Coastal Wetlands Permit Timelines and Environmental Services

South Carolina Legislative Events

Published April 7th, 2026

Detected April 8th, 2026

Summary

South Carolina Governor signed H3931 into law, amending Sections 48-39-150, 48-39-80, and adding Section 48-6-35 to the South Carolina Code of Laws. The legislation establishes mandatory timelines for the Department of Environmental Services to act on coastal tideland and wetland permit applications, creates a deemed-approved provision for coastal zone consistency certifications not reviewed within 90 days after the public comment period closes, and authorizes the department to hire third-party independent engineers for assistance with duties.

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What changed

H3931 establishes explicit timelines for the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services to approve or deny coastal tideland and wetland permit applications under Section 48-39-150, moving from discretionary processing to time-bound decisions. The bill also creates a deemed-approved mechanism for coastal zone consistency certifications if the department fails to complete review within 90 days of the public comment closing date, effectively placing the burden on applicants to submit complete applications early enough to allow full review.

For affected parties including construction firms, developers, and environmental groups engaged in coastal development, the new law provides greater predictability in the permit process while also creating compliance risks if applications are incomplete or submitted without adequate review time. The legislation further authorizes the Department to hire third-party independent engineers for technical assistance, requiring contractors to meet new qualification standards established by department regulation.

What to do next

Review updated permit application timelines under Section 48-39-150
Ensure coastal zone consistency certifications are submitted with sufficient lead time to allow 90-day review window before public comment close
Verify third-party contractor qualifications comply with new Department regulations before bidding on environmental services work

Source document (simplified)

ChangeBridge / South Carolina / H3931 Signed by Governor H3931 H Signed by Governor 2026-04-07

Coastal Tideland and Wetlands Permit Application

Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 48-39-150, Relating To Approval Or Denial Of Permits, So As To Establish Timelines For The Department To Take Action On A Permit Application; By Amending Section 48-39-80, Relating To The Development Of A Coastal Management Program, So As To Deem A Coastal Zone Consistency Certification Approved If, For All Other State Permits, Certification Review Is Not Completed Within Ninety Days Of The Public Comment Closing; By Adding Section 48-6-35 So As To Permit The Department Of Environmental Services To Hire Third-party, Independent Engineers To Assist The Department With Its Duties And To Require The Department To Establish Regulations For Contractor Qualifications To Bid On The Department's Work; And By Repealing A Portion Of Section 48-39-130 As Of September 30, 2032, And To Establish Requirements For Certain Maintenance Dredging After That Date. - Ratified Title

Bill Details

State South Carolina

Session 126th General Assembly

Chamber House

Official Source www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnu...

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Action History

2026-04-07 Signed By Governor 2026-04-01 Ratified R 124 2026-04-01 Scrivener's error corrected 2026-04-01 H Roll call Yeas-112 Nays-0 2026-04-01 H Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled 2026-03-31 S Read third time and returned to House with amendments 2026-03-26 S Roll call Ayes-37 Nays-0 2026-03-26 S Read second time 2026-03-26 S Committee Amendment Adopted 2026-03-24 S Committee report: Favorable with amendment Medical Affairs 2025-04-24 Scrivener's error corrected 2025-04-24 S Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs 2025-04-24 S Introduced and read first time 2025-04-24 H Read third time and sent to Senate 2025-04-23 H Roll call Yeas-102 Nays-0 2025-04-23 H Read second time 2025-04-23 H Amended 2025-04-09 H Committee report: Favorable with amendment Labor, Commerce and Industry 2025-04-09 H Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Guffey 2025-02-26 H Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Schuessler 2025-02-06 H Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry 2025-02-06 H Introduced and read first time

Votes

2025-04-23 House: Passage Of Bill Yea: 102 Nay: 0 2026-03-26 Senate: 2nd Reading Yea: 37 Nay: 0 2026-04-01 House: Concur In Senate Amendments Yea: 112 Nay: 0

Committee Referrals

2025-02-06 H Labor, Commerce and Industry 2025-04-24 S Medical Affairs

Bill Text Versions

2025-02-06 Introduced 2025-04-09 Comm Sub 2025-04-23 Amended 2025-04-24 Amended 2026-03-24 Comm Sub 2026-03-26 Comm Sub 2026-04-01 Comm Sub Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)

Named provisions

Section 48-39-150 - Approval or Denial of Permits Section 48-39-80 - Coastal Management Program Section 48-6-35 - Third-Party Independent Engineers Section 48-39-130 - Maintenance Dredging Requirements