Dear Constituents,

As the legislative session winds down, we’re pushing major legislation forward, sending more bills to the Governor’s desk, advancing the state budget, and delivering on key House priorities.

At the same time, I know the uncertainty around Congressional redistricting and the potential to move the primaries creates real disruption for voters, candidates, and those of us serving — but it’s a very important conversation for our state’s future. I’ll keep standing for the Constitution, doing what’s best for South Carolina, and keeping you updated as we get more clarity.

Here’s a look at what happened last week in Columbia:

 Roads Bill Passes the House Unanimously

Last week, I voted to pass S.831, legislation focused on improving South Carolina’s transportation system, reducing traffic congestion, and helping road projects move faster and more efficiently.

As South Carolina continues to grow, this bill streamlines processes within SCDOT, cuts unnecessary delays, and increases accountability to help road projects move from planning to construction more quickly.

The legislation also allows for optional “choice lanes,” giving drivers the option of a faster route while keeping existing lanes in place and avoiding additional costs to taxpayers. Because these projects can be privately funded, the bill helps expand infrastructure capacity without raising taxes while also freeing up transportation funding for rural roads and other critical infrastructure needs.

 Be sure to check out this recap video explaining the bill and what it means for South Carolina families!

 Budget Work Continues

We continued to work on the state budgetlast week after receiving Senate amendments, moving another step closer toward delivering $1 billion in tax relief while continuing investments in South Carolina’s core priorities.

The budget remains focused on responsible spending while supporting infrastructure, public safety, education, workforce development, and economic growth.

Key investments include:

• • Funding for road improvements, bridge modernization, and interstate construction projects

• • Investments in law enforcement, emergency communications, and public safety infrastructure

• • Increased support for teacher pay, school safety, and workforce development programs

• • Funding for scholarships and job training opportunities

• • Support for local community organizations, volunteer emergency services, and programs serving families across South Carolina

  
  

As negotiations continue between the House and Senate, I remain focused on delivering a final budget that keeps South Carolina financially strong while investing in the state’s long-term priorities.

 Fargo’s Law

Last week, the House concurred with Senate amendments on “Fargo, Hyco, Rico, Coba, Wick, Mikka, and Bumi’s Law” (H.3034), sending the bill to the Governor’s desk.

This legislation strengthens protections for K9 officers and horses that serve alongside law enforcement across South Carolina. These animals play an important role in protecting officers, tracking suspects, locating missing individuals, and helping keep communities safe.

The bill increases penalties for individuals who seriously injure or kill police animals, creating stronger accountability for crimes committed against these law enforcement partners.

 Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act

I was proud to sponsor the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act (H.3021), which officially passed the Senate last week with amendments and now heads back to the House.

The legislation is focused on reducing unnecessary regulations, cutting government red tape, and making it easier for South Carolina's small businesses to grow and create jobs.

 Truth in School Grading

The Public School Truth in Grading Bill (H.5073) officially passed both chambers and was sent to the Governor!

This legislation ensures grades reflect what students actually earn and gives parents a more accurate picture of academic performance. The bill is intended to strengthen academic standards and reinforce accountability across the education system.

 Strengthening Protections Against Child Exploitation

I was proud to support (H.4804), the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Penalty Increase Bill, which closes dangerous loopholes, increases penalties for offenders, and ensures repeat offenders face mandatory prison time. Protecting children remains a top priority, and this legislation helps ensure predators are held fully accountable for these horrific crimes.

 Protecting Election Integrity

I voted to pass the Citizens-Only Voting Constitutional Amendment (S.582), which would ensure that only United States citizens can vote in South Carolina elections.

As some states move toward allowing non-citizens to participate in certain local elections, South Carolina lawmakers are taking steps to reinforce that voting in South Carolina elections is reserved for American citizens. The amendment is intended to strengthen election integrity and maintain confidence in the electoral process.

Dear Constituents,

With just two weeks left in session, we’re working to finish strong and get as much done as possible for the people of South Carolina. This past week brought meaningful progress on infrastructure, public safety, and protecting our state’s values—and I’m focused on making every day count before we adjourn.

 Fixing Our Roads & Infrastructure

 The SCDOT Modernization Bill (S.831) passed the House unanimously—a major step toward fixing our roads and bridges faster and more efficiently. This legislation streamlines construction, cuts red tape, and strengthens accountability at SCDOT.

It eliminates the SCDOT Commission so the Secretary of Transportation reports directly to the Governor and helps speed up project timelines. The bill also creates optional “Choice” lanes funded through bonds or private investment—not taxpayer dollars—meaning no new taxes or fees for road & bridge upgrades!

 Safer Roads & Stronger Communities

 The DUI Reform Bill (S.52) passed the House with significant amendments and now heads back to the Senate.

South Carolina continues to face serious challenges with impaired driving. This legislation strengthens penalties for repeat offenders, expands offenses for reckless driving causing injury, increases protections for children, and improves enforcement and education efforts.

 The Kratom Synthetics Ban (H.4641) also passed the House, taking a strong step to address dangerous synthetic drugs.

This legislation classifies synthetic kratom as a Schedule I substance—the same category as heroin and cocaine—while maintaining legal access to natural kratom for adults 21 and older as research continues.

 Protecting Our History

 Legislation strengthening the Heritage Act (S.508) advanced through committee, reinforcing our commitment to preserving South Carolina’s historic monuments and heritage.

Focused on getting things done for you!

It was great to welcome South Aiken Baptist to the State House last week—thankful for the visit and glad to have them in Columbia.

Stay Informed: 

If you ever have questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your input is invaluable to me and helps ensure that I am representing your needs effectively.

If you haven’t already, please share the link below with your friends and neighbors so they can sign up for my weekly newsletter and stay updated too:

Don't forget to join me on Facebook.

Keep up with the SC House GOP Caucus on Facebook or Twitter!

Important Links:

• For updates from the Governor, visit: https://governor.sc.gov

• To track a bill, live stream session or meetings, and other information, visit the State Legislature website: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/index.php

• To download the SC Legislature Mobile app for iOS and Android devices, search “SC Legislature” on the App Store/Google Play.

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,

Last week at the State House, we continued delivering real results for South Carolina families—cutting taxes, strengthening public safety, and advancing commonsense legislation that protects our communities, supports families, and defends our state’s future. From putting more money back in your pocket to standing up for our local industries and protecting our children, we’re focused on getting the basics right and keeping government accountable to you.

 Income Tax Cut Signed into Law

Last week, H.4216, which I was proud to sponsor, was officially signed into law—delivering meaningful, immediate tax relief for hardworking South Carolina families. This legislation provides over $308 million in relief, lowers the top income tax rate from 6% to 5.21%, and puts more money back into your paycheck—where it belongs.

Just as importantly, this bill puts South Carolina on a responsible path toward a simpler, flatter tax system, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the state income tax altogether. As our economy continues to grow and key financial benchmarks are met, income tax rates will continue to drop, moving us closer to zero in a way that is both sustainable and fiscally responsible.

This is not a tax swap as we’ve seen in other states. We are cutting taxes without shifting the burden elsewhere, focused on real relief today while building a stronger, more competitive future for South Carolina.

Protecting Our Communities & Local Industries

 We also advanced legislation that puts South Carolina first and protects the people who power our economy. The Truth in Labeling Bill (H.4248) passed the House unanimously—ensuring consumers know exactly where their seafood comes from and stopping imported products from being passed off as local. This is a win for our coastal communities and a fair shot for South Carolina shrimpers.

 H.3408 advanced out of the House Judiciary Committee to protect South Carolina land and critical resources from foreign adversaries. This bill restricts foreign ownership of agricultural land and property near sensitive military and infrastructure sites, helping safeguard our farmland, strengthen national security, and ensure South Carolina’s future stays in the hands of Americans, not hostile foreign actors.

 H.4641 also advanced out of the House Judiciary Committee, closing loopholes on dangerous, highly concentrated synthetic kratom products. This is a commonsense step to protect public health and keep harmful substances off our shelves.

Supporting Families & Protecting Children

 I had the privilege of supporting H.4756, the Student Physical Privacy Act, which was sent to the Governor’s desk. This legislation puts commonsense protections in place to protect student privacy, uphold safety in our schools, and ensure parents—not government—are in control.

 S.32 also passed both chambers, providing tax incentives to support pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, and organizations that serve women, children, and victims of human trafficking—expanding real support for those who need it most.

 In a unanimous vote, the House passed H.4611, ensuring that mothers of stillborn babies receive paid parental leave. This compassionate measure provides support to families during one of the most difficult moments they can face, and it reflects our commitment to standing with South Carolinians in times of both joy and hardship.

 H.5201 Safe School Act, advanced through the House Education Committee,  strengthening coordination between law enforcement and schools to ensure every child and every teacher is safe in the classroom.

Proud to be working with Representative Oremus to get results for Aiken County.

It was a pleasure to host South Aiken Baptist Christian School at the State House last week.

Dear Constituents,

It was another busy and productive week in Columbia, focused on delivering real results—strengthening public safety, protecting our children, and working to lower costs for South Carolina families.

Here’s a look at what we worked on last week and what it means for you:

Public Safety & Protecting Our Communities

 The House passed the Immigration Enforcement Partnership Act (H.4764), strengthening coordination between state and federal law enforcement. I supported this effort to give local officers clearer tools, training, and authority to work alongside federal partners and help ensure more consistent enforcement across South Carolina.

 We also passed “Fargo’s Law” (H.3034), to increase penalties for those who harm law enforcement animals. These K9s and horses are highly trained partners that help track criminals and protect officers, and this ensures they are properly protected under the law.

 The House also passed H.4804, strengthening penalties for the sexual exploitation of minors. I supported this legislation to close dangerous loopholes, increase minimum sentences, and ensure repeat offenders face real prison time.

 Work also continued on legislation (H.3408), to prevent foreign adversaries from purchasing land in South Carolina—an important step in protecting our farmland, infrastructure, and long-term security.

Protecting Children & Strengthening Schools

 The House unanimously passed the Tenure Accountability Act (H.4761), bringing more transparency and accountability to our public colleges and universities. This ensures regular evaluations, stronger performance standards, and better outcomes for students.

 The House passed the Stop Harm from Addictive Social Media (SHASM) Act (H.4591), which puts safeguards in place to protect kids online. This bill targets addictive features like endless scrolling and autoplay, strengthens age verification, and gives parents more control over their children’s screen time and content.

Lowering Costs & Supporting Families

 The House passed the Insurance Rate Reduction and Policyholder Protection Act (H.4817), a major step toward lowering premiums for South Carolina families. This legislation aims to crack down on fraud and abuse, increase transparency, and help homeowners reduce risk and lower costs over time.

 Work also continued on the Pregnancy Care Tax Credit (S.32), which supports organizations providing real, on-the-ground help to mothers and families—from counseling to essential supplies—ensuring they have the resources to continue serving communities across our state.

Stay Informed: 

If you ever have questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your input is invaluable to me and helps ensure that I am representing your needs effectively.

If you haven’t already, please share the link below with your friends and neighbors so they can sign up for my weekly newsletter and stay updated too:

Don't forget to join me on Facebook.

Keep up with the SC House GOP Caucus on Facebook or Twitter!

Important Links:

• For updates from the Governor, visit: https://governor.sc.gov

• To track a bill, live stream session or meetings, and other information, visit the State Legislature website: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/index.php

• To download the SC Legislature Mobile app for iOS and Android devices, search “SC Legislature” on the App Store/Google Play.

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,

It was another busy and productive week in Columbia, focused on delivering real results—lowering costs, strengthening public safety, and supporting South Carolina families.

Here’s a look at what I worked on last week for District 81:

Affordability & Tax Relief

 Last week, the South Carolina Boat Tax Act (H.3858)—a major step for boat owners across South Carolina—is now headed to the Governor’s desk. This legislation cuts boat property taxes nearly in half, eliminates double taxation on motors, and simplifies the process into one easy payment.

In a top boating state like ours, this is about fairness — lowering costs, cutting unnecessary red tape, and making it more affordable for families to enjoy our lakes and coast.

 Work also continued in subcommittee on the Pregnancy Care Tax Credit Act (S.32), which takes a new approach to supporting women, children, and families. This bill encourages private donations to pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, and programs that support victims of human trafficking—without growing government—while expanding access to critical services like prenatal care, housing, and parenting support.

 The House also passed H.4799, to cut red tape and expand access to care for our veterans. By removing unnecessary barriers, this allows veterans’ homes to be built and expanded more quickly—helping ensure those who served can access care without delays.

Protecting Children & Strengthening Schools

 The Stop Harm from Addictive Social Media (SHASM) Act (H.4591) advanced out of committee this week. The bill targets addictive features like autoplay videos and late-night notifications, while giving parents more control over their children’s screen time.

 We also passed the Smart Heart Act (H.3831), ensuring schools are better prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies. By requiring accessible AEDs and trained staff, this legislation helps make sure help is there when every second matters.

Trump Highway Resolution Passes Senate

 The Senate has officially passed the Donald J. Trump Highway Resolution.

President Donald J. Trump secured the federal permit that made I-73 shovel-ready after decades of delays—bringing jobs, economic growth, and stronger hurricane evacuation routes to the Grand Strand and Pee Dee. 

Public Safety & Law Enforcement

 The House passed the K9 Officer and Horse Protection Bill (H.3034) to strengthen penalties for those who harm law enforcement animals. These K9s are critical partners in keeping our communities safe.

 Legislation addressing illegal street takeovers (H.4292) also moved forward this week. These reckless events put lives at risk and disrupt communities, and this bill gives law enforcement stronger tools to stop them.

 Work also continues on legislation (H.3408) to prevent foreign adversaries from purchasing or owning farmland in South Carolina—an important step in protecting our food supply, strengthening our economy, and safeguarding our long-term security. Protecting our land is critical to South Carolina’s future.

Had a great visit with the Palmetto Nuclear Coalition to discuss the important role nuclear energy plays in our state’s future.

The $2.5 million Meals on Wheels campaign for Aiken Senior Life Services wrapped up, and the Aiken delegation recognized campaign leader, Bill Reynolds, with a joint resolution from the General Assembly.

Aiken Delegation with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.