South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee

S 139 — NPDES Outlet Sign

Last action — Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs

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

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced December 11, 2024. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low 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

Stalled 16% · moderate confidence
  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

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 ADDING SECTION 48-1-91 SO AS TO REQUIRE ANY PERSON POSSESSING A NPDES PERMIT WHICH ALLOWS THE DISCHARGE OF EFFLUENT INTO STATE WATERS TO POST A SIGN, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF THAT SIGN, AND TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

81 added · 11 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill S 139 requires individuals or groups with a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to post clear and visible signs when discharging effluent into state waters. This is intended to enhance public awareness about potential environmental impacts and ensure the signs are durable and visible from the water. Additionally, the amendment allows for certain exemptions from this requirement, potentially reducing the burden on some permit holders. Overall, these changes aim to improve transparency regarding water safety and environmental protection efforts.

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2025-2026 Bill 139 Text of Previous Version (Dec.
11, 2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 139Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.
Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)                 A bill   TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 48-1-91 SO AS TO REQUIRE ANY PERSON POSSESSING A NPDES PERMIT WHICH ALLOWS THE DISCHARGE OF EFFLUENT INTO STATE WATERS TO POST A SIGN, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF THAT SIGN, AND TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.
  Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
  SECTION 1.  Chapter 1, Title 48 of the S.C.
Code is amended by adding:
      Section 48-1-91.
(A) Any person possessing a NPDES permit which allows the discharge of effluent into the waters of the State shall post a conspicuous and legible sign as provided for in subsection (B), except for those sites which are exempted in subsection (C) or those sites for which the requirements of this section are waived in accordance with subsection (D).
    (B) The sign shall be attached to the outlet or posted adjacent to the outlet in such a way that the sign shall be visible from the receiving water.
If the outlet is submerged, the sign shall be posted on the bank as close to the outlet as possible.
The sign shall be made of materials that are durable to typical weather conditions.
The sign must be at least eighteen inches square and must include the following information:
       (1) the words "Treated Wastewater" or "Cooling Water", as appropriate;
       (2) the name of the permittee and the facility;
       (3) the permit number;
       (4) a telephone number for the permittee;
and        (5) a telephone number for reporting to the department.
    (C) The following are exempt from the requirements of this section:
       (1) discharges that are composed exclusively of stormwater;
and        (2) discharges associated with NPDES General Permits for hydroelectric generating facilities, hydrostatic test water, vehicle wash water, potable water treatment plants, and the application of pesticides.
    (D) The permittee may apply to the department for a waiver from the requirements of this section for any of the following circumstances:
       (1) the posting of the sign would be inconsistent with any other state or federal statute;
       (2) the outlet to the receiving water is located on private or governmental property, which is restricted to the public through fencing, patrolling, or other control mechanisms;
       (3) such a sign cannot reasonably be maintained;
       (4) such a sign cannot be so located as to provide a public purpose;
or        (5) the nature of the discharge is temporary and of a relatively short duration.
    (E) The sign must be posted no later than twelve months after the effective date of this act, and it must be properly maintained from that point forward.
    (F) The department shall notify all NPDES permit holders registered with the department of the requirements in this section no later than November 29, 2025.
  SECTION 2.  If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this act, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this act, and each and every section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.
  SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
----XX---- This web page was last updated on December 11, 2024 at 04:35 PM
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Action History

  1. Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs

  2. Introduced and read first time

  3. Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs

  4. Prefiled

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 168 not signed on

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (168)

168 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does S 139 do?
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 48-1-91 SO AS TO REQUIRE ANY PERSON POSSESSING A NPDES PERMIT WHICH ALLOWS THE DISCHARGE OF EFFLUENT INTO STATE WATERS TO POST A SIGN, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF THAT SIGN, AND TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.
Who sponsors S 139?
S 139 is sponsored by Senator Ed Sutton and Senator Tameika Isaac Devine.
What is the current status of S 139?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced December 11, 2024. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track S 139?
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