Senate panel looks at no-exceptions abortion ban

By Jack O’Toole, Statehouse bureau | A state Senate panel is actively considering a bill by Sen. Richard Cash, R-Anderson, to outlaw virtually all abortions from the moment of conception in the Palmetto State, with no exceptions for rape, incest or fetal abnormalities. Under current S.C. law, most abortions are prohibited after six weeks, a status quo Gov. Henry McMaster has strongly and repeatedly endorsed.

Despite some momentum to move the stricter bill to the Senate floor, Edgefield Republican Majority Leader Shane Massey told reporters this week that with less than a month to go in the 2026 session, time was running out for controversial legislation like the ban. “We’ve had no conversation among the caucus about that bill at all,” he said.

Bills that are on the move

DOGE S.C.: Multiple bills promising to cut the state workforce and the regulations they enforce have been introduced for consideration in 2026. In particular, House GOP leaders have pledged to get their “Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act” passed through the S.C. Senate this session. LATEST: The bill is currently being marked up — and amended — in a Senate Judiciary subcommittee.

Taxes: McMaster held a ceremonial signing this week for a bill to cut the state’s top tax rate from 6% to 5.21%. Further property and income tax cuts are advancing in both chambers. LATEST: The S.C. Senate on April 1 voted down a House bill that would have extended federal tax breaks under President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” to state taxpayers.

Bills in less of a hurry

Judicial selection: A bill that would give the governor more power in selecting state judges passed the S.C. House 86-25 on Feb. 11, sending it to the Senate, where it currently resides in the Senate Judiciary Committee. LATEST: Massey told reporters on April 15 the bill is unlikely to come up for a vote in the Senate before the session ends on May 14.

Immigration: Legislation requiring local law enforcement agencies to assist in federal immigration enforcement passed the S.C. House 85-30 along party lines on April 1. LATEST: The bill is now awaiting further action in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Juvenile justice: Two bills have passed the House — one making it easier to try 16 and 17 year olds as adults and another to mandate fingerprinting when juveniles come into the system. LATEST: Both bills are now in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which began considering them last week.

Concurrency: A bill by Beaufort Republican Sen. Tom Davis that would allow local governments to limit development in areas with insufficient infrastructure was amended and advanced on March 12 by the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.

Rolling back affirmative action and DEI: Several bills are still currently awaiting consideration, including one to codify Gov. Henry McMaster’s executive order ending affirmative action in state contracting.