The South Carolina General Assembly has recessed the 2021 session on May 13, after adopting an adjournment resolution extending the 2021 session.

The General Assembly has scheduled several dates throughout the month of June to reconvene for a couple of days to address issues like the state budget, COVID-19 funding matters, and vetoes by Gov. Henry McMaster.

The resolution does not set a specific date for the end of the 2021 legislative session.

However, the resolution requires the session to conclude on or before January 11, 2022.

The South Carolina Ethics Commission issued an opinion finding candidates for public office may not accept campaign contributions in the form of digital cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin.

Advisory Opinion 2021-001 references and adopts the reasoning of a similar opinion issued in 2018 by the South Carolina House Ethics Committee.

The opinions found cryptocurrencies do not meet the definitions of a “thing of value” or “contribution” as defined under current state law.

Both opinions state the decision to permit such contributions should be done through an act of the Legislature rather than through an advisory opinion.

Senate President Harvey Peeler announced he will call the Senate back to session early on September 2 to consider the impact of COVID-19 on upcoming elections.

The Legislature recessed in May and was set to reconvene on September 15.

Peeler emphasized the need to protect the voter and the vote as the chief reason from reconvening early.

On May 12, the South Carolina Legislature met to approve a resolution allowing the state to continue to spend money until the budget can be addressed later this year.

In addition to the budget and any potential legislation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Legislature may take up any legislation that has passed either the House or the Senate during the fall session.

As of May 14, the Legislature stands recessed until September 15

South Carolina House Speaker Jay Lucas and Senate President Harvey Peeler announced the General Assembly will reconvene on May 12.

The leaders made the announcement in a joint letter.

The General Assembly is expected to pass bills allowing them to take up a number of matters in a special session.

Additionally, the General Assembly will work to extend the time to pass a budget.

This work was set to be completed when they reconvened on April 8.

However, a public disagreement over restrictions on Santee Cooper led to a failure to come to an agreement.

On April 8, the Legislature met for a single day to approve funding legislation to ensure the state can continue operating for the next fiscal year.

Despite unanimous passage in the House, debate in the Senate led to an amendment being passed late in the afternoon after the House had adjourned.

The House and Senate also failed to come to an agreement about convening a special session later in the year after the legislative session ends on May 14.

The House will have to reconvene by the May 14 constitutional deadline or convene a special session prior to the end of the fiscal year on June 30 to avoid the state being left unable to spend money.

The South Carolina Legislature is set to return on April 8 for a single day.

The session is being called to consider a continuing resolution concerning state funding.

Additionally, lawmakers will consider a resolution allowing the Legislature to adjourn sine die.

On Sunday March 15, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has announced all county elections will be postponed until after May 1.

Additionally, this announcement comes will a list of measures to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

These guidelines include the closing of all schools within the state for the remainder of March.

Gov. Henry McMaster released a budget proposal with a provision to expand state lobbying laws to cover local lobbying of county, city, and town councils.

The proposal would also double the current lobbyist registration fee from $100 to $200.

The fee increase would allow the State Ethics Commission to strengthen its investigative and enforcement activities.

South Carolina lawmakers met for a one-day special session June 25 to review several bills Gov. Henry McMaster recently vetoed.

The special session was held to consider Gov. McMaster’s 28 budget vetoes worth approximately $41 million.

Additionally, lawmakers considered a bill which allowed erasing of a public disorderly conduct charge for first offenders under certain conditions.

Lawmakers aren’t expected to return to the State House until session reconvenes in January.

A special primary election will take place on July 30 followed by a special election on October 1 to fill a vacancy in House District 84.

The seat is vacant after former Rep. Ronnie Young passed away in May.

A special primary runoff election is scheduled for August 31.

The 123rd General Assembly adjourned at 5 p.m. Thursday after approving a resolution allowing lawmakers to reconvene for a statewide session beginning May 20.

Concurrent Resolution 785 provides that the General Assembly meet in a statewide session to consider special matters including any vetoes by Gov. Henry McMaster.

Additionally, the Assembly will consider bills that have passed both Houses in different versions and are in a conference committee.

The General Assembly will return at noon on May 20 and continue until not later than 5 p.m. on May 22.

A special election will take place on August 20 to fill a vacancy in House District 19.

Rep. Dwight Loftis resigned to become a member of the state Senate, representing District 6.

Loftis had represented District 19 for 23 years.

After a 16-year legislative career, state Rep. Mike Pitts will step down from his House District 14 seat on January 3, 2019.

The first to announce his candidacy for the seat is Stewart Jones, a small business owner and former chairman of the Lakelands Republican Liberty Caucus.

The primary election to fill Pitts’ seat will take place on February 19, 2019, and the special election is scheduled for April 23, 2019.

If a runoff is needed, it will take place on March 5, 2019.