Senate passes precendent-setting roll call rule
In what is a groundbreaking move for the S.C. Senate, the state Legislature’s upper house approved a new rule on Tuesday to institute mandatory roll call voting in a number of circumstances. According to the Senate Republican Caucus, the rule applies to:
- All contested bills
- All uncontested bills with a fiscal impact over $10,000
- All bills or resolutions authorizing the expenditure of funds
- All bills or resolutions that contain provisions that would create a fee or tax, raise the amount of an existing fee or tax, or reduce an existing fee or tax
- The state budget
- All bills or resolutions that impact the pay, benefits or retirement of members of the General Assembly, the executive branch, the judicial branch or the provisions of the Ethics Act or the Campaign Finance Act.
- Amendments to the S.C. Constitution
- Any state or congressional reapportionment plan
- Conference and free conference reports
- Any vote to override the Governor’s veto
- Any amended bill returned by the State House
For experienced observers of the S.C. Senate, the new rule will vastly change the accountability of the chamber.
“The Senate showed a commitment to better government today,” S.C. Policy Council president Ashley Landess said in a statement on Tuesday. “Unlike the House rule, the Senate rule represents real progress toward greater accountability. The Senate deserves credit for recognizing the importance of transparency in a representative democracy.”
Landess went on to say, “While there is room for improvement, senators clearly demonstrated that they are listening to the people. Our research outlined a clear problem, and we are encouraged that the Senate recognized that and took a positive step toward change.”
The chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, Sen. Larry Martin, explained how the rule will change how business is done.
“The rule will require a roll call vote on practically every bill that is considered in the Senate,” he said. “We’ve also make it easier for members to demand a roll call on amendments and on the limited number of bills not covered by the rule with three versus five members asking for a vote. The rule is a win for those of us that have advocated more transparency and for the public to have a record of how its senators voted on legislation.”
