Feb. 16-20, 2025

Things are beginning to pick up the pace as more bills emerge from Committees and come to the House floor for debate. There are many more in the works. Here are some bills that I supported this past week.

H. 3431 No Unrestricted Minor-Owned Social Media Accounts

This legislation provides protections for our youths and stipulates that social media companies (i.e., those earning over $25 million in annual gross revenues, that provide services, products, or other features to the public over the internet) could not allow certain minors to be account holders without easy-to-use parental controls.

Providers would be required to identify users’ compulsive usage of their offered features. Compulsive usage would include disturbance of major life activities including sleeping, eating, learning, reading, concentrating, communicating, working, or any combination of them.

South Carolina’s Attorney General would have responsibility for enforcing the prohibitions contained in this bill, as well as any other applicable state laws. For example, in addition to existing civil and criminal causes of action, the use of dark patterns by providers would be an unfair trade practice subject to litigation as set forth under South Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act.  

H. 3430 Governor-Appointed State Auditor

This measure would have South Carolina’s governor appoint the state auditor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, if it is enacted.

H. 3843 Budget Proviso Codification Act of 2025

This bill gathers numerous temporary provisions routinely included in previous years’ general appropriation acts and incorporates them into South Carolina’s statutes as permanent law provisions.

H. 3813 Bear Hunting

This bill deals with bear hunting in Game Zone 1.  Current legislation allows for still gun and dog party to be used during the open season.  Because the Department of Natural Resources now uses the tag system, the legislation extends the hunting season for still and updates legislation by removing references to registered party dog.

H. 3510  County Veterans’ Affairs Office

This bill that states upon securing of funding in the General Appropriations Act, the General Assembly shall provide for two full-time employees in each county Veterans’ Affairs Office.  The legislation also outlines that a county Veterans Affairs Officer is subject to removal for cause at any time by a majority of the Senators representing the county, and a majority of the House members representing the county. There was a debate when one House member tried to amend the bill to provide three full time employees. His amendment was voted down (I voted with the majority) because that member didn’t take into account that offices in small population counties do not necessarily need three full time employees.

H. 3563 County Veterans’ Affairs Offices

This legislation deals with the evaluation of county veterans’ affairs offices.  It requires the SC Secretary of Veterans Affairs to evaluate each county office no less than once per year to ensure the level of services are being provided and ensuring compliance with procedures. Additionally, this bill requires the secretary to report the written findings to the legislative delegation and the county administrator within ninety days.  Further, a county officer who fails to participate in the annual evaluation is ineligible for reappointment, unless the secretary waives the requirement in writing.

Meeting with local FFA members

Wednesday was FFA day at the State House. It was my pleasure to meet with some of the FFA students from Calhoun Falls Charter and Dixie High Schools. Thank you to Mrs. McCannon at Calhoun Falls Charter and Mr. Murdock for their leadership.