LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

During his time in the House, Rep. Tallon has been the primary sponsor on more than 75 general bills and resolutions. To review all of those pieces of legislation and Tallon’s voting record, click here.

 

Creating the Blue Alert Program

In 2012, Rep. Eddie Tallon sponsored legislation to establish a Blue Alert Program designed to assist in apprehending a suspect alleged to have killed, seriously injured or abducted a law enforcement officer. Signed into law by the governor in 2012, the legislation created a method of disseminating information regarding the suspect, reducing his or her ability to flee the area. As part of the program, critical information is shared through the S.C. Department of Transportation’s electronic traffic signage system.

For more on this legislation, click here.

 

Limiting access to firearms for those deemed mentally defective

Following a near tragic shooting outside Ashley Hall in Charleston by a woman with a history of mental illness, Rep. Tallon sponsored House Bill 3560 to close a loophole in the criminal background check system. The law, effective August 2013, mandates that those adjudicated mentally defective, involuntarily committed to a mental institution by a judge, or found insane or unfit to stand trial be reported to the State Law Enforcement Division for addition to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

For more on this legislation, click here.

 

Regulating the sale of precious metals

Becoming effective in June 2014, this law further regulated the sale of precious metals and gems by requiring dealers to obtain a permit from their local law enforcement agency. The legislation also required dealers to operate from a permanent place of business, meaning no dealer can operate on public property, from a vehicle, flea market, residential home or hotel room, for example.

For more on this legislation, click here.

 

The South Carolina Emergency Management Law Enforcement Act

Becoming effective in June 2015, this law established procedures for the use of out-of-state officers who are deployed to South Carolina in accordance with the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The use of out-of-state law enforcement personnel pursuant to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact is designed solely for situations when South Carolina's law enforcement resources have been exhausted or will be exhausted subsequent to a declaration of a state of emergency or disaster by the Governor of the State of South Carolina.

For more on this legislation, click here.

Adjusting bond appearances, validity and relief of surety

Taking effect in early 2012, this legislation changed the law relating to appearance bonds, so as to provide that an appearance bond is valid for a certain time period in circuit and magistrate or municipal courts under certain circumstances and to provide a procedure to relieve the surety of liability when the time period has run.

For more on the legislation, click here.

Allowing prospective employers to report positive drug tests of those on unemployment

This legislation sought to allow prospective employers to confidentially notify the Department of Employment and Workforce a prospective employee fails a drug test, if the prospective employee is receiving state unemployment benefits. Under the proposal, the state would have suspended those benefits until the person successfully completed a drug treatment program and passed a drug test. The measure passed the House, but stalled in the Senate.

For more on the legislation, click here.

Using a concealed weapon permit at the polls

This legislation sought to allow a resident to use a concealed weapon permit as a valid form of identification when at voting locations. Though the measure passed the House and did not pass the Senate, the S.C. Attorney General’s Office ultimately issued a ruling that votes could use a CWP permit as identification while voting.

For more on the legislation, click here.

Requiring mopeds to be classified as motor vehicles

This legislation proposed classifying a moped as a motor vehicle, allowing riders of those vehicles to be subject to DUI laws. This measure was later included in larger comprehensive, DUI reform legislation.

For more on the legislation, click here.

A law providing for escheatment to the state of unclaimed U.S. Savings Bonds

This act amends the law to provide for escheatment to the state of unclaimed U.S. savings bonds to provide for judicial determination of escheatment, to provide for deposit of the proceeds of escheatment and reimbursement to the administration for the costs of escheatment, and by adding a section to provide that a person claiming an interest in an U.S. savings bond may file a claim with the administrator who is administering the uniform unclaimed property act and to provide for limitations on such claims.

For more on the legislation, click here.

Providing that manufacturers of wine, beer may offer coupons and rebates electronically

This act amended the S.C. Code of Laws to provide that a manufacturer of wine, vintner, winery, an importer, or retailer may offer or sponsor certain coupons or rebates to a consumer for the purchase of wine, to provide that a wholesaler is prohibited from participating in the procurement, redemption, or other costs associated for any coupon or rebate for wine, and to provide that a winery, wine manufacturer, vintner, importer, or wholesaler is prohibited from offering paper instant redeemable coupons and scanback coupons for wine in this state, and to provide that a manufacturer, brewer, importer, or retailer may offer or sponsor certain coupons and rebates to a consumer for the purchase of beer, to provide that a wholesaler is prohibited from participating in the procurement, redemption, or other costs associated for any coupon or rebate for beer, and to provide that a beer manufacturer or wholesaler is prohibited from offering paper instant redeemable coupons and scanback coupons for beer.

For more on this legislation, click here.

Creating a Civil Service Commission of the City of Spartanburg

This law, effective in 2017, created a Civil Service Commission of the City of Spartanburg for its police and fire departments.

For more on this legislation, click here.

Testimonials

“We enjoyed recognizing your leadership in co-sponsoring the House Bill and shepherding Senate Bill 289 creating the new Division of Crime Victim Services within the Attorney General’s Office. Consolidating the vital services for crime victims in a ‘one stop shop’ entity will serve the citizens of our state well. This legislation is perhaps the most significant advance in crime victim rights since the passage of the Constitutional Amendment creating the Crime Victim Bill of Rights. No one in the SC General Assembly has been more supportive of crime victim issues and public safety measures than you. In sponsoring “Emma’s Law” in 2014, that introduced the successful Ignition Interlock program, you have undoubtedly helped save lives in our state’s efforts to combat impaired driving. Your consistent support of crime victims, public safety, law enforcement, efficient transparent government and thorough oversight of state agencies that serve our citizens is exemplary. You are a patient, respectful listener and quick to help those that have sought your counsel.”

LAURA SLADE HUDSON Executive Director   S.C. Victim Assistance Network

“Eddie Tallon is a tireless advocate for House District 33. He understands the importance of listening and responding to his constituents. Eddie’s efforts to help with the revitalization of the Village of Glendale are critical to the Upstate’s quality of life, tourism, and economic development. Eddie’s work is thoughtful and meaningful.”

DR. B. G. STEPHENS

“Thank you for sharing your inspirational message with our students at the SMC Etiquette Dinner last week. I'm so proud to call you a fellow Pioneer. You make our community a better place.”

LEAH PRUITT Director of Alumni Relations   Spartanburg Methodist College

"I have had the privilege to work with Representative Tallon on several occasions. Every time I have worked with him he has always responded and helped the Pacolet Community and me. That speaks volumes to me because that is not always the case with individuals today. Representative Tallon is an asset to our community."

MICHAEL MEISSNER Mayor   Pacolet

"Representative Eddie Tallon is an articulate and stellar defender of innocent human life. He has a 100 percent pro-life voting record in the S.C. House."

HOLLY GATLING Executive Director   South Carolina Citizens for Life

"Representative Tallon has been very responsive to Spartanburg School District Three's educational and community concerns and needs.  I applaud his efforts in Columbia and support his reelection campaign."

KEVIN LEE Board Chair   Spartanburg School District Three

"Since joining the House in 2011, Representative Eddie Tallon has served as one of the General Assembly’s largest advocates for conservative values and protected freedoms. Throughout his previous service as House Republican Majority Whip, Eddie’s leadership was paramount in accomplishing key conservative legislative successes. As the current House Republican Assistant Majority Leader, Representative Tallon continues to advance initiatives that seek to improve the lives of all South Carolina families."

REP. JAY LUCAS Speaker   S. C. House

"I am so thankful to have Eddie Tallon as my representative! It is so reassuring to know that House District 33 has such a fiscal and social conservative working for us in Columbia! He is one that we can always count on to be our conservative voice."

ALEXIA NEWMAN Director   Carolina Pregnancy Center

I would like to publicly thank Eddie Tallon for the amazing job he has done and continues to do for District 33. As the Mayor of the Town of Cowpens, we are grateful for the assistance he has given the citizens of Cowpens in governmental issues. Specifically, we are especially grateful for the tremendous effort he put forward to get the new railroad bridge constructed in Cowpens. This bridge had been so dangerous that fire trucks and school buses could not travel over the bridge to reach citizens on the other side - an issue that had existed many years. However, after Eddie's extensive community outreach in Cowpens and his exemplary hard work with the SC Department of Transportation, the new bridge was built, and our citizens are safer than ever before. I would also like to thank Eddie for the strong conservatism and fiscal responsibility he has shown with our tax dollars. I couldn't imagine a stronger, more community-minded public servant in District 33 than we have today.

MICHAEL D. HAMRICK Mayor   Cowpens

"Eddie Tallon is an accessible conservative representative whose leadership in the statehouse serves our county and state well. As a former Spartanburg County Republican party chair, I not only could count on Rep. Tallon's participation and support, but I knew he would pick up the phone when I called. I staunchly continue to stand with Rep. Eddie Tallon and ask all of District 33 to do the same."

LADONNA RYGGS Fmr. Chairman   Spartanburg County Republican Party

I want to express to my appreciation on the job Rep. Eddie Tallon is doing for Spartanburg while serving in our House of Representatives. I have called on Rep. Tallon a number of times as it relates to laws that can lessen the probability of death on our roads. I know he has supported legislation to strengthen moped driving requirements, and driving under suspension. Eddie and I have talked regarding the need for our S.C. troopers to be in full force in Spartanburg County. He has informed me of his fight to get more enforcement help on our roads. I have known Rep. Tallon for some 25 years. He has faced down murderers like Pee Wee Gaskins while in public service. I know from discussions that service to all of Spartanburg and S.C. is important to Eddie. I want to thank him for listening and acting on his knowledge that is so richly needed while trying to serve Spartanburg.

RUSTY CLEVENGER Coroner   Spartanburg County

"Public service is more than an occupation for Eddie Tallon. It is a way of life. The long-time Spartanburg County resident has dedicated his life to making our state a better place to live and work. Eddie and I first became acquainted when he worked as a police officer for the State Law Enforcement Division. He worked cases with an endless sense curiosity and attention to detail that translates well into his work as a state lawmaker. Eddie has accomplished a lot during his time in the statehouse. I encourage you to re-elect Eddie and let him continue serving our great state."

BARRY BARNETTE Solicitor   7th Circuit

“There’s no better voting record, than Representative Eddie Tallon’s, when it comes to creating new jobs and protecting the ones we have.”

JOHN EASTERLING Chair of the Executive Board Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce

"Rep. Eddie Tallon has repeatedly fought for conservative principles in the General Assembly. We are fortunate to have a legislator with his experience and commitment working for Spartanburg County on the state level."

GERALD EMORY President First Monday Club

“In a time in our world where commitment to principle seems to be lacking, I appreciate Eddie Tallon for being a reliable and committed vote for issues regarding Life. As the Former Chairman of the S.C. GOP, a long time Board member of Palmetto Family Council, and a father of four, I deeply appreciate Rep. Tallon’s stance for 2nd Amendment, Pro-life and other conservative causes in our SC House of Representatives.”

CHAD CONNELLY Former Chairman S.C. GOP