Bill > H3647

This bill introduces the Earmark Transparency Act, which establishes new rules for how legislative earmarks (specific funding allocations for projects or programs) are requested and approved in South Carolina. Under the new law, legislators must complete a detailed form for each earmark request, which must include the legislator's name, request date, funding amount, project description, and recipient entity details. These forms must be filed with either the Senate Finance Committee or House Ways and Means Committee and posted on the General Assembly's website within 24 hours. The bill also prohibits earmarks to organizations where a legislator or their immediate family member serves on the governing board, and requires that any private entity receiving an earmark must be registered and in good standing with the Secretary of State's Office. An earmark is specifically defined as an appropriation for a specific program or project that either did not originate from an agency's written budget request or was not included in the previous year's appropriations act. The legislation aims to increase transparency and accountability in the state's funding allocation process by mandating detailed public disclosure of earmark requests and implementing restrictions on potential conflicts of interest.

Budget and Finance

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3647&session=126&summary=B