On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the South Carolina General Assembly returns to Columbia for the second year of the biennium. As lawmakers reconvene, the decisions made during this session will influence how law enforcement officers across the state perform their duties, how agencies retain experienced personnel, and how public safety policies are applied in practice.

The second year of a biennium is typically more decisive than the first. Legislation introduced or advanced in 2025 often moves more quickly, with less room for reworking core concepts. Committee action, amendments, and negotiations early in the session frequently determine final outcomes. For law enforcement, this makes sustained engagement essential from the outset.

With an election year approaching, public safety issues will receive increased attention. That attention can bring opportunities to strengthen protections for officers, but it also requires discipline and consistency to ensure policy decisions are shaped by operational realities rather than shifting narratives.

How the Legislative Process Intersects with Policing

Legislation affecting law enforcement is often embedded within broader policy discussions. Criminal penalties, retirement systems, and administrative procedures are commonly addressed through budget negotiations, committee substitutes, or omnibus legislation. As a result, early conversations and subcommittee work frequently shape outcomes long before final votes are cast.

For officers and lodge leaders, understanding this process helps explain why advocacy occurs year-round and not only when a bill reaches the floor. The most meaningful input often happens during committee hearings, informal discussions, and early drafting stages, where language can still be refined and unintended consequences avoided.

Officer Safety: HALO and K9 Protections

Officer safety remains central to the Fraternal Order of Police’s work during the 2026 legislative session. Two areas of continued focus include the HALO bill and strengthened protections for law enforcement K9s.

The HALO bill addresses intentional interference with law enforcement officers while they are performing their duties. Officers routinely encounter individuals who obstruct lawful actions, attempt to intimidate officers, or interfere during arrests and investigations. Clear statutory consequences for this behavior provide officers with stronger legal backing and reinforce accountability when interference escalates into threats or violence.

Protections for law enforcement K9s remain equally important. K9s are trained partners who assist with suspect apprehension, tracking, narcotics detection, and officer protection. When a K9 is injured or killed, it places officers at greater risk and disrupts agency operations. Strong penalties for harming a K9 recognize their role in public safety and reinforce that attacks on these animals carry serious consequences.

Both issues affect officer decision-making, risk assessment, and confidence that the law recognizes and supports the realities of policing.

Pension Reform and Workforce Stability

Recruitment and retention challenges continue across South Carolina, but long-term retention depends on stability rather than short-term incentives. A reliable pension system with appropriate benefits remains one of the most effective tools for retaining experienced officers and attracting qualified candidates to the profession.

Officers evaluate the profession as a career, not a temporary job. Retirement security influences whether officers remain through the most demanding years of service and whether prospective officers are willing to commit long-term. Uncertainty surrounding pension systems leads to earlier departures, loss of institutional knowledge, and increased strain on remaining personnel.

Pension reform remains a legislative focus because it directly affects workforce continuity and agency effectiveness. The Fraternal Order of Police continues working with the General Assembly to protect retirement systems that are fair, sustainable, and reflective of the commitment officers make throughout their careers.

Due Process and Professional Protections

Administrative due process protections remain an important area of legislative attention. Officers are subject to internal investigations and disciplinary procedures that can affect careers, reputations, and livelihoods. Clear and consistent procedures help ensure accountability while preventing arbitrary or politically driven outcomes.

Legislative decisions in this area influence agency morale and professionalism. Fair processes support officers who perform their duties responsibly and reinforce confidence in internal systems designed to address complaints and misconduct.

A Full-Time Presence at the Statehouse

The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police maintains a full-time presence in Columbia through three dedicated lobbyists. Their role includes monitoring legislation, engaging with lawmakers, and providing accurate information about how proposed policies affect officers and agencies in practice.

This work occurs daily throughout the session. Proposed language is reviewed, amendments are tracked, and concerns are addressed early when changes are still possible. Consistent engagement allows law enforcement perspectives to be included before legislation is finalized rather than after unintended impacts emerge.

FOP Day at the Statehouse remains an important opportunity for officers and lodge leaders to reinforce that engagement and demonstrate that the law enforcement community is informed, organized, and invested in the legislative process.

Vigilance and Engagement Throughout the Session

As the 2026 legislative session moves forward, proposals will evolve, amendments will be offered, and timelines will compress. Throughout that process, the priorities of the Fraternal Order of Police remain consistent and focused.

The FOP will continue advocating on behalf of law enforcement officers with a steady emphasis on officer safety, pension reform, due process protections, and workforce stability. Legislative decisions shape the environment officers work in every day. Through disciplined engagement and a professional presence, the Fraternal Order of Police remains committed to protecting those who protect South Carolina’s communities.

For a closer look at the specific issues the Fraternal Order of Police is actively working on during the 2026 session, including officer safety, pension reform, and due process protections, visit scfop.org/legislative-priorities.