South Carolina Legislative Update: October 16

Compiled by Ben Homeyer

South Carolina Department of Transportation House Ad Hoc Committee has hosted 4 hearings so far, one in Columbia, one in Myrtle Beach, one in Beaufort, and in Greenville. The next meeting will be October 23rd in Sumter at 12:00 PM at Central Carolina Technical College. The meeting is called Industry Day and will focus on stakeholders and allow for their industry specific testimony. We do know that the Anderson meeting is being replaced with a meeting in Charleston, date, location and time still not known.  Caroline and I have been in contact about the industry meeting and have decided at this time we will listen in that day as we have had a target on our backs since the bridge collapsed.

Several days were spent last month with the House Republican Caucus. They are looking to raise major funds for the next cycle of elections. They specifically stated they are looking to oust and defeat freedom caucus members. Speaker Smith also said he intends to be working closer with the White House and two individuals who have been identified to be liaisons between the state and DC. The House of Representatives will come out with their legislative priorities in December. Representative Brandon Newton who is the Assistant Majority Leader stated they will not take anything controversial up until after the filing date closes on the 1st of April. We have been told that one of their main agenda items will be business/personal tax reform and more with income tax.  The House will also look at further tort reform.

As soon as the Senate gets underway, we have been told that the abortion bill, sponsored by Senator Richard Cash, will be the first bill the body takes up. It is extremely restrictive and essentially eliminates abortion in South Carolina. We expect this to go on for weeks and be the only topic on the floor. They have had one all day subcommittee meeting on the bill this month and will most likely have another in November, with the intention of having the bill ready for the first week of session.

We will once again be looking to take another bite at the apple regarding tort reform in both bodies. We do not know exactly what that looks like right now, as numerous sections of 244 as passed the Senate were pulled from the version that passed the House.  We are continuing conversations within the business community, our allies, and leadership.

The business community has had several meetings with those that represent heavy trucks (SCAA, CRMCA, AGC’s, Trucking, Poultry and Forestry). We have also met with SCDOT and SCDPS and will continue to do so. This stems from the bridge issue in Pickens County and the subsequent immediate posting of weight restrictions on bridges. The “Heavy Truck Caucus” has also met without the agencies and are discussing legislative needs for 2026.

In other business community news, on October 14th, Governor McMaster held a press conference to announce that the SC State Chamber and the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance will merge into a new organization, starting January 1, 2026. Named, South Carolina Manufactures and Commerce will combine leadership, resources, and missions of both organizations to form one of the largest business advocacy groups in state history.

Last month’s meeting of the BEA showed a surplus of $400 million ahead of the previous estimate. The state is now at least $700 million over projections…SC is flush with cash. A lot of this is because of the continued growth in population, with no signs of slowing down. They will meet again in November and will release updated figures that the Governor will use to write his version of the budget.   State agencies are already meeting with the Governor on their needs.

There are 4 open seats that are being filled by special election, 3 of those are currently underway. The primary election for all three seats is Oct. 21. If necessary, a runoff will be held Nov. 4. The special election for all three seats is Dec. 23. And the special election for House District 98 is Jan. 6, 2026. Early voting for the Nov. 4 primary opens Oct. 20 and runs through Oct. 31.

For former Representative RJ May’s seat, you have Republicans Brian Duncan, Lorelei Graye, John Lastinger and Darren Rogers and Democrat Chuck Hightower.

For Representative Bobby Cox’s seat, you have all Republicans seeking to grab his seat, Reggy Batson, Dianne Mitchell, Steve Nail and Jack Stott.

For Representative Chris Murphy’s seat, you have the largest group of hopefuls. Republicans Greg Ford, Brian Hill and David Johnson. Democrats Damian Daly, Stephen Kohn and Sonja Ogletree Satani.

For Senator Roger Nutt’s seat you have all Republicans in the race. Hope Blackley, Justin Bradley and Lee Bright.

In the race for Governor, current poll results found nearly 20% of voters said they would vote for Lt Governor Pamela Evette, 16% for Rep. Nancy Mace, 12% for Attorney General Alan Wilson, 9% for Rep. Ralph Norman and 1% for State Senator Josh Kimbrell.

Another race to watch is for longtime Republican Senator Lindsey Graham who is being challenged by Paul Dans and Mark Lynch. Current polls have Graham at 46.3%, Dans at 22.1% and Lynch at 4.1%.  Polls for all the races seem to update weekly.