State anthem
This legislation amends state law to make 'Dum Spiro Spero,' meaning 'While I breathe, I hope,' the official choral anthem of South Carolina. This change is intended to reflect the state's cultural heritage.
Do you support it?
Want to know if it passes?
We'll email you when H 3949 moves — a committee vote, a floor vote, or a signature. Nothing else.
Free forever · unsubscribe in one click.
Your answer was recorded either way.
Which district are you in?
Your ZIP is all we need to match you to your own representatives — so we can tell you how they voted on H 3949.
You're tracking H 3949
We'll email you the moment it moves.
H 3949 — State anthem
Last action — Act No. 144
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
-
✓Introduced
-
✓In Committee
-
✓Passed House
-
✓Passed Senate
-
✓To Executive
-
6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 11, 2025. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Henry McMaster (Republican) on May 15, 2026.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
-
Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
-
3 sponsors
3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
-
Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 recorded votes 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.
In plain language
The bill designates 'Dum Spiro Spero' as the official choral anthem of South Carolina.
This legislation amends state law to make 'Dum Spiro Spero,' meaning 'While I breathe, I hope,' the official choral anthem of South Carolina. This change is intended to reflect the state's cultural heritage.
Summary
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-614 SO AS TO DESIGNATE "DUM SPIRO SPERO" TRANSLATED AS "WHILE I BREATHE, I HOPE" AS THE OFFICIAL CHORAL ANTHEM OF THE STATE. - RATIFIED TITLE
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
18 added · 38 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendment to Bill H 3949 designates "Dum Spiro Spero," meaning "While I Breathe, I Hope," as the official choral anthem of South Carolina. This change highlights the state's commitment to promoting a message of hope and unity, as reflected in the song’s lyrics. The amendment emphasizes the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by those in the state's history and inspires future generations. Recognizing this anthem officially could enhance community pride and encourage a shared sense of identity among residents.
2025-2026 Bill 3949 Text of Previous Version (Apr.(Feb.
24,11, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 3949Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.) Committee Report April 24, 2025 H. A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-614 SO AS TO DESIGNATE "DUM SPIRO SPERO" TRANSLATED AS "WHILE I BREATHE, I HOPE" AS THE OFFICIAL CHORAL ANTHEM OF THE STATE.
3949 Introduced by Reps.
King and Duncan S.
Printed 4/24/25--H.
Read the first time February 11, 2025 ________ The committee on House Education and Public Works To whom was referred a Bill (H.
3949) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 1-1-614 so as to designate "Dum Spiro Spero" translated as "While I Breathe, I Hope" as the official choral, etc., respectfully Report:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
SHANNON ERICKSON for Committee.
_______ A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-614 SO AS TO DESIGNATE "DUM SPIRO SPERO" TRANSLATED AS "WHILE I BREATHE, I HOPE" AS THE OFFICIAL CHORAL ANTHEM OF THE STATE.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on AprilFebruary 24,11, 2025 at 02:2812:59 PM
Action History
-
Act No. 144
-
Effective date 05/15/26
-
Signed By Governor
-
Ratified R 188
-
Read third time and enrolled
-
Roll call Ayes-42 Nays-0
-
Read second time
-
Committee report: Favorable Family and Veterans' Services
-
Scrivener's error corrected
-
Referred to Committee on Family and Veterans' Services
-
Introduced and read first time
-
Read third time and sent to Senate
-
Roll call Yeas-111 Nays-0
-
Read second time
-
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Garvin
-
Scrivener's error corrected
-
Committee report: Favorable Education and Public Works
-
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Duncan
-
Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
-
Introduced and read first time
Sponsors
- Representative John Richard C. King · Primary
- Representative Adam L. Duncan · Primary
- Representative Kambrell H. Garvin · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 167 not signed on
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (167)
167 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 167 →"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 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 42 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 93% | 0% | 0% | 7% |
How each member voted (45)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 107 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Democrat | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 110 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| % of votes cast | 90% | 0% | 0% | 10% |
How each member voted (122)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does H 3949 do?
- AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-614 SO AS TO DESIGNATE "DUM SPIRO SPERO" TRANSLATED AS "WHILE I BREATHE, I HOPE" AS THE OFFICIAL CHORAL ANTHEM OF THE STATE. - RATIFIED TITLE
- Who sponsors H 3949?
- H 3949 is sponsored by Representative John Richard C. King, Representative Adam L. Duncan, and Representative Kambrell H. Garvin.
- What is the current status of H 3949?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 11, 2025. Enacted.
- Where can I track H 3949?
- Track H 3949 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
Make your voice heard on H 3949
Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.
Stay ahead of H 3949
Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously
One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.
Track this bill →