South Carolina House Bill H5470

South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/31/26

Caption

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO FIX WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE STATE OF THE JUDICIARY ADDRESS TO BE DELIVERED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE IN JOINT ASSEMBLY IN THE HALL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS THE TIME FOR THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO MEET IN JOINT ASSEMBLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING ONE MEMBER TO THE BOARD OF VISITORS FOR THE CITADEL, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE AT-LARGE MEMBER THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2023, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2029; FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, SEAT 1, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2023, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2027, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, SEAT 3, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2023, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2027, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, SEAT 4, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2025, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2029, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, SEAT 5, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2023, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2027, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, SEAT 7, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2023, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2027, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT-LARGE SEAT 8, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2025, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2029, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT-LARGE SEAT 9, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2023, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2027, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT-LARGE SEAT 10, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2025, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2029, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT-LARGE SEAT 11, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2023, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2027, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT-LARGE SEAT 12, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2025, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2029, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT-LARGE SEAT 13, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2023, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2027, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT-LARGE SEAT 14, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2025, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2029, AND TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT-LARGE SEAT 15, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2023, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2027; FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF LANDER UNIVERSITY, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, SEAT 5, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2024, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2028, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT-LARGE SEAT 12, FOR A TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT-LARGE SEAT 15, FOR A TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026; FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, LAY MEMBER, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2024, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2028; FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT-LARGE SEAT 12, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2024, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2028; FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FOR A TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2028, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2024, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2028, TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FOR A TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2026, AND TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2024, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2028; FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WINTHROP UNIVERSITY TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, SEAT 7, THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2024, FOR THE REMAINDER OF A NEW TERM THAT EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2030, AND TO FILL THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FOR THE AT-LARGE SEAT 10, FOR A TERM THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2027; AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING THREE AT-LARGE MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE WIL LOU GRAY OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL THAT EXPIRED JUNE 30, 2023, FOR THE REMAINDER OF NEW TERMS THAT WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2027.

Impact

The implications of H5470 on state laws predominantly revolve around the governance and oversight of public academic institutions. By standardizing the election timings and procedures for board trustees, this bill ensures that leadership positions are filled timely, which helps maintain the operational efficiency of these institutions. This is particularly significant due to the numerous terms that have lapsed, allowing for a smoother transition in governance and potentially ensuring that the institutions continue to function effectively without gaps in leadership.

Summary

House Bill 5470 is a concurrent resolution introduced in the South Carolina General Assembly that focuses on fixing the date and procedures for the election of members to various boards of trustees for state universities and colleges. Specifically, the bill sets April 15, 2026, immediately following the State of the Judiciary address, as the time for the Senate and House to meet in a joint assembly for such elections. Among the esteemed institutions covered by this resolution are The Citadel, Coastal Carolina University, Lander University, and the University of South Carolina, with the bill aimed at filling multiple expired terms across different congressional districts.

Sentiment

General sentiment surrounding the bill appears positive, particularly among educational institutions and their supporters, who likely view it as beneficial for maintaining consistent governance. By addressing the gaps in trustee elections, it aligns with efforts to bolster educational leadership and ensure that candidates with valuable skills are in place to navigate the challenges faced by higher education in South Carolina. However, there may be some contention regarding the autonomy of local governance in these institutions, as members of the assembly make decisions impacting the management of the schools.

Contention

Notably, the most discussion points or points of contention within and around the bill relate to the processes of nominations and the powers of the legislative assembly in influencing higher education governance. The bill stipulates that nominations for trustees must be made by the chairman of a designated committee, which could invite pushback from those who advocate for a more democratized or inclusive nomination process. This concern touches on broader issues regarding transparency and representation in higher educational governance.