South Carolina state Sen. Harvey Peeler prefiled a bill on Dec. 9, 2015, that would require U.S. and South Carolina flags purchased with state funds to be manufactured in the USA. The Post and Courier had reported in early November that Peeler wanted the state to buy only USA-made flags.
What S. 945 says
The bill would add one section to the state code: “Any flag of the United States, or flag of the State of South Carolina purchased with State funds shall be manufactured in the United States.” It would take effect when signed by the governor.
Its preamble said the state should buy “the most honored symbols of our Nation and our State from American businesses,” that flag production provides jobs and family incomes, and that government agencies should “aid and promote the development of American manufacturers.”
Status
Sen. Larry Hembree joined Peeler as a sponsor. The bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee and introduced on Jan. 13, 2016, but it stayed in committee when the 2015–2016 session ended. Lawmakers took up the idea again in later sessions (our 2026 coverage).
Source & credit
Sources: South Carolina Legislature: S. 945 (2015–2016) text and history and Senate prefiles for Dec. 9, 2015; The Post and Courier: “SC lawmaker says state should only purchase flags made in America”, Nov. 6, 2015.