A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 40-59-225 SO AS TO REQUIRE SURETY BONDS FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS, RESIDENTIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS, AND RESIDENTIAL TRADE REGISTRANTS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR ACTIONS AGAINST SUCH BONDS LIABILITY LIMITATIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-10, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS COMMISSION, SO AS TO MODIFY COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING THE SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS COMMISSION, SO AS TO REVISE DEFINITIONS OF VARIOUS LICENSEES OF THE COMMISSION, TO RENAME "RESIDENTIAL SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS" AS "RESIDENTIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS," TO CREATE THE "RESIDENTIAL TRADE REGISTRANT" CATEGORY OF LICENSEES, AND TO PROVIDE OTHER NECESSARY DEFINITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-25, RELATING TO ROOFING CONTRACT CANCELLATION FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE DENIAL, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-30, RELATING TO LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDING AND RESIDENTIAL SPECIALTY CONTRACTING, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-50, RELATING TO MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE COMMISSION, SO AS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT ROSTERS OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS AND RESIDENTIAL TRADE CONTACTORS BE PREPARED AND DISTRIBUTED TO COUNTY CLERKS OF COURT ANNUALLY; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-105, RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, SO AS TO IMPOSE A MONETARY PENALTY ON CERTAIN VIOLATIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-110, RELATING TO REVOCATIONS, SUSPENSIONS, OR RESTRICTIONS OF LICENSES FOR FINDINGS OF MISCONDUCT AND NONCOMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-140, RELATING TO DENIALS OF LICENSURE AND REGISTRATION BASED ON A PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD, SO AS MAKE SUCH DENIALS DISCRETIONARY, TO PROVIDE NEW APPLICANTS MUST SUPPLY CERTAIN CRIMINAL BACKGROUND REPORTS FOR THEIR STATES OF RESIDENCE FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS, AND TO PROVIDE APPLICANTS SHALL BEAR THE COSTS OF SUCH BACKGROUND REPORTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-220, RELATING TO LICENSURE AND REGISTRATION FEES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES, TO MAKE FEES DUE BIENNIALLY INSTEAD OF ANNUALLY, AND TO MAKE REGISTRATION ISSUANCE MANDATORY IF THE APPLICANT ESTABLISHES QUALIFICATIONS THROUGH EXAMINATION; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-230, RELATING TO LICENSURE RENEWAL AND CONTINUING EDUCATION, SO AS TO MAKE RENEWALS BIENNIAL INSTEAD OF ANNUAL, TO MAKE CERTAIN INACTIVE LICENSE RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS DISCRETIONARY FOR THE BOARD, AND TO CREATE A TIERED SYSTEM OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS' LICENSES; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-240, RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES AND REMOVE EXEMPTIONS FROM LOCAL REQUIREMENTS AND CERTAIN SURETY BOND REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-250, RELATING TO THE CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN FACTORS INDICATING FINANCIAL STATUS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-260, RELATING TO EXCEPTIONS FOR PROJECTS BY PROPERTY OWNERS FOR PERSONAL USE, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES AND REVISE THE MANDATORY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-300, RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT LOW-INCOME HOUSING USING VOLUNTEER LABOR BY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WITHOUT PRESENCE OF A QUALIFIER, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-400, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING RESIDENTIAL BUSINESS CERTIFICATES OF AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED TO ENGAGE IN RESIDENTIAL HOME BUILDING, RESIDENTIAL SPECIALTY CONTRACTING, AND HOME INSPECTING, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-410, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, RESIDENTIAL SPECIALTY CONTRACTING, AND HOME INSPECTING MUST BE PRACTICED AND OFFERED THROUGH ENTITIES HOLDING RESIDENTIAL BUSINESS CERTIFICATES OF AUTHORIZATION, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-530, RELATING TO PERSONS EXEMPT FROM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LICENSING OF HOME INSPECTORS, SO AS TO PROVIDE SUCH EXEMPT PERSONS SHALL REGISTER WITH THE COMMISSION AND PAY RELATED FEES, AND TO SUBJECT SUCH REGISTERED EXEMPT PERSONS TO DISCIPLINE FOR VIOLATIONS OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATED TO LICENSED HOME INSPECTORS; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-580, RELATING TO REDRESS AVAILABLE TO THE COMMISSION FOR VIOLATIONS BY LICENSEES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES AND OTHER REMEDIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-600, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR LICENSURE VIOLATIONS BY HOME INSPECTORS, SO AS TO REVISE THE PENALTIES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 40-59-820, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO CURE CONSTRUCTION DWELLING DEFECTS ACT, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES.

S 1018 — A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-104-20, RELATING TO THE PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, SO AS TO ADD THE CLASSIC LEARNING TEST AS AN APPROVED ASSESSMENT FOR RECEIVING SCHOLARSHIPS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-149-50, RELATING TO THE LIFE SCHOLARSHIP, SO AS TO AMEND THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR A LIFE SCHOLARSHIP TO INCLUDE ACT AND CLT SCORES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-26-20, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, SO AS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "TALENTED AND QUALIFIED RESIDENT" TO INCLUDE ACT AND CLT SCORES.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program

S 0163 — A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 47 TO TITLE 34 SO AS TO PROHIBIT A GOVERNING AUTHORITY FROM ACCEPTING OR REQUIRING PAYMENT USING CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY OR PARTICIPATING IN A TEST OF CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY; TO PERMIT INDIVIDUALS OR BUSINESSES USING DIGITAL CURRENCY FOR TRANSACTIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT DIGITAL ASSETS MAY NOT BE SINGLED OUT FOR DISPARATE TAX TREATMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT DIGITAL CURRENCY TRANSACTION MAY BE TAXED IF THE TAXATION IS THE SAME AS IF THE TRANSACTION USED UNITED STATES LEGAL TENDER; TO PROVIDE THAT DIGITAL CURRENCY OPERATIONS MAY BE NOT BE SUBJECTED TO DISPARATE ZONING TREATMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT DIGITAL ASSET MINING BUSINESS OPERATIONS SHALL NOT PLACE ANY ADDITIONAL STRESS ON THE ELECTRICAL GRID FOR WHICH THEY ARE CONNECTED AND TO PROVIDE THAT DIGITAL MINING BUSINESSES MUST PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION UPON REQUEST; TO PROVIDE THAT THOSE ENGAGED IN DIGITAL MINING OPERATIONS DO NOT HAVE TO OBTAIN CERTAIN LICENSES AND THAT THOSE WHO PROVIDE CERTAIN SERVICES RELATED TO DIGITAL MINING OR STAKING ARE NOT OFFERING A SECURITY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN PROSECUTE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO OR BUSINESS THAT FRAUDULENTLY CLAIM TO BE OFFERING DIGITAL ASSET MINING AS SERVICE OR STAKING AS A SERVICE; AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.

Cryptocurrency

H 5216 — A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 6-10-30, RELATING TO THE ADOPTION OF THE 2009 EDITION OF THE ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE, SO AS TO LIMIT ITS APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCTION FALLING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 6-10-40, RELATING TO APPEAL BY LOCAL JURISDICTION FOR VARIANCE TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA BUILDING CODES COUNCIL, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT STATEWIDE MODIFICATIONS NOT FALLING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE MAY BE MADE IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER BUILDING CODES.

Energy

S 0895 — A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-7-130, RELATING TO STATE HEALTH FACILITY LICENSURE ACT DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO ADD TO THE DEFINITION OF "HOSPITAL" ALL HOSPITALS THAT CONVERT TO RURAL EMERGENCY HOSPITALS.

Rural Emergency Hospitals

H 5309 — A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 64 TO TITLE 59 SO AS TO ENACT THE "INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT," TO PROVIDE THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA HEREBY ENTERS THE COMPACT WITH ANY AND ALL STATES LEGALLY JOINING THEREIN ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF THE COMPACT, AND TO ADOPT THE TERMS OF THE COMPACT IN ITS SUBSTANTIAL FORM.

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

H 3197 — A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-485 SO AS TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE WORKFORCE READINESS GOAL; BY ADDING SECTION 59-29-245 SO AS TO PROVIDE REMEDIATION IN COURSES IN LITERACY AND MATHEMATICS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS SEEKING POST-SECONDARY STUDIES BUT LACKING REQUISITE ACADEMIC PREPARATION, TO PROVIDE THIS COURSEWORK MAY BE USED TO MEET HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND THE STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM; BY ADDING SECTION 59-39-105 SO AS TO PROVIDE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS SHALL COMPLETE AND SUBMIT A FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID BEFORE GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL, TO PROVIDE EXEMPTIONS, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROVISIONS, AND TO MAKE THESE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE BEGINNING WITH THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-26-35, RELATING TO EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM EVALUATIONS AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATOR PREPARATION REPORT CARD, SO AS TO TRANSFER PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONDUCTING THESE EVALUATIONS AND PRODUCING THIS REPORT CARD TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AMONG OTHER THINGS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 41-1-140 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORKFORCE SHALL MAINTAIN AND PROVIDE FREE ONLINE ACCESS TO INFORMATION REGARDING THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF COLLEGE MAJORS, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

Workforce readiness