Sen. Thomas Alexander

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (S 676) formally congratulates Willie Jeffries for winning the 2024 Maxwell HBCU Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to Historically Black College and University (HBCU) football. It does not create any new policy or affect any laws, as it is purely a ceremonial gesture. The resolution acknowledges Jeffries’ career as a pioneering HBCU football coach, including his leadership at South Carolina State University and other HBCU programs. It was introduced and adopted by the South Carolina Senate on May 28, 2025, with a copy to be presented to Jeffries.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-80 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF FENTANYL-INDUCED HOMICIDE, TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS, TO PROHIBIT AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE, AND TO PROVIDE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH PERSONS SHALL NOT BE PROSECUTED UNDER THIS SECTION; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-1-10, RELATING TO A LIST OF EXCEPTIONS FOR FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS, SO AS TO ADD FENTANYL-INDUCED HOMICIDE. - RATIFIED TITLE

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-40, RELATING TO APPLICATION OF FEDERAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE TO STATE TAX LAWS, SO AS TO UPDATE THE REFERENCE TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE TO THE YEAR 2024, AND TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTIONS ADOPTED BY THIS STATE ARE EXTENDED, THEN THESE SECTIONS ALSO ARE EXTENDED FOR SOUTH CAROLINA INCOME TAX PURPOSES. - RATIFIED TITLE

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 16-15-390 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF OBSCENE VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, DEFINE TERMS, AND ESTABLISH PENALTIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 23-3-430, RELATING TO THE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY, SO AS TO ADD THE OFFENSE OF OBSCENE VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE TO THE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 23-3-462, RELATING TO TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES. - RATIFIED TITLE

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-375, RELATING TO THE DEFINITIONS PERTAINING TO THE DISSEMINATION OF HARMFUL MATERIAL TO MINORS, SO AS TO DEFINE "IDENTIFIABLE MINOR" AND "MORPHED IMAGE"; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-395, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF FIRST DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF MINORS, SO AS TO INCLUDE MORPHED IMAGES OF IDENTIFIABLE MINORS; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-405, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF SECOND DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF MINORS, SO AS TO INCLUDE MORPHED IMAGES OF IDENTIFIABLE MINORS; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-410, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF THIRD DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF MINORS, SO AS TO INCLUDE MORPHED IMAGES OF IDENTIFIABLE MINORS; BY ADDING SECTION 16-15-412 SO AS TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR ARREST WARRANTS WHEN THE OFFENSE INCLUDES MORPHED IMAGES OF IDENTIFIABLE MINORS; BY AMENDING SECTION 23-3-430, RELATING TO THE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY, SO AS TO INCLUDE THOSE GUILTY OF CRIMINAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF MINORS IN THE FIRST, SECOND, OR THIRD DEGREE ON THE APPROPRIATE TIERS OF THE REGISTRY; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 23-3-462, RELATING TO TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES. - RATIFIED TITLE

Maddy summarySenate Resolution S 671 recognizes and honors Mark Thompson for his leadership as the executive director of the Walhalla Performing Arts Center. This resolution acknowledges his service and contributions to the center and the Oconee community.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution S 670 recognizes and honors gospel music star Jason Crabb for his professional accomplishments in music and his example of faith. This resolution acknowledges his career achievements and contributions.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 12 TO TITLE 44 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COMPRISED OF THE OFFICE OF INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, AND THE OFFICE OF SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEPARTMENT'S POWERS, DUTIES, AND AUTHORITY; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-30-10, RELATING TO DEPARTMENTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT, SO AS TO ADD THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND TO REMOVE THE DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH; BY AMENDING SECTION 8-17-370, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM THE STATE EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE, SO AS TO EXEMPT THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND CERTAIN OTHER DEPARTMENT STAFF FROM THE STATE EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, AND 44-20-255, ALL RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES TO INCLUDE DEFINITION REVISIONS, ELIMINATION OF THE DEPARTMENT'S COMMISSION, RENAMING THE DEPARTMENT AS THE OFFICE OF INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND REASSIGNMENT OF THE COMMISSION'S DUTIES; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 44-49-10 AND 44-49-20, BOTH RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE SERVICES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES BY RENAMING THE DEPARTMENT AS THE OFFICE OF SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 44-9-10, 44-9-20, AND 44-9-30, ALL RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES TO INCLUDE RENAMING THE DEPARTMENT AS THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, ESTABLISHING QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, AND ELIMINATING THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH'S COMMISSION AND REASSIGNING THE COMMISSION'S DUTIES; BY ADDING SECTION 1-30-150 SO AS TO REQUIRE CERTAIN STATE AGENCIES TO DEVELOP AND EXECUTE A PLAN TO ENSURE SERVICES AND SUPPORT ARE PROVIDED, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE, TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE COMMUNITY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ADMINISTRATOR OF COMMUNITY LIVING INTEGRATION AND A HEALTH PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-21-80, RELATING TO REGIONAL TERTIARY LEVEL DEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATION CENTERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT THE CENTERS PROVIDE NEURODEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATION AND LIMITED TREATMENT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS UP TO TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE WHO HAVE CERTAIN SUSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS; BY REPEALING SECTIONS 44-9-40 AND 44-9-50 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALH; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. - RATIFIED TITLE

A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE SENECA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE SENECA COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution recognizes the Historic Ballenger House in Seneca, South Carolina, upon the occasion of its one hundredth anniversary. It formally congratulates the Ballenger House and the Seneca Women's Club, which maintains the property, for their dedication to the community.