Last week was the 7th week of the 2023 legislative session. There are 11 legislative weeks remaining before the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on May 11, 2023. Here are the highlights from last week’ Senate action:

LETHAL INJECTION – South Carolina has 35 inmates on death row, and, as I have mentioned in updates over the past few years, the state has not carried out a death sentence since 2011. For many years, state law provided for two methods of execution: lethal injection and electrocution, with the condemned inmate allowed to choose between the two methods. South Carolina has been unable to purchase the approved cocktails for lethal injection, though, because pharmaceutical companies have refused to sell us the drugs because of protests from anti-death penalty groups. Consequently, every inmate on death row has chosen lethal injection because those inmates knew we could not carry out the sentence.

In 2021, the legislature amended the law to give three options: lethal injection, electrocution, and firing squad. If the inmate chose lethal injection and the Department of Corrections could not get the drugs, electrocution becomes the default method. Earlier this year, a state judge determined electrocution and firing squad to be unconstitutional, and the Supreme Court is now
considering that question.

In light of the judicial questions, last week the Senate passed S. 120 2023-2024 Bill 120: Non disclosure of identity of members of execution team, a bill that would prevent disclosure of pharmaceutical companies that sell the drugs necessary to carry out a death sentence by lethal injection. While South Carolina has not been able to purchase the drugs, other states have. Those states have been able to buy those drugs because they have agreed not to disclose the sellers. This bill would bring South Carolina in line with those states. The House will now consider the bill.

FENTANYL – Like many states, South Carolina has struggled with deaths from fentanyl overdoses. Fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid that is highly addictive and often fatal. We have seen a large number of street drugs laced with fentanyl, and too many unsuspecting people have died as a result. Last week, the Senate passed S.153 2023-2024 Bill 153: Trafficking Fentanyl, a bill that would treat fentanyl like heroin and impose severe, mandatory penalties for those convicted of trafficking the deadly drug. The Senate also passed S. 1 2023-2024 Bill 1: Drug-Induced Homicide, a bill that would create a new offense for fentanyl-induced homicide. Both bills will now go to the House of Representatives.

SLOW LEFT LANE DRIVERS – In 2021 the legislature passed legislation to encourage drivers not to camp out in the left lane so that faster traffic can pass. That legislation imposed a $25 fine for cruising in the left lane with specific exceptions. Last week the Senate passed S. 304 2023-2024 Bill 304: Enhanced Penalty for Slow Drivers in Left Lane, a bill that would increase that fine to $100. The bill will now go to the House.

THIS WEEK – For nearly every week this legislative session, the Senate has tackled legislation that is fairly controversial and requires extended debate. Last week, that issue was lethal injection. However, the Senate spent a good bit of time last week working in committees. Several committees reported legislation to the full Senate, which means the Senate should have a large
number of bills to take up this week.

LAST WEEK’S MEETINGS

On Monday night, I held a town hall meeting in McCormick. We had 60-70 in attendance and discussed a number of statewide and local issues.

Wednesday was FFA Day at the State House. I enjoyed meeting with FFA students from Saluda High School, Gilbert High School, Midland Valley High School, and Piedmont Technical College.

On Wednesday morning, I attended a McCormick County Legislative Delegation meeting.

Constituent Interests

TOWN HALL MEETINGS –Nearly every year since I was first elected, I have held several town hall meetings across our Senate district. These meetings give me an opportunity to update attendees on what is happening in Columbia and, more importantly, allow me to hear from you. In total, I have held around 175 meetings now. So far this year, I have held town hall meetings in Saluda County, Aiken County, Lexington County, Edgefield County, and McCormick County. I have on more meeting: Plum Branch Town Hall on Monday, February 27, at 6:00.

SCDOT ROAD PROJECTS – SCDOT has an interactive map to allow citizens to see the road and bridge projects going on around the state. You can see that map here. 

How is the gas tax being used? –  SCDOT’s website allows you to view a detailed revenue statement and project list that is funded by the Infrastructure Maintenance Trust Fund (IMTF). SCDOT updates this site monthly as the revenue comes in. You can see that report here. 

WANT TO SEE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ACTION? – The Senate meets in statewide session on Tuesdays at 12:00, Wednesdays at 1:00, and Thursdays at 11:00. Committees and subcommittees meet Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday mornings, and Thursday mornings. You can watch live coverage of the Senate, House of Representatives, and some committees here South Carolina Legislature Online – Broadcast Video

OUR SENATE DISTRICT – Senate district 25 consists of all of Edgefield County and parts of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda Counties. If you’d like to see the district map (effective with the 2024 general election), go here South Carolina Senate H.4493.

VOTING RECORD – If you’d like to see how I’ve voted on issues, go here. Scroll down to “Voting Record” on the right side of the page. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, www.senatormassey.com, and clicking on the “Voting Record” tab.

SPEAKING WITH GROUPS – Several groups, clubs, and classes around our Senate district have invited me to attend their meetings and provide legislative updates. If you would like for me to come speak with your group, please let me know.

EMAIL UPDATES – If you know of people in or around District 25 who do not receive my updates but would like to get them, please email their names and email addresses to me. You can also forward this email to them and encourage them to sign up for the updates at www.senatormassey.com.

Sincerely,

Shane Massey
P.O. Box 551
Edgefield, SC 29824
Email – shanemassey@scsenate.gov
Cell Phone – (803) 480-0419
Office Phone – (803) 212-6330