summary
Introduced
03/27/2025
03/27/2025
In Committee
03/27/2025
03/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 10-1-165, Relating To The Protection Of Certain Monuments And Memorials, So As To Expand The Type Of Monuments Or Memorials That May Not Be Relocated, Removed, Or Disturbed, To Withhold Disbursements From The Local Government Fund For Any County Or Municipality That Violates This Section, To Provide For The Care And Preservation Of Monuments And Memorials By Certain People Or Organizations, To Provide Standing To Certain People Or Organizations To Bring A Civil Action In Response To Violations Of This Section Or To Prevent Such Violations, And To Provide For Limitations On The Transfer Of Real Property Underneath Monuments Or Memorials Or The Transfer Of Real Property Necessary To Maintain, Access, Or View Monuments Or Memorials.
AI Summary
This bill amends South Carolina law to provide broad protections for historical monuments and memorials, significantly expanding restrictions on their relocation, removal, or alteration. The legislation covers monuments related to various wars, Native American and African American history, and memorials honoring historic figures or events on public property. If a county or municipality attempts to move or modify such monuments, the State Treasurer will withhold Local Government Fund disbursements as punishment. The bill creates expansive legal standing for any person or organization to bring civil action to prevent or remedy violations, without needing to demonstrate personal injury. It also empowers "affinity organizations" (defined as groups chartered to honor specific historical events, people, or time periods) to maintain, restore, and replace damaged monuments. Additionally, the bill prohibits local governments from transferring ownership of land underneath or necessary to access these monuments to private entities. The Department of History and Archives is tasked with establishing regulations for monument maintenance and restoration. The law will take effect upon the Governor's approval, representing a significant effort to preserve historical monuments and memorials across South Carolina.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (30)
Bill Taylor (R)*,
Phillip Bowers (R),
Mike Burns (R),
Joe Bustos (R),
Don Chapman (R),
Bill Chumley (R),
Cal Forrest (R),
Stephen Frank (R),
Craig Gagnon (R),
Bill Hager (R),
Tom Hartnett (R),
Charles Hartz (R),
Bill Herbkersman (R),
Bill Hixon (R),
Jay Kilmartin (R),
Kathy Landing (R),
Brian Lawson (R),
Steven Long (R),
Josiah Magnuson (R),
Cody Mitchell (R),
Travis Moore (R),
Dennis Moss (R),
Weston Newton (R),
Melissa Oremus (R),
Tommy Pope (R),
Robby Robbins (R),
Mark Smith (R),
James Teeple (R),
Joe White (R),
Bill Whitmire (R),
Last Action
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Moss (on 02/19/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4260&session=126&summary=B |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/4260_20250327.htm |
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