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.

Rep. Lee Hewitt issued the following letter to NOAA Fisheries supporting the approval of an Exempted Fishing Permit, which would allow a 62 day recreational fishing season for Red Snapper off South Carolina.

February 13, 2026

Mary Vara, Sustainable Fisheries Division
NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Subject: Approval of SCDNR Exempted Fishing Permit for Red Snapper

Dear Ms. Vara,

I ask NOAA Fisheries to approve the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ (SCDNR) Exempted Fishing Permit for Red Snapper.

Allowing a fixed 62 day recreational harvest season for Red Snapper off South Carolina, with size and bag limits, will provide the improved data collection necessary for much more accurate stock assessments and to determine state-specific landing projections. It will also provide a needed economic boost to the recreational and for-hire fishery sectors.

Currently, with the very short, derby-style recreational Red Snapper seasons in the South Atlantic, the Marine Recreational Information Program cannot provide useful estimates of fishing effort and landings because the percentage of standard errors are so high they are unreliable and not suitable for use in managing the fishery.

It is important to note that the current stock status, based on Secretarial Amendment 59 to the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan, indicates overfishing is no longer occurring.

I represent a coastal district and I’m an avid offshore fisherman, who worked on head boats in my youth. I can personally attest to the abundance and size of Red Snapper off the South Carolina coast. These fish are being encountered in numbers and sizes that I don’t think have ever been seen off our state before. There is growing concern that these top predators are preying on other snapper-grouper species and taking over reefs.

SCDNR’s plan for requiring a Red Snapper Harvest Permit, along with required electronic trip and catch reporting, will provide the information necessary to more reliably quantify recreational catch, fishing effort and discards for Red Snapper.

SCDNR is working cooperatively with North Carolina, Georgia and Florida (East Coast), who are also seeking similar Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permits. These proposed state-led pilot programs will test data collection methods for more accurate recreational catch, effort and discard data.

It is time to end these unnecessary and potentially dangerous one or two day derby-style Red Snapper seasons by approving SCDNR’s Exempted Fishing Permit.

Respectfully,

Representative Lee Hewitt

Click here for the SCDNR Exempted Fishing Permit application.

Click here to send a comment to NOAA in support of the SCDNR permit.

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

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

On Wednesday, I had the honor of attending Gov. Henry McMaster’s ninth and final State of the State address. It was a great night for South Carolina and a reminder of the steady, conservative leadership that drives our state forward.

Gov. McMaster spoke about putting South Carolina first, cutting taxes, strengthening public safety, fixing our roads, and continuing to grow our economy in a responsible, conservative way. His message was clear: “think big, be bold, and keep building a state where families can live, work, and thrive.”

The Healthcare Budget Subcommittee I chair was busy on Wednesday and Thursday hearing state healthcare agency budget requests. We’ll finish our hearings next week and then begin preparation on the healthcare budget to present to the Ways and Means Committee.

On Thursday, I was glad to be a part of a House news conference announcing legislation I cosponsored, H.5071, that focused on improving how South Carolina plans for and delivers road projects.

This proposal 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 goals of this effort: cutting red tape, demanding transparency, reducing congestion, and moving road projects faster so families spend less time in traffic and more time at home. This bill reflects a thoughtful, deliberate approach to fixing our roads — one that prioritizes safety, accountability, and responsible growth.

On Thursday, the House overwhelmingly passed the Student Physical Privacy Act (Bathroom Bill), legislation designed to protect student privacy and maintain clear, common-sense standards in our schools. Every child deserves to feel safe, and no student should have to sacrifice their privacy in locker rooms or restrooms.

Several important reforms advanced to strengthen trust and accountability in South Carolina’s judicial system. Legislation moved forward to improve transparency and accountability in how judges are selected, reinforcing the separation of powers and ensuring proper oversight.

We also advanced reforms to improve standards for magistrates, the judges many South Carolinians interact with most often. These changes help ensure those serving on the front lines of local justice meet clear qualifications and are held to consistent standards.

Please visit my official House webpage, where you can find bills that I’ve either sponsored or cosponsored, view my voting record, search for bills, and access video feeds of the House sessions and committee meetings.

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 hope you had a good weekend.

On Friday, I was honored to participate in the annual Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Breakfast with my colleagues Senators Stephen Goldfinch and Ronnie Sabb and Rep. Carl Anderson. I appreciate the efforts of the chamber of commerce and the event’s sponsor, the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors, in helping to keep businesses and the community informed about important legislative issues.

Tax relief and cutting red tape for our small businesses is vital for economic growth and job creation.

On Thursday, I cosponsored the South Carolina Small Business Tax Cut of 2026 Act, which will exempt personal property tax on the first $10,000 of personal property value for small businesses, defined as having sales of $10 million or less or 100 employees or less.

The House-passed Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act, which I cosponsored, advanced in the Senate Judiciary Committee, moving us closer to reducing burdensome regulations on job creators. The bill requires a review of regulations and a reduction of the regulatory burden on businesses by at least 25 percent.

We advanced legislation requiring the use of U.S. produced iron and steel, H.4709, in state-funded public works projects. The bill passed out of subcommittee and has been referred to the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee for further consideration.

This legislation is focused on strengthening domestic manufacturing, protecting critical supply chains, and ensuring taxpayer dollars support American workers and industries. As South Carolina continues to grow, measures like this help reinforce a strong, reliable workforce and keep our state competitive.

Protecting children and strengthening parental rights is a top priority. We continued work on two key pieces of legislation of which I cosponsored: the Parental Rights Act, which has been referred to committee, and the South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act, which passed out of the House Judiciary Committee.

Both measures focus on safeguarding student privacy in schools while affirming transparency and parental involvement in their children’s education and healthcare.

The Healthcare Budget Subcommittee I chair was busy on Wednesday and Thursday hearing budget requests from state healthcare providers. This week, the subcommittee will hear from the Departments of Vocational Rehabilitation, Children’s Advocacy, and Aging, the SC Commission for the Blind, University of SC Neurological Hospital and SC Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare.

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.

Happy New Year! Hope you’re doing well.

I wanted you to know that In November I was honored to be named 2025 Legislator of the Year by the South Carolina Council of Governments. My thanks to the Council of Governments from around the state for this award.

I’m so grateful for the privilege of representing District 108 in the House of Representatives and remain committed to making our district and state the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

I’ve been busy preparing for the 2026 legislative session, which began last week.

I’m honored to again serve on the coveted Ways and Means Committee and as chair of the Healthcare Budget Subcommittee. I’m also honored to again serve in the House leadership as the Chief Majority Whip.

My colleagues and I begin this year with renewed energy and a clear mission: to fight for your freedom, your family, and a more affordable South Carolina.

On Wednesday, the Healthcare Budget Subcommittee I chair heard budget requests from the Departments of Public Health, Health and Human Services, and Social Services. This week, the subcommittee will hear from MUSC, the SC Area Health Education Consortium, newly formed Department of Behavioral Health, and Developmental Disabilities.

Last week, we held a hearing on the bathroom privacy bill, legislation I cosponsored aimed at ensuring boys are not permitted to use girls’ restrooms and locker rooms in schools, restoring common sense, and protecting privacy, safety, and fairness for students.

Last Thursday, a press conference was held in support of the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act, another bill I cosponsored, which cuts red tape, improves accountability, and ensures regulations work for, not against, small businesses. This legislation has already passed the House unanimously. We look forward to working with the Senate to get this bill across the finish line this year.

The House Department of Transportation Modernization Ad Hoc Committee continued meeting last week to tackle long-term infrastructure challenges facing our roads and bridges. The committee has been focused on how to modernize and improve the South Carolina Department of Transportation, looking at ways to make the agency more efficient, streamline operations, and prepare for future growth.

The House passed legislation addressing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies to help keep South Carolina’s colleges and universities competitive. The bill protects private donor information from public disclosure, ensuring our schools can fairly recruit and retain student-athletes without putting them at a disadvantage compared to other states.

Again, 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.