Copper Dome Chronicle: 2026 Session Week 16
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 April 28-30 is 1,580 words or a 6 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 3 weeks remaining in the 2026 regular session***
Week 16 Preview
The House will hold floor sessions on Tuesday (12pm), Wednesday (10am), and Thursday (10am). The House has 25 bills (14 on the contested calendar) for consideration on its calendar to begin the week. There are 15 House bills (13 are contested) and ten Senate bills (one is contested) on the House calendar. The House is expected to debate SCDOT modernization and student discipline bills. A government restructuring bill creating the Department of Consumer Affairs may consume more time than expected. Some bills that may generate debate this week:
H.5057 (lottery ticket vending machines)
H.4042 (ivermectin over-the-counter sales)
H.4737 (college board of trustees training)
H.3197 (college and workforce readiness)
H.4641 (Kratom ban)
H.5504 (Foreign Influence Operations Out of American Education Act)
S.715 (solicitation of charitable funds)
S.325 (Department of Consumer Affairs)
The Senate will hold floor sessions on Tuesday (12pm), Wednesday (1pm), and Thursday (11am). The Senate has 78 bills (34 are contested), three joint resolutions (one is contested; two are regulations), and three concurrent resolutions eligible for consideration on its calendar to begin the week. There are 45 Senate bills (25 are contested) and 33 House bills (nine are contested) on the Senate calendar. No bills are in the status of Special Order, though most advocates are looking at S.1095 (abortion) and if a motion will be made to set it for Special Order. Some bills that may be considered this week:
S.449 (collaborative practice agreements) - House Amendments
S.337 (blue catfish limits) - House Amendments
S.585 (Safeguarding American Families Everywhere “SAFE” Act) - House Amendments
H.3924 (regulate hemp-derived products) - Concur/Non-Concur
S.222 (utility terrain vehicles)
S.76 (criminal gang and anti-racketeering)
S.270 (attempted murder)
S.436 (aircraft property tax)
H.5179 (higher education mapping program)
H.4163 (SC High School Athletic Association Act)
H.4738 (CHE cleanup bill)
H.5073 (Uniform Grading Policy)
H.4000 (alcohol licensing)
H.4544 (medical malpractice reform)
H.4670 (time-limited demands)
Lastly, a friendly reminder. The fate of two critical pieces of legislation remains unknown:
S.883 (2026 sine die resolution) - Passed Senate; House possession since February 4
S.769 (FY27 continuing resolution) - Passed Senate; House possession since January 28
Week 15 Review
House floor sessions consumed 11 hours, 29 minutes excluding the time consumed for a lunch recess on Wednesday. The House held three floor sessions, passed 18 bills, three joint resolutions, and several congratulatory and memorial resolutions. The House spent most of its Wednesday debating amendments to H.3924 (regulate hemp-derived products), which will go to conference committee once the Senate non-concurs in the House amendments. Many bills were moved to the contested calendar, which will consume more floor time in future floor sessions. Legislation that passed the House last week included:
H.3974 (medically necessary providers in public schools) - Enrolled for ratification
H.3650 (discharge firearm at a dwelling) - Enrolled for ratification
S.895 (rural hospitals and certificate of need) - Enrolled for ratification
H.5546 (York District 4 waive school days)
H.5547 (Transfer Timmonsville armory)
H.3408 (foreign ownership of real estate)
H.3924 (regulate hemp-derived products)
H.3047 (balloon releases & litter offenses)
H.3556 (political party nominating contests)
H.5201 (school security assessments & plans)
H.5506 (Pee Dee Regional Airport Authority)
H.5093 (next generation 911)
H.5208 (unprepared food sales tax)
H.4576 (special purpose district participation in SORP)
H.4589 (education capital improvements tax)
H.4477 (heirs’ property)
H.5537 (Transfer Dillon armory)
H.5538 (Guarantee Banking Act)
H.4476 (South Carolina-Bahamas Trade Commission)
H.5018 (governor salary & agency salary head commission)
S.454 (charter school & authorizer accountability)
Senate floor sessions consumed 23 hours, 13 minutes time consumed for a lunch recess on Wednesday. The Senate held three floor sessions, passed two bills and several congratulatory and memorial resolutions. The Senate spent nearly every minute on the FY27 budget debating dozens of budget provisos, including those related to policy bills such as liquor liability, mobile panic alerts for schools, and data centers. Legislation that passed the Senate last week included:
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
None scheduled as of April 26, 2026.
Senate Meetings
Senate Banking and Insurance Subcommittee
April 28, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills on the agenda: H.4817 (Insurance Rate Reduction and Policyholder Protection Act), S.920 (prior authorizations & artificial intelligence use), and S.820 (insurance cost-sharing & breast examinations).
Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
April 28, Upon adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills on the agenda: H.4248 (shrimp country of origin labeling), H.5069 (Protected Lands and Conservation Coordination Act), and S.867 (regulate data centers).
Senate Judiciary Committee
April 28, 15 minutes upon adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are17 bills and ten appointments on the agenda:
H.4805 (create new circuit court and family court judgeships)
H.4813 (magistrate court fees and costs)
H.3874 (Workers’ Compensation Commission medical fee schedules)
H.3163 (firefighters & workers’ comp)
H.5120 (youth offender fingerprints)
H.3049 (Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act)
H.3731 (special purpose districts)
H.5097 (roadside markets)
H.4188 (disposition of unidentified or unclaimed remains)
H.3021 (Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act)
H.4292 (prohibit street takeovers)
H.4706 (racing facilities & taking causes of action)
H.5113 (manufactured homes & zoning)
H.3387 (unlawful occupants of property)
H.3335 (magistrate court representation)
H.3558 (Commissioners to Article V Convention)
H.3474 (transportation network companies)
Senate Finance Committee
April 28, Upon adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: A full Senate Finance Committee meeting is expected to be announced.
Senate LCI Special Subcommittee
April 29, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills on the agenda: H.4767 (prohibit physician non-compete contracts), S.46 (prohibit physician non-compete contracts), and H.3863 (STEM Coalition).
Senate Oversight Subcommittee
April 29, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The subcommittee will receive a presentation from the SC Military Museum & Confederate Relic Room.
Senate Education Committee
April 29, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one regulation and ten appointments on the agenda.
Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee
April 29, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills and two regulations on the agenda: H.4069 (patient billing), H.4635 (gym contract renewals), and H.4799 (CON exemption for state-owned/operated facilities).
Senate FGF Subcommittee
April 29, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: H.4478 (prescribed fire alerts).
Senate Oversight Subcommittee
April 29, 11am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement.
Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
April 29, 11am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: H.4817 (Insurance Rate Reduction and Policyholder Protection Act) and S.920 (prior authorizations & artificial intelligence use). Additionally, the full committee will receive a presentation on deferred presentment (payday lending).
Senate Family and Veterans’ Services Committee
April 29, 12pm; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill and eight appointments on the agenda: H.3510 (county veterans’ affairs officers).
Senate Medical Affairs Committee
April 30, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills, two regulations, and six appointments on the agenda: H.4069 (patient billing), H.4635 (gym contract renewals), and H.4799 (CON exemption for state-owned/operated facilities).
Senate Oversight Subcommittee
April 30, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The subcommittee will continue its review of the Department on Aging.
Senate Oversight Subcommittee
April 30, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The subcommittee will receive presentations from two agencies: Arts Commission and SCETV.
House Meetings
House Judiciary Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Special Laws Subcommittee
April 28, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda. S.508 (monuments and memorials) and H.4302 (foster care residential placements).
House EPW Motor Vehicles Subcommittee
April 28, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills on the agenda: H.3851 (vehicle sunscreens), S.812 (bicycles & stop signs), and S.711 (school crossing guards).
House EPW Higher Education Subcommittee
April 28, 11am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: S.1038 (Religious Liberty Day) and S.832 (zoning ordinances and university events).
House W&M Property Tax Subcommittee
April 28, 11am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills on the agenda: S.769 (FY27 continuing resolution), S.866 (Municipal Tax Relief Act), and S.893 (underground storage tanks).
House 3M Committee
April 28, 1 hour after adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: No agenda has been posted as of April 26.
House Judiciary Committee
April 28, 1:30pm or one hour after adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are four bills on the agenda: S.582 (ratify constitutional amendment), S.52 (DUI), S.357 (mail theft), and S.508 (monuments and memorials).
House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee
April 29, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are five bills on the agenda: S.857 (contingent deferred annuities), S.619 (insurer liquidation), S.780 (conventional mortgage rate definition), S.787 (exempt bridge loans from refinancing), and S.830 (auto insurance & nonprofit members).
House LCI Real Estate Subcommittee
April 30, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills on the agenda for public comment only: H.5010 (licensed interior designers), H.3543 (retailers & restrooms), and H.3546 (delinquent & unpaid utility bills).
Joint Meetings
Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children
April 28, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The committee will receive three presentations.
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
