House and Senate members met in regular session on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Senators gave approval to the driving-under-the-influence bill after two weeks of debate, while the House approved a bill to reschedule abortion pills as a controlled substance.
A Senate Transportation subcommittee continued taking testimony on S831, the Senate version of the SC Department of Transportation modernization bill. Erica Wright, one of the Association’s legislative and public policy advocates, and Sara Weathers, the Association’s associate general counsel, testified on two aspects of the bill – municipal representation on county transportation committees and congestion mitigation impact fees. No action was taken on the bill. The subcommittee is scheduled to meet again on February 12 to begin discussing proposed amendments. A list of potential amendments were shared at the meeting including an amendment that deals with municipal annexation.
The House Ways and Means Revenue Policy subcommittee met on Thursday to consider H5071, the House version of SCDOT modernization legislation. The subcommittee members only heard testimony from SCDOT Secretary Justin Powell and did not take action on the bill. They plan to schedule another meeting to take testimony from other stakeholders. For questions about both SCDOT modernization bills, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc) at 803.354.4793.
From the Dome to Your Home podcast
Don’t forget to listen to the From the Dome to Your Home podcast every Friday for a recap of the week’s legislative issues and a look to the week ahead at the State House.
House Ways and Means Committee
H5006 – State of South Carolina Small Business Tax Cut of 2026 – favorable report as amended. The amendment corrects language defining residency.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Exempts the first $10,000 of net depreciated value of business personal property owned by a small business.
H3551 – Compensation paid to managers of clerks of elections – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Clarifies that earnable compensation as it relates to the SC Retirement System does not include certain amounts paid to managers and clerks of elections. This bill was given second reading by the House of Representatives on Thursday.
House Judiciary General Laws subcommittee
H3857 – Alcohol delivery and curbside pickup – the subcommittee heard testimony but did not take action on the bill.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows the SC Department of Revenue to issue a license or permit allowing a retailer to offer curbside delivery or pickup through a curbside service of beer or wine.
H4001 – Liquor sales on Sundays – the subcommittee heard testimony but did not take action on the bill.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Allows certain local governments to authorize the sale of alcoholic liquors on Sundays.
Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources subcommittee
S867 – Enacts the Data Center Development Act – the subcommittee heard testimony but did not take action on the bill.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Establishes a Data Center Development Office in the SC Department of Environmental Services to manage permitting data centers in the state.
Senate Judiciary subcommittee
H3021 – Enacts the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act – the subcommittee heard testimony but did not take action on the bill.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Requires the Small Business Regulatory Review Committee to conduct an initial review of regulations pending reauthorization and make recommendations to the General Assembly for removing or retaining those regulations.
S254 – Enacts the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act – the subcommittee heard testimony but did not take action on the bill.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Creates the Small Business Regulatory Review Committee to conduct an initial review of regulations pending reauthorization and make recommendations to the General Assembly for removing or retaining those regulations.