South Carolina H 4692: South Carolina Resource Independence and Resilience Act

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4692 Text of Previous Version (Dec. 17, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4692

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 ENACTing THE 
"SOUTH CAROLINA RESOURCE INDEPENDENCE AND RESILIENCE ACT" BY ADDING CHAPTER 35 
TO TITLE 1 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE STATE RESOURCE COMMISSION TO ACHIEVE AND 
MAINTAIN A minimum TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT in the IN-STATE PRODUCTION OF CERTAIN 
ESSENTIAL RESOURCES BY 2036.

Whereas, global supply 
chain disruptions have revealed the vulnerabilities of overreliance on out-of-state 
and international imports of essential resources; and

Whereas, a robust and 
sustainable local production economy enhances public safety, energy security, 
job creation, and environmental stewardship; and

Whereas, South Carolina 
possesses sufficient natural resources, workforce capacity, and technological 
innovation to increase the local production of essential goods and services 
needed for resident well-being and economic stability; and

Whereas, South Carolina 
can take steps to strengthen economic security, environmental stability, and 
resilience in the State by requiring minimum thresholds for the in-state 
production of critical resources, including, but not limited to, food and 
energy through coordinated planning, investment, and public-private 
cooperation. Now, therefore:

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

SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "South Carolina Resource Independence and 
Resilience Act."

SECTION 2. Title 1 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

CHAPTER 35

State Resource Commission

 Section 
1-35-10. It is the policy of the State of South 
Carolina to:

 (1) 
achieve and maintain a minimum percentage in the in-state production of the 
following categories of essential resources:

 (a) 
agricultural products and food necessary for the nutrition and sustenance of 
South Carolina residents;

 (b) 
electricity, natural gas, renewable energy, and fuel sources used in 
residential, commercial, industrial, and public infrastructure; and

 (c) 
water infrastructure and critical materials as designated and updated 
periodically by the South Carolina Department of Commerce, in consultation with 
the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and other relevant agencies;

 (2) 
set the minimum percentage set forth in item (1) to fifteen percent by 2031, 
and twenty-five percent by 2036; and

 (3) 
establish intermediate benchmarks and strategies to guide implementation, 
measure performance, and ensure continuous progress toward the twenty-five 
percent target.

 Section 
1-35-20. (A) There is established the 
"State Resource Commission" (SRC) within the Office of the Governor.

 (B) The 
commission shall:

 (1) 
coordinate statewide resource independence initiatives in collaboration with 
relevant state agencies;

 (2) 
develop and oversee a comprehensive implementation plan to meet the benchmarks 
set forth in this chapter;

 (3) 
maintain a public dashboard tracking progress, performance data, and updates to 
the state's critical resources list; and

 (4) 
facilitate interagency cooperation and stakeholder engagement.

 (C) The 
SRC shall consist of the following members, all appointed by the Governor:

 (1) 
one representative from the Department of Commerce;

 (2) 
one representative from the Department of Agriculture;

 (3) 
one representative from the State Energy Office;

 (4) one 
representative from the Department of Natural Resources;

 (5) one 
representative from Clemson University; and

 (6) 
two members from the private sector with relevant industry expertise.

 Section 
1-35-30. (A) The SRC shall consult 
with the Department of Commerce, the Department of Revenue, and other relevant 
agencies to develop and recommend a package of incentives to promote in-state 
production of essential resources, including:

 (1) 
tax credits for businesses and individuals engaged in local food or energy 
production;

 (2) 
grants or low-interest loans for infrastructure, equipment, and capacity 
building for small producers and manufacturers; and

 (3) 
specific incentive programs for farmers, solar and renewable energy developers, 
cooperatives, and small manufacturers contributing to the production benchmarks 
established by this chapter.

 (B) In 
developing the package required by subsection (A), the SRC shall prioritize the 
in-state production of essential resources in and for rural, underserved, and 
economically distressed communities.

 Section 
1-35-40. (A) The SRC shall submit an 
annual report to the General Assembly, beginning no later than December 31, 
2027, and each year thereafter, detailing:

 (1) 
progress toward the benchmarks established in this chapter;

 (2) 
challenges or barriers to i