South Carolina General Assembly Committees and Rules

Flashcards covering the leadership, committee structures, and procedural rules of the South Carolina Senate and House of Representatives as of the 126th General Assembly.

Wes Climer

The Chairman of the SC Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

Ronnie W. Cromer

The Chairman of the SC Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.

Shane R. Martin

The Chairman of the SC Senate Corrections and Penology Committee.

Greg Hembree

The Chairman of the SC Senate Education Committee.

Sean M. Bennett

The Chairman of the SC Senate Ethics Committee.

Tom Young, Jr.

The Chairman of the SC Senate Family and Veterans' Services Committee.

Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.

The Chairman of the SC Senate Finance Committee.

George E. "Chip" Campsen III

The Chairman of the SC Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.

Thomas C. Alexander

The President of the SC Senate and Chairman of the Interstate Cooperation and Legislative Oversight committees.

Luke A. Rankin

The Chairman of the SC Senate Judiciary Committee.

Tom Davis

The Chairman of the SC Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.

Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III

The Chairman of the SC Senate Medical Affairs Committee.

A. Shane Massey

The Chairman of the SC Senate Rules Committee.

Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms

The Chairman of the SC Senate Transportation Committee.

SC Senate Judiciary Committee Membership Size

$23$ members.

SC Senate Finance Committee Membership Size

$23$ members.

SC Senate Ethics Committee Membership Size

$10$ members ($5$ majority, $5$ minority).

SC Senate Legislative Oversight Committee Membership Size

$13$ members (President + $6$ majority + $6$ minority).

Senate Rule 19

The rule stating a Senator may select no more than $5$ standing committees, with Ethics, Interstate Cooperation, and Legislative Oversight not counting toward the cap.

Senate Committee Selection Mandate

Every Senator must select either Finance or Judiciary during the first round; membership on one excludes membership on the other.

Senate Committee Chair Selection Process

Chosen by committee seniority (not chamber seniority) as the senior member of the committee from the majority party.

Senate Rule 19E

Provides that the President is automatically Chairman of Legislative Oversight and cannot chair any other standing committee.

Finance Committee Jurisdiction

Responsible for taxation and retirement.

Judiciary Committee Jurisdiction

Responsible for criminal offenses and family court.

Labor, Commerce and Industry Jurisdiction

Responsible for occupational licensing and building codes.

Medical Affairs Jurisdiction

Responsible for health care professionals and pollution control.

Transportation Committee Jurisdiction

Responsible for streets, highways, and regional transit.

Education Committee Jurisdiction

Responsible for higher education and school governance.

Banking and Insurance Jurisdiction

Responsible for trust companies and insurance.

Corrections and Penology Jurisdiction

Responsible for community corrections and DJJ.

Agriculture and Natural Resources Jurisdiction

Responsible for county fairs, wetlands, and mining.

Interstate Cooperation (Senate)

A Special Committee with $5$ members chaired by the Senate President.

Operations and Management (Senate)

A Special Committee with $9$ members chaired by the Senate President.

William M. "Bill" Hixon

The Chairman of the SC House Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee.

Shannon S. Erickson

The Chairman of the SC House Education and Public Works Committee.

Wallace H. "Jay" Jordan, Jr.

The Chairman of the SC House Ethics Committee.

Jeffrey E. "Jeff" Johnson

The Chairman of the SC House Government Efficiency and Legislative Oversight Committee.

Mark N. Willis

The Chairman of the SC House Interstate Cooperation Committee.

Dennis C. Moss

The Chairman of the SC House Invitations and Memorial Resolutions Committee.

Wm. Weston J. Newton

The Chairman of the SC House Judiciary (Privileges & Elections) Committee.

William G. "Bill" Herbkersman

The Chairman of the SC House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.

Sylleste H. Davis

The Chairman of the SC House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee.

Patrick B. Haddon

The Chairman of the SC House Operations and Management Committee.

Jeff Bradley

The Chairman of the SC House Regulations, Administrative Procedures, AI and Cybersecurity Committee.

Micajah P. "Micah" Caskey IV

The Chairman of the SC House Rules Committee.

Bruce W. Bannister

The Chairman of the SC House Ways and Means Committee.

SC House Ways and Means Membership Size

$25$ members.

SC House Judiciary Membership Size

$25$ members.

SC House Rules Committee Membership Size

$15$ members.

SC House Ethics Committee Membership Size

$10$ members ($5$ majority, $5$ minority).

House Rule 4.2

States a House member may serve on only ONE of the 'first six' major committees (Ways and Means, Judiciary, Agriculture, Education, Medical, or Labor Commerce and Industry).

House Committee Chair Selection Process

Elected by their own committee membership rather than appointed by the Speaker.

House Committee Membership Appointments

The Speaker appoints all membership, listed in alphabetical order, except for Senatorial/Gubernatorial appointees and ex officio members.

Senate Rule 25

Requires approval of two-thirds of committee members for bills introduced in the name of a committee; the Chairman must certify compliance.

Senate Rule 39

Known as the '24-hour desk rule,' requiring a bill to be on members' desks at least one day before second reading.

SC House Rules 1-4

Cover The Speaker (Rule 1), Elected Officials (Rule 2), Members and Membership (Rule 3), and Committees (Rule 4).

SC House Rules 5-8

Cover Bills, Resolutions, and Reports (Rule 5), Daily Order of Business (Rule 6), Voting (Rule 7), and Motions/Precedence (Rule 8).

SC House Rule 4.12

Governs the rescinding, suspending, or altering of rules, requiring a two-thirds vote of members present.

SC Code Sec. 2-3-110

Designates the Speaker of the House as the Chief Administrative Officer of the House.

126th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session

The current session of the SC General Assembly as of January 13, 2026.

Charles F. Reid

The Clerk of the SC House of Representatives.

Jeffrey S. Gossett

The Clerk of the SC Senate.

G. Murrell Smith

The Speaker of the SC House.

Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope

The SC House Speaker Pro Tempore.