South Carolina House debates sweeping rule changes, members split over eliminating motion period and Committee of the Whole

Members of the South Carolina House of Representatives spent much of the day debating House Resolution 38‑15, a package of proposed rules changes that would eliminate the chamber’s traditional motion period, do away with the Committee of the Whole and make a number of other procedural changes intended, supporters say, to protect public participation in committee processes.

Representative Caskey, who explained the rules package, said the changes aim to “enable even more transparency” and prevent parliamentary maneuvers that can move bills to the floor without committee testimony. He told the chamber the package would, among other things, “eliminate the motion period” and broaden what may be placed on special order from “bill” to “matter,” allowing…