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State Government

Palmetto Boys State

2026

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Powers of the State

Powers of State are restricted by Article VI, Section 2 of the US Constitution.

The power not delegated to the U.S. by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively or the people.”

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Constitution

To outline the framework of government by providing a threefold separation of powers among the legislative, executive and judicial departments.
To place essential restrictions upon the powers of state and local government
To provide a plan for orderly change or amendment

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The Legislative Branch

Also called the General Assembly
Has power to enact all types of laws not prohibited

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House of Representatives

124 Members
Each county, regardless of size, must have at least one representative.

Speaker of the House

Murrell Smith (R)

District 67

Sumter County

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Senate

46 members; 46 single member districts

President

Thomas Alexander (R)

District 1

Oconee and part of

Pickens County

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Compensation

$260 a day for 40 days or in actuality $10,400.00.
“per diem” is $131.00. No General Assembly shall have the power to raise the “per diem” of its own members
Each member shall receive 58.5 cents per mile for ordinary travel.
By legislative act, spring of 2025, the following changes were made (in yellow).
Each member shall receive $3,400 per year in postage, stationery, and other office supplies, and $1,000 per month (now $2,500) in-district expense.

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Qualifications and Immunities

Representatives are elected for two year terms, thus they are elected every two years.
Senators are elected for four year terms.
Representatives must be at least 21 years of age.
Senators must be at least 25 years of age.

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Session

Begins the second Tuesday in January of each year.
Is to adjourn at the end of 40 days.
Adjourns by no later than 5:00 pm on the second Thursday of May.
There can be an extension if they still have to pass a budget.

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The Executive Department

“the supreme executive authority of the State shall be vested in a chief magistrate who shall be styled the Governor of South Carolina.”

Other Executive Officers include: Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General and the Solicitors, Comptroller General, Adjutant General, Commissioner of Agriculture and Superintendent of Education.
All executive officers serve four year terms.

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Governor

Henry

McMaster

(R)

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Governor

Four year term, eligible to serve two terms or 10 years.
Must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the US, and resident of the state for 5 years preceding election day.
Traditionally powers have been limited, but he does appoint or approve over 1,000 positions on boards, commissions, committees and departments in the State.
Governor’s salary - $106,078/yr.
Lt. Governor’s salary - $46,545/yr.
Constitutional Officers’ salaries - variable

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Lt. Governor

Pamela

Evette (R)

Serves a 4 year term.
Two jobs:

Preside over Senate
To act as Governor for an unexpired term

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Secretary of State

Mark Hammond (R)

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Secretary of State

Charged primarily with the custody of records.
Issues charters to corporations, municipalities and public utilities.
Salary – $135,000

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State Treasurer

Curtis M.

Loftis, Jr.

(R)

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State Treasurer

Custodian of the State’s moneys
Receives, holds in custody, invests, and pays State’s money upon proper authorization.
Salary – $164,000

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Attorney General

Alan Wilson (R)

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Attorney General

Protects the rights and property of SC
Head of the legal department of the State
Advises solicitors and supervises litigation
16 solicitors work with the Attorney General prosecuting cases.
Salary – $208,000

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Comptroller General

Brian J. Gaines (R)

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Comptroller General

The disbursing officer for SC
Has supervision over the assessment and collection of all property taxes.
State’s accountant
Salary – $151,000

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Superintendent of Education

Ellen Weaver (R)

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Superintendent of Education

General supervisor over all the public school funds
Promoting the cause of public education in every way possible.
Required to report, through the Governor, to the General Assembly at each session.
Salary – $214,000

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Adjutant General appointed by Governor

Major General Robin B. Stilwell

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Adjutant General

Head of the military department of the State
Administers the affairs of the SC Army and Air National Guard, the Emergency Preparedness Division and the State Guard.
Salary – $237,500

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Commissioner of Agriculture

Hugh Weathers (R)

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