Sen. Jason Elliott

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "HONOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT"; AND BY ADDING SECTION 1-11-735 SO AS TO PROVIDE STATE-FUNDED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE SURVIVING SPOUSES AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF FIRST RESPONDERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY; TO DEFINE ELIGIBLE FIRST RESPONDERS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATION, FUNDING, AND OPTIONAL CONTINUATION OF COVERAGE.

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 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 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.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING ARTICLE 11 OF CHAPTER 3, TITLE 47, RELATING TO TAUNTING, TORMENTING, INJURING, OR KILLING POLICE DOGS OR HORSES, SO AS TO EXPAND THE CONDUCT THAT RESULTS IN A VIOLATION, INCREASE THE PENALTIES, REQUIRE RESTITUTION TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY, AND MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 17-15-15, RELATING TO DEPOSIT OF CASH PERCENTAGE IN LIEU OF BOND; ASSIGNMENT OF DEPOSIT; RESTITUTION TO VICTIM, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IF A COURT FINDS THAT A DEFENDANT MAY BE RELEASED ON BOND WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH A VIOLENT OFFENSE OR ANY FELONY OFFENSE INVOLVING A FIREARM OR DRUGS, THE BOND MUST BE SET AT THE FULL UNITED STATES CASH CURRENCY BOND; BY AMENDING SECTION 17-15-30, RELATING TO MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING CONDITIONS OF RELEASE; CONTEMPT, SO AS TO INCLUDE IN THE CONSIDERATION OF A PERSON'S MENTAL CONDITION THE DIRECT OBSERVATIONS OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT CAUSE REASONABLE CONCERN WITH A PERSON'S MENTAL CONDITION AND TO ALLOW THE COURT TO INCLUDE IN THE BOND CONDITIONS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT TRANSPORT THE PERSON FOR AN EMERGENCY PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION OR THE PERSON IS REQUIRED TO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT UPON RELEASE.

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE SANTEE COOPER TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO SOLICIT PROPOSALS ON UTILIZING ASSETS ASSOCIATED WITH V.C. SUMMER UNITS 2 AND 3, AND FOR CONSIDERATIONS RELATED TO A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. - RATIFIED TITLE

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 40-37-35 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY MAY ISSUE RESTRICTED VOLUNTEER MEMBER LICENSES TO OPTOMETRISTS FROM OTHER STATES WHO MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA, AND TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUPERVISION, DURATION, AND REGULATION OF SUCH LICENSES, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-10, RELATING TO MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY, SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF OPTOMETRISTS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-30, RELATING TO LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY, SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT CONSTITUTE THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-40, RELATING TO POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE BOARD SHALL REQUIRE LICENSED OPTOMETRISTS TO MEET EDUCATIONAL AND COMPETENCE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-245, RELATING TO EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT, SO AS TO ALLOW EXAMINATION EQUIVALENTS AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-290, RELATING TO THE PURCHASING, PRESCRIBING, AND ADMINISTERING PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS BY OPTOMETRISTS, SO AS TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS AND LIMIT THE PERMISSIBLE USE OF SUCH MEDICATIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-310, RELATING TO REFERRALS FOR TREATMENT OF EYE DISEASES, SO AS TO REMOVE PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA AND PROVISION OF SURGERY; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-330, RELATING TO USE OF OPTOMETRISTS' SERVICES AUTHORIZED FOR AGENCY AND SCHOOL-REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE OPTOMETRISTS MAY PROVIDE VISION OR EYE CARE SERVICES AT A SCHOOL IF APPROVED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-37-420, RELATING TO PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING CERTAIN LICENSEES, SO AS TO DELETE THE EXISTING PROVISIONS, TO PROVIDE PERSONS LICENSED AS OPTOMETRISTS IN THIS STATE MAY CONTINUE PRACTICING UNDER CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS EXCEPT THAT SUCH PERSONS LICENSED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2013, MUST FULFILL CREDENTIALING REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM CERTAIN TREATMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-79-30, RELATING TO PROVISIONS LIMITING LIABILITY FOR VOLUNTEER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS UNDER MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE LAWS, SO AS TO REMOVE A PROVISION CONCERNING NOTICE REQUIREMENTS TO PATIENTS, AND TO INCLUDE OPTOMETRISTS AMONG THE VOLUNTEERS INCLUDED IN THESE PROVISIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-30-310, RELATING TO IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR FREE HEALTHCARE SERVICES, SO AS TO INCLUDE VOLUNTEER OPTOMETRISTS; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 40-37-300 RELATING TO ESTABLISHING PHARMACIES OR SELLING PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS, AND DISPENSING CONTACT LENSES.