NO. 68
REGULAR SESSION BEGINNING TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
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The House assembled at 12:00 noon.
Deliberations were opened with prayer by Rev. Charles E. Seastrunk, Jr., as follows:
Our thought for today is from 1 Kings 6:11: "Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon: 'if you will walk in my statutes, obey my ordinances, and keep all my commandments by walking in them, then I will establish my promises."
Let us pray. Be present, O God, and let our lives reflect Your glory. Lead us to service as these Representatives and Staff work to do the work set before them. Give them strength of character as they labor over the bills presented to them. Keep them in Your grace. Bless our Nation, President, State, Governor, Speaker, Staff, and all who strive to serve this State and Nation. Bless and protect our defenders of freedom and first responders as they protect us. Heal the wounds, those seen and those hidden, of our brave warriors who suffer and sacrifice for our freedom. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers. Amen.
Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by the SPEAKER.
After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of Wednesday, May 24, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.
Rep. BERNSTEIN moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of former Representative Lloyd Hendricks, which was agreed to.
The House stood in silent prayer family and friends of Brandon Hopkins.
The House stood in silent prayer for the family and friends of James Michael Muller.
The following was introduced:
H. 4503 (Word version) -- Reps. King, McDaniel, Alexander, Anderson, Bamberg, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Dillard, Garvin, Gilliard, Hart, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Hosey, Howard, Jefferson, J. L. Johnson, W. Jones, J. Moore, Pendarvis, Rivers, Rutherford, Tedder, Thigpen, Weeks and Williams: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR BYRON D. PUTMAN, PRESIDENT OF THE WINTHROP UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, AS HE LEAVES HIS ROLE ON THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AFTER TWO TERMS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced: H. 4504 (Word version) -- Reps. McDaniel, King, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE DR. VIVIAN AYERS ALLEN ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY, TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HER FOR HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A POET AND CULTURAL ACTIVIST, AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced:
H. 4505 (Word version) -- Reps. Rutherford, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF CYRUS MONROE CARMACK-BELTON OF RICHLAND COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced: H. 4506 (Word version) -- Reps. Wooten, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE RIVER BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM FOR AN IMPRESSIVE SEASON AND TO CELEBRATE THE GATORS' CAPTURE OF THE 2023 CLASS AAAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced: H. 4507 (Word version) -- Reps. Wheeler, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE ENNIS R. BRYANT, SR., FOR THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE BISHOPVILLE CITY COUNCIL, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT ON JUNE 30, 2023, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced:
H. 4508 (Word version) -- Reps. Mitchell, Yow, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis and Wooten: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DONNA LEE MCCASKILL FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION AND THE COACHING PROFESSION AND TO CONGRATULATE HER ON REACHING THE MILESTONE OF FIVE HUNDRED SOUTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE WINS AS A SOFTBALL COACH IN THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The following was introduced:
H. 4509 (Word version) -- Reps. Felder, Guffey, King, Ligon, Moss, O'Neal, Pope and Sessions: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE FORT MILL HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING TEAM FOR A STELLAR SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THE YELLOW JACKETS ON WINNING THE 2023 CLASS AAAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced:
H. 4510 (Word version) -- Reps. Anderson, Alexander, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR REVEREND EUGENE COLLINS, SR., SENIOR PASTOR AT SHILOH AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CHARLESTON, AS HE RETIRES AFTER TWENTY-SIX YEARS OF DEVOTED SERVICE AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
The following was introduced:
H. 4511 (Word version) -- Reps. Anderson, G. M. Smith, Weeks, Alexander, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE REVEREND DOCTOR JAMES S. COOPER, PRESIDING ELDER OF THE SUMTER DISTRICT NORTHEAST CONFERENCE OF THE SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced: H. 4512 (Word version) -- Reps. McCabe, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR LINDA KIRKLAND, AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT IN THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT OF LEXINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUR, AND TO CONGRATULATE HER FOR BEING NAMED THE DISTRICT'S TRANSPORTATION EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced: H. 4513 (Word version) -- Reps. McCabe, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE MORGAN HUMPHRIES UPON BEING NAMED 2023-2024 GILBERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR, TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR HER DEDICATED SERVICE TO CHILDREN, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced:
H. 4514 (Word version) -- Reps. McCabe, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR JENNA WELLS, THE SCHOOL NURSE AT DEERFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN LEXINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE, AND TO CONGRATULATE HER FOR BEING NAMED THE STATE SCHOOL NURSE (RN) OF THE YEAR.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced: H. 4515 (Word version) -- Reps. McCabe, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR TERRI MADDOX CRAFT, A SECRETARY AT SANDHILLS PRIMARY SCHOOL IN LEXINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUR, AND TO CONGRATULATE HER FOR BEING NAMED THE SCHOOL'S SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR.
The Resolution was adopted.
H. 4516 (Word version) -- Reps. McCabe, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR ANGELA N. ARTHUR, A TEACHER AT PELION MIDDLE SCHOOL IN LEXINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE, AND TO CONGRATULATE HER FOR BEING NAMED THE SCHOOL'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced: H. 4517 (Word version) -- Reps. McCabe, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE SONORA WILLIAMS UPON BEING NAMED 2023-2024 CAROLINA SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR, TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR HER DEDICATED SERVICE TO CHILDREN, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced: H. 4518 (Word version) -- Reps. McCabe, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE LEWIS JOHNSON OF LEXINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUR UPON BEING NAMED 2023-2024 SWANSEA HIGH SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR, TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO SWANSEA HIGH, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced:
H. 4519 (Word version) -- Reps. McCabe, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR EVAN LEWIS THOMPSON, A MUSIC TEACHER AT PELION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN LEXINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE, AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM FOR BEING NAMED THE SCHOOL'S 2023-2024 TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
The following was introduced:
H. 4520 (Word version) -- Rep. Hixon: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE NORTH AUGUSTA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS GOLF TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A REMARKABLE SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced:
H. 4521 (Word version) -- Rep. Hixon: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR ROSE BUTLER, CULINARY ARTS TEACHER AT NORTH AUGUSTA HIGH SCHOOL, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER FIFTY-TWO YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced: H. 4522 (Word version) -- Reps. Stavrinakis, Brewer, Bustos, Gatch, Gilliard, Hartnett, Hewitt, Landing, Leber, J. Moore, Pendarvis, Tedder, Wetmore, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brittain, Burns, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gibson, Gilliam, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF CHARLESTON POLICE CHIEF LUTHER REYNOLDS, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced:
H. 4523 (Word version) -- Reps. Henegan, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR ELDER JOHNNY GREEN OF VICTORY WALK MINISTRIES FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS IN SERVICE AND TO WISH HIM GOD'S RICHEST BLESSINGS AS HE CONTINUES TO SERVE THE LORD.
The following was introduced:
H. 4524 (Word version) -- Reps. Jefferson, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE VICTORIA ESTELLE "DOLLY" GRANT OF BERKELEY COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.
The Senate sent to the House the following: S. 812 (Word version) -- Senators Young, Adams, Alexander, Allen, Bennett, Matthews, Campsen, Cash, Climer, Corbin, Cromer, Davis, Fanning, Gambrell, Garrett, Goldfinch, Grooms, Gustafson, Harpootlian, Hembree, Hutto, Jackson, K. Johnson, M. Johnson, Kimbrell, Kimpson, Loftis, Malloy, Martin, Massey, McElveen, McLeod, Peeler, Rankin, Reichenbach, Rice, Sabb, Scott, Senn, Setzler, Shealy, Stephens, Talley, Turner, Verdin and Williams: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE CLAY KILLIAN UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS AIKEN COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS FORTY YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered returned to the Senate with concurrence.
The following Bills were introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committees:
H. 4525 (Word version) -- Reps. Hartnett, Erickson, Tedder, Taylor, Brewer, Robbins, Sessions, Bustos, Hixon and Leber: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-149-10, RELATING TO INSTITUTIONS THAT STUDENTS MAY ATTEND TO RECEIVE A LIFE SCHOLARSHIP, SO AS TO INCLUDE OUT-OF-STATE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO USE FOR A PROGRAM OF STUDY OFFERED BY THE INSTITUTION BUT NOT OFFERED BY AN INSTITUTION IN THIS STATE.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
H. 4526 (Word version) -- Rep. Bannister: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 IN EXCESS OF AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED IN FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
S. 782 (Word version) -- Senators Matthews and Davis: A BILL TO DELINEATE THE NINE SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICTS FROM WHICH MEMBERS OF THE JASPER COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES MUST BE ELECTED BEGINNING WITH THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTION, TO PROVIDE DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION REGARDING THESE DISTRICTS, AND TO REPEAL SECTION 2 OF ACT 476 OF 1998 RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICTS OF THE JASPER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
Referred to Jasper Delegation
The roll call of the House of Representatives was taken resulting as follows:
Anderson Atkinson Bailey Ballentine Bamberg Bannister Bauer Beach Bernstein Blackwell Bradley Brewer Brittain Burns Bustos Calhoon Carter Caskey Chapman Chumley Clyburn Cobb-Hunter Collins Connell B. J. Cox B. L. Cox Crawford Cromer Davis Elliott Erickson Felder Forrest Gagnon Garvin Gatch Gibson Gilliam Gilliard Guest Guffey Haddon Hager Hardee Harris Hart Hartnett Hayes Henderson-Myers Henegan Herbkersman Hewitt Hiott Hixon Hosey Howard Hyde Jefferson J. E. Johnson J. L. Johnson S. Jones W. Jones Jordan Kilmartin Kirby Landing Lawson Leber Ligon Long Magnuson May McCabe McCravy McDaniel Mitchell J. Moore T. Moore A. M. Morgan Moss Murphy Neese B. Newton W. Newton Nutt Ott Pace Pedalino Pendarvis Pope Rivers Robbins Rose Sandifer Schuessler Sessions G. M. Smith M. M. Smith Stavrinakis Taylor Tedder Thayer Thigpen Vaughan Wetmore Wheeler White Whitmire Williams Willis Yow
The SPEAKER granted Rep. WOOTEN a leave of absence for the day due to a prior commitment.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. T. A. MORGAN a leave of absence for the day.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. OREMUS a leave of absence for the day due to a prior commitment.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. WEST a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. KING a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. DILLARD a leave of absence for the day due to a prior commitment.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. MCGINNIS a leave of absence for the day due to a prior work commitment.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. WOOTEN a leave of absence for the day due to a prior commitment.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. T. A. MORGAN a leave of absence for the day.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. OREMUS a leave of absence for the day due to a prior commitment.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. WEST a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. KING a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. DILLARD a leave of absence for the day due to a prior commitment.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. MCGINNIS a leave of absence for the day due to a prior work commitment.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. MCDANIEL a temporary leave of absence.
In accordance with House Rule 5.2 below:
"5.2 Every bill before presentation shall have its title endorsed; every report, its title at length; every petition, memorial, or other paper, its prayer or substance; and, in every instance, the name of the member presenting any paper shall be endorsed and the papers shall be presented by the member to the Speaker at the desk. A member may add his name to a bill or resolution or a co-sponsor of a bill or resolution may remove his name at any time prior to the bill or resolution receiving passage on second reading. The member or co-sponsor shall notify the Clerk of the House in writing of his desire to have his name added or removed from the bill or resolution. The Clerk of the House shall print the member's or co-sponsor's written notification in the House Journal. The removal or addition of a name does not apply to a bill or resolution sponsored by a committee."
Bill Number: H. 3557 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 LEBER
Bill Number: H. 3593 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 LEBER
Bill Number: H. 3823 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 LEBER
Bill Number: H. 3845 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 LEBER
Bill Number: H. 3885 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 LEBER
Bill Number: H. 3928 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 LEBER
Bill Number: H. 3933 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 WHITE
Bill Number: H. 3964 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 LEBER
Bill Number: H. 4211 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 LEBER
Bill Number: H. 4289 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 MURPHY, BREWER, ROBBINS, GATCH, MITCHELL and YOW
Bill Number: H. 4290 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 VAUGHAN and WILLIS
Bill Number: H. 4365 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 HENEGAN
Bill Number: H. 4473 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 LEBER
Bill Number: H. 4488 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
06/07/23 LEBER
The following was received:
The Honorable J. Todd Rutherford
South Carolina House of Representatives
Room 335-B Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Dear Todd:
I have been informed that Representative David Weeks is no longer able to serve as a member of the House Conference Committee for H. 4300 (Word version) and H. 4301 (Word version). Therefore, I am appointing you to serve as a member of the House Conference Committee for both H. 4300 (Word version) and H. 4301 (Word version).
Thank you for your willingness to serve in this capacity.
Sincerely,
G. Murrell Smith, Jr.
Speaker of the House
The SPEAKER announced that Rep. RUTHERFORD replaced Rep. WEEKS on the Conference Committee on the following Bill:
H. 4300 (Word version) -- 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, 2023, 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.
A message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.
The SPEAKER announced that Rep. RUTHERFORD replaced Rep. WEEKS on the Conference Committee on the following Bill:
H. 4301 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE MONIES FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023, AND TO ALLOW UNEXPENDED FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO BE CARRIED FORWARD TO SUCCEEDING FISCAL YEARS AND EXPENDED FOR THE SAME PURPOSES.
A message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.
The Senate Amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration:
H. 3503 (Word version) -- Reps. Gilliam, Pope, Taylor, Chumley, Haddon, McCravy, Oremus, Hiott, Burns, Wooten, Hixon, Bailey, Caskey, Thayer, Trantham, Forrest, Yow, S. Jones, Sessions, Guffey, Lawson, Chapman, Leber, O'Neal, Vaughan, Robbins, B. J. Cox, M. M. Smith, Davis, Brewer, Murphy, Whitmire, Ligon, Felder, Mitchell, Hager, Connell, Carter, West, Calhoon, B. Newton, Neese, Landing, Blackwell, Pedalino, Willis and W. Newton: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-53-190, RELATING TO SCHEDULE I SUBSTANCES, SO AS TO ADD FENTANYL-RELATED SUBSTANCES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-53-370, RELATING TO PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES, SO AS TO ADD AN OFFENSE FOR TRAFFICKING IN FENTANYL; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-1-60, RELATING TO VIOLENT CRIMES, SO AS TO ADD TRAFFICKING IN FENTANYL.
Rep. J. E. JOHNSON explained the Senate Amendments.
Rep. ROSE spoke against the Senate Amendments.
The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Anderson Atkinson Bailey Ballentine Bamberg Bannister Bauer Beach Bernstein Blackwell Bradley Brewer Brittain Burns Bustos Calhoon Carter Caskey Chapman Chumley Clyburn Cobb-Hunter Collins Connell B. J. Cox B. L. Cox Crawford Cromer Davis Elliott Erickson Felder Forrest Gagnon Garvin Gatch Gibson Gilliam Gilliard Guest Guffey Haddon Hager Hardee Harris Hartnett Hayes Henegan Herbkersman Hewitt Hiott Hixon Hosey Howard Hyde Jefferson J. E. Johnson S. Jones W. Jones Jordan Kilmartin Kirby Landing Lawson Leber Ligon Long Magnuson May McCabe McCravy Mitchell T. Moore A. M. Morgan Moss Murphy Neese B. Newton W. Newton Nutt Ott Pace Pedalino Pendarvis Pope Rivers Robbins Sandifer Schuessler Sessions G. M. Smith M. M. Smith Stavrinakis Taylor Thayer Thigpen Vaughan Wetmore Wheeler White Whitmire Willis Yow
Those who voted in the negative are:
Tedder
The Senate Amendments were agreed to, and the Bill having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and that it be enrolled for ratification.
The Senate Amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration: H. 3553 (Word version) -- Reps. G. M. Smith, Erickson, Crawford, Hewitt, Davis, T. Moore, McCravy, B. Newton, West, Burns, Mitchell, Pace, S. Jones, White, Hixon, Hiott, Oremus, M. M. Smith, Landing, W. Newton, Robbins, Brewer, Cromer, Weeks, Wheeler, Magnuson, Yow and Pope: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 63-9-750, RELATING TO FINAL ADOPTION HEARINGS, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE MANDATORY NINETY-DAY WAITING PERIOD TO FINALIZE AN ADOPTION.
Rep. BERNSTEIN explained the Senate Amendments.
The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Anderson Atkinson Bailey Ballentine Bamberg Bannister Bauer Beach Bernstein Blackwell Bradley Brewer Brittain Burns Calhoon Carter Caskey Chapman Chumley Clyburn Collins Connell B. J. Cox B. L. Cox Crawford Cromer Davis Elliott Erickson Felder Forrest Gagnon Garvin Gatch Gibson Gilliam Gilliard Guest Guffey Haddon Hager Hardee Harris Hartnett Hayes Henegan Herbkersman Hewitt Hiott Hixon Hosey Howard Hyde Jefferson J. E. Johnson S. Jones W. Jones Jordan Kilmartin Kirby Landing Lawson Leber Ligon Long Magnuson May McCabe McCravy Mitchell T. Moore A. M. Morgan Moss Murphy Neese B. Newton W. Newton Nutt Ott Pace Pedalino Pendarvis Pope Rivers Robbins Rose Rutherford Sandifer Schuessler Sessions G. M. Smith M. M. Smith Stavrinakis Taylor Tedder Thayer Thigpen Vaughan Wetmore Wheeler White Whitmire Willis Yow
Those who voted in the negative are:
The Senate Amendments were agreed to, and the Bill having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and that it be enrolled for ratification.
The SPEAKER ordered the following Veto printed in the Journal:
May 18, 2023
The Honorable G. Murrell Smith, Jr.
Speaker of the House
State House, Second Floor
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Dear Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:
I am hereby vetoing and returning without my approval R-62, H. 4413 (Word version), which seeks to amend Act No. 104 of2021 so as to provide that members of the Board of Trustees of the recently consolidated Bamberg County School District ("District") shall continue to be appointed by the Bamberg County Legislative Delegation ("Delegation"), through at least July l, 2028, instead of selected in popular elections in 2024 and 2026. For the reasons set forth below, I must veto H. 4413 (Word version) and return the same without my signature.
As the General Assembly is well aware, like several of my predecessors, I have consistently vetoed local or special legislation that violates the South Carolina Constitution, which expressly prohibits the General Assembly from enacting legislation "for a specific county" and "where a general law can be made applicable." S.C. Const. art VIII, Section 7; S.C. Const. art. III, Section 34(IX). Although our courts have held that greater deference is warranted in the context of public education, "legislation regarding education is not exempt from the requirements of Article III,
Section 34(IX)." Charleston Cnty. Sch. Dist. v. Harrell, 393 S.C. 552,558, 713 S.E.2d 604,607 (2011). Therefore, I carefully review and consider all such legislation presented to me and scrutinize the same in view of the governing law. Absent other issues or infirmities, I have, on occasion, signed local or special legislation that is not clearly unconstitutional, such as where a general law could not be made applicable or where "a special law would best meet the exigencies of a particular situation." Id. at 559, 713 S.E.2d at 608. Regardless, I have repeatedly cautioned the General Assembly to avoid relying on local legislation instead of addressing the underlying issues by passing laws of uniform, statewide application. The regular resort to local or special legislation is particularly concerning in the context of public education, where the practice has produced a patchwork of authorities governing South Carolina's schools and school districts.
Here, H. 4413 (Word version) plainly pertains to only Bamberg County and does not appear to satisfy any recognized exception to the constitutional prohibition on local or special legislation. Although I approved Act No. l04 of 2021, which advanced the commendable goal of consolidation by creating the District, it was readily apparent that such legislation was necessary to "best meet the exigencies of [that] particular situation" and it was not clear that a general law could be made applicable. Id. However, now, less than two years later, the Delegation seeks to tweak that enabling and consolidating legislation, seemingly for the sole purpose of retaining-and significantly extending the duration of.-the Delegation's dominion and control over the Board of Trustees. In addition to failing to demonstrate that this special legislation is necessary, the General Assembly has not established that any requisite measures could not be implemented via general legislation. See Richardson v. McCutchen, 278 S.C. 117, 119, 292 S.E.2d 787, 788 (1982) (noting that "[t]he prohibition is applicable to ... the amendment of prior special legislation"). Thus, H. 4413 (Word version) appears to represent unconstitutional local or special legislation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, even if H. 4413 (Word version) did not constitute impermissible local or special legislation, I believe that this bill is problematic for reasons separate and apart from-but symptomatic of-the aforementioned issues. This bill illustrates and underscores a common feature (and problem) associated with local legislation: excessive legislative entanglement. In accordance with article I, section 8 of the South Carolina Constitution, the General Assembly may not "undertake[e] 'to both pass laws and execute them.in Knotts v. S.C. Dep't of Nat. Res., 348 S.C. 1, 8, 558 S.E.2d 511, 514 (2002). As I have previously noted in vetoing special legislation, our constitutional separation of powers prohibits legislative delegations from unnecessarily controlling and micromanaging schools and school districts. See Gould v. Barton, 256 S.C. 175, 201--02, 181 S.E.2d 662, 674 (1971); Charleston Cnty. Parents for Pub. Schs., Inc. v. Moseley, 343 S.C. 509, 519, 541 S.E.2d 533, 539 (2001). Thus, while I wholeheartedly support school district consolidation as part of the State's broader education-reform efforts, I have repeatedly urged the General Assembly to avoid unnecessary, and potentially unconstitutional, legislative meddling in the implementation process.
Despite my prior admonishments to avoid unnecessary legislative entanglement and micromanagement, this bill would subjugate and supplant the will of the District's electorate by extending the duration of the Delegation's exclusive control over the Board of Trustees beyond the contemplated transition period set forth in Act No. 104 of 2021. I cannot fathom, and have not been provided with, a reason to continue giving the Delegation, rather than the voters, the power to choose who will serve on the Board of Trustees through at least July 1, 2028. Such an extended, and unjustified, disenfranchisement of the people is antithetical to our constitutional system. See, e.g., S.C. Const. art. I, Section 1; id. art. I, Section 5. Moreover, it is contrary to Home Rule, see id. art VIII, and reminiscent of the time when "legislative delegations of the General Assembly controlled virtually every aspect of local government." Hosp. Ass'n of S.C., Inc. v. Cnty. of Charleston, 320 S.C. 219,224,464 S.E.2d 113, 117 (1995). Whatever issues the District may be facing, the District's parents and taxpayers should be permitted to select the officials who will be charged with representing their interests and addressing any such issues. We must presume that whomever the people choose will fulfill their duty to learn about these issues and to resolve them in a thoughtful and productive manner. And if they do not, they should be held accountable at the ballot box on election day. Additionally, consolidation should not require postponing popular elections by four years. Other school districts, such as the Hampton County School District, which was consolidated in 2020, see 2020 S.C. Acts No. 184, have managed to conduct elections for school-board members in far less time than the more than half a decade that H. 4413 (Word version) would delay direct parental participation and public input. Finally, I am compelled to note my concerns regarding the one or more instances of which I have been made aware that seemingly involve a member of the Delegation representing plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the District (or one of its predecessors), and thereafter obtaining a settlement between the litigants. See Medina v. Bamberg Cnty. Sch. Dist., No. 2022-CP-05-11 (S.C. Ct. Comm. Pis.); Shingler v. Bamberg Cnty. Sch. Dist. I, No. 2021-CP-05-473 (S.C. Ct. Comm. Pls.). As I noted most recently in my State of the State address earlier this year, legislators should stop suing public agencies or entities. This practice is troubling enough when it involves state agencies over which legislators have budgetary control, but the resulting actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest are even more egregious when the legislator appoints the officials on the other side of what could be seen as a sue-and-settle scenario. At the very least, the appearance of impropriety undermines the public's trust and confidence in government and in those they have elected (rather than retained) to represent their interests. In addition to ending the apparent absurdity here, members of the General Assembly must cease this practice in other contexts as well.
For the foregoing reasons, I am respectfully vetoing R-62, H. 4413 (Word version) and returning the same without my signature.
Yours very truly,
Henry McMaster
The Veto on the following Act was taken up:
(R. 62, H. 4413 (Word version)) -- Rep. Bamberg: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 104 OF 2021, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE BAMBERG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD CONSISTS OF SEVEN MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE BAMBERG COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS BEGINNING JULY 1, 2024, AND TO PROVIDE A SUNSET PROVISION. - RATIFIED TITLE
Rep. BAMBERG explained the Veto. The question was put, shall the Act become a part of the law, the Veto of his Excellency, the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding, the yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Anderson Atkinson Bamberg Bauer Bernstein Brittain Clyburn Cobb-Hunter Collins Garvin Gilliard Guest Guffey Hayes Henderson-Myers Henegan Hosey Howard Hyde Jefferson J. E. Johnson J. L. Johnson W. Jones Jordan Kirby Mitchell T. Moore Neese B. Newton Ott Pendarvis Rivers Rose Rutherford Sessions Stavrinakis Tedder Thigpen Wetmore Wheeler Yow
Those who voted in the negative are:
Bailey Ballentine Beach Blackwell Bradley Burns Bustos Carter Caskey Chapman Chumley B. J. Cox B. L. Cox Crawford Cromer Davis Erickson Felder Gagnon Gibson Gilliam Haddon Hager Hardee Harris Hartnett Hiott Hixon S. Jones Kilmartin Landing Leber Ligon Long Magnuson May McCabe McCravy A. M. Morgan Moss Nutt Pace Pedalino Pope M. M. Smith Thayer Vaughan White Whitmire Willis
So, the Veto of the Governor was sustained and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.
The SPEAKER ordered the following Veto printed in the Journal:
May 22, 2023
The Honorable G. Murrell Smith, Jr.
Speaker of the House
State House, Second Floor
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Dear Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:
I am hereby vetoing and returning without my approval R-85, H. 3890 (Word version), which seeks to create exceptions to the threshold eligibility requirements for individuals seeking an expungement who were sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act, S.C. Code Ann. Sections 24-19-5 et seq., by exempting convictions for disturbing schools and driving under suspension from the requirement that an individual must not have been convicted of any other offenses for five years prior to expungement. I have stated multiple times in vetoing previous expungement-related legislation that I believe not only in the Rule of Law but also in grace. I appreciate the laudable goal of helping people secure employment, and I recognize the challenges that individuals with criminal records face when applying for jobs. Just as individuals deserve second chances after they have paid their debt to society, employers and others have a right to receive and rely on accurate information. In balancing these aims, an individual's criminal history can be contextualized and considered in light of the totality of the circumstances, but it should not be erased. That would, as Governor Haley noted in vetoing expungement legislation in 2012, "unfairly deprive[]" "businesses and the community ... of the ability to be informed about the criminal histories of those caring for our children, minding our cash registers, and installing ou[r] alarm systems." Moreover, to the extent this legislation is principally intended to address concerns over the previous version of section l 6- 17-420 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, it appears that the Attorney General's recent resolution of litigation involving the predecessor statute for disturbing schools has rendered H. 3890 (Word version) largely redundant or otherwise unnecessary. See Order, Kenny v. Wilson, 2:16-cv-2794 (D.S.C. Apr. 4, 2023), ECF No. 267; Consent Mot. re Retention of Records, Kenny v. Wilson, 2:16-cv-2794 (D.S.C. Mar. 28, 2023), ECF No. 265.
As in the past, I remain unwilling to sign legislation that would have the practical effect of erasing large categories of criminal records and prohibiting employers from considering a person's complete criminal history when making critical hiring decisions. At the same time, it is well recognized that a job is the best way to reduce recidivism. Accordingly, I continue to be willing to work with the General Assembly to pass laws to improve employment opportunities for individuals who have paid their debt to society without compromising the safety of our communities.
For the foregoing reasons, I am respectfully vetoing R-85, H. 3890 (Word version) and returning the same without my signature.
Yours very truly,
Henry McMaster
The Veto on the following Act was taken up:
(R. 85, H. 3890 (Word version)) -- Reps. Rose, Murphy, Brewer, Mitchell, Robbins, Schuessler, Guest, King and B. Newton: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 22-5-920, RELATING TO YOUTHFUL OFFENDER ELIGIBILITY FOR EXPUNGEMENT OF CERTAIN OFFENSES, SO AS TO ALLOW EXPUNGEMENT FOR CONVICTIONS INVOLVING A DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION OFFENSE OR A DISTURBING SCHOOLS OFFENSE. - RATIFIED TITLE
Rep. J. E. JOHNSON explained the Veto.
The question was put, shall the Act become a part of the law, the Veto of his Excellency, the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding, the yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:
Anderson Atkinson Bailey Ballentine Bannister Bauer Beach Bernstein Blackwell Bradley Brewer Brittain Burns Bustos Carter Chapman Chumley Cobb-Hunter Collins Connell B. J. Cox B. L. Cox Cromer Davis Elliott Erickson Forrest Gagnon Garvin Gatch Gibson Gilliard Guest Guffey Haddon Hager Hardee Harris Hartnett Hayes Henderson-Myers Henegan Herbkersman Hewitt Hiott Hixon Hosey Howard Hyde Jefferson J. E. Johnson J. L. Johnson S. Jones W. Jones Jordan Kilmartin Kirby Lawson Leber Ligon Long Magnuson McCravy Mitchell T. Moore Moss Neese B. Newton W. Newton Nutt Ott Pace Pendarvis Pope Rivers Robbins Rose Sandifer Schuessler Sessions G. M. Smith M. M. Smith Stavrinakis Taylor Tedder Thayer Thigpen Vaughan Wetmore Wheeler White Whitmire Willis Yow
Those who voted in the negative are:
Crawford Felder Gilliam Landing
The Veto on the following Act was taken up:
(R. 63, S. 31 (Word version)) -- Senators Hutto and K. Johnson: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 5-7-240, RELATING TO INDEPENDENT AUDITS OF MUNICIPAL FINANCIAL RECORDS AND TRANSACTIONS, SO AS TO ALLOW MUNICIPALITIES WITH LESS THAN $500,000 IN TOTAL REVENUES TO PROVIDE A COMPILATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 14-1-208, RELATING TO FINES AND ASSESSMENTS, SO AS TO INCLUDE REFERENCES TO FILING A COMPILATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 4-9-150, RELATING TO AUDITS OF COUNTY RECORDS, SO AS TO ALLOW FOR A FILING EXTENSION IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. - RATIFIED TITLE
Rep. COBB-HUNTER explained the Veto.
The question was put, shall the Act become a part of the law, the Veto of his Excellency, the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding, the yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Anderson Atkinson Bailey Bannister Bauer Bernstein Blackwell Brewer Brittain Bustos Carter Clyburn Cobb-Hunter Collins Connell B. L. Cox Davis Elliott Forrest Gagnon Garvin Gatch Gibson Gilliam Gilliard Guest Hager Hardee Hartnett Hayes Henderson-Myers Henegan Hewitt Hiott Hixon Hosey Howard Hyde Jefferson J. L. Johnson W. Jones Jordan Kirby Lawson Leber Ligon Mitchell J. Moore T. Moore Moss Murphy Neese B. Newton W. Newton Ott Pendarvis Pope Rivers Robbins Rose Rutherford Sandifer Schuessler G. M. Smith M. M. Smith Stavrinakis Taylor Tedder Thigpen Wetmore Wheeler Yow
Those who voted in the negative are:
Ballentine Beach Bradley Burns Calhoon Chapman Chumley B. J. Cox Crawford Cromer Erickson Felder Guffey Haddon Harris S. Jones Kilmartin Landing Long Magnuson May McCabe McCravy A. M. Morgan Nutt Pace Pedalino Sessions Thayer Vaughan White Whitmire Willis
So, the Veto of the Governor was overridden and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.
CONFERENCE REPORT
S. 96 (Word version)
The General Assembly, Columbia, S.C., May 11, 2023
The COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE, to whom was referred:
HREF="/BILLSEARCH.PHP?BILLNUMBERS=96&SESSION=125&SUMMARY=B">S. 96 (WORD VERSION) -- Senators Campsen, Davis, McElveen, Cromer, Kimpson, and Hutto: TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 50-21-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR THE EQUIPMENT AND OPERATION OF WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DEFINITION OF PERSONAL WATERCRAFT; BY AMENDING SECTION 50-21-90, RELATING TO THE BOATING SAFETY AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO ISSUE A BOATING SAFETY CERTIFICATE UPON THE COMPLETION OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 21, TITLE 50, RELATING TO THE EQUIPMENT AND OPERATION OF WATERCRAFT, BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-95, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO OPERATE CERTAIN WATERCRAFT ON THE WATERS OF THIS STATE WITHOUT HAVING POSSESSION OF A BOATING SAFETY CERTIFICATE, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; TO REPEAL SECTION 50-21-870(A)(1), RELATING TO THE DEFINITION FOR THE TERM "PERSONAL WATERCRAFT"; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 50-21-870(B)(9), RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF CERTAIN WATERCRAFT BY PERSONS YOUNGER THAN SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE.
Beg leave to report that they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend:
That the same do pass with the following amendments:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
SECTION 1. Section 50-21-10 (20) through (29) of the S.C. Code are amended to read:
(20) "Personal watercraft" means a vessel, usually less than sixteen feet in length, that uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of propulsion and that is intended to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than within the confines of the hull. (21) "Reportable boating accident" means an accident, collision, or other casualty involving a vessel subject to this chapter which results in loss of life, injury which results in loss of consciousness, necessity for medical treatment, necessity to carry a person from the scene, disability which prevents the discharge of normal duties beyond the day of casualty, or actual physical damage to property including vessels in excess of the minimum amount set by the United States Coast Guard for reportable accidents.
(21)(22) "Serial number" means the identifying manufacturer's number affixed to a watercraft before November 2, 1972, and to outboard motors before, on, and after that date. The serial number of watercraft manufactured after November 1, 1972, is part of the hull identification number.
(23) "Specialty propcraft" means a vessel that is similar in appearance and operation to a personal watercraft but is powered by an outboard or propeller-driven motor.
(22)(24) "Temporary certificate of number" is a temporary registration assigned to a vessel to allow operation for a limited purpose.
(23)(25) "Tender" means a small watercraft attendant to a larger vessel that meets United States Coast Guard requirements and is used solely for ferrying supplies or passengers and crew between its parent vessel and shore.
(24)(26) "Use" means operate, navigate, or employ.
(25)(27) "Vessel" means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane regulated by the federal government, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
(26)(28) "Water device" means a motorboat, boat, personal watercraft or vessel, water skis, an aquaplane, surfboard, or other similar device.
(27)(29) "Waters of the State" means waters within the territorial limits of the State but not private lakes or ponds.
(28)(30) "Watercraft" means any thing used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water but does not include: a seaplane regulated by the federal government, water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, windsurfers, tubes, rafts, and similar devices or any thing that does not meet construction or operational requirements of the state or federal government for watercraft.
(29)(31) "Wake surf" means to operate a vessel that is ballasted in the stern so as to create a wake that is, or is intended to be, surfed by another person.
SECTION 2. Section 50-21-90 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:
Section 50-21-90. (A) The department is hereby authorized to inaugurate a comprehensive boating safety and boating educational program, and to seek the cooperation of boatmen, the federal government and other states. The department must administer a boating safety education course and may approve of additional boating safety education courses. A list of approved courses must be provided on the department's website.
(B) The following persons must be issued a South Carolina boating safety certificate in both physical and electronic forms by the department:
(1) a person who successfully completes a boating safety education course administered or approved by the department;
(2) a person who provides satisfactory proof to the department that the person was issued a boating safety certificate, or an equivalency, by another state; and
(3) a person who provides satisfactory proof to the department that the person was issued a license to operate a vessel by the United States Coast Guard or was issued a merchant mariner credential by the United States Coast Guard.
(C) The department must approve of one or more boat rental safety education courses to be taken by persons renting a vessel, personal watercraft, or specialty propcraft from businesses engaged in the renting of vessels, personal watercrafts, or specialty propcrafts. A person who completes a boat rental safety education course approved by the department must be issued a boat rental safety certificate in either electronic or physical form in the person's name. A boat rental safety certificate is valid for thirty days from the date of issuance and only while operating a vessel, personal watercraft, or specialty propcraft from a business engaged in the renting of vessels, personal watercrafts, or specialty propcrafts.
(D) The department must maintain a database of all persons issued a South Carolina boating safety certificate.
SECTION 3. Article 1, Chapter 21, Title 50 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:
Section 50-21-95. (A) It is unlawful for a person to operate upon the waters of this State a vessel powered by an engine of ten horsepower or greater or equivalent to ten horsepower or greater, a personal watercraft, or a specialty propcraft unless the person:
(1) was born on or before July 1, 2007;
(2) is in possession of a South Carolina boating safety certificate issued in the person's name or is documented by the department as having been issued a South Carolina boating safety certificate;
(3) is in possession of a license to operate a vessel issued by the United States Coast Guard in the person's name, regardless of the expiration date on the license; (4) is in possession of a merchant mariner credential issued by the United States Coast Guard in the person's name, regardless of the expiration date on the credential;
(5) is a nonresident in possession of a boating safety certificate, or an equivalency, issued by another state in the nonresident's name;
(6) is operating a vessel, personal watercraft, or specialty propcraft from a business engaged in the renting of vessels, personal watercrafts, or specialty propcrafts and is in possession of a valid boat rental safety certificate issued in the person's name; or
(7) is accompanied by a person at least eighteen years old who meets one of the criteria in items (1) through (5) of this subsection.
(B) A person who is adjudicated to be in violation of this section must be fined not less than fifty dollars and not more than three hundred dollars, no part of which may be suspended. No court costs, assessments, or surcharges may be assessed against a person who violates this section. A custodial arrest for a violation of this section must not be made, except upon a warrant issued for failure to appear in court when summoned or for failure to pay an imposed fine. A violation of this section does not constitute a criminal offense and must not be included in the records maintained by the department or in the records maintained by SLED.
SECTION 4. Section 50-21-870(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:
(A) As used in this section:
(1)(a) "Personal watercraft" means a boat less than sixteen feet in length which:
(i) has an outboard motor or an inboard motor which uses an internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive propulsion;
(ii) is designed with the concept that the operator and passenger ride on the outside surfaces of the vessel as opposed to riding inside the vessel;
(iii) has the probability that the operator and passenger, in the normal course of use, may fall overboard.
(b) Personal watercraft includes, without limitation, a vessel where the operator and passenger ride on the outside surfaces of the vessel, even if the primary source of motive propulsion is a propeller, and a vessel commonly known as a "jet ski".
(2) "Specialty propcraft" means a vessel which is similar in appearance and operation to a personal watercraft but is powered by an outboard or propeller-driven motor.
(3) "Class 'A' boat" means a motorboat which is less than sixteen feet in length.
(4)(2) "Floating device" includes kneeboards, aqua planes, surfboards, saucers, inner tubes, and other similar equipment.
SECTION 5. Section 50-21-870(B)(9) and (10) of the S.C. Code are amended to read:
(9)(a) operate a personal watercraft, specialty propcraft, or vessel if he is younger than sixteen years of age, unless accompanied by an adult, eighteen years or older, who is not under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of them. However, a person younger than sixteen years of age may operate a personal watercraft, specialty propcraft, or vessel without being accompanied by an adult if one or more of the following applies:
(i) the person completes a boating safety program as administered by the Department of Natural Resources; or
(ii) the person completes a boating safety program approved by the Department of Natural Resources;
(iii) anyone operating a vessel with less than fifteen horsepower engine will not be required to take the boating safety program.
(b) It is unlawful for a person who has temporary or permanent responsibility for a child to knowingly or wilfully violate item (9) of subsection (B).
(c) The Department of Natural Resources shall promulgate regulations relating to boating safety programs administered by the department or subject to its approval.
(10) wake surf in excess of idle speed within two hundred feet of a moored vessel, wharf, dock, bulkhead, pier, or person in the water.
SECTION 6. If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this act, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this act, and each and every section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.
SECTION 7. This act takes effect sixty days after approval by the Governor. Amend title to conform.
/s/Sen. Campsen /s/Rep. Elliott /s/Sen. Hutto /s/Rep. Henegan /s/Sen. Davis /s/Rep. Wooten On part of the Senate. On part of the House.
The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Anderson Atkinson Bailey Ballentine Bannister Bauer Beach Bernstein Blackwell Bradley Brewer Brittain Bustos Calhoon Carter Caskey Chapman Clyburn Collins Connell B. J. Cox B. L. Cox Crawford Cromer Davis Elliott Erickson Felder Forrest Gagnon Garvin Gatch Gibson Gilliam Gilliard Guest Guffey Haddon Hager Hardee Hartnett Hayes Henderson-Myers Henegan Herbkersman Hewitt Hiott Hixon Hosey Hyde Jefferson J. E. Johnson J. L. Johnson S. Jones W. Jones Kilmartin Kirby Landing Lawson Leber Ligon Magnuson May McCabe Mitchell J. Moore T. Moore Moss Murphy Neese B. Newton W. Newton Ott Pace Pedalino Pendarvis Pope Rivers Robbins Rose Rutherford Sandifer Schuessler Sessions M. M. Smith Stavrinakis Taylor Tedder Thayer Thigpen Vaughan Wetmore Wheeler White Whitmire Willis Yow
Those who voted in the negative are:
Burns Chumley Harris Long McCravy A. M. Morgan Nutt
The Conference Report was adopted and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.
The Report of the Committee of Conference having been adopted by both Houses, and this Bill having been read three times in each House, it was ordered that the title thereof be changed to that of an Act and that it be enrolled for ratification.
The following Bill was read the third time, passed and, having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and that it be enrolled for ratification:
S. 335 (Word version) -- Senator Davis: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 596 OF 1969, RELATING TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE HILTON HEAD NO. 1 PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT COMMISSION, TO PROVIDE FOR SEVEN APPORTIONED ELECTION DISTRICTS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELECTION OF CANDIDATES IN 2024 AND 2026.
The following Bill was taken up, read the third time, and ordered sent to the Senate: H. 4486 (Word version) -- Reps. Burns, Long, Ott, Pope and Hiott: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-55-655 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO CREATE A PILOT PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS CERTAIN SEPTIC TANK INSTALLERS TO CONDUCT SEPTIC TANK FIELD EVALUATION TESTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
Rep. MURPHY moved that the House do now adjourn, which was agreed to.
The Senate returned to the House with concurrence the following:
H. 4502 (Word version) -- Reps. Stavrinakis, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Connell, B. J. Cox, B. L. Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, S. Jones, W. Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lawson, Leber, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, Mitchell, J. Moore, T. Moore, A. M. Morgan, T. A. Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, O'Neal, Oremus, Ott, Pace, Pedalino, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Vaughan, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CHARLESTON ON THE OCCASION OF ITS HISTORIC TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR TWO CENTURIES OF SERVICE TO GOD AND THE COMMUNITY.
At 1:04 p.m. the House, in accordance with the motion of Rep. BERNSTEIN, adjourned in memory of former Representative Lloyd Hendricks, to meet at the call of the SPEAKER.
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