South Carolina H 5283: Sex Offender Registry Study Committee

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5283 Text of Previous Version (Jun. 04, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5283

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 CHAPTER 45 TO TITLE 58 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE 
SOUTH CAROLINA UTILITY CITIZENS COUNCIL TO SERVE AS AN INDEPENDENT ADVISORY 
BODY TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE UTILITY CITIZENS 
COUNCIL'S MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES; TO PERMIT THE UTILITY 
CITIZENS COUNCIL TO HAVE ACCESS TO CERTAIN INFORMATION SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC 
SERVICE COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE UTILITY CITIZENS COUNCIL FROM 
REGULATED UTILITIES, ESTABLISH COST RECOVERY REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES FOR 
FAILURE TO PROVIDE FUNDING, AND PROVIDE FOR ITS ADMINISTRATION; TO REQUIRE THE 
SOUTH CAROLINA ENERGY JUSTICE COALITION TO PROVIDE STAFFING AND OTHER DUTIES; 
TO REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO PROVIDE THE COUNCIL WITH RELEVANT 
DOCUMENTATION UPON NOTICE OF A UTILITY RATE CASE OR MAJOR FILING, TO PERMIT THE 
COUNCIL TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS, AND TO REQUIRE 
THE COMMISSION TO INCLUDE A SUMMARY OF THE COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND 
COMMISSION'S RESPONSES IN COMMISSION ORDERS; AND TO REQUIRE THE COUNCIL, IN 
CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF, TO DEVELOP ENERGY 
AFFORDABILITY METRICS.

Whereas, many South 
Carolinians, especially low- and moderate-income households, experience high 
energy burdens, spending a significant share of household income on energy 
bills; and

Whereas, energy 
affordability, efficiency, and equitable access to utility programs are 
essential for maintaining public health, economic security, and environmental 
sustainability; and

Whereas, consumers 
currently have limited formal representation in utility planning, ratemaking, 
and program design before the South Carolina Public Service Commission; and

Whereas, creating an 
independent, utility-funded Utility Citizens Council will strengthen 
transparency, improve accountability, and ensure that the voices of South 
Carolina's residential and small business consumers are directly heard in 
energy decision-making; and

Whereas, it would be 
beneficial to all South Carolinians to establish a structured advisory body to 
assist the Public Service Commission regarding matters of energy affordability, 
efficiency, and consumer protection that could encourage fair, affordable, and 
accountable utility service statewide. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1. Title 58 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

CHAPTER 45

South Carolina Utility Citizens Council

 Section 
58-45-10. For purposes of this chapter:

 (1) 
"Commission" means the South Carolina Public Service Commission.

 (2) 
"Council" means the South Carolina Utility Citizens Council.

 (3) 
"Energy burden" means the percentage of household income spent annually on 
energy bills for electricity, natural gas, or any other regulated utility 
service that provides electricity.

 (4) 
"Energy efficiency program" means any electrical utility-funded or commission-approved 
program designed to reduce energy consumption.

 (5) 
"Low-income household" means a household with an income at or below two hundred 
percent of the federal poverty level, as defined by the U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services.

 (6) 
"Moderate-income household" means a household with an income between two 
hundred and four hundred percent of the federal poverty level, as defined by 
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

 (7) 
"Utility" means any investor-owned electrical or gas utility regulated by the 
commission pursuant to Title 58. It may also include an electric cooperative or 
municipal utility that elects to participate in the provisions of this chapter.

 Section 
58-45-20. (A) There is created the 
South Carolina Utility Citizens Council which shall operate as an independent 
advisory body to the commission. The council shall receive funding in 
accordance with the provisions of Section 58-45-70 and shall not be subject to 
the direction or control of any utility, the commission, or any political 
subdivision except as provided in this chapter.

 (B) 
The council shall:

 (1) 
advise the commission on consumer affordability, utility rate design, and 
energy efficiency programs;

 (2) 
serve as a public forum for community input and utility accountability; and

 (3) 
publish independent analyses and recommendations on energy affordability and 
service quality.

 Section 
58-45-30. (A) The council shall 
consist of fifteen members appointed as follows:

 (1) 
three representatives from low-income households or organizations serving 
low-income communities;

 (2) 
two representatives from moderate-income ho