Senate adopts resolutions, confirms magistrates and advances several bills in largely procedural day

The South Carolina Senate on April 15 adopted a pair of resolutions, confirmed multiple county magistrates and advanced several bills through second or third reading during a session that was largely procedural.

Among the formal actions, the chamber adopted a resolution congratulating the South Carolina Aquarium on its 25th anniversary and approved a concurrent resolution setting May 1, 2025, as the date for the election of members of the Public Service Commission for several congressional districts. The Senate also confirmed nominations for multiple county magistrates and gave recorded second readings or third readings to several bills, including a unanimous 41-0 vote on a child-welfare confidentiality measure and a 35-5 recorded second-reading vote on a tort-reform bill.

The aquarium resolution, introduced by Senator Tom (Sutton), was given immediate consideration by unanimous consent and adopted by voice vote. The concurrent resolution to fix May 1 as the time for the Public Service Commission elections was likewise adopted after a unanimous-consent request and a joint assembly call.

On legislation, the Senate placed House Bill H3654 (relating to authorized disclosures of child-welfare case records to county and state guardian ad litem staff and the State Child Advocate) on second reading and later recorded a roll-call second-reading vote of 41 yeas and 0 nays. The clerk’s roll-call transcript shows senators voting aye across the chamber; the bill was reported favorably with amendments by the Medical Affairs Committee before the vote.

The chamber also reported a committee amendment to H3813 (game-zone bear hunting seasons) and, after floor debate, agreed to the Ott amendment preserving a separate week for dog hunts and expanding still-hunting opportunities; the amendment was agreed to by voice vote.

Tort-reform legislation, House Bill H3497 (the House bill with the senate amendment), received a recorded second-reading vote after a substitute amendment by Senator Massey was adopted. The roll call recorded 35 yeas and 5 nays. Senators who voted “no” on the second reading included Senator Devine, Senator Graham, Senator Hutto, Senator Sab, and Senator Walker; one senator (Allen) was recorded as abstaining in an earlier roll call entry.

The Senate confirmed several local judicial nominations by voice vote: Melissa G. Burch as Darlington County magistrate, Matthew B. Davis as Spartanburg County magistrate and William B. Cox Jr. as Kershaw County master-in-equity. Each confirmation was put to the chamber and the ayes were recorded.

A smaller procedural development: Senate Bill S12 (an energy-related authorization bill) received a third reading earlier in the day but later the Senate voted to reconsider that third reading following a motion by Senator Davis. The motion to reconsider passed.

The Senate also voted to go into executive session at mid-session by voice vote and later returned to open session. The body adjourned at the end of the calendar and set the next convening for 1 p.m. the following day.

Votes at a glance

- Senate Resolution to congratulate the South Carolina Aquarium on its 25th anniversary — adopted (voice vote). Referenced by: Senator Sutton (introduction and immediate consideration). - Concurrent resolution setting Public Service Commission election time (May 1, 2025) — adopted (voice vote). - House Bill H3654 (authorized disclosure of child-welfare records to guardian ad litem staff and State Child Advocate) — second reading recorded: 41 yes, 0 no (roll-call vote). - Amendment to H3813 (Ott amendment on bear hunting seasons) — amendment adopted (voice vote); amendment preserves separate dog-hunt week and extends still-hunting time. - House Bill H3497 (tort-reform, senate amendment adopted) — second reading recorded: 35 yes, 5 no (roll-call vote). Recorded “no” votes included Senators Devine, Graham, Hutto, Sab and Walker. - Confirmations: Melissa G. Burch (Darlington County magistrate) — confirmed (voice vote); Matthew B. Davis (Spartanburg County magistrate) — confirmed (voice vote); William B. Cox Jr. (Kershaw County master-in-equity) — confirmed (voice vote). - Senate Bill S12 (energy authorization) — had been given third reading earlier; Senate later voted to reconsider that third reading following a motion by Senator Davis (motion adopted).

What the actions mean

Most items acted on Wednesday were procedural or ceremonial: resolutions honoring organizations or setting administrative dates, committee reports placing bills on the calendar, and confirmations of locally nominated magistrates. Two recorded roll-call second-reading votes stood out as the most consequential formal actions recorded on the floor: H3654 (41-0) and H3497 (35-5). Several bills were carried over for later consideration, and S12’s third reading was subject to a successful motion to reconsider, restoring the bill to further action.

The meeting concluded with the Senate moving into, and then out of, executive session and adjourning to reconvene at 1 p.m. on the following day.