The House voted unanimously this week to override the Governor’s veto of S. 136 [R. 86] regarding the expungement of one unlawful gun possession conviction for anyone convicted of this offense prior to the enactment of the South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Act of 2024. This legislation now becomes law; the Governor’s veto having been overridden by both the House and the Senate.

H. 3431 - Limiting Minors’ Ability to be Social Media Account Holders

The House also wholly amended Senate amendments to H. 3431 Limiting Minors’ Ability to be Social Media Account Holders and returned this completely amended legislation to the Senate for further deliberations. These House amendments include expanding the extent of parental controls and oversight over their minors’ use of these accounts, removing requirements for English literacy determinations of account holders, and, most importantly, updating the definitions and the language in previous versions for determining what constitutes age-appropriate designs by these social media companies. Among other things, these updated age-appropriate design definitions and nomenclature include more current terms of art for these operations and limiting these companies’ use of minors’ personal information for specific purposes. Once these purposes are finished, this information will have to be deleted.

H. 4902 - Name, Image, and Likeness

H. 4902 was given 2^nd reading and ordered to third reading on January 15th. H. 4902 relates to an exemption of an intercollegiate athlete's Name, Image, and Likeness compensation contract documentation maintained by public institutions of higher learning from public disclosure under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.

H. 3115 - Recommitted

H. 3115, a bill relating to fees charged for copies of birth certificates, so as to waive the fees for homeless persons was recommitted to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Committees

Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

The Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee met on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and heard presentations from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture regarding the state of agriculture and from the South Carolina Forestry Commission regarding forestry in the state.

Introductions

Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

H. 4929 Naegleria Fowleri Species Rep. J. L. Johnson

H. 4929 requires an owner or operator of a freshwater location where swimming is allowed shall post and maintain in close proximity to the swimming location a notice about Naegleria fowleri (also known as the brain-eating amoeba) and how to minimize the risk of infection when participating in water-related activities.

Education and Public Works

H. 4962 Robert Smalls Monument Rep. Cox

H. 4962 is a concurrent resolution that would approve the proposed design and location for the Robert Smalls Monument, as required by Act 183 of 2024, which was approved by the State House Committee.

H. 4966 Highway Bridge Barriers Rep. Gilliard

H. 4966 is a joint resolution that would create a study committee to study the cost and feasibility of installing fencing, netting, or other safety barriers on highway bridges to deter people from climbing onto and subsequently jumping from these structures and taking their lives.

H. 4975 Renee Good Day" in South Carolina Rep. King

H. 4975 would designate the second day of April of each year as "Renee Good Day" in South Carolina.

Judiciary

S. 121 Infant Safe Haven Updates Sen. Garrett

S. 121 would propose various changes to existing state law covering safe havens for infants to be placed along with adoption processes for foster children in the care of SC Department of Social Services [SC DSS]. Family courts under this pending legislation could allow the permanency planning hearing to be held later than nine months, but no later than one year after the date the child was first placed in foster care.

Anyone adversely affected by a delay in holding a permanent placement hearing after these nine months pass will be able to file a motion for setting these hearings for a date certain. Within one hundred twenty days of the filing of the petition to terminate parental rights as part of adoption and permanent placement proceedings, SC DSS would have to complete a background investigation and report. An additional reason for terminating parental rights would be the fact, at the time of filing, the parental home is unsafe for their child to be returned.

In lieu of terminating a parent’s rights, any child considered for return to their parents would have to be completed within fifteen months, down from the current deadline of eighteen months, after their child was placed in foster care. Other provisions of this Senate bill include: an unmarried father of child would no longer have to be given notice of these adoptions; final adoption decrees would not be affected by any postadoption agreements, but these agreements will not preserve any biological parental rights; and, paternity petitions would have to include aliases for purported fathers.

H. 4927 "Persistent Criminal Domestic Violence Offender Registry" Rep. Oremus

After January 2, 2027, H. 4927 would require clerks of various criminal courts across our state to submit to our State Law Enforcement Division [SLED] information about anyone convicted of second or subsequent domestic violence offenses. SLED would be responsible for maintaining this registry, and for posting information about these offenders’ names, dates of birth, conviction dates, counties of convictions, and a current photographs. This SLED-monitored registry that would be available to the public could not include these offenders’ addresses, social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, or any other state, or federal identification numbers. They will have to pay a $100 registration fee to the clerk of the court imposing the sentence, and these funds split between the clerk’s office and SLED. These registrations would last from two years to ten years, depending on how many convictions a registrant incurs.

H. 4930 Governor-Appointed Judicial Merit Selection Commissioners Referendum Question Rep. C. Mitchell

H. 4930 is a Joint Resolution that would call for a ballot referendum question on whether to amend Section 27, Article V of South Carolina’s State Constitution to have Judicial Merit Selection Commission members appointed by our Governor.

H. 4965 Probate Judge Qualifications in Larger Counties Rep. Jordan

Under the provisions of H. 4965, Probate Court Judges in counties having 50,000 or more residents would have to be at least 25 years old when elected, licensed as an attorney in good standing with the South Carolina Bar, or have an attorney on their staff after they are elected.

H. 4967 Inmate Status Reports to Requesting Family Members Rep. Gilliard

Should H. 4967 be enacted, state and local detention facilities would have to provide inmate welfare reports to requesting family members. These reports would include information about inmates’ physical health, mental health, and safety statuses.

H. 4969 Raising Individual Campaign Contribution Limits Rep. Gilliard

H. 4969 would allow individual campaign contribution limits to increase from $1,000 to $2,000.

H. 4970 Public Housing Tenant Relocations After Convictions Rep. Gilliard

Under H. 4970, public housing tenants convicted of crimes unrelated to the possession, sale, or use of illicit substances or firearms would have three months to relocate after their convictions. If these tenants are not able to relocate within this proposed three-month deadline, their landlord would have to store any personal property for up to thirty days.

Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

H. 4606 “Veteran Housing Stability & Security Act” Rep. Jones

H. 4666 would require local governments to establish veteran housing priority zones by completing zoning and permitting veteran-supportive housing projects.

H. 4928 Hospitals Rep. J. L. Johnson

H. 4928 states that a hospital that provides treatment or services to a patient diagnosed with an infection caused by Naegleria fowleri (a.k.a. the “brain-eating amoeba”), including primary amoebic meningoencephalitis PAM, shall immediately report such diagnosis to the Director of the Department of Environmental Services and the Director of the Department of Public Health.

H. 4974 Chinese Land Ownership Prohibition Rep. Gilliam

H. 4974 states that any company or development owned or controlled by a company that is owned by the People's Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party or whose principal place of business is located within the People's Republic of China may not own, lease, possess, or exercise any control over any land or real estate located within twenty-five miles of a state or federal military base or installation for the purpose of installing or erecting any type of telecommunications or broadcasting tower.

Labor, Commerce, and Industry

H. 4968 Limit on Automated Teller Machine Fees Rep. Gilliard

H. 4968 would provide that a bank or financial institution may not charge a fee greater than one dollar and seventy-five cents for each automated teller machine (ATM) transaction.

H. 4972 Health Insurance Coverage Requirements for Scalp Cooling Therapy Rep. Spann-Wilder

H. 4972 would provide that any health insurance policy issued or renewed in this state that provides coverage which includes cancer chemotherapy treatment is subject to requirements for providing coverage for scalp cooling therapy.

H. 4973 Prohibition on Critical Infrastructure Contracts with Foreign Adversaries Rep. Gilliam

H. 4973 would provide that a business or governmental entity may not enter into an agreement relating to critical infrastructure in this state with a company that is owned by, headquartered in, or affiliated with China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or another country designated as a security threat. The legislation makes provisions for the Governor, in consultation with the Director of the Department of Public Safety and the Homeland Security Council, to designate a country as a threat, prohibiting them from entering into contracts involving a communication infrastructure system, cybersecurity system, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment system, or water treatment facility.

Ways and Means

S. 318 “Delivery of Government Efficiency Commission Act” Sen. Goldfinch

S. 318, a joint resolution, establishes a Delivery of Government Efficiency Commission charged with conducting a comprehensive survey of the structure and funding of state government to determine how to modernize it so that state government is less costly and more efficient for our state’s taxpayers. The legislation makes provisions for the membership and staffing of the commission and requires the commission to first make recommendations concerning reductions in appropriations and then provide a report of its other findings and recommendations by October 1, 2026.

H. 4924 General Assembly Member Salary Commission Rep. Taylor

H. 4924 would create the General Assembly Member Salary Commission, consisting of seven appointees of the Governor, one from each of South Carolina’s seven United States Congressional Districts. Members must have significant experience or expertise in law, economics, finance, human resources, personnel, business, or salary surveying, compensation, and benefits, along with other task-related abilities. Commission members may not be elected or appointed governmental officials. The commission is charged with authorizing a study to be conducted every four years to recommend a salary range for the members of the General Assembly based on their job duties and responsibilities as well as the pay of legislative members in other states. Beginning with Fiscal Year 2026-2027, salaries for the members of the General Assembly must be based on recommendations by the General Assembly Member Salary Commission. Any increases in compensation for the members of the General Assembly must be made in accordance with Article III of the South Carolina Constitution.

H. 4925 Sales Tax Exemption for Datacenters Rep. Bannister

H. 4925 would revise the sales tax exemption provided for datacenters by extending the exemption to those who are considered related to the taxpayer under the criteria of a federal Internal Revenue Code provision, such as family members, corporations with significant ownership ties, and certain fiduciary relationships.

H. 4926 Proposed Constitutional Amendment for Business Personal Property Tax Exemption Rep. Pace

H. 4926, a joint resolution, would propose an amendment to South Carolina’s Constitution to expand the exemption from ad valorem taxation to include business personal property.

H. 4971 Transfer of Shorter Roads from the State Highway System to Counties Rep. Pace

H. 4971 would establish requirements for the Department of Transportation to transfer ownership of all roads that are one half mile or less to the county in which it is located by December 31, 2028. Roads transferred to counties must be maintained by the county in which it is located, meet the state highway maintenance standards, and remain in a state of good repair. SCDOT is required to transfer sufficient funds to a county that receives additional roads to maintain. The legislation removes a requirement that at least twenty‑five percent of a county’s apportionment of “C” funds be expended on the state highway system for construction, improvements, and maintenance.

Index

automated teller machine (ATM), 8

ballot referendum re Judicial Merit Selection Commission (H. 4930), 7

bank or financial institution, 8

campaign contribution limits, 7

cancer chemotherapy treatment, 8

China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, 8

Chinese Communist Party, 8

country designated as a security threat, 8

data centers (H. 4925), 9

Delivery of Government Efficiency Commission, 9

Department of Environmental Services, 8

Department of Public Health, 8

Department of Social Services, 6

Department of Transportation, 10

detention facilities, 7

domestic violence offenses

persistent offender registry (H. 4927), 6

expungement of one unlawful gun possession, 4

fees, 8

firearms, 7

foreign adversaries

prohibition on critical infrastructure contracts with (H. 4973), 8

forestry, 5

Freedom of Information Act

exemptions regarding N.I.L. (H. 4902), 4

General Assembly Member Salary Commission, 9

Governor, 7

H. 3115, 4

H. 3431, 4

H. 4666, 7

H. 4902, 4

H. 4924, 9

H. 4925, 9

H. 4926, 9

H. 4927, 6

H. 4928, 8

H. 4929, 5

H. 4930, 7

H. 4962, 5

H. 4965, 7

H. 4966, 5

H. 4967, 7

H. 4968, 8

H. 4969, 7

H. 4970, 7

H. 4971, 10

H. 4972, 8

H. 4973, 8

H. 4974, 8

H. 4975, 6

health insurance policy, 8

infants, 6

inmate welfare reports (H. 4967), 7

Judicial Merit Selection Commission, 7

limiting minors’ ability to be social media account holders (H. 3431), 4

Naegleria fowleri (a.k.a. as the, 5

Naegleria fowleri (H. 4928), 8

Name, Image, and Likeness, 4

People's Republic of China, 8

People's Republic of China and Chinese Communist Party

may not own, lease, possess, or exercise any control over any land or real estate located within twenty-five miles of a state or federal military base or installation for the purpose of installing or erecting any type of telecommunications or broadcasting tower (H. 4974), 8

Persistent Criminal Domestic Violence Offender Registry, 6

primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) (H. 4928), 8

Probate Court Judges

age requirements (H. 4965), 7

rain-eating amoeba (H. 4929), 5

Renee Good Day (H. 4975), 6

Rep. Bannister, 9

Rep. Cox, 5

Rep. Gilliam, 8

Rep. Gilliard, 5, 7, 8

Rep. Johnson, J. L., 5, 8

Rep. Jones, 7

Rep. Jordan, 7

Rep. King, 6

Rep. Mitchell, C., 7

Rep. Oremus, 6

Rep. Pace, 9, 10

Rep. Spann-Wilder, 8

Rep. Taylor, 9

roads (H. 4971), 10

Robert Smalls Monument (H. 4962), 5

S. 121, 6

S. 318, 9

S.136, 4

safe havens for infants (S. 121), 6

safety barriers on highway bridges, 5

salary range for the members of the General Assembly

study to be conducted every four years to recommend a salary range for the members of the General Assembly based on their job duties and responsibilities (H. 4924), 9

scalp cooling therapy (H. 4972), 8

Sen. Garrett, 6

Sen. Goldfinch, 9

South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Act of 2024, 4

South Carolina’s Constitution, amendment to (H. 4926), 9

State Constitution, 7

state government

comprehensive survey of the structure and funding of (S. 318), 9

State Law Enforcement Division [SLED], 6

taxes

ad valorem taxation

business personal property (H. 4926), 9

sales tax exemption, 9

tenants, 7

transfer ownership of all roads, 10

veteran housing priority zones (H. 4666), 7