LEGISLATION

Immediate Release: February 3, 2026
For the motorcyclists of South Carolina, nothing affects us more than our roads. We noticed that S831would increase the biennial fees for the alternative fuel fee from the current fee of $120 to a biennial fee of $400. We understand the reason for Alternative Vehicle Fees is to replace the gas tax revenue lost by not using internal combustion engines. We are asking the memerbs of this subcommittee to see this alternative vehicle fee for motorcycles remain at the current biennial fee of $120, taking into consideration the fact that motorcycles are not typically used as a primary source of transportation.
SCDOT reform bill is coming up for debate as the South Carolina State House South Carolina is moving through a significant legislative initiative to modernize and reform the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). The primary goals are to streamline governance, address the funding gap caused by the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), and manage the infrastructure demands of a rapidly growing population. The center of this effort is Senate Bill 831, known as the SCDOT Modernization Act, which was introduced and debated in January 2026. 1. Governance Reform: Centralized Authority
  • ·         The most radical part of the proposal involves a total shift in how the department is managed. For decades, the SCDOT has been governed by a Commission (currently nine members).
  • ·         Dissolving the Commission: The bill proposes removing the SCDOT Commission entirely.
  • ·         Direct Secretarial Control: Authority would transfer directly to the Secretary of Transportation, making the agency a cabinet-level department reporting more directly to the Governor.
  • ·         New Coordinating Council: To maintain oversight, the bill suggests a new council appointed by the Governor to approve major projects and budgeting.
2. Funding Modernization: “Growth Pays for Growth”
  • ·         With the state’s gas tax revenue stagnating due to fuel efficiency and inflation, lawmakers are looking for new revenue streams that don’t involve a general gas tax hike.
  • ·         Alternative Fuel Fees: The proposal significantly increases registration fees for non-gas vehicles to ensure they contribute to road wear-and-tear.
  • ·         EVs: Proposed increase to $400 every two years (up from $120).
  • ·         Hybrids: Proposed increase to $200 every two years (up from $120).
  • ·         Developer Impact Fees: The bill explores requiring developers to pay impact fees to help cover the costs of new infrastructure necessitated by massive residential or commercial growth.
  • ·         Express Lanes (Managed Tolls): Lawmakers are revisiting the idea of toll-supported express lanes. Unlike traditional tolls, these would add new capacity to interstates where drivers pay for a faster trip, while existing lanes remain free.
3. Operational Streamlining
  • ·         Under the direction of Secretary Justin Powell, the SCDOT has also moved to “modernize” from within:
  • ·         Regulatory Reduction: The agency proposed a 30% reduction in its own regulations in late 2025 to cut through red tape and speed up project delivery.
  • ·         Road Swaps: A “win-win” provision in the legislative debate would allow the state to hand over certain low-traffic, state-owned local roads to counties and municipalities. This allows the SCDOT to focus its $5 billion budget on high-priority interstates and primary corridors.

Legislative Alert March 25,2025

During the full Judiciary Committee hearing on the hands free bill H 3276 several representatives stated they had concern of having 2 points put on a person license and had that 2 point requirement removed from the bill. They said they didn’t want drivers insurance rates going up. Maybe leaving the phone in a holder would be the correct answer! South Carolina driving laws give 2 points for “no more than 10 m.p.h. above, shifting lanes without precaution, improper dangerous parking, failing to dim lights, and operating with improper lights.” As of now not for the hands free bill H 3276! Our Legislative Assistant Coordinator Tom Casbon had a letter from his insurance company Farm Bureau with a different story. We have attached it for you to read. Below is a great note Tom sent to his representative and we are asking you to send to your representative in the House of Representatives. The bill is currently on the House of Representatives calendar and will be taken up this week. Please take the time to reach out and get their support so we can get this bill passed over to the Senate!
  Dear Honorable Representative, So, you might ask, “who is or has been affected by distracted driving?” The correct answer would be EVERYONE!  Some have been affected more severely than others as they have lost loved ones. Those affected the least severely have seen their auto insurance premiums increase dramatically.  Our assistant legislative coordinator, Tom Casbon, and his wife saw their auto insurance nearly double last year even though they didn’t have any accidents or citations for traffic violations on their record.  Pleasetake the time to read the attached letter that they received from their insurance company explaining these increases. Distracted driving is affecting virtually everyone in one way or another!! In closing we are urging you to vote YES for H3276, our lives and wallets depend on it!!!