All Roll Calls
Yes: 151 • No: 0
South CarolinaS 0077126th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-19-85 SO AS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC ACCESS TO SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS BY REQUIRING SCHOOL BOARDS TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT PROVIDE LIVESTREAM OR ALTERNATE ELECTRONIC MEANS TRANSMISSION OF SUCH MEETINGS, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; AND TO REQUIRE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT MUST BE IMPLEMENTED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2026.
Sponsored By: Greg Hembree (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Streaming of School Board Meetings
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
School board meetings must be livestreamed
Public school boards, including charter and special schools, must livestream all meetings covered by the state Freedom of Information Act. Executive sessions are the only exception. If a livestream cannot be restored during the meeting despite reasonable efforts, the board must post a clear audio and video recording on its website as soon as practicable and no later than seven days after the meeting. The law takes effect May 12, 2025. All parts must be in place by January 1, 2026.
State funds streaming for some districts
The state provides funding to districts that lacked streaming at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. This helps them meet the livestream rules. The law does not set dollar amounts. The law takes effect May 12, 2025. Districts must have this in place by January 1, 2026.
State sets livestream standards and penalties
The State Board of Education sets a model livestream policy for school boards. It requires clear, real-time video and audio and posting recordings within two business days, and it allows executive sessions. It includes best practices, outreach, and ways to expand capacity. Penalties for violations can reach up to 1% of a district’s state funds, with tiers based on frequency, duration, and severity. Boards with limited or no broadband can get up to 12 extra months to comply. Each board must adopt a local policy within three months of the state model and update within three months of any state revision. Adoption or revision must happen at a regular meeting that is livestreamed, and the policy must be sent to the State Superintendent within 30 days for State Board approval. These rules take effect May 12, 2025, and must be in place by January 1, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Greg Hembree
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms
Republican • Senate
Jeff Zell
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2025
(Streaming of School Board Meetings)Passage of Bill
Yes: 110 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2025
(Streaming of School Board Meetings)2nd Reading
Yes: 41 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 28
5/19/2025legislatureEffective date 05/12/25
5/19/2025legislatureSigned By Governor
5/12/2025GovernorRatified R 46
5/8/2025legislatureConcurred in House amendment and enrolled
5/7/2025SenateRead third time and returned to Senate with amendments
5/7/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-110 Nays-0
5/6/2025HouseRead second time
5/6/2025HouseRequests for debate-Rep
5/6/2025HouseAmended
5/6/2025HouseCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education and Public Works
5/1/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Education and Public Works
2/25/2025HouseIntroduced and read first time
2/25/2025HouseRead third time and sent to House
2/20/2025SenateRoll call Ayes-41 Nays-0
2/19/2025SenateRead second time
2/19/2025SenateAmended
2/19/2025SenateCommittee Amendment Adopted
2/19/2025SenateCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education
2/12/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Education
1/14/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
1/14/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Education
12/11/2024SenatePrefiled
12/11/2024Senate
Bill Text
Introduced
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