Dear Constituents,

Last week at the State House, I focused on delivering results where they matter most—cutting taxes for small businesses, restoring transparency and accountability to our judicial system, strengthening public safety, and raising standards in our schools.

Through committee work and votes on the House floor, I worked with my colleagues to advance commonsense, conservative solutions that put South Carolina families first.

Here’s what you should know:

 Supporting Small Businesses & Job Creators

Supporting small businesses remains one of my top priorities, and last week we delivered real tax relief for the job creators who power our local economies.

On the House floor, I voted to pass the Small Business Tax Cuts Act (H.5006), a bill I’m proud to sponsor.

More than 99% of South Carolina businesses are small businesses—from local diners to neighborhood auto shops—and this legislation gives them room to grow. The bill exempts the first $10,000 of assets from the Business Personal Property Tax, ending a tax that penalizes owners for investing in their own success.

This reform allows small businesses to keep more of what they earn so they can reinvest, hire employees, and continue serving their communities.

 Judicial Reform

Last week, I also sponsored and passed the Judicial Merit Selection Reform Bill (H.4755), a major step toward restoring transparency and accountability in South Carolina’s judicial selection process.

This reform strengthens the separation of powers, restores balance and clarifies authority within the Governor’s Office, and improves public trust in how judges are selected. South Carolinians deserve confidence that the judicial system operates fairly, transparently, and with clear accountability—and this legislation moves us in that direction.

 Raising Standards & Tenure Accountability

Raising standards in education and protecting taxpayer accountability remain critical priorities.

I supported the Tenure Accountability Bill (H.4761), which requires annual performance evaluations for all public university faculty and regular post-tenure reviews for tenured professors. Taxpayers deserve assurance that publicly funded educators continue meeting clear, measurable standards throughout their careers.

Additionally, the Public School Grading Reform Bill (H.5073) advanced in subcommittee. This legislation ensures grades reflect actual student achievement—not inflated metrics that undermine long-term success. Parents deserve an honest picture of how their children are performing, and students deserve standards that prepare them for college, careers, and real life.

 Tough on Crime & Juvenile Reform

Keeping our communities safe requires accountability, clarity, and common sense—especially when serious crimes involve juveniles.

Last week, the House Judiciary Committee advanced a comprehensive juvenile crime reform package—H.5117, H.5120, and H.5121—and I support these measures to protect families and strengthen public safety. These bills ensure due process when courts consider transferring serious juvenile offenders to adult court, improve communication between schools and law enforcement when serious offenses occur, and strengthen responses to repeat and violent juvenile crime.

The package also invests in proven prevention strategies, including mentoring, job training, recreation, and family support services, to help steer at-risk youth away from crime before it starts.

This balanced approach delivers accountability for violent offenders while expanding early intervention and prevention. Public safety comes first, and serious crimes must carry serious consequences—regardless of age.

Photos From Last Week:

It was great to connect with the 2026 Aiken Leadership Class during their visit to the State House last week.

This year, their class is partnering with the Aiken Salvation Army to support efforts addressing homelessness in our community.

Last week at the State House, we paused to honor the life and legacy of Aiken City Councilwoman Beverly Clyburn.

Her service to Aiken and her dedication to her community will not be forgotten.

Touring the new Scout Motors facility was an exciting look at the future of manufacturing in South Carolina.

This investment represents new jobs, innovation, and continued economic growth for our state.

Dear Constituents,

Before any legislative updates, I want to take a moment to thank our utility workers, first responders, and SCDOT road crews for their long hours and dedication in keeping our roads and communities safe during last weekend’s winter weather! We appreciate their continued service to our state.

This week at the State House, I continued advancing conservative priorities focused on supporting small businesses, protecting life, and giving parents the tools they need to protect their children. Through committee work and votes on the House floor, I worked alongside my colleagues to deliver real progress for South Carolina families—from tax relief for job creators to stronger public safety protections and greater accountability.

 Supporting Small Businesses and Job Creators

Small businesses are the backbone of South Carolina’s economy, and this week we took meaningful action to help job creators grow and succeed.

The Ways and Means Committee passed legislation to cut taxes and reduce burdens on small businesses. Small businesses make up more than 99% of all businesses in South Carolina and employ over 42% of our state’s workforce. This legislation exempts the first $10,000 of small business assets, saving employers time and money on paperwork, cutting costly red tape, and ending a burdensome tax on investments.

These reforms encourage local job growth and help keep South Carolina competitive and open for opportunity.

Protecting Children & Strengthening Public Safety

This week, legislation, which I proudly co-sponsored, that increases penalties for the sexual exploitation of minors advanced in the House Judiciary Subcommittee. This bill strengthens criminal penalties to ensure punishment fits the severity of these crimes and makes clear that “mistake of age” does not excuse the creation or distribution of exploitative material. South Carolina will not tolerate the exploitation of children.

The Judiciary Subcommittee also advanced legislation to better protect children online by addressing the mental health and safety risks posed by addictive social media platforms. This bill requires reasonable age verification, parental consent, and greater transparency—giving parents more control over how and when their children access social media.

These commonsense protections help curb screen addiction and safeguard the well-being of South Carolina’s youth.

 Protecting Life & Women’s Safety

Protecting life and women’s safety remains a top priority for me this session.

This week, the House passed legislation addressing chemically induced abortions. The bill closes a loophole that has allowed abortion pills to enter South Carolina with little accountability and prevents out-of-state actors from flooding our state with dangerous abortion drugs. It classifies mifepristone as a Schedule IV drug, ensuring proper oversight and prioritizing patient safety.

This legislation puts women’s health first—not the profits of out-of-state providers—and reinforces South Carolina’s commitment to protecting life.

 Watch fellow Aiken County Representative Melissa Oremus defend women and life at the well.

 Other Bills Advancing Through the Legislative Process

In addition to the work above, several other important bills continued moving forward this week:

 A bipartisan bill (S.405) advanced to strengthen South Carolina’s child abuse homicide statute by increasing the covered age from under 11 to under 18. This change ensures stronger penalties and accountability for those whose abusive or neglectful actions result in the death of a child. The House passed this bill unanimously, and it continues moving through the legislative process.

 I continue supporting legislation that protects parental rights (H.4757), affirming that moms and dads—not the government—are best positioned to make decisions about their children’s upbringing, education, and well-being.

 Legislation strengthening workforce readiness (H. 3197) also continued advancing. This effort helps ensure students graduate with the skills needed to succeed in today’s economy while meeting the workforce needs of South Carolina employers.

 The House advanced legislation recognizing the U.S. Space Force (H.4586) under South Carolina law. This update ensures Space Force members and their families receive the same legal protections and benefits as other service members.

 Legislation expanding certificate-of-need exemptions for veterans’ homes (H.4799) also moved forward. This reform cuts red tape and makes it easier to provide care for the men and women who have served our country.

It was great to attend the Aiken Economic Symposium Luncheon on Wednesday. Thank you to keynote speaker Tom Barkin for insight on the economy and what may be ahead.

My job is to serve you. If you have questions, contact me by email at

Charlie@CharlieHartz.com or phone at (803) 341-1210.

It is my honor to represent you in the S.C. State House.

With gratitude,

State Rep. Charlie Hartz

District 81, Aiken County

Dear Constituents,

This week at the State House was a busy and productive one! From committee work to votes on the House floor and the Governor’s historic State of the State address, House Republicans continued delivering common-sense solutions focused on families, safety, affordability, and opportunity.

⚠️ Winter Weather Update

With more winter weather expected this weekend and snowfall levels varying across the state, please stay alert to changing forecasts and use caution while traveling.
Be sure to check your local news meteorologists and the National Weather Service for the latest weather updates.
Stay safe and warm this weekend.

Supporting Small Businesses

I sponsored major legislation this week aimed at delivering real relief for local job creators and family-owned businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of South Carolina’s economy, and I continue pushing policies that help them keep more of what they earn.

The Small Business Tax Cuts Bill exempts the first $10,000 of business personal property taxes, providing meaningful savings for small businesses across our state. This legislation helps business owners reinvest, hire, and grow while taking a practical step toward a more affordable and competitive South Carolina.

️ Roads & Infrastructure

This week, House leadership introduced legislation to improve how South Carolina plans for and delivers road projects. This proposal reflects months of work by the SCDOT Ad Hoc Committee, including public hearings across the state and extensive conversations with citizens, business owners, local leaders, and transportation experts.

I support this effort because it focuses on cutting red tape, improving transparency, reducing congestion, and moving road projects faster—so families spend less time in traffic and more time at home. This legislation takes a thoughtful, responsible approach to fixing our roads while prioritizing safety, accountability, and long-term growth.

Standing Up for Girls & Students

This week, I am proud to announce that the House passed the Student Physical Privacy Act, legislation to protect student privacy and maintain clear, common-sense standards in our schools. Every child deserves a safe learning environment, and no student should have to sacrifice privacy in locker rooms or restrooms.

I’ve heard directly from parents across our community, and they’ve been clear: they want schools focused on learning, safety, and respect. This legislation reflects that common sense, protects girls, provides clarity for schools, and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Protecting Kids & Public Safety

Legislation addressing intoxicating hemp products and protecting children continues to move forward this session. Products that can impair or intoxicate should not be sold or marketed in ways that put children at risk.

The bill has received a favorable report from the House Judiciary Committee and reflects coordination with law enforcement, including SLED, and the Senate to ensure strong, enforceable protections for families and communities.

⚖️ Strengthening Our Courts & Judicial Accountability

This session also includes important work to strengthen trust and accountability in South Carolina’s judicial system. Lawmakers advanced reforms to improve transparency in judicial selection, reinforce the separation of powers, and ensure proper oversight.

We also moved forward with reforms to strengthen standards for magistrates—the judges many South Carolinians interact with most often—so they meet clear qualifications and operate under consistent expectations. In addition, lawmakers addressed outdated magistrate court fees that haven’t changed in decades, helping courts function more effectively while maintaining fairness for the public.

️ A Historic State of the State Address

This week, I had the honor of attending Governor Henry McMaster’s ninth State of the State address. It was a strong night for South Carolina and a reminder of the steady, conservative leadership guiding our state forward.

Governor McMaster emphasized putting South Carolina first, cutting taxes, strengthening public safety, fixing our roads, and growing our economy responsibly. His message was clear: think big, be bold, and keep building a state where families can live, work, and thrive.

Because of that leadership—and the work underway this session—South Carolina stands stronger today and well positioned for an even brighter future.

Honored to have heard Governor Henry McMaster’s last State of the State address. Thank you Governor for all your years of service and leadership for our great state!

It’s truly a privilege to represent District 81!