NO. 74
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
The Senate assembled at 10:00 A.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:
Matthew 7:13-14
Recall that the Lord himself urges us to: " 'Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.' "
Bow in prayer with me, please: Dear loving and merciful God, the lesson captured in today's scripture is one I believe most all of us know quite well. For indeed, following the road You want each of us to pursue in life is truly challenging. After all, the demands that inevitably confront us, the commitment You expect from each one of us, those choices we know we are expected to avoid: it is not at all easy to follow in the way You would have us go. So we more than ever, O Lord, give honor and thanks for those Senators and their aides who pointedly do their very best to keep on that narrow road of Your choosing, doing those things that bring glory to You and that result in the very best blessings for our State and for all of her people. In Your glorious name we so pray, dear Lord. 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 Bright Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Gambrell Garrett Goldfinch Graham Grooms Hembree Hutto Johnson Kennedy Massey Ott Peeler Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Young
A quorum being present, the Senate resumed.
The following appointment was transmitted by the Honorable Henry Dargan McMaster:
Initial Appointment, Newberry County Magistrate, with the term to commence April 30, 2023, and to expire April 30, 2027
Newberry County:
Briana Hawkins Eargle, 1479 Fire Tower Road, Prosperity, SC 29127 VICE Ronald C. Halfacre
On motion of Senator PEELER, the Senate agreed that if and when the Senate stands adjourned today, it will adjourn to meet tomorrow morning at 10:00 A.M.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Bennett Blackmon Bright Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Elliott Gambrell Garrett Goldfinch Grooms Hembree Johnson Kennedy Massey Peeler Reichenbach Rice Stubbs Turner Verdin Young
Allen Devine Graham Hutto Ott Sabb Sutton Tedder
The motion was adopted.
Columbia, S.C., May 18, 2026
Mr. President and Senators:
I am vetoing and returning without my approval R127, S. 238:
Yours very truly,
Henry McMaster
Received as information
The veto was ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
Columbia, S.C., May 19, 2026
Mr. President and Senators:
I am vetoing and returning without my approval R227, S. 428:
Yours very truly,
Henry McMaster
Received as information
The veto was ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
At 10:29 A.M., on motion of Senator GROOMS, the Senate receded from business not to exceed 15 minutes.
At 10:42 A.M., the Senate resumed.
Senator LEBER recorded his presence subsequent to the Call of the Senate.
On motion of Senator HUTTO, at 10:25 A.M., Senator WILLIAMS was granted a leave of absence for today.
On motion of Senator HUTTO, at 10:25 A.M., Senator MATTHEWS was granted a leave of absence for today.
On motion of Senator BRIGHT, at 10:28 A.M., Senator FERNANDEZ was granted a leave of absence for the day.
On motion of Senator CROMER, at 10:28 A.M., Senator JACKSON was granted a leave of absence until 11:15 A.M.
On motion of Senator TURNER, at 4:26 P.M., Senator HEMBREE was granted a leave of absence for the balance of the day.
Senator HUTTO rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.
The following were introduced:
S. 1201 (Word version) -- Senator Grooms: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE FRENCH QUARTER CREEK BRIDGE ON CAINHOY ROAD IN HUGER IN BERKELEY COUNTY "WILLIAM ELLINGTON SR. BRIDGE" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THE DESIGNATION.
sr-0685km-amb26.docx
The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.
S. 1202 (Word version) -- Senator Jackson: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO HONOR MAYCE EDWARD CHRISTOPHER "CHRIS" WEBBER III FOR HIS REMARKABLE BASKETBALL CAREER, HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION AND COMMENTARY, AND HIS ENDURING POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON GENERATIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND TO DECLARE JUNE 5, 2026, AS "CHRIS WEBBER DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
lc-0619sa-rm26.docx
The Senate Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Education.
H. 4737 (Word version) -- Reps. McGinnis and Grant: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-35 SO AS TO CREATE A MANDATORY ORIENTATION TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD SECRETARY OF EACH INSTITUTION.
lc-0565wab26.docx
Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Education.
Columbia, S.C., May 26, 2026
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that 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:
S. 688 (Word version) -- Senators Massey and Kimbrell: A BILL 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; AND 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 TO 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.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
Columbia, S.C., May 26, 2026
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has returned the following Bill to the Senate with amendments:
S. 1043 (Word version) -- Senators Adams, Zell, Leber and Graham: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "CIVIL AIR PATROL LEAVE ACT"; BY ADDING CHAPTER 23 TO TITLE 25 SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS RELATED TO THE CIVIL AIR PATROL LEAVE ACT, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF CIVIL AIR PATROL LEAVE, TO PRESCRIBE THE DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES AND RIGHTS OF EMPLOYERS REGARDING CIVIL AIR PATROL LEAVE, TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS, AND TO PROVIDE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PROTECTIONS.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
Placed on Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO H. 5683 - REDISTRICTING OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICTS
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.
The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the second reading of the amendment.
Senator HUTTO asked unanimous consent to proceed to Amendment No. 19.
Senators GRAHAM and SUTTON proposed the following amendment (LC-5683.HDB0107S), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 4, by adding a subsection to read:
(I) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 15, Title 7 of the S.C. Code, any voter who casts an absentee ballot in the June statewide primaries must be issued absentee ballots for the special primaries and special primary runoffs without being required to submit additional absentee ballot applications or otherwise comply with any additional requirements.
(2) Each county board of voter registration and elections shall issue absentee ballots for the special primaries and special primary runoffs to the same address each voter requested to receive an absentee ballot for the June statewide primaries unless a voter timely specifies a different address.
(3) The absentee ballots issued to each voter under this subsection must be for the same political party's special primary and runoff as the voter participated in during the June statewide primaries unless the voter timely requests to receive an absentee ballot for another party's special primaries and runoff.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Senator SUTTON explained the amendment.
Senator GROOMS moved to lay the amendment on the table.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Bennett Blackmon Bright Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Gambrell Garrett Goldfinch Graham Grooms Hembree Hutto Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Massey Ott Peeler Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Young Zell
The Senate refused to lay the amendment on the table.
Senator GROOMS spoke on the amendment.
Having given one day's notice, Senator GROOMS moved under Rule 43 to suspend Rule 15.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Blackmon Bright Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Elliott Gambrell Garrett Goldfinch Grooms Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Peeler Reichenbach Stubbs Turner Verdin Young Zell
Allen Bennett Campsen Davis Devine Graham Hembree Hutto Massey Ott Rice Sabb Sutton Tedder Walker
Having failed to receive the necessary votes, the motion to suspend Rule 15 failed.
Senator GROOMS spoke on the amendment.
On motion of Senator GROOMS, the amendment was carried over.
Senators HUTTO, JACKSON, SABB, WILLIAMS, ALLEN, MATTHEWS, TEDDER, DEVINE, GRAHAM, OTT, SUTTON and WALKER proposed the following amendment (LC-5683.AHB0083S), which was proposed:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
SECTION X. In conducting the 2026 Congressional redistricting, notwithstanding any other provision of law, any implementation of changes to congressional district boundaries shall be undertaken in a manner that allows sufficient time to avoid voter confusion and ensure orderly election administration.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.
At 11:23 A.M., Senator GOLDFINCH asked unanimous consent, with Senator HUTTO retaining the floor on Amendment No. 8, to receded from business for thirty minutes.
At 1:10 P.M., the Senate resumed
Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.
At 1:36 P.M., Senator MASSEY made the point that a quorum was not present. It was ascertained that a quorum was present. The Senate resumed.
Senator HUTTO resumed speaking on the amendment.
Senator GROOMS noticed a motion under Rule 43 to suspend Rule 15.
Senator HUTTO resumed speaking on the amendment.
At 4:02 P.M., on motion of Senator GROOMS, the Senate receded from business not to exceed 5 minutes.
At 4:19 P.M., the Senate resumed.
Senator GROOMS spoke on the amendment.
Having provided one day's notice, Senator GROOMS moved under Rule 43 to suspend Rule 15.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Blackmon Bright Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Elliott Gambrell Garrett Goldfinch Grooms Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Peeler Reichenbach Rice Stubbs Turner Verdin Young Zell
Allen Bennett Campsen Davis Devine Graham Hutto Jackson Massey Ott Rankin Sabb Sutton Tedder Walker
Having failed to receive the necessary votes, the motion to suspend Rule 15 failed.
Having received a favorable report from the Senate, the following appointment was confirmed in open session:
Initial Appointment, Newberry County Magistrate, with the term to commence April 30, 2023, and to expire April 30, 2027
Newberry County:
Briana Hawkins Eargle, 1479 Fire Tower Road, Prosperity, SC 29127 VICE Ronald C. Halfacre
On motion of Senator GROOMS, the Senate agreed to stand adjourned.
Senator BRIGHT, KENNEDY and CORBIN desired to be recorded as voting against the motion to adjourn.
On motion of Senator LEBER, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of Mr. James Wesley Leber of Wilmington, N.C. James was the grandfather of our beloved Senator Matthew Leber. He enjoyed playing golf, painting, raising birds and spending time with his family. James was a loving husband, devoted father and doting grandfather who will be dearly missed.
At 4:28 P.M., on motion of Senator GROOMS, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 10:00 A.M.
This web page was last updated on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 4:56 P.M.