AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "EDUCATOR ASSISTANCE ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-145 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF DATA BEING COLLECTED UNDER CURRENT PROCEDURES TO REPORT ON CERTAIN POSTSECONDARY MATTERS CONCERNING GRADUATES OF SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND TO REQUIRE THE STREAMLINING OF DATA COLLECTION TIMELINES AND PROCESSES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-47, RELATING TO POLICIES AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS FOR UNUSED TEACHER LEAVE, SO AS TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL POLICIES THAT ALLOW TEACHERS TO DONATE SUCH UNUSED LEAVE TO A LEAVE BANK FOR OTHER EMPLOYEES, AND TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POLICIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-410, RELATING TO ANNUAL NOTIFICATION OF SCHOOL TEACHER EMPLOYMENT AND ASSIGNMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE NOTIFICATION MUST INCLUDE CERTAIN SALARY INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS IN THE REQUIRED NOTICE, TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF TENTATIVE TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE PROVIDED NO LATER THAN FOURTEEN CALENDAR DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND TO PROHIBIT LIMITATIONS ON TEACHER REASSIGNMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-1-425, RELATING TO REQUIRED DAYS FOR COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE ANNUAL SCHOOL CALENDAR, SO AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DAYS TO FOUR, TO PROVIDE DISTRICTS MUST VERIFY COMPLETING OF THE REQUIRED COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN A CERTAIN MANNER, TO PROVIDE TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS MUST BE PROVIDED SELF-DIRECTED FREE TIME TO EVALUATE STUDENT ACADEMIC DATA, INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING, AND CLASSROOM PREPARATION, AND TO REMOVE A TWO-DAY MAXIMUM LIMITATION ON USE OF THESE COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS FOR THE PREPARATION AND OPENING OF SCHOOLS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-160, RELATING TO ACTIONS CONSTITUTING JUST CAUSE GROUNDS FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATE REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION PURPOSES, SO AS TO INCLUDE BREACH OF CONTRACT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-530, RELATING TO UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND BREACH OF CONTRACT BY TEACHERS, SO AS TO RECHARACTERIZE CERTAIN ACTIONS AS BEING BREACH OF CONTRACT INSTEAD OF UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT, TO REVISE THE PENALTIES AND CONSEQUENCES FOR SUCH BREACHES OF CONTRACT, AND TO PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION FROM BREACH OF CONTRACT FINDINGS FOR TEACHERS WHO MOVE TO BONA FIDE RESIDENCES IN NONCONTIGUOUS COUNTIES DURING THE CONTRACT TERM, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-26-40, RELATING TO CONTINUING CONTRACT STATUS FOR TEACHERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE COMPLETION OF COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND TO PROVIDE EMPLOYING DISTRICTS SHALL AWARD CREDITS FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHING CERTIFICATE RENEWAL TO CONTINUING CONTRACT TEACHERS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE SUCH COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-26-45, RELATING TO RETIRED EDUCATOR TEACHING CERTIFICATES, SO AS TO MAKE SUCH CERTIFICATES LIFETIME IN DURATION INSTEAD OF RENEWABLE, TO PROVIDE SUCH TEACHERS MAY TEACH ON A FULL-TIME BASIS OR PART-TIME BASIS, AND TO EXEMPT SUCH TEACHERS FROM CERTIFICATE RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS; BY REPEALING SECTION 59-101-130 RELATING TO HIGH SCHOOLS REPORTING TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION, AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING REPORTING TO HIGH SCHOOLS; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 59-101-140 RELATING TO TABULATION OF REPORTS.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE PALMETTO CONCERT BAND OF COLUMBIA UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY, TO THANK THE BAND FOR A QUARTER­CENTURY OF EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMANCE TO AUDIENCES RANGING FROM LOCAL TO INTERNATIONAL, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR MANY MORE YEARS OF BESTOWING MUSICAL DELIGHT.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DR. TRACIE ANDERSON SWILLEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY ON BEING NAMED 2025 NATIONAL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR AND COMMEND HER FOR HER MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AND OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE HANNAH MILLER UPON BEING NAMED THE 2024 CITY OF GOOSE CREEK RECREATION DEPARTMENT FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AND 2024 CITY EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR, TO THANK HER FOR HER DEDICATED SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF MRS. LOUISE THELMA ROBINSON-SIMMONS OF UNION HEIGHTS, TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO DECLARE APRIL 23, 2025, "TABLE TENNIS DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO ENCOURAGE ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE HEALTH BENEFITS AND PLEASURE OF PLAYING THIS ENJOYABLE SPORT.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR PJ MORTON FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL MUSICAL TALENT AND SUCCESS AND TO WELCOME HIM TO THE KOGER CENTER IN COLUMBIA ON FEBRUARY 21, 2025.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA ARTS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION FOR ITS PIONEERING WORK IN THE STATE AND TO CONGRATULATE THE ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF ON THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORGANIZATION.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND TAIWAN FOR ITS RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO SUPPORT CONSTANT TALKS UNDER THE "US-TAIWAN INITIATIVE ON 21ST-CENTURY TRADE" AND A "US-TAIWAN AVOID DOUBLE TAXATION AGREEMENT" AS TAIWANESE COMPANIES ARE LOOKING FOR A DIVERSE AND FREE MARKET INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES, AND TO ENCOURAGE THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO ORGANIZE A TRADE DELEGATION TO TAIWAN TO ATTRACT MORE INVESTMENTS AND CITY GOVERNMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ANNUAL "SMART CITY" FORUM IN TAIWAN.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR EDUCATOR TESSIE BRIDGES OF CHEROKEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, TO CONGRATULATE HER UPON BEING NAMED THE 2025 SOUTH CAROLINA ELEMENTARY ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, AND TO COMMEND HER FOR HER DEDICATED SERVICE TO EDUCATION IN THIS GREAT STATE.

A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, BY ADDING SECTION 26 TO ARTICLE I SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ALL INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS IN THIS STATE HAVE THE INALIENABLE RIGHT TO GROW, RAISE, HARVEST, PRODUCE, AND CONSUME FOOD OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 48-59-160 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE "YOUNG FARMER LOAN PROGRAM" UNDER THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSERVATION BANK ACT; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 48-59-50, RELATING TO BANK POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSERVATION BANK, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE BANK SHALL ADMINISTER THE "YOUNG FARMER LOAN PROGRAM."

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-462 SO AS TO EXCUSE ABSENCES, NOT TO EXCEED TEN SCHOOL DAYS PER SCHOOL YEAR, FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WHEN PARTICIPATING IN CERTAIN CAREER AND TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION EXPERIENCES, AND TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING AND COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS MISSED DURING SUCH EXCUSED ABSENCES.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-116-10; SECTION 59-116-20; SECTION 59-116-30; SECTION 59-116-80; AND SECTION 59-116-120, ALL RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND CONDUCT OF CAMPUS SECURITY DEPARTMENTS BY PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THIS STATE, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS, THE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR AGRICULTURE AT JOHN DE LA HOWE, AND THE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR ARTS AND HUMANITIES AMONG THE INSTITUTIONS THAT MAY ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN SUCH CAMPUS SECURITY DEPARTMENTS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 1, TITLE 46 BY ENACTING THE "FARMERS PROTECTION ACT" SO AS TO PREVENT DISCRIMINATION IN FINANCING AGAINST FARMERS.