Senate sets tort-reform bill S.244 for special order, adopts Tech First resolution and confirms DHHS director Eunice Medina

The South Carolina Senate on an unspecified date set S.244 — a tort-reform measure commonly discussed alongside dram-shop liability proposals — for special order by a roll call vote of 34–6, advanced a concurrent resolution promoting technology access for people with disabilities and confirmed Eunice Medina as director of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The vote to set S.244 for special order was moved by the senator from Edgefield and carried after a roll call. The motion to schedule the bill for later, extended debate passed 34–6. The chamber did not complete floor debate on the bill during the session; senators instead voted to return to the matter at a later, scheduled time.

Why it matters: S.244 and related measures have been characterized in the chamber as consequential for both plaintiffs and businesses. Setting the bill for special order guarantees a dedicated floor period for fuller debate and a recorded vote.

Senator Devine, the senator from Richland, addressed the chamber earlier in the session about the incoming bills S.184 and S.244, urging cooler heads in what she described as a polarized debate. "This does not have to be a 0 sum game," Senator Devine said, adding that lawmakers can be simultaneously "pro-business" and "proponent[s] of injury victims." That framing appeared to reflect efforts by some senators to reach compromise language as the bills move toward more extensive floor consideration.

The chamber also unanimously adopted S.392, a concurrent resolution described on the floor as the "Tech First" resolution, which urges expanded access to assistive technology for people with disabilities. Senator Johnson, the senator from York, explained the measure on the floor, saying it seeks to "assist those who may be blind and or other disabilities through the use of technology" and noted the resolution asks the state to consider ways to increase access.

In executive business, the Senate confirmed Eunice Medina as director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services by a vote of 41–0. The clerk announced that, upon confirmation, Medina would serve as director; senators recognized her confirmation on the floor. The chamber also confirmed Jay Gadsden Jr. as director of the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services and approved multiple additional statewide appointments by unanimous consent.

Other legislative actions and procedural rulings taken during the session included multiple bills receiving third reading (S.125, S.219, S.264, S.2 — which would establish a Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities — S.275 and the house joint resolution H.3438 concerning the Catawba Indian Reservation). Several bills were carried over to a later day, and the presiding officer sustained Rule 39 points of order on a batch of bills that had not been on the calendar the required amount of time.

Votes at a glance

- S.244 (tort reform / dram-shop liability): Motion to set for special order — PASSED, roll-call 34 yes, 6 no. Moved by the senator from Edgefield. (No final passage vote recorded this session.) - S.392 (concurrent resolution, "Tech First"): ADOPTED (voice/unanimous consent); pro-technology access for residents with disabilities. Motion explained by Senator Johnson (Senator from York). - Confirmation — Eunice Medina, Director, SC Department of Health and Human Services: CONFIRMED, roll-call 41 yes, 0 no. Clerk announced Medina would serve as director immediately upon confirmation. - Confirmation — Jay Gadsden Jr., Director, Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services: CONFIRMED by unanimous consent (same recorded margin applied by the chamber). - Third reading approvals (third reading granted; no extended debate recorded this session): S.125, S.219, S.264, S.2 (establishing the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities), S.275 (electric-vehicle charging stations-related amendments), H.3438 (house joint resolution regarding expansion of the Catawba Reservation). These bills were given third reading by voice votes or unanimous assent as listed on the calendar.

Discussion versus decisions

- Discussion: Senator Devine (Senator from Richland) urged that the chamber avoid framing the S.184 and S.244 debate as "a 0 sum game," urging attention to both business interests and injury victims’ rights. - Direction/Assignment: Several bills were carried over for later consideration; the chamber sustained multiple Rule 39 points of order, holding certain measures until calendar requirements were met. - Formal action: The formal actions recorded were the motion to set S.244 as special order (passed); adoption of S.392; confirmations of Eunice Medina and other statewide appointments; and third-reading actions on several bills.

What’s next

Senators set S.244 for more extensive floor consideration at a later special-order period; no final passage vote on the measure was completed during this session. Confirmed appointments take effect as announced on the floor. Additional bills that were carried over and measures subject to Rule 39 rulings will return to the calendar in subsequent sessions.