New laws taking effect in South Carolina
Every South Carolina and federal law and rule we've explained, sorted by the date it starts. Each entry links to our easy-to-understand explainer and the official source. This page updates every time we publish.
Coming up (20) · Already in effect (29) · Date to be set / proposals (12)
Add these dates to your calendar. All-day reminders for each upcoming start date, with a link back to the explainer. Subscribed calendars update on their own.
Coming up
October 2026
- SC Law
Imported shrimp signs (H.4248, Act 254): what SC restaurants must post starting Oct. 28
: Takes effect
Starting October 28, 2026, South Carolina restaurants and other food service establishments that serve shrimp imported into the United States must post a disclaimer on their menu, if they have one, and on a sign at their main entrance.
- Federal Rule
Social Security updates how it evaluates heart and blood vessel conditions for disability benefits
: Effective
Social Security's "Listing of Impairments" describes medical conditions severe enough that an adult who meets the criteria is presumed disabled. This final rule revises the heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) listings for adults and children, the first full revision since 2006.
November 2026
- Federal
2027 health insurance open enrollment in SC: Nov. 1 to Jan. 15, the Dec. 15 deadline for Jan. 1 coverage, and SC's approved 2027 rate increases
: Open enrollment starts (enroll by Dec. 15 for Jan. 1 coverage; ends Jan. 15, 2027)
Open enrollment for 2027 HealthCare.gov plans, which South Carolina uses, runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll or change plans by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. Sign up December 16 to January 15 and coverage starts February 1.
- Federal Order
Flying home from abroad after Nov. 3? CDC order requires every passenger to sign a form saying they have not been in Congo (DRC) in the past 21 days
: Applies to flights departing at or after 11:59 p.m. EST (through Dec. 18, 2026)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order, published in the Federal Register on Oct. 27, 2026, in response to the outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
- SC Ballot
Local 1% sales tax questions on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot: Greenville County, four Greenville County cities and five Oconee County cities and towns
: Voters decide local sales tax questions (any approved tax starts May 1, 2027)
Greenville County voters will see two questions on November 3, 2026: a one-percent sales and use tax for up to eight years or until $1.1 billion is collected, whichever comes first, for roads ($990 million), mass transit ($33 million) and greenbelts ($77 million); and up to $150 million in general obligation bonds to be repaid from that tax.
- Federal Rule
EPA repeals most of the 2024 power plant carbon standards and proposes repealing the rest
: Effective
The EPA has repealed most of its 2024 "Carbon Pollution Standards" for fossil fuel-fired power plants. The rule takes effect November 16, 2026.
- SC Law
Street-legal UTVs (S.222, Act 164): what SC requires to drive a side-by-side on public roads starting Nov. 18
: UTV road-use rules take effect (golf cart changes took effect May 18, 2026)
Starting November 18, 2026, a utility terrain vehicle (UTV, or side-by-side) that meets the law's definition may be driven on some South Carolina public roads if it is titled, registered for road use, insured and displays a rear license plate.
- Federal Rule
Robocall and robotext opt-outs: the FCC lets callers limit a "stop" to one type of message and pick the opt-out method you must use
: Takes effect
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) changed its rules on how you stop robocalls and robotexts you once agreed to get. The rule was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 26, 2026, and takes effect Nov. 25, 2026.
- Federal Rule
New federal fuel economy (CAFE) standards lower required mpg for 2022-2031 vehicles; NHTSA estimates $1,289 less per new car
: Effective
NHTSA's final rule resets Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for cars and light trucks for model years 2022-2026 and 2027-2031. The rule takes effect November 30, 2026.
December 2026
- Federal Rule
Health plan price transparency: insurers must give cost estimates by phone, and published price files change format
: Effective
Under federal "Transparency in Coverage" rules, most private health plans must give members cost-sharing estimates for covered services and publish their negotiated prices in machine-readable files.
- Federal Rule
FDA lets makers of cheese, canned vegetables, ketchup and other "standardized" foods use salt substitutes
: Effective
Some foods have federal "standards of identity" (recipes set in regulation) that list salt as an ingredient but don't allow salt substitutes. This FDA final rule changes 80 of those standards to permit "safe and suitable" salt substitutes.
- SC Law
Guarantee Banking Act (H.5538, Act 257): new rules for the biggest banks and payment companies when they close or refuse South Carolina accounts, starting Dec. 30
: Takes effect
Starting December 30, 2026, the Guarantee Banking Act (Act No. 257, H.5538) bars the largest banks and payment companies from refusing, ending or restricting South Carolina customers’ accounts, payments or credit based on protected religious exercise, protected speech or association, or factors that are not quantitative, impartial and risk-based.
- Federal Notice
Social Security and SSI go up 3.6% for 2027: new payment amounts, earnings limits and the taxable wage cap
: Higher SSI payments start (Social Security with January 2027 payments)
Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will rise 3.6% for 2027, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced in a notice filed Oct. 23, 2026. The increase follows a federal inflation index (CPI-W).
January 2027
- SC Law
Drone rules (H.4679, Act 150): new SC limits near prisons, jails and military bases, and penalties for unregistered drones, starting Jan. 1, 2027
: Takes effect
Starting January 1, 2027, a new state law, the Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act (Act No. 150, H.4679), sets South Carolina rules for flying drones.
- SC Law
Eviction records (H.4270, Act 214): SC to remove old eviction filings from public view after seven years
: Takes effect
Starting January 1, 2027, South Carolina eviction filings and records must be removed from the public index and any publicly accessible files seven years after the final disposition or filing, if no additional filing is recorded.
- SC Law
Kids and social media (H.4591, Act 237): what the biggest platforms must do for South Carolina users under 16 starting Jan. 1, 2027
: Takes effect
Starting January 1, 2027, the largest social media platforms (those with at least $1 billion a year in worldwide advertising revenue) must estimate the age of South Carolina users once they spend 25 hours on the platform, and treat them as children (under 16) unless the platform is confident they are older.
- SC Law
Magistrate court fees (H.4813, Act 155): higher civil filing, eviction and service fees in SC magistrates courts starting Jan. 1, 2027
: Takes effect
Starting January 1, 2027, several fees and costs collected in South Carolina magistrates courts go up under Act No. 155 (H.4813).
- SC Law
Deer tags (H.5217, Act 207): one of SC residents’ three free buck tags becomes an antler-restricted tag starting Jan. 2, 2027
: Takes effect
Starting January 2, 2027, Act No. 207 (H.5217) changes the free base set of deer tags a South Carolina resident gets with a hunting license and big game permit.
February 2027
- Federal Rule
New federal rule changes how airlines report the cause of delays and cancellations
: Effective (applies to flights on or after Jan. 1, 2027)
A U.S. Department of Transportation final rule (Sept. 3, 2026) changes how airlines report why flights are delayed or cancelled, as required by Section 511(b) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
October 2027
- Federal Law
Romance Scam Prevention Act (H.R. 2481, Public Law 119-129): dating apps must warn you when a banned scam account messaged you, starting Oct. 2027
: Takes effect
A new federal law, the Romance Scam Prevention Act, requires online dating sites and apps to send a "fraud ban notification" to any member who received a message from an account the service banned for suspected fraud.
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Already in effect
October 2026
- Federal Rule
Labor Department rescinds federal contractor affirmative action rules under Executive Order 11246
: In effect
Executive Order 11246 (1965) barred federal contractors from certain kinds of employment discrimination and required affirmative action steps. Executive Order 14173 revoked it on January 21, 2025.
- Federal Rule
Prediction markets vs. sportsbooks: the CFTC says casino-style bets are not "swaps" and proposes that sports and election event contracts are
: Interim final rule effective (comments due Nov. 18, 2026)
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the federal regulator of futures and swaps markets, issued two related actions on Oct. 19, 2026 about where federal oversight of "event contracts" (sometimes called prediction markets) ends and state gambling regulation begins.
- SC Law
DMV changes now in effect (H.3856, Act 115): 60-day temporary tags, veterans' parking-meter exemption repealed, electronic titles
: In effect
H.3856 (Act No. 115) is a broad Department of Motor Vehicles law that took effect October 6, 2026, six months after the Governor signed it.
- SC Law
State employee parental leave (S.11, Act 249): paid leave for the non-birth parent rises from two weeks to four
: Effective
Since October 1, 2026, eligible South Carolina state employees who do not give birth get four weeks of paid parental leave at full pay after a birth or when fostering a child in state custody. Before, it was two weeks.
- SC Law
Civil Air Patrol Leave Act (S.1043, Act 250): SC employers must give CAP volunteers at least 40 days of leave a year
: Effective
Since October 1, 2026, public and private employers in South Carolina must give employees who are Civil Air Patrol members at least 30 days of leave per calendar year to respond to emergency service operations, plus at least 10 days per year for training.
September 2026
- Federal Law
New law directs NOAA to publish online maps of federal fishing restrictions and boating rules offshore
: Signed into law
The law requires the Commerce Department (through NOAA Fisheries) to publish map (GIS) data showing where and when federal fishing restrictions apply in the U.S. exclusive economic zone. That zone generally runs from 3 to 200 miles offshore.
- Federal Rule
HealthCare.gov pauses new insurance agent and broker registrations until Feb. 1, 2027 to curb unauthorized enrollments
: Effective (moratorium runs until Feb. 1, 2027)
Agents and brokers who did not have a Plan Year 2026 agreement with the federal Marketplace cannot register to sell 2027 HealthCare.gov plans until February 1, 2027. The pause took effect September 22, 2026.
- Federal Law
Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act: deadlines for the Bureau of Prisons to address sexual harassment and assault of staff by inmates
: Signed into law
Congress found that a 2023 Justice Department Inspector General report showed inmate-on-staff sexual harassment and assault in federal prisons is "widespread." The report also found the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) did not collect adequate data and had not carried out the report's recommendations.
- Federal Law
Disaster tax relief law extends the special casualty-loss deduction to disasters through 2026, including SC's January 2026 winter storm
: Signed into law
Before this law, special tax treatment for "qualified disaster-related personal casualty losses" covered only major disasters with incident periods that began by July 4, 2025. This law extends it to disasters whose incident periods begin before January 1, 2027.
- Federal Law
Federal stopgap funding law keeps the government open through Dec. 11 and extends flood insurance, highway programs and more
: Signed into law (most funding runs through Dec. 11, 2026)
Federal fiscal year 2027 began October 1, 2026. This law, a continuing resolution (CR), funds federal agencies at mostly FY2026 levels through the earlier of December 11, 2026 or passage of full-year spending bills, which prevents a shutdown on October 1.
- SC Budget
Supplemental budget (H.3305, Act 261): leftover 2026-27 money goes to hundreds of local projects in priority order
: Effective
H.3305 (Act No. 261), signed September 1, 2026, makes supplemental appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026-27 using the residual balance of nonrecurring funds from the 2026-27 General Appropriations Act.
August 2026
- Federal Rule
Duck, goose and dove seasons: federal hunting limits will now be set by a memorandum every three years instead of annual rules
: Effective
Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has published federal regulations setting the outer limits for migratory game bird hunting, such as season dates and lengths, shooting hours and bag limits. States then set their own seasons inside those limits.
- Federal Rule
Small-business "beneficial ownership" reports: FinCEN makes the U.S. company exemption permanent and plans to delete old filings
: Effective
The 2021 Corporate Transparency Act required many LLCs and corporations to report their owners ("beneficial ownership information," or BOI) to the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
- SC Law
Judges' retirement age (H.4300, Act 258): SC raises the age limit in the judges' retirement system from 72 to 74
: In effect on approval
H.4300 (Act No. 258), signed August 13, 2026, changes the retirement age of judges in South Carolina's Retirement System for Judges and Solicitors from 72 to 74, according to the act's title.
- Federal Rule
DOT extends pause on enforcing parts of its airline wheelchair rule to April 30, 2027
: Enforcement pause announced (until April 30, 2027)
DOT will not enforce four parts of its December 2024 wheelchair rule until April 30, 2027. The earlier pause ran to Dec. 31, 2026. The four parts cover airline liability for mishandled wheelchairs, refresher training frequency, pre-departure notifications and fare-difference reimbursements.
July 2026
- SC Governor
How SC filled its U.S. Senate vacancy: the July 13 appointment, the special primary and the Nov. 3 election
: Appointment made (runs until Jan. 3, 2027)
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham died on July 11, 2026, creating a vacancy in one of South Carolina's two U.S. Senate seats, according to the Governor's executive order.
- Federal Law
Farmers and forest owners hit by disasters can get larger up-front USDA payments under a new law
: Became law
USDA's Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) helps farmers repair farmland damaged by natural disasters. The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) does the same for private, non-industrial forest land.
- Federal Law
ROAD to Housing Act: limits on big investors buying single-family homes, HOME and CDBG changes, and a pause on a Fed digital dollar
: Became law (investor purchase ban starts 180 days later)
This broad housing law became law July 11, 2026 without the President's signature. The House passed the final version 358-32 and the Senate 85-5.
- Federal Rule
Renumbered flights and refunds: DOT extends its enforcement pause to July 2027
: Enforcement pause extended (expires July 7, 2027)
Under DOT's 2024 refund rule, a flight that gets a different flight number than when you bought your ticket counts as a "cancelled flight," which triggers a prompt refund and refund notices.
- Federal Rule
Airline bag and change fees: DOT removes the 2024 up-front fee display rule and restores the 2011 disclosure rules
: Effective
A U.S. Department of Transportation final rule, effective July 2, 2026, removes the 2024 rule that would have required airlines and ticket sites to show bag, change and cancellation fees the first time a fare appears in a search.
- SC Law
Smart Heart Act (H.3831, Act 108): cardiac emergency plans and AEDs at SC school athletic venues
: Took effect; applies beginning with the 2027-28 school year
The Smart Heart Act (H.3831, Act No. 108) took effect July 1, 2026. Its requirements apply beginning with the 2027-2028 school year.
- SC Law
Small business tax and unemployment tax changes (S.688, Act 243): $10,000 business property exemption, new UI trust fund target
: Takes effect (property tax changes first apply to tax years after 2026)
S.688 (Act No. 243) exempts from property tax the first $10,000 of the net depreciated value of business personal property owned by a qualifying small business, starting with property tax years beginning after 2026.
- SC Law
School grading (H.5073, Act 204): SC bans minimum-grade policies and limits benchmark tests in final grades
: Effective
Since July 1, 2026, no South Carolina public school district or school, including charter schools, may use a grading system that requires teachers to give a minimum grade or score higher than a student's actual performance on required assignments.
- SC Law
SC 211 helpline (S.697, Act 126): the 2-1-1 network moves to the Department of Consumer Affairs
: Effective
Effective July 1, 2026, the South Carolina 211 Network, the 2-1-1 information and referral line for health and human services and disaster help, was transferred to the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs.
- SC Law
Red drum rules (S.961, Act 231): one fish per angler, 18-25 inch slot and circle hooks in SC waters
: Red drum and hook rules effective
Since July 1, 2026, it is unlawful in South Carolina to take or possess more than one red drum per person per day, and no more than two per boat per day. The old limits were two per person and six per boat.
May 2026
- SC Law
Black license plates (H.5131, Act 159): SC law now provides an official blackout plate. Here's what it costs and what's still not allowed
: Took effect; DMV must produce blackout plates within six months
Yes, there is now an official black plate. H.5131 (Act No. 159) adds Section 56-3-16610, which says the Department of Motor Vehicles "shall issue blackout special license plates" with "a solid black background and white characters imprinted horizontally."
January 2026
- SC Law
SC income tax changes (H.4216, Act 110): two brackets, a 5.21% top rate and the new SCIAD deduction for 2026 returns
: Applies to tax years starting Jan. 1, 2026 (returns due April 15, 2027)
Starting with 2026 income, SC has two brackets: 1.99% on taxable income under $30,000, and for $30,000 or more, 5.21% of taxable income minus $966. The bracket amounts are adjusted for inflation each year.
September 2025
- SC Law
SC hands-free driving law (H.3276, Act 40): phones at red lights, in mounts, fines and points
: Took effect (tickets since Feb. 28, 2026)
While driving on a public road in SC, you may not hold or support a phone with any part of your body, read or type texts, emails or app content, or watch video. The law took effect September 1, 2025. After a 180-day warning period, tickets began February 28, 2026.
May 2025
- SC Law
SC Energy Security Act (H.3309): what the new utility law means for your power bill
: Effective
H.3309, the "South Carolina Energy Security Act," became law (Act No. 41) when the Governor signed it on May 12, 2025.
Date to be set / proposals
Proposed rules, guidance and bills that aren't final, and laws whose start depends on a later step (such as an agency rule or a set number of days after signing). See each explainer for details.
- Federal Rule
SNAP EBT card security proposed rule: chip and tap cards, blocks on weak PINs, card locks and alerts, and 12 months of transaction history
Proposed Oct. 23, 2026 · Comments due Dec. 22, 2026
USDA's Food and Nutrition Administration proposed new security rules for SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards on Oct. 23, 2026, aimed at stopping card skimming and other benefit theft.
- Federal Rule
Treasury proposed rule on the ROAD to Housing Act's ban on large investors buying single-family homes: build-to-rent, renovate-to-rent and renter-purchase exceptions
Proposed Oct. 23, 2026 · Comments due Nov. 23, 2026
The ROAD to Housing Act (Public Law 119-101, July 11, 2026) bars for-profit "large institutional investors" with investment control of 350 or more single-family homes from buying more, starting Jan. 7, 2027, with exceptions. On Oct. 23, 2026, Treasury proposed rules explaining how the exceptions work.
- Federal Rule
HealthCare.gov proposed rule: confirm your income and other details each year to keep premium help, starting with 2028 coverage
Proposed Oct. 23, 2026 · Comments due Nov. 27, 2026
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rules to carry out new Marketplace verification requirements in the 2025 tax law (Public Law 119-21), which CMS calls the Working Families Tax Cut legislation. The proposal was filed for public inspection Oct. 23, 2026, and published in the Federal Register Oct. 27.
- Federal Guidance
"U.S.-Caught," "USA Seafood" and "Made with U.S. Seafood": FDA draft guidance on what made-in-America seafood labels should mean
Draft issued Oct. 23, 2026 · Comments due Dec. 28, 2026
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released draft guidance on Oct. 23, 2026, with examples of labels that say seafood is American-made, such as "Made in America"-style statements, that it would consider truthful and not misleading.
- Federal Law
Mystic Alerts Act (H.R. 7022, Public Law 119-136): new federal law sets up emergency alerts sent to phones by satellite, with no extra fee
Signed Oct. 22, 2026 · FCC rules come first
A new federal law, the Mystic Alerts Act, sets up a way for emergency alerts to reach cell phones by satellite, in addition to the regular Wireless Emergency Alerts sent over cell networks.
- Federal Rule
Medicare proposed rule: $0 generic copays for the lowest-income dual enrollees, accurate Medicare Advantage directories and new limits on drug-middleman pay, starting in 2028
Proposed Oct. 20, 2026 · Comments due Dec. 15, 2026
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rules on Oct. 20, 2026, to carry out three Medicare provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-75, enacted Feb. 3, 2026). The changes would begin in 2028.
- Federal Law
Clergy Act (H.R. 227, Public Law 119-125): ministers who opted out of Social Security get a new chance to opt back in, starting with 2029
Signed Oct. 20, 2026 · Applies to tax years after 2028
Members of the clergy who are opposed to public insurance on religious grounds can get an IRS-approved exemption from Social Security self-employment tax on their ministry earnings. Under current IRS rules, once approved, that exemption is irrevocable.
- Federal Rule
IRS proposed rule on the premium tax credit: full repayment of excess subsidies, new verification rules, and what it means before open enrollment
Proposed Oct. 15, 2026
The IRS and Treasury proposed rules (Oct. 15, 2026) to update premium tax credit (PTC) regulations to match changes Congress made in Public Law 119-21, the 2025 tax and spending law. The PTC is the tax credit that lowers premiums for Marketplace health plans.
- Federal Law
New law gives Social Security identity-theft victims a single point of contact
Signed Oct. 7, 2026
The law requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to give a "single point of contact" to anyone whose Social Security number has been misused, or whose Social Security card was lost while being sent to them.
- SC Agency Rule
Proposed changes to LIFE, Palmetto Fellows and HOPE scholarship rules: residency timing, a "State Scholarship GPA" and how renewals work
Proposed Sept. 25, 2026
The S.C. Commission on Higher Education (CHE) has proposed revising the state regulations for the LIFE, Palmetto Fellows and SC HOPE scholarships.
- SC Budget
SC's 2026-27 state budget (H.5126): passed in August, 14 line-item vetoes including the Scout Motors payment proviso
Line-item vetoes Aug. 17, 2026
South Carolina's budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2026 (H.5126) was adopted by the General Assembly on August 11, 2026. Until then, a continuing resolution (Act No. 262) let the state keep paying recurring expenses at the prior year's levels.
- SC Bill
H.3927: SC bill to ban DEI programs in state agencies, schools and colleges
Passed the House April 3, 2025; referred to Senate Judiciary Committee April 10, 2025
H.3927 would bar South Carolina public entities, including state agencies, local governments, public colleges, school districts and public charter schools, from implementing, maintaining or promoting "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI), except as federal law requires.