By PSA Newsroom Staff
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina lawmakers return to the Statehouse on January 13 for the 2026 legislative session, facing big decisions that will affect everyday life across the state — all while running for office in an election year.
A major focus will be money. Gov. Henry McMaster is asking lawmakers to spend about $1.1 billion more on roads and bridges, saying higher costs and aging infrastructure can’t wait. Lawmakers will also sort through how to use the state’s surplus while balancing needs from schools, colleges and local governments.
Public safety is also front and center. Lawmakers are expected to continue working on DUI reforms, and drivers will soon see a change already passed into law: South Carolina’s hands-free driving law begins full enforcement on February 28, meaning tickets, fines and points for violations.
Other issues — including education, affordability, taxes and social policies like abortion — could return to the spotlight, though what actually moves forward remains uncertain.
With every House seat and the governor’s office on the ballot, politics will loom large as the session runs through May. For residents, the decisions made in Columbia this spring will shape how the state spends money, enforces laws and plans for the future.
To follow the SC Legislature:
https://scstatehouse.gov
