The bill H. 4463 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 2-1-260, which ensures that no legislator is prevented from having a bill placed on the legislative calendar. It establishes a statutory limit allowing each member of the House and Senate to introduce up to five bills per regular legislative session, which are guaranteed placement on the calendar and a public hearing. Additionally, the bill creates a Bipartisan Legislative Review Committee in both chambers to authorize the introduction of additional bills beyond this limit, promoting a merit-based legislative process.

The Bipartisan Legislative Review Committees will consist of ten members from each chamber, with equal representation from both the majority and minority parties. These committees are tasked with meeting publicly at least once a month during the session and will publish records of their decisions. Any bill approved by a majority vote of the committee will be exempt from the five-bill limit and will receive calendar placement and a committee hearing. The bill emphasizes transparency and maintains that the authority of each chamber to adopt rules regarding legislative procedures remains intact, as long as it does not undermine the goal of equitable access to the legislative process.

Statutes affected:
04/30/2025: 2-1-260
Latest Version: 2-1-260