Bills & Legislation

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-25-60 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL AWARD YEARS OF EXPERIENCE CREDIT FOR CERTAIN RELEVANT NON-TEACHING OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO CERTIFICATES OF EDUCATORS WHO SATISFY CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE SUCH EXPERIENCE CREDIT MAY BE AWARDED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADVANCEMENT ON THE TEACHER SALARY SCHEDULE, TO PROVIDE OTHER EXISTING CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS REMAIN UNCHANGED BY THIS ACT; AND TO PROVIDE DIRECTIVES TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT.

Work Experience Credit for Educators

Greg HembreeRepublican

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 58-27-1105, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO DEFINE "QUALIFIED INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY" AND TO ALLOW AN ELECTRICAL UTILITY TO INCLUDE STORM RECOVERY COSTS FOR HURRICANE HELENE IN ITS COST OF CAPITAL FROM THE DATE OF THE STORM THROUGH THE ISSUANCE OF STORM RECOVERY BONDS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 58-27-1110, RELATING TO THE PETITION FOR FINANCING ORDER AND REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO ALLOW AN ELECTRICAL UTILITY TO DEFER THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF A FINANCING ORDER, AND PROVIDE FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF A QUALIFIED INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY RETAINED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

Storm Damage Recovery

Thomas C. AlexanderRepublican

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 1-23-115, 1-23-120, AND 1-23-125, ALL RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR REGULATIONS, ALL SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE TOLLING OF THE PERIOD OF LEGISLATIVE REVIEW FROM THE SECOND FRIDAY IN MAY THROUGH THE SECOND MONDAY THE FOLLOWING JANUARY, AND TO PROVIDE FOR A ONE-HUNDRED-TEN-DAY LEGISLATIVE REVIEW PERIOD.

State Agency Rule Making

George E. "Chip" Campsen IIIRepublican

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 91 TO TITLE 38 SO AS TO REGULATE THE LICENSURE OF INSURANCE ADJUSTERS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY ADDING CHAPTER 92 TO TITLE 38 SO AS TO REGULATE THE LICENSURE OF PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTERS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-1-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION; AND BY REPEALING CHAPTERS 47 AND 48 OF TITLE 38 RELATING TO INSURANCE ADJUSTERS AND PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTERS.

Insurance Adjusters

Ronnie W. CromerRepublican

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 25-11-730 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS SHALL ADOPT CRITERIA FOR ADMISSIONS TO AND DISCHARGES FROM SOUTH CAROLINA VETERANS' HOMES.

South Carolina Veterans Homes

Tom Young, Jr.Republican

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 2, TITLE 56 SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM "UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLE (UTV)" AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION AND OPERATION OF UTV'S ON THE HIGHWAYS AND STREETS OF THE STATE; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "OFF-ROAD USE ONLY"; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-77-30, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOMOBILE" TO INCLUDE CERTAIN UTV'S; BY ADDING SECTION 56-2-5140 SO AS TO PROVIDE FARMERS HOLDING SCATE CARDS AND DRIVER'S LICENSES MAY OPERATE CERTAIN UTV'S WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-630, RELATING TO PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO CLASSIFY UTV'S AS PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-2-90, RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN MINOR PASSENGERS FROM WEARING SAFETY BELTS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS DURING CERTAIN ATHLETIC EVENTS.

Utility terrain vehicle

Russell L. OttDemocrat

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO EXPEND CERTAIN FUNDS TO ENGAGE AN INDEPENDENT COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT FOR REVIEW OF COMPLIANCE OF THE ALIXPARTNERS FORENSIC ACCOUNTING REPORT, TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE OF THE STATE TREASURER, THE OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL, AND THE OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ACCOUNTING REPORT, TO PROVIDE A DETAILED TIMELINE OF SUCH, AND TO ISSUE A REPORT ON THE STATUS THEREOF, AND TO REQUIRE THE COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT TO ISSUE A REPORT ON THE STATUS OF SUCH IMPLEMENTATION.

Audit Support

Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.Republican

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 50-13-640, RELATING TO THE POSSESSION OF BLUE CATFISH, SO AS TO INCLUDE A REFERENCE TO A SECTION OF THE PEE DEE RIVER.

Blue Catfish

Mike ReichenbachRepublican

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, RELATING TO ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO SPECIFIC PROPERTIES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5329, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.

Department of Natural Resources - JR to Approve Regulation Document No. 5329

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5322, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.

JR to Approve Doc. No. 5322

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO LIFE SCHOLARSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP ENHANCEMENT, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5321, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.

State Commission on Higher Education - JR to Approve Regulation Document No. 5321

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-3-85, RELATING TO HOMICIDE BY CHILD ABUSE, SO AS TO INCREASE THE AGE OF A CHILD UNDER THIS SECTION FROM UNDER THE AGE OF ELEVEN TO UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN.

Homicide by Child Abuse

Thomas C. AlexanderRepublican

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-40, RELATING TO APPLICATION OF FEDERAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE TO STATE TAX LAWS, SO AS TO UPDATE THE REFERENCE TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE TO THE YEAR 2024, AND TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTIONS ADOPTED BY THIS STATE ARE EXTENDED, THEN THESE SECTIONS ALSO ARE EXTENDED FOR SOUTH CAROLINA INCOME TAX PURPOSES.

IRC conformity

Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.Republican

AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 389 OF 1907, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR THE CITY OF GAFFNEY, SO AS TO RESTATE THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS, TO ADD TWO ADDITIONAL MEMBERS, AND TO SPECIFY THE MANNER OF ELECTION AND OF ELECTIONS; AND TO REPEAL ACT 205 OF 1953 AND ACT 128 OF 1967 RELATED TO THE BOARD.

Gaffney Board of Public Works

Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.Republican

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 7-7-40, RELATING TO DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN AIKEN COUNTY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE BOARD OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS DETERMINES THAT A PRECINCT CONTAINS NO SUITABLE LOCATION FOR A POLLING PLACE, THE BOARD, UPON APPROVAL OF A MAJORITY OF THE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, MAY LOCATE THE POLLING PLACE INSIDE THE COUNTY AND WITHIN FIVE MILES OF THE PRECINCT'S BOUNDARIES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 5-15-60, RELATING TO MUNICIPALITIES ADOPTING METHODS OF NOMINATING CANDIDATES FOR AND DETERMINING RESULTS OF NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ANY MUNICIPALITY WHICH ELECTS TO HOLD PARTISAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS MUST PAY ALL COSTS AND EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONDUCT OF A MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION.

Polling Places in Aiken County

Tom Young, Jr.Republican

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

A. Shane MasseyRepublican

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 2-3-20, RELATING TO COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL RECEIVE LEGISLATIVE COMPENSATION AND AN IN-DISTRICT LEGISLATIVE SERVICE ALLOWANCE OF A COMBINED FORTY-SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH AMOUNT SHALL BE ADJUSTED EVERY TWO YEARS BY AN INFLATION FACTOR NOT TO EXCEED FIVE PERCENT.

Legislative Salary

Shane R. MartinRepublican

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

Stephen L. GoldfinchRepublican

AN ACT TO RATIFY AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 4, ARTICLE II OF THE S.

Ratify Constitutional Amendment

A. Shane MasseyRepublican

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 34-11-90, RELATING TO JURISDICTION FOR OFFENSES INVOLVING CHECKS AND PENALTIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE A METHOD TO EXPUNGE CONVICTIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 17-22-910, RELATING TO APPLICATIONS FOR EXPUNGEMENT, SO AS TO ADD MULTIPLE MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES OF CHECK FRAUD TO THOSE OFFENSES ELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT; AND BY ADDING SECTION 17-1-43 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DESTRUCTION OF ARREST RECORDS OF PERSONS MADE AS A RESULT OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

Fraudulent Check Expungement

Karl B. AllenDemocrat

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 2-1-180, RELATING TO ADJOURNMENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CONDITIONS FOR EXTENDED SESSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY CALL THEIR RESPECTIVE BODIES INTO SESSION AFTER THE SINE DIE ADJOURNMENT DATE IF THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL OR CAPITAL RESERVE FUND RESOLUTION IS NOT COMPLETED BY THE SINE DIE ADJOURNMENT DATE, TO PROVIDE THE TIME PERIOD DURING WHICH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY BE CALLED BACK TO COMPLETE THOSE MATTERS AND ANY CONFERENCE COMMITTEES APPOINTED ON OR BEFORE THE DATE OF SINE DIE ADJOURNMENT, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE TOLLING OF THE ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-DAY PERIOD THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS TO REVIEW STATE REGULATIONS.

Sine Die

Thomas C. AlexanderRepublican

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 17-1-65, RELATING TO THE EXPUNGEMENT OF CONVICTIONS FOR THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HANDGUNS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE MUST DISMISS AND EXPUNGE CERTAIN PENDING UNLAWFUL HANDGUN POSSESSION CHARGES THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY/SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT OF 2024, AND TO PROVIDE THE DISMISSAL OF THESE CHARGES MAY NOT SERVE AS A BASIS OR SUPPORT FOR CIVIL ACTIONS DUE TO THE ARREST.

Dismissal of pending gun possession charges

Deon T. TedderDemocrat