Good morning. Hope you had a good weekend.

On Tuesday I chaired a House Ways and Means Property Tax Subcommittee hearing on two bills.

H.4912 would allow resident civilian Dept. of Defense employees, who receive orders for a DoD civilian permanent duty or temporary change of station for at least one year, to retain their four percent property tax assessment ratio for as long as they remain on such orders.

H.4294 would allow county councils in rural counties a one-time millage rate increase beyond the rate limitation to replace fees the counties charge to support a fire protection district.

We voted both bills out of committee favorably.

On Thursday, a bill to expand the Education Scholarship Trust Fund program passed the House.

A one-size-fits-all approach to education falls short of meeting our children's varied needs. This legislative milestone underscores our dedication to providing families with unparalleled freedom in choosing the best educational pathways for their children.

This expansion is about fostering a culture of choice, innovation, and flexibility in education. I’m committed to ensuring that every child in our state has access to an education that not only meets their academic needs but also nurtures their individual talents and aspirations.

It’s important to secure a sustainable energy future for our growing state. Next week the House will debate the Ten-Year Energy Transformation Act, which would diversify our energy sources, with an emphasis on exploring nuclear energy potential and streamline regulatory processes to facilitate the swift development of new energy projects, ensuring our infrastructure can support South Carolina's continued growth.

As the discussion around Diversity Equity and Inclusion or DEI policies unfolds in our educational institutions, the upcoming debate on H.4289 is crucial. This bill aims to ensure that our colleges and workplaces emphasize merit and individual achievement over mandatory diversity pledges and training.

As we prepare to address this legislation, I’m focused on promoting an educational environment where equality and opportunity are not just ideals, but realities for all, aligned with our highest academic standards and federal laws. This approach reinforces our commitment to a merit-based system that truly values the contributions and potential of every individual.

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 wanted you to know that on Saturday I officially filed for reelection to the House District 108 seat.

I’ve been privileged and honored to serve the residents of the district in Columbia. I share the conservative values of Georgetown and Charleston County residents and want to continue representing their interests in the House.

I ask for your continued support.

I’m honored to be the featured speaker at the Waccamaw Neck Republican Club meeting this evening, March 18th, at 7 pm at the Waccamaw Library, 41 St. Paul’s Place, Pawleys Island. Hope you can attend.

Last week was Budget Week. After casting 244 votes, the state budget bill passed the House on Tuesday.

With over $1.4 billion set aside for direct tax relief, critical investments in our aging infrastructure, and focused efforts on teacher recruitment and retention, this budget is a testament to our strategic approach to nurturing economic growth, supporting our educational system, and reinforcing our dedication to veterans and public safety.

This year’s careful budgeting has allowed us to provide over $624 million in new tax relief. This includes a $500 million property tax credit for homeowners, translating to an average savings of $359 per household, and an additional $100 million in individual income tax relief.

The budget allocates $230 million to enhance teacher salaries, setting a new minimum salary of $47,000 for first-year teachers. This $4,500 increase from the current school year, along with $40 million for classroom materials, $35 million for school buses, and $20 million for school safety enhancements, reflects our dedication to fostering a safe and enriching learning environment for all students.

To ensure our rapidly growing state remains both connected and economically vibrant, the budget invests $200 million into critical infrastructure, specifically targeting bridge improvements. These funds are allocated with a strategic, corridor-specific approach to address the most urgent bridge needs.

Veterans and first responders hold a special place in this budget, with over $85 million dedicated to healthcare improvements and facilities to honor their service. Additionally, strategic funding has been allocated to bolster law enforcement capabilities, ensuring the safety of our communities.

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.

Hope you’re doing well.

Wednesday was Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day at the State House. I was glad to meet with Ruth Keilen, Patty Younts, and Dr. Jon Bowman to talk about Alzheimer’s related issues, including the important Caregiver Respite Program funded by the state.

More than 95,000 South Carolinians have this terrible disease, with nearly 216,000 family members and friends providing care for them.

Also, on Wednesday, I was privileged to meet with the Georgetown County 4H Club at the State House.

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.”

I welcome visits to my office in the State House and to attend House sessions and committee meetings. We’re usually in session Tuesday through Thursday. Groups are welcome. Please contact me to schedule a visit.

On Thursday, Gov. McMaster signed into law the Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act, which I strongly supported. South Carolina is now the 29th state in the country with constitutional carry. This act not only expands Second Amendment rights for law abiding citizens, it also ensures stringent penalties for those who violate the law to enhance public safety across our state.

Our resolve to empower parents with greater control over their children's education took a significant step forward with the introduction of H.5164, a bill to expand the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, which offers scholarships to eligible families to meet the education needs of their children. This bill passed favorably out of committee, and I expect it to be on the House floor in the coming weeks.

Next week promises to be pivotal as we're set to debate the state’s budget , H.5100. This comprehensive budget not only reflects our state's economic success but also reaffirms our dedication to prudent fiscal stewardship. This budget thoughtfully addresses essential areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development, ensuring that our growing needs are met while maintaining our commitment to efficiency and fiscal responsibility.

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.

Good morning. Hope you had a good weekend.

After a week off, the House was back in session last week – a week was full of significant legislative advancements reflecting our commitment to reducing government bureaucracy, saving taxpayers money, and improving education through parental choice.

On Wednesday, I had the honor of introducing Jeff Massey, the SC Farm Bureau Farmer of the Week, from the House floor. Jeff owns Livingston’s Bulls Bay Seafood in McClellanville, a third-generation seafood business specializing in farm-raised oysters and clams, wild-caught shrimp and soft-shell crabs. He also serves on the board of the SC Shellfish Growers Association. Jeff is an outstanding representative of mariculture in our state.

The House made significant strides in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our state's health services with the passage of H.4927, a bill I cosponsored that consolidates five healthcare agencies with overlapping services into one streamlined agency called the Executive Office of Health Policy. This bill will help achieve cost efficiency and enhance healthcare quality and accessibility. The new Secretary of Health and Policy, will be appointed by the Governor and serve in his cabinet.

One of the most significant achievements this year has been the successful launch of the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program (ESTF), a testament to our commitment to enhancing educational opportunities. I was proud to have voted for and passed this bill last year and now coming full circle, this initiative offers eligible families $6,000 scholarships to tailor their children's education. With the March 15th application deadline approaching, I encourage interested families to apply by clicking here.

Last week, the House leadership joined Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver to announce a proposal for universal school choice aimed at expanding the ESTF program. This new legislation seeks to grant universal eligibility to all families by the 2026-27 school year, enhancing educational opportunities across our state.

Our South Carolina Constitution requires a balanced state budget. I believe the United States Constitution should also require Congress to pass balanced budgets after the federal government has accumulated over $34 trillion in debt.

In a decisive step towards ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term economic stability, SC House Republicans, including myself, proudly passed legislation on Thursday that advocates for a balanced budget amendment to the US Constitution, addressing the critical need to rein in federal spending and combat the escalating federal debt.

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.

Good morning.

It was a pleasure to meet Dallas Cowboy star and NFL Hall of Famer Randy White at the State House. Randy testified before our Ways and Means Healthcare Subcommittee for more funding for opioid addiction treatment.

He spearheads a prevention program called “Coaches versus Overdoses,” designed to reduce overdoses through education and empowerment. Randy told the committee about the tragedy of his son-in-law, Jesse Dempsey, a professional snowboarder, who died in 2018 at age 42 after ingesting a single pill a friend gave him that he thought was an approved painkiller, but was laced with fentanyl.

I was honored to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony at Brookgreen Gardens for the new welcome center and conservatory called The Purdy Center. I appreciate the cultural and educational resources and conservation efforts that Brookgreen Gardens brings to our community.

On Wednesday, I was proud to support and ultimately pass H.4957, a landmark bill designed to empower college athletes in South Carolina with the ability to profit from their name, image, and likeness -- NIL.

This move, strongly supported by coaches from our state's top universities, promotes fair and equitable opportunities for student athletes, ensuring our state aligns with national standards in collegiate sports.

Also, on Wednesday, the Judiciary Committee passed H.4927, a bill that would merge the Dept. of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services and the Dept. of Mental Health, creating the Executive Office of Health and Policy. This legislation would eliminate healthcare fragmentation, gain cost efficiency, and enhance care quality and accessibility.

The House Republican Caucus remains unified in our commitment to the Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act. On Tuesday, we sent a clean version of the bill back to the Senate, underscoring our dedication to safeguarding the Second Amendment rights of South Carolinians.

Although the House will be on furlough next week, the Ways and Means Committee will meet on Tuesday. We’ll be working on the state budget bill, after conducting numerous subcommittee hearings over the last month to gather information for budget deliberations.

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 good weekend.

In 2018 my bill for fixing the process for determining beachfront jurisdictional lines by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management was signed into law by Gov. McMaster. The bill improved property owner notification, expanded the public comment period and allowed owners one year from the date of line implementation to appeal.

Determined every seven to ten years, these lines affect 20,000 property owners statewide and impact first, and in many cases, second row properties regarding the structures that can be built or rebuilt.

Last week, I made the news when I questioned when OCRM can start the process of resetting the beachfront jurisdictional lines. The agency is wanting to start the process this year, however the law controlling where the lines are set requires OCRM to delay data collection for 18 months if the beaches have been impacted by a storm system. I’m working to ensure OCRM follows the law and delays the current review because the coast has been impacted by significant storm systems including Hurricane Ian within the last 18 months.

On Wednesday and Thursday, two important bills I cosponsored were overwhelmingly passed by the House.

H.4710 passed 113 to 1 on Wednesday and indexes our state’s unemployment benefits to seasonal adjusted statewide unemployment rates. By modifying the duration of unemployment benefits to reflect current job market realities, this legislation actively promotes re-engagement with the 161,000 job opportunities currently available across our state. Moreover, this reform will lead to savings for small businesses on their unemployment taxes. The bill now heads to the Senate.

The Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption bill passed 112 to 0 and came out of the Ways and Means Property Tax Subcommittee I chair. I had the privilege Thursday of presenting the bill and the Senate amendments from the House well. The bill extends property tax exemptions to permanently and totally disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. I believe it’s important that we honor and support our veterans and their families. The bill now heads to Gov. McMaster’s desk for his signature.

I hope you’ll 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.

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 wanted you to know that the focus in the House this week was on child safety.

After years of trying to get a bill outlawing child luring passed, it was a great victory for child safety for my bill, H.4825, to pass the House unanimously 113 to 0 on Tuesday.

My thanks for the overwhelming support from my colleagues and for the grassroots support that generated over 17,000 petition signatures in support of this important legislation that will help protect the young from luring and kidnapping.

On Wednesday, we achieved a significant milestone with the passage of the “SC Social Media Regulation Act.” I was glad to support this vital piece of legislation that gives us more control over our children's use of social media. By mandating age verification and requiring parental consent for minors’ accounts, we’re taking proactive steps to shield our youth from potentially harmful online content.

Similarly, we passed the “Child Online Safety Act.” This legislation will protect our children from inappropriate online content, particularly pornographic material. I’m proud to have voted for a law that places a crucial responsibility on commercial entities to implement robust age verification methods, ensuring a safer online environment for children.

The "SC Telehealth and Telemedicine Modernization Act," which I cosponsored, passed the House and Senate on Wednesday and is headed to Gov. McMaster for his signature. This bill will improve access to healthcare services for all South Carolinians, especially those in remote or underserved areas, and ensure telehealth services are provided within the same rigorous standards as in-person care.

On Wednesday, Rep. Carl Anderson, D-Georgetown, and I met with Georgetown County Library Director Dwight McInvaill and members of the Friends of the Georgetown Library -- Bob Willey, Jackie Hoelscher, Rachael Jobin, Vennie Deas Moore, and Pam Toemmes – to discuss statewide public library funding.

I welcome visits to my office in the State House and to attend House sessions and committee meetings. We’re usually in session Tuesday through Thursday. Groups are welcome. Please contact me to schedule a visit.

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.

On Wednesday I had the honor of attending Gov. McMaster’s State of the State address.

He praised South Carolina's economic growth, focusing on advanced manufacturing and tourism, and outlined a significant plan to modernize our healthcare system by consolidating key agencies.

I commend the Governor’s emphasis on the importance of education and infrastructure, and addressing our commitment to public safety.

A big focus in the House this week was the safety and well-being of our children in the digital age.

The “Child Online Safety Act," passed the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. This bill sets stringent guidelines for website and online application operators, designed to ensure that minors are not exposed to inappropriate content on the internet.

Another important bill, the “Social Media Regulation Act,” aims to require parental consent for minors to create social media accounts and places restrictions on access during certain hours. It will soon be debated on the House floor.

On Thursday I voted in favor of H.3523, which establishes a "Fallen First Responder Survivor Advocate" to assist families of deceased first responders in accessing benefits and support.

The Ways and Means Committee met on Wednesday and we passed a bill I cosponsored, H.4710, which would index our state’s unemployment benefits on seasonal adjusted statewide unemployment rates, which would be a win for our state’s people, businesses, and economy.

On Tuesday I welcomed Dr. Gerald Harmon of Tidelands Heath to serve as “Doctor of the Day” for the House of Representatives. For Dr. Harmon, who is the past president of the American Medical Association, this was his 32nd year serving as Doctor of the Day.

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.

Endorsed by House Speaker Murrell Smith

MURRELLS INLET – Republican Rep. Lee Hewitt Monday announced that he will seek reelection to the S.C. House District 108 seat and that he has the backing of House Speaker Murrell Smith.

“It’s been a real privilege to serve in the state House of Representatives and I’m hopeful district voters will send me back for another term,” Hewitt said. “I’ve been blessed with an outpouring of support and will continue working hard in Columbia representing the district.”

“I will continue to fight for low taxes, better roads, the best education for our children, more jobs, and to protect our natural resources,” Hewitt said. “I share the conservative values of the district and will continue working hard to earn the support of Georgetown and Charleston County voters.”

"Lee Hewitt has a proven record of conservative leadership and has brought real results home to the people of District 108,” House Speaker Murrell Smith said. “Lee brings experience and expertise to the Ways and Means Committee, the Republican Caucus and the House as a whole. I wholeheartedly support Lee’s continued service and believe he’s a vital voice for District 108.”

“I’m honored and grateful to have the full support of Speaker Smith,” Hewitt said.

“We’re on target to fund a very good campaign. I’m grateful for all of our campaign donors who have given very generously,” Hewitt said.

Hewitt, 63, was first elected in 2016. He serves on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and is a House Majority Whip.

This year he also serves as the chair of the Georgetown County Legislative Delegation and the Grand Strand Area Transportation Study Policy Committee.

The past two years Hewitt has been awarded the "Champion of Business" award from the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Last year he was named “Legislator of Year” by the S.C. Farm Bureau.

Hewitt has lived in Murrells Inlet for over 40 years. He is owner of Garden City Realty and has served as President of the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors and on the board of the state Association of Realtors.

In 2014, Hewitt was appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control Board of Directors.

Hewitt has served as chairman of the Georgetown County Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals and on the Georgetown County Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Committee, and the Southern Evacuation Lifeline Road Task Force.

Hewitt is a charter member of the Murrells Inlet Rotary Club and a founder and current chair of the Murrells Inlet 4th of July Boat Parade.

He is a 1982 graduate of the University of South Carolina - Coastal with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Hewitt is an active member of Belin Memorial United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Whitney, have two sons.

Hewitt’s campaign website is HewittForHouse.com.

Happy New Year! I hope you’re doing well.

The House of Representatives session began last Tuesday and I wanted to give you an update.

I’m honored to again serve on the coveted Ways and Means Committee, as chair of its Property Tax Subcommittee and as a member of its Healthcare Budget Subcommittee.

I’m also honored to again serve in the House leadership as a Majority Whip.

This year, I also serve as the chair of the Georgetown County Legislative Delegation and the Grand Strand Area Transportation Study Policy Committee.

On Tuesday, the House Criminal Laws Subcommittee held a hearing on my bill, H. 3015, that would outlaw child luring. This is a bill supported by over 17,000 petition signatures and resolutions of support by the cities of Mt. Pleasant and Charleston.

The hearing resulted in the crafting of a new compromise bill on luring, H. 4825, of which I’m the sponsor. I’m optimistic the bill will pass the House.

Luring children should be illegal in South Carolina. Last fall there was another incident in Mt. Pleasant of child luring, where an adult attempted to get a child to go with him in a car, with the promise of taking the child fishing. Over the years, there have been other luring attempts promising candy and visits with puppies.

On Friday, I participated in the annual Georgetown County Legislative Delegation Breakfast, hosted by the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors. Senators Stephen Goldfinch and Ronnie Sabb and Rep. Carl Anderson and I answered a lot of great questions from a packed house.

I believe it’s important to focus on these key issues in 2024:

Further expanding parental choice in education.
Focusing on children's health and safety.
Improving the judicial selection process.
Continuing to enhance our economic momentum.
Developing comprehensive energy policies and investing in modern, efficient power generation to meet our state's growing needs.

I’m thankful for the opportunity 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.