South CarolinaS 0715126th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 33-56-50, RELATING TO ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION PROVISIONS, SO AS TO INCREASE THRESHOLDS FOR CHARITIES REQUESTING EXEMPTIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 33-56-70, RELATING TO CONTRACTS BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL SOLICITORS AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, SO AS TO LIMIT FILING REQUIREMENTS TO COMMERCIAL CO-VENTURERS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 33-56-90, RELATING TO DISCLOSURES TO SOLICITED PARTIES, SO AS TO REQUIRE ANY ENTITY THAT SOLICITS FOR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS TO DISCLOSE THE LEGAL NAME AND PURPOSE OF THE CHARITY FOR WHICH THEY ARE SOLICITING; BY AMENDING SECTION 33-56-110, RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL SOLICITORS, FUNDRAISING COUNSEL, OR COMMERCIAL CO-VENTURERS, SO AS TO LIMIT REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL CO-VENTURERS SOLICITING MORE THAN TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS IN A SINGLE SOLICITATION CAMPAIGN AND TO REQUIRE REPORTING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE IF THE CONTRIBUTIONS COLLECTED BY A CO-VENTURER EXCEED THAT LIMIT; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 33-56-120, RELATING TO PROHIBITED MISREPRESENTATIONS, SO AS TO PROHIBIT COMMERCIAL CO-VENTURERS FROM USING REGISTRATION WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE AS AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE STATE.

Sponsored By: Ed Sutton (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Solicitation of Charitable Funds

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Clearer info when you donate

Beginning May 18, 2026, anyone asking you for a charitable gift must say the charity’s legal name and purpose at the first ask. Charities and fundraisers cannot use State registration to suggest the State approves or endorses them; they may only say, "Registered with the Secretary of State as required by law." A professional solicitor can be fined up to $2,000 for each separate disclosure violation.

Less paperwork for small charities

Beginning May 18, 2026, some small charities do not need to register in South Carolina. You are exempt if you raise $25,000 or less in a year, have an IRS tax‑exempt letter, pay anyone no more than $500 a year, and no assets or income go to an officer or member. A second exemption covers any charity with $10,000 or less in gross revenue in a year. If you pass either limit during the year, you must register within 30 days.

Stricter rules for paid fundraisers

Beginning May 18, 2026, paid fundraisers and commercial co‑venturers face tighter steps. If you plan to bring in over $10,000 in a campaign, you must register and pay a $50 annual fee. If you cross $10,000 after starting, you must register and report within 30 days. Your contract with the charity must be filed at least 10 days before asking for donations, and you cannot start until both sides are registered and the contract is filed. You and the charity must file a joint financial report within 90 days after the campaign ends or its anniversary. These contract and reporting steps apply when registration is required.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ed Sutton

    Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jason Elliott

    Republican • Senate

  • Rex F. Rice

    Republican • Senate

  • Ross Turner

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 147 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2026

(Solicitation of Charitable Funds)Passage of Bill

Yes: 103 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

(Solicitation of Charitable Funds)2nd Reading

Yes: 44 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 05/18/26

    6/5/2026legislature
  2. Act No. 170

    6/2/2026legislature
  3. Signed By Governor

    5/18/2026Governor
  4. Ratified R 149

    5/14/2026legislature
  5. Read third time and enrolled

    4/30/2026House
  6. Roll call Yeas-103 Nays-0

    4/29/2026House
  7. Read second time

    4/29/2026House
  8. Debate adjourned

    4/28/2026House
  9. Committee report: Favorable Labor, Commerce and Industry

    4/22/2026House
  10. Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry

    3/5/2026House
  11. Introduced and read first time

    3/5/2026House
  12. Read third time and sent to House

    3/4/2026Senate
  13. Roll call Ayes-44 Nays-0

    3/3/2026Senate
  14. Read second time

    3/3/2026Senate
  15. Scrivener's error corrected

    3/3/2026legislature
  16. Committee report: Favorable Labor, Commerce and Industry

    2/26/2026Senate
  17. Scrivener's error corrected

    1/21/2026legislature
  18. Scrivener's error corrected

    1/14/2026legislature
  19. Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry

    1/13/2026Senate
  20. Introduced and read first time

    1/13/2026Senate
  21. Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry

    12/10/2025Senate
  22. Prefiled

    12/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

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