Statehouse Update March 18-20

Neil Wolin

Written by
March 18, 2025

Statehouse Update March 18-20

Update 3/19/25: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week.

Although much of this week is composed of Senate budget hearings, Senators may have a deal ready for joint and several liability reform. The Senate is also scheduled to hear the House's energy bill, along with a new piece of legislation creating a process for utility rate hikes.  

Legal Reform
  • Tort Reform S.244 – Provides that a jury determine the percentage of fault of the claimant and of any nonparty, using those percentages as a basis for damages, along with other insurance regulatory reforms. For a full SCPC analysis of S.244, click here. This bill has a special order for debate on the Senate floor.
  • S.C. DOGE S.318 – Creates a commission that sends spending cut recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly. This bill is on the Senate floor.
  • Banning DEI H.3927 – Prohibits the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs while requiring the consideration of individual merit. The House education and public works committee hears this bill on Wednesday, March 19 at 1:30pm. Update: This bill has advanced to the House floor as amended.
Education
  • Private Security for Public Schools S.269 – Allows public school districts with over 15,000 students to contract private security protection to work in public schools. The Senate education committee hears this bill on Wednesday, March 19 at 11am. Update: This bill has advanced to the Senate floor as amended.
Energy
  • The Big Energy Bill H. 3309 - This bill is the SC House’s aim at generating more energy to meet demands, the bill restructures the public service commission and mandates the departmental transfer of consumer advocacy responsibilities to the office of regulatory staff. It also encourages the deployment of a natural gas facility and new nuclear facilities, automatically approves projects after 6 months, bypasses the SC Court of Appeals for approvals, and still allows companies to charge ratepayers before project completion. The bill encourages the adherence to a 10-year plan that rejects market signals and creates more bureaucracy. A Senate Judiciary subcommittee hears this bill Tuesday, March 18 upon Senate adjournment and Wednesday, March 19 at 10:30am. Update: This bill has advanced to the full Senate Judiciary committee, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25 at 2pm or 15 minutes after Senate adjournment.
  • Rate increases for construction projects S.446 – Allows an energy provider to submit revenue documentation for the public service commission’s consideration, empowering the PSC to set the official rate range a customer can be charged. This bill has language allowing construction costs to be considered in total revenue computation. A Senate Judiciary subcommittee hears this bill Tuesday, March 18 upon Senate adjournment and Wednesday, March 19 at 10:30am. Update: This bill has advanced to the full Senate Judiciary committee, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25 at 2pm or 15 minutes after Senate adjournment.
Gov. Structure
  • Governor Appoints Dir. of Dept. of Employment and Workforce S.279 – Allows governor to appoint Director by advice and consent of the Senate, whereas current law requires the governor to consider only nominations by the State Department of Employment and Workforce Review Committee.  This bill is on the Senate floor. Update: This bill was given a second reading.
  • Appointment of Dr. Edward D. Simmer – This hearing will be held by the Senate medical affairs committee Thursday, March 20 at 10am.
Budget hearings

SC House Government Efficiency & Legislative Oversight Committee

  • Wednesday, March 19 at 1:30pm hearing for public input.

Senate Finance Health & Human Services Subcommittee

  • Wednesday, March 19 at 9am hearing from the Department on Aging, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, and Vocational Rehabilitation.

Senate Finance K-12 Education

  • Wednesday, March 19 at 10am hearing from the Limestone Charter Association, Department of Education, and the Public Charter School District.

Senate Finance Natural Resources & Economic Development Subcommittee

  • Wednesday, March 19 at 10am hearing from the Office of Resilience, South Carolina Forestry Commission, and the Department of Natural Resources.

Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee

  • Wednesday, March 19 at 10am hearing from the Technical Colleges System and the Lottery Commission.

 Senate Finance Transportation & Regulatory Subcommittee

  • Wednesday, March 19 at 12pm hearing from the Department of Motor Vehicles, State Transportation Infrastructure Bank, and the Aeronautics Commission.

Senate Finance Constitutional Subcommittee (canceled)

  • Thursday, March 20 upon Senate adjournment hearing from the Office of the State Auditor and the Council of Governments.