SENATE REPUBLICANS DELIVER REAL RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Thursday, Republican Senators delivered a major victory for small businesses and passed a bill to fix South Carolina’s broken lawsuit system, despite anti-business pushback from the Left and Democrats.

“For too long, unfair tort laws have hurt our State’s small businesses and families,” said Senate President Thomas Alexander. “Senate Bill 244 delivers the real reform South Carolinians are asking for, brings fairness back to our civil justice system, and keeps our State competitive.”

S. 244 closes a loophole in current law that forces businesses like trucking and logging companies, restaurants, and others to pay for someone else’s wrongdoing if those businesses contributed just 1% of fault.

“Senate Republicans worked hard to fix South Carolina’s lawsuit system,” said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, author of the legislation. “It’s common sense that you should pay for the damage you cause, but not for the damage somebody else causes. We hope the House will take up this comprehensive bill immediately.”

Nearly 88% of Republican voters support tort reform, and earlier this month, hundreds of hardworking South Carolinians swarmed the Statehouse to rally with Senators and the Governor for tort reform legislation.

Senate bill 244 protects bars and restaurants from unfair lawsuits, requires alcohol server training, reduces liquor liability insurance requirements, closes loopholes that threaten homebuilders and healthcare workers, and incorporates free-market reforms to drive down skyrocketing insurance rates.

Thanks to Republican leadership, South Carolina remains open for business.

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SENATE REPUBLICANS PASS FENTANYL MURDER LEGISLATION

COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Wednesday, Republican Senators passed a landmark bill to combat fentanyl-induced homicides in South Carolina.

“We listened to families grieving lost children and to law enforcement officers asking for help,” said Senate President Thomas Alexander, author of Senate bill 156. “Adding the crime of fentanyl-induced homicide will get criminals off our streets and keep more parents from experiencing the heartbreak that too many in Oconee County and throughout the State have known.”

President Alexander’s bill charges drug-dealers who dispense fentanyl and cause death with ‘fentanyl-induced homicide’, a felony punishable by up to thirty years in prison.

“Drugs are wreaking havoc throughout our communities,” added Senator Brian Adams, a retired police officer from Berkeley County. “Too often, kids are getting their hands on drugs secretly laced with fentanyl, and the consequences are devastating. Senate bill 156 ensures bad actors are thrown in jail.”

The legislation follows Act 72 of 2023 which requires mandatory prison time for anyone convicted of trafficking fentanyl in South Carolina.

The bill heads next to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE REPUBLICANS STAND FOR EDUCATION FREEDOM

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, Republican Senators passed Senate Bill 62 and delivered on the promise to restore school-choice for South Carolina students.

“Senate Republicans made education freedom our first priority this legislative session,” said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey. “No longer will students in poverty be forced to attend status-quo, underperforming schools without any other options.”

The landmark bill establishes education lottery scholarships for low-income K-12 students to use toward expenses like tuition and fees for attending a private school or a public school outside of a student’s resident school district.

“For too long, we’ve invested in systems instead of students,” added Senator Greg Hembree, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and author of the bill. “Senate Bill 62 puts students and their parents back in the driver’s seat and empowers them with choice in education.”

This students-first bill follows a recent executive order by President Trump advancing K-12 school choice programs and establishing a White House policy to “support parents in choosing and directing the upbringing and education of their children.”

Senate Bill 62 is the latest in a long list of major education victories in South Carolina. Thanks to Republican leadership, the starting salary for public school teachers has increased by more than 56% over the last seven years, and teachers now enjoy benefits like paid family leave following the birth or adoption of a child.

Senate Republicans continue to get the job done for students and families.

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SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE REPUBLICANS WIN BIG ON ELECTION DAY

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Senate Republicans are poised to return to Columbia with an even greater majority following election day successes.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey issued the following statement:

“On Tuesday, Palmetto State residents voted to send four new Republican Senators to Columbia, affirming that the values of safe communities, fiscal responsibility, family integrity, and educational freedom resonate with South Carolinians.

“The Senate Republican Caucus strategically invested in strong candidates and succeeded in creating competitive races, even in traditionally Democratic districts. I look forward to working alongside these new Senators to champion conservative victories that make South Carolina an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

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SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS RULE OF LAW

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, the South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of the State’s methods of execution, paving the way for swift and warranted justice.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey issued the following statement:

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is a win for the rule of law.

“Senate Republicans stood up for victims’ families and crafted this law to ensure that, while justice may have been delayed, it will not be denied.”

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SENATE REPUBLICANS WIN IN UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of South Carolina Senate Republicans, rejecting attempts to find the 1st Congressional District map unconstitutional.

South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said:

“Last year, I said that Republicans would not redraw South Carolina’s Congressional maps until directed by a majority of the United States Supreme Court. It was clear then what the Court confirmed today: the 1st Congressional District map is consistent with the US Constitution.

Republican Senators will not be deterred by the efforts of progressive activists who consistently run to the courts in the hope of overcoming their losses at the ballot box.”

Senate President Thomas Alexander issued the following statement:

“I commend today’s Supreme Court decision upholding South Carolina’s congressional redistricting plan. As I have said throughout this process, our plan was meticulously crafted to comply with statutory and constitutional requirements, and I was completely confident we would prevail. With its decision today, the Supreme Court affirmed the hard work of South Carolina Senators and the product they produced as constitutional.”

Senator Chip Campsen, who spearheaded the mapmaking process, added:

“I am pleased that the United States Supreme Court agreed with what we have said all along: the First Congressional District map was not racially gerrymandered.”

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SENATE REPUBLICANS VOTE TO HELP NOT HARM

COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Thursday, Senate Republicans passed H. 4624, the “Help, Not Harm” bill, ensuring children in South Carolina will not be harmed by experimental, life-altering gender-transition procedures. South Carolina is poised to become the 25th state to enact such protections.

“Children must be left to experience childhood undeterred by the predations of radical gender ideology,” said Senator Danny Verdin, Chairman of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee and author of the Senate version of the bill.

This common-sense legislation protects minors from dangerous puberty blocking drugs and hormones, as well as sex-reassignment surgeries, and ensures parents are not left in the dark about a child’s transition at school.

“After reviewing the evidence, it’s clear that the gender-affirming model is based on weak research and is not helpful for children experiencing gender dysphoria,” said Senator Richard Cash, who spearheaded the Republican effort.

With today’s vote, Senate Republicans chose to help, not harm.

H. 4624 returns to the House before heading to the Governor’s desk.

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SENATE REPUBLICANS DELIVER FISCAL LEADERSHIP

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, the Senate passed the annual appropriations act. Thanks to Republican leadership in the Senate, this balanced budget features substantial tax relief combined with critical investments in public education, law enforcement, and infrastructure.

“The people expect us to be good stewards of their tax dollars,” said Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler. “By putting more money in the pockets of South Carolinians, increasing teacher salaries, prioritizing the needs of law enforcement, and fixing our roads, Senators are putting South Carolina first.”

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SENATE REPUBLICANS CLOSE THE DOOR ON SQUATTERS

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Senate passed a bill Thursday to ensure South Carolinians do not fall victim to squatters.

“While other states have failed to protect the private property rights of citizens, Republicans in the South Carolina Senate voted to close the door on squatters,” said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey.

Senate Bill 723 heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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THE SENATE DELIVERS ON JUDICIAL SELECTION REFORM

COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Thursday, the South Carolina Senate approved bipartisan judicial selection reform measures to increase public confidence and prioritize transparency in the selection of state judges.

“S. 1046 gives the Governor a meaningful role in the selection of judges, requires all public hearings to be livestreamed, limits Judicial Merit Selection Commission members to nonconsecutive terms, and reduces the ability of the JMSC to manipulate results,” said Senator Wes Climer. “These are wins for South Carolina.”

Also included in the bill is a provision to require candidates to be elected by a majority vote in both the House and the Senate, instead of a simple majority of all legislators. This measure will improve representation and prevent judges from being elected without a single Senate vote.

Senator Luke Rankin, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, added: “Increasing transparency in the selection of judges will instill greater confidence in the process. I am pleased with this bipartisan legislation to fix what is broken and what is perceived to be broken in the screening of judicial candidates.”

Senate Bill 1046 is expected to receive a third reading in the Senate on Tuesday.

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