reform Archives - SC Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Republicans Deliver Real Relief for Small Businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2025

SENATE REPUBLICANS DELIVER REAL RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Thursday, Republican Senators delivered a major victory for small businesses and passed a bill to fix South Carolina’s broken lawsuit system, despite anti-business pushback from the Left and Democrats.

“For too long, unfair tort laws have hurt our State’s small businesses and families,” said Senate President Thomas Alexander. “Senate Bill 244 delivers the real reform South Carolinians are asking for, brings fairness back to our civil justice system, and keeps our State competitive.”

S. 244 closes a loophole in current law that forces businesses like trucking and logging companies, restaurants, and others to pay for someone else’s wrongdoing if those businesses contributed just 1% of fault.

“Senate Republicans worked hard to fix South Carolina’s lawsuit system,” said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, author of the legislation. “It’s common sense that you should pay for the damage you cause, but not for the damage somebody else causes. We hope the House will take up this comprehensive bill immediately.”

Nearly 88% of Republican voters support tort reform, and earlier this month, hundreds of hardworking South Carolinians swarmed the Statehouse to rally with Senators and the Governor for tort reform legislation.

Senate bill 244 protects bars and restaurants from unfair lawsuits, requires alcohol server training, reduces liquor liability insurance requirements, closes loopholes that threaten homebuilders and healthcare workers, and incorporates free-market reforms to drive down skyrocketing insurance rates.

Thanks to Republican leadership, South Carolina remains open for business.

###

PRESS RELEASE: The Senate Delivers on Judicial Selection Reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2024

THE SENATE DELIVERS ON JUDICIAL SELECTION REFORM

COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Thursday, the South Carolina Senate approved bipartisan judicial selection reform measures to increase public confidence and prioritize transparency in the selection of state judges.

“S. 1046 gives the Governor a meaningful role in the selection of judges, requires all public hearings to be livestreamed, limits Judicial Merit Selection Commission members to nonconsecutive terms, and reduces the ability of the JMSC to manipulate results,” said Senator Wes Climer. “These are wins for South Carolina.”

Also included in the bill is a provision to require candidates to be elected by a majority vote in both the House and the Senate, instead of a simple majority of all legislators. This measure will improve representation and prevent judges from being elected without a single Senate vote.

Senator Luke Rankin, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, added: “Increasing transparency in the selection of judges will instill greater confidence in the process. I am pleased with this bipartisan legislation to fix what is broken and what is perceived to be broken in the screening of judicial candidates.”

Senate Bill 1046 is expected to receive a third reading in the Senate on Tuesday.

###

PRESS RELEASE: Senate Republicans Pass Landmark Health Agency Reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 21, 2024

SENATE REPUBLICANS PASS LANDMARK HEALTH AGENCY REFORM

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, the Senate gave third reading to S. 915, a bill to consolidate existing state health agencies into the new, cabinet-level Executive Office of Health and Policy. The legislation by Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler, Senate President Thomas Alexander, and others, enacts sweeping reforms of an ineffective system of health bureaucracy and brings real, tangible benefits to South Carolina taxpayers.

“I am pleased that the healthcare reorganization bill passed the Senate today,” said Senate President Thomas Alexander. “This legislation will give citizens a more accountable, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of medical services. I hope the bill moves quickly to the Governor’s desk so these reforms can become a reality.”

The bill prioritizes accountability by placing the Secretary of Health and Policy under the authority of the Governor instead of unelected board members.

Senator Tom Davis, chairman of the Medical Affairs subcommittee that received testimony on the bill, added: “An analysis of all fifty states revealed that South Carolina has the most fragmented healthcare delivery system in the nation, and predictably, poor health outcomes. Today, however, the South Carolina Senate passed a bill to consolidate six independent, overlapping, and inefficient health agencies and create a delivery system that is responsive, effective, and accountable.”

S. 915 is the culmination of years of hard work and the third major healthcare reform bill to pass out of the upper chamber this legislative session, following landmark bills to repeal Certificate of Need and split DHEC.

###

PRESS RELEASE: SC Senate Votes to End Catch and Release of Violent Criminals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2023

SC SENATE VOTES TO END CATCH AND RELEASE OF VIOLENT CRIMINALS

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, the South Carolina Senate unanimously adopted H. 3532, a bill to reform the State’s broken bond system and keep dangerous criminals behind bars.

South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said bond reform is a top priority for Senate Republicans this legislative session. “We heard from our constituents, and they’re fed up with the revolving door of our justice system. We intend to close that door,” Leader Massey said.

The bill cracks down on criminal defendants who commit violent crimes while on bond by revoking the initial bond and requiring judges to consider the prior charges and bond status of the defendant in future hearings.

Senator Greg Hembree, former 15^th Circuit Solicitor, added: “Today the Senate built upon the great work of the Speaker of the House and his colleagues by passing H. 3532. This bond reform bill addresses the dangerous catch and release of violent criminals through higher bonds and revocation of bond. This bill will make South Carolina safer.”

Too often, dangerous criminals are arrested, booked, and released on bond, only to be stopped again for committing another violent crime.

No more.

Senate Republicans are committed to keeping South Carolina safe. Safe communities enable citizens to work and thrive. Safe beaches allow families to rest and relax.

The bill returns to the House for approval, then to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

###