Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · South Carolina
Republican
· State Senator
Sean Bennett
Represents District 38 in the State Senate.
Votes with Republicans
81%
on 83 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 84%
Cast a vote
99%
Yea or Nay on 695 of 704 roll calls · Senate median 94%
Their bills that became law
8 of 21
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 7
Roll calls on record
704
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 Sean Bennett 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 Sean Bennett 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. Sean Bennett is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
16 of 83 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
H5683 · Redistricting, Congressional Districts
In plain English Establishes new congressional election districts for South Carolina and repeals the previous district boundaries.
Senate: To Continue The Bill · 2026-05-26 · Passed 26–18 · most Republicans voted the other way
H5683 · Redistricting, Congressional Districts
In plain English Establishes new congressional election districts for South Carolina and repeals the previous district boundaries.
Senate: Rule 15b · 2026-05-26 · Failed 20–24 · most Republicans voted the other way
H5683 · Redistricting, Congressional Districts
In plain English Establishes new congressional election districts for South Carolina and repeals the previous district boundaries.
Senate: Motion To Suspend Rule 15 · 2026-05-22 · Failed 26–15 · most Republicans voted the other way
H5683 · Redistricting, Congressional Districts
In plain English Establishes new congressional election districts for South Carolina and repeals the previous district boundaries.
Senate: Motion To Suspend Rule 15 · 2026-05-22 · Failed 25–15 · most Republicans voted the other way
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.
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-14 · Failed 22–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0883 · Sine Die 2026
In plain English Sets the 2026 legislative session to adjourn May 14, then reconvene as needed before final adjournment by November 8.
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-12 · Failed 29–17 · most Republicans voted the other way
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Senate: To Concur · 2026-04-29 · Failed 16–25 · 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.
Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number 43a · 2026-04-23 · Failed 19–23 · 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.
Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number 24 · 2026-04-22 · Passed 24–17 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0508 · Monuments
In plain English Expands protections for monuments and memorials from relocation or removal, allows the General Assembly to act on certain monuments by joint resolution, and permits affinity organizations to sue to prevent certain actions regarding monuments.
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 15 · 2026-04-15 · Passed 28–15 · 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.
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-14 · Failed 22–22
H5126 · Budget
In plain English Appropriates funds and provides revenues for South Carolina state government operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
Senate: To Adopt Amendment No, 4 · 2026-04-21 · Passed 21–20
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 20 · 2026-03-18 · Passed 19–18
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.
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 45 · 2026-02-04 · Failed 22–23
H5683 · Redistricting, Congressional Districts
In plain English Establishes new congressional election districts for South Carolina and repeals the previous district boundaries.
Senate: Rule 15b · 2026-05-26 · Failed 20–24
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 · 124 shared contested votes
60%
Darrell JacksonDemocrat · District 21 · 108 shared contested votes
53%
Russell OttDemocrat · District 26 · 122 shared contested votes
52%
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 (9 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← South Carolina Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNayNayNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Sean Bennett 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 committee12
Passed one chamber12
Passed both chambers8
Became law8
Never left committee9
For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 7 bills that became law this session.
Ned Shows
A Senate Resolution To Congratulate And Honor Ned Shows For Forty Years Of Volunteer Work With Meals On Wheels Summerville, And For His Many Years Of Dedicated Service Within The Summerville Community.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-08-11
St. Philip's Episcopal Church
A Senate Resolution To Congratulate St. Philip's Church In Charleston For Its Significant, Historic Contributions To The Founding Of The Palmetto State And The Nation.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-08-11
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Declare November 2026 As "lung Cancer Awareness Month" In The State Of South Carolina.
Became lawIntroduced, adopted, returned with concurrence · 2026-05-13
Micro-distillery tastings
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 61-6-1140, Relating To Tastings And Retail Sales On Licensed Premises, So As To Modify The Time During Which Tastings And Retail Sales Can Occur; And By Amending Section 61-6-1150, Relating To Tastings And Retail Sales,…
Passed one chamberReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-05-07
Blackout license plates
In plain English Allows the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue special license plates with a blackout design.
Official synopsis: Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 56-3-16610 So As To Provide That The Department Of Motor Vehicles Shall Issue Blackout Special License Plates.
Passed one chamberReferred to Committee on Education and Public Works · 2026-04-30
Pinewood Prep boys basketball champions
Honor And Recognize The Pinewood Preparatory School Boys Basketball Team, Coaches, And School Officials, For An Outstanding Season, And To Congratulate Them On Winning The 2026 South Carolina Independent School Association 4a State Championship Title.
Became lawScrivener's error corrected · 2026-03-26
Pinewood Prep Girls Varsity Cheer Team State Championship
Recognize And Honor The Pinewood Preparatory School Girls Competition Cheer Team, Coaches, And School Officials For An Extraordinary Season And To Congratulate Them For Winning The 2025 South Carolina Independent School Association 3a/4a State Championship Title.
Became lawIntroduced, adopted, returned with concurrence · 2026-03-11
Lawyer Advertising Unfair Practice
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 39-5-39, Relating To An Attorney Advertising In A False, Deceptive, Or Misleading Manner, So As To Define False Advertising; To Provide That Any Advertising For Legal Services That References A Settlement Obtained On Behalf Of…
Not out of committeeCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Labor, Commerce and Industry · 2026-03-03
Campaign Practices
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 8-13-1300, Relating To Definitions, So As To Provide Definitions For "election Communication" And "independent Expenditure Committee"; And By Adding Section 8-13-1375 So As To Establish Disclosure Requirements For Election Communications By Independent Expenditure Committees.
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-02-26
Co-owned home
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 12-37-160 So As To Provide That An Imposition Of Any Taxation, Prohibition, Restriction, Or Fee Imposition, Or Any Regulation Regarding The Use, Disposition, Or Sale Of A Co-owned Home Must Be Done By The General…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Finance · 2026-01-28
Increased Penalties for Driving Without a License
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 56-1-440, Relating To Penalties For Driving Without A License, So As To Increase The Penalties For Driving Without A License And Make Conforming Changes.
Passed one chamberReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-01-22
Pinewood Prep State Champions
Recognize And Honor The Pinewood Preparatory School Football Team, Coaches, And School Officials For A Truly Remarkable Season And To Congratulate Them On Winning The 2025 South Carolina Independent School Association 3a State Championship.
Became lawIntroduced, adopted, returned with concurrence · 2026-01-15
Constitutional amendment
Amend Sections 1 And 2 Of Article X, Of The Constitution Of South Carolina, 1895, Both Relating To Property Tax, So As To Provide That The General Assembly May Determine By Law The Classifications And Assessment Ratios Of Such Property.
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Finance · 2026-01-14
Campaign Contributor Information
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 8-13-1302, Relating To Records Of Contributions, Contributors, And Expenditures, So As To Include The Employer Of Persons Making Contributions; By Amending Section 8-13-1308, Relating To Certified Campaign Reports By Candidates And Committees, So As To…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-01-14
Retirement System Investment Commission- ex officio board member
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 54-3-10, Relating To The State Ports Authority Board Of Directors Membership, So As To Add The Chief Executive Officer Of The Retirement System Investment Commission As An Ex Officio Member And To Permit Ex Officio…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Transportation · 2026-01-14
“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)
H3021 · 2026-06-25
Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4248 · 2026-06-25
Food labeling (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4763 · 2026-06-25
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: To Grant Free Conference Powers)
H4763 · 2026-06-25
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: To Grant Free Conference Powers)
H4763 · 2026-06-25
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: To Adopt The Free Conference Report)
H3924 · 2026-06-25
Hemp-derived ingestible (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H3387 · 2026-06-25
Unlawful occupants of property (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
S0428 · 2026-06-25
Fraudulent Check Expungement (Senate: To Override The Veto)
H4069 · 2026-06-25
Patient-Friendly Billing (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H3558 · 2026-06-25
Commissioners to Article V Convention (Senate: To Override The Veto)
S0052 · 2026-06-25
Driving under the influence (Senate: To Grant Free Conference Powers)
H4300 · 2026-06-25
Retirement System for Judges and Solicitors (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4635 · 2026-06-25
Physical Fitness Services (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4709 · 2026-06-25
US produced iron and steel (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
S1043 · 2026-06-25
Civil Air Patrol Leave Act (Senate: To Concur)
S0238 · 2026-06-25
Sine Die (Senate: To Override The Veto)
H5683 · 2026-05-26
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: Rule 15b)
H5683 · 2026-05-26
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: To Continue The Bill)
H5683 · 2026-05-22
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 19)
H5683 · 2026-05-22
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: Motion To Suspend Rule 15)
H5683 · 2026-05-22
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: Motion To Suspend Rule 15)
H3021 · 2026-05-14
Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act (Senate: To Concur)
H4591 · 2026-05-14
Stop Harm from Addictive Social Media (Senate: 3rd Reading)
S0832 · 2026-05-14
University Campus Events Zoning (Senate: To Concur)
S0508 · 2026-05-14
Monuments (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H5018 · 2026-05-14
Agency Head Salary Commission, Governor and Lt. Governor (Senate: 3rd Reading)
S0688 · 2026-05-14
DEW UI Tax Code (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4709 · 2026-05-14
US produced iron and steel (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4763 · 2026-05-14
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H3558 · 2026-05-13
Commissioners to Article V Convention (Senate: 3rd Reading)
S0222 · 2026-05-13
Utility terrain vehicle (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
S0222 · 2026-05-13
Utility terrain vehicle (Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number Rfh-1)
S0222 · 2026-05-13
Utility terrain vehicle (Senate: To Concur)
H5538 · 2026-05-13
Guarantee Banking Act (Senate: To Lay On The Table)
H5538 · 2026-05-13
Guarantee Banking Act (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4042 · 2026-05-13
Ivermectin (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5217 · 2026-05-13
Deer tags (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5120 · 2026-05-13
Fingerprinting, offenses by minors (Senate: 2nd Reading)
S0688 · 2026-05-13
DEW UI Tax Code (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
H4589 · 2026-05-13
Education Capital Improvements Sales and Use Tax (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4303 · 2026-05-13
Cigarettes for heating (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H3570 · 2026-05-13
Disclosure of Economic Interests (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4706 · 2026-05-13
Racing facility (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5122 · 2026-05-12
Internet and Communications Service Providers Equipment (Senate: 3rd Reading)
S0454 · 2026-05-12
Charter School Accountability (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
S0961 · 2026-05-12
Red drum, saltwater fish, deer hunting (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
S0883 · 2026-05-12
Sine Die 2026 (Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number Rfh-2)
S0883 · 2026-05-12
Sine Die 2026 (Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number Rfh-3)
S0883 · 2026-05-12
Sine Die 2026 (Senate: To Concur)
H4476 · 2026-05-12
SC-Bahamas Trade Commission (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4382 · 2026-05-12
Nonprescription Ephedrine Products (Senate: 2nd Reading)
S0831 · 2026-05-12
SCDOT Modernization (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4000 · 2026-05-12
Alcohol licensing (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H3569 · 2026-05-12
Domestic violence in rental properties (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5113 · 2026-05-12
Manufactured and modular homes (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5122 · 2026-05-07
Internet and Communications Service Providers Equipment (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5208 · 2026-05-07
Sales Tax Exemption (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4679 · 2026-05-07
South Carolina Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4163 · 2026-05-07
South Carolina High School Athletic Association (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 704 total roll-call votes this session).
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