The Senate and House of Representatives met in regular session this week adjourning sine die by Thursday at 5 p.m. Bills that did not pass both chambers this week will remain active for the 2026 legislative session. Legislators plan to return to Columbia later in the month to complete work on the state budget. 

Time ran out in the legislative session for several issues like income tax reform and boat taxes. Those two bills, passed by the House, will be in the Senate for debate in 2026. However, some bills made the deadline and were enrolled for ratification. 

The Senate concurred on the House amendments to H3309, the SC Energy Security Act. This enrolls the bill for ratification. This bill is a comprehensive legislative initiative aimed at overhauling the state's energy policies and regulatory framework to enhance energy reliability, diversify energy sources and stimulate economic development. The bill allows for a new natural gas plant through Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy, and allows for utilities to raise rates in smaller increments instead of larger increases. 

The Senate also concurred on the House amendments to H3430, the liquor liability bill. This enrolls the bill for ratification. Originally, this bill dealt with the state auditor, but the House amended the bill with liquor liability language in order to make the deadline of adjournment. The bill provides for a joint and several liability change and provides ways for restaurants and bars to lower insurance coverage through server training and other opportunities. This bill also lowers the amount of liquor liability insurance required for one-day festivals. 

Budget bill in conference committee
House members amended the Senate amendments to the state budget bill and sent the bill back to the Senate. Senators nonconcurred, or disagreed, on H4025 and sent the bill to a conference committee to work out the differences. Reps. Bannister, Hewitt and Stavrinakis and Sens. Peeler, Jackson and Alexander were appointed as conferees to the budget conference committee on Thursday. The conference committee has not scheduled a meeting yet. 

For questions about the budget, contact Daina Riley Phillips (dphillips@masc.sc) at 803.933.1203.

Zero millage passed by the Senate
S102, the bill that would allow a municipality without an operating millage to impose one with limitations, was approved by the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives for debate. The bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee where it will be debated in the 2026 legislative session.  

For questions about the bill, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc) at 803.354.4793.

Stay in Touch  
The Municipal Association legislative team is on X. Follow Erica Wright (@EricaMuniSC) for updates from the State House. Also follow the Association at @MuniAssnSC.  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.  

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