Last week was the 7th week of the 2022 legislative session.  There are 11 legislative weeks remaining before the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on May 12, 2022.  Here are the highlights from last week’s action in the Senate:

Hands Free – The Senate passed S. 248, a bill that would prevent drivers from holding a cell phone while driving.  The bill is patterned after a law passed in Georgia a few years ago.  For violations, a first offense would carry a fine of $100 and second and subsequent offenses would carry a fine of $200 and 2 points on the driver’s license.  The House of Representatives will now consider the bill.

No more Carolina Squat? – The Senate passed S. 908, a bill that would prohibit a person from driving a vehicle where the front fender is raised four inches or more above the rear fender.  The House will now consider the bill.

Vaccine Mandates – I mentioned last week that a Senate Finance subcommittee amended H.3126 to prevent governmental employers from requiring vaccines, impose financial penalties on private employers that have vaccine mandates, allow employees affected by vaccine mandates to receive unemployment benefits, and prohibit restaurants, businesses, and hospitals from denying services to unvaccinated citizens.  The Senate Finance Committee sent the bill to the full Senate, but there was significant opposition.  I am not sure yet if the full Senate will consider the legislation.

Convention of States – The Senate Judiciary Committee adopted H. 3205 a resolution that would call for a convention of states, pursuant to Article V of the United States Constitution, to pursue fiscal restraint, term limits, and constraints on federal power.  34 states would have to join in the call for a convention to materialize.  Any amendments proposed at a convention would require ratification by 38 states to become effective.  I will let you know if/when the Senate acts on the resolution.

Constituent Interests

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 2:00, Wednesdays at 12:00, and Thursdays at 11:00. Committees and subcommittees meet Tuesday mornings, Wednesday mornings, and Thursday mornings. You can watch live coverage of the Senate, House of Representatives, and committees here.

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, go here.

Beginning with the 2024 election, Senate District 25 will include all of Edgefield and McCormick Counties and parts of Aiken, Lexington, and Saluda Counties.  You can see the new district, effective in 2024, here.

VOTING RECORD – If   you’d like to see how I’ve voted on issues, go here. 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,

Senator Shane Massey

Address:
P.O. Box 551
Edgefield, SC  29824

Email:
shanemassey@scsenate.gov

Cellphone:
(803) 480-0419

P.S. 

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