South Carolina's 2019 regularly scheduled legislative session ends at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Barring an expected special session to vote on the budget, if bills are not approved Thursday they'll be waiting till 2020.
With senators and representatives debating back and forth to the last hour, WLTX is updating the status of key bills discussed in the General Assembly this year.
WLTX will continue to update the list as the session finishes.
- Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Budget: The General Assembly will have to come back this year to pass the budget. Senators declined to go along with the last House amendments, sending the budget to conference committee. The budget includes many aspects of the education reform bill, including restricting classroom size, teacher pay raises, and reductions in testing
- Education Reform Bill: The House has passed the bill, however it is stalled in the Senate. It is currently sitting in the Senate's Education Committee for review. It is not expected to pass in 2019.
- Ride-sharing Safety Bill: The bill has passed the House and Senate, but faced major changes in the Senate. Now, ride-share operators must have a printed license plate number on the front of their vehicle, as well as the back. It waits for the Governor's signature after passing both bodies.
- 'Panthers' Bill: The bill, which gives tax credits and incentives to professional sports teams that move to the state, passed both chambers. It will go to a conference committee to work out the differences.
- Fetal Heartbeat Bill: The bill, which would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, is waiting on the Senate. The House passed the bill weeks ago. The Senate has sent it to committee and it is unlikely to pass this year.
- Youth Access to Tobacco/Vaping Bill: The bill limits youth access to tobacco and vaping stores and products. It limits stores ability to sell without age verification and have minors inside the store. It also bans smoking and e-cigarette products on all school property, including private teacher lounges. It has passed both the House and Senate and was signed by the Governor in late April.
- Compassionate Care Act: Senator Tom Davis' effort to bring restricted medical marijuana to the state is still in a Senate committee. It has had several meetings and input from lawmakers and experts, but it will also wait for action till 2020 at the earliest.
- Daylight Savings Time Bill: The bill would put South Carolina on daylight savings time year-round. It also would require approval from Congress. So far, the bill has passed the Senate.
