The bill H. 3556 proposes amendments to the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding the authority and procedures of the state executive committee of political parties in handling primary protests and contests. It expands the committee's jurisdiction to include protests and contests related to county officers, less than county officers, and municipal officers. Additionally, the bill allows the state executive committee to adopt a resolution requiring that any protest or contest be accompanied by a bond with surety, not exceeding $750, to cover the costs of the hearing if the challenge is denied. It also establishes that appeals from the committee's decisions must be made directly to the Supreme Court, prioritizing these cases for consideration.

Furthermore, the bill amends the timeline for hearings on protests and contests, requiring the committee to conduct hearings within two weeks of the filing deadline. It also stipulates that protests and contests related to municipal primaries must be filed and decided in accordance with the procedures outlined in the amended sections. The bill repeals several existing sections related to primary protests and contests, streamlining the process and consolidating the relevant legal framework. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 7-17-560, 7-17-570, 5-15-80, 7-17-520
03/20/2025: 7-17-560, 7-17-570, 5-15-80, 7-17-520
03/26/2025: 7-17-560, 7-17-570, 5-15-80, 7-17-520
03/27/2025: 7-17-560, 7-17-570, 5-15-80, 7-17-520
Latest Version: 7-17-560, 7-17-570, 5-15-80, 7-17-520