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May 2026: Advocacy Updates

Date postedApril 30, 2026
Posted By: Jordan Amaker Advocacy Updates, Awareness, Community, General News,
Local-Level Opportunities & Noteworthy Updates
State-Level Issues Worth Following

  • Filing closed on March 30 for all 124 SC House seats, all seven US House seats, all statewide constitutional officers, and one US Senate seat. Additionally, filing closed for 480 other races including various Solicitors, County Councils, Sheriffs, and more. All told, 890 South Carolinians are running for public office in 2026 at the local, state, and federal levels. (A reminder that the SC Senate is not up this year.)
     
    One big takeaway from the field this time around -- the primaries will not necessarily decide the majority of state-level races in South Carolina.  

    Reminder: Election Dates! 

    • Runoff Primary Elections: Tuesday, June 23 

    • General Election: Tuesday, November 3 

  • The latest on liquor liability reform: In late April, SC Senator Massey offered a budget proviso that would temporarily suspend the liquor-liability insurance requirement for the current fiscal year. The pause would eliminate the insurance mandate altogether, allowing businesses to sell alcohol without carrying liquor liability coverage. The suspension would last through June 2027. This would provide immediate relief to the food and beverage community across the state, while regulation debates continue next year at the statehouse. The Senate must first pass a full budget, after which the proposal must survive negotiations with the House and gain approval from Gov. McMaster. Read more via Live 5 News.

  • The latest on the Hemp Bill: As of late April, SC lawmakers remain deeply divided over how to regulate hemp-derived products, such as THC-infused edibles and drinks. In late March, the SC Senate approved a heavily amended bill (H. 3924) designed to regulate, rather than entirely ban, hemp-derived THC products like drinks and gummies. Those changes were then rejected by the SC House in late April, forcing the bill to go into committee for further negotiation. Read more via The Post and Courier.

  • Charitable Giving Regulations: Lowcountry Local First, along with TogetherSC and the Secretary of State's office, are pleased to report that companion bills S715 and H4662, proposing amendments to the South Carolina Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, passed the 3rd and final hearing in the House on April 30, and is heading to be ratified and onto the Governor's desk. This amended regulation makes it easier for small businesses to serve as commercial coventurers and support and raise funds on behalf of community nonprofits. Where do things currently stand?
      • Senate bill: S.715 passed its second and third reading on the full Senate floor on March 3rd and 4th and moved over to the House.
      • House bill: H4662 passed its third reading in the House on March 26, 2026 and passed through the House LCI committee in April. It was heard and unanimously approved on the House floor on April 28-30 and is now going to be ratified and sent to the Governor's desk and signed into law.
      • Learn more about these bills on our blog.
Federal-Level Issues Impacting Your Success
  • Corporate consolidation in the food and restaurant industries is driving up prices while leaving essential supply chains increasingly vulnerable to market disruptions. As giants like Sysco and McCormick pursue major acquisitions, weakened federal oversight threatens to eliminate the flexible alternatives that independent businesses and low-income communities rely on. Read more via the Who Shall Rule Substack of the Institute for Local Self Reliance. Sign Independent Restaurant Coalition’s (IRC) petition here. Sign up to attend the May 4 virtual update from IRC.

  • View Small Business Majority’s response to draft FY27 federal budget (posted April 3) and how it could impact small business support.

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Questions? Want to chat? Reach out: Jordan@lowcountrylocalfirst.org

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