H 3034 — Fargo's, Hyco's, Rico's, Coba's, Wick's, Mikka's, and Bumi's Law
Last action — Act No. 130
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed House
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 05, 2024. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Henry McMaster (Republican) on May 15, 2026.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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46 sponsors
46 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 3 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
In plain language
The bill amends laws regarding the protection of police dogs and increases penalties for harming them.
This legislation expands the types of actions that violate laws protecting police dogs and increases the penalties for such actions. It also allows for restitution to law enforcement agencies and permits certain fund expenditures for canine injuries or deaths.
What this means for you
- Workers: If you work in law enforcement, this law enhances protections for the police dogs you may work with.
Summary
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING "FARGO'S, HYCO'S, RICO'S, COBA'S, WICK'S, MIKKA'S, AND BUMI'S LAW" BY AMENDING ARTICLE 11 OF CHAPTER 3, TITLE 47, RELATING TO TAUNTING, TORMENTING, INJURING, OR KILLING POLICE DOGS OR HORSES, SO AS TO EXPAND THE CONDUCT THAT RESULTS IN A VIOLATION, INCREASE THE PENALTIES, REQUIRE RESTITUTION TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY, AND MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 42-7-90, RELATING TO EXPENDITURES FROM THE STATE ACCIDENT FUND, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND FOR THE PAYMENT OF AN AWARD FOR INJURY OR DEATH OF A SPECIFIC PATROL CANINE OR CANINE USED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR TRACKING OR SPECIFIC DETECTION. - RATIFIED TITLE
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
10 added · 99 removedPlain-language change summary
The latest version of Bill H 3034 has made key changes to how offenses against police dogs or horses are handled. It now expands the types of conduct that are considered violations and increases the penalties for such offenses, which include a hefty fine and potential prison time. This update is significant because it reinforces protections for law enforcement animals and emphasizes accountability for actions that harm these animals.
2025-2026 Bill 3034 Text of Previous Version (Mar.(Dec.
26,06, 2026)2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 3034Indicates 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 ReportA Marchbill 26, 2026TO AMEND H.THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "FARGO'S, HYCO'S, RICO'S, COBA'S, WICK'S, AND MIKKA'S LAW" BY AMENDING ARTICLE OF CHAPTER 3, TITLE 47, RELATING TO TAUNTING, TORMENTING, INJURING, OR KILLING POLICE DOGS OR HORSES, SO AS TO EXPAND THE CONDUCT THAT RESULTS IN A VIOLATION, INCREASE THE PENALTIES, REQUIRE RESTITUTION TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY, AND MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES.
3034 Introduced by Reps.
Collins, Wooten, C.
Mitchell, Pope, Chapman, Pedalino, Hewitt, Yow, M.
M.
Smith, Davis, Holman, Cox, Hixon, Gagnon, Calhoon, Moss, Lawson, Kirby, Ligon, Bailey, Forrest, Gilliam, Willis, Erickson, Schuessler, Vaughan, Bradley, Hager, Whitmire, Robbins, T.
Moore, Brewer, Guffey, Martin, J.
L.
Johnson, Haddon, Wickensimer, Brittain, Kilmartin, D.
Mitchell, Cromer, Bowers and Landing S.
Printed 3/26/26--H.
Read the first time January 14, 2025 ________ The committee on House Judiciary To whom was referred a Bill (H.
3034) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by enacting the "Fargo's, Hyco's, Rico's, Coba's, Wick's, and Mikka's Law" by amending Article 11 of Chapter 3, Title 47, etc., respectfully Report:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 2, by striking Section 47-3-610(B) and inserting:
(B) A person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not less than thirty days nor more than five years, or both.
Amend the bill further, SECTION 2, by striking Section 47-3-620(A) and (B) and inserting:
(A) It is unlawful for a person to wilfully orand maliciously torture, mutilate, injure, disable, poison, shoot carinto a vehicle while a police dog or horse is inside, shoot and hit a police dog or horse while running in pursuit, or kill a dog or horse used by a law enforcement department or agency in the performance of the functions or duties of the department or when a dog is placed in a kennel off duty or a horse is placed in a stable off duty.
However, a police officer or veterinarian may perform euthanasia in emergency situations when delay would cause the dog or horse undue suffering and pain.
(B) A person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars nor more than twenty thousand dollars, and imprisoned for not less than two years nor more than tenfifteen years.
In addition to any other penalty provided in this section, the court shall order a person convicted of a violation of this section to pay restitution to the law enforcement department or agency in an amount that would cover the full cost of restoring or replacing the animal that was injured or killed, including all related purchase, training, and veterinary expenses incurred as a result of the incident;
and the court also may sentence the person to one year of animal-related community service.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
W.
NEWTON for Committee.
statement of estimated fiscal impact Explanation of Fiscal Impact State Expenditure This bill creates Fargo's, Hyco's, Rico's, Coba's, Wick's, and Mikka's Law, which makes it unlawful for a person to shoot a car when a dog or horse used by law enforcement is inside and makes it unlawful for a person to hit a dog or horse used by law enforcement while running from pursuit. The bill also increases the penalties associated with willful and malicious injury to or killing of such animal.
This bill may result in an increase in the number of cases in circuit court and potentially the number of incarcerations, due to the newly created offenses, which may increase the workload of the court system and CID, PPP, CPC, and Corrections.
The potential increase in expenses for Judicial and each agency will depend upon the increase in the number of cases and number of incarcerations.
The agencies anticipate that the potential increase in caseload can be managed within existing appropriations.
Judicial anticipates that the potential impact of the caseload in circuit court can be managed within existing appropriations.
However, if the bill has an unanticipated impact on caseloads or downstream expenses, these agencies will request an increase in General Fund appropriations.
For information, according to Corrections, in FY 2024- 25, the annual total cost per inmate was $37,503, of which $35,696 was state funded.
This bill will have no expenditure impact on SLED as this bill does not change the responsibility of the agency.
State Revenue This bill may result in a change in the fines and fees collected in court due to an increase in the caseload in court and the increased fine amounts within the enhanced penalties.
Court fines and fees are distributed to the General Fund, Other Funds, and local funds.
Therefore, RFA anticipates this bill may result in a change to General Fund and Other Funds revenue due to the change in fines and fees collections in court.
Local Expenditure RFA surveyed the counties and contacted the MASC as to the potential expenditure impact of the bill and received a response from MASC, Dorchester County, Florence County, and Horry County. All report that any change in workload due to the provisions of the bill can be managed with existing staff and resources.
Show all 43 changed lines (3 more)
Frank A.
Rainwater, Executive Director Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office _______ A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "FARGO'S, HYCO'S, RICO'S, COBA'S, WICK'S, AND MIKKA'S LAW" BY AMENDING ARTICLE OF CHAPTER 3, TITLE 47, RELATING TO TAUNTING, TORMENTING, INJURING, OR KILLING POLICE DOGS OR HORSES, SO AS TO EXPAND THE CONDUCT THAT RESULTS IN A VIOLATION, INCREASE THE PENALTIES, REQUIRE RESTITUTION TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY, AND MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on MarchDecember 26,06, 20262024 at 04:5609:48 PMAM
Show all 43 changed rows (3 more)
View plain text versions (9)
Action History
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Act No. 130
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Effective date 05/15/26
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Signed By Governor
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Ratified R 169
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Scrivener's error corrected
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Roll call Yeas-116 Nays-2
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Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
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Read third time and returned to House with amendments
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Roll call Ayes-42 Nays-1
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Read second time
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Amended
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Recalled from Committee on Judiciary
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Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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Introduced and read first time
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Read third time and sent to Senate
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Roll call Yeas-106 Nays-2
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Read second time
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Amended
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Reconsider vote whereby debate adjourned until Thur., 4-2-26
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Debate adjourned
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: J.E.Johnson, B.Newton
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: W.Newton
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Requests for debate-Rep(s). Rutherford, King, JL Johnson, Rivers, Gilliard, Waters, Kirby, Luck, Henderson-Myers
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: White
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Scrivener's error corrected
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Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Landing
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Bowers
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: D.Mitchell, Cromer
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Brittain, Kilmartin
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Wickensimer
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Haddon
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: J.L.Johnson
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Martin
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Moss, Lawson, Kirby, Ligon, Bailey, Forrest, Gilliam, Willis, Erickson, Schuessler, Vaughan, Bradley, Hager, Whitmire, Robbins, T.Moore, Brewer, Guffey
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hixon, Gagnon, Calhoon
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: M.M.Smith, Davis, Holman, B.L.Cox
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Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Yow
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Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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Introduced and read first time
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Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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Prefiled
Sponsors
- Representative Neal A. Collins · Primary
- Representative Chris Wooten · Primary
- Representative Cody T. Mitchell · Primary
- Representative Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope · Primary
- Representative Donald G. "Don" Chapman · Primary
- Representative Fawn M. Pedalino · Primary
- Representative Richard L. "Richie" Yow · Primary
- Representative Sylleste H. Davis · Primary
- Representative Harriet A. Holman · Primary
- Representative Brandon L. Cox · Primary
- Representative William M. "Bill" Hixon · Primary
- Representative Craig A. Gagnon · Primary
- Representative Paula Rawl Calhoon · Primary
- Representative Dennis C. Moss · Primary
- Representative M. Brian Lawson · Primary
- Representative Roger K. Kirby · Primary
- Representative Thomas R. "Randy" Ligon · Primary
- Representative William H. Bailey · Primary
- Jr. Representative Cally R. "Cal" Forrest · Primary
- Representative Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam · Primary
- Representative Mark N. Willis · Primary
- Representative Shannon S. Erickson · Primary
- Carla M. Schuessler · Primary
- Representative David Vaughan · Primary
- Representative Jeff Bradley · Primary
- Representative William "Bill" Hager · Primary
- Representative William R. "Bill" Whitmire · Primary
- Representative Robby Robbins · Primary
- Representative Travis A. Moore · Primary
- Jr. Representative Gary S. Brewer · Primary
- Representative Brandon Guffey · Primary
- Representative David Martin · Primary
- J.L. Johnson · Primary
- Representative Patrick B. Haddon · Primary
- Representative Paul B. Wickensimer · Primary
- Jr. T. Case Brittain · Primary
- Representative John Gregory "Jay" Kilmartin · Primary
- Representative April Cromer · Primary
- Representative Phillip Bowers · Primary
- Representative Kathy Landing · Primary
- Representative Joseph S. "Joe" White · Primary
- Representative Wm. Weston J. Newton · Primary
- J.E. Johnson · Primary
- Representative Brandon Newton · Primary
- Representative Dianne Mitchell · Primary
- Representative Marvin "Mark" Smith · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →46 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 124 not signed on · 5 voted No
Sponsors (46)
- Representative Neal A. Collins
- Representative Chris Wooten
- Representative Cody T. Mitchell
- Representative Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope
- Representative Donald G. "Don" Chapman
- Representative Fawn M. Pedalino
- Representative Richard L. "Richie" Yow
- Representative Sylleste H. Davis
- Representative Harriet A. Holman
- Representative Brandon L. Cox
- Representative William M. "Bill" Hixon
- Representative Craig A. Gagnon
- Representative Paula Rawl Calhoon
- Representative Dennis C. Moss
- Representative M. Brian Lawson
- Representative Roger K. Kirby
- Representative Thomas R. "Randy" Ligon
- Representative William H. Bailey
- Representative Cally R. "Cal" Forrest, Jr.
- Representative Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam
- Representative Mark N. Willis
- Representative Shannon S. Erickson
- Carla M. Schuessler Republican
- Representative David Vaughan
- Representative Jeff Bradley
- Representative William "Bill" Hager
- Representative William R. "Bill" Whitmire
- Representative Robby Robbins
- Representative Travis A. Moore
- Representative Gary S. Brewer, Jr.
- Representative Brandon Guffey
- Representative David Martin
- J.L. Johnson
- Representative Patrick B. Haddon
- Representative Paul B. Wickensimer
- T. Case Brittain, Jr. Republican
- Representative John Gregory "Jay" Kilmartin
- Representative April Cromer
- Representative Phillip Bowers
- Representative Kathy Landing
- Representative Joseph S. "Joe" White
- Representative Wm. Weston J. Newton
- J.E. Johnson
- Representative Brandon Newton
- Representative Dianne Mitchell
- Representative Marvin "Mark" Smith
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (124)
124 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 124 →"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.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 112 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Republican | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 115 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| % of votes cast | 93% | 2% | 0% | 5% |
How each member voted (123)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 42 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 42 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 91% | 2% | 0% | 7% |
How each member voted (46)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 102 | 2 | 0 | 15 |
| Republican | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 105 | 2 | 0 | 16 |
| % of votes cast | 85% | 2% | 0% | 13% |
How each member voted (123)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does H 3034 do?
- AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING "FARGO'S, HYCO'S, RICO'S, COBA'S, WICK'S, MIKKA'S, AND BUMI'S LAW" BY AMENDING ARTICLE 11 OF CHAPTER 3, TITLE 47, RELATING TO TAUNTING, TORMENTING, INJURING, OR KILLING POLICE DOGS OR HORSES, SO AS TO EXPAND THE CONDUCT THAT RESULTS IN A VIOLATION, INCREASE THE PENALTIES, REQUIRE RESTITUTION TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY, AND MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 42-7-90, RELATING TO EXPENDITURES FROM THE STATE ACCIDENT FUND, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND FOR THE PAYMENT OF AN AWARD FOR INJURY OR DEATH OF A SPECIFIC PATROL CANINE OR CANINE USED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR TRACKING OR SPECIFIC DETECTION. - RATIFIED TITLE
- Who sponsors H 3034?
- H 3034 is sponsored by Representative Neal A. Collins, Representative Chris Wooten, Representative Cody T. Mitchell, Representative Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope, Representative Donald G. "Don" Chapman, Representative Fawn M. Pedalino, Representative Richard L. "Richie" Yow, Representative Sylleste H. Davis, Representative Harriet A. Holman, Representative Brandon L. Cox, Representative William M. "Bill" Hixon, Representative Craig A. Gagnon, Representative Paula Rawl Calhoon, Representative Dennis C. Moss, Representative M. Brian Lawson, Representative Roger K. Kirby, Representative Thomas R. "Randy" Ligon, Representative William H. Bailey, Representative Cally R. "Cal" Forrest, Jr., Representative Leon D. "Doug" Gilliam, Representative Mark N. Willis, Representative Shannon S. Erickson, Carla M. Schuessler (Republican), Representative David Vaughan, Representative Jeff Bradley, Representative William "Bill" Hager, Representative William R. "Bill" Whitmire, Representative Robby Robbins, Representative Travis A. Moore, Representative Gary S. Brewer, Jr., Representative Brandon Guffey, Representative David Martin, J.L. Johnson, Representative Patrick B. Haddon, Representative Paul B. Wickensimer, T. Case Brittain, Jr. (Republican), Representative John Gregory "Jay" Kilmartin, Representative April Cromer, Representative Phillip Bowers, Representative Kathy Landing, Representative Joseph S. "Joe" White, Representative Wm. Weston J. Newton, J.E. Johnson, Representative Brandon Newton, Representative Dianne Mitchell, and Representative Marvin "Mark" Smith.
- What is the current status of H 3034?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 05, 2024. Enacted.
- Where can I track H 3034?
- Track H 3034 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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