Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Amended

May 6, 2026

 

H. 5069

 

Introduced by Reps. T. Moore, Bradley, Wooten, Brittain, Bernstein, Holman, Ford, Wetmore, Stavrinakis, B. Newton, Rivers, Anderson, Kirby, McDaniel, Caskey, Erickson, Reese, Chapman, Govan, Yow, Bustos, Martin, Sessions, Gatch, M. M. Smith, D. Mitchell, Guest, Neese, Pedalino, Bauer, W. Newton, Gilreath, Gilliam, Luck, Pope, Ligon, Cox, J. L. Johnson, Guffey, Bowers, Jordan, Collins, Duncan, Teeple, Lawson, Sanders, Montgomery, Ballentine, Brewer, Gagnon, Haddon, Hartnett, Hartz, Herbkersman, Hiott, Hixon, Jones, Lowe, Robbins, Cromer, Oremus, Davis, Gilliard, Gibson and McCravy

 

S. Printed 5/6/26--S.                                                                             [SEC 5/7/2026 11:23 AM]

Read the first time April 15, 2026

 

________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 61 TO TITLE 48 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE "SOUTH CAROLINA PROTECTED LANDS AND CONSERVATION COORDINATION ACT"; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS; TO RECOGNIZE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AS AN IMPORTANT STATE INTEREST; TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE PROTECTED LAND BENCHMARK; AND TO PROVIDE FOR COORDINATION OF LAND PROTECTION PROJECTS AND ANNUAL REPORTING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

    Amend Title To Conform

    Amend Title To Conform

 

Whereas, South Carolina's natural resources, including forests, farmlands, wetlands, wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal areas, are vital to the State's environmental health, economic vitality, agricultural productivity, and quality of life; and

 

Whereas, continued growth and rapid land development in South Carolina place increasing pressure on natural resource preservation and have affected the health of the State's streams, rivers, wetlands, water quality, wildlife habitats, and working lands, all of which impact the quality of life of the state's current and future citizens; and

 

Whereas, conservation of these resources is achieved through a combination of public and private efforts, voluntary landowner participation, agency programs, and local initiatives; and

 

Whereas, coordination among state agencies promotes the efficient use of public funds and strengthens conservation outcomes while respecting private property rights; and

 

Whereas, voluntary conservation easements on private lands provide a cost-effective means of protecting working lands and natural resources and are an important tool for advancing landscape-scale conservation across the State. Now, therefore:

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  This act may be cited as the "South Carolina Protected Lands and Conservation Coordination Act."

 

SECTION 2.  Title 48 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

CHAPTER 61

 

South Carolina Protected Lands and Conservation Coordination Act

 

    Section 48-61-110. It is the policy of this State to recognize the conservation of natural resources as an important state interest and to encourage resource agencies, consistent with their statutory authority and missions, to support conservation through planning, grant program administration, land management, voluntary landowner partnerships, and activities that contribute to the establishment of protected land. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to authorize the regulation of private property beyond statutory authority, require the acquisition of private land, or diminish private property rights.

 

    Section 48-61-120. (A) The General Assembly recognizes that approximately three million four hundred thousand acres of land in this State are currently protected through conservation easements, public ownership, and other legally enforceable conservation mechanisms.

    (B) It is the long-range goal of the State to increase protected land to seven million acres by the year 2050, representing roughly one third of the state's land area. This benchmark is intended solely for purposes of long-term planning, performance measurement, and evaluation of conservation trends and does not create a legal requirement, mandate, or entitlement.

    (C) Progress toward the benchmark described in subsection (B) shall be measured based on acres of protected land established or enhanced through voluntary conservation mechanisms and within statutory authority and available resources.

    (D) Nothing in this section may be construed to require the acquisition of private land or interests in land, authorize regulatory restrictions on private property beyond the law, or obligate the General Assembly to appropriate funds.

 

SECTION 3.  If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this act, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this act, and each and every section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.

 

SECTION 4.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----