With Republicans increasing their majorities in the General Assembly this year, conservative members are pushing a number of bills that stand much better chances of being enacted into law than in past legislative sessions.
The greatest change is in the State Senate where the November elections gave Republicans a commanding majority with 30 members compared to just 16 Democratic members.
The top conservative priority, a bill banning most abortions in the state, has already been enacted. The "fetal heartbeat law" however was placed on hold by a federal judge last month. U.S District Court Judge Mary Lewis is scheduled to hear a request for a permanent injunction of the new law in Columbia next week.
A bill expected to be approved soon by the House of Representatives would allow the open carry of handguns if the owner has already received a concealed weapons permit.
Other conservative backed bills advancing through the legislature concern transgender athletes and electrocution by electric chair.