I hope you had a great weekend.
On Library Day at the State House, the House unanimously passed a Resolution that recognizes and celebrates the historical and ongoing contributions of our public libraries. Rep. Carl Anderson, D-Georgetown, and I had the pleasure of meeting with library advocates from Georgetown County.
Left to right: Rep. Carl Anderson; Dr. Michelle Greene, County Library Board Chair; Dwight McInvaill, County Library Director; Silvana Collins, Director of Library Children's Services; and John Collins, President of the Friends of Andrews Library.
On Tuesday, the Ways and Means Committee passed the SC Small Business Tax Cut of 2026 Act, which I cosponsored. This legislation exempts the first $10,000 of small business assets from property tax, cuts costly red tape, and ends a burdensome tax on investments. These reforms help boost local job growth and keep South Carolina competitive.
Last week, legislation increasing penalties for the sexual exploitation of minors advanced in the House Judiciary Subcommittee. This bill strengthens criminal penalties to ensure punishment fits the severity of these crimes and makes clear that “mistake of age” is not a defense for creating or distributing exploitative material.
The Judiciary Subcommittee also advanced legislation aimed at protecting children online by addressing the growing mental health and safety risks posed by addictive social media platforms. The bill requires reasonable age verification, parental consent, and increased transparency, giving families more control over how and when minors access social media.
A bipartisan bill advanced last week, S.405, strengthening the child abuse homicide statute by increasing the age covered under the crime from under 11 to under 18. This change ensures harsher penalties and greater accountability for those whose abusive or neglectful actions result in the death of an older child.
House Republicans continue to stand with parents by advancing legislation I cosponsored that protects parental rights, H.4757, affirming that moms and dads — not the government, are best equipped to make decisions about their children’s upbringing, education, and well-being.
Legislation expanding certificate-of-need exemptions for veterans’ homes, H.4799, also moved forward, cutting red tape to make it easier to provide care for the men and women who have served our country. This commonsense reform helps ensure veterans have access to the facilities and services they deserve.
Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt