South CarolinaSouth Carolina commission promotes trade and investment with The Bahamas
A 15-member South Carolina commission promotes trade, investment, and exchanges with The Bahamas, while operating without money from the state's general fund.
What it does
A 15-member commission promotes trade, investment, and business and college exchanges between South Carolina and The Bahamas. It must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly.
The commission may fund its work through fundraising, gifts, grants, and money left in wills. It cannot use the state's general fund for operations or administration.
Argument forCoordinating trade efforts and exchanges could help South Carolina businesses and colleges find partners in The Bahamas.
Argument againstRelying on fundraising and gifts could leave the commission without enough money to carry out its trade and exchange work.
More detail
The South Carolina–Bahamas Trade Commission promotes trade, investment, and business and college exchanges. The 15-member commission links South Carolina and The Bahamas. It includes lawmakers, state officials, college representatives, Bahamian American representatives, and a business or trade representative. Members serve without pay. Appointments are due within 90 days of enactment. The first report is due within one year of the first meeting, with later reports due by February 1 each year.
The commission may raise money and accept gifts, grants, and money left in wills to pay for its work. The funding rules cover the commission's work and administration. Members may receive repayment for work expenses only within available funds. Money goes to the State Treasurer and is assigned to the Department of Commerce. Spending to administer the commission and carry out its purposes is exempt from Chapter 35 of Title 11 of the South Carolina Code. The law took effect when the Governor approved it on May 19, 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 5Effective date 05/19/26Latest
- Jun 3Act No. 236
- May 19Signed By Governor Henry McMasterBecame Law
- May 15Ratified R 249
- May 14Roll call Yeas-108 Nays-1
- Vote recorded Concur in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- May 14Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolledTo Governor
- May 13Read third time and returned to House with amendmentsPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 12Roll call Ayes-43 Nays-3
- Vote recorded 2nd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 12Read second timeMinor
- May 12AmendedMajor
- May 5Recalled from Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
- Apr 28Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and IndustryMinor
- Apr 28Introduced and read first timeMinor
- Apr 24Read third time and sent to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Apr 23Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
- Vote recorded Passage of Bill. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 23Roll call Yeas-88 Nays-21
- Apr 23Read second timeMinor
- Apr 23AmendedMajor
- Apr 23Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Rivers
- Apr 22Committee report: Favorable with amendment Labor, Commerce and IndustryMinor
- 2025
- May 1Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and IndustryMinor
- May 1Introduced and read first timeIntroduced
TradeGovernment & Ethics