Rep. Tommy Pope

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-250, RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION ALLOWED FOR PERSONS WHO ARE OVER THE AGE OF SIXTY-FIVE YEARS, DISABLED, OR LEGALLY BLIND, SO AS TO INCREASE THE EXEMPTION AMOUNT FROM THE FIRST FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE FIRST ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS OF THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE HOMESTEAD; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 12-37-245 RELATING TO AN OBSOLETE REFERENCE TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

Maddy summaryH 4710 amends South Carolina's animal cruelty law (Section 47-1-40) by adding 17 specific exemptions to the general prohibition. The bill clarifies that activities like standard farm animal husbandry, veterinary care, agricultural practices (including dehorning cattle), wildlife management, scientific research, dog training for hunting, and pest control by licensed professionals will not be considered animal cruelty under this law. It directly affects farmers, veterinarians, researchers, wildlife managers, and others engaged in the listed activities. The bill does not change the core prohibition against animal cruelty but defines clear exceptions for common agricultural, scientific, and recreational practices. The bill is pending in the House Agriculture Committee as of January 2026.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-1-325 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO CREATE A DIVISION OF WOMEN'S HEALTH TO RAISE AWARENESS OF HEALTH ISSUES SPECIFIC TO WOMEN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-710, RELATING TO PROBABLE CAUSE HEARINGS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO BEGIN FACILITATING VISITATION BETWEEN THE PARENT AND THE CHILD FOLLOWING THE PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING IF THE CHILD IS PLACED OUTSIDE OF THE HOME AT THE PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING, WITH EXCEPTIONS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 63-7-1680, RELATING TO PLACEMENT PLANS, SO AS TO ADDRESS THE APPROPRIATENESS OF SUPERVISED OR MONITORED VISITATION AFTER A CERTAIN TIME.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ADOPT THE MAJOR RICHARD STAR ACT TO ALLOW ALL MEDICALLY RETIRED SERVICE MEMBERS TO RECEIVE FULL ACCESS TO THEIR RETIREMENT PAY AND BENEFITS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 40-59-255 SO AS TO REQUIRE RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS AND RESIDENTIAL SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS TO HOLD CLIENT FUNDS IN ESCROW OR TRUST ACCOUNTS, TO ESTABLISH RELATED RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS, TO PROHIBIT COMMINGLING, TO PROVIDE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 38-77-720, RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY CLAIMS ARBITRATION FEES AND ARBITRATOR COMPENSATION, SO AS TO INCREASE FEES AND COMPENSATION; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-77-730, RELATING TO ARBITRATION CLAIM FILINGS, SO AS TO REVISE FILING REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-77-740, RELATING TO ARBITRATION CLAIM HEARINGS, SO AS TO PROVIDE ARBITRATORS MAY AWARD REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS TO THE PREVAILING PARTY; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 38-77-770, RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO A DE NOVO APPEAL OF ARBITRATOR DECISIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE ARBITRATOR DECISIONS ARE ADMISSIBLE AS SUBSTANTIVE EVIDENCE OF LIABILITY, DAMAGES, OR BOTH.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-1960, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT PARKING PLACARDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT PLACARDS MAY BE ISSUED TO EXPECTANT MOTHERS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-3-20, RELATING TO THE PUNISHMENT FOR MURDER AND THE SEPARATE SENTENCING PROCEEDING WHEN THE DEATH PENALTY IS SOUGHT, SO AS TO ADD THAT PREMEDITATED MURDER IS AN AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE FOR WHICH THE DEATH PENALTY MAY BE SOUGHT.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-1910, RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MAY ISSUE HANDICAPPED LICENSE PLATES TO AUTISTIC PERSONS.