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A176, R155, S830
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senator Alexander
Document Path: SR-0487KM26.docx
Introduced in the Senate on January 20, 2026
Introduced in the House on March 31, 2026
Currently residing in the House
Governor's Action: May 18, 2026, Signed
Summary: Automobile Insurance Issuance
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
| Date | Body | Action Description with journal page number |
|---|---|---|
| 1/20/2026 | Senate | Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 5) |
| 1/20/2026 | Senate | Referred to Committee on Banking and Insurance (Senate Journal-page 5) |
| 3/12/2026 | Senate | Committee report: Favorable Banking and Insurance (Senate Journal-page 9) |
| 3/25/2026 | Senate | Read second time (Senate Journal-page 25) |
| 3/25/2026 | Senate | Roll call Ayes-43 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 25) |
| 3/26/2026 | Senate | Read third time and sent to House (Senate Journal-page 18) |
| 3/31/2026 | House | Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 244) |
| 3/31/2026 | House | Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry (House Journal-page 244) |
| 4/30/2026 | House | Committee report: Favorable Labor, Commerce and Industry (House Journal-page 7) |
| 5/5/2026 | House | Debate adjourned until Wed., 5-6-26 (House Journal-page 38) |
| 5/6/2026 | House | Debate adjourned |
| 5/7/2026 | House | Read second time (House Journal-page 75) |
| 5/7/2026 | House | Roll call Yeas-96 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 76) |
| 5/7/2026 | House | Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day (House Journal-page 77) |
| 5/8/2026 | House | Read third time and enrolled (House Journal-page 3) |
| 5/14/2026 | Ratified R 155 | |
| 5/18/2026 | Signed By Governor | |
| 5/27/2026 | Effective date 05/18/26 | |
| 5/27/2026 | Act No. 176 |
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
01/20/2026
03/12/2026
04/30/2026
NOTE: THIS IS A TEMPORARY VERSION. THIS DOCUMENT WILL REMAIN IN THIS VERSION UNTIL FINAL APPROVAL BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
(A176, R155, S830)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 38-77-122, RELATING TO INSURERS AND AGENTS PROHIBITED FROM REFUSING TO ISSUE AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE POLICIES DUE TO CERTAIN FACTORS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT INSURERS CAN LIMIT THE ISSUANCE OF INSURANCE TO MEMBERS OF PARTICULAR NONPROFIT MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Insurers and agents prohibited from refusing to issue automobile insurance policies due to certain factors
SECTION 1. Section 38-77-122(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:
(A)(1) No insurer or agent shall refuse to issue an automobile insurance policy as defined in Section 38-77-30 because of any one or more of the following factors: the age, sex, location of residence in this State, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, or income level. No insurer or agent shall refuse to issue an automobile insurance policy as defined in Section 38-77-30 solely because of any one of the following factors: the previous refusal of automobile insurance by another insurer, prior purchase of insurance through the Associated Auto Insurers Plan, or lawful occupation, including the military service, of the person seeking the coverage.
Nothing in this section prohibits any insurer from limiting the issuance of motor vehicle insurance policies only to persons engaging in or who have engaged in a particular profession or occupation, or who are members of a particular religious sect, or members of a nonprofit member organization.
(2) Nothing in this section prohibits any insurer from setting rates in accordance with relevant actuarial data.
Time effective
SECTION 2. 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 2, 2026 at 11:22 AM