Lexington, SC - 02/22/2021 - Last week Senate Bill S.497 passed out of the Fish, Game and Forestry full committee without any objections. It is now on the Senate Calendar for debate and second reading this Tuesday, February 23 on the Senate Floor.
The Senate Bill’s primary sponsor is Chip Campsen, Chairman of the Fish, Game, and Forestry and co-sponsored by Senate President, Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.
Randall and Karen Smith, along with the Kiser family, will be at the statehouse next week for this critical vote.
The Smith’s 11 years old son Drew died on Lake Murray on July 19, 1997. While fishing with his son, their boat was run over by an impaired boater and Drew was killed. To save others, the Smiths lobbied the state legislators to strengthen the boating laws. They were successful and the Boating Safety Act of 1999, or more commonly known as ‘’Drew’s Law”, was passed. Randall Smith is Chairman of the SCCVC Boating Safety Citizens’ Advisory Committee.
What started as a family boat ride for three members of the Kiser family ended in a boat crash in September 2019. Tragically, Stanley Kiser, a father of three children, lost his life. His wife, Shawn Kiser, lost her leg and their daughter, Morgan Kiser, suffered physical and emotional injuries.
PHOTO CAPTION: Shawn Kiser after the boat collision that claimed her husband and her leg.
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