Promises kept,
results delivered

To address the over regulation, James fought to be placed in the House Regulations Committee. After discussing his plan to address this issue with House Leadership, he was selected as Chairman of the Education and Administrative Regulations Subcommittee, a rare appointment for a freshman legislator. In this committee he has slashed outdated and unnecessary regulations helping to ease the burden on small businesses. He was a cosponsor and champion for the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act which will help every small business in the state by sunsetting regulations which no longer serve a purpose, are not tied to statute, or do nothing to protect South Carolinians.

As a member of the Education Committee, James cosponsored the Educator Assistance Act which reforms teacher contracts, simplifies licensing, adds workplace protections like shared sick leave banks and unencumbered time. This act represents a significant win for public education in South Carolina. James also voted to give teachers raises in the amount of $4,000 in just his first two years as a State Representative and introduced bills to reform Special Education so that children with special needs receive the highest level of care and support. James also supported Free Breakfast for All and fully funding of SROs for every school. In fact, James has cosponsored every piece of important education related legislation since being elected to the State House.

In 2025, Representative Teeple was selected as a member of the SCDOT Modernization Committee which traveled the state gathering input from all stakeholders to improve infrastructure in South Carolina. This effort led to the SCDOT Modernization Act which is the most comprehensive effort in a generation to address our failing infrastructure. This Act will improve the lives of every South Carolinian as infrastructure projects will now be able to shave years off of project development and save hundreds of millions of dollars that can be reinvested into future projects. James has also supported billions in infrastructure investments through our state.

James cosponsored H3163, a law expanding worker’s compensation occupational presumptions for firefighters to officially include strokes, heart attacks, and respiratory diseases. James’ work to provide cancer screenings for all firefighters in our state has picked up steam and garnered bipartisan support. His bill providing these lifesaving screenings is expected to pass both chambers in early 2027. James is also working with South Carolina companies to provide PFAS free equipment to our firefighter community. These efforts led to James being selected as the PFFASC Legislator of the Year in 2026. James has also worked with the Fraternal Order of Police to ensure that our most experienced officers who have retired can return to work without penalty as it relates to retirement benefits and cosponsored the HALO Act to ensure our First Responders can do their job safely without interference.

As a member of the Charleston County Volunteer Search and Rescue Team, and recipient of the Lifesaver of the Year award, James understands the challenges facing our first responder community.

James was a cosponsor of the Fentanyl Homicide Act which provides tougher penalties for those selling this deadly drug in our communities. This bill has just resulted in the first conviction under the new law and will save lives through deterrence as we work to stop the spread of this deadly drug.

James believes protecting the Lowcountry way of life means preserving the natural resources that make our community so special. As the Lowcountry continues to grow, development must be balanced with the protection of our waterways, marshes, working lands, and open spaces. His record reflects a commitment to responsible growth, conservation education, stronger stewardship of public lands, and ensuring state agencies have the resources needed to protect South Carolina’s natural heritage. Conservation Voters of South Carolina awarded James a 106% rating for his 2025–2026 legislative record.*