SOUTH CAROLINA REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE
S
TATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT
WWW.RFA.SC.GOV • (803)734-3793
This fiscal impact statement is produced in compliance with the South Carolina Code of Laws and House and Senate rules. The focus of
the analysis is on governmental expenditure and revenue impacts and may not provide a comprehensive summary of the legislation.
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H. 3944
Fiscal Impact Summary
This bill specifies that a motor vehicle that is primarily powered by an electric battery is allowed
to exceed the gross, single axle, tandem axle, or bridge formula weight limits, including
tolerances, by no more than 2,000 pounds each individually weighed, up to a maximum gross
vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds. The bill further specifies that this provision also applies on the
interstate as allowed by federal law.
This bill will have no expenditure impact on the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The
department indicates that it can manage the provisions of the bill with existing appropriations.
This bill will have no expenditure impact on the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) since it
does not operationally or fiscally impact the department.
Judicial reports that while magistrates have jurisdiction over contested weight violations
pursuant to Section 56-4-4160(F), this constitutes only a portion of the total number of weight
violations, as many are resolved by paying the fine directly to DPS pursuant to Section 56-5-
4160(E). Judicial indicates that this bill may decrease the number of overall violations by
creating this new exception but is unable to determine whether this bill will have any impact on
circuit court caseloads because of the large portion of cases that are resolved out-of-court.
However, Judicial does not anticipate any immediate cost savings. Judicial further anticipates
that it can manage any expenses that may arise due to implementation of the bill within existing
appropriations.
This bill creates a new exception to the weight limits for motor vehicles primarily powered by an
electric battery, which may reduce the number of contested weight violations. Pursuant to
Sections 56-4-4160(F) and (K), all fines collected, including those collected in magistrate court,
must be forwarded to DPS and deposited into the Size, Weight, and Safety Revitalization
Program Fund for Permanent Improvements. However, based on information from DPS, the
Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (RFA) anticipates that any reduction in the number of weight
violations and fines due to this new exception will likely be negligible.
Based on information from Judicial and Charleston, Chesterfield, Florence, and Horry counties,
magistrates have jurisdiction over violations pursuant to this bill. RFA anticipates that the
Bill Number: H. 3944 Introduced on Februar
y 11, 2025
Subject: Motor Vehicles
Requestor: House Education and Public Works
RFA Anal
yst(s): Bryant
Impact Date: March 5, 2025
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H. 3944
provisions of the bill can be managed within current resources. Therefore, the bill is not expected
to have an expenditure impact on county governments.
Explanation of Fiscal Impact
Introduced on February 11, 2025
State Expenditure
This bill specifies that a motor vehicle that is primarily powered by an electric battery is allowed
to exceed the gross, single axle, tandem axle, or bridge formula weight limits, including
tolerances, by no more than 2,000 pounds each individually weighed, up to a maximum gross
vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds. The bill further specifies that this provision also applies on the
interstate as allowed by federal law.
Department of Public Safety. This bill will have no expenditure impact on DPS. The
department indicates that it can manage the provisions of the bill with existing appropriations.
Department of Motor Vehicles. This bill will have no expenditure impact on DMV since the
bill does not operationally or fiscally impact the department.
Judicial. Judicial reports that while magistrates have jurisdiction over contested weight
violations pursuant to Section 56-4-4160(F), this constitutes only a portion of the total number of
weight violations, as many are resolved by paying the fine directly to DPS pursuant to Section
56-5-4160(E). Judicial indicates that this bill may decrease the number of overall violations by
creating this new exception but is unable to determine whether this bill will have any impact on
summary court caseloads because of the large portion of cases that are resolved out-of-court.
However, Judicial does not anticipate any immediate cost savings. Judicial also anticipates that it
can manage any expenses that may arise due to implementation of the bill within existing
appropriations.
State Revenue
This bill creates a new exception to the weight limits for motor vehicles primarily powered by an
electric battery, which may reduce the number of contested weight violations. Pursuant to
Sections 56-4-4160(F) and (K), all fines collected, including those collected in magistrate court,
must be forwarded to DPS and deposited into the Size, Weight, and Safety Revitalization
Program Fund for Permanent Improvements. However, based on information from DPS, RFA
anticipates that any reduction in the number of weight violations and fines due to this new
exception will likely be negligible.
Local Expenditure
This bill amends Section 56-5-4160, relating to vehicle weights and their loads, unloading their
excess weight, and penalties, so as to provide maximum weights for electric battery powered
vehicles. The bill specifies that a motor vehicle that is primarily powered by an electric battery is
allowed to exceed the gross, single axle, tandem axle, or bridge formula weight limits, including
tolerances, by no more than 2,000 pounds each individually weighed, up to a maximum gross
__________________________________
Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director
DISCLAIMER: THIS FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT REPRESENTS THE OPINION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE
AGENCY OFFICIAL WHO APPROVED AND SIGNED THIS DOCUMENT. IT IS PROVIDED AS INFORMATION TO
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS AN EXPRESSION OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT.
Page 3 of 3
H. 3944
vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds. The bill further specifies that this provision also applies on the
interstate as allowed by federal law.
Based on information from Judicial and Charleston, Chesterfield, Florence, and Horry counties,
magistrates have jurisdiction over violations pursuant to this bill. RFA anticipates that the
provisions of the bill can be managed within current resources. Therefore, the bill is not expected
to have an expenditure impact on county governments.
Local Revenue
N/A