I hope you had a great weekend.

I was glad to attend the celebration of the opening of the Black River State Park with (left to right) Erin Pate, Rep. Roger Kirby, and Maria Whitehead. Erin and Maria were instrumental in the park’s creation. The 9,000 acre park provides 70 miles of water trails.

After being off for a week, the House was back in session. Last week, we cut taxes, advanced public safety measures, and passed legislation to protect our communities, support families, and strengthen key South Carolina industries.

Last week, H.4216, a bill I cosponsored, was officially signed into law, delivering meaningful, immediate tax relief for hardworking South Carolina families. This legislation provides over $308 million in relief, lowers the top income tax rate from 6% to 5.21%, and puts more money back into your paycheck—where it belongs, not in the hands of Columbia bureaucrats.

On Wednesday, a bill I sponsored to help rural hospitals, H.5173, passed the House unanimously. It creates a new definition of "Rural Emergency Hospital” and provides a lifeline for our rural hospitals, allowing for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates plus an annual stipend.

The Truth in Labeling Bill that I cosponsored passed the House unanimously on Tuesday. This is a major win for our coastal communities and local shrimpers. By requiring clear country-of-origin labeling, this bill ensures consumers know exactly what they’re buying, prevents imported seafood from being passed off as local, and gives South Carolina shrimpers a fair shot to compete and thrive in their own market.

We also sent the Student Physical Privacy Act, another bill I cosponsored, to the Governor’s desk last week because every girl deserves to feel safe at school. This legislation protects privacy in restrooms and locker rooms by establishing clear, commonsense standards families across South Carolina have been asking for. This bill puts parents back in the driver’s seat and ensures our schools remain safe, respectful environments for every student.

Last but not least, the Safe School Act advanced through the House Education Committee. This bill strengthens coordination between law enforcement, schools, and state agencies to create clear, unified safety plans. Every parent should feel confident that their child is safe at school, and every teacher and staff member deserves that same peace of mind.

I’m honored that Murrells Inlet businesses are sponsoring a Scenic Cruise Fundraiser on Friday, May 1st out of Crazy Sister Marina to benefit my reelection campaign. The cruise is from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm and light refreshments will be served. Donation levels are Gold - $1,000, Silver - $500, and Bronze - $250. Donate online at this link or checks can be sent to “Hewitt for House” at Post Office Box 928, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

I’m honored to represent District 108 in the House. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

I hope you had a great Easter weekend.

I was glad to be a part of a legislative panel at the SC Free Clinic Association's legislative day in Columbia. These clinics provide medical, dental, pharmacy, vision and/or behavioral health services to people who are economically disadvantaged. I appreciate the good work these clinics do, especially Smith Medical Clinic in Pawleys Island.

Gov. McMaster signed the SC Boat Tax Act, a bill I cosponsored, which will cut property taxes on boats nearly in half, eliminate double taxation on boat motors, and simplify the process into one easy payment. This was very much needed as SC has one of the highest tax rates on boats in the nation.

Last week, we continued delivering real results for South Carolina. From strengthening public safety and supporting law enforcement, to protecting children, and improving our public colleges, this was a full and productive week.

On Thursday, the House passed the Immigration Enforcement Partnership Act, a bill I cosponsored that enhances coordination between state and federal authorities. By strengthening these partnerships and equipping local law enforcement with clear tools, training, and authority, this legislation ensures more consistent enforcement across South Carolina. It empowers officers to work alongside federal partners and ICE to identify and process individuals in the country illegally who have been charged with crimes.

The House passed H.4804, strengthening penalties for the sexual exploitation of a minor. This bill closes dangerous loopholes, increases minimum sentences, and ensures repeat offenders face mandatory prison time.

The House advanced a bill I cosponsored, H.3408, to protect South Carolina land and security by preventing foreign adversaries from purchasing or controlling property in our state. This is about safeguarding our farmland, our infrastructure, and our future from those who do not have our best interests at heart.

We also made important progress in education and protecting our students. The House unanimously passed the Tenure Accountability Act, another bill I cosponsored, bringing consistent, commonsense standards to our public colleges and universities. This legislation requires annual faculty evaluations and regular post-tenure reviews, ensuring a stronger focus on teaching, performance, and results.

On Wednesday, we passed the Insurance Rate Reduction and Policyholder Protection Act, a major step toward lowering insurance costs. This bill cracks down on fraud and abuse that drive up premiums, increases transparency and accountability for insurance companies, and helps homeowners take steps to reduce risk and lower costs.

Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

After being on furlough for a week, the House was back in session last week.

I was privileged to participate in the release of thousands of hatchery-grown flounder at the Murrells Inlet Boat Ramp. I appreciate the efforts of the SC Dept. of Natural Resources to establish the first flounder stock enhancement program along the Atlantic Coast. The release represents the culmination of four years of pioneering research by SCDNR scientists.

Last week the House unanimously passed the SC Boat Tax Act I cosponsored, which will cut property taxes on boats nearly in half, eliminate double taxation on boat motors, and simplify the process into one easy payment. This was very much needed as SC has one of the highest tax rates on boats in the nation. The bill has been sent to Gov. McMaster for his signature.

Situations exist where hospital emergency rooms are sometimes overwhelmed with patients who need immediate care, but there are no ER beds available, so hospitals do the best they can by utilizing beds in hallways and other spaces. This violates SC Dept. of Public Health regulations and hospitals have been fined because they were trying to do the right thing in treating these patients. A bill I sponsored, H.5164, to allow hospitals to use emergency beds in spaces like hallways unanimously passed the House on Thursday.

Another important step forward was the passage of H.4799, a common sense cleanup bill that cuts red tape and improves access to care for our veterans. This legislation removes unnecessary regulatory barriers by exempting veterans homes from the Certificate of Need process, allowing badly needed facilities to be built and expanded more quickly and at a lower cost.

In subcommittee, we also advanced the Pregnancy Care Tax Credit Act, which takes a new approach to supporting women, children, and families. Instead of growing government, this bill encourages private donations to pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, and programs that support victims of human trafficking. In return, donors can receive a state tax credit of up to 50 percent of their liability. These organizations provide critical services like prenatal care, parenting support, and housing, and the bill ensures accountability by requiring that the majority of funding goes directly to services.

Protecting our children remains a top priority. Last week, we advanced the Stop Harm from Addictive Social Media Act out of the Judiciary Committee, which takes aim at the addictive features that keep kids glued to their screens. The bill addresses issues like doom scrolling, autoplay videos, and late-night notifications, while also giving parents more control through tools like screen time limits and the ability to disable algorithm-driven content.

We also made significant progress on public safety initiatives. The K9 Officer and Horse Protection Bill, which I cosponsored, strengthens penalties for those who harm or kill law enforcement animals. These highly trained K9 officers are vital members of law enforcement teams, and this bill ensures that the law reflects both their value and their service. The bill moved forward out of the Judiciary Committee.

I’m honored to represent District 108 in the House. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

On Monday I officially filed for reelection. It’s been a real privilege to serve in the House and I’m hopeful district voters will send me back for another term. I believe I’ve been effective representing the district.

I want to continue to fight for low taxes, better roads and infrastructure, the best education for our children, more jobs, and to protect our natural resources. I want to make our district and state an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

I’m proud of my record. I’ve listened to those within the district and have worked with like-minded legislators in Columbia to accomplish our goals.

I’m honored to serve on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and as chair of the Healthcare Budget Subcommittee and a member of the Revenue Policy and Property Tax Subcommittees. I also serve on the Rules Committee.

I’m privileged to serve in one of the top leadership positions in the House as Chief Majority Whip.

I’m honored to be awarded Legislator of the Year three times: from the SC Association of Realtors (the first freshman legislator ever to win), SC Farm Bureau and SC Council of Governments. I was also honored to receive the Friends of the USC School of Medicine award.

I’m chair of the Grand Strand Area Transportation Study Policy Committee (GSATS), the agency that plans and programs transportation improvements in the coastal areas of Georgetown, Horry and Brunswick, NC counties.

I’m also chair of the Georgetown County Legislative Delegation.

I ask for your help.

A Democrat has already filed to run against me.

I need to quickly raise enough money to be able to fund an effective reelection campaign. A winning House campaign can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. I don’t say that casually.

Please click here today and donate the largest amount you can afford to my reelection campaign.

Make checks payable to the “Hewitt for House Committee” and mail to Post Office Box 928, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. Individuals and businesses can donate up to $1,000 each per election, but any amount would be helpful.

Thank you in advance for your help! If you need anything, please call me directly at 803-212-6927 or by email at [email protected].

Rep. Lee Hewitt

I hope you had a great weekend. Here’s my legislative report.

Rep. Carl Anderson, D-Georgetown, and I had an opportunity to meet with members of the Georgetown County 4H Club at the State House last week. They are a great group of young leaders. I think the 4H pledge is something we should all strive to live by: “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.”

Last week was budget week in the House. After casting 236 votes on Monday and Tuesday on various amendments and provisos, we passed a responsible, balanced State Budget that focuses on the core responsibilities of government while returning money to taxpayers. It invests in the priorities that matter most to South Carolina families.

The budget includes more than $1 billion in tax relief while continuing to invest in critical priorities like infrastructure, education, workforce development, and public safety.

On Tuesday, the House also passed H.4216, a bill I cosponsored, that will deliver one of the most significant income tax reductions in state history.

For years, South Carolina had one of the highest income tax rates in the Southeast. This legislation will move our state toward a simpler, more competitive tax system that encourages job creation, strengthens our economy, and helps families keep more of their hard-earned money.

The House also passed tax conformity legislation, H.3368, another bill I cosponsored. The bill aligns the state’s tax code with federal provisions so taxpayers can benefit from federal tax relief measures, including provisions from the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” while also simplifying the filing process and preventing unexpected tax increases.

By updating South Carolina’s tax code, we are ensuring that hardworking families, workers, and small businesses can take advantage of policies that allow them to keep more of the money they earn.

By keeping government focused on its core responsibilities while lowering taxes and investing wisely, we are continuing to build a stronger and more affordable South Carolina.

Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

I hope you had a great weekend.

Wednesday was Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day at the State House. I was glad to meet with Patty Younts, an Alzheimer’s advocate, who lost her husband to the disease, to talk about Alzheimer’s related issues.

More than 112,500 South Carolinians have this terrible disease, with nearly 224,000 family members and friends providing care for them. About 12 percent of adults over 65 in SC have Alzheimer’s.

Last week at the State House we focused on legislation that improves education, strengthens public safety, and helps families keep more of their hard-earned money.

The Truth in Public School Grading Bill that I cosponsored, passed the House 110 to 2 on Wednesday. This bill would end “grade floors” like the ones in Greenville County that require teachers to award at least a 50 for every assignment even if the student got a zero. These grade floors give students and parents a false sense of academic accomplishment, don’t hold students accountable, and undercut the ability of teachers to push students to actually learn.

Keeping our communities safe remains a top priority. The House passed a juvenile crime reform package focused on holding violent offenders accountable and improving communication between law enforcement, schools, and families. H.5120, helps law enforcement better identify repeat juvenile offenders by requiring fingerprinting, photographs and improved information sharing. H.4151, allows certain 16 and 17-year-olds charged with serious violent crimes to be prosecuted in adult court when appropriate.

Street takeovers are reckless and dangerous events that put lives at risk. The Roadway Protection and Safety Act cracks down on these illegal gatherings and holds participants accountable. The bill passed the House Judiciary Criminal Law Subcommittee last week.

On the House Ways and Means Committee, we voted last Wednesday to advance H.3368, South Carolina’s tax conformity legislation. The bill aligns the state’s tax code with federal provisions so taxpayers can benefit from federal tax relief measures, including provisions from the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” while also simplifying the filing process and preventing unexpected tax increases.

The Insurance Rate Reduction and Policyholder Protection Act advanced in a House Labor, Commerce, and Industry committee last week. This legislation focuses on bringing greater transparency and oversight to insurance rate increases while strengthening protections for policyholders. The goal is to make coverage more affordable and accessible for South Carolina families while ensuring consumers are treated fairly.

I’m honored to represent District 108 in the House. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

I hope you’re doing well.

Wednesday the SC Pharmacy Association had their legislative day at the State House, where we heard a lot about insurance and drug companies forcing patients to use mail-order pharmacies -- often cutting out local, independent pharmacies. I’ve cosponsored legislation, H.4791, that protects your right to choose a pharmacy and not be forced into mail-order pharmacies by insurers or Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). This bill protects patient choice and supports small, local pharmacies in our community.

Rep. Val Guest (left), with Murrells Inlet independent pharmacist Willie Lee and myself.

Another bill I’ve cosponsored that protects consumers is H.4248, which requires all shrimp sold in South Carolina be labeled with the country of origin to ensure transparency for consumers. This is after a series of news reports documenting the mislabeling of foreign-caught shrimp in restaurants as local shrimp. On Tuesday the bill was unanimously passed out of the House Agriculture Subcommittee.

Last week, we made progress on legislation focused on strengthening our economy, schools, and public safety, and putting South Carolina families first.

The Buy American Iron and Steel Act passed the House unanimously this week. This important legislation ensures taxpayer dollars prioritize American-made iron and steel in state-funded projects, strengthening domestic manufacturing and supporting South Carolina jobs.

We also advanced the Workforce Readiness Bill, focused on better preparing South Carolina students for success after graduation. This legislation strengthens pathways to industry credentials and postsecondary education while aligning high school outcomes with real workforce needs.

On Wednesday, the House passed legislation that ensures schools display foundational historical documents — including the Ten Commandments, as part of an educational presentation highlighting the documents that shaped American law and government.

We advanced the Truth in Public School Grading Bill out of the Education and Public Works Committee. Parents deserve transparency and honesty when it comes to their child’s academic progress. This legislation ensures grading policies reflect real achievement and provide families with clear, accurate information.

The HALO Act, which I cosponsored, advanced out of the full Judiciary Committee, sending a clear message that South Carolina backs our brave law enforcement officers, who serve on the front lines. By establishing a 25-foot safety radius, this bill ensures our officers and first responders have the space they need to act quickly, decisively, and safely in high-pressure moments.

In addition, the Immigration Enforcement Bill, another bill I cosponsored, passed out of Judiciary Subcommittee. This legislation strengthens cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal authorities to ensure individuals who are in our country unlawfully and commit crimes are properly identified and processed.

Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

Last week, I sent a letter to NOAA Fisheries asking the agency to approve the SC Dept. of Natural Resources’ Exempted Fishing Permit for Red Snapper, which would create a 62 day recreational season, instead of two day seasons.

I can personally attest to the abundance and size of Red Snapper off our coast. These fish are being encountered in numbers and sizes that I don’t think have ever been seen off our state before. This is just one of the fish I landed and had to release last summer.

SCDNR is working cooperatively with North Carolina, Georgia and Florida, who are also seeking similar permits. These proposed state-led pilot programs will test data collection methods for more accurate recreational catch, effort and discard data. Allowing a fixed 62 day season will provide a needed economic boost to the recreational and for-hire fishery sectors.

Click here for my letter, to view the SCDNR permit application, and for a link to comment to NOAA in support of the 62 day season.

Last week, the House delivered meaningful results for South Carolina families. We passed major legislation reinforcing parental rights, standing with our farmers and agricultural community, and advancing policies that put South Carolina workers, businesses, and taxpayers first.

On Thursday, I voted with the rest of the Ways and Means Committee to unanimously advance the $15 billion state budget – delivering a strong, conservative plan focused on growth, infrastructure, and tax relief. Full House debate is expected to begin March 9th.

The House overwhelmingly passed the Parental Rights Act, which I cosponsored, reaffirming a simple but powerful principle: parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, and healthcare of their children. This legislation strengthens transparency, reinforces accountability, and ensures parents remain in the driver’s seat.

The House unanimously passed the Ban on Fake Meat Bill, which will protect our agricultural industry and consumers by banning the sale of lab-grown “fake meat” in our state. This legislation defends our farmers and ensures honesty and transparency for families who deserve to know exactly what is on their dinner table.

The House also passed the Roadside Markets Bill, protecting South Carolina’s roadside market tradition and cutting unnecessary red tape on local farmers. This bill removes burdening regulations, supports family-run operations, and makes it easier for farmers to sell fresh, South Carolina-grown products directly to consumers.

I hope this report is helpful. Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

I was recently in the news concerning the Murrells Inlet dredging project.

After leading the effort to fund the $35 million dredging project for all of the channels and basins used by boaters (16 miles) in the inlet, I’m extremely disappointed that three years after Georgetown County applied for the dredging permit, the US Army Corp of Engineers is still dragging its feet on issuing the permit. As this February 7th Coastal Observer news report states, the county and I are now reaching out to US Senators Tim Scott and Lindsay Graham and Congressman Russell Fry for help in moving forward.

Last week, House Republicans worked on cutting burdensome taxes on small businesses, improving our roads, raising standards in our schools, and strengthening public safety.

On Wednesday, the House unanimously passed the Small Business Tax Cut Act, which I cosponsored, delivering real relief to the small businesses that are the backbone of our communities. This bill exempts the first $10,000 of assets from the Business Personal Property Tax, ending a tax that penalizes owners for investing in their own growth and allowing them to keep more of what they earn to reinvest, hire, and serve their communities.

Also, on Wednesday, the Revenue Policy Subcommittee I sit on held a hearing on H.5071, a bill that focuses on improving how South Carolina plans for and delivers road projects and is the result of more than nine months of work by the SC-DOT Ad Hoc Committee, including public hearings held across the state and extensive conversations with citizen stakeholders, business owners, local leaders, and transportation experts.

The Tenure Accountability Bill, another bill I cosponsored, promotes transparency and fairness in higher education by requiring annual performance evaluations for all public university faculty and regular post-tenure reviews for tenured professors. This legislation guarantees that taxpayer-funded educators continue meeting measurable professional standards throughout their careers.

In subcommittee, we advanced the Public School Grading Reform Bill to ensure grades reflect what students actually earn, not provide shortcuts that hurt long-term success. Parents deserve an honest picture of how their child is performing. This bill restores integrity to GPAs and graduation data, reinforces strong academic standards, and helps ensure our children are truly prepared for college, careers, and real life.

The House Judiciary Committee advanced a comprehensive juvenile crime reform package, the Juvenile Crime Reform Bills (H.5117, H.5120, H.5121) to protect families, hold violent offenders accountable, and keep communities safe. These measures ensure due process when considering whether serious juvenile offenders should be transferred to adult court, improve communication between schools and law enforcement when serious offenses occur, and invest in prevention programs such as mentoring, job training, recreation, and family support services.

I’m honored to represent District 108 in the House. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.