COLUMBIA, S.C. — A key deadline that could determine what bills do and don't become laws has passed at the South Carolina State House.
The "crossover" deadline is the last day for a bill to pass out of the chamber where it was introduced and proceed for consideration in the opposite chamber.
That means bills addressing critical issues like free school meals for all public school students, license plate readers, and water pollution are now in limbo unless they receive a two-thirds vote to revive them.
"If there are very important issues that need to be taken care of, then we will address them as a unified body to try to get them done. But otherwise, nothing else will happen," said Representative Roger Kirby (D-Florence).
Meanwhile, bills on banning gender-affirming care for minors, legalizing alcohol delivery, restricting youth vaping, and cracking down on xylazine, a sedative sometimes used illicitly, all made it past the deadline. Energy reform and school voucher expansion also received approval.
Kirby highlighted Democrats' ongoing push for universal school meals.
"It's the same excuse, you know, we don't have the money to do this. However, we find $2 million to throw at voucher programs for rich kids to go to private school," Kirby noted.
Representative Brandon Guffey said it's been a productive session for the Republican Party.
"I think sticking to that game plan has been important for the caucus and to be able to get these things done," said Guffey.
Repealing the certificate of need (CoN), criminalizing fentanyl traffic, and "Gavins Law" are all priorities that Guffey is most proud of.
"CoN has been a battle for over a decade, and repealing that is extremely important to, hopefully, lower ... medical cost in South Carolina," said Guffey.
He expressed interest in addressing medical marijuana, which passed in the Senate but awaits a hearing in the House.
"I have a sister that struggles with epilepsy. I believe that if there is help out there, we should be able to offer it," Guffey said.
More than 120 bills have been signed into law this session.
