Bill > H4517

This bill amends South Carolina's legislative budget process by prohibiting earmarks (specific funding allocations for particular projects or entities) in appropriations bills starting in Fiscal Year 2026-2027. When a budget surplus is projected, the surplus funds will be equally divided among all 170 members of the General Assembly (124 House representatives and 46 senators), with each member required to allocate their district's portion exclusively to essential governmental functions: infrastructure, public safety, or K-12 education. The Ways and Means Committee will establish guidelines to ensure accountability and proper use of these funds, and each legislator must submit an annual public report detailing how their allocated surplus funds were used. This report will be subject to review by the Legislative Audit Council. The primary goal appears to be increasing transparency in budget allocation, reducing traditional earmarking practices, and giving individual legislators more direct input into how surplus funds are spent in their districts while maintaining strict oversight and limiting the use of funds to core governmental services.

Budget and Finance

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4517&session=126&summary=B