Dear Friends,

I’m glad to connect with you in my 4th update of 2021. We’re over halfway through our legislative session, and the state budget is right around the corner for the Senate.

SCHOOLS: 5 DAY IN PERSON INSTRUCTION

The Senate passed legislation last month to open all schools in SC for 5-day, in-person instruction beginning April 12th. Many thanks to my local school district for being open in-person since last August! Students may remain virtual if they or family member have health issues, but all families who want to be in school, full time, will be in school. The original bill contained a section potentially damaging to the state retirement system, but I and Senator Alexander from Oconee County authored an amendment to keep the system safe. My mother taught school for 44 years, and now she’s a retiree along with tens of thousands of other former teachers. I always review bills to ensure that they don’t damage the system and cost taxpayers in the long run.

ELECTION REFORM

The Senate also passed an election reform bill. It specifically reforms the SC Election Commission by allowing the Senate and House the unconditional right to intervene in a state court action that challenges the validity of an election law, policy, or the manner in which the election is conducted. This puts the officials that you elect to represent you and pass legislation in the position to defend the election laws that protect your right to vote. You may have heard that the House of Representatives passed what they termed an “election reform” bill. It, unfortunately, was the opposite. It actually allowed unelected bureaucrats, appointed by the governor, to take legal action against local election commissions. I, frankly, am a little shocked that the House and the Executive branch support the consolidation of government power in the hands of unelected bureaucrats, but they can have that conversation with their voters at the next election. The Senate, however, will act to defend your rights–not further curtail t

CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY

Speaking of further curtailing your Constitutional rights, I remain committed to the protection of our Second Amendment rights. The House passed an “open carry” bill, and it indeed allows for the open carry of a firearm, but ONLY with a CWP and then even MORE ‘training”. The House bill actually further restricts your Second Amendment rights. The House, to their credit though, did later pass a Constitutional Carry bill with 2nd Amendment Sanctuary language. My staff is reviewing that, since it came to the Senate, and I’ll be working to move it out for a vote as soon as possible. Constitutional Carry is what I want passed!

COVID VACCINATIONS

A joint resolution passed the Senate to provide that no person in the State must be compelled to undergo vaccination to prevent COVID-19 if a person chooses not to undergo vaccination, then the person’s employer may not subject the person to adverse employment action including termination, suspension, involuntary reassignment or demotion. The provision is extended to DHEC’s authority to require isolation and quarantine to not require a person to undergo a vaccination during a public health emergency.

VULNERABLE ADULTS

We passed a Senate bill to protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitation by allowing a financial institution to place a hold on a transaction that raises a flag that someone might be taking advantage of a vulnerable adult.

DISABLED/SPECIAL NEEDS WAGES

We also passed a Senate bill to prevent individuals with disabilities and special needs from being paid less than the federal minimum wage.

DEPT. OF REVENUE-ATTORNEY FEES

I authored a bill that allows taxpayers who prevail in a tax dispute with the Department of Revenue to recover attorney fees and costs associated with the case passed out of the Senate 43-0 and was sent to the House. This bill evens the playing field between taxpayers who must defend themselves against a government agency with unlimited resources. I trust the House will agree with us.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

I chair the Criminal Justice Budget Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee, and we’ve been busy reviewing the budget requests of our criminal justice agencies. As the full Senate Finance Committee is set to take up the budget this week, I’m proud to say that over the last few years I’ve helped to secure funding for items such as new vehicles, radios, body armor, salary increases and overtime pay for officers. I remain committed to ensuring that our law enforcement agencies are adequately funded and fully equipped with the tools they need to safely and effectively perform their duties and protect public safety.

DEPT. JUVENILE JUSTICE

The SC Legislative Audit Council (LAC) recently issued a scathing report on the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) covering a wide range of failures by the agency inclusive of increasing danger at Juvenile facilities, decreasing staff levels, and misuse of funds. After our 2021 Senate Rules revision, DJJ now falls under the jurisdiction of the Corrections and Penology Committee. As Chairman of this Committee, I have appointed a subcommittee to review this report and develop recommendations for consideration by our full Committee.

I am dedicated to constituent service and will make sure your voice is heard, so please call on me or my office anytime. Also, check out and like my new Facebook page @SenShaneMartin. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

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