Here’s my legislative report.

Wednesday was Miss South Carolina Day at the State House. I was glad to meet with Miss Murrells Inlet, Gracie Hicks. She will be competing in the Miss South Carolina pageant on June 28th. I wish her the best.

With just one week left in the legislative session, we’re moving quickly to advance key priorities before the House adjourns this Thursday.

Last week, I worked alongside my House Republican Caucus colleagues to take meaningful steps forward on major issues — including income tax reform, expanding education opportunity, and securing South Carolina’s energy future.

The House Ways and Means Committee advanced a historic income tax reform plan last week. Right now, South Carolina’s 6.2 percent income tax rate is the highest in the Southeast. The new proposal, H.4216, which I cosponsored, takes a bold step forward by cutting that rate to 5.39 percent, immediately giving families, small businesses, and workers more room to grow and succeed. Importantly, this plan doesn’t shift the burden to other taxes. It’s real relief achieved by cutting spending and returning over $400 million to hardworking taxpayers in year one.

But this isn’t just about short-term relief. The plan sets South Carolina on a responsible path toward a flat 1.99 percent rate, and eventually eliminates the income tax altogether. It also ends our dependence on Washington’s liberal tax mandates by decoupling our code from federal policy, restoring control to South Carolina taxpayers.

As our economy continues to grow, so must our energy infrastructure. That’s why I cosponsored the South Carolina Energy Security Act, which returned to the Senate last week after receiving House amendments. This legislation lays the foundation for a more reliable, affordable, and independent energy system.

It reforms the Public Service Commission to increase transparency and oversight of utility companies and encourages long-term investment in energy generation, including nuclear and renewables, to meet the demands of our booming economy and growing population. I anticipate the Senate will get this bill across the finish line before we adjourn this week and I expect Gov. McMaster will sign it into law.

One of my top priorities this session has been expanding educational opportunities and giving parents more control over their children’s future. Last week, I was proud to support S.62, a major school choice bill that the House sent to the Governor’s desk.

This bill enhances South Carolina’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund program, allowing up to 15,000 K-12 students from low income families to receive $7,500 scholarships next year for private school tuition, tutoring, transportation, or other approved education services. This is about giving every child a chance to succeed — no matter their ZIP code or income level.

Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

I hope you had a great weekend. Here’s my legislative report.

Recently, the SC Pharmacy Association had their legislative day at the State House. I was privileged to introduce the group from the House podium. It was also a privilege for Rep. Val Guest, R-Horry, and I to meet with long-time Murrells Inlet pharmacist Willie Lee. I appreciate Willie’s community leadership.

The Post & Courier published my op-ed advocating a new vision for Georgetown's waterfront – one that doesn’t include smokestacks. From the op-ed:

“The recent discussions about the future of the closed International Paper mill and the nearby Liberty Steel site open the door to a bold new vision for Georgetown’s waterfront — one that balances economic growth, environmental responsibility and community well-being.

...Georgetown is blessed with a beautiful waterfront that holds tremendous potential for more than just industrial development. We are positioned to become a hub for ecotourism and smart growth, where families can enjoy a vibrant cultural scene, recreational opportunities and local businesses flourish.

...Let’s come together to advocate for a waterfront that reflects our values — one where new ideas and community guide our path forward.”

There are just two weeks left in this year’s legislative session. After a short break for Easter, we returned to the State House last week focused and ready to get to work.

From protecting religious freedom in our schools to defending First Amendment rights and ensuring fairness in high school athletics, the House Republican Caucus is putting our Pillars of Progress into action.

In today’s world, exercising your right to speak up can come with a cost—especially when powerful interests use frivolous lawsuits to intimidate citizens and silence opinions. That’s why I support the SC Public Expression Protection Act, a bill that shields individuals from legal harassment for speaking out on matters of public concern. Whether you’re speaking at a public hearing, writing an op-ed, or posting online about government actions, this bill ensures you can’t be dragged into court simply for using your voice. The bill received a favorable report from the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.

Our children should never have to hide their faith at school—and this bill makes sure they won’t have to. The updated Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act, reported favorably by the House Education and Public Works Committee last week, ensures students can voluntarily express their religious beliefs in classwork, school speeches, and events, just like any other viewpoint.

Students in home schools, charter schools, and Governor’s Schools deserve equal access to extracurriculars, career training, and interscholastic competitions. The Participation in Interscholastic Activities bill makes that possible—ensuring that every student gets the chance to grow, compete, and participate. The bill was reported favorably out of subcommittee last week.

I’m honored to represent District 108 in the House. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewit

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

By Lee Hewitt
POST & COURIER
April 14, 2025

As the state representative whose district encompasses Georgetown, I have always believed that our communities deserve a future defined not just by what has come before, but by what we can create together. The recent discussions about the future of the closed International Paper mill and the nearby Liberty Steel site open the door to a bold new vision for Georgetown’s waterfront — one that balances economic growth, environmental responsibility and community well-being.

The proposed biomass power plant at the International Paper site undoubtedly sparks a conversation about our economic landscape. While many may see potential in a biomass facility to replace some lost jobs and generate economic activity, I urge us to pause and consider the broader implications for Georgetown. The allure of another heavy industrial plant must not cloud our judgment about the kind of community we have the opportunity to create in the wake of the paper plant’s closure.

Georgetown is blessed with a beautiful waterfront that holds tremendous potential for more than just industrial development. We are positioned to become a hub for ecotourism and smart growth, where families can enjoy a vibrant cultural scene, recreational opportunities and local businesses flourish. This vision invites us to redefine our relationship with the waterfront — not as a site only for heavy industry, but as a destination marked by opportunities for sportsmen, shoppers, diners and those who need access to affordable housing to remain in our community.

There is an opportunity here — one that includes stakeholders who are not only focused on short-term gains but want to create sustainable economic development, keep blue-collar jobs in Georgetown, and be responsible stewards of our environment. As we consider the future of the International Paper site, we must engage with local leaders, the families impacted by the mill’s closure, and residents across Georgetown to explore other visions for development, including innovative economic solutions that prioritize the preservation of our coastal environment.

Furthermore, our focus should also extend to the Liberty Steel property. The potential for waterfront redevelopment here is immense, and we should envision a blend of residential, commercial and recreational spaces that celebrate our unique history and natural resources. Our waterfront should become not just a place of work, but a gathering space that strengthens our community bonds and attracts visitors, thus enhancing our local economy.

We have a choice to make — one that will shape the future of Georgetown for generations to come. This is not just about land use; it about the type of community we want for our children and their children. I invite you to participate in this important discussion as we work together to create a Georgetown that honors its past and creates a sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future.

Let’s come together to advocate for a waterfront that reflects our values — one where new ideas and community guide our path forward. The choices we make now will not only define the horizon of our local economy but will also create the landscape of our community’s heart and soul.

Lee Hewitt represents S.C. House District 108, encompassing Georgetown and Charleston counties.

Click here for the op-ed.

I hope you’re doing well.

Rep. Carl Anderson, D-Georgetown, and I were glad to meet with members of the Georgetown County School Board at the State House last week. Education is so important to the future of our county and state.

Left to right: Eileen Johnson, Randy Walker, Fallon Bordner, Rep. Carl Anderson, Kathy Anderson and myself.

With just four weeks left in this year’s legislative session, I continued working to advance the conservative, common-sense policies our communities expect.

When someone dies and owns a home taxed at the four percent assessment rate, it’s not fair for counties to change the rate to six percent even before an estate is closed. That’s why I sponsored H.3841, which passed the House 107-0 last week. The bill requires the special assessment rate and any tax exemptions to continue until the decedent's estate is closed, the recording of a deed or deed of distribution out of the estate, or after December 31st of the year following the date of death, whichever occurs first.

We also passed major public safety reforms to protect families, support victims, and crack down on violent crime.

Fentanyl continues to tear apart families in our state. That’s why I proudly voted for a bill, S.156, that makes it a felony — punishable by up to 30 years — for anyone who unlawfully provides fentanyl that results in someone’s death.

Organized retail theft is a growing threat in South Carolina. It puts store employees at risk, hurts small businesses, and drives up prices for everyone. I voted for — and the Governor signed — a new law, H.3523, that increases penalties for these crimes and targets the criminals organizing them.

Victims of domestic violence shouldn’t be trapped in a lease with their abuser. That’s why I supported legislation, H.3569, that gives victims the right to end their lease early — without penalty — if the abuser is a co-tenant. It’s a small but powerful change that will help people escape dangerous situations and start over safely.

Running from law enforcement isn’t just reckless — it’s dangerous. I voted for a bill, H.3127, that makes fleeing from police a felony when the driver engages in dangerous behavior during the chase.

Distracted driving is a deadly problem, and I was proud to vote for the South Carolina Hands-Free Act. This bill bans the use of handheld devices while driving — with limited exceptions — and creates penalties to hold distracted drivers accountable.

This week the House is on furlough for Easter.

I hope this report is helpful. Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt

Please click here to donate to my reelection campaign.

I hope you had a great weekend.

I was privileged to meet with the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors’ Leadership Class at the State House. I appreciate their efforts to learn about the legislative process and state government.

Last week, I continued delivering on our House Republican Caucus’ Pillars for Progress -- supporting legislation that defends merit-based opportunity, expands career-ready education, and protects children and families from emerging threats.

As part of our commitment to remove harmful DEI programs from our educational institutions and state government, I cosponsored and voted to pass the Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity Act.

This landmark legislation makes South Carolina the first state in the country to turn President Trump’s executive order on DEI into law—eliminating race- and gender-based preferences and restoring a fair, merit-driven system.

This bill is a critical step toward restoring fairness, ending illegal discrimination, and ensuring your tax dollars aren’t spent promoting divisive ideology.

Fulfilling our goal to expand educational opportunities and enhance outcomes, I strongly support two forward-thinking bills that cleared the House Education and Public Works Committee this week and will soon be headed to the House floor.

The South Carolina Computer Science Education Initiative Act, will ensure that by the 2026–2027 school year, every public high school offers at least one rigorous, career-relevant computer science course. The bill also lays the groundwork for career pathways in high-demand fields like cybersecurity, information systems, and software development—starting as early as elementary school.

The South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act, creates a statewide STEM coalition to align education and workforce development, particularly in underserved areas. It promotes hands-on learning, strengthens teacher training, and builds pipelines for South Carolina students to enter high-paying careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

As part of our commitment to prioritize public safety and protect children from “deepfake” digital exploitation, on Wednesday the House passed H.3045. This legislation creates felony-level penalties for the production or possession of digitally manipulated child sexual abuse material—even if the child depicted does not actually exist. It also adds the offense to the sex offender registry and establishes a clear legal framework for prosecuting these heinous acts.

Have a good week. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Rep. Lee Hewitt