[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6272680,"mediaKeyId","3027198-b2fba77cc26a91140de84e54d85fc178","parentId",3027198,"title","Subcommittee approves tougher penalties for driving without a license","audioSeconds",299,"startMs",4103000,"endMs",4402000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027198-b2fba77cc26a91140de84e54d85fc178&start=4103&end=4402","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027198-b2fba77cc26a91140de84e54d85fc178/thumbnail_4103000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6272680/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-approves-tougher-penalties-for-driving-without-a-license","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272680-4ae92d65b6f8299acd3d8801ded0188b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138716&Signature=S2F6mokBdaKo2gU8j6Jw0sRVa7hC4nOIQ5mT69fn3lKYN-z~Q5vJmi5tStcfLurl2W1K1YSuxFOL7Sbx8KPaLlV1Hq~UJHNTuhgRrC5kYYkxmHkWO5yCl8mXhTuQ5~ofaTx4n0NAGxdXkf68AJm~81uba8ax4Y4G3pnCh4EUlYnJMp3pUt0A9s0KKkUfmxtscyuRUUQ8JSivHz5RD3vJw3TUSN7R5cKJ61Nw9oCNpF3tWxXrzpOmcGYyFsHMj4hUguEZgpFhC7lGIyURRazjWXoDHIiHV3EUt05opYeG66ntJrdmbd2bIuxxWWRwkyoiE~md5oN~3yOxlX82MwUFUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Carolina Legislature","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","A Senate Transportation subcommittee voted to report S59 favorably after members heard testimony about the frequency and enforcement challenges of driving without a valid license.

Senators Bennett and Rice sponsored S59, which raises penalties for driving without a license. Under the bill as described to the committee, a first offense would be punishable by a $300 fine or up to 30 days in jail or both (current law: $50–$100 or up to 30 days); a second offense would be $600 and up to 45–60 days (current law: $500 or up to 45 days); and a third or subsequent offense could carry a $1,000 fine and a minimum of 45 days up to six months in confinement or home detention under the Home Detention Act.

David Owens summarized the changes in the statutory penalties. Major Stankus of the Highway Patrol testified about enforcement realities, describing frequent encounters with drivers who lack valid licenses or drive while suspended. Major Stankus said law enforcement agencies are working to reduce repeat offenders and that officers increasingly use incarceration when practical to prevent people from driving again immediately after release. \"We are attempting to address it internally as well. But it is every day,\" Major Stankus said.

The bill retains an existing provision allowing a summary court to dismiss a charge if the defendant presents proof of a valid license on or before the court date. Committee members discussed practical enforcement issues such as on‑scene custody and whether defendants can arrange a ride home rather than being jailed.

After brief discussion, the committee voted for a favorable report. No roll‑call vote was recorded in the transcript; the chair called for yeas and the ayes prevailed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Transportation Committee April 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill S59 increases fines and custodial penalties for repeated unlicensed driving and was reported favorably by the subcommittee.","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},6272685,"Subcommittee punts golf‑cart night‑operation bill to allow municipal authority and drafting cleanup",577,3519000,4096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027198-b2fba77cc26a91140de84e54d85fc178&start=3519&end=4096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027198-b2fba77cc26a91140de84e54d85fc178/thumbnail_3519000.jpg","/articles/6272685/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-punts-golfcart-nightoperation-bill-to-allow-municipal-authority-and-drafting-cleanup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272685-8211d5d03eeb7e87e30500c02d9e337e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138716&Signature=oafbSCL--pUWaYNaTxO0b1jCelplWje1QHrbLiic4HjT2qk5Axm1K7UGXjNOIXz~YZHdA9kSNaWB-ceGTVSUBlqYK~pfVSISFu62XBTKzW1RD7F49st6xGjGAR2T8GHUzZjMf3lUgC~G1ppcxghklPn8YkbrqXcyXdHCni8VOFJuIdqmKSMWOGjMvFTgICD~YxtjlFuDBL7KhbH3jzGeD47HcjF5VgbtMNKg-iAizA5F9J6xDLqFfhZByyaIqAA4Q8eFfH~JToyLoLLD68fDjwTWRzg7mgK2-UBQhQS5lFOhBjCyDReNYHSvvDNjfoiRi0ZTwt4MypZgAeT7vcHMqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators reviewed House Bill H3292, which would allow municipalities — and where no municipality exists, counties — to adopt ordinances permitting golf cart operation at night in designated areas that meet safety conditions such as required lighting. Committee members carried the bill to give staff time to fix drafting issues and to allow local governments to weigh in.

David Owens, committee staff, said the bill appears intended to let cities and counties authorize limited night operation in defined areas, but acknowledged the bill contains \"inartful drafting\" that needs cleanup. Todd Glover, who identified himself as a North Augusta resident and noted he works in municipal government but was testifying personally, said the measure is meant for targeted local situations such as planned events and mixed‑use neighborhoods where nighttime cart use is appropriate. He said local governments would still need to take a second step to legalize night operation after the state law passed.

Glover provided DOT statistics he obtained showing 11 golf‑cart fatalities from February 2010 through February 2023 and said the bill aims to allow permissive, limited local action rather than blanket statewide permission. \"This bill is written in a way that also recognizes that it is not safe to operate golf carts everywhere at night that you could during the day,\" he said. Avery Upchurch from the Association of Counties said the association supports the bill's home‑rule approach.

The committee noted that past exceptions for barrier islands had lapsed and that this bill would not resurrect night operation statewide without municipal or county action. After discussion, senators voted to carry the bill over so staff members can prepare cleanup language and local officials can provide input.

Next steps: staff to refine drafting and circulate changes ahead of the next committee meeting; no vote to advance the bill was taken.","H3292 would let municipalities and counties permit golf cart operation at night in designated areas with lighting and local review; the committee carried the bill to allow cleanups and acknowledged it is a home‑rule preference.",{"_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},6272690,"Senators discuss two‑track approach for UTVs; committee asks staff to pursue options",485,3013000,3498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027198-b2fba77cc26a91140de84e54d85fc178&start=3013&end=3498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027198-b2fba77cc26a91140de84e54d85fc178/thumbnail_3013000.jpg","/articles/6272690/South-Carolina/Senators-discuss-twotrack-approach-for-UTVs-committee-asks-staff-to-pursue-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272690-4c757f89dc51bf35806290775e3c5649/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138716&Signature=C~pvC9ZbZHk1lYU9rxCOryORnA13faBxcviioCxdjViz~uoZOhAyQUMlfg9A8QRstJjzD3Z3JrGiNqMd5cfpxoCju8mYgqh~vqtbugzKpaWmHTyMyUSsnfrXEfVHy2IHNJth9-LZ3xrvxjANFbcQmSEYp8G9G8dDgmQQo8-p~36f7wDQFZ3PbhIemJ04nASgI39NEXZ9oxQXKGl0Q4Y0JSHtpeTg73m0nn8ff23WyRO3lu9gstqy8eAMJC-48zqsp5-qTKLNWAmUxxLxfXnFKRfb3pEh2W~yqYfNzsRjB6O7bQM~146K1pIel7R5Akmrb~zN-4olDBdD-021qo06nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill S222, a proposal addressing utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), drew extended committee discussion about how to reconcile neighborhood uses, farm needs and highway safety. Senators directed staff to prepare draft options — including treating some UTVs as medium‑speed vehicles or creating separate tracks for agricultural and neighborhood uses — and carried the bill for further work.

Committee members described two principal user categories: local/neighborhood use (similar to golf carts) and agricultural or rural cross‑road travel where a vehicle may need to move between properties on higher‑speed roads. The chair summarized the dilemma: UTVs that are suitable for slow, neighborhood travel are not engineered for sustained on‑road use, yet some farmers and rural property owners need limited on‑road access for agricultural tasks.

Charlie Stabler and other supporters of UTV legalization asked senators to consider practicality for local users and noted significant public support. Stabler told the committee he wanted to ensure people who traveled to testify were recognized and that he would answer questions based on prior submittals.

Senators proposed two paths: 1) regulate UTVs as medium‑speed vehicles with safety equipment and titling like MSVs, opening access to roads up to 45 mph; or 2) create a dual‑track approach allowing UTVs to operate with low‑speed vehicle rules for neighborhood uses (up to 35 mph) and provide a narrowly tailored rural/agricultural exception to allow limited on‑road travel for farm operations. Supporters of the medium‑speed approach argued UTVs with required lighting, seat belts and other safety features are more akin to MSVs than golf carts. Others cautioned that UTVs built for off‑road use often have higher centers of gravity and soft off‑road tires that increase rollover risk on pavement.

Committee members also said an amendment addressing liability and production issues (discussed with Honda representatives and others) is being prepared. The chair asked staff to draft language for both tracks so senators could compare options at the next meeting. The committee carried S222 over for additional drafting and review.

No formal vote to advance the bill was taken; the committee’s action was to ask staff for drafting options and to reconvene with refined text.","After lengthy discussion about neighborhood, agricultural and on‑road uses of utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), the committee asked staff to prepare drafts that would treat UTVs either as medium‑speed vehicles or via a dual‑track approach and carried the bill over.",{"_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},6272694,"Committee carries over bill on medium‑speed vehicles after safety, definition and implementation questions",1584,1416000,3000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027198-b2fba77cc26a91140de84e54d85fc178&start=1416&end=3000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027198-b2fba77cc26a91140de84e54d85fc178/thumbnail_1416000.jpg","/articles/6272694/South-Carolina/Committee-carries-over-bill-on-mediumspeed-vehicles-after-safety-definition-and-implementation-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272694-5e01f4e19a61d80cfa68d39f9bb3359f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138716&Signature=EHSfRgsdMc0UNXDnVeF24CXvQ7uWJEQXln6mY4vhl1IWF2yVd3DjqPFq4vBFzqp6~yOISF8ZqlY-pU74ntqandG0oruf5I3oZzVfF7ms1h1DuNitaFyccCnO2rV~O6~lFGSl~z2wYu7oJU6t-hc-BCX~YlPtqwjd6sfmzplctd7RlJsZOuTdIwu5LnKVlpYB~yadBCcqwHlsp0jHYSOixD6sIcLqDlqMwtWutmVvw6ZC385kIdPBiRDp-kUPSEpzoexTPJbho9ctMoJ6QWe7m4e1pcd-nsfYE4~h3~jOlotPPJB2k1IRjjvMyXvX3lT47YrqgkM9NobGqE0IxOKSgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators at a Transportation subcommittee hearing heard detailed testimony about Senate Bill S387, which would create a new classification for medium‑speed vehicles (MSVs) and allow on‑road operation on highways posted 45 miles per hour or less under specified safety and titling conditions. Committee members carried the bill over to allow staff to draft cleanup language.

Senator Kimbrell's bill defines an MSV as a vehicle that must meet certain design and safety standards and be titled and insured like a conventional vehicle. David Owens summarized the proposal: \"Essentially, an MSV may be operated only on a highway posted 45 miles an hour or less and an MSV must meet the federal safety standards for low speed vehicles.\" The bill would disallow homemade conversions and allow local governments and the Department of Transportation to adopt more restrictive rules.

Vehicle industry witnesses described MSVs as battery‑propelled, fully enclosed vehicles that in some global markets are built to higher speed and safety standards (examples given as L7E quadricycles in Europe). Jason Bullock with Carolina Bridal (testifying on industry behalf) explained that many LSVs can be software‑tuned to higher top speeds and that MSV classification would enable practical on‑road use in communities connected by 45 mph roads: \"What a medium speed vehicle is is basically a low speed vehicle that has been increased through its software.\" Bullock and other witnesses emphasized requirements such as DOT‑rated windshields, seat belts, lights and DOT‑approved tires.

Public safety officials flagged data and enforcement gaps. Major Stankus of the Highway Patrol said agency reporting historically lumps UTVs, ATVs and other off‑road vehicles into an \"other\" category, hampering clear safety trend analysis. \"The reporting systems that we use ... they're not recognized as legal street vehicles at this point,\" he said, adding that new reporting tools scheduled later this year will better identify vehicle types. A DMV representative cautioned that the manufacturer's certificate of origin is a key safeguard: allowing broad reclassification or homemade conversions could let unsuitable vehicles be titled for on‑road use and increase risk.

Committee members debated technical fixes and the 55‑inch width / in‑state manufacturing carveout in the bill. Supporters said the language aims to exclude cheaply imported, underspecified vehicles; some senators worried it could create protection for specific manufacturers. Participants also discussed whether MSV standards would create safety features superior to typical low‑speed vehicles and whether existing federal standards (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard references and 12 design criteria) are adequate.

Because staff needs to clean up drafting language and address several points raised in testimony — including the 55‑inch/manufacturer threshold and the reference to federal standards — the committee voted to carry the bill over for further work.

Discussion highlights: testimony stressed MSVs must be electric, meet design criteria similar to higher‑rated European quadricycles, and be titled with a manufacturer certificate of origin; law enforcement said data on MSV/UTV crashes is currently limited; DMV urged careful limits to prevent unsafe vehicle types from being registered for on‑road use.

Next steps: staff will draft cleanup language for the next meeting; the committee did not advance S387 at this session.","Senators discussed defining and permitting medium‑speed vehicles (MSVs) for operation on roads posted 45 mph or less, raised safety and manufacturing‑origin concerns, and carried the bill over for staff cleanup language.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6272699,"Senate subcommittee advances hands‑free distracted driving bill after amendments",1218,172000,1390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027198-b2fba77cc26a91140de84e54d85fc178&start=172&end=1390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027198-b2fba77cc26a91140de84e54d85fc178/thumbnail_172000.jpg","/articles/6272699/South-Carolina/Senate-subcommittee-advances-handsfree-distracted-driving-bill-after-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272699-ea54c6846f4ed7d8f81cec0e2e6a03e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138716&Signature=QX9j9A0SE0bPAYHGbbH-1woQmf2M3gNYZ6h5X4-NNVDIUFLWi9MEfY3xLDlWup3~F1vD8kYl8gtsv3iJWQyvN8hxAylXm7ff~PIQV-l7QflWfyPy82oyqxVaNwsSM2xFujeAAY1Kq0eRvz3kmFOfb1POJUKUjuBadYLJNWBIfQJpDqqZMj8uyNOcd1i61mBCdnwO-eDzaVPvQaTSWR8tWj7k4tOxTUg-YQsJTUzgofliYmhs9ezCyuMiO8wptjeOL329HBuhjP7aXuS1dOHdKnPfqOB431B8lvntK7~Elzrg8ciiGevxiNEny~pYwtESib-paXnls3LSxis73tF~jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A subcommittee of the Senate Transportation Committee voted to give House Bill H3276 — the Hands‑Free and Distracted Driving Act — a favorable report as amended after hearing testimony about federal funding consequences, enforcement language and DMV implementation challenges.

The bill would prohibit holding or supporting a mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle and make reading, composing or transmitting text a violation. David Owens, staff to the committee, summarized the measure: \"Bill H3276 prohibits the use of a mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle, provides exceptions as it establishes the offense of distracted driving and sets penalties.\" Owens also noted the bill's changes from prior years, including a new definition of \"mobile electronic device,\" a one‑year delayed effective date and a provision that limits law enforcement stops for the offense.

The measure drew urgency from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Director Shwedo, appearing for DMV, warned the committee that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration had made compliance a condition of federal highway funding and said the state risks losing $50 million this year and $100 million annually thereafter if it does not adopt a qualifying law. \"This forcing function is the same other than it's 50,000,000 this year and a hundred million every year thereafter,\" Director Shwedo said. He also flagged an implementation concern: while the bill bars reporting the two‑point violation to insurers, the points still would appear on drivers' records and would be visible to anyone requesting that record.

Safety and enforcement groups supported the measure. Rick Todd, president and CEO of the South Carolina Trucking Association, said the association backs the bill and noted it is important to have a statute meeting federal criteria to protect commercial drivers. \"The issue is DMV and DPS being able to transfer those records so that the federal government can pick up on it and they can act on CDL holder, disqualifications,\" Todd said. Michael Covington of Auto Club Group AAA emphasized traffic fatalities in the state and said distracted driving affects victims across age groups.

Key provisions discussed include a $100 fine for a first offense, $200 and two points for a second or subsequent offense, a 180‑day warning period for first citations after the law becomes effective, and a one‑year delay in the bill’s effective date after the governor signs it. The bill also instructs that law enforcement shall not stop, search or make a custodial arrest based solely on a distracted‑driving violation, language that was added on the House floor.

Senators debated enforcement standards; the panel adopted amendments to change a probable‑cause standard back to reasonable suspicion and to strike a paragraph barring insurer notification. There was no recorded roll‑call of individual votes; the chair announced the ayes carried the motions. The committee then voted to give H3276 a favorable report as amended.

The committee record shows the measure advanced with those amendments; the bill will move to the next legislative step with the amended language and the one‑year delayed effective date for implementation work at the DMV.

Votes at a glance: The subcommittee voted to adopt amendments (change to reasonable suspicion; strike insurer‑notification prohibition) and then voted to report H3276 favorably as amended. The meeting transcript records the chair saying, \"That bill will receive a favorable report as amended.\"","A Senate Transportation subcommittee gave H3276 a favorable report as amended after testimony on federal funding risks, enforcement language and DMV implementation concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Subcommittee approves tougher penalties for driving without a license

Subcommittee punts golf‑cart night‑operation bill to allow municipal authority and drafting cleanup

Senators discuss two‑track approach for UTVs; committee asks staff to pursue options

Committee carries over bill on medium‑speed vehicles after safety, definition and implementation questions

Senate subcommittee advances hands‑free distracted driving bill after amendments