S 768 — Homestead exemption
Last action — Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 13, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.
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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Passed Senate
Current position in the legislative process.
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18 sponsors
18 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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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.
Summary
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-250, RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, SO AS TO INCREASE THE EXEMPTION TO ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS AND TO REDUCE THE AGE ELIGIBILITY TO SIXTY; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-266, RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-280, RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-290, RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-220, RELATING TO GENERAL EXEMPTION FROM TAXES, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 11-11-150, RELATING TO DEDUCTIONS FOR THE TRUST FUND FOR TAX RELIEF, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 12-37-245 RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
2 added · 62 removedPlain-language change summary
The latest version of Bill S 768 makes a significant change by increasing the homestead exemption to $100,000 for eligible individuals. This means homeowners who qualify will keep a larger portion of their property's value exempt from property taxes, which can lead to substantial savings. This adjustment is important as it aims to provide financial relief to more residents, particularly seniors or those with disabilities, helping them afford their homes more easily in South Carolina.
21,13, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 768Indicates 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 Januarybill 21, 2026TO AMEND S.THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-250, RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, SO AS TO INCREASE THE EXEMPTION TO ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS AND TO REDUCE THE AGE ELIGIBILITY TO SIXTY;
768 Introduced by Senators Peeler, Alexander, Kimbrell, Verdin, Massey, Hembree, Turner, Williams, Rice, Stubbs and Davis S.
Printed 1/21/26--S.
Read the first time January 13, 2026 ________ The committee on Senate Finance To whom was referred a Bill (S.
768) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 12-37-250, relating to the homestead exemption, so as to increase the exemption to one hundred thousand, 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, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
SECTION 1. Article 3, Chapter 37, Title 12 of the S.C.
Code is amended by adding:
Section 12-37-253.
(A) Any eligible person may claim an exemption from county, municipal, school and special assessment real property equal to one hundred fifty thousand dollars of the fair market value on the person's dwelling place.
A person may not claim this exemption and the exemption set forth in Section 12-37-250 and a person must be eligible for this exemption to claim the exemption set forth in Section 12-37-250.
For purposes of eligibility, application, and reimbursement, this exemption must be administered in the same manner as the exemption allowed pursuant to Section 12-37-250, including the application of other laws affecting the exemption allowed pursuant to Section 12-37-250, mutatis mutandis.
For a person eligible for this exemption pursuant to subsection (B)(1), the previous application for the exemption allowed pursuant to Section 12-37-250 must be considered the application for this exemption.
(B) A person becomes eligible for this additional exemption:
(1) if the person was eligible to claim the exemption pursuant to Section 12-37-250 in property tax year 2025 and remains eligible thereafter;
or (2)(a) when the person meets the requirements of Section 12-37-250(A)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii);
and (b) when the person has been a resident of this State for the entire five property tax years immediately preceding the application.
(C) By ordinance, a governing body of a county may increase the exemption allowed by this section, however, any taxes not collected as a result of the increase in the exemption are not eligible for reimbursement.
SECTION 2. Section 11-11-150(A) of the S.C.
Code is amended by adding:
(6) Section 12-37-270 for the homestead exemption allowed pursuant to Section 12-37-253;
SECTION 3. Section 12-37-245 of the S.C.
Code is repealed.
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and first applies to property tax years beginning after 2025.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
HARVEY PEELER for Committee.
_______ A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-250, RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, SO AS TO INCREASE THE EXEMPTION TO ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS AND TO REDUCE THE AGE ELIGIBILITY TO SIXTY;
----XX---- This web page was last updated on January 21,13, 2026 at 04:3612:32 PM
Action History
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Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
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Introduced and read first time
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Scrivener's error corrected
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Roll call Ayes-44 Nays-0
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Read third time and sent to House
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Amended
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Roll call Ayes-44 Nays-0
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Read second time
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Amended
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Debate interrupted
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Debate interrupted
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Amended
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Committee Amendment Adopted
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Scrivener's error corrected
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Committee report: Favorable with amendment Finance
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Referred to Committee on Finance
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Introduced and read first time
Sponsors
- Jr. Senator Harvey S. Peeler · Primary
- Senator Thomas C. Alexander · Primary
- Senator Josh Kimbrell · Primary
- Senator Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III · Primary
- Senator A. Shane Massey · Primary
- Senator Greg Hembree · Primary
- Senator Ross Turner · Primary
- Senator Kent M. Williams · Primary
- Senator Rex F. Rice · Primary
- Senator Everett Stubbs · Primary
- Senator Tom Davis · Primary
- Senator Billy Garrett · Primary
- Senator George E. "Chip" Campsen III · Primary
- Senator Shane R. Martin · Primary
- Senator Matthew W. "Matt" Leber · Primary
- Senator Jeff Zell · Primary
- Senator Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms · Primary
- Jr. Senator Tom Young · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →18 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 152 not signed on · 9 voted No
Sponsors (18)
- Senator Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.
- Senator Thomas C. Alexander
- Senator Josh Kimbrell
- Senator Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III
- Senator A. Shane Massey
- Senator Greg Hembree
- Senator Ross Turner
- Senator Kent M. Williams
- Senator Rex F. Rice
- Senator Everett Stubbs
- Senator Tom Davis
- Senator Billy Garrett
- Senator George E. "Chip" Campsen III
- Senator Shane R. Martin
- Senator Matthew W. "Matt" Leber Voted No
- Senator Jeff Zell
- Senator Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms
- Senator Tom Young, Jr.
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (152)
152 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 152 →"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 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 44 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 98% | 0% | 0% | 2% |
How each member voted (45)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 32 | 10 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 32 | 10 | 0 | 4 |
| % of votes cast | 70% | 22% | 0% | 9% |
How each member voted (46)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 44 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 44 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 96% | 0% | 0% | 4% |
How each member voted (46)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does S 768 do?
- A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-250, RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, SO AS TO INCREASE THE EXEMPTION TO ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS AND TO REDUCE THE AGE ELIGIBILITY TO SIXTY; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-266, RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-280, RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-290, RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-220, RELATING TO GENERAL EXEMPTION FROM TAXES, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 11-11-150, RELATING TO DEDUCTIONS FOR THE TRUST FUND FOR TAX RELIEF, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 12-37-245 RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
- Who sponsors S 768?
- S 768 is sponsored by Senator Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., Senator Thomas C. Alexander, Senator Josh Kimbrell, Senator Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III, Senator A. Shane Massey, Senator Greg Hembree, Senator Ross Turner, Senator Kent M. Williams, Senator Rex F. Rice, Senator Everett Stubbs, Senator Tom Davis, Senator Billy Garrett, Senator George E. "Chip" Campsen III, Senator Shane R. Martin, Senator Matthew W. "Matt" Leber, Senator Jeff Zell, Senator Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms, and Senator Tom Young, Jr..
- What is the current status of S 768?
- This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 13, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
- Where can I track S 768?
- Track S 768 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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