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Senate committee reports slate of professional‑board reappointments favorably
Summary
A legislative committee unanimously reported multiple reappointments to state professional boards, including reappointments to the State Athletic Commission, Real Estate Appraisers Board, Cosmetology Board and State Board of Barber Examiners; nominees answered standard screenings and the committee voiced support.
A Senate committee on Tuesday reported favorably a slate of reappointments to several state professional boards, advancing nominees for confirmation by the full chamber.
The panel unanimously advanced Coleman Bates for reappointment to the State Athletic Commission’s seat representing the 1st Congressional District. Bates said he has "served on the athletic commission for 7 years" and noted prior experience as a high‑school basketball coach before joining combative‑sports oversight (speaker 4).
The committee also reported Pledger M. Bishop III to the Real Estate Appraisers Board (term through 05/31/2029). Bishop described decades of appraisal work and national leadership, and acknowledged a college‑era driving‑under‑the‑influence matter that he said was resolved with a fine (speaker 6). Committee staff confirmed that Bishop’s application materials and background checks were complete.
Thomas Dugas was advanced for reappointment to the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. Dugas described his legal background in commercial real estate and work on an educational manual for commercial agents; he disclosed a 2011 reckless‑driving plea previously discussed at his initial hearing (speaker 10).
The committee reported Ashley Tucker Johnson to the State Board of Cosmetology and Renee Patton, Paul Robinson and others to barbering and massage therapy boards. Tucker Johnson, who said she has served on the cosmetology board since 2000 and was elected vice chair by her peers, corrected an address on her application and discussed federal and state regulatory changes affecting the industry (speaker 14). Paul Robinson, who identified himself as a longtime barber from Orangeburg and current board chair, disclosed a past state tax lien that he said has been cleared (speaker 17). Gloria Lee Smith, who said she has been a licensed massage therapist since 2007 and served on the board since 2019, was also advanced (speaker 12).
Committee staff read that each nominee’s personal‑data questionnaire, statement of economic interest and background checks were reviewed and found complete. Nominees answered routine screening questions about arrests, investigations, liens, bankruptcy and lobbying activity during brief public examinations led by staff (speaker 5).
The committee took voice votes on each nomination and reported the items favorably to the full Senate. No contested nominations or formal roll‑call votes were recorded during the hearing.
The committee’s next business moved to two bills on the agenda, including legislation affecting cosmetology and barbering and a bill addressing AI‑driven chatbots.
