COLUMBIA, S.C. — On the eve of the 2026 legislative session, members of the South Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus unveiled the Family Protection Act, a legislative package aimed at lowering costs for working families while protecting taxpayers and ensuring accountability.
“The cost of living is rising faster than paychecks for too many South Carolina families,” said Senate Democratic Leader Brad Hutto. “The Family Protection Act delivers real, targeted relief by lowering costs for working families while building in strict accountability and fiscal guardrails.”
The Family Protection Act expands targeted tax relief for working families, promotes housing stability, lowers prescription drug costs, and supports caregivers, veterans, and workers. Each proposal includes income limits, spending caps, public reporting requirements, and automatic sunset provisions.
“This is not about growing government,” Hutto said. “It’s about making government work better and ending programs that don’t deliver results.”
Senate Democrats emphasized that the proposal is designed to help families without unnecessary bureaucracy and invited bipartisan cooperation as the session begins.
“Lowering costs for families shouldn’t be partisan,” Hutto said. “We’re ready to work with anyone who is serious about helping South Carolinians afford to live, work, and raise a family in this state.”
You can read the proposed legislation here.