The bill H. 4517 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 11-1-130, which prohibits appropriations bills or amendments from including earmarked funds for specific projects or entities outside the core budgetary process, starting with the Fiscal Year 2026-2027. This change is intended to streamline the budgetary process and ensure that funds are allocated more equitably among members of the General Assembly. Following the certification of a projected budget surplus by the Office of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, the Budget Committee will divide the surplus equally among all 170 members of the General Assembly, which includes 124 representatives and 46 senators.

Each member will be required to allocate their district's portion of surplus funds exclusively to essential governmental functions such as infrastructure, public safety, or K-12 education. The Ways and Means Committee will set guidelines for the permissible uses of these funds to ensure accountability, and members must submit an annual report detailing their allocations, which will be subject to public disclosure and review by the Legislative Audit Council. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
05/06/2025: 11-1-130
Latest Version: 11-1-130