The 126th session of the South Carolina General Assembly got underway on Tuesday, January 7th.  The week was full of the usual chaos of the first week getting back and bills being read across the desk and getting their respective committee assignments. On January 8th, SCAA along with Carolinas AGC hosted their annual Legislative Day at the Capital. The group spent the day having conversations and hearing from Lt Governor Pamala Evette as well as Senators Ross Turner and Jason Elliott and Representatives Brian Lawson, Chris Wooten, Gary Brewer and Micha Caskey. That evening the group cohosted the 2025 Design Construction Legislative Reception at Parker Poe with ACEC, AIA South Carolina, ASCE, CRMCA, Carolinas AGC, SC Asphalt Pavement Association, American Society of Landscape Architects, SC Society of Professional Engineers and the SC Society of Professional Land Surveyors. It was a tremendous success and was a record turnout.  

Governor Henry McMaster released his 2025-2026 Executive Budget on January 13th.  The total budget figures from his office were approximately $42.6 billion. The House is currently having their budget hearings over the next month prior to them taking up the full budget the week of March 10th.  Some items to note from the Governors budget; $100 billion for bridges, that is the same number he gave last year but the General Assembly ended up granting SCDOT’s $200 billion request. $240 billion was proposed in the Executive Budget in nonrecurring funds for 3 separate programs: SC Emergency Management Division, SCDOT, and SC Office of Resilience. The Governor will be making the State Address on Wednesday, January 29th. 

The second week saw only a few meetings as the Senate and House took the week off due to the snow and ice South Carolina experienced. There were multiple meetings scheduled but they were all moved the week of January 28th.  

This past week the bill most watched for our industry was H.3505 by Representative Bustos. A version of this bill is introduced almost annually by a different member and if passed, would absolutely stifle growth in the aggregate and mining industry. The bill received a subcommittee hearing on Tuesday the 28th. Multiple groups and industry partners showed up to speak out against the bill. The committee adjourned debate of the bill. Expect the mining advisory committee to resume meetings at DES in the coming months.

On Thursday, January 30th, the Senate Judiciary subcommittee had another meeting scheduled on tort reform, but it was cancelled due to the Senate staying in session so late into the afternoon. It is now scheduled for February 6th. Senator Massey said that this is priority one for him and he will continue having hearings until they get a bill on the Senate floor which is projected to be in mid to late February. The trial bar has been very active this last week on the other side of the bill. Blanketing the House Republican Caucus event Tuesday evening and having their membership descend upon the Senate office building all week.