South Carolina Bills

in committee · South Carolina · House Apr 29, 2026

H 4622: Equal Parenting Act

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "EQUAL PARENTING ACT"; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 63-3-810, 63-3-820, 63-3-830, 63-3-850, AND 63-3-870, ALL RELATING TO GUARDIANS AD LITEM APPOINTED IN PRIVATE FAMILY COURT ACTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN PROTECTIONS AGAINST GUARDIAN AD LITEM BIAS OR OTHER MISCONDUCT, TO CLARIFY THAT EQUAL PARENTING TIME FOR BOTH PARENTS IS PRESUMED TO BE IN A CHILD'S BEST INTEREST, AND TO ADDRESS THE APPORTIONMENT OF FEES AND COSTS; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 63-15-210, 63-15-220, 63-15-230, AND 63-15-240, ALL RELATING TO CHILD CUSTODY HEARINGS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EQUAL PARENTING TIME IS PRESUMED TO BE IN A CHILD'S BEST INTEREST IN CHILD CUSTODY ACTIONS, THAT PARENTAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE PARENTING TIME OF THE OTHER PARENT IS GROUNDS FOR MODIFICATION OF A CHILD CUSTODY ORDER; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Bill Taylor (R) David Martin (R) Kathy Landing (R) Gil Gatch (R) Shannon Erickson (R)

in committee · South Carolina · House Apr 29, 2026

H 3526: Judicial Election Reform

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO AMEND SECTIONS 3, 8, AND 13, ARTICLE V OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE ELECTION OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, COURT OF APPEALS JUDGES, AND CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES, RESPECTIVELY, ALL SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THEY SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RATHER THAN BEING ELECTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; TO AMEND SECTION 18, ARTICLE V, RELATING TO VACANCIES IN THESE JUDGESHIPS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR UPON ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND TO DELETE PROVISIONS REGARDING UNEXPIRED TERMS NOT EXCEEDING ONE YEAR; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 27, ARTICLE V REGARDING PROVISIONS REQUIRING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ESTABLISH A JUDICIAL MERIT SCREENING COMMISSION.

in committee · South Carolina · House Apr 29, 2026

H 3310: Closed primaries

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 7-5-115 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON IS NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE IN A PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION OR PARTISAN ADVISORY REFERENDUM UNLESS THE PERSON HAS REGISTERED AS BEING A MEMBER OF THAT PARTY; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-5-110, RELATING TO REGISTRATION IN ORDER TO VOTE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON IS NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE IN A PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION OR PARTISAN ADVISORY REFERENDUM UNLESS THE PERSON HAS REGISTERED AS BEING A MEMBER OF THAT POLITICAL PARTY; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-5-170, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE REQUIREMENT OF STATING POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION, IF ANY, ON THE FORM AND INCLUDING IT IN THE OATH, AND TO REQUIRE THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION TO ASSIST IN CAPTURING THIS DATA; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 7-9-20, RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS, SO AS TO INCLUDE, AS A REQUIREMENT, REGISTERING AS A MEMBER OF THE PARTY AND TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR CHANGING POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION OR NONAFFILIATION AFTER A SELECTION HAS BEEN MADE.

in committee · South Carolina · House Apr 29, 2026

H 3849: Tort Reform

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 15-38-15, RELATING TO THE APPORTIONMENT OF PERCENTAGES OF FAULT AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE OR DRUG EXCEPTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A JURY OR THE COURT SHALL DETERMINE THE PERCENTAGE OF FAULT OF THE CLAIMANT, THE DEFENDANT, AND OF ANY NONPARTY WHOSE ACT OR OMISSION WAS A PROXIMATE CAUSE OF THE CLAIMANT'S ALLEGED DAMAGES; BY REPEALING SECTION 15-38-20 RELATING TO RIGHT OF CONTRIBUTION; BY REPEALING SECTION 15-38-30 RELATING TO FACTORS DETERMINING PRO RATA LIABILITY OF TORTFEASORS; BY REPEALING SECTION 15-38-40 RELATING TO ACTIONS FOR CONTRIBUTION; BY ADDING SECTION 15-3-710 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; BY ADDING SECTION 15-3-720 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL IS PROHIBITED FROM RECOVERING DAMAGES IF THE INDIVIDUAL KNOWINGLY RIDES AS A PASSENGER IN A VEHICLE OPERATED BY A DRIVER WHO IS VISIBLY INTOXICATED OR WHOM THE INDIVIDUAL KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WOULD BECOME INTOXICATED; BY ADDING SECTION 15-3-730 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CLERK OF COURT SHALL FORWARD A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AND JUDGMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE UPON ENTERING JUDGMENT AGAINST A LICENSEE; BY AMENDING SECTION 61-4-580, RELATING TO PROHIBITED ACTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CIVIL LIABILITY; BY AMENDING SECTION 61-4-590, RELATING TO REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF PERMITS AND DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATIONS AND DETERMINATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY REVOKE OR SUSPEND A PERMIT ON ITS OWN INITIATIVE UPON RECEIPT OF A COMPLAINT AND JUDGMENT; BY ADDING CHAPTER 3 TO TITLE 61 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVER AND MANAGER TRAINING; TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF AND APPROVAL OF TRAINING PROGRAMS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF ALCOHOL SERVER CERTIFICATES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE RENEWAL OF A PERMIT OR LICENSE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF RELEVANT PROVISIONS; AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 61-2-60, RELATING TO THE PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, EDUCATION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING PROVISIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 61-6-2220, RELATING TO SALES TO INTOXICATED PERSONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON OR ESTABLISHMENT LICENSED TO SELL ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS OR LIQUOR BY THE DRINK PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE MAY NOT KNOWINGLY PROVIDE THESE BEVERAGES TO AN INTOXICATED PERSON; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-90-20, RELATING TO LICENSING, REQUIRED INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION, FEES, AND RENEWAL, SO AS TO INCLUDE LIQUOR LIABILITY INSURANCE; BY AMENDING SECTION 61-2-145, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT OF LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE, SO AS TO PROVIDE LIMITS; BY AMENDING SECTION 61-2-145, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT OF LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN INSURER SHALL NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT IF A PERSON LICENSED TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION EXCEEDS ITS AGGREGATE LIMIT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE POLICY; BY AMENDING SECTION 15-3-670, RELATING TO CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH LIMITATIONS PROVIDED BY SECTIONS 15-3-640 THROUGH 15-3-660 ARE NOT AVAILABLE AS A DEFENSE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION IS CONSIDERED MATERIAL ONLY IF IT EXISTS WITHIN A COMPLETED BUILDING, STRUCTURE, OR FACILITY WHICH HAS RESULTED IN PHYSICAL HARM TO A PERSON OR SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE PERFORMANCE OF A BUILDING OR ITS SYSTEMS; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-5-6540, RELATING TO PENALTIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION IS ADMISSIBLE AS EVIDENCE OF COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE; BY ADDING SECTION 15-7-65 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A CIVIL ACTION TRIED AGAINST AN UNKNOWN DEFENDANT MUST BE TRIED IN THE COUNTY WHERE THE CAUSE OF ACTION AROSE; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-77-150, RELATING TO UNINSURED MOTORIST PROVISIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE UNINSURED MOTORIST PROVISION IS NOT REQUIRED TO INCLUDE COVERAGE FOR PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-77-160, RELATING TO ADDITIONAL UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE CARRIERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO INCLUDE COVERAGE FOR PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES IN THE MANDATORY OFFER OF UNDERINSURED MOTORISTS COVERAGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 15-78-30, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO DEFINE "OCCURRENCE"; BY AMENDING SECTION 15-32-220, RELATING TO NONECONOMIC DAMAGE LIMITS AND EXCEPTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR INTENT TO HARM, FELONY CONVICTIONS, AND INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 38-59-23 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR ACTIONS FOR BAD FAITH INVOLVING A LIABILITY.

in committee · South Carolina · House Apr 29, 2026

H 3030: Undocumented individuals

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO DIRECT COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT'S SECTION 287(G) PROGRAMS AND TO REQUIRE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, UPON LEARNING OF ILLEGAL OPERATIONS, TO BRING UNDOCUMENTED INDIVIDUALS TO THIS STATE TO COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO COMMENCE RICO-BASED SEIZURES TO SEIZE ALL ASSETS USED IN THE EFFORTS TO IMPORT UNDOCUMENTED INDIVIDUALS TO THIS STATE.

Topics ✗ Immigration

in committee · South Carolina · House Apr 28, 2026

H 5600: Traffic-control photographic systems

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-830 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES TO ADOPT ORDINANCES FOR THE CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS BY MEANS OF TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL MONITORING SYSTEMS; BY AMENDING SECTION 14-25-45, RELATING TO POWERS, DUTIES, AND JURISDICTION OF MUNICIPAL COURTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE MUNICIPAL COURTS HAVE JURISDICTION OVER CERTAIN TRAFFIC-CONTROL MONITORING SYSTEM VIOLATIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-5-710, RELATING TO POWERS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE LOCAL AUTHORITIES MAY ADOPT ORDINANCES TO USE TRAFFIC-CONTROL PHOTOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS FOR CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN TRAFFIC LAWS; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-5-970, RELATING TO TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL LEGENDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE WHEN SAFE, MOTOR VEHICLES FACING A YELLOW SIGNAL MUST SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 56-7-35, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF UNIFORM TRAFFIC TICKETS FOR VIOLATIONS OF LOCAL ORDINANCES, SPEEDING, OR DISREGARDING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN CITATIONS ISSUED BY MEANS OF TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL MONITORING SYSTEMS MAY BE ISSUED BASED UPON PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · South Carolina · House Apr 28, 2026

H 5533: Hammond boys swimming champs

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE HAMMOND SCHOOL BOYS SWIM TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON, AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON WINNING THE 2025 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION DIVISION I CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

in committee · South Carolina · House Apr 28, 2026

H 5598: Dissemination of Intimate Images Without Consent

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-332, RELATING TO DISSEMINATING INTIMATE IMAGES WITHOUT CONSENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE PROVISIONS IDENTIFYING WHEN A DEVELOPER OR PROVIDER OF TECHNOLOGY MAY BE HELD LIABLE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE OFFENSE.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · South Carolina · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 1150: Nonferrous metals

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-17-680, RELATING TO SECONDARY METALS RECYCLERS PERMITS TO PURCHASE NONFERROUS METALS, AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE STATUTE TO INCLUDE A REQUIREMENT FOR AFFIRMATIVE DETERMINATIONS OF WHETHER A SECONDARY METALS RECYCLER HAS A PREVIOUS CONVICTION, TO PROVIDE FURTHER POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS WHEN A SECONDARY METALS RECYCLER HAS CERTAIN KNOWLEDGE OF STOLEN NONFERROUS METALS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR THE ADDED OFFENSES.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · South Carolina · House Apr 28, 2026

H 5456: Marian Wright Edelman Day

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2026, AS "MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN DAY," ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS, EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO CELEBRATE HER LEGACY THROUGH ACTS OF SERVICE, THROUGH WELLNESS AND MINDFULNESS PRACTICES, AND THROUGH EFFORTS THAT ADVANCE OPPORTUNITY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL CHILDREN.

passed · South Carolina · House Apr 28, 2026

H 5201: Safe Schools Act of 2026

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SAFE SCHOOLS ACT OF 2026" BY ADDING ARTICLE 6 TO CHAPTER 63, TITLE 59, SO AS TO ESTABLISH A MULTIJURISDICTIONAL SCHOOL SAFETY TASK FORCE, TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DEVELOP MULTIHAZARD EMERGENCY OPERATION PLANS, TO PROVIDE FOR CERTIFIED SCHOOL SAFETY ASSESSMENTS AND REQUIRED LIVE DRILLS, AND TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BY SLED, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · South Carolina · House Apr 28, 2026

H 5238: Support recycling in SC

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE ALL EFFORTS TO REDUCE WASTE GENERATION AND INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WASTE DIVERSION THROUGH RECYCLING INITIATIVES IN ORDER TO ADDRESS DECREASING DISPOSAL CAPACITY.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results