NO. 57
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
The Senate assembled at 10:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the PRESIDENT.
A quorum being present, the proceedings were opened with a devotion by the Chaplain as follows:
Psalm 96:11-12
The Psalmist tells us: "Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy."
Let us pray, my friends: Hear us, O God, hear us as we praise You on this Earth Day, this day when we pointedly reflect upon the ever-present beauty and the wonderful resources of the world around us, and especially as we focus on all that surrounds us here in this State we love. After all, from forest to meadow, from seaside to our lakes and rivers, there are truly treasures wherever we look. And although these hard working Senators and their aides are caught up in having to wrestle with a broad mix of significant matters at present, dear God, let no one ignore the reality of these natural treasures that enrich us so very much here in our State. They -- and our citizens themselves -- are all so very, very precious, indeed. In Your loving name we do humbly pray all this, O Lord. Amen.
The PRESIDENT called for Petitions, Memorials, Presentments of Grand Juries and such like papers.
Senator PEELER moved that a Call of the Senate be made. The following Senators answered the Call:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Bright Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Elliott Fernandez Gambrell Garrett Goldfinch Graham Hembree Hutto Johnson Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Ott Peeler Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Turner Verdin Williams Young Zell
A quorum being present, the Senate resumed.
The following appointment was transmitted by the Honorable Henry Dargan McMaster:
Reappointment, South Carolina Public Charter School District, with the term to commence May 3, 2024, and to expire May 3, 2027
At-Large, Governor Appointee:
Cynthia C. Mosteller, 574 Needlerush Park, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29646
Referred to the Committee on Education.
Initial Appointment, York County Natural Gas Authority, with the term to commence February 28, 2026, and to expire February 28, 2029
York County:
Christopher P. Stephenson, 2142 Mingus Lane, York, SC 29745 VICE William J. Hagner
Senator MASSEY introduced Dr. Ralph Riley of Saluda, S.C., Doctor of the Day.
On motion of Senator CROMER, at 6:47 P.M., Senator CAMPSEN was granted a leave of absence for the balance of the day.
S. 833 (Word version) -- Senator Devine: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JAYSEN CARR AND TO DECLARE SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2026, AS "JAYSEN CARR 'BE A GOOD HUMAN' DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Senator DEVINE asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Resolution from the Committee on Family and Veterans' Services.
The Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Family and Veterans' Services.
Senator DEVINE asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take the Resolution up for immediate consideration.
There was no objection.
The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Resolution. The question then was the adoption of the Resolution.
On motion of Senator DEVINE, the Resolution was adopted.
H. 4000 (Word version) -- Reps. M.M. Smith, Stavrinakis, B.L. Cox, Davis, Wetmore, Bustos, Teeple, Holman, Spann-Wilder, Kirby, Robbins, Landing, Hartnett, Brewer, Gilliard, Gatch, J. Moore, T. Moore, Murphy, W. Newton, Duncan and Bauer: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 61-2-100, RELATING TO THE PERSONS ENTITLED TO BE LICENSEES OR PERMITTEES, SO AS TO ADD PERFORMING ARTS AND CONVENTION COMPLEXES; BY AMENDING SECTION 61-4-515, RELATING TO THE PERMIT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION, SO AS TO ADD PERFORMING ARTS AND CONVENTION COMPLEXES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 61-6-2016, RELATING TO THE BIENNIAL LICENSE FOR PURCHASE AND SALE FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION, SO AS TO ADD PERFORMING ARTS AND CONVENTION COMPLEXES.
Senator RANKIN asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Bill from the Committee on Judiciary.
The Bill was recalled from the Committee on Judiciary and ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
H. 4544 (Word version) -- Reps. Jordan, W. Newton, M.M. Smith, B.L. Cox and Davis: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 15-32-220, RELATING TO NONECONOMIC DAMAGES LIMIT AND EXCEPTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR INTENT TO HARM, FELONY CONVICTIONS, AND INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 15-78-30, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THE TORT CLAIMS ACT, SO AS TO REVISE THE MEANING OF "OCCURRENCE"; BY AMENDING SECTION 15-78-120, RELATING TO LIMITATION ON LIABILITY, SO AS TO PROVIDE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE LIMITATIONS MUST BE INCREASED OR DECREASED; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 33-56-180, RELATING TO LIMITED LIABILITY OF CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES.
Senator RANKIN asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Bill from the Committee on Judiciary.
The Bill was recalled from the Committee on Judiciary and ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
H. 4670 (Word version) -- Reps. W. Newton, C. Mitchell and Henderson-Myers: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 15-1-350 SO AS TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR DEMANDS FOR PERSONAL INJURY, BODILY INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR WRONGFUL DEATH.
Senator RANKIN asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Bill from the Committee on Judiciary.
The Bill was recalled from the Committee on Judiciary and ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
H. 5238 (Word version) -- Reps. Schuessler, 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, 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 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE ALL EFFORTS TO REDUCE WASTE GENERATION AND INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WASTE DIVERSION THROUGH RECYCLING INITIATIVES IN ORDER TO ADDRESS DECREASING DISPOSAL CAPACITY.
Senator VERDIN asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Concurrent Resolution from the Committee on Medical Affairs.
The Concurrent Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Medical Affairs and ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
The following were introduced:
S. 1136 (Word version) -- Senators Graham and Chaplin: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF PEARL FRYAR AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 1137 (Word version) -- Senators Fernandez, Bennett, Leber and Tedder: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE DORCHESTER ACADEMY LADY RAIDERS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACHES FOR WINNING THE 2026 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE AND COMMEND THEM FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 1138 (Word version) -- Senator Allen: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE JADA M. SAMUEL, MISS SOUTH CAROLINA 2023, AND TO COMMEND HER EXCEPTIONAL DISCIPLINE, ASPIRATIONS, AND TALENT THAT HAVE ENABLED HER TO REPRESENT THE PALMETTO STATE WITH DIGNITY AND POISE.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 1139 (Word version) -- Senator Ott: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR YOUNGS CHAPEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS FAMILY AND FRIENDS DAY AND CHURCH REDEDICATION CELEBRATION AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE IRMO COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 1140 (Word version) -- Senator Devine: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 14-23-1040, RELATING TO THE QUALIFICATIONS OF PROBATE JUDGES TO HOLD THE OFFICE, SO AS TO REVISE THE QUALIFICATIONS AND PROVIDE THAT NO PERSON IS ELIGIBLE TO THE HOLD THE OFFICE OF PROBATE JUDGE WHO IS NOT A LICENSED ATTORNEY IN GOOD STANDING OR WHO HAS TEN YEARS' EXPERIENCE AS AN EMPLOYEE IN A PROBATE JUDGE'S OFFICE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 14-23-1100, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF CLERKS OF THE PROBATE COURTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE A CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR CLERKS OF THE PROBATE COURTS.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
S. 1141 (Word version) -- Senator Davis: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS OF THE CAROLINAS AND TO DECLARE APRIL 22, 2026, AS "ABC CAROLINAS HARD HAT DAY" AT THE STATE HOUSE.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.
H. 3408 (Word version) -- Reps. Haddon, Forrest, Gilliam, Ligon, Taylor, C. Mitchell, Pope, Magnuson, Pedalino, McCravy, Chumley, Hixon, W. Newton, Calhoon, D. Mitchell, Cromer, Gilreath, Duncan, M. M. Smith and Gibson: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 27-1-80 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN COMPANIES OWNED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY ANY UNITED STATES-DECLARED FOREIGN ADVERSARY MAY NOT OWN, LEASE, POSSESS, OR EXERCISE ANY CONTROL OVER ANY REAL ESTATE IN THIS STATE AND TO PROVIDE THAT FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS ARE VOID.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
H. 5546 (Word version) -- Reps. Martin, Guffey, King, Ligon, Moss, Pope, Sessions and Terribile: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT THE YORK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 4 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MAY WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT SCHOOL DAYS MISSED BY FLINT HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON MARCH 5 AND 6, 2026, DUE TO A CHEMICAL LEAK ON PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE SCHOOL BE MADE UP, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW.
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Senator JOHNSON spoke on the Resolution.
Read the first time and placed on the calendar without reference.
H. 5547 (Word version) -- Reps. Williams, Jordan, Lowe, Alexander and Kirby: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, THE STATE FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AUTHORITY, OR THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY, TO TRANSFER THE NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY IN TIMMONSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, TO THE CITY OF TIMMONSVILLE.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.
H. 5566 (Word version) -- Reps. Rutherford, 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, 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 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM, HEAD COACH DAWN STALEY, HER COACHING STAFF, AND UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON THEIR SECOND STRAIGHT NCAA RUNNER-UP FINISH AND FIFTH CONSECUTIVE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE REGULAR-SEASON TITLE.
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.
H. 5567 (Word version) -- Reps. Rutherford, 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, 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 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO INVITE THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS TO JOIN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JOINT SESSION AT A DATE AND TIME SCHEDULED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, IN THE CHAMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WHEREBY COACH DAWN STALEY IS INVITED TO ADDRESS THE JOINT SESSION.
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The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Operations and Management.
Columbia, S.C., April 22, 2026
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has returned the following Bill to the Senate with amendments:
H. 3924 (Word version) -- Reps. Wooten, W. Newton, Erickson, Neese, Hager, Bannister, Herbkersman, M.M. Smith, Pedalino, C. Mitchell, Bustos, Lawson, Guffey, Hiott, Taylor, Ballentine, Vaughan, White, Long, Ligon, Guest, Gilliam, Hartnett, Bailey, Landing, B.J. Cox, Hayes, Atkinson, Willis, Lowe, T. Moore, Davis, Hixon, Martin, Pope, Henderson-Myers and Robbins: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 56 TO TITLE 46 SO AS TO REGULATE THE SALE OF HEMP-DERIVED CONSUMABLES, AMONG OTHER THINGS.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
Placed on Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
S. 1132 (Word version) -- Senator Hutto: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE JUNE AS "TRAILS MONTH" IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ABUNDANCE OF TRAILS IN THIS STATE AND ENJOY THE HEALTH, LEARNING, AND SOCIAL BENEFITS THAT CAN BE DERIVED FROM THEIR USE.
Returned with concurrence.
Received as information.
THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO A CONSIDERATION OF H. 5126, THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL.
H. 5126 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A BILL TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS AND TO PROVIDE REVENUES TO MEET THE ORDINARY EXPENSES OF STATE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2026, TO REGULATE THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF STATE GOVERNMENT DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the third reading of the Bill.
Senator GRAHAM proposed the following amendment (SM ESTF UNBUNDLERS), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 1, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, page 312, proviso 1.124, line 7-21, by amending the proviso to read:
/ (SDE: ESTF Unbundlers) For the current fiscal year, Sections 59-8-110(14)(n) and 59-8-115(H) are suspended. The department shall suspend any award of scholarships to those they have previously identified as "unbundlers". /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend sections, totals and title to conform.
On motion of Senator PEELER, the amendment was carried over.
Senators SABB and STUBBS proposed the following amendment (DG PANIC), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 1, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, page 312, after line 24, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (SDE: Panic button) (A) From the funds appropriated to the department, each public school district and charter school in the State:
(1) shall, under the direction of the department, acquire and implement in each school a mobile panic alert system that:
(a) connects disparate emergency services technologies to ensure real-time coordination between local and state law enforcement and first responder agencies;
(b) integrates with existing technology found in each local public safety answering-point infrastructure, as defined in Section 23-47-10, to transmit 911 calls and mobile activations; and
(c) provides annual training to all public resource officers and public school personnel, who work in the districts where the systems are utilized, on the proper use of the panic button alert system;
(2) ensure real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies in the event of a school security emergency; and
(3) shall utilize the school mapping data program provided by the State to implement a mobile panic alert system required by this section. School mapping data must be made available to any vendor that meets the requirements of subsection (A)(1).
(B) The department, in consultation with the State Law Enforcement Division and the Department of Public Safety, shall identify vendors of systems that satisfy the requirements of subsection (A)(1) for use by school districts and shall make this list of vendors available to schools no later than the end of the current fiscal year.
(C) This proviso does not apply to any district or school that has already implemented a mobile panic alert system with capabilities that meet the requirements of subsection (A)(1). /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend sections, totals and title to conform.
On motion of Senator SABB, the amendment was carried over.
Senator STUBBS proposed the following amendment (SM CLEMSON PSA ACCOUNT), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 45, CLEMSON UNIVERSITY - PSA, page 409, after line 26, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (CU-PSA: Separate Accounting and Transfer Prohibition) (A) Funds appropriated in this act to Clemson University Public Service Activities (PSA) for agricultural research, extension, regulatory, and related public service programs shall be maintained, budgeted, and accounted for in a separate and distinct fund or account from all funds appropriated to Clemson University Education & General (E&G). Clemson University and Clemson PSA are hereby treated as two separate state agencies for all financial, accounting, and reporting purposes. No funds, including state appropriations, federal pass-throughs, indirect cost recoveries, or any other revenues, shall be transferred, loaned, commingled, or otherwise moved between the PSA account and the E&G account (or any auxiliary, restricted, or other funds under the administrative control of the greater University) without the express prior written approval of the General Assembly through a subsequent provision or statute. Any attempt to circumvent this separation through internal reallocations, shared services charges, or administrative overhead assessments is prohibited.
(B) Clemson University shall submit quarterly reports no later than thirty days after the end of each fiscal quarter to the Executive Budget Office, the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the Legislative Audit Council. Each report must certify compliance with this provision, detail all PSA and E&G expenditures by fund source, and identify any shared administrative costs with a clear allocation methodology that does not result in cross-subsidization. The Executive Budget Office shall withhold no less than ten percent of the total E&G appropriation until full compliance is achieved and certified.
(C) Any unexpended PSA funds at year-end may be carried forward only within the PSA account as otherwise authorized by existing law or provision. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend sections, totals and title to conform.
On motion of Senator STIBBS, the amendment was carried over.
Senator SUTTON asked unanimous consent to proceed to Amendment No. 32.
Senators SUTTON and CLIMER proposed the following amendment (DG DCCOMMERCE), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 50, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, page 422, after line 2, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (CMRC: Incentive prohibition) (A) No funds appropriated or authorized for use by the Coordinating Council for Economic Development, including but not limited to the Closing Fund, or appropriated or authorized the department for any other purpose, may be used to recruit, locate, expand, or construct a data center in this State. This proviso applies to any project for which an incentive agreement was not in place at the beginning of the current fiscal year.
(B) The Department of Commerce shall provide a report to the General Assembly by January 15, 2027, identifying any data center projects that applied for or received incentives in any previous fiscal year and summarizing the total value of such incentives.
(C) For purposes of this proviso, "data center" means a facility, campus of facilities, or array of electronically interconnected facilities under a single electric supply agreement in this State used by an entity or other business enterprise to operate, manage, or maintain a computer, group of computers, or other organized assembly of hardware and software for the primary purpose of storing, retrieving, or transmitting data, other than facilities owned or operated by a telecommunications company as defined in Section 58-9-2200 of the S.C. Code or facilities that primarily support telecommunications service or network operations, that has a peak demand of fifty megawatts or greater, and that becomes a customer of an electric service provider after December 31, 2026. For purposes of calculating peak demand under this definition, peak demand shall be determined according to the contract between the energy user and the electric service provider, and the possibility or occurrence of energy usage which temporarily exceeds fifty megawatts shall not cause a commercial data center to fall under this definition where contractual peak demand is less than fifty megawatts. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend sections, totals and title to conform.
Senator SUTTON explained the amendment.
On motion of Senator SUTTON, the amendment was carried over.
Senator SUTTON proposed the following amendment (DG COMMERCEDC), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 50, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, page 422, after line 2, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (CMRC: Incentive prohibition) (A) No funds appropriated or authorized for use by the Coordinating Council for Economic Development, including but not limited to the Closing Fund, or appropriated or authorized the department for any other purpose, may be used to recruit, locate, expand, or construct a data center in this State. This proviso applies to any project for which an incentive agreement was not in place at the beginning of the current fiscal year.
(B) The Department of Commerce shall provide a report to the General Assembly by January 15, 2027, identifying any data center projects that applied for or received incentives in any previous fiscal year and summarizing the total value of such incentives.
(C) For purposes of this proviso, "data center" means a facility, campus, or group of facilities used primarily for the storage, management, processing, or dissemination of data or information, including associated cooling systems and electrical infrastructure. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend sections, totals and title to conform.
On motion of Senator HUTTO, the amendment was carried over.
Senators BLACKMON and CHAPLIN proposed the following amendment (AM DATA CENTER WATER USE), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 55, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, page 428, after line 24, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (DES: Commercial Data Center Water Use Reporting) (A) With funds appropriated in the current fiscal year to the Department of Environmental Services for Water Management, the department shall require a commercial data center to report to the department, by January thirty-first, the source and monthly volume of surface water, groundwater, or other water utilized during the prior calendar year and the anticipated volume of water to be utilized during the current fiscal year.
(B) The department shall make these reports publicly available and may audit the reports and any supporting data; provided, however, the department gives at least thirty days' notice prior to commencing an audit. The department may assess a civil penalty of up to ten thousand dollars for each day after January thirty-first that a required report is not filed and may assess a civil penalty of up to ten thousand dollars for any inaccurate, misleading, or false information contained in a report.
(C) For purposes of the proviso, "data center" is defined as a facility, campus of facilities, or array of interconnected facilities in this State used by a business enterprise to operate, manage, or maintain computers or related systems for the primary purpose of storing, retrieving, or transmitting data, that consumes three million or more gallons of water per month. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend sections, totals and title to conform.
On motion of Senator BLACKMON, the amendment was carried over.
Senators ADAMS, GARRETT, ZELL and SABB proposed the following amendment (SM PORS RETURN TO WORK), which was adopted (#20):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 108, PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AUTHORITY, page 506, after line 31, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (PEBA: Retired Member of PORS) A retired member of the Police Officers Retirement System (PORS), who has been retired for at least ninety consecutive calendar days, may be hired and return to employment covered by PORS. Such a member may earn up to eighty thousand dollars annually without affecting the monthly retirement allowance received from PORS. However, if a law enforcement officer holds a supervisory rank at the time of retirement, he shall not be eligible to return to a supervisory position pursuant to the requirements of this proviso. Returning to covered employment does not accrue additional service credit. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend sections, totals and title to conform.
Senator ADAMS explained the amendment.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Allen Blackmon Bright Chaplin Climer Elliott Fernandez Gambrell Garrett Goldfinch Hembree Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Ott Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Young Zell
Alexander Bennett Campsen Cromer Davis Devine Graham Hutto Jackson Martin Massey Matthews Peeler Tedder Turner Verdin Williams
The amendment was adopted.
Senators JOHNSON, CLIMER and DAVIS proposed the following amendment (AM TELEMEDICINE NETWORK), which was adopted (#21):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, pages 549-550, proviso 117.112, by amending the proviso to read:
/ 117.112. (GP: South Carolina Telemedicine Network) (A) From the funds appropriated to the Medical University of South Carolina for the MUSC Hospital Authority for Telemedicine and the funds appropriated and authorized for the Department of Health and Human Services, the agencies must continue the development of the South Carolina Statewide Telemedicine Network. As part of the statewide telemedicine network, a physician licensed to practice medicine and is in good standing in South Carolina and who primarily practices at a site physically located in this State or in a state contiguous to South Carolina and who is employed by a hospital or integrated healthcare system that owns hospitals licensed in this State or in a state contiguous to South Carolina that also employs physicians who primarily practice at a site physically located in this State shall be deemed to be practicing medicine within the geographic boundaries of South Carolina for the purposes of supervising physicians assistants and entering practice agreements with nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists who are located in South Carolina; provided, however, that any such physician receives prior approval from the Board of Medical Examiners before such supervision. The South Carolina Telehealth Alliance shall submit a proposal to the MUSC Hospital Authority and the Department of Health and Human Services to determine which hospitals, clinics, schools or other entities are best suited for Telemedicine partnerships.
(A)(B) The Department of Health and Human Services shall develop or continue a program to leverage the use of teaching hospitals to provide rural physician coverage by expanding the use of Telemedicine, to include new applications such as School Based Telehealth, and Tele ICU. The department shall also amend its policy related to reimbursement for telemedicine to add Act 301 Behavioral Health Centers as a referring site for covered telemedicine services.
(B)(C) During the current fiscal year the Department of Health and Human Services shall contract with the MUSC Hospital Authority in the amount of $5,000,000 to lead the development and operation of a statewide, open access South Carolina Telemedicine Network. At the request of the department, MUSC shall provide the department with all information and materials necessary to seek federal medical assistance for this contract. The MUSC Hospital Authority shall contract with each Regional Support Hub to ensure funding and support of strategic plans submitted by the Regional Support Hubs and approved by both the MUSC Hospital Authority and the Department of Health and Human Services. Institutions and other entities participating in the network must be afforded the opportunity to meaningfully participate in the development of any annual refining to the initiative's strategic plan. Working with the department, the MUSC Hospital Authority shall collaborate with Palmetto Care Connections to pursue this goal. No less than $1,000,000 of these funds shall be allocated toward support of Palmetto Care Connections and other hospitals in South Carolina. The MUSC Hospital Authority must provide the department with quarterly reports regarding the funds allocation and progress of telemedicine transformation efforts and networks. These reports must include an itemization of the ultimate recipients of these funds, whether vendors, grantees, specific participating institutions, or the Medical University of South Carolina, and must distinguish between funds allocation to the university as a participating institution as opposed to those retained and used by the university in its capacity as the administering entity for the network.
(C)(D) The Department of Health and Human Services shall continue to identify and implement telehealth benefits and policies that are evidence based, cost efficient, and aligned with the needs of the Medicaid population. The department must also continue to review the temporary telephonic and telehealth flexibilities it has adopted to address the COVID 19 public health emergency and make permanent those that are suitable for inclusion in the Medicaid benefit. No later than October 1, the department shall submit a report to the Governor, the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee on policy and benefit changes it has introduced in the furtherance of this goal and as part of its ongoing effort to improve the sustainability of telehealth services.
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Senator JOHNSON explained the amendment.
The amendment was adopted.
Senator GAMBRELL proposed the following amendment (DG 1STRESPONDER), which was adopted (#22):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 580, by striking proviso 117.200(B) and inserting:
/ (B) SLED is directed to administer and coordinate First Responder Interoperability operations for the statewide Palmetto 800 radio system to better coordinate public safety disaster responses and communications. First Responder Interoperability administration and coordination shall be funded as provided in this act. The cost-proportional funds shall be utilized for radio user fees of state agencies and public safety-first responders (Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement) that participate in the statewide Palmetto 800 radio system (Palmetto 800 participants). SLED, in consultation with the Department of Administration, the Department of Public Safety, the State Emergency Management Division, a representative of the South Carolina Police Chief's Association, a representative of the South Carolina Sheriff's Association, a representative of the South Carolina State Firefighters' Association, and a representative of the South Carolina Emergency Medical Services Association shall set a baseline number of radios used by each Palmetto 800 participant based on the technical aspects of the Palmetto 800 radio system and the jurisdictional requirements of the participant. If a Palmetto 800 participant reduces the baseline number of radios in use, the amount of funds allocated for the participant's radio user fees shall be reduced in a proportional amount. /
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Senator GAMBRELL explained the amendment.
The amendment was adopted.
Senators MASSEY, YOUNG and ALEXANDER proposed the following amendment (5126R008.CM.AM.DOCX), which was adopted (#23):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 581, proviso 206, line 33, by inserting:
/117.206 (GP: Name, Image, and Likeness) No appropriated funds or tuition revenue, or revenue derived from required fees paid by students as a cost of attendance can be expended by a public institution of higher education to pay an intercollegiate athlete compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness or for payments as defined by, and authorized pursuant to, the settlement in House v. NCAA. /
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Senator MASSEY explained the amendment.
The amendment was adopted.
On motion of Senator SUTTON, with unanimous consent, Amendment No. 9A was withdrawn.
Senator BRIGHT proposed the following amendment (SM ANNUAL ABORTION AND PROCEDURES REPORTING), which was withdrawn:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 585, after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (GP: Annual Abortion and Procedures Reporting) (A) For the current fiscal year, the Public Employee Benefit Authority and the Department of Health and Human Services shall each prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Each report shall be submitted no later than March 1 of the current fiscal year and shall cover all activity during the preceding calendar year. The report must include:
(1) the total number of abortions paid for, in whole or in part, or for which reimbursement was provided by the agency (or by health plans administered by the agency), broken down by the specific statutory exception under South Carolina law that authorized the procedure (Sections 44-41-640 (medical emergency), 44-41-650 (rape or incest), 44-41-660 (fatal fetal anomaly), or any successor provisions of Title 44, Chapter 41, as amended); and
(2) separately, the number of dilation and curettage (D&C) procedures or any equivalent uterine evacuation procedures paid for or reimbursed by the agency that were performed solely to remove a dead unborn child, and which are excluded from the definition of abortion under Section 44-41-610(1) (or successor provisions).
(B) The reports shall be prepared in a manner that protects patient confidentiality and shall contain no personally identifiable information. The agencies shall make the full reports publicly available on their respective websites. /
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Senator DAVIS explained the amendment.
On motion of Senator ZELL, with unanimous consent, the remarks of Senator DAVIS, when reduced to writing and made available to the Desk, would be printed in the Journal.
Senator BRIGHT spoke on the amendment.
On motion of Senator BRIGHT, with unanimous consent, Amendment No. 20 was withdrawn.
Senator BRIGHT proposed the following amendment (5126R006.CM.LB.DOCX), which was withdrawn:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 585, after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/117. (GP: Administration of Vacant Positions) Any full-time equivalent (FTE) position in an agency that has been vacant for more than twelve months as of October31 of the current fiscal year must be deleted by the Department of Administration upon approval by the State Fiscal Accountability Authority. Each agency is allowed to retain a five percent vacancy factor based on the total number of authorized positions or a minimum of ten positions, whichever is greater. Positions that have been posted and/or in the hiring process shall not be deleted. This proviso does not supersede proviso 57.15 or proviso 91.23./
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On motion of Senator BRIGHT, with unanimous consent, Amendment No. 25 was withdrawn.
Senator BRIGHT proposed the following amendment (AM ADMIN OF VACANT POS), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 585, after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (GP: Administration of Vacant Positions) Any full-time equivalent (FTE) position in an agency that has been vacant for more than twelve months as of October31 of the current fiscal year must be deleted by the Department of Administration upon approval by the State Fiscal Accountability Authority. Each agency is allowed to retain a five percent vacancy factor based on the total number of authorized positions or a minimum of ten positions, whichever is greater. Positions that have been posted and/or in the hiring process shall not be deleted. This proviso does not supersede proviso 57.15 or proviso 91.23. The Department of Transportation shall be exempt from the requirements of this provision./
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On motion of Senator BRIGHT, the amendment was carried over.
Senator YOUNG proposed the following amendment (SM PROPERTY TAX BILLS), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 585, after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (GP: Property Tax Bill Payments - Third-Party Authorization) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the current fiscal year, any person, including but not limited to individuals, corporations, associations, nonprofit organizations, or other entities, may pay the property tax bill for any real or personal property located in South Carolina. County treasurers and auditors shall accept such payments made on behalf of the property owner of record without requiring proof of authorization from the owner, provided the payment includes the correct tax notice number, parcel identification number, or other sufficient identifying information as required by the county. Payment by a third-party does not confer any ownership interest, lien rights (beyond standard redemption rights under existing law), or other legal claim to the property. Counties may continue to apply standard processing, convenience fees (if any), and receipt procedures to such payments. This provision applies to taxes billed or due during Fiscal Year 2026-27. /
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Senator YOUNG explained the amendment.
On motion of Senator YOUNG, the amendment was carried over.
At 12:00 P.M., on motion of Senator PEELER, the Senate receded from business until 1:00 P.M.
At 2:03 P.M., the Senate resumed.
Senator PEELER moved that a Call of the Senate be made. The following Senators answered the Call:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Bright Campsen Cash Chaplin Climer Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Fernandez Gambrell Garrett Goldfinch Graham Hembree Hutto Jackson Johnson Kennedy Kimbrell Leber Martin Massey Matthews Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Rice Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
A quorum being present, the Senate resumed.
Senator ZELL proposed the following amendment (AM DRUG COURT), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 585, after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (GP: Third Circuit Drug Court Administration) For the current fiscal year, all funds appropriated or authorized for the Drug Court for the Third Judicial Circuit shall be transferred to the Solicitor's Office for the Third Judicial Circuit. The Solicitor's Office shall oversee the distribution and usage of these funds by the Drug Court program and shall ensure the amount utilized for the salary of the drug court judge shall not exceed $30,000 in total. /
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Senator ZELL explained the amendment.
On motion of Senator ZELL, the amendment was carried over.
Senator SUTTON proposed the following amendment (DG PERMITCENTER), which was withdrawn:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 585, after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (GP: Permit prohibition) (A) In the current fiscal year, no funds appropriated or authorized in this act may be expended to approve, permit, license, certify, fund, or otherwise authorize the construction, expansion, or operation of a data center. The prohibition contained in this proviso applies to pass through funds such as funding to counties and municipalities through the Local Government Fund. However, this provision does not apply to maintenance, repair, or continued operation of existing facilities that were fully permitted and operational before the current fiscal year began.
(B) The Department of Commerce, in consultation with the Public Service Commission, the Office of Regulatory Staff, and the Department of Environmental Services, shall submit a report to the General Assembly by January 15, 2027, evaluating the economic, environmental, energy, and infrastructure impacts of data center development in this State, including recommendations for future regulation or prohibition, to include: total water withdrawn, total water consumed, water sources, reuse and recycling practices.
(C) For purposes of this proviso, "data center" means a facility, campus of facilities, or array of electronically interconnected facilities under a single electric supply agreement in this State used by an entity or other business enterprise to operate, manage, or maintain a computer, group of computers, or other organized assembly of hardware and software for the primary purpose of storing, retrieving, or transmitting data that has a peak demand of fifty megawatts or greater, and that executes an electric service agreement with an electric service provider after December 31, 2026. For purposes of calculating peak demand under this definition, peak demand shall be determined according to the agreement between the energy user and the electric service provider, and the possibility or occurrence of energy usage which temporarily exceeds fifty megawatts shall not cause a data center to fall under this definition where contractual peak demand is less than fifty megawatts. The term "data center" does not include any computing or data infrastructure that is incidental or ancillary to the primary business operations of any facility whose primary services are not data storage, management, processing, or transmission, any facility owned or operated by a telecommunications company as defined in S.C. Code Section 58-9-2200, or any facility that primarily support telecommunications service or network operations. /
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On motion of Senator SUTTON, with unanimous consent, Amendment Nos. 47 and 9 were withdrawn.
Senators MASSEY, PEELER and ALEXANDER proposed the following amendment (DG HOMEEXEMPT), which was adopted (#24):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 585, after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (GP: Homestead exemption) (A) For the property tax year that ends in the current fiscal year, any person that is eligible for and claims the exemption pursuant to Section 12-37-250 may claim an additional exemption, in an amount set forth in subsection (B), if the person:
(1) has been a resident of this State for at least five entire property tax years and filed an individual income tax return for at least five tax years in this State at any time;
(2) has been a resident of this State for at least ten entire property tax years and filed an individual income tax return for at least ten tax years in this State at any time, or
(3) was eligible to claim the exemption pursuant to Section 12-37-250 in Property Tax Year 2025 and otherwise qualifies.
(B) A person who qualifies for this exemption pursuant to subsection (A)(1) qualifies for an additional twenty-five thousand dollar exemption. A person who qualifies for this exemption pursuant to subsection (A)(2) or (A)(3) qualifies for an additional one hundred thousand dollar exemption. The exemption amounts set forth in this subsection are not cumulative and may not be combined.
(C) There is appropriated an amount sufficient to reimburse local taxing jurisdictions for this additional exemption in the same manner as the exemption allowed pursuant to Section 12-37-250 is reimbursed, mutatis mutandis.
(D) For purposes of this proviso, this additional exemption applies to the same real property taxes to which Section 12-37-250 applies.
(E) This proviso shall not take effect if the exemption amount set forth in Section 12-37-250 is increased or if another homestead exemption is enacted by September first of the current fiscal year.
(F) If any subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this proviso is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, the General Assembly hereby declares that it would not have passed this proviso, without the subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective. /
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Senator MASSEY explained the amendment.
The amendment was adopted.
Senators CORBIN, OTT, LEBER and GARRETT proposed the following amendment (DG DEBTREPORT), which was adopted (#25):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 585, after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (GP: Debt report) From the funds appropriated and authorized in this act, including amounts passed-through to local governments, each political subdivision of this State that is required to file a report with the State Treasurer detailing its debt status for auditing purposes or otherwise, must also include in the report any installment purchase revenue bonds utilized by the political subdivision for the purpose of financing public projects. /
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Senator CORBIN explained the amendment.
The amendment was adopted.
Senator KENNEDY proposed the following amendment (SM DRAG SHOWS), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 585, proviso, line 27, by adding a proviso to read: / (GP: Drag Shows) No state agency, political subdivision, including school districts and libraries, or any entity that receives appropriations or authorizations in this act shall host or provide a drag story hour or other drag show attended by minors under the age of eighteen. If any such institution, agency, political subdivision, school district, library, or entity violates this provision, the Office of the State Treasurer shall withhold ten percent of state funding per occurrence of any agency found in violation of this provision. "Drag show" means a performance in which a performer exhibits a gender identity that is different than the performer's gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, or other physical markers and sings, lip syncs, dances, or otherwise performs before an audience, including minors under the age of eighteen for entertainment, and includes a drag story hour.
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Senator KENNEDY explained the amendment.
On motion of Senator KENNEDY, the amendment was carried over.
Senator YOUNG proposed the following amendment (SM BILL PAYMENT), which was adopted (#26):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 585, after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (GP: Property Tax Bill Payments - Third-Party Authorization) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the current fiscal year, any person, including but not limited to individuals, corporations, associations, nonprofit organizations, or other entities, may pay the property tax bill for any real or personal property located in South Carolina. County treasurers and auditors shall accept such payments made on behalf of the property owner of record without requiring proof of authorization from the owner, provided the payment includes the correct tax notice number, parcel identification number, or other sufficient identifying information as required by the county. Payment by a third-party does not confer any ownership interest, lien rights (beyond standard redemption rights under existing law), or other legal claim to the property, except as existing law may allow as to adverse possession. Counties may continue to apply standard processing, convenience fees (if any), and receipt procedures to such payments. Nothing in this proviso authorizes or shall be interpreted to authorize a tax collector to change, update, or substitute the mailing address for subsequent tax notices unless such change is expressly requested by the property owner of record or the owner's duly authorized agent. This provision applies to taxes billed or due during Fiscal Year 2026-27. /
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Senator YOUNG explained the amendment.
The amendment was adopted.
Senator GRAHAM proposed the following amendment (AM WELCOME CENTERS), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 117, GENERAL PROVISIONS, page 607, proviso 118.21, after line 21, by inserting a new item to read:
/ (44.1) The funds appropriated in item (44)(d) shall be equally divided between the Blacksburg Welcome Center, the Fair Play Welcome Center, the North Augusta Welcome Center, the Landrum Welcome Center, the Little River Welcome Center, and the Santee Visitors Center to be used for rebuilding the centers. /
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Senator GRAHAM explained the amendment.
On motion of Senator GRAHAM, the amendment was carried over.
Senator BRIGHT proposed the following amendment (AM CTC ACCELERATION), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 118, STATEWIDE REVENUE, pages 610-616, proviso 118.21, by striking items (78) through (96) in their entirety.
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 118, STATEWIDE REVENUE, page 607, proviso 118.21, by striking line 18.
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 118, STATEWIDE REVENUE, page 610, proviso 118.21, by striking line 11.
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 118, STATEWIDE REVENUE, page 609, proviso 118.21, by striking line 21.
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 118, STATEWIDE REVENUE, page 609, proviso 118.21, by striking line 21.
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 118, STATEWIDE REVENUE, page 608, proviso 118.21, by striking line 22.
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 118, STATEWIDE REVENUE, page 603, proviso 118.21, by striking line 17.
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 118, STATEWIDE REVENUE, page 606, proviso 118.21, by striking line 10.
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 118, STATEWIDE REVENUE, page 609, proviso 118.21, line 29, by striking /$200,000,000/ and inserting /345,259,298 /
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, Part IA, Section 23, MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, page 63, line 10, by striking opposite:
COLUMN 7 COLUMN 8
Midlands Graduate Medical Education / 2,000,000 2,000,000/
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, Part IA, Section 86, COUNTY TRANSPORTATION FUNDS, page 215, line 3, by:
COLUMN 7 COLUMN 8
/ STRIKING: 30,000,000
and
INSERTING: 32,000,000 /
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Senator BRIGHT explained the amendment.
On motion of Senator BRIGHT, the amendment was carried over.
Senator MATTEWS asked unanimous consent to withdraw Amendment No. 23 and proceed to Amendment No. 44.
Senators MATTHEWS, CASH and BLACKMON proposed the following amendment (AM DELINQUENT TAX V. 2), which was adopted (#27):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 118, STATEWIDE REVENUE, page 617, after line 4, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (SR: Delinquent Tax Penalty) No county or municipality in this State shall impose or collect a delinquent tax penalty on any real and personal property tax bill that exceeds the amount of the underlying delinquent tax due. Any penalty assessed or collected in violation of this provision shall be refunded to the taxpayer, and no interest shall accrue on such improperly assessed penalty. /
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Senator MATTHEWS explained the amendment.
The amendment was adopted.
Senators CAMPSEN, SUTTON and CORBIN proposed the following amendment (SA\5126C004.CC.SA26.DOCX), which was carried over:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 118, STATEWIDE REVENUE, page 617, after line 4, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (SR: Sales Tax Exemption) For the current fiscal year, Section 12-36-2120(79) of the S.C. Code is suspended. /
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Senator CAMPSEN explained the amendment.
On motion of Senator CAMPSEN, the amendment was carried over.
Senators MASSEY, CLIMER, MARTIN, ALEXANDER, BLACKMON, BENNETT and TURNER proposed the following amendment (5126R016.CM.ASM.DOCX), which was adopted (#28):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 118, STATEWIDE REVENUE, page 617, after line 4, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (SR: Liability Insurance Coverage) For the current fiscal year, Section 61-2-145 of the S.C. Code is suspended. /
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Senator MASSEY explained the amendment.
Senator SABB raised a Point of Order under Rule 24A that the amendment was out of order inasmuch as it was not germane to the Bill.
Senator MARTIN spoke on the Point of Order.
The PRESIDENT overruled the Point of Order.
Senator SABB raised a Point of Order under Rule 24A that the amendment was out of order inasmuch as it was not germane to the Bill.
Senator MASSEY spoke on the Point of Order.
The PRESIDENT overruled the Point of Order.
Senator MASSEY continued speaking on the amendment.
Senator RANKIN spoke on the amendment.
The amendment was adopted.
On motion of Senator PEELER, with unanimous consent, the Senate agreed that no further amendments would be placed on the desk after 5:15 P.M., and any necessary technical correcting and balancing amendments to be delivered to, and certified by the Clerk, and for the amendment to be adopted upon his certification for inclusion in H. 5126.
Senator MARTIN raised a Point of Order under Rule 24A that Proviso 108.1 of Part 1B was out of order inasmuch as it was not germane to the Bill.
108.1. (PEBA: Lottery, Infrastructure Bank, and Magistrates Health Insurance) South Carolina Lottery Commissioners and South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank Board members and their eligible dependents are eligible to participate in the State Health and Dental Insurance Plan, upon paying the full premium costs as determined by the Public Employee Benefit Authority. If a county is participating in the State Health and Dental Insurance Plan, magistrates and their eligible dependents are eligible to participate in the State Health and Dental Insurance Plan, upon the magistrate paying the full premium costs as determined by the Public Employee Benefit Authority.
The PRESIDENT sustained the Point of Order.
The proviso was ruled out of order.
Senator BRIGHT proposed the following amendment (AM PRT-DESTINATION SPECIFIC), which was tabled:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IA, Section 49, DEPT. OF PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM, page 140, by striking line 4 in its entirety.
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, Part IA, Section 86, COUNTY TRANSPORTATION FUNDS, page 215, line 3, by:
COLUMN 7 COLUMN 8
/ STRIKING: 30,000,000
and
INSERTING: 48,000,000 18,000,000/
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Senator BRIGHT explained the amendment.
Senator PEELER moved to lay the amendment on the table.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Adams Alexander Allen Bennett Blackmon Cash Chaplin Corbin Cromer Davis Devine Elliott Gambrell Garrett Goldfinch Graham Hembree Hutto Jackson Johnson Kimbrell Martin Matthews Ott Peeler Rankin Reichenbach Sabb Stubbs Sutton Tedder Turner Verdin Walker Williams Young Zell
Bright Climer Fernandez Kennedy Leber Massey Rice
The amendment was laid on the table.
On motion of Senator BRIGHT, with unanimous consent, Amendment No. 53 and Amendment No. 55 were withdrawn.
Senators OTT, GOLDFINCH, CHAPLIN and ZELL proposed the following amendment (5126R010.CM.RO.DOCX), which was tabled:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 1, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, page 305, proviso 103, line 6, by inserting a subsection (B) to read:
/(B) There is created a supplemental school breakfast program for public school students that do not qualify for the school breakfast program established pursuant to Section 56-63-765. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, with funds appropriated and with funds carried forward for the prior fiscal year, a public school student who is not a qualifying student to receive a free breakfast through any local, state, or federal program shall be provided one breakfast at no cost during each school day upon his or her request without consideration of his or her eligibility for a federally-funded free- or reduced-price meal. The Department of Education shall use federal funds that have been disbursed for purposes of funding child nutrition programs to cover the cost of providing one breakfast at no cost to an eligible student under this provision. If the federal funds that have been disbursed for purposes of funding child nutrition programs are insufficient to cover the cost of providing one breakfast at no cost during each school day to an eligible student under this provision, the Department of Education shall allocate state funds appropriated to the Department of Education to cover the cost of providing one breakfast at no cost during each school day to an eligible student under this provision. /
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Senator OTT explained the amendment.
Senator HEMBREE spoke on the amendment.
Senator MARTIN raised a Point of Order under Rule 24A that the amendment was out of order inasmuch as it was not germane to the Bill.
Senator OTT spoke on the Point of Order.
Senator MARTIN spoke on the Point of Order.
The PRESIDENT overruled the Point of Order.
Senator HEMBREE continued speaking on the amendment.
Senator HEMBREE moved to lay the amendment on the table.
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Alexander Bennett Blackmon Bright Cash Climer Corbin Cromer Elliott Fernandez Garrett Hembree Kennedy Leber Martin Massey Peeler Reichenbach Rice Turner Verdin Young
Adams Allen Chaplin Davis Devine Gambrell Goldfinch Graham Hutto Jackson Johnson Matthews Ott Rankin Sabb Sutton Tedder Walker Williams Zell
The amendment was laid on the table.
Debate was interrupted by adjournment.
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Senate agreed that if and when the Senate stands adjourned today, it will adjourn to meet tomorrow morning at 10:00 A.M.
Having received a favorable report from the Senate, the following appointment was confirmed in open session:
Initial Appointment, York County Natural Gas Authority, with the term to commence February 28, 2026, and to expire February 28, 2029
York County:
Christopher P. Stephenson, 2142 Mingus Lane, York, SC 29745 VICE William J. Hagner
On motion of Senator MASSEY, the Senate agreed to stand adjourned.
On motion of Senator STUBBS, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of Mrs. Eloise Stone Coleman of Winnsboro, S.C. Eloise was a member of Gethsemane Baptist Church and an active member of the AP&B Society and the Women's Home Aide Society. She was employed by Fairfield County School District where she faithfully served at McCrorey-Liston School for nineteen years. After retiring, she worked for eleven years at the Babcock Home for Special Needs in Blair, S.C. Eloise loved to cook and found great joy in cooking a Sunday feast weekly for her family. She was a testament to faith, love, family and service. Eloise was a loving mother and doting grandmother who will be dearly missed.
At 7:56 P.M., on motion of Senator MASSEY, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 10:00 A.M.
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