Copper Dome Chronicle: 2026 Session Week 8
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 3-5 is 2,012 words or an 8 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
Week 8 Preview
The House will hold floor sessions on Tuesday (12pm), Wednesday (10am), and Thursday (10am). The House has 15 bills (four on the contested calendar) eligible for consideration on its calendar to begin the week. Bills that will generate some debate:
H.4758 (ban hemp-derived consumables)
H.3530 (Magistrates' Reform Act)
H.4163 (SC High School Athletic Association Act)
H.4767 (prohibit physician non-compete contracts)
H.5121 (community juvenile crime prevention programs)
H.5120 (youth offender fingerprints)
H.4151 (youth offenders & weapons crimes)
H.4763 (Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction “HALO” Act)
The House will spend this week and next week trying to move legislation prior to budget week (week of March 9) and the anticipated furlough week (March 16). A familiar saying these days: either you’re in front of the budget or behind it.
The Senate will hold floor sessions on Tuesday (12pm), Wednesday (1pm), and Thursday (11am). The Senate has 38 bills (26 are contested) and three joint resolutions (one is contested) eligible for consideration on its calendar to begin the week. Some bills that are not contested that may generate debate and earn floor time:
S.76 (criminal gang and anti-racketeering)
S.832 (zoning ordinances and university events)
H.3974 (medically necessary providers in public schools)
H.3556 (political party nominating contests)
H.3557 (candidate filing)
S.343 (COVID-19 vaccine informed consent)
S.715 (solicitation of charitable funds)
H.3924 (regulate hemp-derived consumables)
H.4305 (wellness reimbursement programs)
The Senate will continue to work its calendar but eyes are focused on H.3858 (watercraft & outboard motor taxes) as the next big bill to move. Some observers say its fate may be tied to passage of S.26 (watercraft liability insurance), which has sat on the Senate calendar since January 29, 2025 but only on February 3, 2026 did it receive a second reading. Additionally, look for H.3924 (regulate hemp-derived consumables) to consume Senate floor time in the coming weeks and possibly move into a Special Order slot.
By far, the most important meeting this week is the joint assembly on March 4 to elect judges. This cycle will be the first conducted under the new requirements enacted in Act 219 of 2024. As of January 28, 2026, there are six contested elections including Seat 2 on the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Incumbent Justice John Few faces Court of Appeals Judge Blake Hewitt (a candidate for the 2024 Supreme Court seat won by Justice Letitia Verdin), former Speaker of the House Jay Lucas, and perennial candidate Judge Ralph K. Anderson III. There are 170 legislators, meaning if all 170 participate in a contest, 86 votes are needed to win the election.
However, some legislators have stated they are choosing not to participate in the elections as a “protest vote” against the current screening and election process. How many decline to vote will impact the votes needed to win a majority. Additionally, legislators may be committed for only the first or second ballot to a judicial candidate, and may change their vote after fulfilling their pledge. Judicial candidates seek “all ballot commitments” during the official period when they can solicit commitments.
As a reminder, there are 124 House members and 46 Senate members. Some simple arithmetic hypotheticals:
A candidate can win election without winning a single Senate vote.
A candidate can win election with all 70 House GOP Caucus members and all 18 House Freedom Caucus members voting as a bloc.
A candidate can win election with all 46 Senate members, all 36 House Democratic Caucus members, and 4 members from a combination of the House GOP Caucus or House Freedom Caucus.
A candidate can win election with all House and Senate Democratic legislators (48 votes), plus 18 House Freedom Caucus members, and then 20 members of the House GOP Caucus.
Week 7 Review
House floor sessions consumed 10 hours, 16 minutes. The House held three floor sessions, passed seven bills, one joint resolution, and several congratulatory and memorial resolutions. Legislation that passed the House last week included:
H.3774 (workers compensation notice)
H.4709 (Buy American Iron and Steel Act)
H.4730 (billboard structure repairs)
H.4752 (remove barber apprenticeship requirement)
H.5140 (notarial fee increase)
H.5162 (financial exploitation)
H.5205 (college student safety training)
H.5261 (alcohol server training extension)
The House spent much of its floor time debating H.4762 (display Ten Commandments/US History documents in public classrooms) and H.3530 (Magistrates' Reform Act). Last week’s blog post stated: “Hunting and fishing bills generate more debate than most observers anticipate.” Sure enough, S.337 (blue catfish limits) was recommitted to committee due to objections from House members. Don’t sleep on hunting and fishing bills.
Senate floor sessions consumed 8 hours, 39 minutes. The Senate held three floor sessions, passed 13 bills and several congratulatory and memorial resolutions. Legislation that passed the Senate last week included:
S.780 (conventional mortgage rate definition)
S.787 (exempt bridge loans from refinancing)
H.4216 (income taxes)
H.4902 (NIL FOIA exemption)
S.70 (school board ethics)
S.420 (investment funds by political subdivisions)
S.723 (CSAM)
S.853 (abandoned buildings tax credit)
H.4343 (human trafficking awareness & prevention training for medical professionals)
H.3223 (veterinarian telehealth)
H.3254 (permanent medical licenses)
S.858 (DCA Foster Care Review Division)
S.325 (Department of Consumer Affairs)
The Senate spent much of its floor time debating amendments to H.4216 (income taxes) before passing it by a 39-5 vote. S.853 (abandoned buildings tax credit) became a proxy debate over the issue of data centers. On February 26 the Senate spent 1 hour, 44 minutes (two-thirds) of its floor session in Executive Session but took no action on appointments pending on the calendar.
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)
Natural Resources and Economic Development; March 3, 9:30am; Agenda; Livestream
Health and Human Services; March 4, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Higher Education; March 5, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
K-12 Education; March 5, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Constitutional; March 5, upon adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
House Ways and Means Committee Budget Briefing
March 5, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The committee will provide a briefing on the FY27 budget.
Senate Meetings
Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee
March 3, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: S.867 (regulate data centers).
Senate Education Subcommittee
March 3, 10:30am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: S.692 (ESTF cleanup bill).
Senate Finance Sales & Income Tax Subcommittee
March 3, 3pm; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are six bills on the agenda: S.519 (taxes on heated cigarettes), H.4303 (taxes on heated cigarettes), H.4137 (bingo licenses for veteran’s organizations), S.682 (tax credit for timber casualty loss), S.866 (Municipal Tax Relief Act), and H.3768 (extend sunset of Act 36 of 2019).
Senate Finance Property Tax Subcommittee
March 3, 3pm; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are four bills on the agenda: S.508 (monuments and memorials), S.436 (aircraft property tax), (S.97 (county treasurer qualifications), and S.98 (county auditor qualifications).
Senate LCI Special Subcommittee
March 3, 3pm; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: S.227 (local government concurrency programs).
Senate FVS Child Welfare Subcommittee
March 4, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: S.540 (definition of child abuse).
Senate Judiciary Subcommittee
March 4, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: S.922 (governor appointments).
Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee
March 4, 9:30am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: S.741 (prohibit vaccines for children under age 2) and S.897 (remove religious exemption for vaccines).
Senate Transportation Committee
March 4, 9:30am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills on the agenda: S.831 (SCDOT modernization), S.371 (mobile driver's licenses & ID cards), and S.222 (utility terrain vehicles).
Senate Education Subcommittee
March 4, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are six regulations on the agenda.
Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee
March 4, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: S.961 (reduce red drum catch limit) and H.3629 (Forestry Commission).
Senate Judiciary Subcommittee
March 5, 9:30am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: H.3021 (Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act) and S.254 (Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act).
Senate LCI Regulatory and Local Government Subcommittee
March 5, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: On the agenda are seven regulations from the Building Codes Council.
Senate Medical Affairs Committee
March 5, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are four bills on the agenda: S.299 (transporting mental health patients), S.862 (involuntary commitment), S.935 (seizures informational document), and S.893 (underground storage tanks). Also, there are three appointments to LLR licensing boards.
House Meetings
House LCI Business and Commerce Subcommittee
March 3, 10:30am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills on the agenda: S.163 (cryptocurrency), H.4613 (credit card swipe fees), and H.4614 (chargeback fees). The latter two bills are public testimony-only bills.
House Tort Reform Ad Hoc Committee
March 3, 1:30pm; Agenda; Livestream
There are two bills on the agenda: H.4544 (medical malpractice reform) H.4670 (time-limited demands).
House EPW K-12 Committee
March 3, 1 hour after adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills on the agenda: H.4610 (American Sign Language Symbol Act), H.3873 (mandate child identification kits), and H.3866 (U.S. citizenship requirement for parents & public school enrollment).
House LCI Banking and Insurance Subcommittee
March 3, 1.5 hours after adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: H.4817 (Insurance Rate Reduction and Policyholder Protection Act).
House Agriculture Wildlife Subcommittee
March 3, 1.5 hours after adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: H.5217 (increase deer tag limits) and S.463 (prohibit swimming near designated public boat landings).
House Regulations, Administrative Procedures, Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Committee
March, 3:30pm; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The committee will receive three presentations on the subject of stablecoins.
House LCI Real Estate Subcommittee
March 3, upon adjournment of the House LCI Banking and Insurance Subcommittee; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: H.5113 (manufactured homes & zoning).
House Legislative Oversight Subcommittee
March 4, 8:30am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The subcommittee will hold its third meeting on the study of the Department of Employment and Workforce.
House 3M Military and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee
March 4, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: H.4974 (land ownership prohibition & Chinese-owned entities).
House Judiciary Criminal Laws Subcommittee
March 4, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are two bills on the agenda: H.4292 (prohibit street takeovers) and H.3034 (law enforcement animals).
House LCI Banking and Insurance Subcommittee
March 4, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There is one bill on the agenda: H.4817 (Insurance Rate Reduction and Policyholder Protection Act).
House Invitations Committee
March 4, 9:15am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are eight road-naming bills on the agenda.
House Regulations, Administrative Procedures, Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Subcommittee
March 5, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are 15 regulations on the agenda.
House 3M Medical and Health Affairs Subcommittee
March 5, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are three bills on the agenda: H.5013 (PFAS testing & firefighters), H.5164 (hospital beds in hallways), and H.4639 (restorative reproductive medicine).
House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee
March 5, 9am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: There are five bills on the agenda: H.3874 (Workers’ Compensation Commission medical fee schedules), H.4817 (Insurance Rate Reduction and Policyholder Protection Act), H.4662 (Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act), S.163 (cryptocurrency), and H.5113 (manufactured homes & zoning).
Joint Meetings
College and University Trustee Screening Commission
March 2, 11am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The commission will screen 27 candidates seeking 23 seats on five higher education institution boards and the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School.
Joint Review and Oversight Commission on the State Ports Authority
March 5, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The commission will screen one candidate for the State Ports Authority Board: former Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Henry McMaster Thomas Limehouse, Jr.
College and University Trustee Screening Commission
March 5, Upon Adjournment; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The commission will screen 17 candidates seeking eight seats on four higher education institution boards.
Joint Bond Review Committee
March 25, 10am; Agenda; Livestream
Summary: The JBRC agenda has not yet been posted.
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 (scheduled)
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
