The civic record

Read. Follow. Verify.

H 4386SOUTH CAROLINASession 2025-2026State Billin committee

South Carolina bill requires public utilities to use specific appraisals and fair market value rules when acquiring local government water and sewer assets

Original title: A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 58-5-70 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO MAKE CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS FOR A PUBLIC UTILITY TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY OR ASSETS USED TO PROVIDE WATER, SEWERAGE COLLECTION, OR SEWERAGE DISPOSAL OWNED BY A COUNTY, MUNICIPALITY, OR SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICT.

Last action · January 29, 2026: Member(s) request name added as sponsor: GuffeySponsors: Joe Bustos and 6 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Would Do

South Carolina House Bill 4386 establishes mandatory valuation rules and a structured hearing timeline for the when a public utility seeks to acquire water, sewerage collection, or sewerage disposal assets owned by local governments or s. The measure requires the submission of two independent appraisals, sets a formula for determining fair market value, and dictates how acquisition costs may be incorporated into future utility rates.

Why it matters

The bill directly alters how water and sewer utility acquisitions are priced and reviewed, potentially impacting utility s, consumer costs, and the financial returns for local governments selling public water or wastewater infrastructure.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Public utilities

Must submit two mutually selected independent appraisals, adhere to specific commission hearing timelines, and navigate new rules regarding the inclusion of purchase prices and transaction costs in their rate bases.

Directly affected

Counties, municipalities, and special purpose districts

Participate in mutually selecting independent valuation experts for water and sewer assets being sold, with the option to decline proceeding with the acquisition.

Directly affected

Utility customers

Subject to potential rate base changes resulting from utility acquisitions of local water and sewer infrastructure.

Directly affected

Office of Regulatory Staff

Granted the discretion to provide an independent appraisal to the commission during the evaluation process.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the fair market value of acquired water or sewer assets determined under the bill?

Fair market value is determined by taking the average of two independent appraisals submitted by the public utility and any optional appraisal provided by the Office of Regulatory Staff.

What is the timeline for the Public Service Commission to review an acquisition application?

The commission must schedule a public hearing between 60 and 90 days after receiving the application, and must complete the hearing and issue an order within 180 days of receiving a complete application.

Can the selling local government or the public utility back out of the transaction?

Yes, the bill explicitly states that nothing prohibits either the public utility or the local government entity from declining to proceed with the acquisition.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Follow the record

Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

5 actions

Jan 29, 2026House
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Guffey
Jan 28, 2026House
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Rose, Kirby
Jan 21, 2026House
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Gatch, Brewer
Apr 23, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry (House Journal-page 51)
Apr 23, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 51)

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Related Legislation

State Bill