Two-Year Legislative Session Kicks Off Soon

The first of a two-year State Legislative session begins on January 10. We released our 2023 Legislative Agenda last night during our Annual Legislative Reception at the Aquarium. This year’s Agenda focuses on the business community’s top priorities including talent, education and workforce, military retention and expansion, state fiscal health, economic development, infrastructure, criminal justice reform and economic competitiveness issues.

State House Updates

November’s election resulted in a reorganization of the State House leadership. The republicans now hold a super majority in the House. Representative Murell Smith from Sumter County was elected Speaker of the House and Representative Tommy Pope will serve as Speaker Pro Tempore. At the committee level, Representative Bruce Bannister was elected Chair of House Ways and Means Committee and lowcountry delegation member, Representative Sylleste Davis, was elevated to the Chair of Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee.

The Senate leadership will remain the same for 2023 with Senator Thomas Alexander serving as President and Senator Shane Massey serving as the majority leader. Senator Harvey Peeler will chair the Finance Committee.

The Lowcountry delegation holds the following leadership positions:

• Senator Larry Grooms, Transportation Chairman
• Senator Sean Bennett, Ethics Chairman
• Senator Chip Campsen, Fish, Game and Forestry Chairman

We look forward to working with our delegation members and new leadership to make SC an even better state to do business!