Newly Introduced Legislation - March 13, 2026

House Bills

H. 5355, H. 5356, H. 5358, H.5359 and H. 5361 – Would prohibit an individual from voting in a partisan primary election if they are not a registered member of that party and require the State Election Commission to assist county boards in capturing and maintaining this data. 

H. 5357 – Would require that an inmate incarcerated in a Department of Corrections facility or a local detention facility be compensated for at least an hourly rate equal to the federal minimum wage for work performed while incarcerated, with exceptions. 

H. 5360 – Would amend the South Carolina Constitution to limit members of the South Carolina Senate to two terms in office and members of the South Carolina House of Representatives to four terms in office. 

H. 5362 – Would dissolve the SCDOT Commission and devolve its duties to the secretary. The bill also would allow the secretary to establish regional transportation districts to perform the duties of the current highway districts. 

H. 5363 – Would enact the “Fix Our Roads Accountability Act” to require the secretary of SCDOT to establish and administer a statewide pavement preservation program consistent with Federal Highway Administration guidelines, to implement the program, and to provide annual reporting to the General Assembly.  

H. 5366 – Would allow magistrates to issue ex parte orders of protection in certain circumstances. 

Senate Bills

S. 997 – Would authorize a South Carolina motor vehicle dealer to sell a motor vehicle through consignment. 

S. 1001 – Would allow the Department of Revenue (DOR) to issue retail alcoholic beverage caterer licenses and provide for the licensing requirements. DOR must require the applicant to complete a law enforcement notification on their application, and the chief of police or county sheriff must be notified of the temporary permit application and given an opportunity to object. 

S. 1005 - Would increase the salaries of family court judges. 

S. 1006 – Would designate greenspace and greenbelt programs as qualifying projects under the Capital Projects Sales Tax.  

S. 1007 – Establishes the Franchise Act of 2026 defining when franchisors are considered employers. It requires franchisors to have direct and immediate control over essential employment terms to be considered employers.  

S. 1008 – Establishes specific legal standards for negligent security claims against property owners when third-party crimes occur on the property’s premises. It requires plaintiffs to prove foreseeability through particularized warnings or prior similar incidents and limits owner liability through various exceptions.