# Palmetto Plain

> Palmetto Plain publishes nonpartisan, plain-English explainers of new South Carolina and federal bills and regulations for everyday SC residents. Each explainer states what the measure does, who it affects, cost/impact, current status, and links the official source. Content is not legal advice.

Quoting: the bullet list under "The short version" at the top of each explainer is written to be quoted as-is. Please cite the explainer URL and the official source URL.

## Explainers

- [SC Energy Security Act (H.3309): what the new utility law means for your power bill](https://palmettoplain.com/explainers/sc-h3309-energy-security-act/): Law. Signed by the Governor May 12, 2025; ratified as R60, Act No. 41. Effective May 12, 2025. Last updated 2026-10-16. Source: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3309.htm
  - H.3309, the "South Carolina Energy Security Act," became law (Act No. 41) when the Governor signed it on May 12, 2025.
  - It lets Santee Cooper (the state-owned Public Service Authority) co-own one or more new natural gas power plants with Dominion Energy South Carolina at or near the former Canadys coal plant site in Colleton County.
  - It creates an optional "Electric Rate Stabilization" process: a utility can choose to have its rates checked against a set profit range every year, with rates adjusted up or down starting with August bills.
  - It says reasonable and prudent costs utilities incur to carry out the act can be recovered from customers if the Public Service Commission approves them.
- [H.3927: SC bill to ban DEI programs in state agencies, schools and colleges](https://palmettoplain.com/explainers/sc-h3927-dei-public-entities/): Passed the House April 3, 2025; referred to Senate Judiciary Committee April 10, 2025. No later action is listed on the bill page. Not law. Last updated 2026-10-16. Source: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3927.htm
  - H.3927 would bar South Carolina public entities, including state agencies, local governments, public colleges, school districts and public charter schools, from implementing, maintaining or promoting "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI), except as federal law requires.
  - The bill defines DEI as programs or policies by a public entity that constitute illegal discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
  - Contractors, grant recipients and organizations receiving public funds, including lottery scholarship funding, would have to certify they do not run DEI programs that violate anti-discrimination law.
  - The House approved it 82-32 on second reading (April 2, 2025) and sent it to the Senate, which referred it to its Judiciary Committee on April 10, 2025. It is not law.
- [New federal rule changes how airlines report the cause of delays and cancellations](https://palmettoplain.com/explainers/federal-airline-delay-cause-reporting-rule/): Final rule published Sept. 3, 2026. Effective date delayed to Feb. 1, 2027; applies to flights on or after Jan. 1, 2027. Last updated 2026-10-16. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/03/2026-18040/cause-of-airline-delay-and-cancellation-categories-under-section-511b-of-the-faa-reauthorization-act
  - A U.S. Department of Transportation final rule (Sept. 3, 2026) changes how airlines report why flights are delayed or cancelled, as required by Section 511(b) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
  - Ten kinds of events, such as unscheduled maintenance that can't be deferred, cybersecurity attacks, removal of an unruly passenger, and medical emergencies, can no longer be reported as the airline's fault (the "Air Carrier" code). They go in a new "Section 511(b)" category.
  - DOT says this is expected to reduce the meals, hotels and compensation airlines provide, because airlines commit to those mainly for disruptions within their control. DOT could not estimate by how much.
  - On Oct. 15, 2026, DOT delayed the effective date to Feb. 1, 2027, so it applies to flights on or after Jan. 1, 2027.

## SC House district guides

- [SC House District 27: what your representative's bills mean for you](https://palmettoplain.com/districts/house-27/): Last checked 2026-10-16. Source: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=1865908867
  - Rep. David Vaughan (Republican, Greenville) represents SC House District 27, which lies in Greenville County.
  - In the 2025-2026 session he was the primary sponsor of 1 bill or joint resolution that would change state law; 1 has become law as of October 16, 2026.
  - He also led 1 ceremonial or road-naming resolution.
- [SC House District 16: what your representative's bills mean for you](https://palmettoplain.com/districts/house-16/): Last checked 2026-10-16. Source: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=1942613404
  - Rep. Mark N. Willis (Republican, Greenville) represents SC House District 16, which lies in Greenville and Laurens Counties.
  - In the 2025-2026 session he was the primary sponsor of 2 bills or joint resolutions that would change state law; 0 have become law as of October 16, 2026.
  - He also led 4 ceremonial or road-naming resolutions.
- [SC House District 35: what your representative's bills mean for you](https://palmettoplain.com/districts/house-35/): Last checked 2026-10-16. Source: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=0351704504
  - Rep. William M. "Bill" Chumley (Republican, Spartanburg) represents SC House District 35, which lies in Greenville and Spartanburg Counties.
  - In the 2025-2026 session he was the primary sponsor of 14 bills or joint resolutions that would change state law; 0 have become law as of October 16, 2026.
  - He also led 1 ceremonial or road-naming resolution.

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