Copper Dome Chronicle: 2026 Session Week 12
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 March 31 - April 2 is 2,249 words or an 9 minute read. The General Assembly convened on January 13 and will adjourn on May 14. Thanks for reading and sharing; we welcome your feedback and commentary!
Resources
FY 2026-2027 Agency Budget Requests
2026 Candidate Tracking Portal
***There are 7 weeks remaining in the 2026 regular session***
Week 12 Preview
The House will hold floor sessions on Tuesday (12pm), Wednesday (10am), and Thursday (10am). The House has 18 bills (four on the contested calendar) eligible for consideration on its calendar to begin the week. Bills that will generate some debate:
H.4756 (Student Physical Privacy Act) - Senate Amendments
H.3924 (regulate hemp-derived products) - Senate Amendments
H.4758 (ban hemp-derived products)
H.4817 (Insurance Rate Reduction and Policyholder Protection Act)
H.4764 (287(g) immigration agreements)
H.4804 (sexual exploitation of a minor)
H.4761 (college faculty annual and post-tenure evaluations)
H.4042 (ivermectin over-the-counter sales)
H.4737 (college board of trustees training)
The House is anticipated to spend most of its time debating H.4817, which was a priority for House leadership during the 2025 offseason as an ad hoc study committee was formed on the topic of insurance reform. The bill first appeared on a House LCI subcommittee agenda in Week 2, then nothing was heard of the bill until Week 8 when it had two subcommittee meetings in the same week plus was considered at full committee - an uncommon path to the floor. Another looming question is what the House will do with H.3924, the hemp/THC product bill. Earlier this session the House didn’t have the votes to ban these products nor the votes to regulate them. The bill may sit on the calendar for a while.
The House will take its second furlough week during the week of April 6. It is anticipated the House will work its calendar as much as possible this week to leave with a slim calendar until it returns on April 14.
The Senate will hold floor sessions on Tuesday (12pm) and Wednesday (1pm). The Senate will meet in perfunctory session on Thursday under Senate Rule 1B, which means there will be no real floor debate. The Senate has 65 bills (38 are contested), three joint resolutions (one is contested), and one concurrent resolution eligible for consideration on its calendar to begin the week. There are 24 statewide bills that are not contested that may generate debate and earn floor time:
S.146 (long-term care facilities visitation) - House Amendments
S.449 (collaborative practice agreements) - House Amendments
S.688 (unemployment trust fund reform)
H.3856 (omnibus licenses and license plates bill)
S.894 (death certificates)
S.935 (seizures informational document)
S.958 (hospital beds in hallways)
H.3931 (coastal tidelands and wetlands permits)
S.76 (criminal gang and anti-racketeering)
S.270 (attempted murder)
H.3974 (medically necessary providers in public schools)
S.97 (county treasurer qualifications)
S.98 (county auditor qualifications)
S.682 (tax credit for timber casualty loss)
H.3368 (tax conformity)
H.3768 (extend sunset of Act 36 of 2019)
S.893 (underground storage tanks)
S.812 (bicycles & stop signs)
S.863 (culinary arts management degree programs)
H.3195 (physical education requirements)
H.3258 (mobile panic alert systems)
H.3453 (veterans' children tuition assistance)
H.5064 (Northeastern Technical College Area Commission)
H.4730 (billboard structure repairs)
The Senate will work its calendar as a bevy of bills were reported out of full committees over the past three weeks. All eyes are on H.3368 (tax conformity) as the next Special Order bill, but other candidates for Special Order status include S.227 (local government concurrency programs), S.344 (Equine Advancement Act), and H.4303 (taxes on heated cigarettes).
Waiting in the wings is the issue of data center regulation. Advocates under the dome say the vehicle will be S.867 by Senate LCI Chair Tom Davis, though the Senate Judiciary has two bills in its jurisdiction and pieces of them may eventually find their way into S.867. Given the time remaining in the regular session, most advocates expect a “skinny” data center bill with more legislation considered in 2027.
Also pending on the Senate calendar is the question to sustain or override the veto of H.4902 (NIL FOIA exemption). The House quickly overrode Governor McMaster’s veto as expected. The vote doesn’t need to take place immediately, which gives advocates for the bill time to find the 31 votes (if full attendance) necessary to override the veto.
Week 11 Review
House floor sessions consumed 7 hours, 20 minutes. The House held three floor sessions, passed 18 bills, and several congratulatory and memorial resolutions. Legislation that passed the House last week included:
H.3858 (watercraft & outboard motor taxes)
H.3629 (Forestry Commission)
H.3831 (AED mandate)
S.146 (long-term care facilities visitation)
S.449 (collaborative practice agreements)
H.4799 (CON exemption for state-owned/operated facilities)
H.3874 (Workers’ Compensation Commission medical fee schedules)
H.4662 (Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act)
H.5113 (manufactured homes & zoning)
H.4544 (medical malpractice reform)
H.4670 (time-limited demands)
S.694 (Aiken County precincts)
H.5284 (Abbeville County Register of Deeds)
H.4688 (golf cart seatbelts & golf courses)
H.5131 (tribal governments license plates)
H.4736 (CHE commissioner training)
H.4738 (CHE cleanup bill)
H.4767 (prohibit physician non-compete contracts)
The House calendar filled up quickly after a few dozen committee reports were read across the desk. The House had one of its closest votes this session on H.4767 (prohibit physician non-compete contracts), including a rare roll call vote on third reading.
Senate floor sessions consumed 13 hours, 13 minutes. The Senate held three floor sessions, passed 15 bills, one joint resolution, and several congratulatory and memorial resolutions. Legislation that passed the Senate last week included:
S.823 (contact orders & family courts)
S.922 (governor appointments)
H.3924 (regulate hemp-derived products)
S.808 (interference with workers providing critical services)
S.583 (funeral directors continuing education)
S.428 (fraudulent check expungement)
S.711 (school crossing guards)
S.830 (auto insurance & nonprofit members)
S.851 (financial exploitation)
S.996 (background checks technical corrections)
S.1011 (transfer Barnwell County armory)
H.5089 (Beaufort County precincts)
H.3514 (Made in the USA American flags)
S.895 (rural hospitals and certificate of need)
H.3967 (bioenergy forest products)
H.4756 (Student Physical Privacy Act)
The Senate spent much of its Tuesday debating H.3924 (regulate hemp-derived products) on third reading before ultimately sending the bill back to the House. On Wednesday the Senate devoted a large amount of time debating H.4756 (Student Physical Privacy Act), giving the bill second and third reading before the week concluded.
Lastly, the Senate passed road-naming concurrent resolutions in honor of President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama. The Trump concurrent resolution was concurrence, meaning if and when Interstate 73 is constructed a portion of it will be named for him. However, I-73 currently lacks funding to begin construction so it is likely years away before Trump Highway signs will appear. The Obama concurrent resolution began in the Senate and it remains to be seen if the House will pass it. Ultimately, it’s possible neither president will have any roads named after them in the state.
2026 Candidate Filing Opens
Candidates running for federal, state constitutional, State House of Representatives, solicitors, and local government offices may file the required paperwork and filing fees beginning 12pm on March 16. The filing period closes at 12pm on March 30. Candidate filings are updated in real-time.
As of March 29, 2026:
House Incumbents Retiring (6): Hiott, J. L. Johnson, Taylor, McCabe, M. Smith, Wetmore
House Incumbents Not Filed Yet (0): Zero. All House incumbents who are not retiring have filed for office.
Republican House Candidates: 131 candidates in 100 districts. Note: this includes candidates who are affiliated with the House Freedom Caucus.
Democratic House Candidates: 131 candidates in 111 districts.
Third Party Candidate: 9 candidates in 9 districts (4 Libertarian, 3 United Citizens Party, 2 Workers Party).
The biggest news to date has been incumbent State Representative Lucas Atkinson (District 57) switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. District 57 is a +9 Trump district and is centered on Marion County with smaller portions of rural Horry and Williamsburg Counties.
The first gubernatorial debate for Republican candidates is April 1 at the historic Newberry Opera House. The debate series can be viewed on the following television stations and digital platforms:
Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson: WHNS FOX Carolina and on all digital platforms
Columbia: WIS NBC 10 and on all digital platforms
Charleston: WCSC Live 5 and on all digital platforms
Myrtle Beach: WMBF NBC and on all digital platforms
Augusta, Aiken: WAGT NBC and on all digital platforms
Charlotte: Digitally on WBTV website and news app platforms
Savannah: Digitally on WTOC website and news app and CBS platforms
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.
Senate Finance Budget Subcommittees (5 budget hearings)
Health and Human Services, April 1, 9:30am; Agenda; Livestream
Higher Education; April 1, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
K-12 Education; April 1, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Criminal Justice; April 1, 11am; Agenda; Livestream
Natural Resources and Economic Development; April 1, 12pm; Agenda; Livestream
Senate Meetings
Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee
March 31, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: S.867 (regulate data centers).
Senate Finance Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee
March 31, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: H.3876 (accommodations tax & short-term rental property).
Senate Finance Committee
March 31, Upon adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The committee will receive a presentation from the Office of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs about current state revenue data and projections. Anticipate a robust discussion about the revenue projections given the large number of tax bills this year.
Senate Judiciary Subcommittee
March 31, 15 minutes upon adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: S.902 (regulate data centers) and S.724 (data center water usage reporting).
Senate Finance Property Tax Subcommittee
March 31; Upon adjournment of full Senate Finance; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: S.436 (aircraft property tax) and S.556 (renewal natural gas tax credit).
Senate Finance Special Subcommittee
March 31; Upon adjournment of full Senate Finance; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: S.933 (legislator compensation).
Senate FVS Human Services Subcommittee
April 1, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: S.913 (official state song - “Carolina When I Die” by Patrick Davis)) and H.3949 (official state choral anthem).
Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee
April 1, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: H.3022 (long-term care council) and H.3842 (handicapped parking placards).
Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee
April 1, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: H.3872 (Hunting Heritage Protection Act).
Senate Transportation Committee
April 1, 11am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The committee will receive a presentation from the South Carolina Ports Authority.
Senate Legislative Oversight Committee
April 1, 11am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The committee will receive presentations from the Human Affairs Commission and the Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement.
Senate Judiciary Subcommittee
April 1, 11am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: H.4188 (disposition of unidentified or unclaimed remains).
Senate Banking and Insurance Subcommittee
April 1, 12pm; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: S.920 (prior authorizations & artificial intelligence use) and S.330 (copay accumulator).
House Meetings
House Judiciary DRBP Subcommittee
March 31, 9:30am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are four bills on the agenda: H.3408 (foreign ownership of real estate), H.4659 (non-compete clauses & LLCs), H.4747 (county & municipal water systems), and H.4754 (religious corporations).
House Ways & Means General Government Subcommittee
March 31, 10:30am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills on the agenda: S.11 (state employee paid parental leave), H.4576 (special purpose district participation in SORP), and H.5139 (Honor Our First Responders Act).
House Ways & Means Sales, Use and Income Tax Subcommittee
March 31, 11am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: H.4061 (SNAP benefits & ban candy/soda purchases) and H.5122 (sales tax exemption & communication services equipment).
House Judiciary Committee
March 31, 11am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills on the agenda: H.4679 (Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act), H.4706 (racing facilities & taking causes of action), and H.4805 (create new circuit court and family court judgeships).
House Regulations, Administrative Procedures, Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Subcommittee
March 31, 11am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two regulations on the agenda, both from the State Board of Education.
House Education and Public Works Committee
March 31, Upon Adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: S.585 (Safeguarding American Families Everywhere “SAFE” Act) and H.5309 (Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact).
House Judiciary Criminal Laws Subcommittee
April 1, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: S.52 (DUI).
House 3M Military and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee
April 1, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: S.695 (Safeguarding American Veterans' Benefits Act) and H.4607 (Military Skills to Civilian Licensure Act).
House LCI Regulatory Review Subcommittee
April 1, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: H.4103 (expand optometrists scope of practice) and H.4398 (magnet fishing). No action will be taken on H.4398 but public testimony will be accepted.
House Ways and Means Committee
April 1; 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are seven bills on the agenda:
S.831 (SCDOT modernization)
H.5071 (SCDOT modernization)
H.5057 (lottery ticket vending machines)
S.32 (pregnancy care tax credit)
H.5018 (governor salary & agency salary head commission)
H.4611 (paid parental leave and stillbirth)
H.5173 (rural hospitals and certificate of need)
House Regulations, Administrative Procedures, Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Subcommittee
April 2, 8:30am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one regulation on the agenda from the State Board of Pharmacy.
House Judiciary Criminal Laws Subcommittee
April 2, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are four five bills on the agenda: H.3047 (balloon releases & litter offenses), H.3597 (sentence reduction for substantial assistance with law enforcement), H.4816 (homicide), H.5401 (uncertified electronic monitoring services), and H.5288 (cargo theft).
House LCI Banking and Insurance Subcommittee
April 2, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: H.4382 (nonprescription ephedrine product manufacturers & data collection fees) and H.3257 (genetic protections & insurance policies). No action will be taken on H.3257 but public testimony will be accepted.
House LCI Real Estate Subcommittee
April 2, Upon Adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: H.5216 (International Energy Conservation Code) and H.3847 (co-owned homes & local governments).
Joint Meetings
Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children
March 31, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The committee will receive presentations from the SC Housing Coalition and the Department of Public Health.
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
April 6-10: House furlough week (confirmed)
April 20-24, 2026: Senate floor budget deliberations (projected)
May 14, 2026: Session Adjourns
May 19, 2026: BEA revenue forecast update
