summary
Introduced
01/20/2026
01/20/2026
In Committee
03/24/2026
03/24/2026
Crossed Over
03/19/2026
03/19/2026
Passed
05/18/2026
05/18/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/18/2026
05/18/2026
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 57-1-410, Relating To The Secretary Of The Department Of Transportation, So As To Provide That The Governor Shall Appoint The Secretary Instead Of The Commission Of The Department Of Transportation; To Devolve The Duties Of The Commission Of The Department Of Transportation Upon The Secretary Of The Department Of Transportation; By Amending Section 1-30-10, Relating To The Departments Of State Government And Their Governing Bodies, So As To Delete The Provision That Provides That Part Of The Governing Body Of The Department Of Transportation Is A Seven-member Commission; By Amending Section 1-30-105, Relating To The Establishment Of The Department Of Transportation, So As To Provide That The Governing Authority Of The Department Of Transportation Is The Secretary Of Transportation; By Amending Sections 11-43-140 And 11-43-150, Both Relating To The Transportation Infrastructure Bank, So As To Remove The Chairman Of The Department Of Transportation Commission As A Director, To Provide That The Secretary Of Transportation Is A Member Of The Board, And To Make A Conforming Change; By Amending Sections 57-1-10, 57-1-40, 57-1-430, 57-1-500, 57-3-50, 57-1-90, 57-3-210, 57-3-700, 57-5-10, 57-5-50, 57-5-90, 57-5-310, 57-5-340, 57-13-10, 57-13-20, 57-13-40, 57-13-50, 57-25-120, 57-25-140, 57-25-150, 57-25-170, 57-25-200, 57-25-210, And 57-1-370, All Relating To The Department Of Transportation, And Its Duties And Responsibilities, So As To Make Conforming Changes Regarding The Commission; By Repealing Sections 57-1-310, 57-1-320, 57-1-325, 57-1-330, 57-1-340, 57-1-350, And Sections 6, 7, And 8 Of Act 114 Of 2007 All Relating To The Creation And Functions Of The Department Of Transportation And Its Commission; By Amending Section 57-1-360, Relating To Audits Of The Department Of Transportation, So As To Set Forth Certain Requirements For The Chief Internal Auditor And To Require An Independent Audit Of The Department Every Four Years; To Amend Section 57 3 20, Relating To The Divisions Of The Department Of Transportation, So As To Establish Certain Deputy Secretaries; By Adding Section 57-3-205 So As To Authorize Public-private Partnerships Between The Department Of Transportation And Other Entities And To Set Forth Certain Requirements; By Amending Section 57-3-615, Relating To Certain Tolls And Usage Charges, So As To Specify The Circumstances Under Which Tolls And Usage Charges May Be Imposed; By Adding Section 57-3-790 So As To Waive The State's Immunity Under The 11th Amendment Of The United States Constitution For Certain Actions Of The Department Of Transportation And To Specify The Circumstances For Waiving Immunity; By Adding Section 57-3-800 So As To Authorize The Department Of Transportation To Enter Into Certain Reciprocal Agreements With Other Jurisdictions And To Specify The Circumstances Under Which Agreements Are Enforceable; By Adding Section 57-5-1345 So As To Direct The Department Of Transportation To Coordinate With The Department Of Motor Vehicles To Administer And Collect Tolls And Usage Charges; By Amending Sections 57-5-820 And 57-5-830, Both Relating To Department Of Transportation Projects And Municipalities, So As To Set Forth The Process By Which A Municipality May Object To The Project; By Amending Sections 57-5-1320, 57-5-1330, 57-5-1335, 57-5-1340, 57-5-1350, 57-5-1360, 57-5-1370, 57-5-1380, 57-5-1390, 57-5-1400, 57-5-1410, 57-5-1420, 57-5-1430, 57-5-1440, 57-5-1450, 57-5-1460, 57-5-1470, 57-5-1480, 57-5-1490, And 57-5-1495, All Relating To Turnpike Projects, So As To Change The Name Of Such Projects To Choice Lane Facilities, To Specify The Circumstances Under Which Choice Lane Facilities May Be Constructed, To Specify The Manner In Which Bonds May Be Issued For Such Choice Lane Facilities Projects, And To Make Conforming Changes; By Adding Section 57-5-1710 So As To Set Forth The Requirements For The Department Of Transportation To Select And Award A Contract To A Phased Design-build Contractor; By Adding Section 57-5-1720 So As To Authorize The Department To Award Highway Construction Contracts Using A Construction Manager/general Contractor Procedure; By Amending Sections 56-5-4210 And 56-5-4220, Both Relating To Certain Road Restrictions On Local Roads, So As To Specify The Circumstances Under Which Restrictions May Become Effective; By Amending Section 11-35-710, Relating To Exemptions From The Consolidated Procurement Code, So As To Specify The Exemption For The Department Of Transportation And To Exempt Certain Road-related Acquisitions By The Department Of Public Safety; By Amending Section 12-28-2740, Relating To "c" Funds, So As To Provide For The Powers And Responsibilities Of The County Transportation Committees And Procedures For Using "c" Fund Revenues; By Amending Section 12-28-2920, Relating To The Construction Of Certain Roads, So As To Specify The Use Of Usage Charge Revenues; By Adding Section 57-5-1800 So As To Establish The Pothole Mitigation Program For The Public Reporting Of Pothole Locations; And By Adding Section 57-1-375 So As To Set Forth A Process By Which County-funded Projects May Reprioritize The Statewide Transportation Plan Within The County. - Ratified Title
AI Summary
This bill fundamentally restructures the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) by abolishing its seven-member Commission and transferring all its duties and responsibilities to the Secretary of Transportation, who will be appointed by the Governor. This change is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, with provisions for the current Secretary to continue in their role until a successor is appointed and confirmed. The bill also renames "Turnpike Projects" to "Choice Lane Facilities" and makes numerous conforming changes throughout the South Carolina Code of Laws to reflect this shift in governance. Additionally, it authorizes public-private partnerships for transportation projects, allows for more flexible contracting methods like phased design-build and construction manager/general contractor procedures, and establishes a Pothole Mitigation Program for public reporting and repair. The bill also clarifies rules around toll and usage charges, waives state immunity for certain federal environmental review responsibilities, and allows for reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions for toll enforcement. Finally, it modifies how county transportation committees manage "C" funds, enabling them to prioritize projects within their counties and potentially influence the statewide transportation plan.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Signed By Governor (on 05/18/2026)
Official Document
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