All Roll Calls
Yes: 372 • No: 0
South CarolinaH 5131126th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-780, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF PERMANENT LICENSE PLATES AND FEES FOR VEHICLES OF THE STATE, POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS, OR CIVIL AIR PATROL, SO AS TO CREATE PERMANENT LICENSE PLATES FOR TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-1230, RELATING TO SPECIFICATIONS FOR AND THE ISSUANCE OF LICENSE PLATES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA REVOLUTIONARY WAR SESTERCENTENNIAL COMMISSION SHALL SUBMIT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES CERTAIN INFORMATION TO BE USED TO CREATE THE LICENSE PLATE TO COMMEMORATE THE TWO HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-4410, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SHARE THE ROAD LICENSE PLATES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF "I BIKE SC" LICENSE PLATES; BY ADDING SECTION 56-3-16510 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF "QUAIL FOREVER" SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATES; AND BY ADDING SECTION 56-3-16610 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BLACKOUT SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.
Sponsored By: Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett, Jr. (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Tribal Governments Special License Plates
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
New state plate design for 2027–2032
The Revolutionary War Sestercentennial Commission must give the DMV a plate design by January 1, 2027. It must say "Where the Revolution Was Won" and include a flag on indigo with a gorget. The DMV uses this as the regular passenger and motorcycle plate through December 31, 2032. Fees for these regular plates cannot be higher than the normal license fee.
Permanent $2 plates for tribal governments
Tribal governments in South Carolina get permanent license plates with the prefix "TG." Each plate costs $2, including registration. The DMV may charge a reasonable extra fee only to cover a law‑enforcement decal. The DMV may issue these plates six months after the design is approved.
Blackout plates: $40; personalized $60
You can buy blackout plates for cars or motorcycles. They have a solid black background with white letters. You pay the regular registration fee plus $40 every two years, or $60 for a personalized blackout plate. The extra fees go to the State Highway Fund. These plates are exempt from the usual specialty-plate production rules. The DMV must produce them within six months after May 15, 2026.
I Bike SC plate: $52 every 2 years
You can buy an "I Bike SC" plate for cars or motorcycles. You pay the regular registration fee plus $52 every two years. The DMV makes the plate only after 400 prepaid orders or a $4,000 deposit and an approved marketing plan. If fewer than 300 people apply or renew in a two‑year cycle, the DMV stops making more. After DMV costs, the rest of the fee goes to the Palmetto Cycling Coalition for bike and pedestrian safety education. The Coalition can update its emblem no more than once every five years.
Quail Forever plate: $70 every 2 years
You can buy a "Quail Forever" plate for cars or motorcycles. You pay the regular registration fee plus $70 every two years. Standard specialty plate rules, like prepaid order thresholds, apply. The DMV may issue the plate six months after the design is approved. After production and distribution costs, the remaining fee money goes to Quail Forever for bobwhite habitat work in South Carolina with the Department of Natural Resources.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett, Jr.
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Rosalyn D. Henderson-Myers, Ph.D.
Democrat • House
Marvin "Mark" Smith
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
(Special License Plates)Concur in Senate Amendments
Yes: 115 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/29/2026
(Special License Plates)2nd Reading
Yes: 43 • No: 0
House vote • 3/26/2026
(Tribal Governments Special License Plates)Passage of Bill
Yes: 107 • No: 0
House vote • 3/26/2026
(Special License Plates)Passage of Bill
Yes: 107 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 159
6/2/2026legislatureEffective date 05/15/26
6/2/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/15/2026GovernorRatified R 213
5/14/2026legislatureRoll call Yeas-115 Nays-0
5/6/2026HouseConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
5/6/2026HouseRead third time and returned to House with amendments
4/30/2026SenateRoll call Ayes-43 Nays-0
4/29/2026SenateRead second time
4/29/2026SenateAmended
4/29/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable Transportation
4/15/2026SenateReferred to Committee on Transportation
3/31/2026SenateIntroduced and read first time
3/31/2026SenateRead third time and sent to Senate
3/27/2026HouseUnanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
3/26/2026HouseRoll call Yeas-107 Nays-0
3/26/2026HouseRead second time
3/26/2026HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: M.M.Smith, Henderson-Myers
3/26/2026HouseCommittee report: Favorable Education and Public Works
3/25/2026HouseReferred to Committee on Education and Public Works
2/10/2026HouseIntroduced and read first time
2/10/2026House
Bill Text
Introduced
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