Critical Infrastructure

2025-2026 Bill 4973: Critical Infrastructure - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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H. 4973
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Gilliam, Rankin, Yow, C. Mitchell and Haddon
Companion/Similar bill(s): 3344
Document Path: LC-0483SA26.docx
Introduced in the House on January 15, 2026
Currently residing in the House Committee on
Labor, Commerce and Industry
Summary: Critical Infrastructure
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

1/15/2026

House

Introduced and read first time (
House Journal-page 28
)

1/15/2026

House

Referred to Committee on
Labor, Commerce and Industry
(
House Journal-page 28
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
01/15/2026

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS
BY ADDING SECTION
11-1-130
SO AS TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN CONTRACTS WITH CERTAIN
FOREIGN-OWNED COMPANIES IN CONNECTION WITH CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

W
hereas, the General Assembly finds that the People's Republic of
China (PRC), led by the Chinese Communist Party, is an autocratic and
totalitarian government and has been recognized by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation as a "grave threat to the economic well-being and democratic
values of the United States"; and

W
hereas, the federal government has determined that a number of
foreign nations are actively hostile to the United States and pursuant to
federal law have designated as foreign adversaries:

(1) the People's Republic
of China;

(2) the Republic of Cuba;

(3) the Islamic Republic
of Iran;

(4) the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea;

(5) the Russian
Federation; and

(6) the Venezuelan
politician Nicolás Maduro (Maduro Regime); and

W
hereas, federal law enforcement and homeland security authorities
have warned businesses and the public of the dangers of using technology
manufactured in the PRC, as such technology can be used to steal trade secrets,
disrupt U.S. infrastructure, spy on U.S. citizens and government agencies, and
otherwise be used by the Chinese government to undermine the interests and
values of the United States and the ability of its citizens to live in a free,
democratic society; and

W
hereas, the National Intelligence Law of the People's Republic of
China requires all Chinese businesses to assist in China's intelligence
operations; and

W
hereas, the General Assembly desires to continue South Carolina's
long and successful history of inviting international cooperation in economic
development while taking precautions against predatory, hostile interests; and

W
hereas, the General Assembly finds that narrowly focused legislation
limiting the ability of individuals and entities under the control of hostile
foreign adversary governments to acquire sensitive real property, to protect
South Carolina's critical infrastructure from cyberattacks and electronic
espionage, and is necessary and proper for the protection of the state's
economy and the freedom of its residents. Now, therefore,

B
e it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

S
ECTION 1.
C
hapter 1, Title 11 of the
S.C. Code is amended by adding:

S
ection
11-1-130
.
(
A) As used in this
section:

(
1) "Company" means a sole
proprietorship, organization, association, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited
liability company, including a wholly owned subsidiary, majority-owned
subsidiary, parent company, or affiliate of those entities or business
associations, that exists to make a profit.

(
2) "Critical infrastructure" means a
communication infrastructure system, cybersecurity system, electric grid,
hazardous waste treatment system, or water treatment facility.

(
3) "Cybersecurity" means the measures
taken to protect a computer, computer network, computer system, or other
technology infrastructure against unauthorized use or access.

(
4) "Designated country" means a
country designated by the Governor as a threat to critical infrastructure.

(
5) "Access to" means the ability to
approach or enter critical infrastructure.

(
6) "Control of" means the ability to
manage or manipulate critical infrastructure.

(
7) "Provider" means a company that
provides utility services, including a power company or a city.

(
8) "Utility services" means the end
product provided to a consumer, including power or water.

(
B) A business or governmental entity
may not enter into an agreement relating to critical infrastructure in this
State with a company:

(
1) if, under the agreement, the
company would be granted direct or remote access to or control of critical
infrastructure in this State, excluding access specifically allowed by the
business entity for product warranty and support purposes; and

(
2) if the business entity knows that
the company is:

(
a) owned, controlled by, or the
majority of stock or other ownership interest of the company is held or
controlled by:

(
i) individuals who are citizens of
China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or a designated country; or

(
ii) a company or other entity,
including a governmental entity, that is owned or controlled by citizens of or
is directly or indirectly controlled by the government of China, Iran, North
Korea, Russia, or a designated country;

(
b) headquartered in China, Iran, North
Korea, Russia, or a designated country; or

(
c) a subsidiary of an entity domiciled
in China, Iran, North Korea, or a designated country.

(
C) The prohibition described by
subsection (B) applies regardless of whether:

(
1) the company's or its parent
company's securities are publicly traded; or

(
2) the company or its parent company
is listed on a public stock exchange as:

(
a) a Chinese, Iranian, North Korean,
or Russian company; or

(
b) a company of a designated country.

(
D) The prohibition described in
subsection (B) does not apply to a consumer's receipt of utility services from
a provider.

(
E) The Governor, after consultation
with the Director of the Department of Public Safety, may designate a country
as a threat to critical infrastructure for purposes of this section.

(
F) The Governor shall consult the
Homeland Security Council to assess a threat to critical infrastructure for
purposes of making a designation pursuant to this section.

S
ECTION
2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on January 15, 2026 at 11:23 AM