South Carolina S 749: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE LIMESTONE COLLEGE MEN'S LACROSSE TEAM AND COACHES FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND FOR WINNING THE 2017 NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 749 Text of Previous Version (Dec. 10, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 749

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A joint Resolution

TO CREATE THE "PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE 
STUDY COMMITTEE" TO EXAMINE AND RECOMMEND INNOVATIVE METHODS TO REDUCE COSTS 
FOR PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES CONSIDERED CRITICAL TO SOUTH CAROLINA CITIZENS; TO 
PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE; AND 
TO REQUIRE A REPORT OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Whereas, access to affordable prescription medicine is essential to 
the health, stability, and well-being of the citizens of South Carolina; and

Whereas, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and 
dementia disproportionately affect South Carolina residents and require 
continuous access to life-sustaining medications; and

Whereas, the rising cost of prescription drugs places a significant 
financial burden on families, healthcare providers, and the State; and

Whereas, identifying innovative, transparent, and effective methods 
to reduce prescription medicine costs is in the best interest of the State and 
its citizens. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1. (A) There is created the 
Prescription Medicine Study Committee to evaluate methods and strategies to 
reduce costs of prescription medicines considered critical to the health, 
well-being, and longevity of the citizens of South Carolina.

 (B)(1) 
The committee shall:

 (a) 
identify and review innovative methods used in other states, the federal 
government, and private industry to reduce the cost of prescription medicines, 
with a primary focus on medications necessary for the treatment or management 
of diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and other diseases prevalent among South 
Carolina citizens.

 (b) 
evaluate current cost barriers, including pricing structures, supply chains, 
and the role of pharmacy benefit managers, insurers, and pharmaceutical 
manufacturers.

 (c) 
recommend policy proposals, statutory changes, pilot programs, or regulatory 
modifications that could result in lower prescription costs without 
compromising patient safety, access, or quality of care.

 (d) 
consider opportunities for state-led initiatives, such as bulk purchasing, 
state-supported pharmaceutical distribution models, rebate reforms, 
manufacturer transparency requirements, or other mechanisms used in similar 
jurisdictions.

 (e) 
engage South Carolina consumers, providers, and industry stakeholders through 
hearings, written submissions, or other information-gathering methods the 
committee finds beneficial.

 (2) 
In fulfilling its duties, the committee may request data, reports, or 
assistance from any state agency.

 (D)(1) 
The Prescription Medicine Study Committee shall be composed of the following 
members:

 (a) 
the Chair of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, or his designee;

 (b) 
the Chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, or his designee;

 (c) 
the Chair of the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs 
Committee, or his designee;

 (d) 
the Chair of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee or his designee;

 (e) 
the Director of the Department of Insurance or his designee;

 (f) 
the Director of the Department of Public Health or his designee;

 (g) 
the Executive Director of the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority 
(PEBA) or his designee;

 (h) 
the Director of the South Carolina Medical Association or his designee;

 (i) 
the President of the Hospital Association or his designee;

 (j) 
one representative of a health plan that does not own, control, or have a stake 
in a pharmacy benefit manager within the health plan's corporate structure, 
appointed by the Governor; and

 (k) 
one representative of a pharmacy benefits management company, appointed by the 
Governor.

 (2) 
The members shall elect a chair and vice chair from among themselves at the 
committee's first meeting.

 (3) 
The committee shall meet as soon as practicable upon appointment of all 
members.

 (4) 
A majority of members constitutes a quorum.

 (5) 
Staff support shall be provided by the appropriate committees of the House of 
Representatives and the Senate, and by any relevant state agencies as 
reasonably requested.

 (6) 
Members of the committee shall serve without compensation but may receive 
mileage, subsistence, and per diem as provided by state law for legislative 
committees.

 (E) 
The committee shall prepare and submit a report of its findings and 
recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the General Assembly no 
later than December 31, 2026. Upon submission of the report, the committee is 
dissolved unless reauthorized by joint resolution.

SECTION