Senate passes wide-ranging tort reform measure, approves several resolutions and second-reads peer-to-peer car-sharing bill

The South Carolina Senate on Thursday gave final approval to S.244, a package of technical and substantive changes affecting liability rules and related civil‑procedure provisions, and disposed of a slate of resolutions and regulations before adjourning to meet next Tuesday.

The package S.244 was read for third and final reading after floor managers described numerous technical edits, a cleanup amendment and clarifications about allocation of fault. "There is nothing substantive...it does not change the intent," said Senator Johnson (Senator from York) as he described the amendment that corrected internal cross‑references and restored specific language on contribution and joint liability. The measure was passed on third reading.

Why it matters: S.244 revises how fault is apportioned among defendants and restores language governing contribution and the mechanics of joint‑and‑several liability where the bill intends it to apply. Sponsors said the amendment also corrects numerical limits and cross‑references inserted by prior amendments — for example, raising a cited uninsured‑motorist threshold to $50,000 where the floor had previously approved that change.

Other floor action and notable items

- Peer‑to‑peer car‑sharing (S.307): The Senate advanced S.307 on second reading after floor debate and a roll‑call vote. "Unless there are further questions, I would happily sit down and proceed to a vote," said Senator Clymer (Senator from York) before the clerk called the roll. The bill received a second‑reading roll call tally of 40 yes, 0 no.

- Military TIF and affordable housing (S.190): A committee amendment to S.190 that would have extended the military TIF sunset was removed. A floor explainer (Senator from Dorchester) told the body the committee retained the existing 2028 sunset and recommended any extension be taken up separately. The amendment adopting that committee recommendation was approved.

- Scholarship regulations (S.388 and S.389): The Senate gave second reading under Rule 16 to emergency regulations from the State Commission on Higher Education affecting the Palmetto Fellows and LIFE scholarship programs; sponsors said affirmative action today was needed so the emergency regulations would not lapse on April 1 and to allow funds authorized by prior law to be distributed as intended.

- Department of Natural Resources regulation (S.487): The Senate approved second reading of DNR regulations that let processors accept deer carcasses and allow donated venison distribution so long as no sale or profit is made beyond processing costs. A floor sponsor said the rule preserves prohibitions on selling wildlife while allowing processors to recover only processing expenses when meat is donated to charities.

- Concurrent and commemorative resolutions: The body adopted a concurrent resolution designating April 1, 2025, as Higher Education Day in South Carolina and a concurrent resolution (H.4213) declaring April 15 as Child Advocacy Center Day. The Senate also adopted a resolution recognizing Major James Capers Jr. and asked that the roll of the Senate be added to the measure before adoption.

- Local bill vote: A local measure (H.4002) subject to a Greenville County delegation roll call failed in the local delegation by a vote of 0–8 and therefore did not receive a second reading by the full Senate.

- Miscellaneous: Several items were carried over or returned to committee — for example, S.318 (Delivery of Government Efficiency Commission amendments) was carried over, a set of banking and insurance regulations (S.407–S.414) were referred back to committee, and S.502 (a Kershaw County road‑naming bill) was discharged from the Transportation Committee and placed on the calendar by unanimous consent.

Votes at a glance

- S.244 (third reading): Adopted (voice vote; amendment pool and final third reading recorded). - S.307 (peer‑to‑peer car sharing, second reading): Second reading — roll call 40 yes, 0 no. - S.190 (military TIF, committee amendment adopted): Committee amendment adopted; second reading as amended. - S.388 (Palmetto Fellows regs): Second reading under Rule 16 (affirmative vote applied). - S.389 (LIFE scholarship regs): Second reading under Rule 16 (affirmative vote applied). - S.487 (DNR donated deer processing regulation): Second reading under Rule 16. - S.150 (Rental Cart Age Act, third reading): Bill received third reading (ayes have it). - S.233 (Violent Predator Act definition, third reading): Bill received third reading (ayes have it). - S.235 (Prostitution statute changes, third reading): Bill received third reading (ayes have it). - S.367 (Abandoned and sunken vessels declared nuisance, third reading): Bill received third reading (ayes have it). - H.4213 (concurrent resolution — Child Advocacy Center Day): Adopted (voice vote). - Senate resolution recognizing Major James Capers Jr.: Adopted (unanimous consent; roll of the Senate added by unanimous consent). - H.4002 (local Greenville bill): Failed to receive second reading after Greenville delegation roll call (delegation vote 0–8).

What’s next: The Senate set H.3309 (a House energy bill) for special order and adjourned, with leaders signaling additional floor time next week to begin full consideration of that long energy bill. The chamber also indicated it will go into a perfunctory week later to allow committee work on the budget.

The session adjourned to meet at 12 noon Tuesday.