Statehouse Update March 25-27

Update 3/27/25: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week.

Lawmakers are moving quickly as the budget process is in full swing at the Statehouse. SCPC has long supported a substantial reduction in income taxes, and today, House and Senate leadership are expected to join the governor in a press conference at 11:30 a.m. to announce state income tax reform.

A livestream to the press conference can be accessed here.

S.C. DOGE is expected to see action on the Senate floor as the tort reform debate continues on. A state government DEI ban, amended to exclude third-party contractors, has advanced to the House floor for consideration.

Legal Reform

Tort Reform S.244 – Provides that a jury determine the percentage of fault of the claimant and of any nonparty, using those percentages as a basis for damages, along with other insurance regulatory reforms. For a full SCPC analysis of S.244, click here. This bill has a special order for debate on the Senate floor. Update: This bill has passed the full Senate upon third reading and advances to the House for consideration.
S.C. DOGE S.318 – Creates a commission that sends spending cut recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly. This bill is on the Senate floor.
Banning DEI H.3927 –Prohibits the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs while requiring the consideration of individual merit. This bill is on the House floor.

Education

Private Security for Public Schools S.269 –Allows public school districts with over 15,000 students to contract private security protection to work in public schools. The Senate education committee hears this bill on Wednesday, March 26 at 10am. Update: This bill has advanced to the Senate floor.

Energy

The Big Energy Bill H. 3309 - This bill is the SC House’s aim at generating more energy to meet demands, the bill restructures the public service commission and mandates the departmental transfer of consumer advocacy responsibilities to the office of regulatory staff. It also encourages the deployment of a natural gas facility and new nuclear facilities, automatically approves projects after 6 months, bypasses the SC Court of Appeals for approvals, and still allows companies to charge ratepayers before project completion. The bill encourages adherence to a 10-year plan that rejects market signals and creates more bureaucracy. The Senate Judiciary committee hears this bill on Tuesday, March 25 at 2pm or 15 minutes after Senate adjournment. Update: This bill has advanced to the Senate floor.
Rate increases for construction projects S.446 – Allows an energy provider to submit revenue documentation for the public service commission’s consideration, empowering the PSC to set the official rate range a customer can be charged. This bill has language allowing construction costs to be considered in total revenue computation. The Senate Judiciary committee hears this bill on Tuesday, March 25 at 2pm or 15 minutes after Senate adjournment. Update: This bill has advanced to the Senate floor.

Budget Hearings

Senate Finance Constitutional Subcommittee

Tuesday, March 25 at 10am hearing from the Office of the State Auditor and the Council of State Governments.
Thursday, March 27 upon adjournment of the Senate hearing from the Attorney General's office (and on provisos).

Senate Finance Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee

Wednesday, March 26 at 10am hearing from the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Office of Resilience, South Carolina Forestry Commission, and the Department of Natural Resources.

Senate Finance Transportation and Regulatory Subcommittee

Wednesday, March 26 at 12pm hearing on provisos.

Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee

Thursday, March 27 at 10 am hearing on provisos.

Senate Finance Health and Human Services Subcommittee

Thursday, March 27 upon adjournment of the Senate hearing from the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services and the Department of Mental Health.