Supplemental Appropriations AN ACT TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027. - RATIFIED TITLEView full text View Vote History View Fiscal Impact12/05/24House Prefiled12/05/24House Referred to Committee on Judiciary01/14/25House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 160)01/14/25House Referred to Committee on Judiciary (House Journal-page 160)03/20/25House Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary (House Journal-page 7)03/25/25House Amended (House Journal-page 52)03/25/25House Read second time (House Journal-page 52)03/25/25House Roll call Yeas-112 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 54)03/26/25House Read third time and sent to Senate (House Journal-page 15)03/26/25Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 8)03/26/25Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 8)04/29/25Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 15)05/01/25Senate Committee Amendment Adopted (Senate Journal-page 58)05/01/25Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 58)08/25/26Senate Amended (Senate Journal-page 4)08/25/26Senate Read third time and returned to House with amendments (Senate Journal-page 4)08/25/26Senate Roll call Ayes-xxx Nays-xxx (Senate Journal-page 4)08/25/26House Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled08/25/26House Roll call Yeas-96 Nays-1508/26/26 Ratified R 277
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, the South Carolina Public Expression Protection Act, creates a legal mechanism to defend individuals against civil lawsuits based on their communication related to public issues. It establishes a process for expedited dismissal of such claims, particularly when the communication involves exercising First Amendment rights. The act aims to safeguard public discourse by limiting liability for expressing opinions on matters of public concern. It was amended by the Senate and House before being ratified.
Key provisions
- Establishes a ‘South Carolina Public Expression Protection Act’ to protect individuals from civil lawsuits related to their public communications.
- Defines ‘governmental unit’ and ‘person’ for the purposes of the act.
- Specifies the types of communications covered, including those related to legislative, executive, judicial, and administrative proceedings, and freedom of speech on matters of public concern.
- Provides a process for expedited dismissal of lawsuits based on public expression, including a stay on related proceedings.
- Outlines requirements for the court to rule on motions related to the dismissal process.
- Addresses costs, attorney’s fees, and expenses associated with motions under the act.
- Allows for appeals from a denial of a motion for dismissal.
- Sets the effective date for the act and its application to civil actions.
Who is affected
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Sponsors
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1 on record
Primary sponsor
W. Newton
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