Vaping Devices

​

House Bill H.3728 and Senate Bill S.287 would establish a registry of approved vaping devices, strengthen enforcement against sales of unauthorized devices, and establish penalties for violators.
 

Proponents are concerned that the dramatic increase in the use of unregulated, harmful vaping devices by young people is endangering their health.

​

Critics are concerned these measures could hurt small businesses, and restrict adult consumer choices.

​

Tax Cuts

​​

South Carolina’s state income tax provides about 50% of the general fund’s annual revenue of $14 billion. Under current law, the rate is set to fall from 6.2 % to 6.0% in 2025—still higher than Georgia at 5.5% and North Carolina at 4.5 %. GOP leadership has pledged to reduce the tax rate even further.

​

Proponents say that since 2021, about half of the states have cut their income tax rates, and would prefer it be much lower than 6.0%, certainly less than our neighboring states. A few would like to see the state income tax eliminated entirely, as in Florida, arguing that the reduction in revenue could be offset by much-needed reduced spending.

​

Opponents say that after deductions, credits, and exemptions, South Carolinians actually pay, on average, only 2.7%. And since 55% of South Carolinians pay no state income tax, further reductions would only benefit the wealthiest. There is also concern that further reducing or eliminating income tax revenue would necessitate an increase in the sales tax and/or other fees in order to fund repair of our road system and build infrastructure for the population in this fastest growing state. 

 

​Drug-Induced Homicides

​

A Bill that passed the Senate in 2024, but was not voted upon in the House, would have made it a crime to cause a fentanyl-related death, punishable by a maximum 30-year prison term. Currently, drug dealers who cause death can only be prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter with a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment.

 

Proponents believe this new law would deter criminals from selling opioids such as fentanyl, and appropriately penalize those who do and cause a death.

 

Opponents say the measure will not reduce overdose deaths, and is an inhumane way of dealing with the opioid crisis.

 

Healthcare Reform

​

A Bill that passed by overwhelming majority in the 2024 Senate, but was not voted upon in the House, would have created an Executive Office of Health and Policy headed by a Secretary of Health and Policy appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Executive Office of Health and Policy would have been composed of Departments of Health Financing, Public Health, Aging, Intellectual and Related Disabilities, and Behavioral Health & Substance Abuse Services, each headed by a Director. The Bill would have dissolved the existing departments of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, Disabilities and Special Needs, Public Health, Health and Human Services, Mental Health, and Aging, and consolidated those agencies into the new component divisions. This session, a modified version of the Bill (S.2) was introduced that would combine the Departments of Mental Health, Disabilities and Special Needs, and Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and leave the Departments of Public Health, Aging, and Health and Human Services as independent organizations.

​

Proponents say the former Bill would streamline and economize the government’s often overlapping and duplicative healthcare agencies, and that this new Bill will at least help.

​

Opponents of the former Bill said the measure would have concentrated too much power with the Secretary of Health and Policy, and objected to the Secretary being able to declare public health emergencies and order vaccinations (although that authority remains with the Director of Public Health). The reason for any dissent of the new legislation is yet to materialize.

​

Abortion

​

House Bills will be introduced that ban abortions from the moment of conception, and allow the death penalty for aborting a fetus. Existing law limits abortions to within six weeks unless a fatal fetal anomaly exists, or to prevent the death of the woman due to a physical condition, and within twelve weeks of pregnancy in cases of proven rape or incest.

​

Proponents believe they have a mandate from voters to further restrict abortions, as evidenced in the last election by the ouster of three Republican Senators who had opposed further restrictions, and believe no exceptions should be allowed other than to save the life of the mother.

​

Opponents for the most part believe the current law sufficiently protects the right to life and the life of the mother. Some believe the current law is too restrictive—that abortions should be left up to the woman and her doctor to decide without restriction.

​

Artificial Intelligence

​

The House is using Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence software to potentially eliminate outdated and/or redundant rules within the state’s code of regulations.

​

Proponents say South Carolina is pioneering the use of AI to identify obsolete and redundant regulations and streamline its code of regulations that will serve as a model for other states to follow.

​

Opponents say there is no need to declutter South Carolina’s regulations, that it is not the redundancies that are suppressing businesses but the “regulatory state of mind” that needs to be changed.

​

School Choice

​

In 2023, the Governor signed into law a bill that would provide scholarships for low-income families to cover eligible educational expenses. In September 2024, the State Supreme Court found portions of the law to be unconstitutional. A new proposal has been introduced that would make families with incomes less than $187,000 eligible, with scholarships paid for by state lottery dollars.

​

Proponents believe children should not be forced to remain in underperforming schools and that families should be empowered with the choice to send their children to the schools best suited for them.

​

Opponents of the previous Bill argued that tax dollars should only be spent on public institutions and programs.

​

Tort Reform

​

The Legislature is likely to again debate civil tort laws to enact a more just system of liability for businesses modeled on the percentage of fault in tort claims.

​

Proponents argue that unjust, excessive and disproportionate legal damages have unreasonably increased insurance premiums for businesses making it difficult for particularly small businesses to survive.

​

Opponents say that adding barriers to filing lawsuits and/or limiting damage claims could prevent genuinely wronged individuals from rightful compensation.

​

Gender Reassignment Surgery

 

In May 2024, Governor McMaster signed into law a ban on gender-altering surgery for anyone younger than eighteen years of age. The law also requires parents be informed of children who identify as another gender in school, and prohibits the use of public funds for transgender surgery on persons of any age. In December 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case brought against a Tennessee law which forbids gender reassignment surgery without a parent’s consent. Although a decision may not be forthcoming until June 2025, the legality of the South Carolina law will no doubt be discussed among members of the General Assembly.

​

Proponents of the law believe that while a minor’s decision to change gender identity may not be enduring, the surgery to do so could very well be. Also, that it is a parent’s fundamental right to make these types of life-altering decisions for their children. Also, that public funds should not be used for gender-altering surgery on anyone.

​

Opponents believe these prohibitions do nothing to improve the education of culturally diverse students and violates their rights of privacy. Also, that restrictions risk the health and well-being of all transgender individuals, and will force many to leave the state for needed care.

​

Medical Marijuana

 

The Compassionate Care Act was reintroduced in the Senate for its 2025 session. The 2024 version would have legalized the vaping and otherwise ingesting of cannabis products by adults for medical purposes. H 3018 would limit marijuana use to military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

​

Proponents believe medical cannabis can ease the pain and suffering of adults, including  veterans with PTSD.

​

Opponents point to the Food and Drug Administration that says marijuana has no accepted medical use, can be addictive, and has a high potential for abuse. And the Veterans Administration that says short-term marijuana use can cause poor focus, memory loss, slow reaction time, and make problem-solving more difficult; and long-term use can cause depression, hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety, addiction, and worsening PTSD symptoms.

​

Organized Retail Crime

​

Organized theft from merchants continues to be a serious problem. Further measures will be considered to impose harsher penalties on perpetrators of organized retail crime. Additional Bills to crack down on criminal gang organizations and racketeering have also been pre-filed.

​

Proponents note that theft by shoplifters and employees results in higher prices for consumers, and lower earnings for business. The estimated annual tax revenue lost in South Carolina as a result of theft exceeds $25 million. The anti-racketeering legislation is meant to fix holes in state law which enable criminal enterprise activity to flourish.

​

Opponents say some business are reluctant to share information about losses to protect their public image, often don’t report thefts even to law enforcement authorities, and are suspected of occasionally using theft losses as a cover for underperforming stores.

​

Sports Betting

 

A Bill that would legalize mobile-telephone sports betting will be re-introduced into the House.

​

Proponents point to North Carolina where it has generated $100 million in tax revenue in just nine months since passage.

​

Opponents point to studies that show a rise in severe problem-gambling rates where such laws have been passed.