COLUMBIA, S.C. — A proposal to alter the legislative process in the South Carolina House of Representatives has ignited some debate among Republican lawmakers.
According to the proposal, after three hours of debate and the invocation of cloture, GOP Majority Leader Davey Hiott (R-Pickens) and Minority Leader Todd Rutherford (D-Richland) would have the authority to each select 12 amendments. Any remaining amendments would be dismissed without a vote.
House Speaker Murrell Smith (R-Sumter) defended the proposed change.
"It puts more emphasis on public participation and participation at the committee level, rather than having 1,000 or 2,000 amendments put up in a debate that have not been vetted," said Rep. Smith. "It's important for us to vet bills and make sure that we get them right and not pass things for the sake of passing them."
The proposed changes also include an extension of the time allotted to lawmakers to speak on amendments, doubling it from three minutes to six. It also gets rid of the motion period, which lawmakers say hasn’t been used in years.
However, members of the Freedom Caucus argue that these rules are designed to silence conservative voices within the party.
“We think that the South Carolina House of Representatives should truly be representative and be a place of open debate,” said Rep. Adam Morgan (R-Greenville). “And yes, if members want to go put 1,000 amendments on it. We're going to have to buckle down and sit down and do the work.”
The potential impact isn't confined to Republicans, as Democrats who have traditionally relied on the amendment process to delay legislation could also be affected.
Last year, for example, opponents of the six-week abortion ban utilized nearly 1,000 amendments to stall the legislation. Under the proposed rule change, such tactics would be prohibited.
“After reading through it, I think that the public, our constituencies would be pleased with the fact that they now can listen to what are good ideas and bad ideas rather than just look at a vote count on the board,” said Rutherford.
The proposed change awaits an official vote by the entire House of Representatives, which could occur as early as next week.
On Wednesday the House is expected to debate a bill addressing gender-affirming care for minors.