Updates from Rep. Bill Herbkersman

"The 2021 regular legislative session ended this week. As this was the first year in a two-year session, bills that failed to pass both chambers are on hold until next January when session resumes, generally speaking. However, this does not mean the Legislature is finished meeting for the year."

"Gov. Henry McMaster today issued Executive Order 2021-23, which empowers SC parents to decide whether their children should wear masks in public schools throughout the state. The governor’s order also explicitly prohibits any county or local governments in the state from relying on prior orders or using a state of emergency as the basis for a local mask mandate and bars all state agencies, local governments, and political subdivisions from requiring what has commonly been referred to as 'vaccine passports' for any reason."

“Those businesses that have survived … now face an unprecedented labor shortage … What was intended to be a short-term financial assistance for the vulnerable and displaced during the height of the pandemic has turned into a dangerous federal entitlement, incentivizing and paying workers to stay at home rather than encouraging them to return to the workplace.”

Allowing persons to carry a handgun without a permit, Diverting gas tax dollars to pay local officials, Election law challenges and appointments + more.

The SC Fetal Heartbeat Protection from Abortion Act would ban abortions in the state once a heartbeat is detected (usually occurring around six to eight weeks into a woman’s pregnancy). The four exceptions to the ban are: in the case of rape, incest, a fetal anomaly, or if the mother’s life is threatened by her pregnancy.

"Waiting any longer will only add to the suffering that is experienced by those who are plagued with debilitating illnesses. Passing this legislation is long overdue."