South CarolinaSouth Carolina aims to protect seven million acres by 2050
South Carolina aims to protect seven million acres by 2050 through voluntary conservation, with a nonbinding goal that requires neither land purchases nor state funding.
What it does
South Carolina aims to protect seven million acres by 2050. This planning goal is not binding and does not require land purchases or state funding.
State policy encourages agencies that manage natural resources to support conservation through planning, grants, and voluntary landowner partnerships. Agencies must respect private property rights.
Argument forA shared acreage goal could help state agencies measure conservation progress while keeping landowner participation voluntary.
Argument againstThe state might miss its conservation target because the goal is not binding and does not require lawmakers to provide money.
More detail
South Carolina uses a seven-million-acre protected-land goal to guide planning and measure conservation progress. The goal covers protected land across South Carolina. The goal is not legally binding and does not give anyone a right to assistance. Progress is measured through voluntary conservation within existing legal powers and available resources. The goal does not require private land purchases or state funding, or allow restrictions on private property beyond existing law. The law took effect on May 18, 2026; the acreage goal is for 2050.
State policy encourages agencies that manage natural resources to support land conservation. The policy covers South Carolina agencies that manage natural resources and their voluntary partnerships with landowners. Agencies must stay within their existing legal powers and missions. The policy does not require private land purchases, reduce private property rights, or authorize regulation beyond existing law. The policy took effect on May 18, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 2Act No. 190Latest
- Jun 2Effective date 05/18/26
- May 18Signed By Governor Henry McMasterBecame Law
- May 14Ratified R 209
- May 13Roll call Yeas-110 Nays-2
- Vote recorded Concur in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- May 13Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolledTo Governor
- May 12Debate adjourned
- May 7Read third time and returned to House with amendmentsPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 7Scrivener's error corrected
- May 6Roll call Ayes-41 Nays-2
- Vote recorded 2nd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 6Read second timeMinor
- May 6AmendedMajor
- Apr 28Committee report: Favorable Agriculture and Natural ResourcesMinor
- Apr 15Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural ResourcesMinor
- Apr 15Introduced and read first timeMinor
- Apr 15Read third time and sent to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Apr 14Roll call Yeas-107 Nays-2
- Vote recorded Passage of Bill. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 14Read second timeMinor
- Apr 14Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Davis, Gilliard, Gibson, McCravy, C.Mitchell
- Apr 13Scrivener's error corrected
- Apr 2Committee report: Favorable Ways and MeansMinor
- Apr 2Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Cromer, Oremus
- Mar 24Committed to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental AffairsMinor
- Mar 24Recalled from Committee on Ways and Means
- Jan 29Referred to Committee on Ways and MeansMinor
- Jan 29Introduced and read first timeIntroduced
Environment & Energy