Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Amendment Adopted

April 28, 2026

 

S. 872

 

Introduced by Senators Goldfinch, Climer, Zell and Garrett

 

S. Printed 4/28/26--S.

Read the first time January 29, 2026

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-80, RELATING TO AN APPLICATION FOR A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR PERMIT, SO AS TO REQUIRE APPLICANTS TO PROVIDE PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP OR LEGAL STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE APPLICANT IS NOT A CITIZEN, THEN THE DRIVER'S LICENSE MUST CONTAIN A "NC" DESIGNATION INDICATING THAT THE LICENSEE IS A NON-US CITIZEN; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-3350, RELATING TO ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL IDENTIFICATION CARDS, SO AS TO REQUIRE APPLICANTS TO PROVIDE PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP OR LEGAL STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE APPLICANT IS NOT A CITIZEN, THEN THE IDENTIFICATION CARD MUST CONTAIN A "NC" DESIGNATION INDICATING THAT THE HOLDER OF THE IDENTIFICATION CARD IS A NON-US CITIZEN; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 7-13-710, RELATING TO PROOF OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A SOUTH CAROLINA DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD WITH A "NC" DESIGNATION CANNOT BE USED TO VOTE.

    Amend Title To Conform

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 56-1-140(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (A) Upon payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars for a license that is valid for eight years, the department shall issue to every qualified applicant a driver's license as applied for by law.  The license must bear on it a distinguishing number assigned to the licensee, the full name, date of birth, residence address, a brief description and unobstructed photograph of the licensee's face, any marking otherwise required or in compliance with law, and a facsimile of the signature of the licensee.  No license is valid until it has been so signed by the licensee. Qualified applicants who are not citizens of the United States must have "Limited Term" conspicuously included on the driver's licenses or identification cards issued to them. The license authorizes the licensee to operate only those classifications of vehicles as indicated on the license.

 

SECTION 2.  Section 7-13-710(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (A) When a person presents himself to vote, he shall produce a valid and current:

       (1) South Carolina driver's license that does not contain the words "Limited Term";  or

       (2) other form of identification containing a photograph issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles that does not contain the words "Limited Term";  or

       (3) passport;  or

       (4) military identification containing a photograph issued by the federal government;  or

       (5) South Carolina voter registration card containing a photograph of the voter pursuant to Section 7-5-675.

 

SECTION 3.  Chapter 1, Title 56 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 56-1-235.  Whenever any person becomes a citizen of the United States after previously providing the Department of Motor Vehicles with documentation that he was not a citizen of the United States, such person shall notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of the change and provide documentation substantiating his citizenship status. The Department of Motor Vehicles must provide one driver's license or identification card at no charge reflecting the applicable change. Subsequent modified cards are at the expense of the person for the same fee provided in Section 56-1-200 or Section 56-1-3350.

 

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

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