South CarolinaState budget directs billions to agencies and public programs
For fiscal year 2026-27, South Carolina would direct about $42.7 billion to public agencies, schools, colleges, transportation, health care, and other programs, subject to listed conditions.
What it does
South Carolina would fund state agencies, schools, colleges, transportation, health care, public safety, and other programs with a listed total of about $42.7 billion for 2026-27.
Schools would use state funding formulas and follow reporting, auditing, spending, safety, and student-service rules during the 2026-27 school year.
The budget includes money for tax relief and describes a possible additional $25,000 homestead exemption, while limiting certain delinquent personal-property-tax penalties.
Argument forFunding for schools, health care, transportation, and public safety could support services that residents and communities rely on.
Argument againstThe many spending conditions and reporting duties could increase administrative work for schools, agencies, and local governments.
More detail
The General Assembly would provide funding for state agencies, public schools, colleges, transportation, health care, public safety, and other programs. The plan covers state government and public institutions across South Carolina, with general, federal, and other funds listed by agency and program. Some funds are limited to named programs or projects. Some appropriations depend on available revenue, federal funds, agency action, or approval by another state body. The stated fiscal year runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
The Department of Education and school districts would distribute classroom funding, report spending and student data, and follow added rules for school operations. These provisions cover traditional school districts, charter school authorizers, special districts, public schools, and eligible students, including students in residential treatment facilities. Funding formulas use student counts and specified student weights. Districts must meet reporting, audit, website, and spending requirements, and some failures can result in withheld state payments. Some programs depend on available space, funding, approval, or a school district’s participation. Most education rules apply during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; several reports and applications have deadlines during that year.
The state would direct money to tax relief, and certain taxpayers or property owners could receive specified tax treatment. The provisions include a possible additional homestead exemption for qualifying homeowners, an income-tax rate reduction allocation, and limits on certain delinquent property-tax penalties. The additional homestead exemption applies only to people who qualified for the existing exemption in property tax year 2025. The homestead provision does not take effect if another specified homestead increase or exemption is enacted by September 1, 2026. The tax relief and other allocations depend on available appropriations and the stated statutory conditions. These provisions generally apply during fiscal year 2026-27 or to property tax years ending during that fiscal year.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 15Act No. 259Latest
- Aug 17Certain items vetoed by Governor Henry McMasterMinor
- Aug 11Ratified R 276
- Vote recorded Adopt Conference Report. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded to adopt the conference report. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Proviso to 117.220. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 11Roll call Yeas-100 Nays-17
- Aug 11Roll call Ayes-37 Nays-2
- Aug 11Conference report received and adopted
- Aug 11Conference report received and adopted
- May 7Conference committee appointed Peeler, Hutto, Davis
- May 7House insists upon amendment and conference committee appointed Reps. Bannister, Hiott, Hayes
- May 6Non-concurrence in House amendment
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 29A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Table Amendment 25A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Table Amendment 18A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 7A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 27A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 30A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Table Motion to Reconsider Amendment 30A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 12A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 20A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 35A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Table Amendment 19A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 17A. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 4A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 3A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Table Amendment 28A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 34A. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 23A. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Roll call Yeas-69 Nays-32
- May 6Returned to Senate with amendments
- May 6Senate amendment amendedMinor
- May 5Debate adjourned
- Apr 30Debate adjourned until Tues., 5-5-26
- Apr 23Read third time and returned to House with amendmentsPassed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 23AmendedMajor
- Apr 22Debate interrupted
- Apr 22AmendedMajor
- Apr 21Read second timeMinor
- Apr 21AmendedMajor
- Apr 21Committee Amendment AdoptedMajor
- Apr 14Committee report: Favorable with amendment FinanceMinor
- Mar 11Referred to Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 11Introduced and read first timeMinor
- Mar 11Read third time and sent to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 10Roll call Yeas-101 Nays-18
- Mar 10Read second timeMinor
- Mar 10AmendedMajor
- Mar 9Debate interrupted
- Mar 5Special order, set for Monday, March 9, 2026, immediately after roll call
- Mar 3Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar without referenceIntroduced
Taxes & BudgetEducationGovernment & Ethics