One Voice Newsletter

Legislative Recap – Week 8

We are officially one week closer to the midway point of this year’s legislative session, and lawmakers are continuing to work diligently to advance their priorities.

Judicial Elections Held 

On Wednesday, the House and Senate convened in a joint assembly to elect certain judges and members of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The judicial elections were not as lengthy as originally anticipated following sitting Supreme Court Justice John Few’s Tuesday announcement that he would no longer seek re-election, postponing the election for his seat on the state’s high court.

Senate DOT Modernization Bill Heads to Floor 

On Wednesday, the Senate Transportation Committee advanced its Department of Transportation (DOT) Modernization bill (S.831) that seeks to streamline the delivery of infrastructure projects across South Carolina.

The amended bill:

• Gives DOT greater ability to enter into public-private partnerships.

• Expands DOT’s tolling authority.

• Transfers National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) authority for permitting to DOT from the Federal Highway Administration.

• Includes provisions to allow counties and cities to take ownership of roads from the state.

• Provides greater oversight over county transportation committees.

The bill may be taken up next week by the full Senate.

House Tort Reform Ad Hoc Committee Advances Two Bills 

On Tuesday, the House Tort Reform Ad Hoc Committee advanced two bills aimed at improving South Carolina’s legal climate.

H.4544 seeks to close loopholes that are causing increased financial exposure to healthcare providers in medical malpractice litigation by clarifying the circumstances where non-economic damage caps do not apply and redefining the definition of “occurrence,” to treat multiple negligent acts as a single occurrence when resulting in similar harm. The bill also increases the caps under the Tort Claims Act, adjusting liability limits for claims against governmental entities in civil actions.

H.4670 establishes clear guidelines that must be met when making time-limited settlement demands in tort claims and implements a 30-day period by which insurance carriers can tender policy limits and avoid being charged with bad faith.

Both bills are now in the full House Judiciary Committee, which expects to meet in the coming weeks.

House Moves on Tax Conformity 

On Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced a bill (H.3368) that, as amended, would conform South Carolina to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) for tax year 2025, thereby capturing all of the personal and business tax provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

The bill now heads to the House floor and is expected to be considered in conjunction with the House budget next week.

Senate Continues to Talk Data Centers 

A Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources subcommittee and a Senate Judiciary subcommittee met this week to discuss the “Data Center Development Act” (S.867) and the “Data Center Siting Act” (S.902). Testimony during these hearings focused on water and energy usage and on which entities should have governing and regulatory authority over data centers. Additional hearings are expected.

Other Notable Actions 

• Insurance Rate Reduction and Policy Holder Protection Act (H.4817) – On Thursday, the House Labor, Commerce and Industry (LCI) Committee advanced a bill that aims at reducing insurance rates, combating fraud, and increasing policyholder protections. The bill now heads to the House floor.

• Boat Taxation (H.3858) – On Thursday, the Senate passed a bill that aims to restructure boat taxes and registrations, specifically as they relate to outboard motors. The Senate-amended bill, which would eliminate the requirement to register outboard motors and reduce boat taxes by roughly $50 million, now heads back to the House.

• Alcohol Server Training Deadline (H.5261) – This week, the Senate passed a joint resolution to extend the deadline for restaurants and bars to comply with the new alcohol server training requirements prescribed in Act 42 of 2025 to May 1^st. It now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

• Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act (H.3021) – On Thursday, a Senate Judiciary subcommittee held another hearing to receive testimony on a bill that seeks to reduce regulatory burdens on job creators by requiring agencies to eliminate two regulations for every new one proposed, ending judicial deference to state agencies in legal disputes, establishing a regulatory “shot clock,” and implementing other reforms. Additional hearings are expected.

• Chinese Land Ownership (H.4974) – On Wednesday, a House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs (3M) subcommittee advanced a bill that would restrict companies owned or controlled by the People’s Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party or whose principal place of business is located within China from acquiring land within 25 miles of military installations for the purpose of installing telecommunications or broadcast towers. The bill was amended and sent to the full House 3M Committee.

• Limits on SNAP Eligible Foods (S.777) – On Thursday, a Senate Family and Veterans’ Services (FVS) subcommittee reconvened on a bill that would prohibit the use of SNAP benefits to buy candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and other sweetened beverages at authorized retailers. The bill was ultimately carried over.

• Workers’ Compensation Fee Schedule Flexibility (H.3874) – On Wednesday, the House Labor, Commerce and Industry (LCI) Committee advanced a bill that would give the Workers’ Compensation Commission broader authority to establish and adjust medical fee schedules for medical services provided by practitioners. The bill now heads to the House floor.

New Bills Introduced 

A notable bill introduced this week was:

• Land Application of Sludge (H.5310) – This bill by Rep. Joe Bustos (R-Charleston) would prohibit the land application of sludge and ban the sale or distribution of compost or agricultural products containing sludge or septage in the state.

Next Week 

The House will begin debating its version of the state’s FY2026-27 budget (H.5126) on Monday at 1:00 p.m.

Notable committee meetings already scheduled for next week include:

• Tuesday – Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources subcommittee on the “Data Center Development Act” (S.867).

• Wednesday – Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Pharmacy Reimbursement Mandates (S.342).