​Legislative Update: Senate Leadership Changes

In the wake of longtime Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman’s passing last month, multiple senators have recently taken on new roles. 
 
Senate President Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, relinquished his position as the chamber’s leader to replace Leatherman as chairman of Finance.
 
The chamber elected Senator Thomas Alexander, R-Oconee, as its new president. And Senator Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, replaced Alexander as chairman of the Labor, Commerce & Industry committee.
 
The Senate then voted 41-2 to approve new district lines for the chamber. The House gave final approval to its own redistricting plan on a 100-15 vote.
 
Both chambers will need to decide on a new map for the state’s seven congressional districts when they return in January.
 
Finally, the House took up a bill to block COVID-19 vaccine mandates. After hours of debate, the House voted 67-31 to approve it.
 
The S.C. Chamber has many concerns about this bill in its current form because of how it would impact the ability of businesses to make their own employment decisions without government overreach. We will continue to share updates on the legislation as it moves over to the Senate next year.