Category: Legislation

S.263 would amend the Senate rules to require that any Senator making an earmark request in any budget bill do so through a form designed by the Senate Finance Committee.…

S.247 would require the Judicial Merit Selection Commission (JMSC) to submit to the full General Assembly the names of all candidates it finds qualified for judicial seats. Currently the JMSC…

S.239 just like last session’s S.898 and H.4478 would mandate that public teachers and administrators in South Carolina be paid, at minimum, the Southeast region’s average salary for their positions. Presumably the thinking behind…

S.200 would eliminate language in the state code which currently allows legislators to operate leadership PACs (political action committees). Leadership PACs are PACs that are “directly or indirectly established, financed,…

Although it contains a few caveats the core of S.194 is the same as 2012’s deplorable dilapidated buildings act. Like its predecessor S.194 would empower government to seize private property,…

Mandating Paid Sick Leave S.172 is identical to last session’s S.906. Each bill would mandate that all South Carolina employers provide earned paid sick leave to employees, and outlines what…

S.2 establishes the Interstate Lane Expansion Fund that will annually receive non-tax revenues equal to the amount of revenue projected from the sales, use, and causal excise taxes derived from…

S.142 would require that any year’s General Fund Revenues not spent in general or supplemental appropriations be credited to the State Highway Fund. Currently these funds (when they exist) are…

Firearms made in SC are Exempt from Federal Regulations S.117 asserts that firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition that are manufactured and remain solely in South Carolina are beyond the authority…

Nullifying Unlawful Detainment under the National Defense Authorization Act S.114 is similar to last session’s S.92. Like last session’s bill S.114 asserts state sovereignty by prohibiting state agents from assisting…

S. 134 – Incentive Transparency This bill would be a significant step toward ending the state’s secret incentives dealings. In line with a series of reforms recommended by the Policy…

S. 123 – Shorten session and implement Biennial budget This bill would shorten the legislative session so that in even-numbered years the General Assembly would adjourn the second Thursday in…

S. 111 and S. 112 – Governor appoints judges with advice and consent of Senate In 2012 the Policy Council launched an 8-point reform agenda aimed at making South Carolina…

S.1, S.14, S.74, S.202, and H.3184 are all omnibus ethics bills that contain some of the negative provisions from last session’s failed horrendous omnibus “ethics” bill. Several of the negative…

Regulating the Online Sale of Hearing Aids S.167 is a reintroduction of last sessions S.1056 which stalled in the house Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs committee. S.167 effectively prevents…

Companion bills S.155 and H.3678 are near identical to last session’s S.901, which never made it out of committee. Each bill would gradually eliminate South Carolina’s individual income tax over a five-year period by reducing…

Eliminating CWP Fees S.109 is a reintroduction of last session’s S.1045. Both bills eliminate the $50 fee that must be paid in order to receive a concealed weapons permit, and…

 Occupational License Fees must be approved by the Legislature S.107 would prohibit executive boards from unilaterally imposing occupational licensing fees. Instead occupational licensing fees would be recommend by the appropriate…

The Capital Reserve Fund (CRF) is a special fund which is funded at a rate of 2 percent of the previous year’s General Fund Revenue and is intended in theory…

Constitutional Carry  S.105 is a reintroduction of last session’s S.115. The bill if passed would turn South Carolina into the 7th state to enact constitutional carry. As we summarized last…

Prohibiting Local Governments from Enforcing Firearm Regulations S.36 is identical to last sessions S.885, the bills would bar any political subdivisions of the state from enforcing regulations related to transfers, ownership, possession,…

S.27 would reduce the tax rate for all state income tax brackets by 2 percent over 10 years in exchange for an increase in the gas tax from 16 to 36…

No Warrantless Searches of Cell Phones S.90 would prohibit law enforcement from searching the contents of an individual’s cell phone without a warrant or the express consent of the owner.…

CWPs don’t expire during Renewal S.91 would insert a new provision into state law stating a concealed weapons permit (CWP) remains valid while there is an application for renewal until the…

No Warrantless Searches of Cell Phones S.90 would prohibit law enforcement from searching the contents of an individual’s cell phone without a warrant or the express consent of the owner.…

No New Fees without Legislative Approval S.62 would prohibit state agencies from imposing any new fines or fees or increasing existing fines and fees by regulation or administrative action i.e. without…

S.23 would alter state law to impose a 16 cent per gallon tax on liquefied natural gas. This is an attempt to raise additional funds for transportation in South Carolina. As…

 Allowing Licensed Pharmacies in Select Countries to Distribute and Sell Prescription Drugs in South Carolina S.102 would permit pharmacies licensed in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand…

Making the Secretary of State Appointed S.70 proposes an amendment to make the Secretary of State appointed by the Governor and not elected by the general population. As an executive…

Making the Commissioner of Agriculture Appointed S.63 proposes an amendment to turn yet another elected position in the executive branch, the  Commissioner of Agriculture, into an office that is appointed…