COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – The South Carolina House of Representatives passed a bill that could affect K-12 Education Scholarships on Wednesday.

In September 2024, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled certain aspects in the K-12 Voucher Program as unconstitutional, as the original law used taxpayer money to pay for students to go to private school.

Instead of using taxpayer money to fund K-12 scholarships, the South Carolina Senate passed a bill that would use South Carolina Education Lottery money.

Debates amongst the state House debated on Wednesday involved a similar bill, but with a twist.

“The funds aren’t going to an eligible school they are going to an eligible child whose parent decides what they need to spend the money,” said Rep. Shannon Erickson (R – District 124).

The House amended the Senate bill so funding decisions come from the budget writing committee during General Assembly.

Rep. Erickson is the Chairwoman on the House Education Committee. She said a trustee appointed by the Superintendent of Education should oversee the funds, to ensure money goes to an eligible child.

“The trustee should have those duties, which is what we did in this cleanup bill,” Erickson said.

Rep. Neal Collins (R – District 5) disagreed with this bill.

According to Rep. Collins, in 2024 the state used $30 million from the Public Education Fund to pay for vouchers in 2025. He said the school district he represents in Pickens County lost more than $600,000.

“Two years ago, I warned the body that this was injustice, and it was,” Rep. Collins explained. “Unfortunately, we’re continue to go down this route instead of doing what I think is constitutional or practical.”

Rep. Jay Kilmartin (R – District 85) is a member of the House Education Committee; he said it may be time to let parents decide where they spend education money.

“All I know is that there are parents and people invested in this that are saying that they can educate a child for $6,000,” Rep. Kilmartin said. “Where, on the other hand, we give the schools between $15,000 and $24,000 per student — and some of them aren’t doing very well at it.”

Rep. Erickson said not a single dollar has left the school districts.

The bill will go back to the Senate, so officials can discuss that House’s new version.