Senate Bills - January 31, 2025

S. 264 (Sens. Peeler, Climer, Ott, Johnson and Kimbrell) — Adds Section 12-37-160 to state that, despite any other laws, real property on which farm buildings or agricultural structures are—if those structures are exempt from taxation under Section 12-37-220(B)(14)—or any real property assessed under Section 12-43-220(d), as well as any adjacent real property owned directly or indirectly in common with the exempt property, cannot be annexed by a municipality without the express written consent of the property owner.

S. 268 (Sen. Bennett) — Adds Chapter 80 to Title 39 and establishes that covered online services must exercise caution in handling a minor's personal data. It requires these services to be designed and implemented in a way that minimizes potential harm to minors. Additionally, necessary terms related to these provisions are defined within the chapter.

S. 269 (Sens. Turner and Elliott) — Adds Section 59-19-275 to stipulate that public school districts with more than 15,000 students may employ security personnel licensed as a proprietary security business.

S. 271 (Sens. Alexander, Rankin and Hutto) — Suspends the provision in Section 58-3-20(C) that prevents the General Assembly from holding an election until the courts make a final determination regarding their review of congressional districts for the 126th General Assembly.

S. 274 (Sen. Massey) — Amends Section 41-35-40, which pertains to the weekly unemployment benefit amount. It sets the maximum weekly benefit amount at $350 and removes the requirement for this maximum benefit amount to be published on the Department of Employment and Workforce website.

S. 278 (Sen. Massey) — Amends Section 1-11-10, which pertains to the Department of Administration, by transferring the Procurement Services Division to this agency. It also amends Section 1-11-20, regarding the transfer of offices, divisions, and other agencies from the State Budget and Control Board to appropriate entities, specifically removing the Procurement Services Division from the State Fiscal Affairs Authority. Additionally, it makes conforming changes to the South Carolina Procurement Code by amending Section 11-35-310.

S. 280 (Sen. Massey) — Amends Section 56-5-6540, which pertains to the admissibility of evidence regarding negligence in civil actions related to the use of safety belts. The bill removes the provision stating that a violation of certain safety belt regulations is not considered negligence per se or contributory negligence. Additionally, it eliminates the provision that such violations cannot be admitted as evidence in civil actions.

S. 281 (Sen. Massey) — Modifies Section 59-29-120(B), requiring public schools in the state to provide a minimum of one hour of instruction on Nov. 11, focusing on the history and significance of Veterans Day.

S. 282 (Sen. Zell) — Outlines that members of the Clarendon County Aeronautics Commission will be appointed by the Governor, based on recommendations from the Clarendon County Legislative Delegation.

S. 286 (Sens. Johnson, Turner and Rankin) — This bill amends Section 42-15-90 pertaining to the fees of attorneys, physicians, and approved hospital charges set by the Workers' Compensation Commission by allowing the Commission to establish medical fee schedules and requiring the Commission to review these fee schedules annually and, when necessary, to consider factors such as the medical consumer price index and the fee schedules of other states within the region.

S. 288 (Sen. Johnson) — This bill adds Section 6-29-725, which permits the transfer of development rights between different landowners. It outlines the necessary contents of an ordinance to regulate these transfers and enables two or more local governing bodies to collaborate in establishing a transfer of rights program.

S. 291 (Sens. Peeler, Alexander and Bennett) — This joint resolution allows for the continued authority to cover state government expenses if the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year begins without an enacted General Appropriations Act and specifies exceptions.

S. 292 (Sens. Alexander, Peeler, Martin, Massey and Rankin) — This concurrent resolution provides that, according to Section 9, Article III of the South Carolina Constitution, when the respective houses of the General Assembly adjourn on Thursday, May 8, 2025, no later than 5:00 p.m., each house will enter a recess. This recess will be subject to the call of the President of the Senate for the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the House of Representatives at times they deem appropriate for their bodies to meet and discuss specific matters. Additionally, it states that when the respective houses of the General Assembly adjourn no later than Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, the General Assembly will stand adjourned sine die.

S. 297 (Sen. Turner) — This bill proposes amendments to sections 9-1-1085 and 9-11-225, which pertain to employer and employee contribution rates under the South Carolina Retirement System and the Police Officers Retirement System, respectively. The bill allows employers to elect to pay all or a portion of the required employee contributions on before July 1. Once an employer makes an election, it cannot be changed during a fiscal year.

S. 298 (Sen. Grooms) — Amends Section 4-10-330, which relates to the contents of ballot questions and the use of capital project sales tax proceeds, to include workforce housing as an allowable type of project.

S. 299 (Sens. Gambrell and Verdin) — Amends Section 44-17-410 regarding emergency admissions of individuals to a mental health treatment facility upon the issuance of a certificate by a physician, and it requires them to be transported to the facility by law enforcement, a private transport service, or a friend or relative under certain circumstances. It extends the validity of the required certificate, which normally expires three days after it is issued, in the event that safe transportation is unavailable due to a natural disaster or other life-threatening conditions. It also provides civil immunity to a law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, private transport service, or certifying physician as long as they are acting within the scope of their duties.

S. 300 (Sens. Tedder) — This bill adds Article 2 to Chapter 31, Title 23 to mandate national instant criminal background checks before any sale, exchange, or transfer of firearms in this state. This bill also establishes procedures for conducting these background checks, requires national instant criminal background checks at gun shows and outlines the procedures for such checks. Furthermore, it exempts records generated from these checks from disclosure as public records under the Freedom of Information Act and establishes penalties for violations of this article.