South Carolina H 3597: Reduction of sentences for substantial assistance

Bill Text

South Carolina General Assembly

126th Session, 2025-2026



H. 3597



STATUS INFORMATION



General Bill

Sponsors: Reps. Robbins, T. Moore, Pope, W. Newton, C. Mitchell, Calhoon and Edgerton

Document Path: LC-0064AHB25.docx



Introduced in the House on January 14, 2025

Currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary



Summary: Reduction of sentences for substantial assistance





HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS



	Date	Body	Action Description with journal page number	

	12/12/2024	House	Prefiled
 

	12/12/2024	House	Referred to Committee on Judiciary

	1/14/2025	House	Introduced and read first time (House Journal‑page 259)

	1/14/2025	House	Referred to Committee on Judiciary (House Journal‑page 259)

	4/15/2026	House	Member(s) request name added as sponsor: C.
 Mitchell, Calhoon
 

	4/15/2026	House	Committee report: Favorable Judiciary (House Journal‑page 3)

	4/16/2026	House	Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Edgerton
 

	4/21/2026	House	Requests for debate-Rep(s). McDaniels, Rutherford, Grant, Govan, JL Johnson, Hosey, Hart, Williams, Cobb-Hunter, Kirby, Gilliard, Waters, Garvin, Dilliard (House Journal‑page 23)

	4/23/2026	House	Debate adjourned (House Journal‑page 171)

	4/29/2026	House	Debate adjourned (House Journal‑page 155)

	5/7/2026	House	Debate adjourned (House Journal‑page 42)

	5/13/2026	House	Recommitted to Committee on Judiciary (House Journal‑page 182)



View the latest  legislative information  at the website





VERSIONS OF THIS BILL



12/12/2024

04/15/2026

04/15/2026-A









Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter



Committee Report

April 15, 2026



H. 3597



Introduced by Reps. Robbins, T. Moore, Pope, W. Newton, C. Mitchell and Calhoon



S. Printed 4/15/26--H.

Read the first time January 14, 2025



________



The committee on House Judiciary

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3597) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 17‑25‑65, relating to the reduction of a sentence for substantial assistance to the State, so as to, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:



W. NEWTON for Committee.





statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact



State Expenditure

This bill relates to the filing of a motion to reduce a defendant's sentence for substantial assistance to the state. Currently, within one year of a defendant’s sentencing, upon a motion by the state, the court may reduce a defendant’s sentence if he provided substantial assistance in investigating or prosecuting another person or provided aid to a correctional employee or volunteer who was in danger of being seriously injured or killed. The circuit solicitor in the county where the defendant’s case arose must file such motion. 

This bill provides that before the motion may be filed, the appropriate law enforcement agency or warden of the correctional facility must verify to the solicitor that such assistance was provided by the defendant. The solicitor must then notify the law enforcement agency responsible for the defendant’s arrest that a motion to reduce his sentence has been filed and that the agency may be present at all hearings on the motion. Further, this bill requires the circuit judge assigned to hear such motions to conduct a hearing on the record, verify that a reasonable attempt was made to notify any victims, and place findings of fact in a written order. This bill also specifies that a defendant sentenced to a mandatory minimum may be eligible for a reduction in his sentence below the mandatory minimum at the discretion of the judge.

This bill may impact the workload of the court system, CPC, CID, Corrections, and PPP. Judicial anticipates the responsibilities of this bill can be managed within the normal course of business. CPC, CID, Corrections, and PPP anticipate being able to manage any additional responsibilities due to this bill within existing appropriations. However, Judicial indicates that if this bill results in a significant increase in workload, Judicial may request an additional General Fund appropriation.





Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office



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A bill



TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 17‑25‑65, RELATING TO THE REDUCTION OF A SENTENCE FOR SUBSTANTIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE STATE, SO AS TO REQUIRE NOTICE TO THE ARRESTING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND ANY VICTIMS, TO REQUIRE A HEARING WITH FINDINGS OF FACT IN A WRITTEN ORDER, TO REQUIRE VERIFICATION OF SUBSTANTIAL ASSISTANCE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OR THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, AND TO ALLOW REDUCTION OF MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES IN THE DISCRETION OF THE JUDGE.



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



SECTION 1.	Section 17‑25‑65 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:



	Section 17‑25‑65.	(A) Upon the state’s motion made within one year of sentencing, the court may reduce a