South Carolina State Senate

General Information
Party control: |  Republican
Session start: |  January 9, 2024
Session end: |  May 9, 2024
Term length: |  4 years
Term limits: |  None
Redistricting: | Legislature-dominant
Salary: |  $10,400/year + per diem
Members
Total: | 46
Democrats: | 15
Republicans: | 30
Other: | 1
Vacancies: | 0
Leadership
President: |  Thomas Alexander (R)
Maj. Leader: |  Shane Massey (R)
Min. Leader: |  Brad Hutto (D)
Elections
Last election: | November 3, 2020
Next election: | November 5, 2024

The South Carolina State Senate is the upper chamber of the South Carolina State Legislature. Alongside the South Carolina House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the South Carolina state government and works alongside the governor of South Carolina to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the South Carolina State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The South Carolina State Senate meets in the South Carolina State House in Columbia.

* All 46 seats in the South Carolina State Senate are up for election in 2024.

* All 46 Senate seats were up for election in 2020. The chamber's Republican majority increased from 27-19 to 30-16. Click to read more »
* South Carolina has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the South Carolina State Senate.

* Which party controls the chamber
* The chamber's current membership
* Partisan control of the chamber over time
* Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
* A district
* How redistricting works in the state
* Legislation currently under consideration
* Legislative session dates
* Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
* A list of committees

## Party control[edit]

### Current partisan control[edit]

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the South Carolina State Senate as of August 2024:

Party  | As of August 2024

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| Democratic Party | 15
| Republican Party | 30
| Other  | 1
| Vacancies  | 0
Total |  46

## Members[edit]

### Leadership and members[edit]

* Senate president: Thomas Alexander (R)
* Majority leader: Shane Massey (R)
* Minority leader: Brad Hutto (D)

Office | Name | Party | Date assumed office

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South Carolina State Senate District 1 | Thomas Alexander | Republican  | 1994
South Carolina State Senate District 2 | Rex Rice | Republican  | November 14, 2016
South Carolina State Senate District 3 | Richard Cash | Republican  | 2017
South Carolina State Senate District 4 | Michael Gambrell | Republican  | May 24, 2016
South Carolina State Senate District 5 | Tom Corbin | Republican  | 2012
South Carolina State Senate District 6 | Dwight Loftis | Republican  | April 2, 2019
South Carolina State Senate District 7 | Karl Allen | Democratic  | 2012
South Carolina State Senate District 8 | Ross Turner | Republican  | 2012
South Carolina State Senate District 9 | Daniel Verdin | Republican  | 2000
South Carolina State Senate District 10 | Billy Garrett | Republican  | November 9, 2020
South Carolina State Senate District 11 | Josh Kimbrell | Republican  | November 9, 2020
South Carolina State Senate District 12 | Scott Talley | Republican  | November 14, 2016
South Carolina State Senate District 13 | Shane Martin | Republican  | 2008
South Carolina State Senate District 14 | Harvey Peeler | Republican  | 1980
South Carolina State Senate District 15 | Wes Climer | Republican  | November 14, 2016
South Carolina State Senate District 16 | Michael Johnson | Republican  | November 9, 2020
South Carolina State Senate District 17 | Mike Fanning | Democratic  | November 14, 2016
South Carolina State Senate District 18 | Ronnie Cromer | Republican  | 2003
South Carolina State Senate District 19 | Tameika Isaac Devine | Democratic  | January 8, 2024
South Carolina State Senate District 20 | Dick Harpootlian | Democratic  | November 14, 2018
South Carolina State Senate District 21 | Darrell Jackson | Democratic  | 1992
South Carolina State Senate District 22 | Mia McLeod | Independent | November 14, 2016
South Carolina State Senate District 23 | Katrina Shealy | Republican  | 2012
South Carolina State Senate District 24 | Tom Young | Republican  | 2012
South Carolina State Senate District 25 | Shane Massey | Republican  | 2007
South Carolina State Senate District 26 | Nikki Setzler | Democratic  | 1984
South Carolina State Senate District 27 | Penry Gustafson | Republican  | November 9, 2020
South Carolina State Senate District 28 | Greg Hembree | Republican  | 2012
South Carolina State Senate District 29 | Gerald Malloy | Democratic  | 2002
South Carolina State Senate District 30 | Kent Williams | Democratic  | 2004
South Carolina State Senate District 31 | Mike Reichenbach | Republican  | March 29, 2022
South Carolina State Senate District 32 | Ronnie Sabb | Democratic  | 2014
South Carolina State Senate District 33 | Luke Rankin | Republican  | 1992
South Carolina State Senate District 34 | Stephen Goldfinch Jr. | Republican  | November 14, 2016
South Carolina State Senate District 35 | Thomas McElveen | Democratic  | 2012
South Carolina State Senate District 36 | Kevin Johnson | Democratic  | 2012
South Carolina State Senate District 37 | Lawrence Grooms | Republican  | 1997
South Carolina State Senate District 38 | Sean Bennett | Republican  | 2012
South Carolina State Senate District 39 | Vernon Stephens | Democratic  | November 9, 2020
South Carolina State Senate District 40 | Brad Hutto | Democratic  | 1996
South Carolina State Senate District 41 | Sandy Senn | Republican  | November 14, 2016
South Carolina State Senate District 42 | Deon Tedder | Democratic  | November 7, 2023
South Carolina State Senate District 43 | George Campsen | Republican  | 2004
South Carolina State Senate District 44 | Brian Adams | Republican  | November 9, 2020
South Carolina State Senate District 45 | Margie Bright Matthews | Democratic  | October 27, 2015
South Carolina State Senate District 46 | Tom Davis | Republican  | 2008

### Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[1]

Salary| Per diem
$10,400/year| $231/day

### Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

South Carolina legislators assume office the Monday after the election.[2]

### Membership qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to serve in the South Carolina State Senate a candidate must be:[3]

* A U.S. citizen at the time of filing
* 25 years old at the filing deadline time
* A resident of the district at the filing deadline time

## Historical party control[edit]

Republicans won control of the South Carolina State Senate in 2000. In 2020, they won a 30-16 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the South Carolina Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2020. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

South Carolina State Senate election results: 1992-2020

Party  | '92  | '96  | '00  | '04  | '08  | '12  | '16  | '20

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Democrats | 30 | 26 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16
Republicans | 16 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 30

### Trifecta history[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, South Carolina was under the following types of trifecta control:

* Democratic trifecta: None
* Republican trifecta: 2003-2023
* Divided government: 1992-2002

South Carolina Party Control: 1992-2024
No Democratic trifectas • Twenty-two years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year  | 92  | 93  | 94  | 95  | 96  | 97  | 98  | 99  | 00  | 01  | 02  | 03  | 04  | 05  | 06  | 07  | 08  | 09  | 10  | 11  | 12  | 13  | 14  | 15  | 16  | 17  | 18  | 19  | 20  | 21  | 22  | 23  | 24

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Governor | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R
Senate | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R
House | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R

## Elections[edit]

### Elections by year[edit]

South Carolina state senators serve four-year terms, with all seats up for election every four years. South Carolina holds elections for its legislature in even years.

### 2024[edit]

See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the South Carolina State Senate will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. The primary was June 11, 2024, and the primary runoff was June 25, 2024. The filing deadline was April 1, 2024.

### 2020[edit]

See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of South Carolina State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 9, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 23, 2020. The filing deadline was March 30, 2020.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 27-19 majority. Republicans gained three seats in the election, giving them a 30-16 majority.

South Carolina State Senate

Party  | As of November 3, 2020  | After November 4, 2020
| Democratic Party | 19  | 16
| Republican Party | 27 | 30
Total |  46 |  46

### 2016[edit]

See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the South Carolina State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The primary runoff election was held on June 28, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2016. All 46 seats in the South Carolina State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 28-18 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.

South Carolina State Senate

Party  | As of November 7, 2016  | After November 8, 2016
| Democratic Party | 18  | 18
| Republican Party | 28 | 28
Total |  46 |  46
Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

### 2012[edit]

See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2012

Elections for the office of South Carolina State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 12, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2012. A total of 46 seats were up for election.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 27-19 majority. Republicans gained one seat in the election, giving them a 28-18 majority.

| South Carolina State Senate

Party  | As of November 5, 2012  | After the 2012 Election
| Democratic Party | 19  | 18
| Republican Party | 27 | 28
Total |  46 |  46

The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election.

2012 Margin of Victory, South Carolina State Senate

District  | Winner  | Margin of Victory  | Total Votes  | Top Opponent
District 10 |  Floyd Nicholson | 7.1% | 37,852 | Jennings McAbee, Sr.
District 23 |  Katrina Shealy | 7.4% | 32,735 | John Knotts
District 35 |  Thomas McElveen | 9.7% | 40,997 | Tony Barwick
District 41 |  Paul Thurmond | 11.6% | 49,968 | Paul Tinkler
District 20 |  John Courson | 21% | 42,923 | Robert Rikard
District 26 |  Nikki Setzler | 21% | 36,177 | Deedee Vaughters
District 2 |  Larry Martin | 29.1% | 37,285 | Rex Rice
District 12 |  Lee Bright | 29.1% | 44,583 | Henri Thompson
District 7 |  Karl Allen | 31% | 33,651 | Jane Kizer
District 28 |  Greg Hembree | 32.4% | 39,499 | Butch Johnson

### 2008[edit]

See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2008

Elections for the office of South Carolina State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 10, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008.

During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $11,006,391. The top 10 contributors were:[4]

2008 Donors, South Carolina State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Elliott, Dick F  | $402,000
Cromer, Ronnie W  | $175,000
South Carolina Bank & Trust  | $101,134
Anderson, Greg  | $100,000
Davis, Thomas C  | $95,566
Senate Republican Caucus Of South Carolina  | $91,925
Rose, Mike  | $85,667
Peeler, Harvey  | $85,500
Senate Democratic Caucus Of South Carolina  | $65,000
Scana Corp  | $59,000

### 2004[edit]

See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2004

Elections for the office of South Carolina State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 8, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004.

During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $10,207,188. The top 10 contributors were:[5]

2004 Donors, South Carolina State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Norwood, Timothy F  | $648,935
Cromer, Ronnie W  | $236,000
Bryant, Kevin L  | $143,848
Kuhn, John R  | $140,783
Cmte To Elect Chuck Allen  | $137,000
Wukela, Steve J  | $102,000
Jones, Richard C (Dickie)  | $100,100
Elliott, Dick  | $100,000
Elliott, Dick  | $100,000
Senate Republican Caucus Of South Carolina  | $83,000

### 2000[edit]

See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2000

Elections for the office of South Carolina State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 13, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000.

During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $6,670,088. The top 10 contributors were:[6]

2000 Donors, South Carolina State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Leatherman, Hugh Kenneth  | $297,500
Senate Republican Caucus Of South Carolina  | $116,000
Grooms, Larry  | $106,802
Rice Jr, E Blair  | $101,000
Canty, Ralph  | $65,216
Clemmons, Alan  | $58,000
California Manufactured Housing Institute  | $48,100
South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association  | $42,720
South Carolina Optometric Association  | $39,050
Lawson, Blane H  | $38,428

### Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the South Carolina Legislature, the presiding officer of the chamber in which the vacancy happens must call for a special election. If candidates plan to seek the nomination through a political party primary or a political party convention, the filing period begins on the third Friday after the vacancy occurs. The qualifying deadline is eight days after the filing period opens.[7]

If a candidate plans to seek the nomination via petition, all signatures must be submitted to the appropriate filing officer no later than 60 days before the election. All signatures must be verified by the filing officer no later than 45 days before the election.[8]

A primary election must be held on the eleventh Tuesday after the vacancy occurs. If necessary, a primary runoff must be held on the thirteenth Tuesday after the vacancy occurs. The special election is held on the twentieth Tuesday after the vacancy occurs. If the twentieth Tuesday after the vacancy occurs is less than 60 days prior to the general election, the special election must be held on the same day as the general election.[8][9]

See sources: South Carolina Const. Art. III, § 25 and South Carolina Code Ann. § 7-13-190

## District map[edit]

See also: South Carolina state legislative districts

The state of South Carolina has 46 state Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

## Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in South Carolina

In South Carolina, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[10]

South Carolina's legislative redistricting committees adopted redistricting guidelines in 2011. These guidelines recommend that all congressional and state legislative districts be contiguous and "attempt to preserve communities of interest and cores of incumbents' existing districts." Further, the guidelines suggest that districts should "adhere to county, municipal, and voting precinct boundary lines." These guidelines may modified by the legislature at its discretion.[10]

### 2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in South Carolina after the 2020 census

South Carolina enacted new state legislative district maps on December 10, 2021, when Gov. McMaster signed a proposal approved by the South Carolina House and Senate into law. The South Carolina Senate approved House and Senate map proposals in a 43-1 vote on December 7, 2021, and the House approved the new districts in a 75-27 vote on December 9, 2021. Gov. McMaster signed the bill into law the next day.[11]

#### District map after 2020 redistricting[edit]

This map took effect for South Carolina's 2022 legislative elections.

### 2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in South Carolina after the 2010 census

The 2010 census indicated South Carolina's population grew by 15.3 percent to 4.6 million, representing the tenth fastest growth rate in the country from 2000 to 2010.

On June 15, 2011, both chambers passed Senate-originated maps, and the U.S. Department of Justice cleared the maps in November 2011. The maps were contested in court, and a panel of federal judges upheld South Carolina's new congressional and state legislative districts on March 9, 2012, dismissing the lawsuit that claimed the lines were drawn to weaken African-American voters in the state.[12][13] On March 19, 2012, six voters appealed the ruling up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which, on October 1, 2012, ruled that the lines were fair and nondiscriminatory.[14][15]

## Sessions[edit]

### Legislation[edit]

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the South Carolina State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

### Dates of legislative sessions in South Carolina by year[edit]

### 2024[edit]

See also: 2024 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2024, and adjourn on May 9, 2024.

### 2023[edit]

See also: 2023 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on May 11, 2023.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

### 2022[edit]

See also: 2022 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions

In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on May 12, 2022.

### 2021[edit]

See also: 2021 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions

In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2021, and adjourn on May 13, 2021.

### 2020[edit]

See also: 2020 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions

In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on June 25, 2020.

#### Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit]

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
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Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

### 2019[edit]

See also: 2019 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions

In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through May 21, 2019.

### 2018[edit]

See also: 2018 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions

In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through May 10, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.

### 2017[edit]

See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions

In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through May 11, 2017. The legislature held a special session on June 6, 2017.

### 2016[edit]

See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions

In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through June 2.

### 2015[edit]

See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions

In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 through June 4. The legislature had a veto session from June 16 to July 9.[16]

#### Major issues in 2015[edit]

Major issues during the 2015 session included the South Carolina Supreme Court ruling on rural school equity, roads, gas prices, and criminal domestic violence. The court issued a ruling in a 21-year-old funding lawsuit and directed the legislature to provide a solution to inequity for rural schools in the state. However, lawmakers were given no direction by the state's highest court, and were forced to develop a plan on their own.[17]

### 2014[edit]

See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions

In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through June 6.

#### Major issues in 2014[edit]

Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included ethics reform and government restructuring.[18]

### 2013[edit]

See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to June 20.

#### Major issues in 2013[edit]

Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included computer security, improving the state's roads and bridges, and addressing healthcare.[19]

### 2012[edit]

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 11 through June 7.

#### Major issues in 2012[edit]

Legislators addressed a budget surplus of $900 million. Major agenda issues included tax reform, job security measures, reforming the state retirement system, and creating a new school funding formula.[20]

### 2011[edit]

See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions

In 2011, the legislature was in regular session from January 11 through June 2.[21] On June 2, 2011, Governor Nikki Haley (R) attempted to call the legislature into an "emergency" special session to begin on June 7 to create the new South Carolina Department of Administration. A lawsuit was filed by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell (R), in which he contended that Haley's call for a special session was unconstitutional, and that it violated the state Constitution's requirement of separation of powers among the governor, legislature and courts.[22] On June 6, 2011, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled 3-2 against Governor Haley, stating that her order violated the legislature's ability to set its calendar and agenda.[23]

The legislature met in a special redistricting session from June 14 to July 1.[24] The legislature re-convened July 26.[25]

### 2010[edit]

See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions

In 2010, the legislature was  in session from January 12 to June 3.

### About legislative sessions in South Carolina[edit]

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[26] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article III of the South Carolina Constitution establishes when the South Carolina State Legislature, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 9 of Article III states that the Legislature is to convene on the second Tuesday of January each year. Section 9 allows the General Assembly to recede from session for up to thirty days by a majority vote of the legislative house seeking to recede. Furthermore, one or both houses can recede from session for more than thirty days if that action is approved by two-thirds of the members.

## Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.

### Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in South Carolina are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 83 of the 124 members in the South Carolina House of Representatives and 31 of the 46 members in the South Carolina State Senate. South Carolina is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Vetoes can be overridden in a special session or when the next regular session convenes.[27]

Authority: Article IV, Section 21 of the South Carolina Constitution.

"Every bill or joint resolution which shall have passed the General Assembly, except on a question of adjournment, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor, and if he approves he shall sign it; if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to the house in which it originated, which shall enter the objections at large on its Journal and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass it, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that house it shall have the same effect as if it had been signed by the Governor; but in all such cases the vote of both houses shall be taken by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill or joint resolution shall be entered on the Journals of both houses respectively."

### Role in state budget[edit]

See also: South Carolina state budget and finances
South Carolina on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

* * *

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows[28]

1. In August of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year, the governor sends budget instructions to state agencies.
2. Between September and October, agencies submit their budget requests to the governor.
3. Budget hearings are held with state agencies in October.
4. In January, the governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature.
5. Both the House and the Senate pass a budget. If these versions do not match, a conference committee consisting of both House and Senate members is assembled to reconcile the differences.[29]
6. The legislature adopts a budget in May. The fiscal year begins July 1.

South Carolina is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[28][30]

The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, the legislature must pass a balanced budget, and any budget signed into law by the governor must be balanced.[28]

## Committees[edit]

See also: List of committees in South Carolina state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

* Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
* Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
* Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The South Carolina State Senate has 14 standing committees:

* Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
* Banking and Insurance Committee
* Corrections and Penology Committee
* Education Committee
* Family and Veterans' Services Committee
* Finance Committee
* Fish, Game, and Forestry Committee
* Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee
* Medical Affairs Committee
* Senate Ethics Committee
* Senate Judiciary Committee
* Senate Legislative Oversight Committee
* Senate Rules Committee
* Transportation Committee

## Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the South Carolina Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article XVI of the South Carolina Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in South Carolina

The South Carolina Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution— a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. South Carolina requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

#### Legislature[edit]

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the South Carolina State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 82 votes in the South Carolina House of Representatives and 30 votes in the South Carolina State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

In South Carolina, the Legislature needs to approve a constitutional amendment for a second time after voters approve the amendment. This second vote requires a simple majority in the House and Senate.

#### Convention[edit]

See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to Section 3 of Article XVI of the South Carolina Constitution, a constitutional convention can be held if two-thirds of the members of both houses of the South Carolina State Legislature vote to put the question on the ballot.

2025 measures:

See also: 2025 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures were certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

2024 measures:

Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature.

See also: South Carolina 2024 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures were certified for the ballot.
South Carolina Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment| Democrats| Republicans

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Senate:| Required: 30| Yes votes: 40 (88.89%)| No votes: 3 (6.67%)| Yes: 11; No: 2| Yes: 29; No: 0
House:| Required: 82| Yes votes: 105 (84.68%)| No votes: 0 (0.00%)| Yes: 24; No: 0| Yes: 81; No: 0

## See also[edit]

Elections |  South Carolina State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics

|
|
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* South Carolina State Senate elections, 2024
* South Carolina State Senate elections, 2020
* South Carolina State Senate elections, 2016

* South Carolina State Legislature
* South Carolina House of Representatives
* Governor of South Carolina
* South Carolina Supreme Court

* State legislative elections, 2024
* State legislative elections, 2023
* State legislative elections, 2022
* State legislative elections, 2021
* State legislative elections, 2020
* State legislative elections, 2019
* State legislative elections, 2018

* State government trifectas
* State government triplexes
* State executives
* State courts
* Ballot measures

## External links[edit]

* South Carolina State Senate

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
2. ↑ South Carolina Constitution, "Article III, Section 10," accessed February 17, 2021
3. ↑ South Carolina Election Commission, "Candidates," accessed February 3, 2023
4. ↑ Follow the Money, "South Carolina 2008 Candidates," accessed July 31, 2013
5. ↑ Follow the Money, "South Carolina 2004 Candidates," accessed July 31, 2013
6. ↑ Follow the Money, "South Carolina 2000 Candidates," accessed July 31, 2013
7. ↑ South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina Code," accessed February 17, 2021 (Statute 7-13-190 (A)-(B))
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina Code," accessed February 17, 2021 (Statute 7-13-190 (B))
9. ↑ South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina Constitution," accessed February 17, 2021 (Article 3, Section 25)
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 All About Redistricting, "South Carolina," accessed May 8, 2015
11. ↑ LegiScan, "South Carolina House Bill 4493," accessed December 14, 2021
12. ↑ WLTX "Federal Judges Uphold South Carolina's New District Lines," March 9, 2012
13. ↑ WMBF "Hembree responds to dismissal of SC redistricting lawsuit," March 12, 2012
14. ↑ WMBF, "US Supreme Court upholds SC redistricting lines," October 1, 2012
15. ↑ Carolina Live, "APNewsBreak: 6 voters appeal SC redistricting plan," March 19, 2012
16. ↑ Multi State, "2015 State Legislative Session Dates," accessed June 30, 2015
17. ↑ Laura McKenzie, The People Sentinel, "S.C. legislators begin debate on 2015 issues," January 15, 2015
18. ↑ wspa.com, "Legislature Kicks Off With Old Issues On Agenda," January 14, 2014
19. ↑ WJBF, "South Carolina Lawmakers Start Legislative Session Vowing To Protect Your Information And Improve Roads," January 8, 2013
20. ↑ The State, "Legislative key issues," January 8, 2012
21. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed June 6, 2014(Archived)
22. ↑ The State, "Haley tells court she has right to call special session," June 6, 2011
23. ↑ Wltx.com, "SC Supreme Court Rules Against Nikki Haley's Extra Session," June 6, 2011
24. ↑ TheSunNews.com, "S.C. House to have special session in June," May 6, 2011
25. ↑ The Island Packet, "S.C. Senate OKs new congressional districted anchored in Beaufort County," June 29, 2011
26. ↑ Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed May 20, 2017
27. ↑ The News & Observer "Special veto session unlikely for South Carolina Legislature," July 1, 2017
28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
29. ↑ WLTX, "Where key bills stand as 2019 session ends," May 9, 2019
30. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024

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