All Roll Calls
Yes: 343 • No: 212
Sponsored By: Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope (Republican)
Signed by Governor
SC Hands-Free Act
Personalized for You
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Beginning September 1, 2025, officers can stop you for this violation only if they clearly see you using a device unlawfully. They cannot seize or search your phone, or search your car or passengers, solely for this violation. You cannot be taken into custody just for this violation unless there is a warrant for missing court or not paying a fine.
From September 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026, officers issue warnings only for violations of this law. The Department of Transportation must post signs at every interstate entrance to tell drivers about the law.
Starting September 1, 2025, a first distracted driving conviction carries a $100 fine (not suspendable). A second or later conviction within three years carries a $200 fine (not suspendable) and adds two points to your driving record. Only convictions in the three years before the latest offense count as priors. Twenty-five percent of fines go to the Department of Public Safety to fund public education about this law.
Beginning September 1, 2025, you cannot hold a phone or similar device while driving on public highways. You also cannot read or send texts, emails, app content, or watch videos while driving. The law defines covered devices, like phones, portable computers, GPS units, and handheld games, and excludes certain radios and medical devices. You may use hands-free voice features, navigation or audio without typing, vehicle built-in systems, or report emergencies, as long as you do not hold the device. First responders and some dispatch uses are allowed, and use is allowed when you are lawfully parked or stopped.
Starting September 1, 2025, state law overrides local rules on mobile device use while driving. Cities and counties cannot set different rules. Private citizens cannot make citizen arrests for these violations; only law enforcement enforces the law.
Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope
Republican • House
Carl L. Anderson
Democrat • House
Beth E. Bernstein
Democrat • House
Jeff Bradley
Republican • House
Paula Rawl Calhoon
Republican • House
Donald G. "Don" Chapman
Republican • House
Shannon S. Erickson
Republican • House
Cally R. "Cal" Forrest, Jr.
Republican • House
Christopher R. "Chris" Hart
Democrat • House
Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett, Jr.
Republican • House
William M. "Bill" Hixon
Republican • House
Thomas R. "Randy" Ligon
Republican • House
Marvin "Mark" Smith
Republican • House
Timothy A. "Tim" McGinnis
Republican • House
Robby Robbins
Republican • House
Carla M. Schuessler
Republican • House
Bill Taylor
Republican • House
Wm. Weston J. Newton
Republican • House
Chris Wooten
Republican • House
All Roll Calls
Yes: 343 • No: 212
House vote • 5/7/2025
(SC Hands-Free Act)Concur in Senate Amendments
Yes: 77 • No: 37
Senate vote • 4/30/2025
(SC Hands-Free Act)2nd Reading
Yes: 40 • No: 0
House vote • 4/9/2025
(SC Hands-Free Act)Passage of Bill
Yes: 85 • No: 25
House vote • 4/9/2025
(SC Hands-Free Act)Table Amendment 7 Amendment number 7
Yes: 18 • No: 82
House vote • 3/27/2025
(SC Hands-Free Act)Adopt Amendment 1 Amendment number 1
Yes: 70 • No: 29
House vote • 3/27/2025
(SC Hands-Free Act)Table Motion to Adjourn Debate
Yes: 53 • No: 39
Act No. 40
Effective date 09/01/25
Signed By Governor
Ratified R 59
Roll call Yeas-77 Nays-37
Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
Debate adjourned until Wed., 5-7-25
Read third time and returned to House with amendments
Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-0
Read second time
Amended
Committee Amendment Adopted
Special order, set for April 29, 2025
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Transportation
Referred to Committee on Transportation
Introduced and read first time
Read third time and sent to Senate
Roll call Yeas-85 Nays-25
Read second time
Amended
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hartnett
Member(s) request name removed as sponsor: Gilliard, Rivers
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: M.M.Smith
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hixon
Debate adjourned
Introduced
S 0623, AN ACT TO EXEMPT GEORGETOWN COUNTY FROM CERTAIN BUILDING REQUIREMENTS AND TO ALLOW THE COUNTY TO INSTEAD ENFORCE AE STANDARDS IN GEORGETOWN COUNTY'S FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE.
Georgetown County Building Requirements
S 0586, AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 172 OF 1995, RELATING TO THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE SHALL RECEIVE NINETY DOLLARS FOR EACH MEETING AT WHICH HE IS IN ATTENDANCE AND THAT THE CHAIRMAN SHALL RECEIVE ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH PAYMENTS SHALL NOT OCCUR MORE THAN EIGHTEEN TIMES EACH FISCAL YEAR.
Kershaw County Transportation Committee
H 5653, AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 843 OF 1952, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO CLARIFY THE METHOD BY WHICH PERSONS FILE TO BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD, THE MANNER IN WHICH BOARD ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED, AND THE MANNER IN WHICH VACANCIES ON THE BOARD ARE FILLED; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
Lee County School District Board of Trustees
S 1062, A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO DETERMINATION OF RATES OF TUITION AND FEES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5443, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
JR to Approve Reg. Doc. No. 5443
S 0779, A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL RECEIVE A MONTHLY LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ALLOCATION OF LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS BETWEEN MEMBERS WHOSE SEATS WERE VACATED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 AND THE MEMBERS ELECTED TO FILL THE VACANCY; AND TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE SEATS WERE VACATED DUE TO THE MEMBER BEING CONVICTED OF OR PLEADING GUILTY OR NOLO CONTENDERE TO A FELONY ARE NOT ENTITLED TO A LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE PAYMENT PURSUANT TO THIS JOINT RESOLUTION.
Legislative Expense Allowance
H 5261, A JOINT RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING AS PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER 3, TITLE 61 TO MAY 1, 2026.
Alcohol Server Training