All Roll Calls
Yes: 467 • No: 0
South CarolinaH 3863126th General Assembly (2025-2026)House
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA STEM OPPORTUNITY ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 17 TO CHAPTER 1, TITLE 13 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) COALITION, THE SOUTH CAROLINA SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) EDUCATION FUND, AND THE SC STEM COALITION ADVISORY COUNCIL, AND TO PROVIDE THEIR RESPECTIVE PURPOSES AND FUNCTIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS.
Sponsored By: Sylleste H. Davis (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Statewide STEM coalition boosts student careers
On May 15, 2026, the state creates the South Carolina STEM Coalition. It links K-12 schools, colleges, and employers to build in-state STEM career paths. A director hired through Clemson, with Advisory Council approval, runs the Coalition. It expands teacher training, especially math, and supports outreach, contests, and career programs. Each year it picks and funds school STEM pilot programs statewide and reports results by July 1, subject to available funds.
New STEM fund with oversight council
On May 15, 2026, the law creates the South Carolina STEM Education Fund. The fund holds appropriations, donations, and earnings, and balances carry forward each year. Money can only pay for state STEM priorities. Undesignated gifts go into the fund; designated gifts may be managed by Clemson or its Foundation. An 11-member Advisory Council approves all spending, sets outcome measures, ensures fair use statewide, and must be appointed by August 1, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Sylleste H. Davis
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Rosalyn D. Henderson-Myers, Ph.D.
Democrat • House
Marvin "Mark" Smith
Republican • House
Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope
Republican • House
Michael F. Rivers, Sr.
Democrat • House
Courtney S. Waters
Democrat • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/13/2026
(South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act)Concur in Senate Amendments
Yes: 115 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/6/2026
(South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act)2nd Reading
Yes: 43 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2025
(South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act)Passage of Bill
Yes: 103 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2025
(South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act)Passage of Bill
Yes: 103 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2025
(South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act)Passage of Bill
Yes: 103 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 142
5/26/2026legislatureEffective date 05/15/26
5/26/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/15/2026GovernorRatified R 185
5/14/2026legislatureRoll call Yeas-115 Nays-0
5/13/2026HouseConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
5/13/2026HouseDebate adjourned
5/12/2026HouseRead third time and returned to House with amendments
5/7/2026SenateRoll call Ayes-43 Nays-0
5/6/2026SenateRead second time
5/6/2026SenateCommittee Amendment Adopted
5/6/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Labor, Commerce and Industry
5/5/2026SenateScrivener's error corrected
4/9/2025legislatureReferred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
4/9/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
4/9/2025SenateRead third time and sent to Senate
4/9/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-103 Nays-0
4/8/2025HouseRead second time
4/8/2025HouseAmended
4/8/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Waters, Pope
4/8/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Henderson-Myers
4/3/2025HouseCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education and Public Works
4/2/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Rivers
4/1/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: M.M.Smith
3/25/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Education and Public Works
1/30/2025House
Bill Text
Introduced
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