Key Votes 2015-2016

S.47 - Police Body Cameras

This bill requires state and local law enforcement agencies to implement the use of body cameras. It also requires the Law Enforcement Training Council to conduct a study for the best policies for when and how body cameras should be used. I voted for this bill because it is both a deterrent to police brutality and a protection for law enforcement officers doing their job. 

H.4717 - Farm Aid Bill

This bill created the South Carolina Farm Aid Fund, which would give grants of up to $100,000 to farmers who lost at least 40% of their crops in the October 2015 flooding. I voted against this bill because we do not have the right to give money taken by government force as a handout to farmers, regardless of the worthiness of the cause. Read my in-depth explanation here (includes a video of my speech on the House floor on this topic). The bill passed the House 95-6 and was signed into law by the Governor. 

H.3039 - Dilapidated Buildings Act

I voted against this bill because it would give municipalities the authority to seize private property in order to repair it - at the expense of the owner. The courts would hand the seized property over to a "receiver" who would undertake the repairs (and would also be able to do nearly anything with the property while holding it, including gaining financial profit), and when repairs are completed would auction the property off if the owner did not pay the repair bill. This is a gross, flagrant violation of property rights. The bill failed in the House 35-63.

H.3025 - Permitless Concealed Carry

I voted for this bill because you should not need permission from your government to exercise your right to keep and bear arms. While this bill would not have eliminated the CWP (which would be an unwise move as it would result in SC citizens being unable to carry in other states), it would have made it optional. This bill passed the House 90-18, but died in Senate subcommittee.

H.3114 - S.C. Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

This bill prohibits abortions from being performed after 20 weeks. I voted for this bill because our God-given right to life is the basis of all other rights, and extends to every human being alive today, born or unborn. While this bill does not end abortion, it is a step in the right direction in that it limits it and recognizes that unborn children are capable of experiencing pain.

S.3 - Criminal Domestic Violence Reform

This bill tightened the definitions and categories of criminal domestic violence, and increased the penalties. It also included 2nd amendment protections (restoration of gun rights after a specified period of time in which no further offenses are committed, and no deprivation of gun rights without due process). I voted for this bill, which passed the House 104-0 and was signed into law by the Governor.