State lawmakers are cracking down on sex trafficking and prostitution. The Senate last week passed bills to increase penalties for sexual exploitation of minors and forcing minors into prostitution.

The purpose is to give additional tools to law enforcement to combat sex trafficking, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said.

Once signed into law, this will help police deal with exploiters like the couple recently convicted and sentenced to prison for trafficking teenaged girls in Lexington County.

A Lexington Police investigator discovered them soliciting for prostitution on the internet.

India “Lady Tank” Cuyler, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sex traffic and benefit from sex trafficking of minors. She was sentenced 15 years in prison.

Cuyler conspired with Donnell “Tank” Woodard to sell teenagers for sex. Woodard was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

You can read the bills, S.224 and S.230, at SC Legislature Online (www.scstatehouse.gov).

The bills will now go to the House which has a week left on this year’s session.

In other action, the Senate passed:

• A bill that will allow local governments to accept installment payments for property taxes.

The bill has been passed by the House and now will go to Governor McMaster.

• A bill to reduce the catch limit for certain flounder and increase the fees for a saltwater fishing license. The bill will now return to the House.

• A bill to require state government policies for competitive employment for South Carolinians with disabilities. The House will now consider Senate amendments.

After this week, lawmakers will return:

• In June to finish work on the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

• In September to appropriate federal money.

• Near the end of the year to deal with redistricting which may change who your senator and House member are.