Russell Ott

SB 103 requires transparent labeling of cell-cultivated or lab-grown food products. CPAC believes that producers should label their products accurately. Lab-grown cell products are not real meat, so CPAC supports this bill. The South Carolina Senate passed SB 103 on February 4, 2025, in a 42–0 vote, and Governor Henry McMaster signed the measure into law.

This bill expands sexual exploitation laws to include morphed or digitally altered images of minors. CPAC supports it for strengthening child protection laws and ensuring accountability in digital crimes. The Senate passed it 45–0, and the Governor signed it on May 22, 2025.

This bill limits property tax exemptions to match a nonprofit’s actual ownership interest. CPAC supports it for promoting fiscal responsibility and fairness. The Senate passed it 44–0, but the House did not act on the measure before the end of the 2025 legislative session.

This bill revises prostitution laws and increases penalties for solicitation. CPAC supports it for protecting vulnerable individuals and promoting public order. The Senate passed it 40–0, but the House did not act on the measure before the end of the 2025 legislative session.

SB 62 responds to a recent court decision that threatened to cripple South Carolina’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund, that thousands of South Carolinians use to offset educational expenses. The bill adjusts the structure of the program to ensure compliance with the state constitution and expands the number of families eligible to join. CPAC believes school choice is a parental right and advocates for expanding educational freedom. For those reasons, it supports this bill. The South Carolina Senate passed SB 62 on February 4, 2025, in a 31-9 vote, and Governor Henry McMaster signed the measure into law.

This bill reforms personal injury lawsuit regulations to limit frivolous lawsuits and reduce legal costs for businesses. CPAC supports this bill because it protects small businesses, promotes economic freedom, and safeguards taxpayers from unnecessary legal expenses. The Senate passed the bill 35–7, but the House did not act on the measure before the end of the 2025 legislative session.

This bill updates South Carolina’s alcohol laws to allow liquor liability insurance, create an alcohol server training program, and prohibits knowingly selling alcohol to intoxicated persons. CPAC supports this bill because it promotes responsible alcohol service, protects businesses from unnecessary legal exposure, and encourages public safety. The Senate passed the bill 35–5, but the House did not act on the measure before the end of the 2025 legislative session.

SJR 318 creates a commission to provide the Governor and the General Assembly with recommendations on reducing financial waste in state government. CPAC believes that governments have a responsibility to spend taxpayers’ money with the utmost care and to avoid bureaucratic inefficiencies, so it supports this resolution. The South Carolina Senate passed SJR 318 on May 8, 2025, in a 34-11 vote, but the House did not act on the measure before the end of the 2025 legislative session.

This bill establishes the South Carolina Waterways Protection Fund and adds a $3 Waterways Protection Fee to each annual watercraft tax notice to support conservation and maintenance of the state’s waterways. CPAC opposes this measure because it imposes a new fee on citizens rather than reducing government waste or reallocating existing funds. The Senate passed it 39–4. It was referred to the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.

SB 287 would direct the government to create a directory of approved vaping products that can be sold in South Carolina, and it would place additional advertising restrictions on vaping manufacturers and sellers. CPAC believes that this bill will drive up prices by favoring larger manufacturers that can comply with these new requirements, burdening Americans who use vaping as an alternative to cigarettes. For that reason, CPAC opposes this bill. The South Carolina Senate passed SB 287 on March 19, 2025, in a 38-2 vote, but the House did not act on the measure before the end of the 2025 legislative session.