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A163, R130, S150
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senators Blackmon and Graham
Document Path: SMIN-0023MW25.docx
Introduced in the Senate on January 14, 2025
Introduced in the House on April 2, 2025
Last Amended on April 29, 2026
Currently residing in the Senate
Governor's Action: May 18, 2026, Signed
Summary: Rental Kart Age Act
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
| Date | Body | Action Description with journal page number |
|---|---|---|
| 12/11/2024 | Senate | Prefiled |
| 12/11/2024 | Senate | Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry |
| 1/14/2025 | Senate | Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 99) |
| 1/14/2025 | Senate | Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry (Senate Journal-page 99) |
| 3/13/2025 | Senate | Committee report: Favorable with amendment Labor, Commerce and Industry (Senate Journal-page 8) |
| 3/19/2025 | Scrivener's error corrected | |
| 3/19/2025 | Senate | Committee Amendment Adopted (Senate Journal-page 17) |
| 3/19/2025 | Senate | Read second time (Senate Journal-page 17) |
| 3/19/2025 | Senate | Roll call Ayes-41 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 17) |
| 3/27/2025 | Senate | Read third time and sent to House (Senate Journal-page 10) |
| 4/2/2025 | House | Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 10) |
| 4/2/2025 | House | Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry (House Journal-page 10) |
| 4/22/2026 | House | Committee report: Favorable with amendment Labor, Commerce and Industry (House Journal-page 6) |
| 4/28/2026 | House | Debate adjourned (House Journal-page 21) |
| 4/29/2026 | House | Amended (House Journal-page 203) |
| 4/29/2026 | House | Read second time (House Journal-page 203) |
| 4/29/2026 | House | Roll call Yeas-108 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 204) |
| 4/30/2026 | House | Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments (House Journal-page 17) |
| 5/5/2026 | Senate | Concurred in House amendment and enrolled (Senate Journal-page 71) |
| 5/14/2026 | Ratified R 130 | |
| 5/18/2026 | Signed By Governor | |
| 5/27/2026 | Effective date 05/18/26 | |
| 5/27/2026 | Act No. 163 |
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
12/11/2024
03/13/2025
03/19/2025
03/19/2025-A
04/22/2026
04/29/2026
NOTE: THIS IS A TEMPORARY VERSION. THIS DOCUMENT WILL REMAIN IN THIS VERSION UNTIL FINAL APPROVAL BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
(A163, R130, S150)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA RENTAL KART AGE ACT" BY AMENDING SECTION 41-18-30, RELATING TO APPLICABILITY AND EXCEPTIONS FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA AMUSEMENT RIDES SAFETY CODE, SO AS TO REVISE REQUIREMENTS FOR PEOPLE OPERATING RENTAL KARTS, TO PROVIDE RENTAL KARTS OPERATED BY PEOPLE UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS AND ROLLOVER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, TO REVISE MANDATORY SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS, AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 41-18-40, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA AMUSEMENT PARK RIDES SAFETY CODE, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Citation
SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "South Carolina Rental Kart Age Act."
Rental kart operation and safety requirements
SECTION 2. Section 41-18-30(D) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:
(D) This chapter applies to concession go-karts. This chapter does not apply to rental karts, provided that:
(1) An individual is allowed to operate a rental kart only if they:
(a) are eighteen years of age or older; or
(b) are fifteen years of age or older and hold a valid driver's license or permit.
(2) No person shall operate a rental kart in any establishment where other amusement devices are located or operated. Establishments offering rental karts must not share an entrance or exit with any other establishment offering an amusement device and must charge a separate fee for operating rental karts.
(3) A sign shall be on display on the premises where rental karts are operated stating: "Rental karts are not amusement devices regulated by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Rental karts may not reach speeds in excess of fifty miles per hour. Drive at your own risk."
(4) The owner of a rental kart must carry an insurance policy in an amount not less than one million dollars per occurrence against liability for injury to persons or property arising out of the operation or use of such device.
(5) Rental karts operated by persons under eighteen years of age must be equipped with an occupant restraint system and a rollover protection system.
Definitions
SECTION 3. Section 41-18-40(15) and (16) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:
(15)(a) "Concession go-kart" means an amusement ride or device that:
(i) is a single vehicle, unattached to other vehicles or a common frame system;
(ii) is powered without connection to a common energy source;
(iii) is driver-controlled with respect to acceleration, speed, braking, and steering;
(iv) operates within the containment system of a defined track;
(v) simulates competitive motor sports; and
(vi) is used by members of the general public for a fee.
(b) A concession go-kart has a maximum capacity of two persons and no cargo capacity.
(16) "Rental kart" means an open-wheel motorsport vehicle, with or without gearbox or shifter capability, used for racing not in excess of fifty miles per hour. Rental kart does not mean "concession go-kart" as defined by this section.
Time effective
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Ratified the 14th day of May, 2026.
Approved the 18th day of May, 2026.
This web page was last updated on June 15, 2026 at 11:46 AM