S0831Introduced in the Senate
SCDOT Modernization
Introduced by Lawrence Grooms, District 37
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 57-1-410, Relating To The Secretary Of The Department Of Transportation, So As To Provide That The Governor Shall Appoint The Secretary Instead Of The Commission Of The Department Of Transportation; To Devolve The Duties Of The Commission Of The Department Of Transportation Upon The Secretary Of The Department Of Transportation; By Amending Section 1-30-10, Relating To The Departments Of State Government And Their Governing Bodies, So As To Delete The Provision That Provides That Part Of The Governing Body Of The Department Of Transportation Is A Seven-member Commission; By Amending Section 1-30-105, Relating To The Establishment Of The Department Of Transportation, So As To Provide That The Governing Authority Of The Department Of Transportation Is The Secretary Of Transportation; By Amending Sections 11-43-140 And 11-43-150, Both Relating To The Transportation Infrastructure Bank, So As To Remove The Chairman Of The Department Of Transportation Commission As A Director, To Provide That The Secretary Of Transportation Is A Member Of The Board, And To Make A Conforming Change; By Amending Sections 57-1-10, 57-1-40, 57-1-430, 57-1-500, 57-3-50, 57-1-90, 57-3-210, 57-3-700, 57-5-10, 57-5-50, 57-5-90, 57-5-310, 57-5-340, 57-13-10, 57-13-20, 57-13-40, 57-13-50, 57-25-120, 57-25-140, 57-25-150, 57-25-170, 57-25-200, 57-25-210, And 57-1-370, All Relating To The Department Of Transportation, And Its Duties And Responsibilities, So As To Make Conforming Changes Regarding The Commission; By Repealing Sections 57-1-310, 57-1-320, 57-1-325, 57-1-330, 57-1-340, 57-1-350, And Sections 6, 7, And 8 Of Act 114 Of 2007 All Relating To The Creation And Functions Of The Department Of Transportation And Its Commission; By Amending Section 57-1-360, Relating To Audits Of The Department Of Transportation, So As To Set Forth Certain Requirements For The Chief Internal Auditor And To Require An Independent Audit Of The Department Every Four Years; To Amend Section 57-3-20, Relating To The Divisions Of The Department Of Transportation, So As To Establish Certain Deputy Secretaries; By Adding Section 57-3-205 So As To Authorize Public-private Partnerships Between The Department Of Transportation And Other Entities And To Set Forth Certain Requirements; By Amending Section 57-3-615, Relating To Certain Tolls And Usage Charges, So As To Specify The Circumstances Under Which Tolls And Usage Charges May Be Imposed; By Adding Section 57-3-790 So As To Waive The State's Immunity Under The 11th Amendment Of The United States Constitution For Certain Actions Of The Department Of Transportation And To Specify The Circumstances For Waiving Immunity; By Adding Section 57-3-800 So As To Authorize The Department Of Transportation To Enter Into Certain Reciprocal Agreements With Other Jurisdictions And To Specify The Circumstances Under Which Agreements Are Enforceable; By Adding Section 57-5-1345 So As To Direct The Department Of Transportation To Coordinate With The Department Of Motor Vehicles To Administer And Collect Tolls And Usage Charges; By Amending Sections 57-5-820 And 57-5-830, Both Relating To Department Of Transportation Projects And Municipalities, So As To Set Forth The Process By Which A Municipality May Object To The Project; By Amending Sections 57-5-1320, 57-5-1330, 57-5-1335, 57-5-1340, 57-5-1350, 57-5-1360, 57-5-1370, 57-5-1380, 57-5-1390, 57-5-1400, 57-5-1410, 57-5-1420, 57-5-1430, 57-5-1440, 57-5-1450, 57-5-1460, 57-5-1470, 57-5-1480, 57-5-1490, And 57-5-1495, All Relating To Turnpike Projects, So As To Change The Name Of Such Projects To Choice Lane Facilities, To Specify The Circumstances Under Which Choice Lane Facilities May Be Constructed, To Specify The Manner In Which Bonds May Be Issued For Such Choice Lane Facilities Projects, And To Make Conforming Changes; By Adding Section 57-5-1710 So As To Set Forth The Requirements For The Department Of Transportation To Select And Award A Contract To A Phased Design-build Contractor; By Adding Section 57-5-1720 So As To Authorize The Department To Award Highway Construction Contracts Using A Construction Manager/general Contractor Procedure; By Amending Sections 56-5-4210 And 56-5-4220, Both Relating To Certain Road Restrictions On Local Roads, So As To Specify The Circumstances Under Which Restrictions May Become Effective; By Amending Section 11-35-710, Relating To Exemptions From The Consolidated Procurement Code, So As To Specify The Exemption For The Department Of Transportation And To Exempt Certain Road-related Acquisitions By The Department Of Public Safety; By Amending Section 12-28-2740, Relating To "c" Funds, So As To Provide For The Powers And Responsibilities Of The County Transportation Committees And Procedures For Using "c" Fund Revenues; By Amending Section 12-28-2920, Relating To The Construction Of Certain Roads, So As To Specify The Use Of Usage Charge Revenues; By Adding Section 57-5-1800 So As To Establish The Pothole Mitigation Program For The Public Reporting Of Pothole Locations; And By Adding Section 57-1-375 So As To Set Forth A Process By Which County-funded Projects May Reprioritize The Statewide Transportation Plan Within The County. - Ratified Title
Where it stands
Act No. 177
June 2, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report · May 12, 2026
43
Yes
0
No
3
Absent or Not Voting
46 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Alexander | 1 | Yes |
| Rex Rice | 2 | Yes |
| Richard Cash | 3 | Yes |
| Michael Gambrell | 4 | Yes |
| Thomas Corbin | 5 | Yes |
| Jason Elliott | 6 | Yes |
| Karl Allen | 7 | Yes |
| Ross Turner | 8 | Yes |
| Danny Verdin | 9 | Yes |
| Billy Garrett | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Introduced and read first time
Referred to Committee on Transportation
Scrivener's error corrected
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Transportation
Scrivener's error corrected
Committee Amendment Adopted
Amended
Read second time
Amended
Read third time and sent to House
Roll call Ayes-37 Nays-1
Introduced and read first time
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
Committee report: Favorable with amendment Ways and Means
Scrivener's error corrected
Requests for debate-Rep
Debate adjourned
Amended
Read second time
Roll call Yeas-114 Nays-0
Amended
Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments
Roll call Yeas-108 Nays-0
Senate insists upon amendment and conference committee appointed Grooms, Bennett, Walker
House insists upon amendment and conference committee appointed Reps. Bannister, Erickson, Brewer
Conference report received and adopted
Roll call Yeas-112 Nays-2
Conference report received and adopted
Roll call Ayes-43 Nays-0
Enrolled for Ratification
Ratified R 156
Signed By Governor
Effective date See Act for Effective Date
Act No. 177
Verify the information
- Official page on the South Carolina Legislature website
- Fiscal Note (supplement)
- Fiscal Note (supplement)
- Fiscal Note (supplement)
- Introduced (text)
- Draft (text)
- Comm Sub (text)
- Comm Sub (text)
- Comm Sub (text)
- Amended (text)
- Introduced (text)
- Comm Sub (text)
- Comm Sub (text)
- Amended (text)
- Amended (text)
- Introduced (text)
Our commitment to neutrality
We provide factual information only. We never tell you which politicians or bills to support, and we do not rank, score, or endorse anyone.