South CarolinaH 3034126th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING "FARGO'S, HYCO'S, RICO'S, COBA'S, WICK'S, MIKKA'S, AND BUMI'S LAW" BY AMENDING ARTICLE 11 OF CHAPTER 3, TITLE 47, RELATING TO TAUNTING, TORMENTING, INJURING, OR KILLING POLICE DOGS OR HORSES, SO AS TO EXPAND THE CONDUCT THAT RESULTS IN A VIOLATION, INCREASE THE PENALTIES, REQUIRE RESTITUTION TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY, AND MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 42-7-90, RELATING TO EXPENDITURES FROM THE STATE ACCIDENT FUND, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND FOR THE PAYMENT OF AN AWARD FOR INJURY OR DEATH OF A SPECIFIC PATROL CANINE OR CANINE USED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR TRACKING OR SPECIFIC DETECTION.

Sponsored By: Neal A. Collins (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Fargo's, Hyco's, Rico's, Coba's, Wick's, and Mikka's Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Harsher penalties for harming police animals

It is a crime to taunt, tease, beat, drug, or interfere with a police dog or horse. This misdemeanor carries up to a $1,000 fine, up to 1 year in jail, or both. It is a felony to torture, injure, poison, disable, or kill a police animal. Felony penalties include a $2,000–$20,000 fine and up to 15 years in prison. Shooting into a vehicle or trailer with a police animal inside is a felony with up to a $1,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison. Courts must order you to repay the agency for full replacement and care costs, including purchase, training, and vet bills. These rules apply when the animal is working or off duty in a kennel or stable.

Self-defense allowed in these cases

If you are charged under these police-animal laws, you can still claim self-defense. The law keeps that legal defense in place.

Reports required after police dog bites

When a police dog bites someone, the officer who used the dog must keep a detailed report. It must list the person’s race and gender, include photos of the bite, and state the case outcome. These records are open to the public under the Freedom of Information Act.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Neal A. Collins

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Brandon Newton

    Republican • House

  • Brandon L. Cox

    Republican • House

  • William H. Bailey

    Republican • House

  • Phillip Bowers

    Republican • House

  • Jeff Bradley

    Republican • House

  • Gary S. Brewer, Jr.

    Republican • House

  • T. Case Brittain, Jr.

    Republican • House

  • Cody T. Mitchell

    Republican • House

  • Paula Rawl Calhoon

    Republican • House

  • Donald G. "Don" Chapman

    Republican • House

  • April Cromer

    Republican • House

  • Dianne Mitchell

    Republican • House

  • Sylleste H. Davis

    Republican • House

  • Shannon S. Erickson

    Republican • House

  • Cally R. "Cal" Forrest, Jr.

    Republican • House

  • Craig A. Gagnon

    Republican • House

  • Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam

    Republican • House

  • Brandon Guffey

    Republican • House

  • Patrick B. Haddon

    Republican • House

  • William "Bill" Hager

    Republican • House

  • William M. "Bill" Hixon

    Republican • House

  • Harriet A. Holman

    Republican • House

  • Jeffrey E. "Jeff" Johnson

    Republican • House

  • Jermaine L. Johnson, Sr.

    Democrat • House

  • John Gregory "Jay" Kilmartin

    Republican • House

  • Roger K. Kirby

    Democrat • House

  • Kathy Landing

    Republican • House

  • M. Brian Lawson

    Republican • House

  • Thomas R. "Randy" Ligon

    Republican • House

  • Marvin "Mark" Smith

    Republican • House

  • David Martin

    Republican • House

  • Dennis C. Moss

    Republican • House

  • Fawn M. Pedalino

    Republican • House

  • Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope

    Republican • House

  • Robby Robbins

    Republican • House

  • Carla M. Schuessler

    Republican • House

  • Travis A. Moore

    Republican • House

  • David Vaughan

    Republican • House

  • Wm. Weston J. Newton

    Republican • House

  • Joseph S. "Joe" White

    Republican • House

  • William R. "Bill" Whitmire

    Republican • House

  • Paul B. Wickensimer

    Republican • House

  • Mark N. Willis

    Republican • House

  • Chris Wooten

    Republican • House

  • Richard L. "Richie" Yow

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 370 • No: 7

House vote • 5/6/2026

(Fargo's, Hyco's, Rico's, Coba's, Wick's, Mikka's, and Bumi's Law)Concur in Senate Amendments

Yes: 116 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/29/2026

(Fargo's, Hyco's, Rico's, Coba's, Wick's, Mikka's, and Bumi's Law)2nd Reading

Yes: 42 • No: 1

House vote • 4/1/2026

(Fargo's, Hyco's, Rico's, Coba's, Wick's, and Mikka's Law)Passage of Bill

Yes: 106 • No: 2

House vote • 4/1/2026

(Fargo's, Hyco's, Rico's, Coba's, Wick's, Mikka's, and Bumi's Law)Passage of Bill

Yes: 106 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Act No. 130

    5/26/2026legislature
  2. Effective date 05/15/26

    5/26/2026legislature
  3. Signed By Governor

    5/15/2026Governor
  4. Ratified R 169

    5/14/2026legislature
  5. Scrivener's error corrected

    5/6/2026legislature
  6. Roll call Yeas-116 Nays-2

    5/6/2026House
  7. Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled

    5/6/2026House
  8. Read third time and returned to House with amendments

    4/30/2026Senate
  9. Roll call Ayes-42 Nays-1

    4/29/2026Senate
  10. Read second time

    4/29/2026Senate
  11. Amended

    4/29/2026Senate
  12. Recalled from Committee on Judiciary

    4/28/2026Senate
  13. Referred to Committee on Judiciary

    4/7/2026Senate
  14. Introduced and read first time

    4/7/2026Senate
  15. Read third time and sent to Senate

    4/2/2026House
  16. Roll call Yeas-106 Nays-2

    4/1/2026House
  17. Read second time

    4/1/2026House
  18. Amended

    4/1/2026House
  19. Reconsider vote whereby debate adjourned until Thur., 4-2-26

    4/1/2026House
  20. Debate adjourned

    4/1/2026House
  21. Member(s) request name added as sponsor: J.E.Johnson, B.Newton

    4/1/2026House
  22. Member(s) request name added as sponsor: W.Newton

    3/31/2026House
  23. Requests for debate-Rep

    3/31/2026House
  24. Member(s) request name added as sponsor: White

    3/31/2026House
  25. Scrivener's error corrected

    3/31/2026legislature

Bill Text

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