[{"_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",6272704,"mediaKeyId","3026439-09436b01d6db66ad9021ac08cba41ba2","parentId",3026439,"title","Senate concurs with House amendments to merge three health and disability agencies into a single cabinet agency","audioSeconds",608,"startMs",7355000,"endMs",7963000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026439-09436b01d6db66ad9021ac08cba41ba2&start=7355&end=7963","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026439-09436b01d6db66ad9021ac08cba41ba2/thumbnail_7355000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6272704/South-Carolina/Senate-concurs-with-House-amendments-to-merge-three-health-and-disability-agencies-into-a-single-cabinet-agency","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272704-a79f9d17da6ccafd95d8be9f4127374f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775257113&Signature=SvtFhxvd-Kt3DeBtVovR3IYhmUR1azk~n0Ze51vBcXvHHkebcNB~uZZipeRNH9ZBu5c3rldWA82W8DurekdGEwl8cmnubv3cOMiE8nHfugViwWTSNRwikbpIxSPzZ8BJl1prWC1Npo27l~GYeLAQnv94IKLHfwugTwtWBQcit8Fp9JjdsvmcrY899krhLiPhq~G-PAM3drcbtNiievNbOYMl30A7QvH~oQ-SqXRmZNwc3Qxxgb9HLqg-pAh4xIWFmq2uMJDigVZeTjSns9nKgKnE-om5spWKFO9fIpkyrYjGvOn9swukg4O26c539-thCtUOW0~4fDaQZ9XKSSFQKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Carolina Legislature","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate concurred with House amendments to S.2, a bill merging three state agencies that serve overlapping behavioral‑health and disability populations into a single cabinet‑level agency.

Senator Diefenbaugh (floor sponsor in the transcript) said the scaled‑back consolidation focuses on the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN), the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) so the agencies that serve overlapping clients can be better coordinated. Diefenbaugh said the House amendments largely made technical clarifications — for example, distinguishing the cabinet director from component office directors — and added a required accountability report from the new cabinet agency through calendar year 2028.

Supporters said the changes are intended to improve coordination of services, eliminate duplication and require a three‑year review to report back to the General Assembly whether the changes produced the intended efficiencies.

A roll‑call vote to concur in the House amendments was recorded; the clerk tabulated the vote as 40 yeas and 2 nays. The Senate applied the appropriate vote and concurred in the House amendments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Session April 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate concurred with House amendments to S.2, a bill combining the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, the Department of Mental Health and DAODAS into a single cabinet-level department. The Senate vote to concur was 40–2 on a roll call.","taxTitle","Standing, Senate, Committees, Legislative, South Carolina","taxId",17490,"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},6272709,"Senate unanimously approves ban on swimming near certain public boat landings on Santee Cooper lakes",308,2579000,2887000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026439-09436b01d6db66ad9021ac08cba41ba2&start=2579&end=2887","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026439-09436b01d6db66ad9021ac08cba41ba2/thumbnail_2579000.jpg","/articles/6272709/South-Carolina/Senate-unanimously-approves-ban-on-swimming-near-certain-public-boat-landings-on-Santee-Cooper-lakes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272709-34f4667367abd765165212d8f9b32fc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775257113&Signature=duYn5Zha2tPi9hDLXZC2s5ZKtZCGUBTvNATz0IxXrHf0RbZS-e4VFMBfwTisYAcyiTt4ZaLFUwfvBJsgOdgkhrtF7AIBGY-R5zO8KoRauOW7PlMssWi0AMPtpGUnSsG2DSiX4eu6jUA0YYTHF1OcxvW8LhiAWdkmVg2aURzVkEgimvnlnuU~1x4Q-A6et6W-JXqlSdfc4DTYqL6z3I5vrMgrWqMcgXggrTUCE1te~CjG-w~8gCVNWStQcSw~aUpaKuOPz4GHEZROrXzB3N0XMqNUsr3~0SPw3VnL3~tQhjLiqP-UtWUAOirMO4qYQsbrEcsTVuL6ZYmM938xiJx93Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate approved S.463 to add a provision prohibiting swimming within 50 feet of public boat landings or ramps maintained by the South Carolina Public Service Authority when signs explicitly prohibit swimming.

Senators said the change was requested by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), citing safety concerns after incidents involving children swimming near ramps. The amendment adopted on the floor was described as addressing concerns raised by members from Orangeburg and others and limiting the law’s application to the Santee Cooper lake system under Santee Cooper’s control.

A roll-call vote was recorded on third reading; the clerk tabulated 39 yeas, 0 nays and the bill received its third reading. The floor exchange noted the amendment was intended as a safety measure consistent with rules already applied at other freshwater lakes and to bring the Santee Cooper system into parity with those rules.

The bill will proceed to the next steps in the legislative process after the Senate’s approval on third reading.","The Senate approved S.463 to prohibit swimming within 50 feet of public boat landings or ramps maintained by the South Carolina Public Service Authority when signage prohibits swimming; the measure passed by roll-call vote 39–0.",{"_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},6272714,"Senate adopts amendment, debates compromise changes to K-12 scholarship bill; bill carried over",2035,5352000,7387000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026439-09436b01d6db66ad9021ac08cba41ba2&start=5352&end=7387","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026439-09436b01d6db66ad9021ac08cba41ba2/thumbnail_5352000.jpg","/articles/6272714/South-Carolina/Senate-adopts-amendment-debates-compromise-changes-to-K-12-scholarship-bill-bill-carried-over","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272714-1555075cbcbe13023e7032793fcda7b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775257113&Signature=XaTlZEGN~02fLgbNgBex30AGconIYKzp5Svyckk2ODwxIzvjcaRamC3QNZZxyoB047Kk51qtVPU9mhzZVL1TQN26e5eH4~TrOim0~YuyFXTD8iCt-l2DuipULk9E-Yn7jbxrgzFmYK3fD3EonvY0y7LAJe9qwidPN1oW-OOKtQ0dikytq65iFcTiTlOIJ0lct5JBglPtnSFkQhObpLPTTEVCOQsEuUuDPbD9d2iPUJM0SlXj41XxU1zPHNs3RtowQoNpYievT8A1O~fQtqAIJZqR0E~Ld7v-qStK2T6Its1GFUir2c4D6xY0Pcds7Khq0t38k1HQ~9dq9hdvdZln4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators debated and adopted a negotiated amendment to S.62, a bill to establish K‑12 scholarship awards administered through a trust for eligible students. The amendment preserved a number of Senate provisions, added House changes and set implementation details that senators described as a compromise between chambers.

Senator Hembree (speaking as the Senate sponsor in the transcript) explained that the amendment lets the General Assembly decide whether to fund the scholarships through lottery proceeds or the General Fund; it creates a separate trustee position to administer the trust, establishes two enrollment periods (an early period for returning students and a later period for new students), and sets program parameters including a scholarship amount of about $7,500 per student, a 15,000‑student cap and an administrative fee cap of no more than 5 percent.

The amendment also set an eligibility preference for students at 300 percent of the federal poverty level and a phased upper limit of 500 percent of poverty when fully implemented. The amendment allows the General Assembly to increase participation or funding through the budgeting process. Hembree said the trustee provision was included as an “insurance policy” against legal challenges, and that litigation is expected.

Senators asked for more time to review the extensive amendment. Senator Calhoun asked that the bill be carried over so members could digest the changes; the sponsor said he wanted the program to move quickly to minimize disruption for students currently receiving private-school funds.

The Senate adopted the negotiated amendment after a roll call (29 yeas, 13 nays). Following adoption of the amendment, the Senate carried the bill over so members could review the full amendment text and proposed changes before final action.","Senators discussed and approved a negotiated amendment to S.62, a bill establishing K‑12 education scholarships drawn from lottery or general funds. The amendment set scholarship amounts, eligibility preferences and a 5% administrative cap; the Senate adopted the amendment by roll call then carried the bill over for additional review.",{"_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},6272719,"Senate debate on digital-asset mining bill centers on energy, zoning and state oversight",554,3021000,3575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026439-09436b01d6db66ad9021ac08cba41ba2&start=3021&end=3575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026439-09436b01d6db66ad9021ac08cba41ba2/thumbnail_3021000.jpg","/articles/6272719/South-Carolina/Senate-debate-on-digital-asset-mining-bill-centers-on-energy-zoning-and-state-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272719-f917e5042d06b254195c9e85d1262db3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775257113&Signature=EuZJKO5hZ23tIMWHI9PpQzYhCPL1rB7gyWN6I9hg7I9lHTqYkKaVRPCw4BRS2TEdjwXmiovQB2suTk3UfEewADRfcYiIosHQADZ40TcBdtDkEVxHkdTWkNDWHYDu7iRpeJfwlBNhpCO4Dp2RbF37htWOktv-0ZA3~JGl45LD7RkWI~whsEa-jG~xR2~AmEHqI4KjrgUiz7J7jsECUmXGmiNii0wskQ~umR2DygGB4TgSt2GuLzoGDj4jdzwRs2yT5hng9V7GQIbHOV2~~dhSEvTVlZy3KRFvIc39-7bdQKa2POWrWImSrJbNNnC1wsPBBPFkN7~mVhzVPzncgy0Vrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators debated S.163, a bill intended to create statutory rules for digital-asset (cryptocurrency) mining operations in South Carolina, focusing on energy consumption, local zoning and the role of the Public Service Commission.

The bill’s sponsor, identified in the transcript as the Senator from Lawrence, told colleagues the legislation is designed to provide a “reasonable footprint” in state code so the legislature can begin to address an industry the sponsor described as “alive, active, and . . . growing exponentially.” He said existing industrial zoning and regulatory tools already address many issues and that the bill is not meant to create a new, special category for high-energy users.

The bill drew questions from members worried about potential conflicts with recent energy legislation and with local zoning authority. Senator Campson asked whether digital-asset mining operations should be treated like data centers given their high electricity demand: “Isn’t it cryptocurrency that requires these massive amount of energy?” The sponsor replied that existing industrial zoning law and the Public Service Commission’s oversight of high-consumption customers would apply.

Other senators urged more time to review the amendment language and to coordinate the bill with utilities and the energy legislation recently passed. The senator from Lawrence agreed to further consultation and said he would convene stakeholders, including those who worked on last week’s energy bill.

After discussion, the Senate voted to carry S.163 over for further consideration; the motion to carry over was passed by voice vote. No substantive final action (passage or defeat) occurred during this session.

The bill’s proponents said it aims to avoid creating duplicate local rules for industrially zoned areas and to preserve the Public Service Commission’s authority to review high-usage customer plans. Detractors urged additional review to ensure the bill does not unintentionally preempt local zoning or conflict with energy-system planning.

The bill was carried over to a later calendar so senators and stakeholders could examine the committee language and the proposed amendment in greater detail.","Senators debated S.163, a bill laying out a state-level regulatory footprint for digital-asset mining, with questions focused on energy use, local zoning authority and coordination with the Public Service Commission. Senator from Lawrence moved to carry the bill over for further consideration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate concurs with House amendments to merge three health and disability agencies into a single cabinet agency

Senate unanimously approves ban on swimming near certain public boat landings on Santee Cooper lakes

Senate adopts amendment, debates compromise changes to K-12 scholarship bill; bill carried over

Senate debate on digital-asset mining bill centers on energy, zoning and state oversight