Rep. Joe White

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA HANDS-FREE AND DISTRACTED DRIVING ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-3995 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE CIRCUMSTANCES UPON WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO USE WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES, TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF DISTRACTED DRIVING, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-720, RELATING TO THE POINT SYSTEM ESTABLISHED AND THE SCHEDULE OF POINTS FOR VIOLATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE OF DISTRACTED DRIVING IS A TWO-POINT VIOLATION; TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SHALL ERECT SIGNS ADVISING MOTORISTS OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; BY REPEALING SECTION 56-5-3890 RELATING TO OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE USING AN ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE; TO PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHALL ISSUE WARNINGS FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT DURING THE NINETY-DAY PERIOD FOLLOWING ITS EFFECTIVE DATE; AND TO PROVIDE AT THE END OF EACH FISCAL YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SHALL ISSUE A REPORT CONTAINING THE AGE, GENDER, AND RACE OF EVERY DRIVER ISSUED A CITATION.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CINDY K. FORE, THE UNION COUNTY VETERAN AFFAIRS SERVICE OFFICER, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-ONE YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE MIHAELA GUTU UPON BEING NAMED 2023-2024 GILBERT HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR, TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR HER DEDICATED SERVICE TO SOUTH CAROLINA'S YOUTH, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF CHASE WYATT NEWMAN OF LUGOFF AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 1-23-510, RELATING TO ELECTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THESE JUDGES ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; BY AMENDING SECTION 14-3-10, RELATING TO COMPOSITION OF THE SUPREME COURT AND ELECTION OF JUSTICES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE JUSTICES ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; BY AMENDING SECTION 14-5-610, RELATING TO ELECTION OF CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THESE JUDGES ARE ELECTED BY THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF EACH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OR FROM THE STATE AT LARGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 14-8-20, RELATING TO ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; BY AMENDING SECTION 22-1-10, RELATING TO APPOINTMENTS AND TERMS OF MAGISTRATES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT MAGISTRATES ARE ELECTED BY THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF EACH COUNTY; BY AMENDING SECTION 22-1-16, RELATING TO TRIAL OBSERVATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW MAGISTRATES WHO ARE NOT ATTORNEYS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 22-2-5, RELATING TO ELIGIBILITY EXAMINATIONS FOR MAGISTRATES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 22-2-40, RELATING TO THE NUMBER AND LOCATION OF MAGISTRATES IN COUNTIES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-3-30, RELATING TO FAMILY COURT JUDGES' QUALIFICATIONS AND TERMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THESE JUDGES ARE ELECTED BY THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF EACH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-3-40, RELATING TO INITIAL ELECTION OF FAMILY COURT JUDGES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; AND BY REPEALING CHAPTER 19 OF TITLE 2 RELATING TO THE JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION AND SECTIONS 22-1-30, 22-2-10, AND 22-2-15 ALL RELATING TO THE APPOINTMENT AND SELECTION OF MAGISTRATES.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR RAHEEM ROBINSON OF WHITTEMORE PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL IN CONWAY AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON BEING CHOSEN AS AN EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATOR BY CURRICULUM ASSOCIATES.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HEATHER LEVINE OF GREEN SEA FLOYDS HIGH SCHOOL IN HORRY COUNTY AND TO CONGRATULATE HER UPON BEING CHOSEN AS AN EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATOR BY CURRICULUM ASSOCIATES.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE MINNIE LEE BLATHERS GEORGE ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF BETTY BARBARA SINGLETARY LITTLE OF COLUMBIA, TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "FIRST RESPONDERS PROTECTION ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 8-1-200 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN INJURED FIRST RESPONDERS MUST BE PAID BY THE EMPLOYER ON THE SAME BASIS AS BEFORE THE INJURY.