NO. 71

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The Extraordinary Session of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, begun and holden at Columbia on the third Friday in May, being the 15th day of the month.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Executive Order of the Governor, the members of the Senate assembled this day in the Senate Chamber at 11:00 A.M.

WHEREAS, on May 14, 2026, the regular annual session of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina adjourned sine die in accordance with section 2-1-180 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly has not yet adopted, enrolled, or ratified a General Appropriations Act for the 2026 - 2027 fiscal year; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly has enrolled a joint resolution to continue funding state government's recurring expenses at the same level as the 2025 - 2026 fiscal year at the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, 2026, see S. 769, 126th Gen. Assemb. (S.C. 2026). Such a continuing resolution, however, fails to accomplish the State's important budget priorities for the coming fiscal year, including additional funding for roads and infrastructure and raising the starting salary for our teachers to at least $50,000; and

WHEREAS, because "[m]oney shall be drawn from the treasury of the State or the treasury of any of its political subdivisions only in pursuance of appropriations made by law," S.C. Const. art. X, Section 8, the absence of a General Appropriations Act for the upcoming fiscal year is a matter that requires the immediate attention of, and action by, the General Assembly prior to its next regular session; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly began debating South Carolina's congressional districts in light of the United States Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais, 608 U.S. __, Nos. 24-109, 24-110 (U.S. Apr. 29, 2026), but that debate was not concluded when the General Assembly adjourned sine die. An issue of such public importance and interest should be not only debated but also decided by the People's representatives; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned has determined that it is necessary and appropriate for the General Assembly to convene in advance of its next regular session for purposes of promptly adopting a General Appropriations Act and finishing its debate on South Carolina's congressional maps ahead of the 2026 election cycle, both of which are independent, extraordinary circumstances to convene an extra session; and

WHEREAS, article IV, section 19 of the South Carolina Constitution provides that "[t]he Governor may on extraordinary occasions convene the General Assembly in extra session" and further provides that "[s]hould either house remain without a quorum for five days, or in case of disagreement between the two houses during any session with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such times as he shall think proper, not beyond the time of the annual session then next ensuing"; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to article IV, section 19 of the South Carolina Constitution and in accordance with the authority and discretion conferred therein, the undersigned has determined that the foregoing circumstances constitute "extraordinary occasions" such that it is necessary and appropriate to convene the General Assembly in extra session at the earliest practicable opportunity; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned has concluded that 11:00 AM on Friday, May 15, 2026, is the earliest practicable opportunity to convene the General Assembly in extra session.

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of South Carolina and pursuant to the Constitution and Laws of this State and the powers conferred upon me therein, I hereby call an extra session of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina to convene at the State House in Columbia, commencing at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 15, 2026. This Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect unless and until modified, amended, or rescinded by subsequent Order.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 14th DAY OF MAY, 2026.

____________________________
HENRY DARGAN MCMASTER
Governor

ATTEST:
__________________________
MARK HAMMOND
Secretary of State

The Senate was called to order by the PRESIDENT and the proceedings were opened with a devotion by the Chaplain as follows:

Isaiah 12:5

Among the writings of Isaiah the prophet we find these lines: " 'Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.' "

My friends, let us pray: Yet again, O God, as South Carolina's Senators gather once more, we humbly ask that You embrace them all afresh in Your loving and tender care. Remind them all, Lord, that, truly, many marvelous issues have already been properly dealt with and that a great deal of accomplishments this year have already been achieved. The people of our State have truly been blessed once more in many diverse ways, thanks to the diligence and the steadfastness of these leaders. And now as they and their staff members return to this place, may more, and perhaps even greater, gifts be achieved for the good people of this State. So fill all who labor here on Your behalf, dear God, with renewed zeal to accomplish--as Isaiah tells us--even more "glorious things." May it be so, dear Lord, in Your blessed and most holy name.. Amen.

The PRESIDENT called for Petitions, Memorials, Presentments of Grand Juries and such like papers.

Senator CROMER moved that the Senate meet in perfunctory session, pursuant to Rule 1B, on the day H. 5683 receives third reading in the House of Representatives for the sole purpose of receiving the Bill, and any other Bills related to the 2026 election cycle, and further, refer them to the Judiciary Committee. The Senate would continue in perfunctory session, pursuant to Rule 1B, on consecutive days until the PRESIDENT calls the Senate into statewide session.

The motion was adopted.

On motion of Senator DEVINE, the Senate agreed to stand adjourned.

On motion of Senator DEVINE, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of Mr. Thomas "Thom" Charles Salane of Columbia, S.C. Thom graduated from A.C. Flora and the University of South Carolina. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, recognized with the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award and was elected Student Body President. After serving in Vietnam, he graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law where he received the Cy Young Award, the Claude Sapp Award and later clerked for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Thoms career spanned over fifty years where he practiced with Turner, Padget, Graham & Laney in Columbia. He chaired the board of the Free Medical Clinic, served for the South Carolina Bar and volunteered for Homeless No More, Able SC and Sandhills School. He enjoyed playing golf, watching the Lady Gamecocks and spending time with family. Thom was a loving husband, devoted father and doting grandfather who will be dearly missed.

At 11:06 A.M., on motion of Senator TEDDER, the Senate adjourned under the provisions of Rule 1B.

This web page was last updated on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 2:41 P.M.