South Carolina puts consumer affairs department under an administrator

The Department of Consumer Affairs is part of the executive branch and is headed by an administrator appointed by the governor with Senate approval. The department’s employees, funds, property, debts, and contracts associated with its former Commission-led structure are transferred to the department. These provisions took effect when the governor approved the law on May 19, 2026.

The administrator must get the governor’s approval before bringing a class action, starting a criminal case, or asking a court to stop conduct. This applies to the Department of Consumer Affairs administrator. The approval requirement applies to these listed actions under the consumer protection law. This provision took effect when the governor approved the law on May 19, 2026.

With the governor’s approval, the administrator may bring an individual case for a consumer. The case must be for a consumer who may have a claim for damages from an unfair or deceptive business practice. The case must be needed to protect the consumer’s interests and seek no more than $2,500 in actual damages. Either two state-licensed attorneys must review the case and decline representation in writing, or one state-licensed attorney must review the facts and request the action in writing. This provision took effect when the governor approved the law on May 19, 2026.