South Carolina H 4731: Sergio Hudson, welcome to Columbia

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4731 Text of Previous Version (Dec. 17, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4731

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 
60-15-25 SO AS TO ABOLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA ARTS COMMISSION AND TRANSFER AND 
DEVOLVE ITS FUNCTIONS, POWERS, AND DUTIES TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF 
EDUCATION, TO TRANSFER THE EMPLOYEES, RECORDS, PROPERTY, AND TO TRANSFER THE 
UNEXPENDED FUNDS OF THE COMMISSION TO THE DEPARTMENT, AND TO PROVIDE RULES, 
REGULATIONS, STANDARDS, ORDERS, AND OTHER ACTIONS OF THE COMMISSION REMAIN IN 
EFFECT UNLESS SPECIFICALLY CHANGED OR VOIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO THE 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT; BY AMENDING SECTION 60-15-10, RELATING TO STATE 
POLICIES REGARDING THE ARTS, SO AS TO REVISE THE POLICIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 
60-15-90, RELATING TO DESIGNATION OF THE COMMISSION AS THE OFFICIAL AGENCY OF 
STATE TO RECEIVE CERTAIN FEDERAL FUNDS RELATED TO CREATIVE AND INTERPRETIVE 
ARTS PROGRAMS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 60-15-60, 
RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY 
AMENDING SECTION 60-15-80, RELATING TO COMMISSION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, SO AS 
TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; to REDESIGNATE CHAPTER 15, TITLE 60 OF THE S.C. 
CODE AS "SOUTH CAROLINA ARTS INITIATIVES"; BY REPEALING SECTION 60-15-20 
RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE COMMISSION AND APPOINTMENT OF ITS MEMBERS; BY 
REPEALING SECTION 60-15-30 RELATING TO TERMS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS; BY 
REPEALING SECTION 60-15-40 RELATING TO COMPENSATION OF COMMISSION MEMBERS; BY 
REPEALING SECTION 60-15-50 RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION TO 
EMPLOY AND REMOVE OFFICERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES; BY REPEALING SECTION 60-15-70 
RELATING TO COMMISSION POWERS; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 60-15-75 RELATING TO 
STATEWIDE CULTURAL DISTRICTS.

Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Chapter 15, Title 60 of the S.C. Code is amended by 
adding:

 Section 
60-15-25. On January 1, 2027, the South Carolina Arts Commission is abolished 
and all functions, powers, and duties provided by law to the commission are 
hereby transferred to the South Carolina Department of Education, and these 
functions, powers, and duties are devolved upon the department, and the commission 
records, property, and unexpended appropriations also are transferred to the department. 
All rules, regulations, standards, orders, or other actions of the commission 
shall remain in effect unless specifically changed or voided by the department 
in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act.

SECTION 2. Section 60-15-10 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 Section 
60-15-10. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the 
State to join with private patrons and with institutions and professional 
organizations concerned with the arts to insure that the role of the arts in 
the life of our communities will continue to grow and play an ever more 
significant part in the welfare and educational experience of our citizens. It 
is further declared that all activities undertaken by the State in carrying out 
this policy shall be directed toward encouraging and assisting rather than limiting 
the freedom of artistic expression that is essential for the well-being of the 
arts.It is hereby declared that the policy of the 
State is to cooperate with public and private schools, local governments, 
community institutions, and organizations to foster the arts as an important 
component of the cultural, educational, and economic life of this State. The 
General Assembly finds that the arts enrich communities, support civic pride, 
and preserve the historical and cultural heritage of South Carolina.

SECTION 3. Section 60-15-90 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 Section 
60-15-90. The CommissionState 
Department of Education shall be the official agency of the State to 
receive and disburse any funds made available by the Federal Government for 
programs related to the creative and interpretive arts.

SECTION 4. Section 60-15-60 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 Section 
60-15-60. The duties of the commission 
State Superintendent of Education shall 
include but not be limited to the following:

 (1) Toto stimulate and encourage 
throughout the State the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts 
and public interest and participation therein including, 
but not limited to, music, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture 
and allied arts and crafts;

 (2) To make such studies as may be deemed advisable of public and 
private institutions engaged within the State in artistic and cultural 
activities, including but not limited to music, theater, dance, painting, 
sculpture, architecture and allied arts and c