It was a busy week at the South Carolina State House, with major legislative moves across the board—from judicial elections to DEI legislation, education reforms, and a long-awaited DHEC restructuring. Meanwhile, budget discussions are still in full swing. Here's a quick rundown of what happened:
Judicial Elections
Judicial elections were front and center this week as lawmakers filled several key judicial vacancies. But one decision caught many by surprise—a Circuit Court candidate running unopposed was rejected, raising eyebrows.
DEI & Government Spending Bills
House Republican leaders introduced new legislation, H.3927 – Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity Act, which aims to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and restrict funding for state agencies, universities, and school districts that promote or fund these initiatives. This bill aligns with broader efforts, similar to President Trump's Executive Order 14173, to limit DEI initiatives in government settings.
H.3196 – Educator Assistance Act
This week, the House introduced H.3196, a bill aimed at improving teacher retention and increasing access to professional development. It proposes permanent certification for qualifying teachers, streamlined administrative processes to reduce paperwork, and enhanced opportunities for professional development.
S2 – DHEC Reorganization
After years of debate, the DHEC Reorganization Bill made significant progress, clearing the Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee. Provisions related to “medical freedoms” were removed, so the bill now focuses solely on restructuring DHEC. The bill is now headed to the full Senate Medical Affairs Committee.
As discussions continue and new legislation takes shape, Alpha Strategies remains at the forefront of guiding clients through South Carolina's evolving political landscape. With our expertise in communications, public affairs, and legislative strategies, we're here to help you navigate what's next.
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