The bill S. 782, introduced by Senator Massey, seeks to amend Section 5-1-30 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which outlines the prerequisites for issuing a corporate certificate to a proposed municipality. The amendment allows the Secretary of State to utilize any reliable and verifiable information based on the latest official United States Census to assess whether a proposed municipality meets the required population density for incorporation. Specifically, it maintains the requirement that the area must have a population density of at least 300 persons per square mile, while also providing flexibility in the data sources that can be used for this determination.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions that specify the types of data the Secretary of State may consider when evaluating population density. This includes full census blocks, sub census blocks, special census areas identified by the U.S. Census Bureau, and reapportionment data used for redistricting. The intent of these changes is to ensure a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of population density for municipal incorporation, thereby facilitating the incorporation process in South Carolina. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
01/13/2026: 5-1-30
Latest Version: 5-1-30