The 2024 regular session of the South Carolina General Assembly recently concluded, showcasing significant bills that did not pass. South Carolina remains one of only two states without a hate crimes bill, and a proposal for medical marijuana failed in the House. Liquor stores will not be open on Sundays, and a bill to expand private school vouchers did not gain traction in the Senate. Additionally, a proposal to consolidate state health agencies was defeated in the session’s final minutes. However, some new laws were enacted, including the ability for anyone who can legally own a weapon to openly carry a gun.
Despite some successes, the session was marked by the failure to pass crucial bills. The lack of progress on a hate crimes bill is particularly notable, as the Senate once again failed to approve enhanced penalties for crimes driven by factors such as race, gender, or sexual orientation. Supporters of the bill remain hopeful that it will eventually pass, but conservative senators have blocked its progress. The bill’s advocates plan to continue their efforts in 2025, although they may face challenges in a potentially more conservative House and Senate.
In another setback, a bill allowing medical marijuana was passed by the Senate but ultimately failed in the House. Republican Sen. Tom Davis has been a strong advocate for the bill, emphasizing its focus on medical use only. Despite the setbacks, Davis intends to continue pushing for the legislation in the future. The fate of the bill now lies in the hands of a new group of senators, who will need to decide whether to take up the issue once again.
The session also saw a failed attempt to expand education vouchers, with the House seeking to open up taxpayer-funded scholarships for private and homeschool education to all parents. The Senate did not take up the bill, leaving the current program with a limited scope. Additionally, a bill allowing liquor stores to open on Sundays also failed to advance, despite support from some who saw the change as a modernization of outdated rules based on religious beliefs. The proposal, which had passed the House, was not brought to the Senate floor for consideration.
As the session came to a close, it became clear that the lack of progress on key bills highlighted the end of a two-year legislative cycle. With all General Assembly members up for election, the prospects for reintroducing and passing these bills in 2025 remain uncertain. The failure to address crucial issues such as hate crimes legislation and medical marijuana reflects the challenges and complexities of the legislative process in South Carolina. The coming years will likely see renewed efforts to address these issues and potential shifts in the political landscape that could impact their success.
