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Committee approves bill allowing tribal governments to obtain permanent license plates

Motor Vehicles and Public Safety Subcommittee, House Education and Public Works Committee · February 19, 2026

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Summary

House Bill 5131, which would allow tribal governments such as the Catawba Nation to receive permanent government license plates, received a favorable report after testimony from Sean Butler, chief public safety officer for the Catawba Nation, who said the DMV supports the change.

The Motor Vehicles and Public Safety Subcommittee gave a favorable report to House Bill 5131, a proposal to authorize permanent license plates for tribal governments operating in South Carolina.

Sean Butler, identifying himself as chief public safety officer and chief of police for the Catawba Nation, told the committee that the Nation operates a fleet of vehicles to perform official government functions and asked members to authorize a tribal-government plate under an amendment to section 56-3-780 of state code. Butler said the Catawba Nation's fleet conducts public-safety, infrastructure and emergency-response operations both in its home county (York) and across the state, and that the DMV supports the legislative approach.

Following Butler's testimony, a motion for a favorable report was made, seconded and approved on roll call with six ayes and three not voting. The chair announced the bill was given a favorable report.

Why it matters: Supporters said the change would align tribal governments with county and municipal entities already authorized to receive permanent plates, reflecting the Catawba Nation's status as a sovereign government with agency vehicles operating on South Carolina roads. The transcript records no opposition or technical amendments at this hearing.