NO. 69

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 1:00 p.m.

Deliberations were opened with prayer by Rev. Jeff Lingerfelt as follows:

Our thought for today is from Psalm 67:1-2: "God be gracious to us and bless us and cause Your face to shine upon us--that Your way may be known on the earth, and Your salvation among all the nations."

Let us pray. O Lord, our God and loving Father: How gracious You have been to us and this great State! We come boldly this day, because we are needy creatures and totally dependent upon You. The Psalmist reminds us that your salvation is for all the nations. May we be glad and praise You with great joy! For You will judge the peoples of all nations with Your righteous judgments. Guide this Nation, this State, and this Assembly with Your good providential hand, all the while reminding us that we are only one heartbeat away from eternity! Help us, so that we may be pleasing to You this day in all our deliberations. For You are our Great and Glorious God and loving Father. Amen.

Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by the SPEAKER.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of August 11, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.

Rep. COBB-HUNTER moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of James "Jim" Roquemore, which was agreed to.

James Winston Roquemore was born in Lakeland, Georgia, son of the late William Alexander Roquemore and Nell Patten Roquemore. Roquemore's great-grandfather started Patten Seed in 1883. One hundred years later, Roquemore moved to Orangeburg to join the family business. In 1997, Roquemore assumed the helm of the company and served with distinction as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Patten Seed Company, widely known by its tradename, Super-Sod. Under his visionary guidance and leadership, the company expanded from its roots as a small general store to become one of the premier producers of turfgrass sod and seed. During his brilliant career, Roquemore was the recipient of numerous accolades, including the state's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto. He was inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame, named Orangeburg Citizen of the Year, was a major supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and received the Silver Beaver Award and District Merit Award. A man of profound faith, his greatest accomplishment was his walk with Christ. The people of South Carolina were made better by the life and labors of Jim Roquemore. His dedication to his family, his agricultural business acumen, and his community service will not soon be forgotten.

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter

Rep. FRANK raised the Point of Order that the House Journal of August 11, 2026, was incorrect. He stated that the Journal incorrectly reflected that the House had adjourned to the call of the chair when the House had actually adjourned. He asked that the Journal be corrected.

The SPEAKER overruled Rep. FRANK's Point of Order. The SPEAKER stated that Rep. COBB-HUNTER had made the motion to adjourn subject to the call of the chair. He stated that the Clerk had confirmed with Rep. COBB-HUNTER that she was moving to adjourn subject to the call of the chair. The SPEAKER stated that he remembered Rep. COBB-HUNTER making the motion to adjourn subject to the call of the chair, but that he may have failed to state it accurately. He further stated that regardless of how the motion was stated in the House Journal, the result, pursuant to House Rules and Precedents, was that the House would reconvene at the call of the Speaker. He stated that Rep. FRANK's distinction in the phrasing did not result in a different result. The SPEAKER overruled the Point of Order, stated the House Journal did not need correction, and denied the request.

The House stood in silent prayer for the family and friends of Kalina "Kat" Trent.

The House stood in silent prayer for the family and friends of Dolly Parton.

The following was received:

Columbia, S.C., August 25, 2026

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:

The Senate respectfully invites your Honorable Body to attend in the Senate Chamber at a mutually convenient time for the purpose of ratifying Acts.

Very respectfully,

President

On motion of Rep. FORREST the invitation was accepted.

The SPEAKER ordered the following Veto printed in the Journal:

August 17, 2026

The Honorable G. Murrell Smith

Speaker of the House

State House, Second Floor

Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Mr. Speaker and Members of the General Assembly:

I am vetoing and returning without my approval certain line items in R276, H. 5126 (Word version), the Fiscal Year 2026-27 General Appropriations Act.

This is the tenth budget that the General Assembly has passed while I have served as Governor, and it will be the last. This budget shows the great progress that South Carolina has made over this decade and demonstrates what is possible when we cooperate, communicate, and collaborate to serve the people of this great State. That partnership is reflected by the General Assembly including or incorporating 92% of the proposals from my Executive Budget into this year's Appropriations Act.

South Carolina's economy is strong. Employers are creating new jobs, entrepreneurs are opening new businesses, and companies are investing here. Since 2017, we have announced over $56 billion in new capital investment and more than 103,000 new jobs from that investment in South Carolina. In 2025 alone, we announced over $9.1 billion in new capital investment and more than 8,100 new jobs in both rural and urban parts of our State. Today, 83% of our prime-age workforce, individuals between the ages of 25 and 54, are employed or seeking employment, which is the highest in the southeast. This strength allows the State to invest in our future while also cutting taxes.

The cuts to individual income taxes are substantial. In 2017 the top marginal individual income tax rate in South Carolina was 7%. Prior to this year, we had lowered that rate to 6%. This year we lowered the top rate further, from 6% to 5.21% with passage of Act 110 of 2026. Since 2022, South Carolina has eliminated $3.72 billion in individual income taxes, allowing taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned money.

This budget also provides additional property tax relief to homeowners who are 65 years of age or older, who are totally and permanently disabled, or who are legally blind by increasing the Homestead Exemption from $50,000 to $75,000.

Even with these tax savings, the Appropriations Act continues meaningful investments in South Carolina's future. Nowhere is that investment more apparent than in education. I have made raising teacher pay a priority, and working together, we have now fulfilled my pledge to pay every starting teacher 'at least $50,000. Eight years ago, the minimum starting salary of a teacher in South Carolina was $30,113, and the average starting salary of a teacher in South Carolina was ranked 47th in the country. Last year, the minimum starting salary of a teacher was $48,500, and the average slatting salary of a teacher in South Carolina was ranked 22nd in the country. This school year, the minimum starting salary of a teacher is $50,500, and our State's ranking will improve more.

But it is not only salaries for new teachers. As the teacher starting salary increases, so do the wages for all teachers. Last year's average teacher salary in South Carolina was $64,050, exceeding the southeastern average. This budget increases every step in the teacher salary schedule by $2,000.

Teachers are receiving higher salaries and teaching our children in safer schools. At my request, the General Assembly began funding a school resource officer (SRO) grant program administered by the Department of Public Safety for public schools that did not have an assigned SRO. These law enforcement officers stand on the front lines to keep children safe so that they can learn and grow. In school year 2018-19 there were 406 full-time SROs. In school year 2025-26 there were 1,181 SROs. This year's budget continues critical funding for this program.

In addition to increasing teacher pay and funding SROs, we have found other ways to improve education for our children. One way is full-day four-year-old kindergarten. In 2021, I proposed funding for the statewide expansion of the full-day four-year-old kindergarten program, and the General Assembly agreed. This budget adopts my recommendation to expand the program in private providers where there are slots available to children whose annual family income is 300% or less of the federal poverty guidelines. This is a big win for children because a child in poverty who participates in the full-day four-year-old kindergarten program offered in a public school, private childcare center, or private school is more likely to be ready for kindergarten than a peer who does not participate.

Another improvement in education is giving parents more choices for how they educate their. children. This budget once again provides funds for the Education Scholarship Trust Fund. These funds will allow parents of up to 15,000 students to choose the type of educational environment and instruction that best suits their child's unique needs.

Education does not stop with high school graduation, and every South Carolinian must have affordable access to a college, university, or technical college. One way we have done that is freezing college and university tuition for in-state resident students. This year's budget marks the seventh consecutive year that the General Assembly has agreed with my proposal to freeze in-state college tuition. Other ways that we continue making education affordable is allocating $80 million in lottery revenues for need-based grants and $20 million in lottery revenues for the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program, which is financial aid to students attending our State's private, independent, and historically black colleges and universities.

We also found a new way to make higher education more affordable this year. I proposed, and this budget includes, $18.7 million in lottery revenues for the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund, a new need-based college scholarship. These lottery revenues will help leverage private donations to provide a $10,000 annual college scholarship for academically prepared, Pell Grant eligible, in-state students to attend an eligible South Carolina college or university.

To address the high demand for skills, training, and knowledge, this budget once again provides $95 million for the South Carolina Workforce Industry Needs Scholarships (SC WINS) program at our State's technical colleges. Started in 2020, this program has provided more than 150,000 South Carolinians with a post-secondary or industry credential in high-demand careers like manufacturing, nursing, computer science, information technology, transportation, logistics, and construction. Developing a workforce with these sldlls is critical to South Carolina's continued prosperity.

In addition to education, the Appropriations Act demonstrates the State's commitment to the environment. South Carolina is the most beautiful State in the country, from the mountains in the Upstate to the marshes and beaches in the Lowcountry. We must protect our natural resources for future generations. Since 2017, we have preserved almost 400,000 acres of historically or environmentally significant lands, including the State's largest conservation easement in history, which last year permanently protected 62,000 acres in the Pee Dee. This is a great start, and we must continue protecting our State's precious resources. To that end, this budget provides $88 million for the preservation and conservation of historic, pristine, or significant properties across the State, and an additional $7.5 million for statewide mitigation projects.

Given our thriving economy, improvements in education, and progress in preserving our natural resources, it should be no surprise that people from across the country are moving to South Carolina at a faster rate than to any other State. After all, we know that South Carolina is the best place to live, work, and raise a family. With that growth, however, comes challenges.

As the population of South Carolina increases, our roads, bridges, highways, and interstates must keep pace with the demand that we place on them. We have made tremendous progress improving our roadways with major projects under construction in every corner of the State. There are almost $7 billion in active projects underway across the State, up from $2.7 billion in 2017. Much of that progress is a result of four years' worth of state appropriations totaling $1.4 billion for new construction and improvements to state-owned roads, bridges, highways, and interstates. This budget includes an additional $377 million for roads and bridges.

Population growth also puts strain on our law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. As a result of a comprehensive analysis of law enforcement pay within state government, South Carolina's law enforcement officers have received substantial pay raises, with minimum starting salaries increasing as much as 73% since 2017. For example, the minimum starting salary of a state trooper was $38,273 in 2017. The projected minimum starting salary for a state trooper in 2026 is $58,508. This budget provides an additional $8.3 million for pay raises, overtime pay, and the hiring of new officers at our state law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. In addition, the budget also includes a proviso to allow a retired member of the Police Officers Retirement System who has been retired for at least ninety consecutive calendar days to be hired and retnrn to employment and earn up to $80,000 annually without affecting the monthly retirement allowance.

This investment in infrastructure and law enforcement is critical, but it will not be enough over the coming years. All essential government services will continue to struggle in the next decade to support and keep up with the population growth in our State. Left unaddressed, South Carolina will face future problems with water and sewer access, traffic congestion, demand for electric power generation, public safety, and healthcare availability. We must plan for this continued growth, and I urge the General Assembly to continue investing wisely so that state government can serve South Carolinians well.

To my colleagues in the General Assembly, I say: The people of South Carolina have benefited from our ongoing cooperation, communication, and collaboration. Thank you for your hard work this year-and for the past ten years.

In that spirit, I ask that you thoughtfully consider and sustain each of the following vetoes:

Veto 1 Adjutant General's Office, Part IA, Section 100, Page 239, Youth Challenge Program, $800,000

On March 15, 2026, the Adjutant General's Office announced that the South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy would close after its final class graduated on June 9, 2026. The program will not be operational in Fiscal Year 2026-27, Although the Education Improvement Act funds expressly appropriated to this program are not included in this budget, the general fund line-item appropriation was not, and the funds were not redirected to another program or purpose. Therefore, I am vetoing this appropriation.

Veto 2 Department of Education, Part IB, Section I, Page 296, Proviso 1.79, SDE: Charter School Management Organizations

Veto 3 Department of Education, Part IB, Section 1, Page 304, Proviso 1.107, SDE: Charter Authorizer Fees

Veto 4 Department of Education, Part IB, Section 1, Page 305, Proviso 1.111, SDE: Charter School Authorizer Contracts

1.79. (SDE: Charter School Management Organizations) A person paid or employed by an Education Management Organization (EMO) or a Charter Management Organization (CMO) shall not be allowed to serve on the board of any charter school sponsored by a public school district, the South Carolina Public Charter School District, or a public or independent institution of higher learning. Any school violating this provision shall have fifty percent of all appropriated state funds withheld until the school becomes compliant withthis provision. A person paid or employed by an EMO or a CMO shall not be allowed to serve on the board of any authorizer's board of a public school district, the South Carolina Public Charter School District, or a public or independent institution of higher learning. Any authorizing board violating this provision shall have fifty percent of all appropriated state funds retained for operations withheld until the authorizer and its board becomes compliant with this provision.

1.107.   (SDE: Charter Authorizer Fees) From the funds appropriated, the South Carlina Public Charter School District and a public or independent institution of higher learning sponsor of a charter school may retain no more than two percent of the total state appropriations/or each charter school it authorizes to cover the costs/or overseeing its charter schools. The sponsor's administrative fee does not include costs incurred in delivering services that a charter school may purchase at its discretion from the sponsor. The sponsor's fee is not applicable to federal money or grants received by the charter school. The sponsor shall use its funding provided pursuant to this proviso exclusively for the purpose of fa/filling sponsor obligations in accordance with applicable charter school law.

1.111. (SDE: Charter School Authorizer Contracts) If a public or independent institution of higher learning charter authorizer ceases operations, any charter school under a current contract with the authorizer may apply to a new authorizer for the remainder of the charter school's contract term. Any charter school with an approved application that has not yet executed a contract as of the effective date of this act may elect to request that a new authorizer consider its application. Of the funds appropriated, the Department of Education shall create a LEA closure protocol to be folly implemented by June 1, 2027 and a timeline for the transfer of any charter schools and the receipt and review of any applications by a new authorizer for this purpose. Schools shall not be required to resubmit a fall application unless the new authorizer specifically identifies an area of concern.

Act 123 of 2026 amended Chapter 40 of Title 59 to strengthen the financial transparency, governance, management, and accountability of charter schools. The law went into effect on May 15, 2026. These three provisos therefore are no longer needed.

Veto 5 Department of Education, Part IB, Section I, Page 304, Proviso 1.108, SDE: Student Physical Privacy

1.108.   (SDE: Student Physical Privacy) (A) For the purposes of this provision:

(1)   "Changing Facility" means a facility in which a person may be in a state of undress in the presence of others, including a locker room, changing room, or shower room.

(2)   "Restroom" means a facility that includes one or more toilets or urinals.

(3)   "Sex" means a person biological sex, either male or female, as objectively determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of birth. Evidence of a persons biological sex includes, but is not limited to, any government-issued ident/fication document that accurately reflects a persons sex as listed on the persons original birth certificate issued at or near the time of birth.

(4)   "Sleeping Quarters" means a room with a bed in which more than one individual is housed overnight.

(B)   A school district supported in part by funds appropriated by this act, shall not permit any public school within the district to use any funds to maintain or operate any restroom or changing facility on its premises that is not in compliance with this provision or facilitate any public-school authorized activity or event involving overnight lodging that is not in compliance with this provision. A school district that violates any portion of this provision shall be penalized twenty-five percent of the funds appropriated by this act that are used to support the school district's operations.

(C)(J) Multi-occupancy public school restrooms and changing facilities shall be designated/or use only by members of one sex. Any public school restrooms and changing facilities that are designated for one sex shall be used only by members of that sex; no person shall enter a restroom or changing facility that is designated/or one sex unless he or she is a member of that sex; and the public school with authority over that building shall take reasonable steps to ensure that all restrooms and changing facilities provide its users with privacy from members of the opposite sex. The provisions in this item do not apply: (a) to custodial or maintenance work when the restroom or changing facility is not being used or otherwise occupied by a member of the opposite sex; (b) to a person or people rendering medical assistance; and (c) during a natural disaster, emergency, or when use of the restroom or changing facility is necessary to prevent a serious threat to good order or student safety.

(2)   During any public-school authorized activity or event where students share overnight lodging, no student shall share a sleeping quarter or multi-occupancy restroom with a member of the opposite sex, unless such persons are members of the same family, such as a parent, legal guardian, sibling, or grandparent.

(3)   In any other public-school facility or setting where a person may be in a state of undress in the presence of others, school personnel shall provide separate, private areas designated for use by persons based on their sex, and no person shall enter these private areas unless he or she is a member of the designated sex.

(D) Nothing in this proviso may be construed to prohibit schools from adopting policies necessary to accommodate disabled persons or young children in need of physical assistance when using restrooms or changing facilities.

Act 152 of 2026, the South Carolina Student Physical Privacy Act, went into effect on May 15, 2026. This proviso therefore is no longer needed.

Veto 6 Department of Education, Part IB, Section 1, Page 305, Proviso 1.110, SDE: Assessments and Final Grade Determination

1.110. (SDE: Assessments and Final Grade Determination) For Fiscal Year 2026-27, no school district receiving funds pursuant to Section I of the Appropriations Act may require the inclusion of student performance on any district-selected benchmark assessment in calculating a student's final grade in any course or subject. District-selected benchmark assessments may only be used as formative assessments for informing instructional purposes and shall not factor into a student's course grade unless the assessment is developed or directly approved by the course instructor and exclusively measures content that has previously been taught in the course. Any school district found in violation of this provision may be subject to corrective action, including a reduction in state funding allocations as determined by the department. These provisions do not apply to End of Course assessments.

Act 204 of 2026, which prohibits the use of formative or benchmark assessments in determining a student's final grade in a course or subject, went into effect on July 1, 2026. This proviso therefore is no longer needed.

Veto 7 Department of Education, Part IB, Section 1A, Page 322, Proviso lA.34. SDE-EIA: STEM Centers SC

lA.34.(SDE-ElA: STEM Centers SC) All EIA-funded entities that provide professional development and science programming to teachers and students should be included in the state 's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education strategic plan.

Act 142 of 2026, the South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act, went into effect on May 15, 2026. This proviso therefore is no longer needed.

Veto 8 Department of Education, Part IB, Section lA, Page 329, Proviso lA.53. SDE-EIA: Educator Preparation Provider

JA.53.(SDE-EIA: Educator Preparation Provider) Of the funds carried forward from the prior fiscal year, the department is authorized to use up to $300,000 to develop a data system to house post-certification data and employment for Education Preparation Provider (EPP) completers in accordance with S.C. Code Reg. 43-90. The system must provide the department with the ability to collect, store, and disseminate data elements needed for national accreditation of providers. Such data shall be exempted from disclosure under Section 30-4-40 of the 1976 Code, the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.

The funds previously appropriated for this initiative have been expended. The proviso therefore is no longer needed.

Veto 9 Department of Education, Part IB, Section lA, Page 334, Proviso lA.69. SDE-EIA: High-Dosage Tutoring

lA.69. (SDE-EIA: High-Dosage Tutoring) (A) The Department of Education is authorized to provide funds to school districts and community partners in the current fiscal year for academic support programs providing high-dosage, low-ratio tutoring to students in mathematics and reading by compensated tutors.

(BJ The Department of Education shall prioritize available funding for academic support program applications that include Local Education Agencies (LEA) or local funding matches, LEA capacity for successful program implementation, or a large proportion of students needing priority placement within an academic support program. Of the funds appropriated, at least 95% shall be distributed as grants to participating LEAs and public charter schools and shall not be combined with any other state or federal grant program.

(C)   The Department of Education may collaborate with community partners to implement and conduct academic support programs. Academic support program partners shall comply with personnel criminal history checks and any applicable building safety standards. The Department of Education shall issue a solicitation for education service providers to be included on a qualified provider list. For the current school year, this solicitation shall be published by August; provider applications shall be submitted by September 1; and provider approval notices shall be issued by October 1.

(D)   The Department of Education shall issue a grant application for LEAs and public charter schools. For the current school year, this application shall be published by September 15 but not before September 1; grant applications shall be submitted by October 15; and grant awards shall be issued by November 15. Grantees may carry forward unexpended funds from the prior fiscal year into the current fiscal year.

(E)   At a minimum, eligible academic support programs shall include tutoring sessions totaling one and a half hours per week. Tutoring sessions should be scheduled at least twice weekly for forty-five minutes. Tutoring sessions shall be held in small group settings of no more than three students per tutor but may occur within or outside the regular school day. Students scoring, or expected to achieve, Does Not Meet Expectations on the statewide summative assessment should be given priority placement within the academic support program.

(F)   The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Education Oversight Committee, shall prepare a report on the effectiveness of the academic support programs for the Governor and General Assembly. Participating LEAs and public charter schools shall submit data as requested by the Department of Education including, but not limited to, student enrollment, attendance, and student pre-/post-test scores from a state-approved formative assessment or high school content assessment.

The funds previously appropriated for this initiative have been expended. The proviso therefore is no longer needed.

Veto 10 Department on Aging, Part IB, Section 40, Page 393, Proviso 40.12., AGING: Grant Forgiveness.

40.12. (AGING: Grant Forgiveness) The Senior Center Permanent Improvement Grant awarded to the Town of Pacolet in 2013 for the renovation of the Pacolet Mill Cloth Room is hereby forgiven.

In 2013, the Town of Pacolet received a Senior Center Permanent Improvement Grant in the amount of $350,000 from the South Carolina Department on Aging to renovate the Cloth Room, where seniors would receive services. The Town of Pacolet received the funds, but the project was not completed, and the funds were misappropriated. The proviso would exempt the Town of Pacolet from the terms of the original award, which include repaying the loan to the Department on Aging. I am vetoing the proviso because it creates a bad precedent that a local government entity that fails to comply with the terms of a state grant award can have the terms of the award waived through a proviso in the state budget.

Veto 11 Part IB, Section 92D, Page 469, Proviso 92D.6., SCOR: Flood Planning and Warning Solution, Paragraph B.

92D.6.   (SCOR: Flood Planning and Warning Solution)

(B) For the current fiscal year, any funds appropriated to the Office of Resilience for the purpose of procuring and implementing a Flood Planning and Warning Solution are exempt from the requirements of Proviso 117.194.

All state agencies procuring and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) solutions must be reviewed and coordinated through the AI Center of Excellence. I am vetoing this paragraph that creates an exemption for a significant AI-enabled project.

Veto 12 General Provisions, Part IB, Section 117, Page 569, Proviso 117.207, Scout Motor Site Cost Review, Paragraph F

117.207. (GP: Scout Motor Site Cost Review)

(F) A joint written report shall be delivered to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairmen of Senate Finance and House Ways and Means, the Governor, and the Attorney General within 120 days of the effective date of this act. No fonds shall be expended to satisfy the $150 million request until the report has been delivered and the General Assembly has enacted specific authorizing legislation approving the expenditure of such fonds outside of the annual Appropriations Act.

Act 3 of 2023 appropriated surplus state revenues to the Department of Commerce for Project Connect "to undertake construction of infrastructure and to make other improvements that promote or improve State readiness for further economic development." By law, the funds must be used for purposes such as land acquisition, site improvements, mitigation, soil stabilization, anti water and wastewater infrastructure for the Scout Motors site.

In January 2025, the Department of Commerce notified leadership in the General Assembly of the cost overruns associated with the project. And during this legislative session, the Department of Commerce testified on numerous occasions before the House Ways and Means Committee and to the Senate Finance Committee about the overruns that have been experienced.

In this budget, the General Assembly appropriated excess debt service funds to be made available to the Department of Natural Resources for the cost of mitigation work at the Scout Motors manufacturing site and to the Department of Transportation for road work associated with the Scout Motors manufacturing site. But under paragraph F of proviso 117.207, these funds cannot be expended until the Legislative Audit Council submits a review of the cost overruns associated

with the project to the General Assembly and the General Assembly enacts legislation approving the expenditure of such funds.

The State of South Carolina must pay its bills, including debt owed to contractors and vendors who have completed work at the Scout Motors site. For work that has been done, the bills should be paid now. When invoices are submitted for completed work, the bill must be paid. Delaying payment until sometime in the 2027 legislative session will severely damage South Carolina's pro-business environment and would likely result in avoidable litigation.

Veto 13 General Provisions, Part IB, Section 117, Page 574, Proviso 117.226, Authorizations for Excess Expenditures

117.226. (GP: Authorizations for Excess Expenditures) (A) No agency, department; institution, or other entity shall expend, obligate, or encumber funds in excess of the amounts appropriated or otherwise authorized by the General Assembly, nor shall they amend, modify, extend, or alter any contract in a manner that increases the total cost to the State without expressed authorization. No agency shall incur or approve any cost overrun, budget overage, or expenditure in excess of the amount originally authorized for any program, project, or contract unless such overrun or additional expenditure has been approved by the General Assembly in a subsequent authorization.

(B) Any agency determined to be in violation of this provision shall be subject to a withholding of funds as determined by the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, and such violations shall be reported to the respective committees.

This proviso prohibits any state agency, department, or institution of higher education from expending, obligating or encumbering funds in excess of the amounts appropriated or otherwise authorized by the General Assembly without the express approval of the General Assembly. In addition, no state agency, department, or institution of higher education can amend, modify, extend or alter any contract that would increase the cost to the State of South Carolina without express authorization of the General Assembly.

I support full transparency and accountability for the expenditure of all taxpayer monies, but this proviso may not be necessary and may create unintended consequences.

Currently, state agencies, excluding public institutions of higher education, use the South Carolina Enterprise Information System (SCEIS) to consolidate all financial, procurement, and human resources/payroll records into one central system. SCEIS already prohibits a state agency from committing or expending funds without appropriation.

Consider a few examples of why this proviso is problematic. First, a state agency, department, or institution of higher education would be incentivized to request more state funding from the General Assembly for a project, program, or contract so as not to seek additional legislative authorization in the future. For the Department of Transportation and public colleges and universities that execute large construction contracts requiring change orders due to unforeseen

mitigation issues or supply chain delays, implementing this proviso would increase construction time, resulting in higher construction costs.

Veto 14 Statewide Revenue, Part IB, Section 118, Page 581, Proviso 118.18, American Rescue Plan Act Reauthorizations

118.18. (SR: American Rescue Plan Act Reauthorizations) To ensure the State of South Carolina maximizes the use of federal funds authorized through the American Rescue Plan Act, the Director of the Executive Budget Office is authorized to reallocate any unused authorization in a particular enumerated item in Act 244 of 2022 and Act 6 of 2023 to any of the enumerated items in the aforementioned Acts. Any reauthorizations shall only be done to ensure the state maintains compliance with all current and future obligation and expenditure timelines issued by the United States Department of Treasury. Any reauthorizations made by the Executive Budget Office pursuant to this section shall be reported to the Governor, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Proviso 118.18, which was first included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 General Appropriations Act, directs the Director of the Executive Budget Office to reallocate any unused American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to any items funded pursuant to prior laws enacted by the General Assembly.

Proviso 118.25, which was adopted in this general appropriations bill, authorizes the Director of the Department of Administration to reallocate any unused ARPA funds to any enumerated item approved in prior legislation and for which approved reimbursements exceed the authorization. Proviso 118.25 includes a prioritization list that the Director of the Department of Administration must follow in reallocating these funds. In addition, Proviso 118.25 allows the Rural Infrastructure Authority to exceed $10 million per project or application approved.

Because the language in the two provisos is contradictory, I am vetoing Proviso 118.18.

For the foregoing reasons, I am vetoing and returning without my approval the above provisions in R-276, H.5126, the Fiscal Year 2026-27 General Appropriations Act.

Yours very truly,

Henry McMaster

The following was introduced:

H. 5795 (Word version) -- Reps. Luck, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF KATHERINE LILES, A NATIVE OF MONCKS CORNER, TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5796 (Word version) -- Rep. Rutherford: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF JOSEPH MCCANTS AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5797 (Word version) -- Reps. G. M. Smith, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF JACK J. PARRISH JR. AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5798 (Word version) -- Reps. G. M. Smith, Weeks, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE MARK A. WILLIAMS, OF SUMTER COUNTY, UPON RECEIVING THE INAUGURAL SWAN LAKE SENTINEL AWARD AT THE 2026 SWAN LAKE PREMIERE FILM FESTIVAL.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5799 (Word version) -- Reps. G. M. Smith, Weeks, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF HAROLD RAYMOND WAYNICK JR. OF SUMTER COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5800 (Word version) -- Reps. Kirby, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CELEBRATE THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE ONE HUNDRED SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FRIENDSHIP UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND TO CONGRATULATE AND COMMEND THE REVEREND DR. ERNEST W. FRIERSON AND THE CONGREGATION FOR THEIR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE NESMITH COMMUNITY.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5801 (Word version) -- Rep. McCravy: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE WCRS RADIO UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY, TO COMMEND THE STATION FOR ITS LONGSTANDING SERVICE TO GREENWOOD AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR MANY MORE YEARS OF BROADCASTING AS "THE VOICE OF GREENWOOD."

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5802 (Word version) -- Reps. Ballentine, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE IRMO INSURANCE AGENCY AT THE CELEBRATION OF ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF SERVICE IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO CONGRATULATE THE COMPANY ON A HALF-CENTURY OF SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS ENDEAVORS IN THIS GREAT STATE.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5803 (Word version) -- Reps. Grant, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR ARTISTS USHER RAYMOND AND CHRIS BROWN FOR THEIR MUSICAL CAREERS AND TO WELCOME THEM TO COLUMBIA AND TO THE PALMETTO STATE FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE AT WILLIAMS-BRICE STADIUM.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5804 (Word version) -- Reps. Wooten, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE NIXON WOODS WOOTEN AND OFFER BEST WISHES TO SOPHARVATHDY VANDY VORN UPON THEIR UPCOMING NUPTIALS.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5805 (Word version) -- Reps. Lawson, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BLACKSBURG ON THE OCCASION OF ITS HISTORIC ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR A CENTURY AND A HALF OF SERVICE TO GOD AND THE COMMUNITY.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5806 (Word version) -- Reps. Scott, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CELEBRATE PASTOR SAMMIE D. SIMMONS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS BIRTHDAY, TO RECOGNIZE AUGUST 30, 2026, AS "SAMMIE D. SIMMONS DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO HONOR HIM FOR HIS UNWAVERING DEDICATION, VISIONARY LEADERSHIP, AND STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5807 (Word version) -- Reps. Govan, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF ALICA VAN RENSALIER LEWIS JAMES OF ORANGEBURG AND TO EXTEND DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER LOVING FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5808 (Word version) -- Reps. Cox, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND COMMEND CAPTAIN GREGORY R. "REED" KOEPP II, UNITED STATES NAVY, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE, TO EXPRESS THE DEEPEST GRATITUDE OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND COMMUNITY FOR HIS OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AS COMMANDER OF JOINT BASE LINDSEY GRAHAM, FORMERLY JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, AND TO CELEBRATE HIS INSTRUMENTAL EFFORTS IN BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND CIVILIAN COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA LOWCOUNTRY.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5809 (Word version) -- Reps. Gilliam, Rankin, Willis, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS ON AN OUTSTANDING 2026 SEASON, AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE CLASS AA STATE BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5810 (Word version) -- Reps. Anderson, Hewitt, Alexander, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, SOUTH CAROLINA, AS A DESIGNATED SITE OF THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION ROUTES OF ENSLAVED PEOPLES: RESISTANCE, LIBERTY, AND HERITAGE PROJECT.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5811 (Word version) -- Reps. Brewer, C. Mitchell, Yow, Pedalino, Robbins, Jordan, Atkinson, Kirby, Hayes, W. Newton and Hixon: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO AFFIRM THE SUPPORT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE LAWFUL AND RESPONSIBLE TRADITION OF HUNTING DEER WITH DOGS; TO RECOGNIZE AND SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS; TO DECLARE THAT MATERIAL CHANGES TO THE LAWS GOVERNING THE PURSUIT OF DEER WITH DOGS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY ARE MATTERS FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; AND TO CALL UPON THE NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD TO RESPECT THE POLICY CHOICES ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The Resolution was adopted.

The following was introduced:

H. 5812 (Word version) -- Rep. Pace: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER ON THE ADDRESS OF TWO-THIRDS OF EACH HOUSE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PURSUANT TO ARTICLE XV, SECTION 3 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION.

Rep. PACE requested immediate consideration.

Five members objecting to immediate consideration the Resolution was ordered referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

The Senate sent to the House the following:

S. 1231 (Word version) -- Senator Goldfinch: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE SHERIFF CARTER WEAVER FOR BEING NAMED THE 2026 SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION SHERIFF OF THE YEAR AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO GEORGETOWN COUNTY AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered returned to the Senate with concurrence.

The following Bill was introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committee:

H. 5813 (Word version) -- Rep. Pace: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 7 TO CHAPTER 11, TITLE 11 ENTITLED "SOUTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND" SO AS TO CREATE THE FUND, TO SPECIFY THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE FUND MAY BE APPROPRIATED, TO ESTABLISH A PER-DISTRICT ALLOCATION FORMULA, AND TO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATION, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS.

Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

The roll call of the House of Representatives was taken resulting as follows:

Alexander                Anderson                 Atkinson

Bailey                   Ballentine               Bamberg

Bannister                Bauer                    Beach

Bernstein                Bowers                   Bradley

Brewer                   Brittain                 Burns

Bustos                   Calhoon                  Caskey

Chapman                  Chumley                  Clyburn

Cobb-Hunter              Collins                  Crawford

Cromer                   Duncan                   Edgerton

Erickson                 Ford                     Forrest

Frank                    Gagnon                   Garvin

Gibson                   Gilliam                  Gilliard

Gilreath                 Govan                    Grant

Guest                    Guffey                   Haddon

Hager                    Hardee                   Harris

Hart                     Hartnett                 Hartz

Hayes                    Henderson-Myers          Herbkersman

Hewitt                   Hiott                    Hixon

Holman                   Hosey                    Howard

Huff                     J. E. Johnson            J. L. Johnson

Jones                    Jordan                   Kilmartin

King                     Kirby                    Landing

Lastinger                Lawson                   Ligon

Long                     Lowe                     Luck

Magnuson                 Martin                   McCabe

McCravy                  McDaniel                 McGinnis

C. Mitchell              D. Mitchell              J. Moore

T. Moore                 Moss                     Neese

B. Newton                W. Newton                Oremus

Pace                     Pedalino                 Pope

Rankin                   Reese                    Rivers

Robbins                  Rose                     Rutherford

Sanders                  Schuessler               Scott

Sessions                 G. M. Smith              M. M. Smith

Stavrinakis              Taylor                   Teeple

Terribile                Vaughan                  Waters

Weeks                    Whitmire                 Wickensimer

Williams                 Willis                   Wooten

Yow                                               

The SPEAKER granted Rep. WHITE a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. DILLARD a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. WETMORE a leave of absence for the day.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. COX a leave of absence for the day.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. MONTGOMERY a leave of absence for the day.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. MORGAN a leave of absence for the day.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. DAVIS a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. GATCH a leave of absence for the day.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. SPANN-WILDER a leave of absence for the day due to medical reasons.

The Senate Amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration:

H. 3305 (Word version) -- Rep. W. Newton: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 7 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 15 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE "SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC EXPRESSION PROTECTION ACT," REGARDING A CAUSE OF ACTION ASSERTED IN A CIVIL ACTION BASED UPON A PERSON'S COMMUNICATION IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE PROCEEDINGS.

Rep. PACE raised the Rule 4.4 Point of Oder that the Senate's amendments to H. 3305 (Word version) created an Appropriations Bill. He stated that Rule 4.4 required Appropriation Bills to be referred to the Ways & Means Committee and that because H. 3305 (Word version) had originally been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, it was now out of order and must be referred to the Ways & Means Committee.

The SPEAKER stated that Rule 4.4 and referral of Appropriation Bills applied only when bills were first being introduced in the House and referred to committee. He stated that Rule 4.4, did not require bills, as amended by the House or Senate, to be referred to the Ways & Means Committee. He overruled the Point of Order and stated that the question before the House was concurrence, non-concurrence, or amendment of the Senate amendments to H. 3305 (Word version).

Rep. PACE raised the Rule 5.3A Point of Order that H. 3305 (Word version), as amended by the Senate, required a fiscal impact statement that the Senate's amendments were in balance. He cited the Rule and stated that such a fiscal impact is required on first reading, second reading, and third reading of the Bill.

The SPEAKER overruled the Point of Order and stated that the issue before the House was consideration of Senate Amendments to H. 3305 (Word version). He stated that nothing in the rule referenced a requirement for a statement of fiscal impact and balancing on consideration of Senate Amendments. The SPEAKER further stated that the Point of Order was also moot because even though Rule 4.4 was not applicable, the Ways & Means Committee had requested and received a statement from Revenue & Fiscal Affairs certifying that the Senate Amendments were in balance with certified revenue.

Rep. CASKEY moved cloture on the entire matter.

Rep. PACE demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Alexander                Anderson                 Atkinson

Ballentine               Bannister                Bauer

Bernstein                Bowers                   Bradley

Brewer                   Brittain                 Bustos

Calhoon                  Caskey                   Chapman

Clyburn                  Cobb-Hunter              Collins

Crawford                 Duncan                   Erickson

Ford                     Forrest                  Gagnon

Garvin                   Gibson                   Gilliam

Gilliard                 Govan                    Guest

Guffey                   Haddon                   Hager

Hardee                   Hart                     Hartnett

Hartz                    Hayes                    Henderson-Myers

Herbkersman              Hewitt                   Hiott

Hixon                    Holman                   Hosey

Howard                   J. E. Johnson            J. L. Johnson

Jones                    Jordan                   Kirby

Landing                  Lawson                   Ligon

Long                     Lowe                     Luck

Martin                   McDaniel                 McGinnis

C. Mitchell              J. Moore                 T. Moore

Moss                     Neese                    B. Newton

W. Newton                Oremus                   Pedalino

Pope                     Rankin                   Reese

Rivers                   Robbins                  Rose

Rutherford               Sanders                  Schuessler

Scott                    Sessions                 G. M. Smith

M. M. Smith              Stavrinakis              Taylor

Teeple                   Vaughan                  Waters

Weeks                    Whitmire                 Wickensimer

Williams                 Willis                   Wooten

Yow                                               

Those who voted in the negative are:

Bamberg                  Beach                    Burns

Chumley                  Cromer                   Edgerton

Frank                    Gilreath                 Harris

Huff                     Kilmartin                Lastinger

Magnuson                 McCabe                   McCravy

D. Mitchell              Pace                     Terribile

So, cloture was ordered.

The SPEAKER granted Rep. GUFFEY a temporary leave of absence.

Rep. PACE proposes the following Amendment No. 1A to H. 3305 (Word version) (LC-3305.DG0006H), which was tabled:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

SECTION 1. Chapter 11, Title 11 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

Section 11-11-710.   As used in this article:

(1) "Board" means the Board of Economic Advisors.

(2) "Community investment" means a capital improvement, infrastructure project, or piece of equipment or real property with a useful life of no less than five years, undertaken by an eligible entity for a public purpose. "Community investment" does not include salaries, recurring operating expenses, debt service on existing obligations of the eligible entity, or any grant, loan, or transfer to a private person, business, or nonprofit organization.

(3) "Delegation weighted-vote methodology" means the method by which county legislative delegations apportion voting weight among members whose districts lie partly within the county, consistent with the practice applicable to grants under the Parks and Recreation Development Fund, set forth in Chapter 23, Title 51, and regulations promulgated thereunder, in which a member's weight is calculated as the percentage of that member's total district population that resides within the county.

(4) "Eligible entity" means a political subdivision of the State, including school districts. "Eligible entity" does not include a state agency, a private corporation, a nonprofit corporation, an institution of higher learning, or an individual.

(5) "Fund" means the South Carolina Community Investment Fund created by this article.

(6) "House district" means a district for the election of a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, as established pursuant to the most recent reapportionment.

(7) "RFA" means the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office.

(8) "Senate district" means a district for the election of a member of the South Carolina Senate, as established pursuant to the most recent reapportionment.

Section 11-11-720.   (A) There is created in the State Treasury the South Carolina Community Investment Fund, separate and distinct from the general fund of the State and all other funds. Earnings on the fund must be credited to the fund. Funds appropriated to, but not obligated from, the fund in a fiscal year do not lapse and carry forward, but remain subject to the reversion requirements of Section 11-11-770.

(B) The fund is administered by the Executive Budget Office, in consultation with RFA, for purposes of receipt certification, disbursement, and compliance monitoring. Administration under this article does not include substantive review or approval of the merits of an individual community investment; that determination rests solely with the certifying member or members pursuant to Section 11-11-750.

Section 11-11-730.   (A) An appropriation to the fund may be made for a fiscal year only if, and only to the extent that, the board certifies as part of the annual revenue estimating process required for the general appropriations act, that projected general fund revenue for the applicable fiscal year exceeds the total amount necessary to fully fund, in the following order of priority, each of the following:

(1) all reimbursements required by Section 11-11-150 and Section 11-11-156 in relation to the Homestead Exemption Fund and Trust Fund for Tax Relief;

(2) the reimbursement required by Section 12-37-220(B)(52) for the manufacturing property tax exemption established by Act 228 of 2022, up to the maximum reimbursement amount then provided by law;

(3) any other property tax, income tax, or other tax relief reimbursement to political subdivisions of the State required by permanent statute including, but not limited to, relief mandated under Article X of the Constitution of this State;

(4) the amount required to be transferred to the General Reserve Fund to achieve or maintain the percentage of general fund revenue required by Section 36, Article III of the Constitution of this State and Section 11-11-310;

(5) the amount required to be transferred to the Capital Reserve Fund to achieve or maintain the percentage of general fund revenue required by Section 36, Article III of the Constitution of this State and Section 11-11-320;

(6) debt service on general obligation bonds of the State and any required contributions to the state retirement systems mandated by permanent statute;

(7) the base student cost and other public education funding minimums required by the Education Finance Act and related permanent statutes; and

(8) any other reimbursement, set-aside, or transfer that permanent state statute or the Constitution of this State requires to be funded before discretionary or member-directed appropriations.

(B) Only after the amounts set forth in subsection (A) are fully provided for in the applicable version of the general appropriations act may the General Assembly appropriate funds to the fund. The appropriation to the fund is the last item of state spending to be funded from available revenue in a given fiscal year. It may not be funded ahead of, or in the same funding tier as, any item listed in subsection (A).

(C) The maximum appropriation to the fund in a fiscal year is twenty-four million eight hundred thousand dollars. If certified surplus revenue available under subsection (A) after all listed priorities are met is less than twenty-four million eight hundred thousand dollars, the appropriation to the fund for that fiscal year is limited to the certified surplus amount, and every district's allocation pursuant to Section 11-11-750 must be reduced on a pro rata basis so that each House district and Senate district bears the same percentage reduction from its maximum allocation.

(D) If certified surplus revenue available under subsection (A) is zero or a negative amount, no appropriation may be made to the fund for that fiscal year.

Section 11-11-740.   (A) Subject to Section 11-11-730, the fund must be allocated as follows:

(1) up to one hundred thousand dollars for each of the one hundred twenty-four House of Representatives districts, for a maximum aggregate ouse allocation of twelve million four hundred thousand dollars; and

(2) up to two hundred sixty-nine thousand five hundred sixty-five dollars for each of the forty-six Senate districts, for a maximum aggregate Senate allocation of twelve million three hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety dollars.

(B) A community investment funded under this article for a House district must be certified in writing to the Executive Budget Office by the member of the House of Representatives representing that district. A community investment funded under this article for a Senate district must be certified in writing by the member of the Senate representing that district. A certification must identify the eligible entity, the amount, and the public purpose of the community investment, and must be posted on the website of the Executive Budget Office for no less than thirty days before disbursement.

(C) A member may certify community investments for more than one eligible entity within the member's district, provided the total certified for the district does not exceed the maximum allocation for that district under subsection (A), as adjusted pursuant to Section 11-11-730(C) in a year of partial funding. A member may also combine all or part of the member's district allocation with that of one or more other members for a single eligible entity, as provided in Section 11-11-750.

(D) If a House district or Senate district lies within more than one county, the member's certified allocation for that district must be apportioned among eligible entities by county in the same proportion as the delegation weighted-vote methodology would assign voting weight to that member within each affected county, based on the percentage of the district's total population, as determined by the most recent decennial census or the most recent official population estimate certified by RFA, that resides within each county. An eligible entity located in a county comprising less than five percent of the district's total population is not required to receive a certification, but the member may still certify funds to that entity within the entity's proportional share.

(E) A member may decline, in whole or in part, to certify the member's district allocation. Declined amounts do not carry forward to another district and revert to the general fund at the close of the fiscal year in which they were available.

Section 11-11-750.   (A) Two or more members, whether from the House of Representatives, the Senate, or both, may jointly certify a single community investment to one eligible entity, combining a portion or all of each member's respective district allocation pursuant to Section 11-11-740, provided that:

(1) each contributing member's district is contiguous to, or shares a boundary with, the location of the eligible entity's proposed community investment, or the eligible entity itself provides services within more than one of the contributing members' districts;

(2) the eligible entity and the community investment qualify and satisfy Section 11-11-760 in the same manner as a certification by a single member;

(3) the joint certification states, for each contributing member, the district, the amount contributed, and confirms that the contributed amount does not exceed that member's remaining uncertified allocation for that district pursuant to Section 11-11-740(A), as apportioned pursuant to Section 11-11-740(D) if applicable; and

(4) the joint certification is signed by each contributing member and posted pursuant to Section 11-11-740(B) in the same manner as an individual certification, identifying it as a joint certification and listing all contributing members and their respective shares.

(B) A member's contribution to a joint certification under this section is counted against that member's own district allocation and does not increase, and is not increased by, the allocation available to any other contributing member's district.

(C) A member whose district is apportioned among counties pursuant to Section 11-11-740(D) may contribute to a joint certification only from the portion of that member's allocation apportioned to the county in which the eligible entity's proposed community investment is located.

(D) This section does not authorize a member to certify funds to an eligible entity located wholly outside the member's own district, except as part of a joint certification under this section, or, for a member described in subsection (C), except as part of the member's own county apportionment.

Section 11-11-760.   (A) A community investment funded under this article must be made only to an eligible entity and only for a community investment.

(B) Funds disbursed under this article may not be redirected, subgranted, or contracted by an eligible entity to a private person, for-profit business, or nonprofit organization, except through an ordinary competitively bid public works or procurement contract for construction, materials, or equipment related to the certified community investment.

(C) A member of the General Assembly may not certify a community investment under this article to an eligible entity if the member, or a member of the member's immediate family as defined in Section 8-13-100, has an economic interest in the eligible entity's receipt or use of the funds, other than as a resident and taxpayer of the jurisdiction generally. A violation of this subsection is subject to referral to the State Ethics Commission or the applicable legislative ethics committee.

(D) Funds appropriated under this article may not be used to satisfy a required local match for a different state or federal grant program unless expressly authorized by the appropriating language of the annual general appropriations act for that fiscal year.

Section 11-11-770.   An eligible entity that receives a disbursement under this article must expend or contractually obligate the funds for the certified community investment within three years of disbursement. Funds not expended or obligated within that period must be remitted to the State Treasurer for deposit to the credit of the fund, to be available for reallocation in a subsequent fiscal year subject to Section 11-11-730.

Section 11-11-780.   (A) The Executive Budget Office shall maintain a searchable public record, updated at least quarterly, of every community investment certified under this article, including the certifying member, House or Senate district, eligible entity, county or counties of apportionment, amount, and stated public purpose.

(B) By January fifteenth of each year, RFA shall report to the General Assembly and the Governor the total amount certified to the fund in the prior fiscal year, the amount disbursed, the amount reverted pursuant to Section 11-11-770, and the calculation supporting the certification required pursuant to Section 11-11-730(A).

(C) The Legislative Audit Council may periodically audit disbursements made under this article for compliance with this article's eligibility and use restrictions.

Section 11-11-790.   Nothing in this article creates a vested right, entitlement, or contractual obligation of any member of the General Assembly or eligible entity to funding in a fiscal year in which the conditions of Section 11-11-730 are not met. Nothing in this article may be construed to reduce, delay, or subordinate any reimbursement, transfer, or set-aside identified in Section 11-11-730(A).

SECTION 2.   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 3.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and first applies for appropriations for Fiscal Year 2027-2028.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Rep. PACE explained the amendment.

Rep. HIOTT moved to table the amendment.

Rep. PACE demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Alexander                Anderson                 Ballentine

Bamberg                  Bannister                Bauer

Bernstein                Bowers                   Bradley

Brewer                   Brittain                 Bustos

Calhoon                  Caskey                   Chapman

Clyburn                  Cobb-Hunter              Collins

Crawford                 Duncan                   Erickson

Ford                     Forrest                  Gagnon

Garvin                   Gibson                   Gilliam

Gilliard                 Govan                    Grant

Guest                    Haddon                   Hager

Hardee                   Hart                     Hartnett

Hartz                    Hayes                    Henderson-Myers

Herbkersman              Hewitt                   Hiott

Hixon                    Holman                   Hosey

Howard                   J. E. Johnson            J. L. Johnson

Jones                    Jordan                   King

Kirby                    Landing                  Lawson

Ligon                    Long                     Lowe

Luck                     Martin                   McDaniel

McGinnis                 C. Mitchell              J. Moore

T. Moore                 Moss                     Neese

B. Newton                W. Newton                Oremus

Pedalino                 Pope                     Rankin

Reese                    Rivers                   Robbins

Rose                     Rutherford               Sanders

Schuessler               Scott                    Sessions

G. M. Smith              M. M. Smith              Stavrinakis

Taylor                   Teeple                   Vaughan

Waters                   Weeks                    Whitmire

Wickensimer              Williams                 Willis

Wooten                   Yow                      

Those who voted in the negative are:

Beach                    Burns                    Chumley

Cromer                   Edgerton                 Frank

Gilreath                 Harris                   Huff

Kilmartin                Lastinger                Magnuson

McCabe                   McCravy                  D. Mitchell

Pace                     Terribile                

So, the amendment was tabled.

Rep. CROMER proposes the following Amendment No. 2A to H. 3305 (Word version) (LC-3305.DG0008H), which was tabled:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, subsection (B), by deleting item (5)(a).

Amend the bill further, subsection (B)(13), by adding an appropriately numbered subitem to read:

( ) Anderson County - Town of Pendleton Police Department $300,000

Amend the bill further, subsection (B)(15), by adding an appropriately numbered subitem to read:

( )Anderson County - Hopewell Fire Volunteer Fire Department Substation $700,000

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Rep. CROMER explained the amendment.

Rep. KING moved to table the amendment.

Rep. BEACH demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Alexander                Anderson                 Atkinson

Ballentine               Bamberg                  Bannister

Bauer                    Bernstein                Bowers

Bradley                  Brewer                   Brittain

Calhoon                  Caskey                   Clyburn

Cobb-Hunter              Collins                  Crawford

Erickson                 Ford                     Forrest

Gagnon                   Garvin                   Gilliard

Grant                    Guest                    Haddon

Hager                    Hardee                   Hart

Hartz                    Hayes                    Henderson-Myers

Herbkersman              Hewitt                   Hiott

Hixon                    Holman                   Hosey

Howard                   J. E. Johnson            Jones

Jordan                   King                     Kirby

Lawson                   Ligon                    Lowe

Luck                     Martin                   McGinnis

J. Moore                 T. Moore                 Moss

Neese                    B. Newton                W. Newton

Oremus                   Rankin                   Rivers

Robbins                  Rose                     Rutherford

Sanders                  Schuessler               Sessions

G. M. Smith              M. M. Smith              Stavrinakis

Taylor                   Vaughan                  Waters

Weeks                    Whitmire                 Wickensimer

Williams                 Willis                   Wooten

Those who voted in the negative are:

Beach                    Burns                    Chapman

Chumley                  Cromer                   Duncan

Edgerton                 Frank                    Gilreath

Harris                   Huff                     J. L. Johnson

Kilmartin                Lastinger                Magnuson

McCravy                  McDaniel                 D. Mitchell

Pace                     Reese                    Terribile

So, the amendment was tabled.

Rep. PACE spoke against the Senate Amendments.

Rep. CROMER spoke against the Senate Amendments.

Rep. TERRIBILE spoke against the Senate Amendments.

Rep. MAGNUSON spoke against the Senate Amendments.

Rep. HIOTT spoke in favor of the Senate Amendments.

Rep. BANNISTER spoke in favor the Senate Amendments.

Rep. KILMARTIN asked unanimous consent to vote on each appropriation in the Senate Amendments to H. 3305 (Word version).

Rep. GARVIN objected.

Rep. PACE raised the Rule 4.8 Point of Order that the Senate had amended H. 3305 (Word version) in such a way that the bill had so materially changed that its contents, as amended by the Senate, were no longer substantially germane to the bill as it passed the House. He stated that the Speaker was required to commit the bill to committee.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order and stated that the bill, as amended by the Senate, was so materially changed that it was no longer germane to the House passed version.

Rep. BANNISTER moved to waive Rule 4.8.

Rep. PACE moved to table the motion.

Rep. COBB-HUNTER demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Beach                    Chumley                  Cromer

Edgerton                 Frank                    Gilreath

Harris                   Kilmartin                Lastinger

Magnuson                 McCabe                   McCravy

D. Mitchell              Pace                     Terribile

Those who voted in the negative are:

Alexander                Anderson                 Atkinson

Ballentine               Bamberg                  Bannister

Bauer                    Bernstein                Bowers

Bradley                  Brewer                   Brittain

Bustos                   Calhoon                  Caskey

Chapman                  Clyburn                  Cobb-Hunter

Collins                  Crawford                 Duncan

Erickson                 Ford                     Forrest

Gagnon                   Garvin                   Gibson

Gilliam                  Gilliard                 Govan

Grant                    Guest                    Haddon

Hager                    Hardee                   Hart

Hartnett                 Hartz                    Hayes

Henderson-Myers          Herbkersman              Hewitt

Hiott                    Hixon                    Holman

Hosey                    Howard                   J. E. Johnson

J. L. Johnson            Jones                    Jordan

King                     Kirby                    Landing

Lawson                   Ligon                    Long

Lowe                     Luck                     Martin

McDaniel                 McGinnis                 C. Mitchell

J. Moore                 T. Moore                 Moss

Neese                    B. Newton                W. Newton

Oremus                   Pedalino                 Pope

Rankin                   Reese                    Rivers

Robbins                  Rose                     Rutherford

Sanders                  Schuessler               Scott

Sessions                 G. M. Smith              M. M. Smith

Stavrinakis              Taylor                   Teeple

Vaughan                  Waters                   Weeks

Whitmire                 Wickensimer              Williams

Willis                   Wooten                   Yow

So, the House refused to table the motion to waive Rule 4.8.

The question then recurred to the motion to waive Rule 4.8.

The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Alexander                Anderson                 Atkinson

Ballentine               Bamberg                  Bannister

Bauer                    Bernstein                Bowers

Bradley                  Brewer                   Brittain

Bustos                   Calhoon                  Caskey

Chapman                  Clyburn                  Cobb-Hunter

Collins                  Crawford                 Duncan

Erickson                 Ford                     Forrest

Gagnon                   Garvin                   Gibson

Gilliard                 Govan                    Grant

Guest                    Haddon                   Hager

Hardee                   Hart                     Hartnett

Hartz                    Hayes                    Henderson-Myers

Herbkersman              Hewitt                   Hiott

Hixon                    Holman                   Hosey

Howard                   J. E. Johnson            J. L. Johnson

Jones                    Jordan                   King

Kirby                    Landing                  Lawson

Ligon                    Long                     Lowe

Luck                     Martin                   McDaniel

McGinnis                 C. Mitchell              J. Moore

T. Moore                 Moss                     Neese

B. Newton                W. Newton                Oremus

Pedalino                 Pope                     Rankin

Reese                    Rivers                   Robbins

Rose                     Rutherford               Sanders

Schuessler               Scott                    Sessions

G. M. Smith              M. M. Smith              Stavrinakis

Taylor                   Teeple                   Vaughan

Waters                   Weeks                    Whitmire

Wickensimer              Williams                 Willis

Wooten                   Yow                      

Those who voted in the negative are:

Beach                    Chumley                  Cromer

Edgerton                 Frank                    Gilreath

Harris                   Kilmartin                Lastinger

Magnuson                 McCabe                   McCravy

D. Mitchell              Pace                     Terribile

So, Rule 4.8 was waived.

The question then recurred to concurrence in the Senate Amendments.

The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Alexander                Anderson                 Atkinson

Ballentine               Bamberg                  Bannister

Bauer                    Bernstein                Bowers

Bradley                  Brewer                   Brittain

Calhoon                  Caskey                   Chapman

Clyburn                  Cobb-Hunter              Collins

Crawford                 Duncan                   Erickson

Ford                     Forrest                  Gagnon

Garvin                   Gibson                   Gilliam

Gilliard                 Govan                    Grant

Guest                    Haddon                   Hager

Hardee                   Hart                     Hartnett

Hartz                    Hayes                    Henderson-Myers

Herbkersman              Hewitt                   Hiott

Hixon                    Holman                   Hosey

Howard                   J. E. Johnson            J. L. Johnson

Jones                    Jordan                   King

Kirby                    Landing                  Lawson

Ligon                    Long                     Lowe

Luck                     Martin                   McCravy

McDaniel                 McGinnis                 C. Mitchell

J. Moore                 T. Moore                 Moss

Neese                    B. Newton                W. Newton

Oremus                   Pedalino                 Pope

Rankin                   Reese                    Rivers

Robbins                  Rose                     Rutherford

Sanders                  Schuessler               Scott

Sessions                 G. M. Smith              M. M. Smith

Stavrinakis              Taylor                   Teeple

Vaughan                  Waters                   Weeks

Whitmire                 Wickensimer              Williams

Willis                   Wooten                   Yow

Those who voted in the negative are:

Beach                    Bustos                   Chumley

Cromer                   Edgerton                 Frank

Gilreath                 Harris                   Kilmartin

Lastinger                Magnuson                 McCabe

D. Mitchell              Pace                     Terribile

The Senate Amendments were agreed to, and the Bill having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and that it be enrolled for ratification.

Rep. HIOTT moved that the House do now adjourn, subject to the call of the chair.

Rep. PACE demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Alexander                Anderson                 Atkinson

Ballentine               Bamberg                  Bauer

Bernstein                Bowers                   Bradley

Brewer                   Brittain                 Burns

Bustos                   Calhoon                  Caskey

Chapman                  Clyburn                  Cobb-Hunter

Crawford                 Duncan                   Erickson

Ford                     Forrest                  Gagnon

Garvin                   Gibson                   Gilliard

Govan                    Grant                    Guest

Haddon                   Hager                    Hardee

Hartnett                 Hartz                    Hayes

Henderson-Myers          Herbkersman              Hewitt

Hiott                    Hixon                    Hosey

Howard                   J. E. Johnson            J. L. Johnson

King                     Kirby                    Landing

Lawson                   Ligon                    Martin

McDaniel                 McGinnis                 C. Mitchell

D. Mitchell              J. Moore                 T. Moore

Moss                     Neese                    B. Newton

Oremus                   Pedalino                 Rankin

Robbins                  Sanders                  Schuessler

Scott                    Sessions                 G. M. Smith

Stavrinakis              Taylor                   Teeple

Vaughan                  Waters                   Weeks

Whitmire                 Wickensimer              Williams

Willis                   Wooten                   Yow

Those who voted in the negative are:

Beach                    Chumley                  Cromer

Edgerton                 Frank                    Gilreath

Harris                   Kilmartin                Lastinger

Long                     Magnuson                 McCabe

McCravy                  Pace                     Terribile

So, the motion to adjourn to the call of the chair was agreed to.

At 3:32 p.m. the House, in accordance with the motion of Rep. COBB-HUNTER, adjourned in memory of James "Jim" Roquemore, to meet at the call of the chair.

This web page was last updated on August 25, 2026 at 7:04 PM