Sen. Billy Garrett

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "FREE TO SPEAK ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-505 SO AS TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES FROM KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY ADDRESSING AN UNEMANCIPATED MINOR WHO IS A STUDENT AT THE SCHOOL WHERE THE EMPLOYEE IS EMPLOYED BY A PRONOUN OR TITLE THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE STUDENT'S SEX WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF A STUDENT'S PARENT OR GUARDIAN, AND TO PROTECT PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES FROM ADVERSE EMPLOYMENT ACTION FOR DECLINING TO ADDRESS A STUDENT USING A PRONOUN THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE STUDENT'S SEX, FOR DECLINING TO IDENTIFY HIS PRONOUNS, AND FOR OTHER REASONS, AND TO REQUIRE THE GOVERNING BODY OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ADOPT POLICIES CONSISTENT WITH THIS CODE SECTION; AND BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-680 SO AS TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING EMPLOYEES FROM KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY ADDRESSING AN UNEMANCIPATED MINOR WHO IS A STUDENT AT THE SCHOOL WHERE THE EMPLOYEE IS EMPLOYED BY A PRONOUN OR TITLE THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE STUDENT'S SEX, AND TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING FROM ADVERSE EMPLOYMENT ACTION FOR DECLINING TO ADDRESS A STUDENT USING A PRONOUN THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE STUDENT'S SEX, FOR DECLINING TO IDENTIFY HIS PRONOUNS, AND FOR OTHER REASONS, AND TO REQUIRE THE GOVERNING BODY OF EACH PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING TO ADOPT POLICIES CONSISTENT WITH THIS CODE SECTION.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 1-7-920, RELATING TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION ON PROSECUTION COORDINATION, SO AS TO ADD THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE TERM FOR WHICH HE IS ELECTED OR HIS DESIGNEE TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION AND MAKE A TECHNICAL CHANGE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 24-3-550, RELATING TO WITNESSES AT EXECUTIONS, SO AS TO ADD THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR HIS DESIGNEE TO THE LIST OF PERSONS WHO MAY BE PRESENT AS WITNESSES TO EXECUTIONS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 7-5-200 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY ELECTORS REGISTERED AS AFFILIATED WITH A CERTIFIED POLITICAL PARTY OR AS UNAFFILIATED FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME MAY PARTICIPATE IN A PARTISAN PRIMARY OR ADVISORY REFERENDUM HELD BY THAT PARTY, AND TO ESTABLISH PROCESSES BY WHICH ELECTORS REGISTER OR BECOME REGISTERED AS AFFILIATED WITH A POLITICAL PARTY, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 7-5-170 AND 7-5-185, RELATING TO APPLICATIONS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION, SO AS TO INCLUDE INFORMATION REGARDING AN APPLICANT'S POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-11-15, RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS TO RUN AS A CANDIDATE IN GENERAL ELECTIONS, SO AS TO SHORTEN THE CANDIDATE FILING PERIOD; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-11-210, RELATING TO FILING OF PARTY PLEDGES BY CANDIDATES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DATE BY WHICH A PARTY PLEDGE MUST BE FILED; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 7-13-40, RELATING TO THE CERTIFICATION OF NAMES BY A POLITICAL PARTY TO BE PLACED ON PRIMARY BALLOTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY PERSONS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN A POLITICAL PARTY'S RECENT STATEWIDE PRIMARIES AND ARE REGISTERED AS AFFILIATED WITH THE PARTY FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPEAR ON THE BALLOT FOR THAT PARTY'S PARTISAN PRIMARY UNLESS THE PARTY HAS TAKEN ACTION TO WAIVE THESE REQUIREMENTS.

A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND FORMER SENATOR ROBERT FORD FOR DECADES OF SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF CHARLESTON COUNTY AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO FIX NOON ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2025, AS THE TIME TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, SEAT 2, UPON HER ELECTION TO THE SUPREME COURT, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THAT OFFICE WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2029; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, SEAT 3, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, SEAT 4, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THAT OFFICE WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2030; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, UPON HER APPOINTMENT TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL SERVE A NEW TERM OF THAT OFFICE WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2031; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THAT OFFICE WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2030; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, UPON HIS RETIREMENT ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2025, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THAT OFFICE WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2030; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, UPON HIS RETIREMENT ON FEBRUARY 14, 2025, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THAT OFFICE WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2028; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, AT-LARGE, SEAT 7, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THAT OFFICE WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2027; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, AT-LARGE, SEAT 14, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, AT-LARGE, SEAT 15, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, AT-LARGE, SEAT 16, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, UPON HER RETIREMENT ON APRIL 30, 2025, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THAT OFFICE WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2028; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, UPON HIS RETIREMENT ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2025, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THAT OFFICE, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2028; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 3, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, UPON HER RETIREMENT ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 2025, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL FILL A NEW TERM OF THAT OFFICE WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2031; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 3, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, UPON HIS ELECTION TO THE COURT OF APPEALS, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL FILL A NEW TERM OF THAT OFFICE WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2031; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 3, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 4, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 3, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 3, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 6, UPON HER ELECTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THAT OFFICE WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2028; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, AT-LARGE, SEAT 1, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, AT-LARGE, SEAT 2, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, AT-LARGE, SEAT 3, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, AT-LARGE, SEAT 4, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, AT-LARGE, SEAT 5, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, AT-LARGE, SEAT 6, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT, SEAT 2, UPON HIS ELECTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT, AND THE SUCCESSOR WILL FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THAT OFFICE WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2027; AND TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT, SEAT 3, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 2025.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND RYAN LOVETTE FOR HIS FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER AND THIRTY-NINE YEARS OF PAID SERVICE WITH THE GREENWOOD CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 1-7-920, RELATING TO COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP, SO AS TO RECONFIGURE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION AND TO ADD THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS A NON-VOTING ADVISORY MEMBER; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-7-940, RELATING TO DUTIES, SO AS TO CLARIFY THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 24-3-550, RELATING TO WITNESSES AT A STATE EXECUTION, SO AS TO ADD THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR HIS DESIGNEE TO THOSE WHO MAY BE PRESENT AT A STATE EXECUTION.

A SENATE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF CHARLES "MARSHALL" CAIN AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MAKE APPLICATION BY THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION FOR A CONVENTION OF THE STATES TO BE CALLED, RESTRICTED TO PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION TO IMPOSE FISCAL RESTRAINTS ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 10, TITLE 59, SO AS TO CREATE THE SCHOOL CHAPLAIN PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CHARTER SCHOOL, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PARAMETERS OF THE PROGRAM, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE QUALIFICATIONS OF SCHOOL CHAPLAINS.