[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6272698,"mediaKeyId","3026489-4e656c94cb93212941ff19c8ee1ea98f","parentId",3026489,"title","Senate panel gives favorable report to Thomas L. Rhodes III for DOT commission appointment","audioSeconds",657,"startMs",2255000,"endMs",2912000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026489-4e656c94cb93212941ff19c8ee1ea98f&start=2255&end=2912","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026489-4e656c94cb93212941ff19c8ee1ea98f/thumbnail_2255000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6272698/South-Carolina/Senate-panel-gives-favorable-report-to-Thomas-L-Rhodes-III-for-DOT-commission-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272698-ddbd86a14753dd2ef67f7195445dfe32/orig.mp4?Expires=1772752250&Signature=MBxLO23IRpelMK0vambYuTYrbak9PigtiG66IMKp7ZjwPH6NwvQPheUWVquG027c4Osm5Zc~HKp0xtCUvCBU1GAcXWdatnPALw5SPagA-FtI8lXZjTr0AvytQrWHr6uqbgNq-5ONYiRdrkdz2hixICRw-zTeR1dxcqS6MHkLsQQrM3YjSgb6CkucZUCxnPWWOeozce-1s7pDojv9cJmhkN1kLWeVhnT-MtmQ3qmpJxz06Wop12O~lP4CAZmxPj-rQPrcNLH0hGVrWUvPS2Cuwv2~LHenwY~P9kMBaaudOfyp9upIenoOGPJCXUj3p969S9yYT~014rVuIlAw5iSy6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Carolina Legislature","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Transportation Committee voted to give a favorable report to Thomas L. Rhodes III, the governor’s nominee for an at-large seat on the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission.

Rhodes appeared before the committee for a standard confirmation hearing. Committee staff summarized his background: Rhodes is a Columbia-based business owner who has served on community boards, chaired the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce board, and holds a BS in management from Clemson University. Rhodes described his interest in serving as public service and emphasized a business-oriented approach to transportation oversight, including modernizing planning tools and stretching transportation dollars.

During questioning, Rhodes said he had no conflicts of interest, that no family business contracts with DOT or receives state funds, and that he would recuse if a conflict arose. He discussed concerns about future revenue as electric vehicles increase, noting an average EV driver pays about $60 per year toward roads compared with about $200 for the average combustion-engine driver, and said the state should study long-term funding mechanisms.

Committee procedure: after questioning and confirmation that Rhodes’s personal financial disclosures were complete, a senator moved and the committee approved a favorable report by voice vote; the chairman announced, “the ayes have it.”

Ending: Rhodes will be sent forward for full Senate consideration; senators praised his background in business and technology and said they expect to weigh questions about revenue and funding mechanisms as vehicle fleets change.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Transportation Committe April 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Transportation Committee gave a favorable report to Gov. appointment Thomas L. Rhodes III for an at-large seat on the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission after a standard confirmation hearing and questions about conflicts of interest and road-funding matters.","taxTitle","Transportation, Standing, Senate, Committees, Legislative, South Carolina","taxId",60726,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6272703,"Committee carries over bill banning smoking in vehicles with children under 12; debate on age threshold and THC inclusion",516,1701000,2217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026489-4e656c94cb93212941ff19c8ee1ea98f&start=1701&end=2217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026489-4e656c94cb93212941ff19c8ee1ea98f/thumbnail_1701000.jpg","/articles/6272703/South-Carolina/Committee-carries-over-bill-banning-smoking-in-vehicles-with-children-under-12-debate-on-age-threshold-and-THC-inclusion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272703-805ffce89c42c4836e1cabb8fcdae905/orig.mp4?Expires=1772752250&Signature=Z~rqi19HQiyJGwrckiy9kF3AUENAlV~qTe05c4CK~dfDa~XMSnJ8DZAGyLdlLI7uPr-mtR6QIcIIqfjJiym1Nuke3AF~2oRX76fZtjSa6kFPN~AURnFCaS4k-fGgQLNrhDbUYEB0R00xFEjXAOkVan7L86G8ZIwS1ta5Lo8wpavq3HYMCVhlOYVHrL5sYRTcrhCdtrypTrV2HeBzW55jwO~1OvMeKVasEfku9gkcTeHWqjux3lxUai3QPGtTLFGtBYfHX8yKo-h15iUBrYfVv9ioz7VvL6cUg-yKh39mU6NRHjU1UsfEnQw3lt9E0fJolGo76WzkRLgS32o0FVSmbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Transportation Committee carried over S340, legislation that would make it unlawful to smoke a tobacco product in a motor vehicle while a passenger under the age of 12 is present.

David Owens, staff to the committee, explained the bill’s operative language and a subcommittee amendment that adopts the South Carolina code definition of “tobacco product” and delays effectiveness for six months after the governor’s approval. Owens also noted a title discrepancy between the bill title and the enabling language: the title referenced “12 or under,” while the bill text targets passengers “less than 12 years old.”

Senators raised enforcement and scope questions. One senator suggested using booster-seat status rather than age to simplify officer determinations, noting booster seats are required by weight and can help identify younger children; another senator warned that departing from age-based thresholds would put the state out of step with other states, many of which use age limits. A senator from Charleston proposed amending the bill to add “products containing THC,” arguing children should be protected from any smoke in vehicles, regardless of source. Committee members asked the sponsor and interested senators to confer and return with possible amendments.

Committee procedure: senators moved to carry the bill over for further work; the motion carried by voice vote and the bill was returned to subcommittee for additional drafting.

Ending: Committee leaders said they would seek a compromise amendment before floor consideration, noting the bill’s objective — protecting children from smoke in confined vehicle spaces — while flagging implementation and definitional work.

","S340, which would prohibit smoking a tobacco product in a motor vehicle when a passenger under 12 is present, was carried over after lawmakers debated whether to change the age threshold (suggestions ranged from booster-seat age to older ages) and whether to expand the ban to include THC-containing products.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6272708,"Panel advances bill to increase penalties for driving without a license; ‘curing’ provision remains",1159,528000,1687000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026489-4e656c94cb93212941ff19c8ee1ea98f&start=528&end=1687","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026489-4e656c94cb93212941ff19c8ee1ea98f/thumbnail_528000.jpg","/articles/6272708/South-Carolina/Panel-advances-bill-to-increase-penalties-for-driving-without-a-license-curing-provision-remains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272708-7bb38140983f9ce2496980cb939a2345/orig.mp4?Expires=1772752250&Signature=LQLDADgX9kzgPjDUL1gMVNjzkf5ZQymqVhHyFhAIra56uauzFbYUPyW7DOFqll~dEiJq1zCx4E76rfAZ8jcIPTg2a-oQWAwdruMNGfNuwITZ1asLOl-slUJ2BwVgy8Rop5jBP5o5SVR~-DQFGUnnNTfm5wkxOny1~hVAlCJ37zTliEtdSgtMEQ2Fhzx9u3Jw9zaqPKWR88DC5QIofOhDEinKPEr5mKXUGLGJgVkcKSn7yiXdy4fOg1T8FlqvfyuapVzZ-BDe3kllM9BmXYLqvp3FdieSwYyMxKE-KfunEubBi-SK4D8X-26xOgTMrLo7gOgyjExP-x4KZlQuf0o3tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Transportation Committee voted to give a favorable report to S59, a bill that increases penalties for driving without a license in South Carolina, after a subcommittee presentation and committee discussion on enforcement and the interaction of multiple statutes.

Subcommittee Chairman Greg Embry summarized changes proposed in S59, which the committee advanced to the Senate calendar pending further review. Embry said the bill would raise the first-offense penalty from a $50 fine to $300 and increase penalties for second and subsequent offenses; he described the proposed second-offense penalty as $600 or 45 to 60 days (or both) and said third-and-subsequent penalties would include longer confinement (the transcript record for the exact third-offense fine figure is unclear). Embry also described an operative practice in state law: if a person charged obtains a valid license before their court date and produces it in court, the charge is dismissed.

Committee members questioned whether that “get-out-of-court” practice — which some senators described as a generous cure — should apply after repeated offenses. \"Should there be any consideration that if the first time’s a mistake … on the second and third offenses, it's no longer a mistake?\" asked the senator identified in the transcript as the senator from Florence.

Major Sean Stankus of the Highway Patrol clarified that two different statutes address different conduct: the statute for an unlicensed driver (cited in the transcript as “56 120”) addresses people who do not hold a license; a separate statute (cited as “56 1190” or similar in the transcript) governs failure to have a license in possession. Stankus and other senators explained that for some possession-related charges, a driver must show they were licensed at the time of the stop to obtain dismissal, while other statutes allow curing by obtaining a license before court.

Committee procedure: after discussion, members moved, seconded and approved a motion for a favorable report; the chair announced, “the ayes have it.” Members directed staff and interested senators to continue discussions, including consulting the Highway Patrol and considering potential floor amendments that would adjust the cure rules or jurisdictional language.

Ending: Senators flagged related enforcement topics (uninsured motorists, use of tag-reader technology) for follow-up; the committee will address those separately.

","The committee gave a favorable report to S59, which raises fines and jail terms for driving without a license. Lawmakers and the Highway Patrol discussed how current law allows dismissal if a defendant obtains a valid license before court and whether that ‘mulligan’ should be limited for repeat offenders.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6272713,"Senate transportation panel gives favorable report to hands-free driving bill, cites safety and federal fund risk",389,52000,441000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026489-4e656c94cb93212941ff19c8ee1ea98f&start=52&end=441","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026489-4e656c94cb93212941ff19c8ee1ea98f/thumbnail_52000.jpg","/articles/6272713/South-Carolina/Senate-transportation-panel-gives-favorable-report-to-hands-free-driving-bill-cites-safety-and-federal-fund-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272713-38c0b18a1df184a39f5ef2a73c9847a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1772752250&Signature=cB7c0~XRlnb6VAJvkIA6FWA97Z1ged8YIAd-2L~ps9c1DVhbIzGZSeLbM9c9qwxKawW7UjRjsZz9EdA0xHex4m4HmIPwQoXC36dqR5bKG-R0yw2bwG~~p-AECZ5wcKpeNuLPZaS4nEIEp2qFRHZsIdg~BRNcNrTc-1OxmvZV0xY1Mg0EJSKkgp~EutuagY9Va3Ed838zdfKLPAAkKmTjl4QkKk0yMTw5wdRopyT0Hau14bu8ME1Df6wKsnS3c72hyygovC-hR6vBg4nEHO2jmAhpShkJoTm7ClsYxOYn0t-ikfIMBZov0RBqPnnE6KMy0fqBND3bjoz3lqRBwFDrFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday gave a favorable report as amended to H3276, the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, after the subcommittee adopted an amendment and committee members voted to advance the bill.

The bill, presented by Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Greg Embry, would make it unlawful to hold or support a mobile electronic device while driving, prohibit reading or composing texts and viewing video while operating a vehicle, and set penalties for violations. Embry said the statute includes common-sense exceptions for emergency calls, first responders and navigation functions.

The move matters because, Embry said, South Carolina ranks among the most dangerous states for drivers and is averaging about 12 road deaths per week. “We are, right now, we’ve been warned that if we don’t pass a distracted driving bill that meets that this one does meet that criteria … we’re gonna lose $50,000,000 in state highway funds this year, and going forward that will increase to $100,000,000 year after year,” Embry said.

Under the language explained to the committee, a first offense would carry a $100 fine; a second and subsequent offense would carry a $200 fine and two points assessed against the driver, with only offenses within three years counted as repeats. The bill lists several exceptions, including when a vehicle is lawfully stopped and use of earpieces or wrist-worn devices for voice communications. The subcommittee adopted a technical amendment that restores the original reasonable-suspicion standard for stops (the House had amended that to probable cause), and the committee rejected removal of a provision that would report points to insurers.

Committee procedure: the subcommittee amendment was moved, seconded and adopted on a voice vote; the motion for a favorable report as amended was likewise moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The committee did not record roll-call vote tallies in the transcript; the chair announced, “the ayes have it,” when the measures passed.

What’s next: The bill, as amended, will move forward on the Senate calendar. Members discussed enforcement questions and technical cleanups that may be addressed in future floor amendments.

Ending: Committee leaders emphasized the combination of safety and funding motives behind the bill as they advanced it.

","The Senate Transportation Committee’s subcommittee reported favorably on H3276, the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, adopting an amendment and sending the bill forward as amended. Sponsors said the law targets distracted driving and is tied to federal highway funding at risk if the state does not meet federal criteria.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate panel gives favorable report to Thomas L. Rhodes III for DOT commission appointment

Committee carries over bill banning smoking in vehicles with children under 12; debate on age threshold and THC inclusion

Panel advances bill to increase penalties for driving without a license; ‘curing’ provision remains

Senate transportation panel gives favorable report to hands-free driving bill, cites safety and federal fund risk