South Carolina Legislative Recap: Week of March 17, 2025

This week at the South Carolina State House was marked by significant legislative developments and intense debates on a range of issues. The House met in a perfunctory session, meaning no bills were debated on the floor, though committees convened to continue their work. Meanwhile, the Senate held discussions on key pieces of legislation.

Lawmakers navigated important discussions, from scrutiny of public health leadership to contentious debates on diversity and social media regulation. Here’s a recap of what unfolded:

Public Health Leadership Under Scrutiny

Governor Henry McMaster’s nominee for director of the newly restructured South Carolina Public Health Department, Dr. Edward Simmer, faced a heated Senate confirmation hearing this week. Although Dr. Simmer has been in the role since the pandemic, much of the discussion focused on past COVID-19 responses rather than future public health priorities.

Despite these challenges, Dr. Simmer reaffirmed his dedication to addressing urgent health crises, particularly South Carolina’s high infant mortality rate and rising drug overdose deaths. The Senate's questions also highlighted concerns about balancing personal freedoms with public health mandates, ensuring that Dr. Simmer's tenure will be closely watched by lawmakers and the public.

Legislative Action on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

In a major move this week, the House Education and Public Works Committee advanced an amended version of H.3927, the "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity Act." The bill seeks to limit DEI initiatives within state agencies, local governments, and public universities.

After extensive public testimony, much of which opposed the original bill, lawmakers opted for a "strike and insert" approach, replacing the original language with provisions introduced during the budget debate. The amended bill passed with a 13-4 party-line vote and now heads to the House floor for further consideration.

Key Provisions of the Amended Bill:

• Restrictions on DEI Offices & Training: Public agencies and schools would no longer be allowed to maintain offices or programs explicitly focused on DEI. While DEI-related training could still take place, participation must be voluntary with no penalties for opting out.

• Elimination of DEI-Based Hiring Practices: The bill prevents state-funded entities from making hiring decisions based purely on race, gender, sexual orientation, or similar characteristics.

• Clarifications on Cultural & Educational Programs: There was considerable concern over whether programs like Black History Month, LGBTQ Pride events, and Holocaust education would be impacted. Lawmakers reassured that these initiatives, along with minority-focused teacher recruitment programs, would remain unaffected under the revised language.

• Removal of Private Sector Restrictions: Originally, the bill aimed to limit private businesses with DEI programs from contracting with the state. However, after significant pushback from business groups, this provision was removed.

As many public universities are already adjusting policies in anticipation of these changes, including phasing out DEI-related statements and renaming offices, the bill is expected to face further amendments before it reaches the full House for debate.

Tort Reform Discussions Stalled

Tort reform efforts hit a temporary setback this week. S.244, which proposes significant changes to the state's civil justice system, remains in Special Order status. This bill aims to modify the way fault is apportioned in civil cases, with a focus on businesses, particularly those serving alcohol.

While stakeholders—including businesses, insurance companies, and advocates for tort reform—remain engaged, the bill's future remains uncertain as debates continue.

Looking Ahead

While this week’s actions were significant, the legislative session is far from over, with crucial debates and bills still in play. Stakeholders from all sectors will continue to watch developments closely, particularly those concerning public health leadership, DEI policies, tort reform, and social media regulation.

Stay tuned for more updates as these important issues unfold in South Carolina’s legislature.