South Carolina House Bill H3936

South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/6/25

Caption

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 23-3-82 SO AS TO CREATE THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION INFORMATION REWARD FUND TO BE USED EXCLUSIVELY TO PROVIDE A FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR REWARD TO EACH RESIDENT OF THIS STATE THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION TO SLED'S ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT UNIT THAT LEADS TO THE APPREHENSION AND DEPORTATION OF AN ILLEGAL ALIEN IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Summary

H3936 would create a new “Illegal Immigration Information Reward Fund” within the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The fund would be used only to pay a $500 reward to South Carolina residents who provide information to SLED’s Illegal Immigration Enforcement Unit when that information leads to the apprehension and deportation of an undocumented immigrant in South Carolina. The bill also authorizes SLED to adopt rules and regulations to run the program. The bill requires the General Assembly to appropriate enough money each year to cover the rewards. If the fund does not have sufficient money to pay every qualifying informant right away, SLED must place eligible individuals on a priority list and pay them when funds become available. The act would take effect upon the Governor’s approval.

Impact

The bill would add Section 23-3-82 to Title 23 of the South Carolina Code, creating a new state reward program tied to immigration enforcement. It would impose a new annual appropriations obligation on the General Assembly and give SLED administrative authority over the fund and reward process. The measure would directly affect residents who provide tips, SLED’s Illegal Immigration Enforcement Unit, and state budgeting for immigration enforcement activities.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a strong enforcement-oriented immigration bill, with no recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials. The caption and text suggest support for more aggressive state action against unlawful immigration, but there is no documented legislative sentiment in the transcript or voting history here. The absence of recorded discussion means the public record provided does not show any formal opposition or endorsement beyond the bill’s introduction.

Contention

The main points of contention likely center on the policy choice to pay cash rewards for information leading to apprehension and deportation, the use of state funds for that purpose, and the broader immigration-enforcement approach. Supporters would likely view the program as a tool to encourage public reporting and assist SLED, while critics may question civil-liberties concerns, the risk of incentivizing false or retaliatory reports, and whether the state should fund such a program. No specific objections or sponsors’ arguments are included in the provided committee materials.