Summer 2025 Highlights from the SCHRC

Fellow South Carolinians,

Although the legislative session has adjourned until January, our work for the people of South Carolina hasn’t stopped.

From hosting town halls and attending community events to preparing for the year ahead, members of the SC House Republican Caucus have stayed active this summer—meeting with constituents, advancing key issues through ad hoc committees, and making sure the laws we passed earlier this year are implemented and understood.

Thanks to your support, we’re delivering results. And there’s more to come!

South Carolina’s Economy Is Booming

In a recent op-ed in the Post & Courier, House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister highlighted our state’s tremendous growth:

“Over the past decade, South Carolina’s GDP has grown from $207 billion to $350 billion, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. South Carolina’s success didn’t happen by chance. It’s the product of smart choices and shared vision, a collaboration between forward-thinking elected officials, business leaders and communities committed to sustainable, long-term prosperity.”

That vision is working—South Carolina recorded the second-fastest employment growth in the country from March 2024 to March 2025, according to SCDEW.

Heartbeat Law Saves Lives

According to the SC Department of Public Health, abortions declined 63% from 2023 to 2024—the first full year the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act was in effect. Holly Gatling, Executive Director of SC Citizens for Life, praised SC House and Senate leadership, saying:

“This encouraging report again demonstrates that legislation saves lives and that elections have consequences.”

This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court also handed down a major pro-life and pro-states’ rights victory in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, affirming South Carolina’s authority to remove Medicaid funding from abortion providers. The SC House Republican Caucus released a statement (below) applauding the decision and highlighting the proactive efforts of our members, including a budget amendment by Rep. Steven Long to ensure the state could act swiftly if the ruling came down in our favor.

Together, these victories reflect the Caucus’s continued commitment to protecting life and upholding South Carolina’s values.

Legislation Now in Effect: Delivering Real Results

The first year of the 2025–2026 legislative session produced conservative wins that are now becoming law—thanks to the hard work of House Republican Caucus members.

We passed a responsible, balanced state budget that includes $1 billion in tax relief ($200 million in income tax cuts and $800 million in property tax relief), raises starting teacher pay to $47,000, and invests in roads, bridges, broadband, storm recovery, and rural development.

We passed H.4216, putting South Carolina on a path toward eliminating the income tax, and passed additional relief through H.3858, cutting property taxes for boat owners.

To support small businesses, we passed H.3021 (Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act) and H.3430, addressing rising liquor liability insurance costs. We also passed H.3309, the South Carolina Energy Security Act, to secure our power grid and prepare for future growth.

On education, we expanded access to Education Scholarship Trust Funds (S.62), invested in dual enrollment (H.3201)and workforce training (H.3863), and ensured classrooms stay focused on student achievement by passing H.3927, which removes DEI mandates from public schools.

To improve public safety, we strengthened penalties on fentanyl (S.156), cracked down on high-speed chases (H.3127), distracted driving (H.3276), and the unauthorized sharing of private images, including AI-generated deepfakes (H.3058).

We also passed reforms to strengthen public health and protect property rights through S.2, H.3387, and H.3930.

Looking Ahead: Modernizing South Carolina’s Roads

This summer, Speaker Murrell Smith established the SC Department of Transportation Modernization Ad Hoc Committee to tackle one of the biggest concerns lawmakers hear from constituents: the condition of our roads.

“This job is not to fix potholes or widen roads… it’s to build a foundation for long-term growth, safety, and opportunity,” Speaker Smith told WIS-TV.

With 5.5 million residents and 71,000 miles of state-owned roads, South Carolina’s infrastructure is struggling to keep up. The committee will explore improvements to congestion, permitting, SCDOT’s structure, and outdated tolling and fee systems—all without raising the gas tax.

The committee will hold public hearings across the state and present recommendations before the full General Assembly reconvenes in January. As Speaker Smith put it, “This is about preparing South Carolina for the future—not just patching the present.”

Judicial Selection Reforms Now in Effect

One of the most significant reforms from the 2025 session is now law: changes to South Carolina’s judicial merit selection process that increase transparency and public confidence in how judges are chosen.

As Judicial Merit Selection Commission Chair Rep. Micah Caskey explained:

“I think the changes that are coming to the JMSC this year will help the public have more confidence in the work that we’re doing.”

The new law strengthens ethics requirements, increases accountability, and reforms how judicial candidates are screened and nominated. These changes reflect years of hard work and collaboration—and the House Republican Caucus is proud to have led the charge for a more trustworthy, independent judiciary.