Sean Bennett Archives - SC Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Returns To Columbia For New Legislative Session

The South Carolina State Senate returned to Columbia this week to convene the first week of regular session of the 124th General Assembly. Highlights of the week included the swearing-in of six newly elected Senators, adoption of the governing Senate Rules, the Governor’s State of the State Address, and a Medical Affairs subcommittee on Senate Bill 1.

ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION

At the start of a new legislative session, the Senate, in tradition, meets on day one to organize for a new session. One of the first acts of the organizational session is to elect the Senate President, who convenes and leads the Senate. The full Senate body votes on a Senate President to which Harvey Peeler (R-Gaffney) was unanimously elected to continue in serving as the Senate President.

In his first address to the new Senate, President Peeler said, “It’s a great honor to have the opportunity to lead this body for the next four years. I don’t take your faith in me lightly, and I hope I have proved that to you. The last two years were challenging and unpredictable. It’s not what I imagined when you first elected me president but I took on the challenge because difficult challenges is when we learn the most as leaders. We need direction when times are tough…this session will be unlike any other. You chose me to be your leader and I look forward to working with each one of year to ensure this year is healthy and successful.”

Following the November 2020 General Elections, six new Senators were elected to the body: Brian Adams (R-Berkeley), Billy Garrett (R-Greenwood), Penry Gustafson (R-Kershaw), Michael Johnson (R-York), Josh Kimbrell (R-Spartanburg) and Vernon Stephens (D-Orangeburg). Republicans will start the new legislative session with 30 of the 46 members – the largest Republican control of the State Senate in more than 150 years. We welcome our new members of the Senate Republican Caucus!

MAJORITY LEADER ELECTION

Pursuant to the Senate Rules, the Majority and Minority Caucuses are required to hold election for leader at the start of the four-year terms. The Senate Republican Caucus unanimously elected Shane Massey (R-Edgefield) to continue serving as the Senate Majority leader. Senator Massey was first elected Majority Leader in 2016.

In a statement to the press, Senator Massey said, “I am grateful to my Senate colleagues for their confidence in allowing me to continue to lead the Senate Republicans into the next legislative session. We have a great team, the people of South Carolina have seen that, and have empowered us to continue to lead on the most important of issues that affect their daily lives: continuing to combat COVID-19, reducing burdensome regulations that choke success and block high-paying jobs, making state government more accountable, and protecting the rights enumerated in the constitution. We were entrusted to lead, and we intend to work hard to better South Carolina for all its citizens.”

SENATE RULES PACKAGE

The Senate additionally approved a rules package on the first day of session. The Senate rules will govern debate and procedure for the Senate until the next legislative session. Included in this year’s rules package was an improvement to the Rule 15, “Fixing a time certain to vote,” or commonly referred to as cloture. The provision offered in the Senate Republican package would reduce unnecessary delay when debating legislation important to South Carolina citizens, while respecting the Senate’s critical role to provide careful consideration of any proposed law and ensuring that every Senator’s voice is heard when representing their constituents. It strikes the right balance.

Also included in the package was a requirement that Senators disclosure earmark requests, identify which projects for which they seek tax dollars, and publish the cost of the project, and if the project was funded. This important rule addition provides improved transparency project in the budget so that you can see where your hard-earned money is spent.

STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

Keeping with tradition of a new session, Governor Henry McMaster gave his State of the State Address to lawmakers on Wednesday, January 13th. The full speech is available to watch HERE.

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SC Senate Republicans Unveil SC Leads Act

On Monday, June 22, South Carolina Senate Republicans, in a press conference, unveiled a proposal to file new legislation to enhance law enforcement accountability, standards, and make other policy recommendations. The proposal known as The South Carolina Law Enforcement Accountability, Duty and Standards (SC LEADS) Act enhances law enforcement accountability, transparency, and professional standards, and seeks to strengthen trust in South Carolina.

The proposal includes:

1.Required Baseline Standards and Accreditation

1. Requirement of an agency to adopt the baseline required standards as set forth by the Law Enforcement Training Council (LETC). may result in debarment from grant funding, civil fines, and the loss of an agency’s authority to remain a law enforcement agency.
2. The LETC shall establish baseline required standards for all law enforcement agencies in South Carolina. Standards will include but are not limited to the following policies:
  1. Use of Force Continuum-when and how to respond to active resistance.
  2. Uniform vehicle pursuit standards
  3. Hiring and terminating practices
  4. Mandatory post basic academy field training
  5. Implantation and use of body-worn cameras and car cams
  6. “No Knock Warrant” standards in compliance with U.S. Supreme Court decisions
  7. Duty to intervene – mandated duty on officers to intervene when observing an officer failing to meet baseline standards established or agency policy.
3. After implementing the LETC baseline standards, agencies would be incentivized to go beyond those baseline standards through an accreditation option that is not cost prohibitive

2. Duty To Intervene

1. Add “failure of duty to intervene” as established in baseline standards mandating officers intervene when observing failure to meet baseline standards.
2. Failure to intervene could result in decertification and/or potential criminal charges.

3. Fully fund body-worn camera program, and South Carolina Highway Patrol car camera program

4. Mandatory Attendance at Misconduct Hearings

1. A law enforcement agency who has reported an occurrence(s) of misconduct by an officer to the Criminal Justice Academy must fully cooperate with any investigation.

5. Non-Certified Officers and Training

1. Strengthen requirements for officers who have not yet been certified by the academy and improve training.
  1. Support H.5109 – non-certified officers shall not perform duties unless accompanied by a certified officer
  2. require mandatory field training for all newly certified officers
2. Require all newly appointed police chiefs to attend a chief’s school and annually obtain continuing law enforcement education credit

6. Centralized Investigation and Charging Authority

1. Centralize investigation and charging authority for officer involved interaction resulting in death or great bodily injury:
  1. SLED to conduct all investigations unless there is a conflict, the Attorney General shall appoint an investigating agency in cases of SLED conflict
  2. SLED reports investigative findings to AG
  3. State charges are presented or declined by the AG within 3 months of completion of the investigation
  4. State Grand Jury has exclusive jurisdiction over criminal charges involving death or GBI as a result of an officer involved interaction
  5. The local solicitor has the ability to request the AG review an officer involved incident (other than death and GBI) in any other circumstance

Watch full video of the press conference by clicking, HERE, and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

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Senate Republicans Introduce Teacher Appreciation Bill

Two Dozen Senators Co-Sponsor Legislation To Say THANK YOU To Teachers in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Twenty-four Senate Republicans have signed on to new legislation to allow teachers in South Carolina to exchange unused leave days for credit in a Teacher Appreciation Account. The primary sponsor of Senate Bill 888, Senator Greg Hembree highlights the features of the bill which will benefit the students in the classroom, and say Thank You to the teachers for the dedication they give in the classroom.

“It’s some of the most important work and the hardest work to find a way to give every child in South Carolina an opportunity to receive a world-class education…It’s a hard goal to reach…but there are victories,” Senator Greg Hembree said. “There are great people out there doing God’s work in this field and it is worth taking the time to celebrate them from time-to-time.”

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Watch the full introductory remarks here

Senator Richard Cash Introduces First Bill in State Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 7, 2017

Contact: Reagan C. Kelley

reagankelley@scsenate.gov

803-212-6332

SENATOR RICHARD CASH INTRODUCES FIRST BILL IN STATE SENATE

Legislation Aims to Provide Safety Procedures for All Churchgoers

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Senator Richard Cash, R-Anderson, today prefiled his first legislation since joining the South Carolina Senate in May 2017. The proposal, Senate Bill 769 would permit a concealed weapon permit holder to carry a concealable weapon on school property that is leased by a church for church services.

Under the new proposal, the permit holder must receive express permission from the appropriate church official or governing body, and only applies during the times which the church has the use, pursuant to its lease with the school.

“Many churches now have security teams, so it is not unusual for someone with a concealed weapons permit who is approved by the church to be carrying,” Senator Richard Cash said. “Current law, however, prohibits carrying a concealed weapon on school property. This change would allow churches that lease school facilities to provide for the security of their members as them deem necessary “

Richard Cash was elected to the South Carolina Senate during the Special Election, on May 30, 2017 to fulfill the unexpired term of Kevin L. Bryant, who assumed Office of Lt. Governor. Senator Richard Cash is the resident senator for District 3, representing portions of Anderson County.

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Senator Peeler Introduces Legislation to Safely Rid of Unused Prescription Drugs

SENATOR PEELER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO SAFELY RID OF UNUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Bill Provides Drug Disposal Boxes at County Sheriff Offices

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Senator Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, today introduced Senate Bill 755 aimed at reducing opioid-related deaths by improving the mechanism to safely dispose of unwanted controlled substances. The program would provide prescription drug drop boxes at Sheriff’s departments in all South Carolina counties to be available during regular business hours.

“The opioid epidemic is ripping apart communities and families nationwide, and South Carolina is feeling the effects,” Senator Harvey Peeler said. “This program will allow a safe, convenient way to rid of unused prescription drugs – and hopefully reduce the use, sell and distribution of these drugs. Opioids present a real danger to families and law enforcement as it makes its way back on the streets. Proper disposal will reduce the availability of dangerous, illegal opioids.”

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control estimates 550 deaths occurred in 2016 as a result of prescription drug overdose, up 18% from 2014.

Elected to the South Carolina Senate in 1981, Senator Harvey Peeler represents Cherokee County and portions of Spartanburg, Union and York counties. In addition to serving as the chairman of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee, he serves on the Education, Ethics, Finance, Interstate Cooperation, and Transportation committees.

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State Senate to Review Daylight Saving Time in New Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 7, 2017

Contact: Senator Harvey Peeler

HarveyPeeler@scsenate.gov

STATE SENATE TO REVIEW DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME IN NEW PROPOSAL

Bill Seeks Study and Input for Opting Out of the Federal Program

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Included in a resolution released today, South Carolina could exempt itself from observing daylight saving time. Senator Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, sponsored the resolution to direct the Senate Committee on Interstate Cooperation to conduct a study of the potential impact of not recognizing daylight saving time.

If approved, the committee would work with other southeastern states to review the possible impacts resulting from South Carolina choosing to opt out of the federal daylight saving time program.

Senator Harvey Peeler said, “Every year we are told to ‘spring forward’ and most of us don’t even know why. From my observations, this abrupt change in time causes a loss of sleep and productivity. There are potential safety concerns on highways due to longer darkness in the morning hours. I want the committee to look into the real and modern day consequences of South Carolina opting out of this antiquated federal program.”

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Bipartisan Senate Leaders Call For Special Session to Consider Halt to Further Action on V.C. Summer Nuclear Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 4, 2017

Contact: Reagan C. Kelley

reagankelley@scsenate.gov

803-212-6332

BIPARTISAN SENATE LEADERS CALL FOR SPECIAL SESSION TO CONSIDER HALT TO FURTHER ACTION ON V.C. SUMMER NUCLEAR PROJECT

Joint Letter Issued by Party Leaders Requests Reconvening General Assembly

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, and Minority Leader Nikki Setzler, D-Lexington, issued a joint letter to President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, requesting the General Assembly reconvene to consider a joint resolution halting new action on the V.C. Summer Project until the legislature has a chance to act during the 2018 session.

“As the Republican and Democratic Leaders of the Senate, we and the members of our caucuses are greatly concerned by the announcement earlier this week by SCANA and Santee Cooper that the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station of the project would be abandoned,” the letter states.

A copy of the full letter issued on August 4, 2017 is attached.

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Senate Passes Bill to Fix South Carolina Roads

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 26, 2017

Contact: Reagan Kelley

ReaganKelley@scsenate.gov

803-212-6332

SENATE PASSES H.3516, A BILL TO FIX SOUTH CAROLINA ROADS

The Three-pronged Bill Includes Increased Revenue, Agency Reforms and Reductions

COLUMBIA S.C. — Tonight at 10:52 p.m., the Senate gave a key second reading to House Bill 3516, commonly referred to as the roads bill. The bill, recognized as the most priority piece of legislation this year, cleared the important hurdle by a 33-10 vote.

The bill, as passed by the Senate, raises the state’s gasoline tax 2 cents over 6 years, 12 cents in total, in addition to other fees. The increased user fee will provide approximately $800 million annually in new revenue to be sent to a newly created Maintenance Infrastructure Trust Fund fully designated to repairing existing state roads. Under competitive safeguards, at no point may South Carolina’s gasoline tax be higher than border states North Carolina and Georgia.

Senate Republicans successfully added stronger reforms to the Department of Transportation to ensure the agency will operate more efficiently and be more accountable to the taxpayers. The bill provides the governor the authority to remove the Commissioners at will, and adds an additional ninth Commissioner at-large to be appointed by the governor with advice and consent of the Senate.

The Senate plan protects taxpayers by allowing South Carolina residents to receive a tax credit applied to vehicle maintenance based on the amount of gasoline used throughout a year.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said, “from day one, fixing South Carolina’s roads and bridges was our top priority. I am pleased the Senate acted in a way that provides long-term funding, protects taxpayers and ensures that SCDOT will operate more efficiently and be held more accountable.”

“It has long been clear to me that the most appropriate and fiscally responsible solution to South Carolina’s road crisis must include sustained and dedicated funding to roads, reforms to inequitable areas of our tax system and reforms to the SCDOT that ensure efficiency and accountability. All three components were included in the plan that passed the Senate tonight. Because of that, we can now begin to fix our roads,” Senator Sean Bennett said.

“The Senate passed a bill tonight that will fix our roads, repair our broken DOT structure and do it in a way that is responsible to the S.C. taxpayer,” Senator Larry Grooms said.

“We’ve recognized from the beginning of this year’s session that solving South Carolina’s infrastructure and providing long-term funding to the SCDOT is paramount,” Senator Greg Hembree said. “The debate on how to best improve our state’s roads received extensive, substantive debate often into late hours of the night. These thorough debates over how to best solve one of the state’s most pressing issues is what the democratic process is about.”
The bill now heads to the House for consideration of added amendments. The House may concur with the Senate amendments and send the bill to the governor’s desk, or non-concur with amendments and send the bill to a Conference Committee consisting of three House members and three Senators to form the final bill to receive a vote.

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