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Senate passes school choice scholarship bill on third reading, 31-9
Summary
The South Carolina Senate gave third reading to S.62, a bill to restore and expand scholarship payments for students attending qualifying private schools and homeschools, and passed the measure on a 31-9 roll call. Lawmakers debated budgetary impacts, equity concerns and constitutional risk during extended floor debate.
The South Carolina Senate gave S.62 a third reading and passed the school choice scholarship bill, 31-9, sending the measure to the House.
Supporters said the bill restores scholarship payments and protects families who lost awards after a court decision; opponents warned it would strain lottery and general fund resources and do little to improve public schools.
Senator Grooms, the senator from Berkeley, argued for expansion and protecting students who lost previously promised payments. "I am for expanding the program. I want to go universal," he said, and urged the chamber to ensure the roughly 3,400 students who had scholarships revoked last year would receive the $6,000 scholarships promised to them.
Opponents repeatedly said the bill would not strengthen public education statewide and would shift scarce state resources. "It does nothing for public education. Nothing," said the senator from Calhoun during a lengthy floor statement. She added: "This isn't choice. This is welfare for the wealthy."
Senator Devine, the senator from Richland, said she would not support the bill and urged lawmakers to invest effort and resources into comprehensive public education reforms and juvenile justice prevention programs instead. "I do not support this bill," she said, while calling for bipartisan work on broader education reforms.
Floor questions focused on fiscal impacts and the source of scholarship funding. Senators discussed that the program would rely on the state lottery fund and that the pool of lottery money is finite. One senator noted staff estimates that, based on the version leaving the Senate, the cost could be "upwards of about a hundred and $10,000,000" in fiscal year 2026-27. Supporters and opponents both acknowledged that if lottery revenues fall short, the general fund could be called on to make up the difference.
The bill drew roll-call debate and a requested tally. The clerk recorded a roll-call vote of 31 ayes and 9 noes; multiple senators were marked not voting on the roll call. The third-reading tally was announced as 31-9 and the measure was given a third reading and will now proceed to the House for consideration.
Votes and next steps: the Senate completed third reading on S.62 and passed it; the House will receive the bill for consideration and possible amendment.
Ending: The transcript shows the Senate debated S.62 at length and approved third reading by roll call. The measure’s fiscal path and potential constitutional challenges were raised repeatedly; supporters argued it restores promised scholarships, while opponents warned of budgetary strain and limited benefits for the majority of public-school students.
