Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · South Carolina
Republican
· State Senator
J.D. Chaplin
Represents District 29 in the State Senate.
Votes with Republicans
75%
on 73 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 84%
Cast a vote
97%
Yea or Nay on 664 of 683 roll calls · Senate median 94%
Their bills that became law
1 of 10
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 J.D. Chaplin 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 J.D. Chaplin 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. J.D. Chaplin is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
18 of 73 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report · 2026-06-25 · Passed 27–11 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0832 · University Campus Events Zoning
In plain English Prohibits counties and municipalities from using zoning rules to prohibit, restrict, condition, or delay events held on state university campuses.
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-14 · Passed 35–7 · 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.
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-13 · Passed 26–18 · most Republicans voted the other way
H4163 · South Carolina High School Athletic Association
In plain English Requires interscholastic athletic associations to meet oversight and accountability standards for public schools to join or fund them.
Senate: 3rd Reading · 2026-05-07 · Passed 24–17 · 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 64 · 2026-04-23 · Failed 17–25 · 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 38 · 2026-04-23 · Passed 24–18 · 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.
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 42 · 2026-04-22 · Passed 22–20 · 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.
Senate: To Adopt Amendment 1b · 2026-04-16 · Passed 22–14 · 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
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
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 Lay On The Table Amendment Number 42 · 2026-04-22 · Passed 22–20
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 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.
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 · 115 shared contested votes
60%
Russell OttDemocrat · District 26 · 116 shared contested votes
57%
Darrell JacksonDemocrat · District 21 · 103 shared contested votes
53%
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 (19 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← South Carolina Delegation
YeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaAbsentAbsentAbsentYeaYeaYeaAbsentYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills J.D. Chaplin 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.
Introduced10
Out of committee1
Passed one chamber1
Passed both chambers1
Became law1
Never left committee9
For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 7 bills that became law this session.
Brian Rudick
A Senate Resolution To Recognize And Honor Brian Rudick For His Many Years Of Service And Leadership As A Scouting Of America Scoutmaster.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-08-11
Deputy Frank "Devin" Mason Road Naming
Request That The Department Of Transportation Name The Section Of Highway 151 In Front Of The Sherrif's Office In Darlington County The "deputy Frank Devin Mason Memorial Highway" And Erect Appropriate Markers Or Signs At This Location Containing The Designation.
Not out of committeeAdopted, returned to Senate with concurrence · 2026-04-16
Police Officer Retirement System
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 9-11-115 So As To Provide That A Non-vested Member Of The Police Officer's Retirement System Who Dies In The Line Of Duty Shall Receive A One-time Lump Sum Benefit Payment.
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Finance · 2026-02-19
Special Doe Hunting Season
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 50-11-317 So As To Define "doe" Or "does", And To Establish A Doe Season From January 2 – January 31; By Adding Section 50-9-42 So As To Require Licenses For Hunting Does During Doe Season;…
Not out of committeeScrivener's error corrected · 2026-01-21
Weight Limit of Farm Trucks
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 56-5-4140, Relating To Gross Weight Of Vehicles, Combinations Of Vehicles, And Loads, So As To Limit The Gross Weight Of Farm Trucks.
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Transportation · 2026-01-14
Restricted Leave Periods
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 8-11-610, Relating To The Manner In Which Annual Leave Is Computed, So As To Provide That A Department Head May Not Establish Restricted Leave Periods During Which Employees Are Prohibited From Taking Annual Leave; And…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Finance · 2026-01-13
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Premiums
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 38-77-150, Relating To Uninsured Motorist Provisions So As To Provide That An Insurer May Not Increase An Insured's Premium Solely Because The Insured Made A Claim Under His Uninsured Or Underinsured Motorist Coverage As Long…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Banking and Insurance · 2026-01-13
Civil Asset Forfeiture
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 44-53-520, Relating To Forfeitures, So As To Include That More Than Two Grains Of Fentanyl Or A Fentanyl-related Must Be Found For A Motor Vehicle To Be Subject To Civil Forfeiture.
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-01-13
Jay Lucas Bridge
Request That The Department Of Transportation Name The Lake Prestwood Bridge In Darlington County "speaker Jay Lucas Bridge" And Erect Appropriate Markers Or Signs At This Location Containing The Designation.
Not out of committeeAdopted, returned to Senate with concurrence · 2025-05-07
Governor David M. Beasley Intersection
Request That The Department Of Transportation Name The Intersection Of Sc 340 And I-20 In Darlington County "governor David M. Beasley Intersection" And Erect Appropriate Markers Or Signs At This Location Containing The Designation.
Not out of committeeAdopted, returned to Senate with concurrence · 2025-05-07
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)
S0011 · 2026-06-25
Paid Family Leave Eligible State Employee (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)
H3558 · 2026-06-25
Commissioners to Article V Convention (Senate: To Override The Veto)
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)
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)
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)
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)
H5113 · 2026-05-07
Manufactured and modular homes (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4189 · 2026-05-07
DHEC Restructuring (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5537 · 2026-05-07
Dillon National Guard Armory (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4337 · 2026-05-07
Subpoena Powers (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5006 · 2026-05-07
Taxes (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 683 total roll-call votes this session).
Primary Office
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