSIST IN THE PERFORMANCE OF VACCINATION, TREATMENT, EXAMINATION, OR TESTING AS A CONDITION OF LICENSURE; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 44-9-40 RELATING TO THE STATE DIRECTOR OF MENTAL HEALTH, APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL, POWERS AND DUTIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS.
The House returned the Bill with amendments, the question being concurrence in the House amendments.
Senator DAVIS explained the amendments.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Garrett Graham Grooms Hembree Hutto Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
Corbin Martin
On motion of Senator DAVIS, the Senate concurred in the House amendments and a message was sent to the House accordingly. Ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act and the Act enrolled for Ratification.
S. 62 (Word version) -- Senators Hembree, Rice and Grooms: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-110, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-115, RELATING TO THE STANDARD APPLICATION PROCESS, SO AS TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS SEEKING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-120, RELATING TO ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE K-12 EDUCATION LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-125, RELATING TO FUNDS TO CREATE, OVERSEE, AND ADMINISTER PROGRAM, SUSPENSION OF ACCOUNTS, UNUSED FUNDS, AND TERMINATION OF SCHOLARSHIPS, SO AS TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATION LOTTERY ACCOUNT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-130, RELATING TO TERMINATION OF SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS' PROGRAMS; AND NOTIFICATION, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-135, RELATING TO LIMITATIONS ON SCHOLARSHIPS, SO AS TO PROVIDE LIMITATIONS ON THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS THAT MAY BE AWARDED; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-140, RELATING TO THE APPLICATION APPROVAL PROCESS FOR EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDER MUST CERTIFY ANNUALLY TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT IT MEETS ALL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-145, RELATING TO PROCEDURES TO INFORM STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS OF ELIGIBILITY AND APPROVED EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-150, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS, DEPARTMENT, AND EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SURETY BOND IS REQUIRED OF EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO EXCEED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS IN QUALIFYING EXPENSES AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-160, RELATING TO THE K-12 EDUCATION LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP REVIEW PANEL, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR ITS COMPOSITION AND PURPOSES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-165, RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSFER POLICY, SO AS TO CLARIFY STUDENT TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-170, RELATING TO IMMEDIATE PARTICIPATION IN A SPORT BY A TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-150-350, RELATING TO EDUCATION LOTTERY ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES.
The House returned the Bill with amendments.
The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being concurrence in the House amendments.
Senator HEMBREE explained the House amendments.
Senator HEMBREE proposed the following amendment (SEDU-62.DB0016S), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, before the enacting words, by deleting the "whereas" language on page 1, lines 47-50, and page 2, lines 1-20 from the bill.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-8-110(3) and inserting:
(3) "Eligible school" means a South Carolina public school or ana nonprofit South Carolina independent school where a student is enrolled full time, that chooses to participate in the program. "Eligible school" does not include a charter schoolschool in which a member of the General Assembly or an immediate family member of a member of the General Assembly has any ownershipdirect financial interest. For purposes of this section, "immediate family member" means as defined in Section 8-13-100(18). "Eligible school" does not include a charter school.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-8-110(4)(b)(i), (ii), (iii),(iv), and (v) and inserting:
(b)(i) has attained at least the age of five on or before September first of the school year in which scholarship funds are awarded; or
(ii) has received a scholarship pursuant to this chapter for the previous school year;
(iii)(ii) in School Year 2025-2026, has a household income that does not exceed three hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines; and
(iv)(iii) in School Year 2026-2027, and all subsequent years has a household income that does not exceed four five hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines.; and
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-8-110(4)(c) and inserting:
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a student attending his resident school may be an eligible student if he meets all other eligibility criteria and the Department of Education has certified the district in which the resident school is located cannot adequately provide for an essential service to the student.
"Eligible student" does not include students participating in the Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children's Fund program, as provided in Section 12-6-3790 or a student who is not subject to the compulsory attendance requirements of Section 59-65-10.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-8-110(13) and inserting:
(13) "Trustee" means the individual or entity appointed by the State Superintendent of Education pursuant to Section 59-8-120(A)(2).
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-8-110(14)(a) and inserting:
(a) tuition and fees for attendance at of an education service provider or eligible school, including out-of-district tuition charged by a public school district;
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by deleting Section 59-8-110(14)(e) from the bill.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-8-110(14)(n),(o), and (p) and inserting:
(n)(m) any consumables and items necessary to complete a curriculum or that are otherwise applicable to a course of study that has been approved by the department; or
(o) payment to an educational consultant or compliance organization approved by the department; or
(p)(n) any other educational expense approved by the department to enable personalized learning consistent with the intent of this Act.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 59-8-115(A) and inserting:
(A) The department shall create a standard application process and establish the timeline for parents to establish the eligibility of their student for the Education Scholarship Trust Fund program. The application window established shall last at least forty-five days, opening no earlier than January fifteenth and closing no later than March fifteenth each calendar year.The department shall begin accepting applications for new program participants no earlier than January fifteenth each year. The department shall extend the opportunity to reenroll in the program to any existing participant who continues to reside in the State. Reenrollment may be completed either in conjunction with the regular application cycle or in advance of its opening.Beginning November 1 of every year, an early application window will be opened for current participants of this program who continue to meet the criteria of an eligible student, and their siblings. The department shall continue to accept applications for the ESTF program on a rolling basis until capacity is met and then shall maintain a waitlist to maximize program participation.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 59-8-115(B)(2), (3), (4), and (5) and inserting:
(2) after allowing current participants the opportunity to continue in the program for the upcoming school year, an early application window of not less than seven calendar days must be extended to their siblings;
(3)(2) after the conclusion of the early application window for current participants and their siblings, a secondary earlypriority application window for new program participants must be open for not less than thirty calendar days for students who meet the following criteria:
(a) has a parent or guardian who is an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States and will be living in South Carolina as a result of their duty station;
(b) has a household income that does not exceed three hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines; or
(c) is in the custody or guardianship of the Department of Social Services. A foster parent, pre-adoptive parent, or person responsible for the welfare of the child who resides in a childcare facility or residential group care home may apply on the student's behalf; and
(d) meets the definition of "exceptional needs child" in Section 12-6-3790(A)(2);attended a public school in the previous academic year.
(4)(3) once the secondary earlypriority application window haswindows have closed, the general application window must open for any student who did not meet the early application window criteria; and
(5)(4) within thirty days of submission of all required documentation, award letters must be enrolled and issued, and the student's online account must be created.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, Section 59-8-115(D)(4), by adding a subitem to read:
(f) that includes parental acknowledgement that the nonpublic school education service providers are not subject to IDEA and are not required to offer the same services as the public school system to which their child is zoned for attendance. A parent does have the ability to request an evaluation and determination of possible eligibility from their resident school district; and
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 59-8-115(D)(4)(f) and inserting:
(h)(f)(g) to confirm that, if the parent's child is a student with disabilities, the parent has received notice from the department that participation in the ESTF program is a parental placement of the scholarship student under IDEA, along with an explanation of the rights that parentally placed students possess under IDEA and any applicable state laws and regulations, including the consultation process provided for in 20 U.S.C. Section 1412(a)(10) and the Individual Education Program requirements described in Section 1414(d) of IDEA.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 3, by striking Section 59-8-120(A)(1) and inserting:
(1) There is established at the department, the "South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund" that is separate and distinct from the general fund, consisting of monies appropriated to the department to provide scholarships to eligible students for qualifying expenses. The funds and assets of the South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund are not funds of the State but are instead held in trust. The monies placed into and accumulated in the fund constitute the trust corpus, to be used only for the purposes outlined in this act; the scholarship recipients are the trust beneficiaries who hold equitable title to the scholarship funds allocated to them from the fund and are the direct beneficiaries of the trust; and the trustee selected by the State Superintendent of Education as described in this section is the trustee of the trust who may distribute funds only in a way consistent with this Act and as directed by a beneficiary. The fund must receive and hold all monies allocated for it as well as all earnings until disbursed as provided in this section. Monies deposited in the South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund may not revert to the general fund or be appropriated by the General Assembly for any other purpose. If the South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund program ceases for any reason, then the money in the fund shall be directed to an educational purpose designated by the General Assemblytrustee shall deposit all remaining amounts in the Trust fund to a specific education account separate from the general fund designated by the General Assembly.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 3, by striking Section 59-8-120(A)(2)(i) and inserting:
(2)(i) The State Superintendent of Education shall appoint the Trustee of the South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund to serve at will. The Trustee may not be a public entity or an employee of any public entity. The Trustee may be either an individual or entity and shall have, in the State Superintendent's sole discretion, the necessary expertise and good reputation to serve as the Trustee. The Trustee must have, at a minimum, at least five years' experience as a trustee of a registered nonprofit organization, public trust or non-familial trust whose assets exceed five million dollars or, a master's degree in accounting, public administration or other related field or be currently licensed as a South Carolina certified public accountant. The Trustee must not have filed for bankruptcy pursuant to Title 11, chapters 7 or 13 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or been convicted of criminal fraud, tax fraud, embezzlement, conversion, money laundering, or theft crimes or any crime that is recognized as a felony under state or federal law. The Trustee shall file a statement of economic interest pursuant to Article 7, Chapter 13, Title 8 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. The Trustee shall be bound by all duties of trustees under South Carolina law, unless such duties conflict with the requirements of this chapter, in which case the requirements of this chapter control. The State Superintendent shall have the authority to remove the Trustee. Upon removal the State Superintendent of Education shall provide notification to the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, the Chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee and the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 3, by striking Section 59-8-120(B) and (C) and inserting:
(B) The departmentTrustee shall hold, manage, control and administer the monies placed into or accruing within the fund and is responsible for keeping records, managing accounts, and disbursing disburse scholarships awarded pursuant to this section and as directed by the parent. Information contained in or produced from a tax return, document, or magnetically or electronically stored data used by the department in the exercise of its duties as provided in this chapter must remain confidential and is exempt from disclosure pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Personally identifiable information, as described in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, of children applying for or receiving scholarships must remain confidential and is not subject to disclosure pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.
(C) Upon request of the parent and approval of an eligible student's application by the department, the State Treasurer shall transfer six seven thousand five hundred dollars per scholarship student for the 2025-2026 School Yearschool year to the Education Scholarship Trust Fund. to the Education Scholarship Trust Fund as directed by the General Assembly,For all subsequent school years, the allocation must be equivalent to the allocation used in the previous year, increased by the percentage increase in the average per pupil funding from state sources as provided by the Office of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs for the prior fiscal year, State Aid to Classroom funding for the current fiscal year, if any, unless an increased or decreased limit is authorized in the annual general appropriations act.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 3, by striking Section 59-8-120(E) and (F) and inserting:
(E) The departmentTrustee shall make payments to an individual scholarship student's account from the ESTF on a quarterly semi-annual basis with the first payment being distributed by July thirty-first of each year and the second payment by December thirty-first of each year.
(F) By September first of each school year and again on January fifteenth and March fifteenth of the school year, the department shall compare the list of scholarship students with the public school enrollment lists to avoid duplicate payments.Prior to depositing each semi-annual payment into the student's online account, the department shall verify that the student is not enrolled as a full -time student in the his resident public school as a full-time student in the zone in which the student is zoned for attendanceusing the forty-five, ninety, one hundred and thirty-five and one hundred and seventy day student counts and provide that information to the Trustee.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 4, by striking Section 59-8-125(B) and (C) and inserting:
(B) The General Assembly shall appropriate funds to the department for initial costs to create the program. Thereafter, theThe departmentTrustee shall transfer to the departmentdeduct an amount from the ESTF to cover the costs of overseeing the accounts, and administering the program and the payment of the trustee's fee as provided in this section, up to a limit of twosevenfive percent. Annually, on or before December thirty-first, the department shall notify the respective Chairmen of the Senate Finance Committee and House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee regarding the amount deducted for administrative costs and an itemization of the costs incurred to administer the program for the previous school fiscal year.
(C) The department may contract with qualified vendors to manage accounts and shall establish reasonable fees for private financial management firms participating in the program based upon market rates.The department shall establish reasonable fees for the Trustee.The Department shall enter into a contract with the trustee to perform the services contemplated by this Act. The contract shall include terms of its performance and the fee or the method of calculating the fee that the Department will pay to the Trustee. The contract's terms and fee structure shall, in the State Superintendent's sole discretion, be commercially reasonable. The Department shall pay the Trustee's fee upon receipt of the invoice from the Trustee.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 4, by striking Section 59-8-125(D) and inserting:
(E)(D) Payments made by the department must remain in force until a parent or scholarship student is proven to have participated in a prohibited activity specified in this chapter, a scholarship student returns to a public school in his resident public school district, a scholarship student no longer resides in this Statean eligible student, or a scholarship student graduates from high school or attains twenty-two years of age, whichever occurs first. A scholarship student who enrolls in his resident public school district is considered to have returned to a public school for the purpose of determining the end of the term.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 6, by striking Section 59-8-135(2) and inserting:
(3)(2) in School Year 2026-2027, and for all subsequent school years, the program is limited to shall be made available to at least fifteen thousand scholarship students but may be increased through an allocation in the general appropriations act at the direction of the General Assembly, based upon previously unmet demand for scholarships as evidenced by the prior year's applications.; and
Amend the bill further, SECTION 6 by deleting Section 59-8-135(3) from the bill.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 7, by striking Section 59-8-140(A)(3) and inserting:
(3) An education service provider that participated in the program in the previous school year and desires to participate in the program in the current school year shall reapply to the department. The education service provider reapplyingannually shall certify to the department that it continues to meet all program requirements. An education service provider required to administer academic testing shall provide to the department test score data from the previous school year. If individual student test score data is not submitted, then the department shall remove the education service provider from the program.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 8, by striking Section 59-8-145(E) and inserting:
(E) The department may conduct or contract for the auditing of accounts, and shall, at a minimum, conduct random audits of education service providers, education trust fund and scholarship accounts on an annual basis.
(F)(E)(F) The department may refer cases of substantial misuse of funds to law enforcement agencies for investigation.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 8, by striking Section 59-8-145(F) and inserting:
(H)(F)(G) The department shall maintain a record of the number of applications received annually for the program, the number of students accepted into the program each fiscal year, and the number of students not accepted into the program each fiscal year with a corresponding explanation as to why the student was not accepted into the program. The department shall compile this information and provide a report on the previous fiscal year to the General Assembly by December thirty-first of each year.
Amend the bill further, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
SECTION X. Chapter 8, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:
Section 59-8-147. (A) The department shall prominently post, on the main page of the South Carolina Department of Education website, advertisement of and access to the application for the program. The department shall be responsible for facilitating access to the application and supporting applicants throughout the application process.
(B) In the event that an application is submitted and is substantially complete but found to contain errors including, but not limited to, errors of minor omission and misspelling, the submitting party must be notified and given two weeks to correct the errors before a final decision is made regarding the acceptance or denial of the application. If space in the program is limited, preference will be given to applicants whose applications are on hold due to error until the two weeks allotted for correction have passed.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 9, by striking Section 59-8-150(A)(4)(c) and (5) and inserting:
(c) is listed on federal, state, or other central child abuse registries; and
(5) maintain a working publicly accessible website that provides information on the educational services available to families.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 11, by striking Section 59-8-165 and inserting:
Section 59-8-165. The provisions of the chapter do not restrict a school district's ability to enact or enforce a district's student transfer policy. The department shall develop a model policy guidelines for interdistrict transfers to assist local boards of trustees in establishing an interdistrict enrollment policy. The model policy guidelines shall serve as the minimum standard, ensuring a baseline of expectations for all districts. Each local policy shall be based on an evaluation of available data reflecting student, school, district, and community needs to ensure access and efficient resource allocation. The policy must include and describe the application requirements, timelines, communication plans, capacity standards, approval and denial criteria, priorities of acceptance, and transportation. Capacity standards are required to be based on objective measures such as facility constraints, staffing levels, and class size limits. A school district may, but is not required to, expand capacity at a school or in a program to accommodate increased demand for interdistrict transfers. Each district shall review and publicly post available capacity for interdistrict student transfers on its website and update this information at least annually. School districts are not required to provide transportation but must disclose their transportation policy. Districts may establish cost-sharing agreements for interdistrict students who require transportation. All school districts must have an interdistrict policy in place within one hundred twenty days of the publication of the model policy guidelines by the department. Any school district with an existing interdistrict policy must review and ensure compliance with this section within 90 sixty days of its enactment. The department shall review all local interdistrict transfer policies to ensure alignment with the model policyguidelines. If a district fails to meet minimum standards, the department may withhold administrative funding until the district demonstrates full compliance. The provisions of this chapter do not restrict a school district's ability to enact or enforce an intradistrict student transfer policy.
Amend the bill further, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
SECTION X. Section 59-150-350(D) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:
(D) At the beginning of the first fiscal year after the state lottery becomes operational, the Comptroller General shall certify the amount of net proceeds including investment earnings on the net proceeds credited to and accrued in the Education Lottery Account during the preceding fiscal year. The sum of certified net proceeds and investment earnings must be designated as annual lottery proceeds. Appropriations from the Education Lottery Account must be allocated only for educational purposes and educational programs by the General Assembly in its annual general appropriations bill or any bill appropriating monies for previous or current fiscal years. Funds made available from the Education Lottery Account must be used to provide Palmetto Fellows Scholarships to all eligible applicants, to provide LIFE Scholarships for eligible resident students attending four-year public institutions in those amounts provided by law; to the South Carolina State Library for public library state aid, to be distributed to county public libraries on a per capita basis and to be used for educational technology delivery, upgrade, and maintenance; to the Commission on Higher Education for tuition assistance at state technical colleges and two-year public institutions; for the SC HOPE Scholarship Program; to the Department of Education for school-based grants for pilot programs, to include programs providing deregulation as requested by school districts with an overall absolute or improved designation of average or better, with first priority given to schools reported as average, below average, or unsatisfactory in accordance with the Education Accountability Act; to the Department of Education to fund homework centers, and these funds must be allocated to the local school districts based on a per pupil basis and may be used for salaries for certified teachers and for transportation costs, provided that priority in the distribution of funds must be given to schools designated as below average or unsatisfactory in accordance with the Education Accountability Act; to the Commission on Higher Education for higher education assistance, including need-based grants, grants to teachers for advanced education with priority to annual grants earmarked for teachers working toward their masters' degrees or advanced education in their areas of certification, or both; for the National Guard Tuition Repayment Program; and funding for elementary and secondary public education as determined pursuant to the Education Accountability Act of 1998 and education improvement legislation enacted into law after the effective date of this chapter; new programs enacted by the General Assembly for public institutions of higher learning, including public four-year colleges and universities and their branches and two-year colleges, as defined in Section 59-103-5, and state technical colleges, which programs may include the creation of endowed chairs at the state's universities, with an emphasis in the areas of, but not limited to, engineering, computer science, and the sciences; to the State Department of Education for the purchase or repair of school buses; to the South Carolina Educational Television Commission for digitalization; to the South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund; to the Commission on Higher Education to administer a construction and renovation fund for the historically black colleges and universities, and to the Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission to administer tuition grants. The proportion of total recurring general fund and special fund revenues of the State expended for the total of public elementary, secondary, and higher education allocations in any fiscal year must not be less than the proportions in the fiscal year immediately before the fiscal year in which education revenues are first received from a state lottery, and must not be reduced or supplanted later by revenues received from a state lottery.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Senator HEMBREE explained the amendment.
The question then was the adoption of the amendment.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Elliott Garrett Grooms Hembree Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Nutt Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Stubbs Turner Verdin Young Zell
Allen Devine Graham Hutto Jackson Martin Massey Ott Sabb Sutton Tedder Walker Williams
The amendment was adopted.
Senator MARTIN proposed the following amendment (SR-62.CEM0043S):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 3, by striking Section 59-8-120(A)(1) and inserting:
(1) There is established at the department, the "South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund" that is separate and distinct from the general fund, consisting of monies appropriated to the department to provide scholarships to eligible students for qualifying expenses. The fund must receive and hold all monies allocated for it as well as all earnings until disbursed as provided in this section. If the South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund program ceases for any reason, then the money in the fund shall revert to the general fund to be appropriated by the General Assembly.
Amend the bill further, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
SECTION X. Section 59-150-350 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:
(G) Monies raised from ticket sales in this fund, must first be used to fund the programs provided for in Subsection (D), only after those programs have been fully funded for the year may any balance of monies leftover be added to general fund to provide for the K-12 scholarships
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
On motion of Senator MARTIN, the Bill, as amended, was carried over.
THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO A CALL OF THE CONTESTED STATEWIDE CALENDAR.
S. 183 (Word version) -- Senators Adams, Fernandez, Alexander, Garrett, Leber, Kimbrell, Matthews and Walker: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-80 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF DRUG-INDUCED HOMICIDE AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-1-10, RELATING TO THE EXEMPTION FROM THE CATEGORIZATION OF FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS, SO AS TO INCLUDE DRUG-INDUCED HOMICIDE.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Bill was carried over.
S. 12 (Word version) -- Senators Rankin and Grooms: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 58-31-205 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY TO JOINTLY OWN, AS TENANTS-IN-COMMON OR THROUGH A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, WITH INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES, ELECTRICAL GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION FACILITIES.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Bill was carried over.
The following Bill was read the third time and ordered returned to the House with amendments.
H. 3497 (Word version) -- Reps. W. Newton, Wooten, Pope, Chapman, Forrest, Kirby, Ligon, Bailey, M.M. Smith, B.L. Cox, Holman, Oremus, Sanders, Willis, Brewer, Hiott, Hixon, Caskey, Henderson-Myers, Wickensimer, Yow, Mitchell, Bamberg, Hart and Garvin: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 38-90-20, RELATING TO INSURANCE LICENSURE, SO AS TO ALLOW AN INSURANCE COMPANY TO PROVIDE LIQUOR LIABILITY INSURANCE; BY AMENDING SECTION 61-2-60, RELATING TO THE PROMULGATION OF ALCOHOL REGULATIONS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE REGULATIONS REGARDING ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING POSITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 61-2-145, RELATING TO REQUIRED LIQUOR LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE, SO AS TO ESTABLISH A LIQUOR LIABILITY MITIGATION PROGRAM; BY ADDING CHAPTER 3 TO TITLE 61 SO AS TO ESTABLISH AN ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING PROGRAM; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 61-6-2220, RELATING TO ALCOHOL SALES, SO AS TO PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM KNOWINGLY SELLING ALCOHOL TO AN INTOXICATED PERSON.
On motion of Senator MARTIN, with unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to go into Executive Session prior to adjournment.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the seal of secrecy was removed, so far as the same relates to appointments made by the Governor and the following names were reported to the Senate in open session:
Having received a favorable report from the Corrections and Penology Committee, the following appointments were confirmed in open session:
Initial Appointment, South Carolina Board of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, with the term to commence March 15, 2019, and to expire March 15, 2025
1st Congressional District:
Terry Seckinger, 566 Needlerush Parkway, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 VICE Christopher F. Gibbs
On motion of Senator MARTIN, the question was confirmation of Terry Seckinger.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Bennett Blackmon Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Graham Hembree Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Zell
Allen Campsen Garrett Stubbs Young
The appointment of Terry Seckinger was confirmed.
Reappointment, South Carolina Board of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, with the term to commence March 15, 2025, and to expire March 15, 2031
1st Congressional District:
Terry Seckinger, 566 Needlerush Parkway, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
On motion of Senator MARTIN, the question was confirmation of Terry Seckinger.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Bennett Blackmon Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Graham Hembree Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Zell
Allen Campsen Garrett Stubbs Young
The appointment of Terry Seckinger was confirmed.
Having received a favorable report from the Fish, Game and Forestry Committee, the following appointment was confirmed in open session:
Initial Appointment, Governing Board of Department of Natural Resources, with the term to commence July 1, 2022, and to expire July 1, 2026
3rd Congressional District:
Davy Hite, 130 Ninety Six Highway, Ninety Six, SC 29666 VICE Jake Rasor, Jr.
On motion of Senator CAMPSEN, the question was confirmation of Davy Hite.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Garrett Graham Hembree Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
The appointment of Davy Hite was confirmed.
Having received a favorable report from the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, the following appointments were confirmed in open session:
Reappointment, South Carolina Residential Builders Commission, with the term to commence June 30, 2024, and to expire June 30, 2028
4th Congressional District:
Hal J. Dillard, 101 Sugar Mill Road, Greer, SC 29650
On motion of Senator DAVIS, the question was confirmation of Hal J. Dillard.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Garrett Graham Hembree Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
The appointment of Hal J. Dillard was confirmed.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Board of Cosmetology, with the term to commence March 20, 2025, and to expire March 20, 2029
Nail Technician:
Tovah Lewis, 114 Twin Ponds Court, Greenwood, SC 29649 VICE Melanie C. Thompson
On motion of Senator DAVIS, the question was confirmation of Tovah Lewis.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Garrett Graham Hembree Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
The appointment of Tovah Lewis was confirmed.
Reappointment, South Carolina Board of Real Estate Appraisers, with the term to commence May 11, 2025, and to expire May 11, 2028
Licensed or Certified Appraiser:
Malinda Griffin, 413 Windwood Street, Simpsonville, SC 29680-6585
On motion of Senator DAVIS, the question was confirmation of Malinda Griffin.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Garrett Graham Hembree Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
The appointment of Malinda Griffin was confirmed.
Initial Appointment, Office of State Workforce Development, with term coterminous with Governor
Director:
Rebecca Battle-Bryant, 3198 Princess Pond Road, Summerton, SC 29148-7293 VICE New Position
On motion of Senator DAVIS, the question was confirmation of Rebecca Battle-Bryant.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Garrett Graham Hembree Hutto Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
The appointment of Rebecca Battle-Bryant was confirmed.
Initial Appointment, Advisory Panel for Massage/Bodywork Therapy, with the term to commence June 30, 2021, and to expire June 30, 2025
Massage/Bodywork Therapist:
Adam Croft Broxton, 7764 Corley Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418-3119 VICE Jenny Vaughn
On motion of Senator DAVIS, the question was confirmation of Adam Croft Broxton.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Garrett Graham Hembree Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
The appointment of Adam Croft Broxton was confirmed.
Reappointment, Advisory Panel for Massage/Bodywork Therapy, with the term to commence June 30, 2025, and to expire June 30, 2029
Massage/Bodywork Therapist:
Adam Croft Broxton, 7764 Corley Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418-3119
On motion of Senator DAVIS, the question was confirmation of Adam Croft Broxton.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Garrett Graham Hembree Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
The appointment of Adam Croft Broxton was confirmed.
Reappointment, South Carolina Residential Builders Commission, with the term to commence June 30, 2024, and to expire June 30, 2028
At-Large:
James G. Graves, 127 High Hampton Drive, Columbia, SC 29209-1222
On motion of Senator DAVIS, the question was confirmation of James G. Graves.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Garrett Graham Hembree Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Nutt Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
The appointment of James G. Graves was confirmed.
Having received a favorable report from the Senate, the following appointments were confirmed in open session:
Initial Appointment, Florence County Magistrate, with the term to commence April 30, 2022, and to expire April 30, 2026
Florence County:
Alyssia Smith, 3124 Brookstone Drive, Effingham, SC 29541 VICE Hon. Kimberly B. Cox
Initial Appointment, Lee County Master-in-Equity, with the term to commence December 31, 2019, and to expire December 31, 2025
James Saverance, Jr., Esq., 345 Country Manor Estate, Bishopville, SC 29010 VICE Stephen B. Doby
Reappointment, Lee County Master-in-Equity, with the term to commence December 31, 2025, and to expire December 31, 2031
James Saverance, Jr., Esq., 345 Country Manor Estate, Bishopville, SC 29010
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Senate agreed that when the Senate stands adjourned on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, that the Senate would stand adjourned subject to the times and limitations set forth under the provisions of Rule 1B to meet on Thursday, April 17, 2025, and further, the Senate would meet in regular statewide session Monday, April 21, at 12:00 Noon.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Senate agreed to stand adjourned.
At 4:20 P.M., on motion of Senator MASSEY, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 11:00 A.M., under the provisions of Rule 1B.
This web page was last updated on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 5:34 P.M.