The 2024 legislative session will begin Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. As we look to the beginning of the session, there are several bills I will be monitoring as the session moves forward. Before we dive into some of the bills that will be considered, we need to be aware of pertinent issues affecting the environment of the 2024 legislative session. The overriding issue that will influence many actions taken by the South Carolina Legislature is that 2024 is an election year where all 170 members (124 House members and 46 Senators) will be up for reelection. Bills considered to be controversial will find a more difficult path, and bills that are more readily accepted will likely find an expedited path through both chambers. Other issues that may affect the session include the possibility of an expanded war in the Middle East or in Europe should the Russia/Ukrainian war persist.
The ongoing dispute between the Freedom Caucus and the rest of the GOP members of the Legislature might also affect the speed and/or favorability of some legislation in 2024. Hopefully, the differences will be worked out by the time the session begins and this will no longer be a factor. At least two members of the Senate have indicated they will not seek reelection, which may result in some House members running for those seats that will be available. Also, there are House members who may challenge current members of the Senate in the primary that will take place in June. South Carolina has the first in the south presidential primary scheduled for Feb. 24. Multiple visits by Republican candidates could mean time and energy taken away from policymaking and poured into politics at the beginning of the session, slowing down the legislative process.
Here are several bills that are expected to be debated:
S627 Gender Identity — The bill would prohibit the provision of gender transition procedures to a person under 18 years of age and prohibit the use of public funds for gender transition procedures. It would also provide penalties and prohibit school staff officials from withholding knowledge of a minor’s perception of their gender from the minor’s parents. The bill will begin the session in the Senate Committee on Medical Affairs.
H3424 Child Online Safety Act — This bill would provide that it is unlawful for an operator to make a pornographic website available to persons under the age of 18, to provide that the Attorney General shall create certain procedures and to provide for a private right of action. In other words, pornographic websites would be required to make sure they are not allowing minors to enter their sites. Violators would be subject to stiff penalties and open to civil action. Additionally, a bill has been pre-filed that would require a safety device to protect minors from accessing pornographic websites.
H3616 Defense of Children’s Innocence Act — A bill to prohibit a state agency, political subdivision, and any entity that it supported in whole or in part by public funds to host or provide a drag show. The bill also prohibits minors from viewing drag show performances. It is currently awaiting action in the House Judiciary Committee.
H4535 Safety in Private Spaces Act — An entity that maintains a water closet or changing facility must have facilities for the exclusive use of males and facilities for the exclusive use of females or a unisex facility, to provide exceptions and to provide reporting requirements. This bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.
Other bills that relate to resolutions passed by the South Carolina Baptist Convention include bills calling for judiciary reform, bills that would require reform and improvement of the adoption and foster care system in South Carolina, parental rights bills, bills that would prohibit the teaching of CRT in any form, and several bills that would offer further protections for life in the womb. Bills that would legalize so-called “medical marijuana” and authorize parimutuel betting on horse racing will be considered early in the session. I will be working with other conservative groups to prevent these bills and others like them from becoming law.
To stay up-to-date on legislation working its way through the South Carolina Assembly, go to scbaptist.org, click on the “about” tab and select Public Policy. Scroll down and click on the “subscribe to our newsletter” tab to sign up for the monthly newsletter and Action Alerts. You can also go to scstatehouse.gov or download the South Carolina Legislature app from the app store to track legislation, communicate with your legislator, and watch live or recorded debate in the House or Senate. Pray daily for the members of our Legislature, that God will give them the wisdom to stand for laws that defend life and liberty and to oppose laws that undermine the teaching of Scripture. Palmetto Family is sponsoring a time of prayer at the Statehouse on Friday, Jan. 5 at 4 p.m. We will be allowed on the floor of the House and Senate to pray over the desks of our legislators. Please join us for this special time of prayer.