South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate

S 673 — Reverend Thurmond Merchison

Last action — Introduced and adopted

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced May 28, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Stalled 26% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

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 SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE REVEREND THURMOND MERCHISON UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY AS PASTOR OF FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO HIS CONGREGATION AND THE ST. MATTHEWS COMMUNITY.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

46 added · 29 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill S 673 includes new lines congratulating Reverend Thurmond Merchison on his 20th anniversary as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, as well as recognizing his contributions to the St. Matthews community. This addition highlights the importance of community leaders and their commitment to service, making it a meaningful acknowledgment of Reverend Merchison's work. Such resolutions can strengthen community ties and support local leaders, which is important for the social fabric of the area.

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2025-2026 Bill 673 Text of Previous Version (May.
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28, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 673Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Ú hvâŽúހù·æ"?îéÆ!’*îüfî~÷xÌçä>¶ŸÛw¾SJ®Ï §WGn \H"hÏ< —N·K`I lÀ5³ ÂeAr;2¢b ҏ£€{ñ>ò6€T¢7+Å¡2™#<¦ÿ>†×5iì
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)                 A senate RESOLUTION   TO CONGRATULATE Reverend Thurmond Merchison UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS twentieth ANNIVERSARY AS PASTOR OF Friendship Baptist Church AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO HIS CONGREGATION AND THE St.
Matthews COMMUNITY.
  Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Reverend Thurmond Merchison upon the occasion of his twentieth pastoral anniversary on August 10, 2025;
and   Whereas, Reverend Merchison was born to the late Deacon Bennie and Deaconess Elsie S.
Merchison.
He is a graduate of W.
J.
Keenan High School in Columbia, Morris College School of Religion Extension under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Dr.
Blakely N.
Scott and Allen University.
He learned to care for people from his father, a postman who frequently traveled to visit with and listen to people in need;
and   Whereas, a veteran of the United States Army, Reverend Merchison received his call from the Lord while stationed at Ft.
Lewis, Washington.
After an honorable discharge, he returned to Columbia, where he and his family joined the Antioch Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Dr.
Albert Aiken Neal.
There he served in various capacities, including as a Sunday School teacher;
and   Whereas, Reverend Merchison was licensed to preach in 1992 and ordained in 1994 at the Antioch Church by the Upper Wateree Association.
In 2005, he was officially installed as the pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in St.
Matthews;
and   Whereas, under Reverend Merchison's leadership, the church sanctuary was reconstructed and other modifications were made to the church building.
A humble man, he credits all his success in ministry to God;
and   Whereas, Reverend Merchison is married to the former Mrs.
Lynne Scott, and together they have a blended family;
and   Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the ministry of Reverend Merchison and his service to Friendship Baptist Church and the St.
Matthews community.  Now, therefore,   Be it resolved by the Senate:
  That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Reverend Thurmond Merchison upon the occasion of his twentieth anniversary as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church and commend him for his many years of service to his congregation and the St.
Matthews community.
  Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Thurmond Merchison.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on May 28, 2025 at 12:18 PM
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Action History

  1. Introduced and adopted

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 169 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (169)

169 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does S 673 do?
A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE REVEREND THURMOND MERCHISON UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY AS PASTOR OF FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO HIS CONGREGATION AND THE ST. MATTHEWS COMMUNITY.
Who sponsors S 673?
S 673 is sponsored by Senator Russell L. Ott.
What is the current status of S 673?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced May 28, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track S 673?
Track S 673 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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