Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · South Carolina
Republican
· State Senator
Jeff Zell
Represents District 36 in the State Senate.
Votes with Republicans
62%
on 71 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 84%
Cast a vote
96%
Yea or Nay on 671 of 698 roll calls · Senate median 94%
Their bills that became law
5 of 13
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 7
Roll calls on record
698
126th General Assembly
Votes and bills updated Oct 11, 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 Jeff Zell 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 Jeff Zell 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. Jeff Zell is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
27 of 71 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
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
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: 2nd Reading · 2026-05-06 · Passed 28–12 · 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
S0933 · Legislative compensation
In plain English Increases combined legislative compensation and service allowance for state lawmakers to $47,500, adjusted every two years by inflation up to five percent.
Senate: 2nd Reading · 2026-04-28 · 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 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
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
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
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 · 111 shared contested votes
66%
Darrell JacksonDemocrat · District 21 · 99 shared contested votes
64%
Russell OttDemocrat · District 26 · 112 shared contested votes
63%
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 (27 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← South Carolina Delegation
YeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaAbsentAbsentAbsentNayYeaYeaYeaYeaAbsentYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNay
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Jeff Zell 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.
Introduced13
Out of committee5
Passed one chamber5
Passed both chambers5
Became law5
Never left committee8
For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 7 bills that became law this session.
St. Peter's AME Church
A Senate Resolution To Congratulate St. Peter Ame Church Upon The Dedication Of Its Historical Marker And To Commend The Church For Its Many Years Of Dedicated Service To The People And The State Of South Carolina.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-03-17
Digital Choice Act
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Enacting The "digital Choice Act" By Adding Chapter 31 To Title 37 So As To Define Terms Related To Digital Choice And Social Media; To Establish The Format In Which A Social Media Service Must Provide A…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry · 2026-02-18
Douglas Gant and William Hancock
A Senate Resolution To Recognize And Honor William Daniel Hancock's Remarkable Selflessness In Donating A Kidney To Save The Life Of Douglas Lynn Gant, And To Commemorate The Faithfulness Of God In Bringing To Fruition A Plan Of Healing And Hope.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-02-17
Non-teaching duties of public school educators
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 59-25-425 So As To Limit Teacher Duties Under School District Salary Schedules To Classroom And Certain Related Duties, To Prohibit The Assignment Of Extracurricular Duties Without Consent And Extra Compensation As Stated In The Teaching…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Education · 2026-01-14
SC Military Retirement Tax Exemption
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 12-6-1171, Relating To The Military Retirement Income Deduction, So As To Define A Qualified Military Retirement Plan To Include Plans From An Individual's Service In The Armed Services, Usphs, Or Noaa.
Not out of committeeScrivener's error corrected · 2026-01-14
Excused School Attendance for Religious Instruction
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 59-1-460, Relating To Excused School Attendance For Religious Instruction, So As To Require School District Board Of Trustees To Adopt A Policy.
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Education · 2026-01-13
Coroner Qualifications
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 17-5-130, Relating To Coroner Qualifications, So As To Revise Coroner Qualifications And Require A Fingerprint And Background Check Of Coroners Before The General Election.
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-01-13
State Park Admissions
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 51-3-60, Relating To Use Of Facilities Free Of Charge By Disabled Veterans, So As To Allow Any South Carolina Resident Who Is A Veteran To Enter Any State Park Free Of Charge.
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry · 2026-01-13
Clarendon County Aeronautics Commission
Provide That The Members Of The Clarendon County Aeronautics Commission Shall Be Appointed By The Governor Upon The Recommendation Of The Clarendon County Legislative Delegation. – Ratified Title
Became lawAct No. 79 · 2025-06-05
June Brailsford-service to the GOP
A Senate Resolution To Recognize And Honor June Brailsford, Secretary/treasurer Of The Clarendon County Republican Party, And To Wish Her Many More Years Of Service To Her Community As She Turns Ninety-six In 2025.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2025-04-24
Moye Graham
A Senate Resolution To Honor Moye Graham For Dedication To The Republican Party And For Service In The South Carolina Department On Aging.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2025-04-22
School District Grading Policies
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 59-29-250 So As To Prohibit School Districts From Requiring Teachers To Assign A Minimum Grade Or Score That Exceeds The Student's Actual Performance.
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Education · 2025-04-03
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws So As To Enact The "helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (halo) Act"; By Adding Section 16-3-1092 So As To Create The Offense Of Impeding, Interfering, Threatening, Or Harassing A First Responder Engaged In The Lawful Performance Of His Duties,…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2025-01-14
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 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)
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 698 total roll-call votes this session).
Primary Office
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