Workforce and Regulation

Regulatory review bill awaits conference committee

Last year, the House unanimously passed the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act, or H.3021, with the goal of reducing the burden of overregulation in South Carolina. As the bill stands now, this still is the intent, but some state agencies and business sectors are concerned about unintended consequences. 

Brendan Connors

Written by
May 22, 2026

  • Regulatory review bill awaits conference committee

    Last year, the House unanimously passed the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act, or H.3021, with the goal of reducing the burden of overregulation in South Carolina. As the bill stands now, this still is the intent, but some state agencies and business sectors are concerned about unintended consequences. 
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    May 22, 2026

  • State regulatory system faces overhaul?

    Update 5/6/26: H.3021 has passed second reading on the Senate floor. Upon third reading the House will consider the Senate amendments. Update 5/7/26: H.4337, which grants subpoena power to the Legislative Audit Council, has passed second reading on the Senate floor. Upon third reading the House will consider the Senate...
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    May 06, 2026

  • Analysis: Bill seeks to modernize South Carolina’s regulatory framework

    The burden of overregulation is one of the largest obstacles preventing South Carolina from reaching its full economic potential. H.3021, also known as the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act, seeks to limit overregulation and help businesses flourish.   Summary
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    January 30, 2026

  • Edisto Island Shuttle shows how red tape hurts small-town transportation

    When large rideshare companies don’t serve rural South Carolina, small operators step up, but government rules make it an uphill climb. There are several rural communities across South Carolina where major rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have declined to operate. This is due to a mix of factors, chiefly limited...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    November 07, 2025

  • DOGE in SC: More bureaucratic bloat will not fix government waste

    The federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is new and trendy, but the desire for efficient and effective limited governance is rooted in America’s founding principles that the South Carolina Policy Council works to uphold.  
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    July 24, 2025

  • Alcohol delivery bill watered down by regulations, licensing requirements

    A bill (H.4364) recently passed by the S.C. House would allow retailers to offer curbside pickup or at-home delivery of beer and wine, subject to licensing requirements, fees and other regulations.
    William Morton

    Written by
    February 23, 2024

  • Analysis: SC lending bill would reduce consumer options, harm competition

    A proposal filed this year would reduce the financial options available to S.C. consumers and could force lenders to exit the state. The Senate bill (S.910) aims to heavily restrict lenders’ ability to market their products, among other measures, potentially making South Carolina untenable for business and cutting off borrowers’...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    February 02, 2024

  • An interest rate cap would harm SC consumers, reduce options

    A legislative proposal filed this year would reduce the borrowing options available to South Carolina consumers and could force lenders to leave the state. The Senate bill (S.518) would set a 36% cap on the annual percentage interest rate (APR) that can be charged for loans, which risks cutting off...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    April 28, 2023

  • McMaster signs bipartisan bill to expedite road work

    On Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law a unanimously passed bill (S.361) that will speed up road improvement projects in South Carolina. The bill simplifies how construction contracts that are awarded by S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) can be extended to include more work.
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    April 05, 2023

  • South Carolina should remove its cap on title insurance commission

    South Carolina unnecessarily regulates the relationship between title insurance agencies and their underwriters. A recently filed state House bill would embrace the free-market system and allow the two parties to negotiate commission payments on their own terms. Title insurance is a way to protect yourself from financial loss and related legal expenses...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    March 10, 2023