New South Carolina laws taking effect May 18, 2026

43 laws take effect May 18, 2026.

Of the 274 bills enacted since 2025, 274 have an effective date and 0 don't yet (pending). A law here takes effect that day by its main provisions; parts of a staggered act may take effect on other dates.

Updated Oct 31, 2026 at 11:44 a.m. EDT.

Education (8)

  • H 3195 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished

    Unstructured and self-directed recess in public schools

    How we got this date

    Published by the legislature: Effective date 05/18/26.

    How effective dates are worked out

  • H 4163 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished

    South Carolina High School Athletic Association

    How we got this date

    Published by the legislature: Effective date 05/18/26.

    Parts of this act take effect on other dates.

    How effective dates are worked out

  • H 4738 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished

    Commission on Higher Education

    How we got this date

    Published by the legislature: Effective date 05/18/26.

    How effective dates are worked out

  • S 1062 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished

    JR to Approve Reg. Doc. No. 5443

    How we got this date

    Published by the legislature: Effective date 05/18/26.

    How effective dates are worked out

  • S 416 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished

    School Expulsion

    How we got this date

    Published by the legislature: Effective date 05/18/26.

    How effective dates are worked out

  • S 70 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived

    School Board Ethics

    How we got this date

    The date of the act's main provisions (Section 59-19-730(A) and Section 59-19-45(A)(1)).

    Section 59-19-730(A) and Section 59-19-45(A)(1): Section 59-19-730(A) and Section 59-19-45(A)(1) takes effect upon approval by the Governor

    Signed by the Governor May 18, 2026 → takes effect on that day May 18, 2026

    Parts of this act take effect on other dates.

    How effective dates are worked out

  • S 832 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished

    University Campus Events Zoning

    How we got this date

    Published by the legislature: Effective date 05/18/26.

    How effective dates are worked out

  • S 863 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished

    Culinary Arts Management Degree

    How we got this date

    Published by the legislature: Effective date 05/18/26.

    How effective dates are worked out

Healthcare (7)

Finance (5)

Crime (4)

Government (4)

Taxes (3)

  • H 4589 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished

    Education Capital Improvements Sales and Use Tax

    How we got this date

    Published by the legislature: Effective date 05/18/26.

    How effective dates are worked out

  • S 32 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived

    Pregnancy Resource Act

    How we got this date
    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor

    Signed by the Governor May 18, 2026 → takes effect on that day May 18, 2026

    How effective dates are worked out

  • S 436 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished

    Taxation of commercial aircraft

    How we got this date

    Published by the legislature: Effective date 05/18/26.

    How effective dates are worked out

Traffic (3)

Wages (3)

  • H 3551 · 2025 Regular SessionDerived

    Poll Worker Pay

    How we got this date
    Except as otherwise provided, this act takes effect upon approval by the Governor

    Signed by the Governor May 18, 2026 → takes effect on that day May 18, 2026

    Parts of this act take effect on other dates.

    How effective dates are worked out

  • H 3874 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished

    Workers' compensation

    How we got this date

    Published by the legislature: Effective date 05/18/26.

    How effective dates are worked out

  • S 765 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished

    Dues for SC Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers Association

    How we got this date

    Published by the legislature: Effective date 05/18/26.

    How effective dates are worked out

Civil Rights (1)

Elections (1)

Housing (1)

Mining and Drilling (1)

Public Lands (1)

Other (1)