All Roll Calls
Yes: 133 • No: 16
South CarolinaS 0829126th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 6-25-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS; BY AMENDING SECTION 6-25-50, RELATING TO THE APPLICATION FILED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE, SO AS TO REVISE REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 6-25-60, RELATING TO THE MANAGEMENT OF A JOINT SYSTEM, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AS A COMMISSIONER; BY AMENDING SECTION 6-25-70, RELATING TO THE CHANGE IN MEMBERSHIP OF A JOINT SYSTEM, SO AS TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR THE ADDITION OF A MEMBER TO A JOINT SYSTEM; BY AMENDING SECTION 6-25-80, RELATING TO THE DISSOLUTION OF A SYSTEM, SO AS TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR JOINT SYSTEM RECONSTITUTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 6-25-110, RELATING TO THE AUTHORIZATION TO INCUR DEBT AND ISSUE BONDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR BOND ISSUANCE BY A COMMISSION APPOINTED ENTIRELY BY THE GOVERNOR; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 6-25-128, RELATING TO CONTRACTS, SO AS TO PERMIT THE AUTOMATIC EXTENSION OF CONTRACT PROVISIONS COMMENSURATE WITH TERMS OF BONDS OR OTHER INDEBTEDNESS.
Sponsored By: Thomas C. Alexander (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Joint System Governance
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
Faster bond approvals under Governor boards
When the Governor appoints all commissioners, a simple majority can approve bonds. Otherwise, each member government and two-thirds of commissioners must approve. This change speeds project financing but reduces local governing bodies’ veto power.
Longer contracts and local support tools
Beginning May 18, 2026, capacity contracts can last up to 50 years and renew for another 50. These contracts do not need state agency approvals. A member may provide money, staff, equipment, or property to help the joint system. A member may also advance funds, and the joint system must repay with agreed interest.
Tougher utility payment and rate rules
Beginning May 18, 2026, member authorities must make required payments even if a project is not finished or working. If one member stops paying, the others must cover that share and get the extra capacity. Contracts or payment duties may extend to match the life of the bonds. Authorities must set water and sewer rates high enough to cover these payments. They may pay from system revenues or other legal sources, but cannot pledge their taxing power.
Clearer rules to form, join, leave
The law sets a single filing to create a joint system. It explains how an authority can join, with notice and member approvals. A member can withdraw, but earlier contracts and bond duties continue until satisfied or carried forward. Rebuilding a system is allowed with strict steps that protect contracts and bonds. The law also defines key terms that apply to these systems.
New rules for joint system boards
The law updates who serves on joint system boards. Members may appoint commissioners, or the Governor may appoint them after local legislative recommendations. Governor appointees must live in a household served by the system and cannot work for a member. Terms are four years and staggered; new seats are filled right away. If adding a member makes the count odd, a Governor appointee’s seat is vacated. All commissioners must be qualified electors.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Thomas C. Alexander
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/12/2026
(Joint System Governance)Passage of Bill
Yes: 93 • No: 16
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
(Joint System Governance)3rd Reading
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective date 05/18/26
6/5/2026legislatureAct No. 175
6/2/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/18/2026GovernorRatified R 154
5/14/2026legislatureConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
5/13/2026HouseRoll call Yeas-93 Nays-16
5/12/2026HouseRead second time
5/12/2026HouseCommittee report: Favorable Judiciary
5/6/2026HouseReferred to Committee on Judiciary
3/24/2026HouseIntroduced and read first time
3/24/2026HouseRoll call Ayes-40 Nays-0
3/19/2026SenateRead third time and sent to House
3/19/2026SenateRead second time
3/17/2026SenateCommittee Amendment Adopted
3/17/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
3/11/2026SenateReferred to Committee on Judiciary
1/20/2026SenateIntroduced and read first time
1/20/2026Senate
Bill Text
Introduced
Related Bills
S 0623, AN ACT TO EXEMPT GEORGETOWN COUNTY FROM CERTAIN BUILDING REQUIREMENTS AND TO ALLOW THE COUNTY TO INSTEAD ENFORCE AE STANDARDS IN GEORGETOWN COUNTY'S FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE.
Georgetown County Building Requirements
S 0586, AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 172 OF 1995, RELATING TO THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE KERSHAW COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE SHALL RECEIVE NINETY DOLLARS FOR EACH MEETING AT WHICH HE IS IN ATTENDANCE AND THAT THE CHAIRMAN SHALL RECEIVE ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH PAYMENTS SHALL NOT OCCUR MORE THAN EIGHTEEN TIMES EACH FISCAL YEAR.
Kershaw County Transportation Committee
H 5653, AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 843 OF 1952, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO CLARIFY THE METHOD BY WHICH PERSONS FILE TO BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD, THE MANNER IN WHICH BOARD ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED, AND THE MANNER IN WHICH VACANCIES ON THE BOARD ARE FILLED; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
Lee County School District Board of Trustees
S 1062, A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO DETERMINATION OF RATES OF TUITION AND FEES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5443, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.
JR to Approve Reg. Doc. No. 5443
S 0779, A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL RECEIVE A MONTHLY LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ALLOCATION OF LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS BETWEEN MEMBERS WHOSE SEATS WERE VACATED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 AND THE MEMBERS ELECTED TO FILL THE VACANCY; AND TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE SEATS WERE VACATED DUE TO THE MEMBER BEING CONVICTED OF OR PLEADING GUILTY OR NOLO CONTENDERE TO A FELONY ARE NOT ENTITLED TO A LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE PAYMENT PURSUANT TO THIS JOINT RESOLUTION.
Legislative Expense Allowance
H 5261, A JOINT RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING AS PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER 3, TITLE 61 TO MAY 1, 2026.
Alcohol Server Training