SCBC PUBLIC POLICY

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

1/23/2025

The South Carolina Legislature did not meet this week because many of the members were in Washington for the Inauguration of President Trump. Because of the weather, they canceled several committee meetings scheduled for this week. Columbia received more winter weather than the upstate did.  Last week, the Senate worked on a school choice bill that will use lottery money to fund vouchers for parents to allow them to send their children to the school of their choice.  Senate leaders believe tapping into lottery money to fund school choice will be considered constitutional by the SC Supreme Court.  The bill has to pass third reading before it heads to the House.  The prospects for passage in the House are good, but there are some House members who are concerned about expanding our dependence on Lottery money for education. 

You can read the text of the bill and sign up to track its progress here:

SC SUPREME COURT TO HEAR PLANNED PARENTHOOD ARGUMENT AGAINST THE HEARTBEAT BILL

The South Carolina Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on February 12 at 10:30am in Planned Parenthood v. South Carolina.  Planned Parenthood claims the bill’s language is vague and argues that abortions should remain legal until the ninth week, when a baby’s heart is fully developed.

South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Daniel Coble rejected Planned Parenthood’s argument, upholding the constitutionality of Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act.  Judge Coble wrote, “This court will never supplement the will of the General Assembly with its own interpretation because it would be a direct violation of the Constitution and the sacrosanct doctrine of the separation of powers.”  Judge Coble also said, “it is clear beyond the shadow of a doubt that the General Assembly intended, and the public understood, that the time frame of the Act would begin around the six-week mark.”  He concluded his remarks by reminding Planned Parenthood it is not within the purview of the Court to determine whether a bill is right or wrong.  Judge Coble wrote, “The role of this Court is to simply determine the intent of the legislature in the enactment of the law in question and whether the actions of the legislature are within the bounds of the constitution as derived from the will of the people.”  Court watchers believe the Supreme Court will agree with the 5^th Circuit and once again, uphold the Heartbeat Bill.

However, please be praying and encourage others to pray the SC Supreme Court will uphold the Bill. Oral arguments before the Court are open to the public.  If you are in the Columbia area or if you can make the trip to Columbia, your presence in the gallery would be welcome! 

CIRCLE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 ON YOUR CALENDAR AND JOIN US FOR THE ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE BBQ

Please plan to join us for our annual Legislative BBQ on February 12.  Don’t miss this opportunity to share a meal with your SC Senator and House member.  Pass this invitation along to others you think would be interested in joining us.  Our lawmakers need to know where our pastors and other church and state leaders stand on the issues.  By being in Columbia, we show them that we are informed and engaged in monitoring legislation that reflects biblical values. It also gives you the opportunity to pray over our leaders, letting them know we care about them, their well-being, and their families. 

I encourage you to reach out to your Senator and Representative to let them know you will be attending the BBQ.  Ask them to meet you for lunch or set up a time for you to meet with them in their office while you are in town.  Our lawmakers want and need to hear from you!

If you don’t know who your Senator or House Member, you can click here https://www.scstatehouse.gov.  Look at the lower left side of the page for a box that says, “Find Your Legislators.” 

PUSHING BACK AGAINST MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Check out my column in the February edition of the Baptist Courier. The marijuana lobby is back and they are pushing hard to get the structure in place for recreational marijuana.  Stay tuned for more updates on when this bill is likely to come up during this legislative session.  Check out my podcast, “Truth in Politics and Culture” to follow national and state political issues.  You can find the podcast at Apple Podcast or Spotify. 

He must increase, I must decrease,

Dr. Tony Beam

Policy Consultant.