On December 6, 2024, the prefiles for the state house finally dropped—fashionably late. And wow, what a pile. 561 bills! The filings started with H3002 and wrapped up at H3562. Do the math—basic, not common core—and there you have it.
What’s on the menu in this legislative buffet? A heap of leftovers from last session—bills that didn’t make the cut but just won’t stay in the trash. Lawmakers are giving them another go, hoping they’ll stick this time around. On the bright side, at least we don’t have to reinvent the wheel reviewing them—the same old problematic language hasn’t gone anywhere.
Many of the 561 bills are heading straight to the Judiciary Committee, the powerhouse where bills either move forward, get hacked apart, or vanish entirely. Education also got a healthy share of filings.
Some standouts? A proposal to repeal the income tax code. Another to decriminalize minors playing pinball (yes, that’s a thing). And a bill about tracking parental involvement in schools—because clearly, what parents need is government oversight of their PTA efforts.
Toss in bills about COVID blood labeling, media literacy education (because who wouldn’t trust the government to teach "media literacy" without a shred of bias?), gambling, abolishing the SC State Board of Education, Medicaid expansion, paper ballots, hate crimes (yep, it’s back again), pro-life measures, repeal the Blaine amendment, ditching standard time, small business regulation revamp, judicial selection and waiving gym memberships for lawmakers.
Oh, and there’s one about enhancing penalties for assaults against educational professionals. Hmm. Lawmakers need to think this through, or better yet, toss it entirely. We already have assault laws; we don’t need redundant legislation making things worse.
Keep in mind, if and when these bills gain traction, they’ll get reshaped in the grind of the legislative sausage-making process.
It’s a legislative grab bag with plenty to unpack.
Sadly, most of these bills add even more clutter to the already bloated SC Code of Laws or confuse what’s already there. Sure, a few try to repeal outdated sections, but the majority just stack on more government control—yeah, we really need more interference in our lives, don’t we?
So, we pause to ask: why so many? Are We the People going to continue allowing this pattern of obsessive lawmaking? Legislators don’t seem too interested in cutting laws—just stacking more rules and regulations, one prefiled bill at a time.
And guess what? This is only round one.
Another set of House prefiles lands on December 11, with Senate prefiles following on December 12. And don’t think it stops there—legislators can file new bills throughout the session. In other words, the real show hasn’t even started yet.
Do we really think lawmakers are reading all these bills, plus the related laws and regulations?
How Do You Keep Up?
With 561 bills already on the table, keeping track is like trying to drink from a firehose. Once a bill starts moving, it’s hard to keep up unless you’re actively watching it. Titles change, amendments rewrite entire sections, and before you know it, a straightforward proposal can morph into a tangled mess that’s almost unrecognizable.
That’s why starting early is critical. Familiarize yourself with the bills now. Use tools like the South Carolina State House app to follow specific bills and set notifications for updates. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than waiting until something slips through unnoticed.
Why This Matters
The sheer volume of bills, paired with endless amendments, is a recipe for confusion. A bill can start simple and morph into something unrecognizable by the time it hits the floor. If you’re not tracking, you won’t even see it coming until it’s law.
The legislative process thrives on this confusion, making it easier for powerful players to push their priorities while the public struggles to keep up. Oh, and don’t forget about the lobbying groups—they’ll make sure our legislators are ready to pitch their bill.
What You Can Do
Feeling overwhelmed? That’s by design. But don’t let it stop you. Here’s how:
Start Now
Familiarize yourself with the prefiled bills. Knowing what’s on the table gives you an edge when the session starts.
Use the Tools
The South Carolina State House phone app is your friend. Search for bills, track their progress, and set notifications for updates.
Keep an Eye on the Gatekeepers
The Speaker and the President hold the keys to what moves forward. Watching their priorities gives you insight into what’s likely to gain traction.
Show Up
Public hearings and committee meetings are open to you. Submitting a comment or attending adds pressure for lawmakers to address public concerns.
Legislation shapes the laws you live under. South Carolina doesn’t need more laws—it needs fewer. Pay attention now, because once the session starts, the stakes only get higher. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Watch closely, speak up, and demand less government interference.
Oh, and don’t forget to sign up for email updates to stay in the loop! You’ll find the sign-up form right below this article.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not constitute legal or professional advice. ConservaTruth assumes no liability for any actions taken based on this content. Read more.
Listen to this short audio to find out why you should subscribe to our weekly email updates.
Subscribe to ConservaTruth's Email Newsletter for curated insights on South Carolina's legislative activities and conservative viewpoints, delivered straight to your inbox! With vetted and easy-to-understand information, our newsletter empowers you to become an informed and engaged citizen, actively participating in safeguarding our cherished Constitutional values. Don’t miss out on crucial updates—join our community of informed conservatives today!
Comments