South CarolinaSouth Carolina lawmakers receive a monthly expense allowance
South Carolina’s 2026 law provides a monthly $1,000 expense allowance, with partial-year payments adjusted for time served and a felony-related exclusion.
What it does
Members of the 126th South Carolina General Assembly receive a $1,000 monthly expense allowance, retroactive to July 1, 2025.
Members who leave office receive payment only for months served. Special-election winners receive payment only for months after taking the oath, including a prorated amount for that month; the felony exclusion also applies.
Argument forThe monthly allowance could help lawmakers cover legislative expenses, with partial-year payments tied to when they served.
Argument againstThe felony exclusion could deny an allowance to a member who served during the year, including for months before the conviction or plea.
More detail
The law provides members with a $1,000 monthly legislative expense allowance. It covers members of the 126th South Carolina General Assembly. The allowance applies retroactively beginning July 1, 2025. The resolution took effect upon the governor’s approval and was repealed July 1, 2026.
The law limits payments for members who leave office or take office during Fiscal Year 2025–2026. These rules cover General Assembly members whose seats were vacated, and members elected in special elections to fill vacancies, during Fiscal Year 2025–2026. A member who leaves a seat receives payment only for months served. A member elected in a special election receives payment only for months after taking the oath, including a prorated amount for that month. A member convicted of, or who pleaded guilty or no contest to, a felony during the fiscal year and before the resolution took effect is not entitled to an allowance. These payment rules cover Fiscal Year 2025–2026. The felony exclusion applies to a conviction or plea during that fiscal year and before the resolution took effect.
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
- Aug 19Act No. 266Latest
- Feb 9Effective date 02/05/26
- Feb 5Signed By Governor Henry McMasterBecame Law
- Feb 3Ratified R 99
- Jan 30Read third time and enrolledTo Governor
- Jan 29Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
- Vote recorded Passage of Joint Resolution. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 29Roll call Yeas-113 Nays-0
- Jan 29Read second timeMinor
- Jan 28Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar without referenceMinor
- Jan 22Read third time and sent to HousePassed 1st Chamber
- Jan 21Roll call Ayes-43 Nays-0
- Vote recorded 2nd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 21Read second timeMinor
- Jan 21Committee report: Favorable FinanceMinor
- Jan 13Referred to Committee on FinanceMinor
- Jan 13Introduced and read first timeIntroduced
Government & Ethics