South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Passed House 1 R cosponsors

H 4586 — United States Space Force

Last action — Referred to Committee on Judiciary

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced December 16, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 12 sponsors

    12 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 7-15-310, 7-15-610, 8-7-10, AND 63-5-910, ALL RELATING TO ARMED FORCES DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE AS MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

57 added · 44 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised bill H 4586 adds members of the United States Space Force to the definitions of "members of the Armed Forces" within South Carolina's laws. This change allows Space Force members and their families to access the same rights as those in other military branches, including absentee voting and military leave. This inclusion is important as it recognizes the Space Force's role and ensures equitable treatment for all military personnel and their families.

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Previous
Latest
2025-2026 Bill 4586 Text of Previous Version (Feb.
2025-2026 Bill 4586 Text of Previous Version (Dec.
05, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026(Text matches printed bills.
17, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 4586Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.) Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter Committee Report February 5, 2026 H.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)                 A bill   TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 7-15-310, 7-15-610, 8-7-10, AND 63-5-910, ALL RELATING TO ARMED FORCES DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE AS MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
4586 Introduced by Reps.
  Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Gilliam, McCravy, C.
  SECTION 1.  Section 7-15-310(1) of the S.C.
Mitchell, B.
Newton, Pope, Edgerton, Taylor, Schuessler, Teeple, Erickson and Bradley S.
Printed 2/5/26--H.
Read the first time January 13, 2026 ________ The committee on House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs To whom was referred a Bill (H.
4586) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Sections 7-15-310, 7-15-610, 8-7-10, and 63-5-910, all relating to armed forces definitions, so as to include, etc., respectfully Report:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
S.H.
DAVIS for Committee.
statement of estimated fiscal impact Explanation of Fiscal Impact State Expenditure This bill adds the United States Space Force to the statutory definitions of "members of the armed forces" and "military service." These updated definitions will permit Space Force members and their families to receive the same treatment as the members of other military branches for the purposes of absentee voting, overseas and military voting, military leave, and family law.
This bill will have no expenditure impact on the Department of Administration, the State Election Commission, or Judicial as each anticipates being able to manage its provisions within existing appropriations.
Frank A.
Rainwater, Executive Director Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office _______ A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 7-15-310, 7-15-610, 8-7-10, AND 63-5-910, ALL RELATING TO ARMED FORCES DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE AS MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1.   Section 7-15-310(1) of the S.C.
   (1) "Members of the Armed Forces of the United States" means members of the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, the United States Coast Guard, or any of their respective components.
      (1) "Members of the Armed Forces of the United States" means members of the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, the United States Coast Guard, or any of their respective components.
SECTION 2.   Section 7-15-610(1), (11), and (12) of the S.C.
  SECTION 2.  Section 7-15-610(1), (11), and (12) of the S.C.
   (1) "Members of the Armed Forces of the United States" means members of the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, the United States Coast Guard, or any of their respective components.
      (1) "Members of the Armed Forces of the United States" means members of the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, the United States Coast Guard, or any of their respective components.
   (11) "Uniformed service" means:
      (11) "Uniformed service" means:
      (a) active and reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States;
       (a) active and reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States;
      (b) the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, or the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States;
       (b) the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, or the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States;
or       (c) the National Guard or organized militia.
or        (c) the National Guard or organized militia.
   (12) "Uniformed-service voter" means an individual who is qualified to vote and is:
    (12) "Uniformed-service voter" means an individual who is qualified to vote and is:
      (a) a member of the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States who is on active duty;
       (a) a member of the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States who is on active duty;
      (b) a member of the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, or the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States;
       (b) a member of the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, or the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States;
      (c) a member on activated status of the National Guard or organized militia;
       (c) a member on activated status of the National Guard or organized militia;
or       (d) a spouse or dependent of a member referred to in this item.
or        (d) a spouse or dependent of a member referred to in this item.
SECTION 3.   Section 8-7-10(2) of the S.C.
  SECTION 3.  Section 8-7-10(2) of the S.C.
   (2) "Military service" means service in the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force, or Marine Corps of the United States or any compulsory service in any capacity to the Federal Government for the purpose of national defense;
      (2) "Military service" means service in the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force, or Marine Corps of the United States or any compulsory service in any capacity to the Federal Government for the purpose of national defense;
and SECTION 4.   Section 63-5-910(A)(1) of the S.C.
and   SECTION 4.  Section 63-5-910(A)(1) of the S.C.
   (1) In the case of a parent who is a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or a Reserve component of these services, "military service or service" means a deployment for combat operations, a contingency operation, or a natural disaster based on orders that do not permit a family member to accompany the member on the deployment.
      (1) In the case of a parent who is a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or a Reserve component of these services, "military service or service" means a deployment for combat operations, a contingency operation, or a natural disaster based on orders that do not permit a family member to accompany the member on the deployment.
SECTION 5.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
  SECTION 5.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on February 05, 2026 at 03:16 PM
  ----XX---- This web page was last updated on December 17, 2025 at 12:58 PM
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How this bill changes current law

6 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds members of the United States Space Force to the definitions of armed forces and military service in South Carolina law.

  • Section 7-15-310(1)

    members of the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force, the United States Coast Guard, or any of their respective components. → members of the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, the United States Coast Guard, or any of their respective components.

    This change includes the United States Space Force in the definition of armed forces.

  • Section 7-15-610(1)

    members of the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force, the United States Coast Guard, or any of their respective components. → members of the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force, the United States Space Force, the United States Coast Guard, or any of their respective components.

    This change includes the United States Space Force in the definition of armed forces.

  • Section 7-15-610(11)

    active and reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States; → active and reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States;

    This change adds the Space Force to the definition of 'uniformed service'.

  • Section 7-15-610(12)(a)

    components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States who is on active duty; → components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States who is on active duty;

    This change includes the Space Force in the definition of 'uniformed-service voter'.

  • Section 8-7-10(2)

    Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, or Marine Corps of the United States → Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force, or Marine Corps of the United States

    This change adds the Space Force to the definition of 'military service'.

  • Section 63-5-910(A)(1)

    Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or a Reserve component of these services → Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or a Reserve component of these services

    This change adds the Space Force to the definition of 'military service or service'.

Action History

  1. Referred to Committee on Judiciary

  2. Introduced and read first time

  3. Read third time and sent to Senate

  4. Roll call Yeas-111 Nays-0

  5. Read second time

  6. Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Caskey

  7. Committee report: Favorable Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

  8. Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Erickson, Bradley

  9. Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Schuessler, Teeple

  10. Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

  11. Introduced and read first time

  12. Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

  13. Prefiled

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

12 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 158 not signed on

Sponsors (12)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (158)

158 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 158 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passage of Bill

Passed 111 Yea · 0 Nay · 13 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 1070012
Republican 2000
Democrat 1001
Total 1100013
% of votes cast 89%0%0%11%
How each member voted (123)
Member Party Vote
Brittain, T. Case, Jr. — Yea
Representative Luke S. Rankin — Yea
Henderson-Myers, Rosalyn D. — Yea
Johnson, Jeffrey E. — Yea
Johnson, Jermaine L., Sr. — Yea
Representative Adam L. Duncan — Yea
Representative Annie E. McDaniel — Yea
Representative April Cromer — Yea
Representative Beth E. Bernstein — Yea
Representative Bill Taylor — Yea
Representative Brandon Guffey — Yea
Representative Brandon L. Cox — Yea
Representative Brandon Newton — Yea
Representative Bruce W. Bannister — Yea
Representative Cally R. "Cal" Forrest, Jr. — Yea
Representative Carl L. Anderson — Yea
Representative Chandra E. Dillard — Not Voting
Representative Charles V. Hartz — Yea
Representative Chris Wooten — Yea
Representative Christopher R. "Chris" Hart — Yea
Representative Cody T. Mitchell — Yea
Representative Courtney S. Waters — Not Voting
Representative Craig A. Gagnon — Yea
Representative Daniel Gibson — Yea
Representative David Martin — Yea
Representative David R. Hiott — Yea
Representative David Vaughan — Yea
Representative Dennis C. Moss — Yea
Representative Dianne Mitchell — Yea
Representative Donald G. "Don" Chapman — Yea
Representative Donald Ryan McCabe, Jr. — Yea
Representative Elizabeth "Spencer" Wetmore — Yea
Representative Fawn M. Pedalino — Yea
Representative Gary S. Brewer, Jr. — Yea
Representative Gil Gatch — Yea
Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter — Yea
Representative Greg Ford — Yea
Representative Hamilton R. Grant — Yea
Representative Harriet A. Holman — Yea
Representative Heath Sessions — Yea
Representative Heather Ammons Crawford — Yea
Representative Heather Bauer — Yea
Representative J. David Weeks — Yea
Representative J. Todd Rutherford — Yea
Representative JA Moore — Not Voting
Representative Jackie E. "Coach" Hayes — Yea
Representative Jackie R. Terribile — Yea
Representative James E. Teeple — Yea
Representative James Mikell "Mike" Burns — Yea
Representative Jeff Bradley — Yea
Representative Jerry N. Govan, Jr. — Yea
Representative John Gregory "Jay" Kilmartin — Yea
Representative John R. McCravy III — Yea
Representative John Richard C. King — Yea
Representative John T. Lastinger, Jr. — Yea
Representative Jordan S. Pace — Yea
Representative Joseph M. "Joe" Bustos — Yea
Representative Joseph S. "Joe" White — Yea
Representative Josiah Magnuson — Yea
Representative Justin T. Bamberg — Yea
Representative Kambrell H. Garvin — Yea
Representative Kathy Landing — Yea
Representative Keishan M. Scott — Yea
Representative Kevin Hardee — Yea
Representative Lee Hewitt — Yea
Representative Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam — Yea
Representative Leon Howard — Yea
Representative Leonidas E. "Leon" Stavrinakis — Yea
Representative Lonnie Hosey — Yea
Representative Lucas Atkinson — Yea
Representative M. Brian Lawson — Yea
Representative Mark N. Willis — Yea
Representative Melissa Lackey Oremus — Yea
Representative Micajah P. "Micah" Caskey IV — Yea
Representative Michael F. Rivers, Sr. — Yea
Representative Mike M. Neese — Yea
Representative Nathan Ballentine — Not Voting
Representative Neal A. Collins — Yea
Representative Patrick B. Haddon — Yea
Representative Paul B. Wickensimer — Yea
Representative Paula Rawl Calhoon — Yea
Representative Phillip Bowers — Yea
Representative Phillip D. Lowe — Not Voting
Representative Richard Blake Sanders — Yea
Representative Richard L. "Richie" Yow — Yea
Representative Robby Robbins — Yea
Representative Robert J. "Rob" Harris — Yea
Representative Robert Q. Williams — Not Voting
Representative Robert T. Reese — Yea
Representative Roger K. Kirby — Not Voting
Representative Sarita L. Edgerton — Yea
Representative Seth Rose — Yea
Representative Shannon S. Erickson — Yea
Representative Steven Wayne Long — Yea
Representative Sylleste H. Davis — Yea
Representative T. Alan Morgan, Jr. — Yea
Representative Terry Alexander — Not Voting
Representative Thomas Beach — Yea
Representative Thomas Duval "Val" Guest, Jr. — Yea
Representative Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope — Yea
Representative Thomas F. "Tom" Hartnett, Jr. — Yea
Representative Thomas Lee Gilreath — Yea
Representative Thomas R. "Randy" Ligon — Yea
Representative Timothy A. "Tim" McGinnis — Yea
Representative Travis A. Moore — Not Voting
Representative W. Scott Montgomery IV — Yea
Representative Wallace H. "Jay" Jordan, Jr. — Not Voting
Representative Wendell G. Gilliard — Yea
Representative Wendell K. Jones — Not Voting
Representative William "Bill" Clyburn — Not Voting
Representative William "Bill" Hager — Yea
Representative William C. "Chris" Huff — Yea
Representative William H. Bailey — Yea
Representative William M. "Bill" Chumley — Yea
Representative William M. "Bill" Hixon — Yea
Representative William R. "Bill" Whitmire — Yea
Representative Wm. Weston J. Newton — Yea
Smith, G. Murrell, Jr. — Yea
Smith, Marvin — Yea
Jason Luck Democrat Yea
Tiffany R. Spann-Wilder Democrat Not Voting
Carla M. Schuessler Republican Yea
Stephen D. Frank Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does H 4586 do?
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 7-15-310, 7-15-610, 8-7-10, AND 63-5-910, ALL RELATING TO ARMED FORCES DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE AS MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
Who sponsors H 4586?
H 4586 is sponsored by Representative Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam, Representative John R. McCravy III, Representative Cody T. Mitchell, Representative Brandon Newton, Representative Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope, Representative Sarita L. Edgerton, Representative Bill Taylor, Carla M. Schuessler (Republican), Representative James E. Teeple, Representative Shannon S. Erickson, Representative Jeff Bradley, and Representative Micajah P. "Micah" Caskey IV.
What is the current status of H 4586?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced December 16, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track H 4586?
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