A SENATE RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAGIC EXPLOSION OF THE CHALLENGER SPACE SHUTTLE, AND TO RECOGNIZE OCTOBER 21, 2026, AS "RONALD MCNAIR DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 17-1-65, RELATING TO THE EXPUNGEMENT OF CONVICTIONS FOR THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HANDGUNS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE MUST DISMISS AND EXPUNGE CERTAIN PENDING UNLAWFUL HANDGUN POSSESSION CHARGES THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY/SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT OF 2024, AND TO PROVIDE THE DISMISSAL OF THESE CHARGES MAY NOT SERVE AS A BASIS OR SUPPORT FOR CIVIL ACTIONS DUE TO THE ARREST. - RATIFIED TITLE
A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA ON THE OCCASION OF ITS TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY, AND THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SYSTEM, FOR ITS MANY AND SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND CIVIC LIFE OF OUR CITIZENS AND TO DECLARE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026, "CAROLINA DAY-225 YEARS OF SERVICE" AT THE STATE HOUSE.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "FAMILY PROTECTION ACT" BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-3632, RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, SO AS TO ALLOW AN ADDITIONAL REFUNDABLE CREDIT; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-3380, RELATING TO THE TAX CREDIT FOR CHILD AND DEPENDENT CARE EXPENSES, SO AS TO ALLOW FOR AN ALTERNATIVE CREDIT; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-36-2120, RELATING TO SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN ITEMS RELATED TO CHILDBIRTH; BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3715 SO AS TO CREATE A TAX CREDIT FOR EMPLOYING CERTAIN NONVIOLENT EX-FELONS; BY ADDING SECTIONS 12-6-3835, 12-6-3840, 12-6-3845, 12-6-3850, 12-6-3855, 12-6-3860, AND 12-6-3865 SO AS TO PROVIDE TAX CREDITS FOR LIVING IN A HOUSEHOLD WHERE ONE ACTIVE DUTY FAMILY MEMBER IS DEPLOYED, FOR VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES, FOR HIRING CERTAIN VETERANS, FOR EMPLOYERS VOLUNTARILY PROVIDING CERTAIN FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE, FOR EMPLOYERS PROVIDING CHILDCARE, FOR LIVING OR EMPLOYING PERSONS IN A COUNTY WITH A COMMUNITY JOBS PRIORITY ZONE, AND FOR UNPAID PRIMARY CAREGIVERS; BY ADDING SECTION 12-4-400 SO AS TO CREATE A SINGLE STATEWIDE WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT PORTAL; BY ADDING SECTION 41-29-320 SO AS TO CREATE THE "WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY GRANT PROGRAM"; BY ADDING SECTION 27-40-795 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN WRITTEN NOTICE REQUIREMENTS IN RENTAL INCREASES; BY ADDING SECTION 6-1-200 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY MAY ESTABLISH A VOLUNTARY RENT STABILITY PROGRAM; BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3830 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A STATE TAX CREDIT EQUAL TO THE FEDERAL LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT; BY ADDING SECTION 31-13-100 SO AS TO CREATE THE "COMMUNITY HOUSING GROWTH INCENTIVES FUND"; BY ADDING CHAPTER 36 TO TITLE 1 SO AS ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF FAMILY PROTECTION WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT AND PROTECT FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS BY IMPROVING EFFICIENCY, ELIMINATING DUPLICATION, AND MAXIMIZING THE USE OF FEDERAL AND PRIVATE RESOURCES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFICE'S DUTIES AND AUTHORITY, TO CREATE THE FAMILY PROTECTION ADVISORY AND ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD AS AN ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE OFFICE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; BY ADDING ARTICLE 9 TO CHAPTER 15, TITLE 2 SO AS TO CREATE THE "JOINT CITIZENS AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY" TO SERVE AS AN ADVISORY BODY TO STUDY PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS AND TO MAKE RELATED RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE STATE EXPENDITURES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMMITTEE'S MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES, TO REQUIRE THE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STAFF THE COMMITTEE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; BY ADDING SECTION 44-6-42 SO AS TO GIVE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THE AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE SUPPLEMENTAL REBATES AND BULK-PURCHASING AGREEMENTS WITH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, TO ESTABLISH A PREFERRED DRUG LIST, AND TO DEVELOP A STATE PHARMACY CARD FOR UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED RESIDENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-364 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO COORDINATE A PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY; BY ADDING ARTICLE 7 TO CHAPTER 35, TITLE 43 SO AS TO ESTABLISH AN UNPAID PRIMARY CAREGIVER REGISTRY AND IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, TO ENTITLE ELIGIBLE CAREGIVERS TO CERTAIN FINANCIAL BENEFITS AND SERVICES, TO ESTABLISH A PRIMARY CAREGIVER GRANT FUND AND PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME PRIMARY CAREGIVERS, TO ESTABLISH A CAREGIVER RESPITE SERVICES PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT ON AGING TO OFFER RESPITE CARE FOR CAREGIVERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; AND BY ADDING SECTION 41-1-140 SO AS TO PROHIBIT EMPLOYERS FROM RETALIATING AGAINST EMPLOYEES WHO ARE UNPAID PRIMARY CAREGIVERS AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE UNPAID LEAVE FOR CAREGIVING EMERGENCIES.
A SENATE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND HONOR THOMAS STOWE "TOM" MULLIKIN, DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES; THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES; AND THE LEADERS AND PARTICIPANTS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA 7 EXPEDITION FOR THEIR VISIONARY PARTNERSHIP IN 2025, WHICH HAS SET A MODEL FOR CONSERVATION, EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT THAT BENEFITS THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THE NATION, AND THE WORLD.
A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE PAMELA J. BROUGHTON OF GREENVILLE COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AND TO HONOR HER FOR HER FORTY-ONE YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AT PRISMA HEALTH'S PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY CENTER.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA HUMANE DOG BREEDING ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 47-3-1100 SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS RELATED TO DOG BREEDING; BY ADDING SECTION 47-3-1110 SO AS TO REQUIRE A PROFESSIONAL DOG BREEDER TO BE LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, PRESCRIBE APPLICATION STANDARDS FOR A PROFESSIONAL DOG BREEDER LICENSE, AND ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE FOR THE INSPECTION OR REINSPECTION OF THE PREMISES, DOGS, AND RECORDS OF A PROFESSIONAL DOG BREEDER; BY ADDING SECTION 47-3-1120 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A LICENSE IS VALID FOR TWO YEARS, AND TO GRANT THE DIRECTOR THE AUTHORITY TO REFUSE TO ISSUE OR RENEW A LICENSE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; BY ADDING SECTION 47-3-1130 SO AS TO SET COMMERCIAL STANDARDS FOR A LICENSEE AND PRESCRIBE HOUSING FACILITY AND DAILY CARE REQUIREMENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 47-3-1140 SO AS TO SET RECORDKEEPING STANDARDS FOR A PROFESSIONAL DOG BREEDER; BY ADDING SECTION 47-3-1150 SO AS TO PROVIDE CONSUMER PROTECTIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 47-3-1160 SO AS TO PROVIDE A MECHANISM FOR SEIZURE OF DOGS KEPT IN VIOLATION OF THIS ACT; AND BY ADDING SECTION 47-3-1170 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.
A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE ACADEMIC MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS ON AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO HONOR THEM FOR WINNING THE SOUTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE CLASS AA GIRLS TENNIS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE AIKEN SCHOLARS ACADEMY IN AIKEN COUNTY FOR EARNING 2025 BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL HONORS AND FOR BEING NAMED IN THE TOP TEN HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE GAIL GINGREY FOR HER FIFTY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS A REALTOR IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
