South Carolina · 2025-2026 Regular Session · Bill
H 4604: Merit and Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Act of 2026
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
H 4604 is a bill introduced in the South Carolina House on December 16, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Merit and Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Act of 2026. Primary sponsor: Wendell Jones (Democratic), Tiffany Spann-Wilder (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (January 13, 2026): Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "MERIT AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 2026"; AND BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-680 SO AS TO ENSURE THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF DEI STRUCTURES AND RACE-CONSCIOUS CONSIDERATIONS, ADMISSIONS, HIRING, PROMOTION, AND RETENTION DECISIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA'S PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM ARE TRULY MERIT-BASED, TRANSPARENT, AND AUDITABLE.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wendell Jones | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 25 |
| Tiffany Spann-Wilder | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 109 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
- Introduced and read first time
- Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
- Prefiled