Dear friends and neighbors,
While most of the country has had their eyes on the Murdaugh case in Walterboro, the SC House was hard at work on several important bills in week three of the 2023-2024 legislative session. On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues from the House and Senate for Governor McMaster’s State of the State Address. The Governor laid out his vision for South Carolina and I look forward to working with him to ensure South Carolina’s future is bright!
The State of the State
During Governor McMaster’s State of the State address this week, he touted our state’s economic success and growth while outlining a bold, conservative roadmap to ensure prosperity and success for the future generations of South Carolinians. His roadmap includes three pillars: economic strength, education, and protecting our natural environment. I share Governor McMaster’s pride in our State and look forward to proposing and supporting legislation that takes his conservative roadmap and turns it into action so we can make South Carolina a better and safer place to live, work, play, and raise our families!
Important Update Banning CRT
Just this week the Transparency and Integrity in Education Act passed the House Education and Public Works K-12 Subcommittee. Education Committee Chairwoman Shannon Erickson is predicting this bill, H.3728, will be in full committee next week. H.3728 will ensure that our public education system is a fair and open system where instruction is non-biased. It includes a broad scope of history. I especially like that our bill does NOT create extra work for teachers, but ensures that we have a transparency policy for teachers, parents, and students to maintain high quality education that is not clouded on bias. As this bill makes its way through full committee, I will keep you informed as it is my top priority to protect the future generation!
Human Life Protection Plan
I was disappointed with the ruling from the South Carolina Supreme Court earlier this month that declared our state’s “Heartbeat Bill” unconstitutional. Republican leaders reacted quickly and sent H.3774 to the House Judiciary Constitutional Laws Subcommittee. Our goal is to preserve life and to produce the best pro-life legislation South Carolina has ever seen. Our bill will have exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother with explicit language that life begins at conception. We expect to be voting on this bill on the floor within two weeks. As the bill moves through full committee and to the House for debate, I will be sure to send updates!
In Other News
We made progress in the House this week on an important bill that increases penalties for trafficking fentanyl and a House Subcommittee started the important work on bond reform that will stop the revolving door that allows repeat offenders back out on the streets.
Important Links
- Updates from the Governor
- To track a bill, live stream session or meetings, and other information, visit the State Legislature website
- To download the SC Legislature Mobile app for iOS and Android devices, search “SC Legislature” on the App Store/Google Play.
As always, it is an honor to serve you. If you have any questions or concerns, or if I can be of service to you in any way, please feel free to contact me.
I’m at your service!
It is my honor to be of service to you and to serve District 83. If you need assistance navigating state government, or have any thoughts or concerns about what we are doing, please do not hesitate to contact me!
Sincerely,
Bill Hixon
District 83 – SC House of Representatives
For more information or have questions or comments on what I am doing in Columbia? Give me a call!
Home Phone: (803) 278-0892
Business Phone: (803) 279-8855
Columbia Phone: (803) 212-6898
Contact your Representatives
United States Congressman Joe Wilson — (202) 225-2452
United States Congressman Jeff Duncan — (202) 225-5301
SC Senator Shane Massey — (803) 480- 0419
SC Senator Tom Young — (803) 212-6000
SC House of Representative Bill Hixon — (803) 279-8855
Follow these links for more information about your state and national level representatives.
