I hope you’re doing well.
Rep. Carl Anderson, D-Georgetown, and I were glad to meet with members of the Georgetown County School Board at the State House last week. Education is so important to the future of our county and state.
Left to right: Eileen Johnson, Randy Walker, Fallon Bordner, Rep. Carl Anderson, Kathy Anderson and myself.
With just four weeks left in this year’s legislative session, I continued working to advance the conservative, common-sense policies our communities expect.
When someone dies and owns a home taxed at the four percent assessment rate, it’s not fair for counties to change the rate to six percent even before an estate is closed. That’s why I sponsored H.3841, which passed the House 107-0 last week. The bill requires the special assessment rate and any tax exemptions to continue until the decedent's estate is closed, the recording of a deed or deed of distribution out of the estate, or after December 31st of the year following the date of death, whichever occurs first.
We also passed major public safety reforms to protect families, support victims, and crack down on violent crime.
Fentanyl continues to tear apart families in our state. That’s why I proudly voted for a bill, S.156, that makes it a felony — punishable by up to 30 years — for anyone who unlawfully provides fentanyl that results in someone’s death.
Organized retail theft is a growing threat in South Carolina. It puts store employees at risk, hurts small businesses, and drives up prices for everyone. I voted for — and the Governor signed — a new law, H.3523, that increases penalties for these crimes and targets the criminals organizing them.
Victims of domestic violence shouldn’t be trapped in a lease with their abuser. That’s why I supported legislation, H.3569, that gives victims the right to end their lease early — without penalty — if the abuser is a co-tenant. It’s a small but powerful change that will help people escape dangerous situations and start over safely.
Running from law enforcement isn’t just reckless — it’s dangerous. I voted for a bill, H.3127, that makes fleeing from police a felony when the driver engages in dangerous behavior during the chase.
Distracted driving is a deadly problem, and I was proud to vote for the South Carolina Hands-Free Act. This bill bans the use of handheld devices while driving — with limited exceptions — and creates penalties to hold distracted drivers accountable.
This week the House is on furlough for Easter.
I hope this report is helpful. Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt