Racing facility AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 15-1-350 SO AS TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN RACING FACILITIES, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, FROM BEING SUBJECT TO NUISANCE AND TAKING CAUSES OF ACTION FROM A SURROUNDING LANDOWNER, AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS. - RATIFIED TITLEView full text View Vote History View Fiscal Impact12/16/25House Prefiled12/16/25House Referred to Committee on Judiciary01/13/26House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 62)01/13/26House Referred to Committee on Judiciary (House Journal-page 62)03/26/26House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hartnett04/02/26House Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary (House Journal-page 6)04/14/26House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Gilliard, Rivers, Williams04/14/26House Amended (House Journal-page 36)04/14/26House Read second time (House Journal-page 36)04/14/26House Roll call Yeas-110 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 37)04/15/26House Read third time and sent to Senate (House Journal-page 15)04/15/26Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 41)04/15/26Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 41)04/29/26Senate Committee report: Favorable Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 18)05/12/26Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 44)05/13/26Senate Amended (Senate Journal-page 52)05/13/26Senate Read third time and returned to House with amendments (Senate Journal-page 52)05/13/26Senate Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 52)05/14/26House Senate amendment amended (House Journal-page 43)05/14/26House Returned to Senate with amendments (House Journal-page 43)05/14/26House Roll call Yeas-113 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 44)05/14/26Senate Concurred in House amendment and enrolled (Senate Journal-page 51)05/15/26 Ratified R 25205/19/26 Signed By Governor06/05/26 Effective date 05/19/2606/03/26 Act No. 238
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends South Carolina law to protect certain racing facilities from nuisance lawsuits and takings actions by surrounding landowners. It establishes that a racing facility is shielded from such actions if it obtained all necessary permits, established a vested right to development before the landowner purchased property, and made reasonable progress in construction within two years. There are exceptions for substantial expansions of the facility and specifically for the Greenville-Pickens Speedway.
Key provisions
- Racing facilities are protected from nuisance and takings lawsuits.
- Protection applies if the facility obtained permits and established a vested right before landowner purchase.
- Requires two years of reasonable progress in construction after permit approval.
- Excludes substantial expansions of the facility.
- Specifically exempts the Greenville-Pickens Speedway.
Who is affected
- Racing facility owners and operators
- Surrounding landowners
- Local governments (potentially, due to permitting requirements)
Notable changes
- Creates a specific legal protection for racing facilities.
- Establishes a ‘vested right’ requirement for development before landowner purchase.
- Includes a time limit for construction progress.
- Provides an exception for the Greenville-Pickens Speedway.
Bill text
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