Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · South Carolina
Josh Kimbrell
Republican · State Senator

Josh Kimbrell

Represents District 11 in the State Senate.

Votes with Republicans
85%
on 66 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 84%
Cast a vote
90%
Yea or Nay on 613 of 683 roll calls · Senate median 94%
Their bills that became law
2 of 21
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 7
Roll calls on record
683
126th General Assembly
Votes and bills updated Oct 5, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 126th General Assembly.

How Josh Kimbrell votes

A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.

Where Josh Kimbrell sits in the Senate

Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Josh Kimbrell is circled.

Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party

10 of 66 party-line votes.

S0052 · Driving under the influence
In plain English Increases penalties for driving under the influence, requires victim impact panels, creates a second-degree felony DUI offense, and revises testing and license suspension procedures.
Nay
Senate: To Grant Free Conference Powers · 2026-06-25 · Failed 23–13 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0222 · Utility terrain vehicle
In plain English Allows utility terrain vehicles to be registered and operated on state highways and streets, and permits farmers with certain licenses to operate them without restrictions.
Yea
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-13 · Passed 26–18 · most Republicans voted the other way
H5126 · Budget
In plain English Appropriates funds and provides revenues for South Carolina state government operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
Nay
Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number 43a · 2026-04-23 · Failed 19–23 · most Republicans voted the other way
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Nay
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 4a · 2026-03-18 · Passed 28–16 · most Republicans voted the other way
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Yea
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 7a · 2026-03-12 · Passed 20–17 · most Republicans voted the other way
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Nay
Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number 1a · 2026-03-11 · Failed 18–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0012 · Santee Cooper Joint Project Authorization
Yea
Senate: 2nd Reading · 2025-04-03 · Passed 25–18 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0244 · Tort Reform
Nay
Senate: To Carry Over Amendment Number 3a · 2025-03-18 · Passed 25–17 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0244 · Tort Reform
Nay
Senate: To Recede For 15 Minutes · 2025-03-18 · Passed 26–18 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0244 · Tort Reform
Nay
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 1a · 2025-03-06 · Failed 19–25 · most Republicans voted the other way
Closest votes they cast

Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.

H3021 · Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act
In plain English Requires legislative approval for regulations with estimated costs of one million dollars or more over five years, and makes related changes to regulatory review and judicial processes.
Yea
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-14 · Failed 22–22
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Yea
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 7a · 2026-03-12 · Passed 20–17
H5683 · Redistricting, Congressional Districts
In plain English Establishes new congressional election districts for South Carolina and repeals the previous district boundaries.
Yea
Senate: Rule 15b · 2026-05-26 · Failed 20–24
H5126 · Budget
In plain English Appropriates funds and provides revenues for South Carolina state government operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
Nay
Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number 43a · 2026-04-23 · Failed 19–23
S0222 · Utility terrain vehicle
In plain English Allows utility terrain vehicles to be registered and operated on state highways and streets, and permits farmers with certain licenses to operate them without restrictions.
Nay
Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number Rfh-1 · 2026-05-13 · Failed 19–24
Democrats they vote with most

Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.

Kent WilliamsDemocrat · District 30 · 104 shared contested votes
51%
Overture WalkerDemocrat · District 22 · 108 shared contested votes
44%
Darrell JacksonDemocrat · District 21 · 94 shared contested votes
43%
Their session, month by month

Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (70 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.

2025-01: 9 roll calls, 1 without a Yea or Nay2025-02: 35 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-03: 31 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-04: 167 roll calls, 12 without a Yea or Nay2025-05: 66 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2026-01: 5 roll calls, 1 without a Yea or Nay2026-02: 39 roll calls, 8 without a Yea or Nay2026-03: 67 roll calls, 13 without a Yea or Nay2026-04: 178 roll calls, 27 without a Yea or Nay2026-05: 70 roll calls, 7 without a Yea or Nay2026-06: 15 roll calls, 1 without a Yea or Nay2026-08: 1 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or NayJan 2025Jan 2026Aug 2026
← South Carolina Delegation
Their bills, from filing to law

Bills Josh Kimbrell was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.

Introduced21
Out of committee2
Passed one chamber2
Passed both chambers2
Became law2
Never left committee19

For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 7 bills that became law this session.

Prostitution
In plain English Revises prostitution laws to increase penalties, exempt human trafficking victims and minors from prosecution, and allow prior offenders to seek record expungement through treatment programs.
Official synopsis: Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 16-15-90, Relating To Prostitution, So As To Define The Term "prostitution," Revise The Statute And Penalties For Violations, And Provide Exceptions To Prosecution For Victims Of Human Trafficking And Victims Under The Age Of Eighteen;…
Became lawEffective date 05/18/26 · 2026-06-05
2026 Elections
Change The Primary Date For The 2026 General Election To The Second Tuesday Of August; And To Require Additional Filing Times.
Not out of committeeScrivener's error corrected · 2026-05-14
Apply Ethics Laws to Political Party Chairmen
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 8-13-100, Relating To Definitions Concerning State Ethics Laws, So As To Provide That The Head Of Each Certified Political Party Is Subject To The State's Ethics Laws; By Amending Section 8-13-1300, Relating To Definitions Concerning…
Not out of committeeScrivener's error corrected · 2026-04-27
Limit Vote to Citizens
Respectfully Request That The United States Congress Propose An Amendment To The United States Constitution To Be Submitted To The States For Ratification Providing That Only Citizens Of The United States May Qualify To Vote In Any Primary Or Other Election For President Or Vice…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-03-25
Protecting Children from Chatbots
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws So As To Enact The "protecting Children From Chatbots Act"; By Adding Chapter 81 To Title 39, So As To Define Terms Related To Chatbot Usage; To Provide That A Covered Entity Shall Make A Limited-access Mode Of…
Not out of committeeScrivener's error corrected · 2026-03-24
Anesthesiologist Assistants
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 40-47-1250, Relating To Supervision Of Anesthesiologist's Assistants, So As To Increase The Number Of Anesthesiologist's Assistants That An Anesthesiologist May Supervise; And By Amending Section 40-47-1240, Relating To Licensure Of Anesthesiologist's Assistants, So As To…
Not out of committeeRecommitted to Committee on Medical Affairs · 2026-02-18
Equal Parenting Act
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws So As To Enact The "equal Parenting Act"; By Amending Sections 63-3-810, 63-3-820, 63-3-830, 63-3-850, And 63-3-870, All Relating To Guardians Ad Litem Appointed In Private Family Court Actions, So As To Provide Certain Protections Against Guardian Ad…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-02-10
Parental Bill of Rights
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws So As To Enact The "parental Rights Act"; By Adding Article 3 To Chapter 28, Title 59 So As To Define Terms Pertaining To Parental Rights In Education; To Affirm And Enumerate The Fundamental Rights Of Parents To…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Education · 2026-01-21
Childcare Assistance Program
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Article 13 To Chapter 13, Title 63 So As To Establish Employment Requirements For Individuals Applying For Federally Funded Childcare Assistance Benefits Available To Families With Low Incomes To Help Cover The Costs Of Childcare; And…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Family and Veterans' Services · 2026-01-13
Prenatal Wrongful Death
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 15-51-10, Relating To Civil Actions For A Wrongful Act Causing Death, So As To Provide That A Wrongful Death Action Can Be Maintained For An Unborn Child At Any Stage Of Development And To Provide…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-01-13
Solicitor Cooling Off Period
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 1-7-550 So As To Provide That For Two Years After Leaving Office, A Solicitor May Not Represent A Client For A Fee Or Appear In Court In The District From Which He Was Elected.
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-01-13
Office of Parental Rights
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Chapter 35 To Title 1, So As To Establish The Office Of Parental Rights In The Executive Office Of The Governor; To Define "parent"; To Prohibit The State From Infringing On The Fundamental Rights Of A…
Not out of committeeScrivener's error corrected · 2025-05-07
Jana Curry
A Senate Resolution To Recognize And Honor Jana Curry For Her Service As A Music Teacher And Her Efforts To Honor Her Country Through Music.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2025-05-06
John W. Parris Road Naming
Request That The Department Of Transportation Name The Interchange Of Interstate 26 And Highway 11 At Exit 5 In Spartanburg County "john W. Parris Interchange" And Erect Appropriate Markers Or Signs At This Location Containing The Designation.
Not out of committeeAdopted, returned to Senate with concurrence · 2025-04-24
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 40-33-20, Relating To Definitions In The Nurse Practice Act, So As To Provide That A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist May Only Use The Abbreviation "crna" Or A Variation Or Subdesignation Of Crna To Indicate That…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Medical Affairs · 2025-03-26

“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.

Loading committees…
H5126 · 2026-08-11
Budget (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
Passed · 37-2
Yea
H3021 · 2026-06-25
Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
Passed · 38-0
Yea
H4248 · 2026-06-25
Food labeling (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
Passed · 33-5
Nay
H4763 · 2026-06-25
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: To Grant Free Conference Powers)
Failed · 29-9
Yea
H4763 · 2026-06-25
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: To Grant Free Conference Powers)
Passed · 33-6
Yea
H4763 · 2026-06-25
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: To Adopt The Free Conference Report)
Passed · 38-0
Yea
S0011 · 2026-06-25
Paid Family Leave Eligible State Employee (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
Passed · 38-0
Yea
H3387 · 2026-06-25
Unlawful occupants of property (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
Passed · 40-0
Yea
S0428 · 2026-06-25
Fraudulent Check Expungement (Senate: To Override The Veto)
Passed · 36-3
Yea
H4069 · 2026-06-25
Patient-Friendly Billing (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
Passed · 38-0
Yea
H3558 · 2026-06-25
Commissioners to Article V Convention (Senate: To Override The Veto)
Passed · 20-5
Absent
S0052 · 2026-06-25
Driving under the influence (Senate: To Grant Free Conference Powers)
Failed · 23-13
Nay
H4300 · 2026-06-25
Retirement System for Judges and Solicitors (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Passed · 36-3
Yea
H4635 · 2026-06-25
Physical Fitness Services (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
Passed · 38-0
Yea
H4709 · 2026-06-25
US produced iron and steel (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
Passed · 36-2
Yea
S0238 · 2026-06-25
Sine Die (Senate: To Override The Veto)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5683 · 2026-05-26
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: Rule 15b)
Failed · 20-24
Yea
H5683 · 2026-05-26
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: To Continue The Bill)
Passed · 26-18
Nay
H5683 · 2026-05-22
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 19)
Failed · 0-39
Nay
H5683 · 2026-05-22
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: Motion To Suspend Rule 15)
Failed · 25-15
Yea
H5683 · 2026-05-22
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: Motion To Suspend Rule 15)
Failed · 26-15
Yea
H3021 · 2026-05-14
Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act (Senate: To Concur)
Failed · 22-22
Yea
H4591 · 2026-05-14
Stop Harm from Addictive Social Media (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 42-1
Yea
S0832 · 2026-05-14
University Campus Events Zoning (Senate: To Concur)
Passed · 35-7
Yea
H5018 · 2026-05-14
Agency Head Salary Commission, Governor and Lt. Governor (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 41-2
Yea
H4763 · 2026-05-14
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 44-0
Yea
H3558 · 2026-05-13
Commissioners to Article V Convention (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 38-2
Yea
S0222 · 2026-05-13
Utility terrain vehicle (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
Passed · 29-14
Nay
S0222 · 2026-05-13
Utility terrain vehicle (Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number Rfh-1)
Failed · 19-24
Nay
S0222 · 2026-05-13
Utility terrain vehicle (Senate: To Concur)
Passed · 26-18
Yea
H5538 · 2026-05-13
Guarantee Banking Act (Senate: To Lay On The Table)
Failed · 17-23
Nay
H5538 · 2026-05-13
Guarantee Banking Act (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Passed · 38-2
Yea
H4042 · 2026-05-13
Ivermectin (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Passed · 38-3
Yea
H5217 · 2026-05-13
Deer tags (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 40-0
Yea
S0688 · 2026-05-13
DEW UI Tax Code (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
Passed · 44-0
Yea
H4589 · 2026-05-13
Education Capital Improvements Sales and Use Tax (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 40-2
Yea
H4303 · 2026-05-13
Cigarettes for heating (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 36-4
Yea
H3570 · 2026-05-13
Disclosure of Economic Interests (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 40-0
Yea
H4706 · 2026-05-13
Racing facility (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 40-0
Yea
H5122 · 2026-05-12
Internet and Communications Service Providers Equipment (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 35-8
Absent
S0454 · 2026-05-12
Charter School Accountability (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
Passed · 43-0
Absent
S0961 · 2026-05-12
Red drum, saltwater fish, deer hunting (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
Passed · 43-0
Absent
S0883 · 2026-05-12
Sine Die 2026 (Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number Rfh-2)
Passed · 31-15
Yea
S0883 · 2026-05-12
Sine Die 2026 (Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number Rfh-3)
Passed · 30-16
Yea
S0883 · 2026-05-12
Sine Die 2026 (Senate: To Concur)
Failed · 29-17
Yea
H4476 · 2026-05-12
SC-Bahamas Trade Commission (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Passed · 46-0
Yea
H4382 · 2026-05-12
Nonprescription Ephedrine Products (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Passed · 46-0
Yea
S0831 · 2026-05-12
SCDOT Modernization (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
Passed · 43-0
Absent
H4000 · 2026-05-12
Alcohol licensing (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Passed · 45-0
Yea
H3569 · 2026-05-12
Domestic violence in rental properties (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 42-4
Yea
H5113 · 2026-05-12
Manufactured and modular homes (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 46-0
Yea
H5122 · 2026-05-07
Internet and Communications Service Providers Equipment (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Passed · 41-5
Yea
H5208 · 2026-05-07
Sales Tax Exemption (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Passed · 46-0
Yea
H4679 · 2026-05-07
South Carolina Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Passed · 46-0
Yea
H4163 · 2026-05-07
South Carolina High School Athletic Association (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 24-17
Absent
H5113 · 2026-05-07
Manufactured and modular homes (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Passed · 46-0
Yea
H4189 · 2026-05-07
DHEC Restructuring (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Passed · 43-3
Yea
H5537 · 2026-05-07
Dillon National Guard Armory (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 46-0
Yea
H4337 · 2026-05-07
Subpoena Powers (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Passed · 46-0
Yea
H5006 · 2026-05-07
Taxes (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Passed · 46-0
Yea
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 683 total roll-call votes this session).
Voting data provided by LegiScan, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Primary Office
Sources:
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