H3276Introduced in the House
SC Hands-Free Act
Introduced by Thomas Pope, District 47
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Enacting The "south Carolina Hands-free And Distracted Driving Act" By Amending Section 56-5-3890, Relating To Unlawful Use Of Wireless Electronic Communication Devices While Operating Motor Vehicles, So As To Delete Certain Terms And Their Definitions, To Define The Term "mobile Electronic Device," To Provide The Circumstances When Mobile Electronic Devices May Not Be Used While Operating A Motor Vehicle, To Create The Offense Of Distracted Driving And Provide Penalties, To Provide For The Disbursement Of Fines Imposed Pursuant To This Section, To Provide The Circumstances Upon Which This Section May Be Enforced, To Provide For The Sharing Of Certain Information With The Department Of Public Safety, And To Provide This Section Is Not Subject To Provisions Related To Citizens Arrests; By Amending Section 56-1-720, Relating To Points That May Be Assessed Against A Person's Driving Record For Motor Vehicle Driving Violations, So As To Provide That A Second Or Subsequent Offense Of Distracted Driving Is A Two-point Violation; To Provide The Department Of Transportation Shall Erect Signs Advising Motorists Of The Provisions Of This Act; To Provide Only Warnings May Be Issued For Certain Violations For A Certain Period; And To Provide The Department Of Public Safety Shall File A Report With Certain Officials Containing Information About Persons Stopped Pursuant To This Act. - Ratified Title
Where it stands
Act No. 40
May 19, 2025
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
5 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
HouseStage: House: Concur In Senate Amendments · May 7, 2025
77
Yes
37
No
9
Absent or Not Voting
123 representatives recorded in this House vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each representative voted
| Representative | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| William Whitmire | 1 | Yes |
| Adam Duncan | 2 | Yes |
| Phillip Bowers | 3 | No |
| Davey Hiott | 4 | Yes |
| Neal Collins | 5 | Yes |
| April Cromer | 6 | No |
| Lee Gilreath | 7 | No |
| Don Chapman | 8 | Yes |
| Blake Sanders | 9 | Yes |
| Thomas Beach | 10 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Introduced and read first time
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: McGinnis
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Calhoon
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Bernstein
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Wooten
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hart, Henderson-Myers, Erickson, Bradley
Scrivener's error corrected
Debate adjourned until Thur., 3-27-25
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Ligon
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Gilliard, Anderson, Rivers, Schuessler
Member(s) request name removed as sponsor: Henderson-Myers
Requests for debate-Rep
Amended
Debate adjourned
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hixon
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: M.M.Smith
Member(s) request name removed as sponsor: Gilliard, Rivers
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hartnett
Amended
Read second time
Roll call Yeas-85 Nays-25
Read third time and sent to Senate
Introduced and read first time
Referred to Committee on Transportation
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Transportation
Special order, set for April 29, 2025
Committee Amendment Adopted
Amended
Read second time
Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-0
Read third time and returned to House with amendments
Debate adjourned until Wed., 5-7-25
Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
Roll call Yeas-77 Nays-37
Ratified R 59
Signed By Governor
Effective date 09/01/25
Act No. 40
Verify the information
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