As the 2026 legislative session approaches, lawmakers in South Carolina have already given a preview of their priorities. Under longstanding practice, members of the General Assembly may file bills ahead of the formal start of session. This year, that process concluded with 258 bills filed in the House and 69 filed in the Senate, ahead of the session that begins January 13, 2026.

Prefiled bills are important for several reasons. They often signal what lawmakers have been working on during the interim, highlight issues they want to advance early, and provide insight into what may gain traction once committees begin meeting. At the same time, prefiling does not guarantee passage. Many proposals will be amended, combined with other legislation, or never move beyond committee.

For law enforcement officers, these early filings matter. Several bills filed in both chambers directly affect officer safety, law enforcement authority, detention procedures, and retirement benefits. Below is an overview of the prefiled legislation that has a direct impact on law enforcement or the Police Officers Retirement System (PORS).

Legislation Affecting Law Enforcement Operations and Officer Safety

A number of prefiled bills address how officers perform their duties, interact with the public, and operate in high-risk environments.

Several bills focus on emergency scene and roadside safety.

• S. 699, sponsored by Senator Stephen Goldfinch, expands existing “move over” requirements to apply broadly to emergency scenes. It requires drivers to move over or slow down when passing a law enforcement vehicle conducting a traffic stop or investigation with warning signals activated.
• S. 704, sponsored by Senator Mike Rice, further revises emergency scene management by updating definitions, clarifying driver responsibilities near emergency vehicles, and establishing violations, penalties, and driver’s license points for creating hazardous conditions at emergency scenes.
• H. 4684, sponsored by Representative M.M. Smith, strengthens penalties under the state’s “move over” law and requires annual reporting of violations.

Other prefiled legislation affects law enforcement authority, certification, and employment standards.

• S. 709, sponsored by Senator Brian Adams, shifts enforcement authority over bail bondsmen and runners from the Department of Insurance to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and clerks of court. The bill also defines the “director” for enforcement purposes as the Chief of SLED.
• H. 4678, sponsored by Representatives Martin, Pope, Smith, and Wooten, removes South Carolina residency and driver’s license requirements for law enforcement certification.
• H. 4682, sponsored by Representatives Pope, Gilliam, and Wooten, clarifies that certification candidates must hold a valid United States driver’s license, regardless of issuing state.

Several bills address detention, bond, and criminal procedure.

• S. 716, sponsored by Senator Tom Garrett, requires full cash bond for defendants charged with certain violent offenses or felony offenses involving firearms or drugs. The bill also allows courts to consider the direct observations of a law enforcement officer regarding a person’s mental condition and permits bond conditions that include transport for emergency psychiatric evaluation.
• S. 719, sponsored by Senator Shane Tedder, requires that certain information be provided to individuals detained by law enforcement and mandates activation of audio and video recording equipment upon detainment.

There are also bills focused on public order and interference with first responders.

• S. 739, sponsored by Senator Carlisle Kennedy, expands definitions and penalties related to riot and unlawful assembly and authorizes certain identification measures during declared disturbances.
• H. 4763, commonly referred to as the HALO Act, creates criminal penalties for intentionally harassing or obstructing a first responder after a warning.

Additional legislation affects interagency coordination and investigative authority.

• S. 735, sponsored by Senator Kennedy, enacts the “Prohibition of Sanctuary Jurisdictions Act” and authorizes SLED to publish immigration compliance reports.
• S. 745, sponsored by Senator Russell Ott, addresses missing persons investigations by requiring the release of certain information by wireless service providers and directing SLED to develop recommendations to aid law enforcement.

Each of these proposals would have direct, real-world implications for officers and agencies if enacted.

Legislation Affecting the Police Officers Retirement System

Several prefiled bills directly affect the Police Officers Retirement System and warrant close attention.

• S. 734, sponsored by Senator Carlisle Kennedy, provides that certain state retirement and health benefits may be forfeited if a state employee is convicted of specific offenses involving criminal sexual misconduct with a minor or the possession or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. Because the bill addresses forfeiture of state retirement benefits, it may have implications for members of PORS depending on how its provisions are applied.
• H. 4577, sponsored by Representative Bruce Bannister, adds Section 9-11-28 to state law to provide that full-time masters-in-equity shall participate in the Police Officers Retirement System and allows for the transfer of service credits for eligible individuals.
• H. 4593, sponsored by Representative Henderson-Myers, amends Title 9 to provide that certain retired members who return to covered employment are not required to make additional employee contributions.
• H. 4612, sponsored by Representative Oremus, removes the earnings limitation for retired law enforcement officers serving as School Resource Officers under PORS.
• H. 4620, sponsored by Representatives Wooten, Gilliam, and Pope, increases the allowable retirement allowance adjustment for PORS retirees.

Retirement benefits are a critical component of recruiting, retaining, and honoring a career in law enforcement. Legislation affecting eligibility, earnings limits, contribution requirements, or post-retirement adjustments deserves careful and deliberate review.

What Happens Next

As noted in recent reporting by The State, prefiled legislation often reflects priorities, but passage depends on sponsorship, committee action, and support as bills move through the process. Some proposals will advance quickly. Others may be amended substantially or fail to move at all.

The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police Legislative Committee is reviewing all prefiled legislation that affects law enforcement officers and the Police Officers Retirement System. As the session begins and bills move through committees, their potential impacts will become clearer.

For law enforcement officers, staying informed is essential. Early awareness of legislative proposals helps ensure that those most affected understand what is being considered and how it may shape public safety, officer wellness, and retirement security. Members are encouraged to stay engaged and informed as the General Assembly begins its work.