Senate members met in regular session this week with most of the debate focused on regulating hemp-derived products. The House of Representatives did not meet in regular session.
There are eight weeks left in the second year of the 2025 – 2026 legislative session. Election filing for the SC House of Representatives and all state constitutional offices is open and closes on March 30.
S227(opens in a new tab), the concurrency bill, remains on the Senate’s contested calendar until the bill sponsor, Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort), and stakeholders work on amendments to the bill.
Senate Transportation bill receives final approval in the Senate
S831(opens in a new tab), the Senate version of the SC Department of Transportation modernization bill, was given a third and final reading in the Senate. The current bill includes an amendment — at the request of the Municipal Association of SC — that prohibits a county council from serving as the county transportation committee.
The Senate adopted two further amendments on third reading. These amendments allow a legislative delegation to devolve its duties to appoint members of the county transportation committee to a county council, and ensure that if a county fully funds a state road project already on the state’s list, then the state will advance another project in that county — effectively giving the county credit for stepping in, except in cases involving certain deficient bridges. Next, the bill will go to the House of Representatives for debate.
H5071(opens in a new tab), the House version, remains in the House Ways and Means Revenue Policy subcommittee without action. For questions about both versions of the SCDOT modernization bill, contact Erica Wright (ewright@masc.sc(opens in a new tab)) at 803.354.4793.
Property tax cut bills update
S768(opens in a new tab), an increase in the property tax homestead exemption to $150,000 for South Carolina resident homeowners 65 years old and older, was passed by the Senate and sent to the House for debate. This bill includes a local government reimbursement with the increase in the exemption for local governments. The bill is currently in the House Ways and Means Committee.
H3858(opens in a new tab), a bill that decreases the tax on boats by 50% in the state and deletes the requirement that outboard motors be titled separately from hulls, was passed by the Senate. Next, the bill goes back to the House to concur on the Senate amendments or make further amendments to the bill.
H5006(opens in a new tab), a bill that exempts $10,000 from business personal property taxes for small businesses, unanimously passed the House of Representatives and is now in the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.
For questions about these tax bills, contact Webster Hall (whall@masc.sc(opens in a new tab)) at 803.933.1232.
From the Dome to Your Home podcast
Don’t forget to listen to the From the Dome to Your Home podcast(opens in a new tab) every Friday for a recap of the week’s legislative issues and a look to the week ahead at the State House.
Senate Finance Committee
H3514(opens in a new tab) – purchasing flags – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Prohibits state departments, agencies, institutions and political subdivisions from using public funds to purchase flags unless they are made in the United States.
H3768(opens in a new tab) – Utility relocation – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Extends the sunset date for utility relocation requirements in highway construction projects until July 1, 2031.
S866(opens in a new tab) – Enacts the Municipal Tax Relief Act – favorable report
Summary of the bill as introduced: Authorizes certain municipalities to impose up to a 1% sales tax to provide property tax relief to owner-occupied homes.
S508(opens in a new tab) – Monument and memorial protection – favorable report as amended. The amendment removes the Local Government Fund withholding penalty; requires a monument to be moved to another prominent location before property is sold; and addresses how to handle monuments and memorials during construction or road work.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Withholds disbursements from the Local Government Fund for any county or municipality that removes or relocates monuments or memorials.
Senate Medical Affairs Committee
S935(opens in a new tab) – Seizures in the workplace – favorable report as amended. The amendment only makes technical changes.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Requires municipalities to post a pamphlet on rendering seizure first aid in the workplace.
Senate Judiciary subcommittee
S902(opens in a new tab) – Enacts the Data Center Siting Act – the subcommittee members heard testimony on this bill but did not take action.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Requires a certificate issued by the Public Service Commission before a data center may begin operations in South Carolina.
S724(opens in a new tab) – Commercial data centers water usage – the subcommittee members heard testimony on this bill but did not take action.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Requires commercial data centers to annually report their water usage to the SC Department of Environmental Services.
Senate Judiciary subcommittee
H5097(opens in a new tab) – Zoning of roadside markets – favorable report as amended. The amendment only made technical changes. The bill was amended in the House of Representatives to clarify that the structure is on the farmer's land, local government is not liable for the structure, and removes the preemption Section E of the bill.
Summary of the bill as introduced: Exempts certain roadside markets operated by farmers from local zoning and certain local and state regulatory requirements.
Senate Judiciary subcommittee
H3021(opens in a new tab) – Enacts the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act – the subcommittee members 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(opens in a new tab) – Enacts the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act – the subcommittee members 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.