The bill H. 5312 aims to amend various sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws to enhance the privacy of individual contributors and donors in campaign finance. Specifically, it prohibits the public disclosure of an individual's street number and name in certified campaign reports, contributions from the general public, and contribution and expenditure reporting forms. The amendments to Sections 8-13-1308, 8-13-1309, 8-13-1333, and 8-13-1360 include provisions that ensure this information is not made publicly available through governmental websites or in response to public records requests under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section, 8-13-1530, which establishes penalties for violations of these privacy protections. It allows individual contributors or donors to recover a civil penalty of one thousand dollars for each instance of unauthorized disclosure of their street number or name, and it imposes criminal penalties on state or local officers or employees who intentionally disclose this information, with fines up to five thousand dollars or imprisonment for up to one year. The bill is currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary and will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
03/04/2026: 8-13-1308, 8-13-1333, 8-13-1360, 8-13-1530
Latest Version: 8-13-1308, 8-13-1333, 8-13-1360, 8-13-1530