NO. 72

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 11:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the ACTING PRESIDENT, Senator GROOMS. (This is a Statewide Session day established under the provisions of Senate Rule 1B. Members not having scheduled committee or subcommittee meetings may be in their home districts without effect on their session attendance record.)

The following was introduced:

H. 5683 (Word version) -- Reps. Rankin, Pace, C. Mitchell, Cromer, Gilreath, Bustos, Magnuson, Edgerton, Burns, Oremus, Bailey, Guest, Brittain, Chumley, J. E. Johnson, Haddon, Jordan, Lawson, Lowe, McGinnis, B. Newton, W. Newton, G. M. Smith, White, Willis and McCravy: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 7-19-35 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE ELECTION DISTRICTS FROM WHICH MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ARE ELECTED; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 7-19-45 RELATING TO ELECTION DISTRICTS FROM WHICH MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WERE FORMERLY ELECTED.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Pursuant to an invitation the Honorable Speaker and House of Representatives appeared in the Senate Chamber on May 20, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. and the following Act and Joint Resolution were ratified:

(R264, S. 688 (Word version)) -- Senators Massey and Kimbrell: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 41-31-5, RELATING TO CONTRIBUTIONS AND PAYMENTS TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO CHANGE THE LOOKBACK PERIOD FOR THE BENEFIT RATIO; BY AMENDING SECTION 41-31-45, RELATING TO DEBT STATUS ESTIMATES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A SOLVENCY TARGET FOR THE FUND; BY AMENDING SECTION 41-31-60, RELATING TO THE TAX RATE WHEN A DELINQUENT REPORT IS RECEIVED, SO AS TO CHANGE THE PENALTY FOR AN OUTSTANDING LIEN; BY AMENDING SECTION 41-31-350, RELATING TO THE PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FILE A REPORT, SO AS TO REMOVE THE CAP ON THE PENALTY FOR FAILING TO FILE A REPORT; BY AMENDING SECTION 41-31-370, RELATING TO INTEREST ON UNPAID CONTRIBUTIONS, SO AS TO REMOVE THE CAP ON THE PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO PAY CONTRIBUTIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-220, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT THE FIRST TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS OF NET DEPRECIATED VALUE OF BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNED BY A SMALL BUSINESS; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-900, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX RETURNS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A TAXPAYER IS NOT REQUIRED TO RETURN BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR TAXATION IF THE TAXPAYER HAS LESS THAN TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS OF NET DEPRECIATED VALUE OF BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY; BY ADDING SECTION 12-37-980 SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT ALL BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY REQUIRED TO BE RETURNED FOR TAXATION BE RETURNED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 12-20-50, RELATING TO THE LICENSE TAX ON CORPORATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE FEE DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY PORTION OF THE FIRST FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS OF CERTAIN CAPITAL STOCK AND PAID-IN OR CAPITAL SURPLUS.
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(R265, H. 3768 (Word version)) -- Reps. Brewer, Gatch, Robbins, Schuessler, Sessions and Kirby: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING ACT 36 OF 2019, RELATING TO HIGHWAY SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION, SO AS TO CHANGE THE SUNSET EXPIRATION PROVISION TO JULY 1, 2032; AND BY ADDING SECTION 57-3-790 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE WAIVES IMMUNITY AND CONSENTS TO SUIT IN FEDERAL COURT FOR CERTAIN LAWSUITS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT ASSIGNMENT PROGRAM, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF AN ANNUAL REPORT.
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Senator RANKIN from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable report on:

H. 5683 (Word version) -- Reps. Rankin, Pace, C. Mitchell, Cromer, Gilreath, Bustos, Magnuson, Edgerton, Burns, Oremus, Bailey, Guest, Brittain, Chumley, J.E. Johnson, Haddon, Jordan, Lawson, Lowe, McGinnis, B. Newton, W. Newton, G.M. Smith, White, Willis and McCravy: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 7-19-35 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE ELECTION DISTRICTS FROM WHICH MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ARE ELECTED; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 7-19-45 RELATING TO ELECTION DISTRICTS FROM WHICH MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WERE FORMERLY ELECTED.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

On motion of Senator CROMER, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory the Honorable Judge Ronald C. Halfacre of Newberry, S.C. Judge Halfacre graduated from Newberry College and later continued his education at the National Judicial College in Nevada. He began his business career with Oxford Industries and later joined Quality Stitching as plant engineer. He later became plant manager for both the Newberry and Saluda plants before becoming Operations Manager for Seal King Corporation. In 2005, Ron was appointed a magistrate judge for Newberry County and for the past nine years he served as Chief Magistrate. He also served on the Legislative Committee of the Summary Court Judges Association of South Carolina and on the Magistrate Court Interpreter's Committee. Judge Halfacre had a passion for golf, genealogy, history and was a gifted handyman. He was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry. Judge Halfacre volunteered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Newberry Humane Society and other nonprofits. Judge Halfacre was a loving husband who will be dearly missed.

At 9:55 P.M., on motion of Senator OTT, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 12:00 Noon.

This web page was last updated on Monday, July 27, 2026 at 11:52 A.M.