All Roll Calls
Yes: 284 • No: 10
South CarolinaS 0961126th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 50-5-1705, RELATING TO CATCH LIMITS FOR CERTAIN SALTWATER GAME FISH, SO AS TO REVISE THE CATCH LIMIT FOR RED DRUM; BY AMENDING SECTION 50-5-1710, RELATING TO SIZE LIMITS FOR CERTAIN SALTWATER GAME FISH, SO AS TO REVISE THE SIZE LIMIT FOR RED DRUM; BY AMENDING SECTION 50-5-1700, RELATING TO EQUIPMENT FOR THE CATCHING OF SALTWATER GAME FISH, SO AS TO REQUIRE A NONOFFSET, NONSTAINLESS STEEL CIRCLE HOOK WHEN USING A HANDHELD HOOK AND LINE AND A HOOK SIZE OF 4/0 OR LARGER; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 50-9-650, RELATING TO DEER HUNTING, SO AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ANTERLESS DEER TAGS ISSUED.
Sponsored By: George E. "Chip" Campsen III (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Red Drum
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
New deer tag fees for nonresidents
Beginning May 19, 2026, nonresident deer tag fees apply. The first antlered tag costs $50. Each additional antlered tag costs $20, up to three more, for four total. Two of your antlered tags must be antler-restriction tags valid only for deer with at least four points on one antler or a 12-inch inside spread. Each antlerless tag costs $10.
Stricter red drum limits and hook rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, red drum rules tighten in South Carolina. You may keep one red drum per day, and a boat may have no more than two. You may only keep fish that are 18 to 25 inches total length. If you use natural bait on hand-held gear with a 4/0 or larger hook, it must be a nonoffset, nonstainless steel circle hook. Any saltwater gamefish taken by other means must be put back in the water at once.
More deer tags for South Carolina residents
Beginning May 19, 2026, South Carolina residents who buy a hunting license and big game permit get six deer tags: three antlerless and three unrestricted antlered. Residents under 16, lifetime, and gratis licensees may request these tags. You may also buy up to two antler-restriction antlered tags for $5 each. These are valid only for deer with at least four points on one antler or a 12-inch inside spread. You may buy extra antlerless tags for $5 each.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
George E. "Chip" Campsen III
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/14/2026
(Red drum, saltwater fish, deer hunting)Concur in Senate Amendments
Yes: 104 • No: 6
Senate vote • 5/12/2026
(Red drum, saltwater fish, deer hunting)to adopt amendment
Yes: 43 • No: 0
House vote • 5/7/2026
(Red drum, saltwater fish, deer hunting)Passage of Bill
Yes: 98 • No: 3
Senate vote • 3/17/2026
(Red drum, saltwater fish, deer hunting)2nd Reading
Yes: 39 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Effective date See Act for Effective Date
6/5/2026legislatureAct No. 231
6/3/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/19/2026GovernorRatified R 242
5/15/2026legislatureRoll call Yeas-104 Nays-6
5/14/2026HouseConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
5/14/2026HouseReturned to House with amendments
5/12/2026SenateRoll call Ayes-40 Nays-0
5/12/2026SenateHouse amendment amended
5/12/2026SenateRead third time and returned to Senate with amendments
5/8/2026HouseUnanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
5/7/2026HouseRoll call Yeas-98 Nays-3
5/7/2026HouseRead second time
5/7/2026HouseAmended
5/7/2026HouseCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
5/6/2026HouseReferred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
3/24/2026HouseIntroduced and read first time
3/24/2026HouseRead third time and sent to House
3/19/2026SenateRoll call Ayes-39 Nays-1
3/17/2026SenateRead second time
3/17/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable Fish, Game and Forestry
3/11/2026SenateScrivener's error corrected
3/4/2026legislatureReferred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry
2/26/2026SenateIntroduced and read first time
2/26/2026Senate
Bill Text
Introduced
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