2-13-2025

Strengthening Public Safety, Energy Security & Online Protections

The fight to protect South Carolina families, businesses, and values is in full swing at the State House. This week, the House took major steps to crack down on organized crime, secure our energy future, and protect kids online. These efforts reflect our continued work to advance the House GOP’s Six Pillars for Progress, the conservative agenda outlined at the start of this session to cut taxes, grow our economy, protect families, and strengthen public safety.

Cracking Down on Organized Retail Crime

On Tuesday, I was proud to support H.3523, a bill aimed at cracking down on organized retail crime. Across the country, we’ve seen smash-and-grab thefts grow more brazen, with criminal rings coordinating large-scale retail thefts that drive up prices and threaten jobs. The days of slaps on the wrist for repeat offenders are over—this legislation ensures that those who steal thousands in merchandise face felony charges, increased penalties, and real consequences. It also allows law enforcement to prosecute thefts across multiple counties as a single crime, helping to shut down organized crime networks that have long taken advantage of legal loopholes. South Carolina businesses and consumers deserve protection, and this bill gives law enforcement the tools to deliver it.

Keeping the Lights On: Securing South Carolina’s Energy Future

The House also took bold action this week to secure our state’s energy future. On Wednesday, I voted to pass H.3309, the South Carolina Energy Security Act, ensuring that as our population grows, we have the reliable and affordable power needed to fuel our economy. South Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and if we don’t act now, we could face energy shortages that threaten businesses and jobs. This legislation expands access to nuclear, natural gas, hydrogen, and renewables, cuts red tape to speed up approval of energy projects, and protects consumers from rising costs. The failure of the V.C. Summer nuclear project and the strain on our power grid during Winter Storm Elliott exposed serious vulnerabilities in our state’s energy infrastructure—this bill ensures we don’t wait until the next crisis to act. Energy security is economic security, and our caucus is committed to making sure South Carolina remains strong and independent.

Protecting Kids Online & Holding Big Tech Accountable

In addition to protecting our communities and securing our energy future, we made important progress on keeping South Carolina’s children safe online. The Social Media Regulation Act (H.3431) moved forward this week, passing out of the Judiciary Committee with a favorable vote. It’s no secret that social media has negatively impacted the mental health of children and teens, fueling rising rates of anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying. This legislation ensures that social media companies verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for minors, limits the collection of personal data from children, and restricts features designed to increase screen addiction. It also prohibits adults from directly messaging minors they aren’t connected to, helping to prevent online exploitation and predatory behavior. Big Tech has spent years putting profits over child safety, and it’s time to hold them accountable. South Carolina must lead the way in ensuring that parents have the tools to protect their children online.

I also had the pleasure to meet with members of the Little River Electric Co-op on Thursday. They did an outstanding job last fall during Hurricane Helene. They have been and will continue to be a great asset to our community.