Palmetto State News

Henry McMaster, the governor of South Carolina, said that legislators in the state should "work together on tort reform." He made this statement in a post on the social media platform X on March 5.

"South Carolina is winning in the fierce competition for jobs and investment," said McMaster. "To keep it that way, we must work together on tort reform. We've got a great state, and we've got great people. Our laws must match their greatness. Let's get it done."

In early 2025, South Carolina's legislative session concentrated on tort reform, with a particular focus on Senate Bill S.244, as reported by Legal Newsline. The bill aimed to revamp the state's civil justice system by altering liability rules, especially for businesses such as bars and restaurants. Proponents argued that the existing joint-and-several liability laws place an unfair financial burden on businesses when multiple parties are involved in a lawsuit.

Gov. McMaster's post on X | X

According to Here Myrtle Beach, Governor McMaster has been a strong advocate for tort reform, urging the General Assembly to implement changes that protect the state's economy. He stressed the importance of laws that balance fair compensation for injuries with economic competitiveness. Despite setbacks with S.244, discussions about potential amendments and future legislation aimed at reforming lawsuits continue.

House Bill H.4142 was introduced on March 5, 2025, aiming to amend Section 15-78-120 of the South Carolina Code of Laws by increasing liability limits under the Tort Claims Act. According to the South Carolina General Assembly, this bill proposes raising the cap on damages recoverable from governmental entities to adjust for inflation and provide fair compensation to claimants.

Senator Shane Massey, serving as the South Carolina Senate Majority Leader and an advocate for tort reform in the state, introduced Senate Bill S.244. Massey said that without changes to current tort laws, business owners would face escalating insurance costs: "They're gonna pay more for insurance than they should be paying. We have the ability to address that problem," he said according to ABC Columbia.

Governor McMaster was born on May 27, 1947, in Columbia, South Carolina. He has served as the state's 117th governor since January 24, 2017, following Nikki Haley's resignation to become U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. According to his official website, McMaster was subsequently elected to full terms in 2018 and 2022 and holds both a bachelor's degree in history and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina.