Newly Introduced Legislation - May 1, 2026

House Bills

H. 5599/S. 1150 – Would require sheriffs to investigate secondary metals recyclers before issuing permits and deny permits to those convicted of tampering to obtain nonferrous metals, with escalating misdemeanor penalties ranging from fines of $200 to $1,000 and up to 30 days to three years imprisonment depending on repeat offenses. The bill also would require recyclers to notify sheriffs in each county of any convictions within 10 days and report suspected stolen metals, with noncompliance punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to three years imprisonment, or both. 

H. 5600 – Would authorize local governments and municipalities to adopt ordinances using red-light cameras to enforce traffic violations, issue citations by mail, and impose civil fines up to $100 with no points or additional fees. The bill also would require local law enforcement agencies and municipal courts to process, adjudicate, and enforce these violations under the new system.  

H. 5617 – Would require a copy of the inventory to be provided to a person whose property is taken subject to a search warrant if demanded.  

H. 5636 – Would allow for people or companies responsible for asbestos harm to be added to verdict forms, even if they are not defendants. 

H. 5639 – Would require each county to be designated as a single school district beginning July 1, 2028, prohibiting multiple districts within a county while allowing cross-county districts. Before that date, the General Assembly must establish by local law the governance, fiscal, administrative, and operational framework for any countywide district not already covered by existing law.  

H. 5640 – Would enact the “South Carolina Speed Safety Act of 2026” to establish an optional pilot program in a municipality with a population of more than 25,000 that would allow the local government to employ a speed-safety system.    

Senate Bills

S. 1168 – Would approve modifications to regulations for the International Plumbing Code.