South Carolina S 214: Constitutional Amendment, Term Limits

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 214 Text of Previous Version (May. 06, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 214

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Introduced

May 6, 2025

S. 214

Introduced 
by Senators Massey and Jackson 

S. Printed 5/6/25--H.

Read the first time May 6, 2025

________

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY 
AMENDING SECTION 1-31-10, RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE COMMISSION FOR 
MINORITY AFFAIRS, ITS COMPOSITION, AND THE REQUIREMENT THAT A MAJORITY OF THE 
COMMISSION BE AFRICAN AMERICAN, SO AS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT A MAJORITY 
OF THE COMMISSION MUST BE AFRICAN AMERICAN.

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

SECTION 
1. Section 1-31-10 of the S.C. Code is amended to 
read:

 Section 
1-31-10. There is created a State Commission for Minority 
Affairs Community Advancement and Engagement consisting 
of nine members and the Governor ex officio. The Governor must appoint one 
person from each of the congressional districts of the State and two persons 
from the State at large upon the advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor 
shall designate the chairman. The members serve for a term of four years and 
until their successors are appointed and qualify. A vacancy must be filled in 
the same manner as original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired 
term. A majority of the members of the commission must be 
African American. In making appointments, the 
Governor and Senate shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that members 
reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of the State.

SECTION 
2. Section 1-31-20 of the S.C. Code is amended to 
read:

 Section 
1-31-20. The commission must meet quarterly and at other times as the chairman 
determines necessary to study the causes and effects of the socio-economic 
deprivation of minorities communities 
in the State and to implement programs necessary to address socioeconomic inequities confronting minorities in the State.

SECTION 
3. Section 1-31-40 of the S.C. Code is amended to 
read:

 Section 
1-31-40. (A) The commission shall:

 (1) 
provide the minority community consisting of African 
Americans, Native American Indians, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, and othersState with a single point of contact for statistical and 
technical assistance in the areas of research and planning for a greater 
economic future;

 (2) 
work with minority elected officials 
on the state, county, and local levels of government in disseminating 
statistical data and its impact on their constituencies;

 (3) 
provide for publication of a statewide statistical abstract on minority rural and under-resourced 
community affairs;

 (4) 
provide statistical analyses for members of the General Assembly on the state 
of minority rural and 
under-resourced communities as the State experiences economic growth and 
changes;

 (5) provide the 
minority community with assistance and information on Voting Rights Act 
submissions in the State, as well as other related areas of concern to the 
minority community;

 (6)(5) determine, approve, and acknowledge by certification 
state recognition for Native American Indian entities; however, notwithstanding 
their state certification, the tribes have no power or authority to take any 
action which would establish, advance, or promote any form of gambling in this 
State;

 (7)(6) establish advisory committees representative of minority groupsthe state's 
geographic regions, as the commission considers appropriate to advise 
the commission;

 (8)(7) act as liaison with the business community to provide 
programs and opportunities to fulfill its duties under this chapter;

 (9)(8) seek federal and other funding on behalf of the State 
of South Carolina for the express purpose of implementing various programs and 
services for African Americans, Native American Indians, 
Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, and other minority groups rural and under-resourced communities;

 (10)(9) promulgate regulations as may be necessary to carry 
out the provisions of this article including, but not limited to, regulations 
regarding State Recognition of Native American Indian entities in the State of 
South Carolina; and,

 (11) establish 
and maintain a twenty-four hour toll free telephone number and electronic 
website in accordance with Section 8-30-10; and

 (12)(10) perform other duties necessary to implement programs.

 (B) 
The commission may delegate these powers and duties as necessary.

 (C) 
Nothing in this chapter recognizes, creates, extends, or forms the basis of any 
right or claim of interest in land or real estate in this State for any Native 
American tribe which is recognized by the State.

SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval 
by the Governor.

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