S 159 — Organized Retail Crime
Last action — Recommitted to Committee on Judiciary
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 14, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
LowHow often bills like it became law.
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In Committee
Current position in the legislative process.
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8 sponsors
8 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 1 recorded vote so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Summary
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-13-135, RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF RETAIL THEFT AND ASSOCIATED PENALTIES, SO AS TO REVISE THE PREVIOUS OFFENSE OF RETAIL THEFT TO CREATE THE OFFENSES OF ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME AND ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME OF AN AGGRAVATED NATURE, TO PROVIDE A GRADUATED PENALTY STRUCTURE, AND TO REVISE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
4 added · 25 removedPlain-language change summary
In the latest version of Bill S 159, a section that previously outlined the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they existed before changes to the law has been added back in. This change is important because it clarifies how certain legal obligations will still be enforced even after the law is updated or repealed. This ensures that individuals and businesses can clearly understand their responsibilities and potential penalties under the law, providing consistency and protection for all parties involved.
2025-2026 Bill 159 Text of Previous Version (Feb.(Jan.
19,14, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 159Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.) Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter Committee ReportA Februarybill 19, 2025TO AMEND S.THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-13-135, RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF RETAIL Theft AND ASSOCIATED PENALTIES, SO AS TO REVISE THE PREVIOUS OFFENSE OF RETAIL THEFT TO CREATE THE OFFENSES OF ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME AND ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME OF AN AGGRAVATED NATURE, TO PROVIDE A GRADUATED PENALTY STRUCTURE, AND TO REVISE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS.
159 Introduced by Senators Turner, Garrett, Climer, Adams, Graham and Alexander S.
Printed 2/19/25--S.
Read the first time January 14, 2025 ________ The committee on Senate Judiciary To whom was referred a Bill (S.
159) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 16-13-135, relating to the offense of retail theft and associated penalties, so as to revise the previous, etc., respectfully Report:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
LUKE RANKIN for Committee.
_______ A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-13-135, RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF RETAIL Theft AND ASSOCIATED PENALTIES, SO AS TO REVISE THE PREVIOUS OFFENSE OF RETAIL THEFT TO CREATE THE OFFENSES OF ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME AND ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME OF AN AGGRAVATED NATURE, TO PROVIDE A GRADUATED PENALTY STRUCTURE, AND TO REVISE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on FebruaryJanuary 19,14, 2025 at 05:2212:32 PM
Action History
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Recommitted to Committee on Judiciary
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Roll call Ayes-43 Nays-0
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Read second time
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Amended
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Committee report: Favorable Judiciary
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Referred to Subcommittee: Adams (ch), Tedder, Fernandez, Kennedy, Sutton
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Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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Introduced and read first time
Sponsors
- Senator Ross Turner · Primary
- Senator Billy Garrett · Primary
- Senator Wes Climer · Primary
- Senator Brian Adams · Primary
- Senator Jeffrey R. Graham · Primary
- Senator Thomas C. Alexander · Primary
- Jr. Senator Tom Young · Primary
- Senator Overture Walker · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →8 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 162 not signed on
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (162)
162 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 162 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 43 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 43 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 93% | 0% | 0% | 7% |
How each member voted (46)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does S 159 do?
- A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-13-135, RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF RETAIL THEFT AND ASSOCIATED PENALTIES, SO AS TO REVISE THE PREVIOUS OFFENSE OF RETAIL THEFT TO CREATE THE OFFENSES OF ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME AND ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME OF AN AGGRAVATED NATURE, TO PROVIDE A GRADUATED PENALTY STRUCTURE, AND TO REVISE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS.
- Who sponsors S 159?
- S 159 is sponsored by Senator Ross Turner, Senator Billy Garrett, Senator Wes Climer, Senator Brian Adams, Senator Jeffrey R. Graham, Senator Thomas C. Alexander, Senator Tom Young, Jr., and Senator Overture Walker.
- What is the current status of S 159?
- This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 14, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track S 159?
- Track S 159 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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Last checked for changes about 2 months ago · updated continuously
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