Hotlist: March 23, 2026
There was a little more breathing room in the lobby last week with the House out on furlough, and things were a little quieter. The buzz around the statehouse was centered on the Senate’s big hemp product regulations debate, which ran late into the night on Wednesday.
While there was no major movement on conservation issues last week, the Senate held an additional hearing on data center legislation (including CVSC testimony), and senators continued discussions on the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act, with further testimony highlighting potential unintended consequences of the sweeping proposal. However, neither committee took action.
Looking ahead, the SC Prosper and Preserve package, two key bills aimed at helping local governments manage growth and conserve land, are on the Senate calendar and could see action this week. With the House back in session, we will continue engaging with House committee members to advance these tools.
Let’s get into it.
Updates
Senate Judiciary meets again on data centers
The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee heard testimony from CVSC, other conservation partners, and electric utilities at another hearing last week on Chairman Rankin’s Data Center Siting Act (S.902) and Senator Blackmon’s standalone Data Center Water Use Reporting bill (S.724), but took no action on either bill.
In short, my testimony on Senator Rankin’s proposal highlighted similar concerns to those we lifted up on Senator Davis’ competing proposal (S.867): that, without important changes, the proposal will fall short of the goal of protecting electric customers and the environment.
A key distinction of Senator Rankin’s proposal is that it also gives the Public Service Commission (PSC) the authority to override local government policies it deems too burdensome for data center developers—a glaring concern that could result in the siting of data centers in communities that don’t want them.
If the current pace continues, we’ll likely see additional hearings scheduled on data center legislation and potential amendments this week, and the debate may move to the floor in the next two weeks. We’ll keep you updated and continue fighting for sound customer and environmental protections.
Regulatory reform ‘swiss cheese’
Another Senate Judiciary subcommittee convened last week to take up the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act (H.3021 and S.254), a sweeping proposal to overhaul South Carolina’s regulatory system. As in the prior hearing, the discussion featured a wide range of professional groups and industries making the case for exemptions from the bill. The committee took no action.
The growing list of sectors seeking carve-outs underscores a broader concern: as more stakeholders raise red flags, it becomes increasingly clear that such far-reaching changes warrant careful consideration and legislative attention. At the same time, the volume of requested exemptions risks creating a “swiss cheese” approach to reform, one that applies unevenly across industries and undermines the consistency and predictability that a regulatory framework is meant to provide. This dynamic raises important questions about both fairness and if greater structural changes should be made to the proposal.
We appreciate the diligence the subcommittee is bringing to this complex issue and the opportunity for robust stakeholder input. As the process continues, we will remain engaged in advocating for a balanced approach that preserves the essential regulatory safeguards protecting South Carolina’s environment and communities.
Action Center
Here’s a round-up of current actions you can take to help us advance conservation policy during this legislative session. If you’ve already taken these actions, thank you! We’ll add more actions and provide updates as progress unfolds.
- Tell your senator to vote in favor of sustainable planning tools: CIR
- Tell your representative to vote in favor of sustainable planning tools: CIR
- Tell your senator to vote in favor of sustainable planning tools: TDRs
- Tell your legislators that your energy bill is too high
Events
SCCC Lobby Day & Oyster Roast | Tuesday, March 31, 10:30 am & 5:30 pm
Join CVSC and over 50 conservation organizations for a full day of speaking with lawmakers to help advance environmental policies, followed by a celebration of our collective progress that evening.
Highlights
CVSC discusses energy affordability with SC United Women in Faith | Last week, the CVSC team was honored to join the South Carolina Conference United Women in Faith‘s 2026 Legislative Advocacy Day to share insights on why electric bills are so high, the policies we’re pursuing at the Statehouse to address this challenge, and how residents and faith communities can help advocate for meaningful relief. We’re grateful to be part of such a powerful day of advocacy with SCUWF!
The Legislative Hotlist is a weekly update from CVSC’s Senior Vice President of Policy & Government Relations, John Brooker. Sign up for emails to get the Hotlist delivered directly to your inbox!