Copper Dome Chronicle: 2026 Overtime Week 2
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Copper Dome Chronicle, sponsored by Advocatus USA. We strive for substantive writing with brevity, inspired by the book Smart Brevity.
This week’s edition, covering May 25-29 is 562 words or a 2 minute read. The second regular session of the 126th General Assembly adjourned May 14, but a special session began on May 15. Thanks for reading and sharing; we welcome your feedback and commentary!
Memorial Day Flag Rules. In accordance with the U.S. Flag Code [U.S.C. Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(m)], on Memorial Day the United States flag is to be displayed at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, as we mourn our collective grief for the fallen, then raised briskly to the top of the staff to symbolize the resilience and the continuation of the nation they fought to defend. Sunset, the day long memorial concludes.
Resources
FY 2026-2027 Agency Budget Requests
2026 Candidate Tracking Portal
Overtime Week 2 Preview
As of May 24 the House is not expected to hold a floor session this week. The only reason for a floor session would be to consider Senate amendments to H.5683 (new congressional districts map) under the conditions of H.5709 (redistricting rules resolution).
The Senate will meet on Tuesday (11am) and possibly Wednesday (TBD). The bill under consideration is H.5683 (new congressional districts map) and it is in the status of third reading with many amendments pending.
There are 12 bills in the status of a conference committee:
H.5126 (FY27 Budget)
H.3924 (regulate hemp-derived products)
S.52 (DUI)
S.11 (state employee paid parental leave)
H.3021 (Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act)
H.4763 (Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction “HALO” Act)
H.3387 (unlawful occupants of property)
H.4069 (patient billing)
H.4248 (shrimp country of origin labeling)
H.4337 (LAC powers & private organizations)
H.3570 (economic interests disclosures)
H.4635 (gym contract renewals)
H.4709 (Buy American Iron and Steel Act) is in an odd posture because the House nonconcurred in the Senate amendments but session ended on May 14 before the Senate could take any action. It’s unclear if the bill will remain in play or if it has died; it does not appear on the Senate calendar.
H.5573 (Spartanburg County Memorial Auditorium Commission) is local legislation regarding the commission’s composition. It passed the House on May 13 with amendments after the Senate passed it with amendments on May 7. It was referred to the Spartanburg County Senate Legislative Delegation; it remains to be seen if it will be passed.
The House has appointed conferees to S.883 (2026 sine die resolution) but the Senate has not, nor is it expected to appoint conferees.
Governor Henry McMaster has signed or vetoed all legislation presented to him. He issued four vetoes:
H.3558 (Commissioners to Article V Convention) - Veto Message
H.5164 (hospital beds in hallways) - This was vetoed because the Senate version of the bill was signed into law S.958.
S.238 (legislative session extension) - Veto Message
S.428 (fraudulent check expungement) - Veto Message
Overtime Week 1 Review
House floor sessions consumed 23 hours, 31 minutes excluding a recess on Tuesday. The House held three floor sessions and passed one bill: H.5683 (new congressional districts map).
Senate floor sessions consumed 13 hours, 41 minutes excluding time when the Senate receded. The Senate held three floor sessions and spent all its time debating H.5683 (new congressional districts map).
The biggest news was the Board of Economic Advisors increasing its revenue estimates for FY26 and FY27. For H.5126 (FY27 Budget), there is an additional $210.7M recurring and $369.4M nonrecurring revenues available for appropriation.
Committee Schedule
If a livestream link is not provided with a committee meeting that means livestream is not available. Additional meetings may be added during the week and while 24 hours notice is generally given, it is not always possible to provide such notice.
Conference Committee Meetings
As of May 24 no conference committee meetings have been scheduled.
Senate Meetings
As of May 24 no conference committee meetings have been scheduled.
House Meetings
As of May 24 no conference committee meetings have been scheduled.
Joint Meetings
Joint Bond Review Committee
June 9, 1pm; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The JBRC agenda has not yet been posted.
2026 Key Dates
January 13, 2026: Session Convenes
January 28, 2026: Judicial Merit Selection Commission draft report published
January 28, 2026: State of the State Address
February 12, 2026: BEA revenue forecast update
March 4, 2026: Judicial elections
March 9-13, 2026: House floor budget deliberations
March 16-20: House furlough week
March 16, 2026: Candidate filing opens (all statewide constitutional offices, federal offices, SC House of Representatives)
March 30, 2026: Candidate filing closes
April 9, 2026: BEA revenue forecast update (cancelled)
April 6-10: House furlough week (confirmed)
April 20-24, 2026: Senate floor budget deliberations
May 14, 2026: Session Adjourns
May 19, 2026: BEA revenue forecast update
