January 19, 2026 Facts, Act Now!

SC Legislative PAWs Report, 1/19/26

Our Political Action Watchdogs team breaks down some SC bills this week affecting COVID vaccine access, tax fairness, student privacy and safety, reproductive rights, trans student rights, and election integrity.

by IUSC Staff

Indivisible Upstate SC is tracking gatherings that are scheduled each week by the SC Senate and SC House, particularly hearings about proposed bills. This week, the bills are so numerous and the lead time is so tight that we’ll have more than one report. Here’s the first.

Remember a bill is NOT YET a law, so let’s take a deep breath and take some calculated action together!

Jump to section:

Alert: COVID Vaccine Ban

THIS TUESDAY, JAN 20, the SC House Medical and Health Affairs Subcommittee is holding a hearing at 10am in Room 110 of the Blatt Building on the State House grounds. Also slated for discussion during this time slot are three additional bills, including H.4757 (the attack on student privacy & safety).

H.4262 MRNA Ban

Direct link to bill (“Gene Therapies”):
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4262.htm 

Josiah Magnuson (R / district 38) introduced this bill in March 2025 with the stated purpose of banning COVID vaccines in South Carolina. What he’s actually doing is making our state vulnerable to legal challenges, ignoring scientific breakthroughs, and posturing for vaccine skeptics instead.

Bills such as this one have been introduced in other states, including red ones, and failed hard. We need your help to make sure this one does too. 

Shout Opposition From the Rooftops!

Please don’t delay. When calling or writing, clearly state your name, your SC address, the bill(s) you are referencing, and that your position is in opposition to the bill(s).

  • CALL the 3-M Medical and Health Affairs Committee at 803.734.3046.
  • EMAIL Representative Heath Sessions, the chair of the Medical and Health Affairs Subcommittee. Reach out here with comments and concerns. The deadline for written testimony has passed, but we can still pressure him to keep this bill from reaching the House floor.
  • SHOW UP at the SC State House on January 20, as far in advance of the 10am hearing as possible, but no later than 9:30. You’ll need to get in line, get inside, and get a seat in the room. Your presence alone is powerful, but you may also testify. There will be a sign-up sheet in the rear of the meeting room for in-person testimony.
    Pro Tip: Click here for WREN's Guidelines for Preparing, Writing, and Giving Testimony.

Note: The history of how the COVID vaccine was developed dates back to the 1980s when a Hungarian immigrant, Katalin Kariko, came to the US to pursue research, convinced that messenger RNA could be used as medicine. Her story is a fascinating one, and ultimately she and fellow scientist Drew Weissman won the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023.

Alert: Income Tax Bill Places Greater Burden on Working Families

THIS TUESDAY, JAN 20th, the full Senate Finance Committee is holding a hearing at 3pm in Gressette Room 308 on the State House grounds.

H.4216 Income Tax Restructuring

Direct link to bill (“Income Tax”):
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4216.htm

H.4216 is a sweeping income tax reform proposal that began as a flat-tax plan and evolved into a tiered approach with revenue-based triggers for future cuts, eliminating federal deductions in favor of state-specific ones while setting conditions for possible further rate reductions. The bill has undergone multiple versions and amendments — 03/25/2025, 03/27/2025, 04/02/2025, 04/30/2025, 05/06/2025, 05/07/2025, and 05/07/2025-A. It has passed the House and is with the Senate Finance Committee.

Under the most recent version, the state would move to a two-tiered system with a 1.99% rate on taxable income up to $30,000 and 5.39% on income above that.

This means that immediate tax relief is possible for certain lower- and middle-income brackets, BUT…

  • It could diminish revenue available for public services—education, health care, infrastructure, and safety net programs—which many working and vulnerable families depend on. The loss of revenue comes at a time when SNAP costs are being pushed onto state budgets instead of at the federal level, causing critical shortages 
  • Higher-income individuals would pay a smaller share relative to income. Under current law, higher income individuals pay a higher marginal rate up to 6.2%. This bill would give tax breaks to higher earners while placing the burden on lower income families.
How to Voice Opposition

When calling or writing, clearly state your name, your SC address, the bill(s) you are referencing, and that your position is in opposition to the bill(s).

  • EMAIL the Senate Finance Committee Chair, Harvey S. Peeler Jr. via this message portal. 
  • CALL your SC State Senator. Find their phone number(s) by looking them up here, entering your address, and clicking on their name, then note their phone number(s). Make sure they know a higher tax bill will result in higher votes against them next election cycle.  
  • EMAIL your SC State Senator. Look them up here by entering your address, click on their name, then click “send message” and complete the email form. Make sure they know a higher tax bill will result in higher votes against them next election cycle.

Alert: Attack on Student Privacy & Safety

THIS TUESDAY, JAN 20, the SC House Medical and Health Affairs Subcommittee is holding a hearing at 10am in Room 110 of the Blatt Building on the State House grounds. Also slated for discussion during this time slot are three additional bills, including H.4262 (the mRNA ban).

H.4757 Erosion of Student Rights

Direct link to bill (“Parental Rights”)
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4757.htm 

This bill would expand parents’ legal authority over decisions affecting children’s schooling, health care, and access to educational records, and could limit the ability of schools and medical providers to act in ways that parents do not explicitly consent to. It also provides parents with legal avenues to sue if they believe those rights have been violated.

In reality, H.4757 poses serious risks to students’ safety, wellbeing and learning environments by undermining privacy and censoring schools. The bill would force educators to share deeply personal information with parents, limit inclusive instruction, put student support groups at risk, and strip minors of access to confidential health services. These changes are especially dangerous for LGBTQ+ students, increasing the likelihood of isolation, emotional distress, and negative mental health outcomes.

Following are example scenarios.

  • A high school student seeks counseling support at school for anxiety, bullying, or questions about their identity. Under H.4757, the school may be required to notify parents or obtain parental consent before providing ongoing support—even if the student fears harm, rejection, or retaliation at home. As a result, students may stop seeking help altogether.
  • A teenager seeks non-emergency medical care—such as mental health treatment, reproductive health counseling, or treatment for gender dysphoria—with an understanding of confidentiality. H.4757 strengthens parental consent requirements, which could delay care, discourage honesty with providers, or prevent access entirely if parental consent is withheld.
  • A parent objects to a book, lesson, or classroom discussion related to race, history, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Under the bill’s enforcement framework, the parent could file a formal complaint and potentially pursue legal action, creating pressure on schools to preemptively remove or avoid certain topics to reduce legal risk.
  • A school district is required to adopt new parental-rights policies and complaint procedures. Staff must document communications, track consent, and respond to formal challenges—diverting time and resources away from instruction and student services and increasing legal exposure even when acting in good faith.
  • Teachers and counselors become cautious about responding to student needs out of fear that a parent may later claim a violation of their rights. This can result in less support, fewer trusted adults, and a more rigid, compliance-driven school environment rather than one focused on student well-being.
It’s Critical to Voice Opposition!

Please don’t delay. When calling or writing, clearly state your name, your SC address, the bill(s) you are referencing, and that your position is in opposition to the bill(s).

  • CALL the 3-M Medical and Health Affairs Committee at 803.734.3046.
  • EMAIL your SC State House Representative. Look them up here by entering your address, click on their name, then click “send message” and complete the email form. (The deadline to email written testimony has already passed.)
  • SHOW UP at the SC State House on January 20, as far in advance of the 10am hearing as possible, but no later than 9:30. You’ll need to get in line, get inside, and get a seat in the room.

Alert: Two Ominous Abortion Bills (Update)

In last week’s PAWs Report, we relayed details about two abortion-related bills deserving strong opposition. If enacted, they would push criminal law deep into medical decision-making, treating pregnancy and health care as matters for policing rather than evidence-based medicine.

Let’s keep the pressure on! Here’s where each resides now in the process:

H.3537 Death Penalty Bill

This bill remains with the House Judiciary (Constitutional Laws) Subcommittee. A second hearing is not on the calendar as of this article’s publication, but it may be added at any time. H.3537 defines a “person” as a fertilized egg at any stage of development. Under this definition, individuals whom the state believes have harmed a fertilized egg could be charged with homicide and face penalties up to and including the death penalty. Click here for more information about the bill.

It remains critical to voice opposition! When calling or writing, clearly state your name, your SC address, the bill(s) you are referencing, and that your position is in opposition to the bill(s).

  • CALL the SC House Judiciary Committee at (803) 734-3120.
H.4760 Attack on Abortion Medication Bill

THIS TUESDAY, JAN 20, the SC House Judiciary Committee is slated to discuss the bill at 1:30pm (or 30 minutes after adjournment of the House Chamber, whichever is later) in Blatt Room 110 on the State House grounds. The meeting will conclude at 3:30pm. Also slated for discussion during this time slot is H4756, the Student Bathroom Policing bill. 

Last week, the SC House Judiciary (Constitutional Laws) Subcommittee voted 3-2 to move the bill forward to the full House Judiciary Committee. If needed, the House Judiciary Committee will reconvene on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 30 minutes after adjournment of the House of Representatives in Room 110 of the Blatt Building. 

H.4760 seeks to criminalize safe, evidence-based abortion care by misclassifying abortion medication as a controlled substance. Click here for more information about the bill.

It remains critical to voice opposition! Do not delay. When calling or writing, clearly state your name, your SC address, the bill(s) you are referencing, and that your position is in opposition to the bill(s).

  • CALL the SC House Judiciary Committee at (803) 734-3120.
  • SHOW UP at the SC State House on January 20. 
    • Seating in the room is limited, but there may be a crowd of protesters outside. 
    • Bring your signs and loud voices!

Alert: Bill Targeting Trans Kids (Update)

THIS TUESDAY, JAN 20, the SC House Judiciary Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, & Special Laws Subcommittee is holding a hearing 9-10:30am in Room 516 of the Blatt Building on the State House grounds. It is a continuation of last week’s hearing so that those who previously signed up to give testimony (but were not called due to time constraints) may be heard.

If the subcommittee passes the bill, it goes to the full House committee that same afternoon in Blatt Room 110 at 1:30pm (or 30 minutes after adjournment of the House Chamber, whichever is later). No testimony will be heard. Also slated for discussion during this afternoon time slot is H.4760, the Attack on Abortion Medication Bill.

H.4756 Student Bathroom Policing

In last week’s PAWs Report, we relayed complete info about this bathroom policing bill (click here to view). Dubbed “Student Physical Privacy Act” by legislative sponsors, it threatens the physical and emotional well-being of transgender and gender-diverse students while exposing school districts and colleges to lawsuits and financial penalties for alleged violations.

Republicans are firmly behind this bill, but enforcing it may be costly—making that a great point to make when opposing the bill.

It remains critical to voice opposition! Please don’t delay. When calling or writing, clearly state your name, your SC address, the bill you are referencing, and that your position is in opposition.

  • EMAIL your SC State House Representative. Look them up here by entering your address, click on their name, then click “send message” and complete the email form. (The deadline to contact the subcommittee has already passed.)
  • SHOW UP at the SC State House on January 20.
    • In an email dated January 8, the SC ACLU said that showing up in person matters most right now. Your presence alone:
      • Shows lawmakers this bill has real-world consequences
      • Signals that trans kids and their families are not alone
      • Counters fear-based narratives with visible community support
      • Helps ensure the room reflects the people this bill would actually harm
    • Attend both the 9am subcommittee hearing and, if passed, stay for the 1:30pm full committee hearing. 
    • SC United will host a community care space on the South Grounds (outside space facing the Blatt building), 8am-4pm. Look for a tent with resources from local organizations, snacks, hot beverages, and more.

Watchlist: Possible Voter Suppression Bills (Updates)

THIS WEDNESDAY, January 21st,  the SC House Constitutional Law SubCommittee is slated to discuss several bills at 12:00pm in Blatt Room 516 on the State House grounds. 

Subcommittee meetings had been scheduled for last week but were delayed; they are now scheduled for this week. We still do not recommend action at this time. Click here for more info about the bills.

We’re anticipating H.3643 will be pushed aside (in favor of H.3310) since it has lost sponsors and received negative press coverage in several statewide newspapers. 

  • H.3310 Closed Primaries
  • H.3643 Voter Registration, Party Affiliation
  • H.4669 Municipal Elections
  • S.38 Special Elections

Other voter suppression bills:

  • S.128 will be discussed in a senate subcommittee on Tuesday. This is a bill that requires proof of citizenship to vote—a needless measure that may prevent actual citizens from voting. Non-citizens are already not allowed to vote and not on voter rolls. (Contact Info: 803-212-6627)
  • 694, 3556, 3557 are still under review by the IUSC PAWs team.
  • Agenda available for all 4 bills.

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