On January 15, 2026, the State Ethics Commission issued a new Advisory Opinion SEC AO2026-001 regarding whether a county coroner is subject to the Ethics Reform Act during any actions taken with regard to Child Fatality Funds disbursed under S.C. Code Ann. § 17-5-140. 

In addition to the issuance of SEC AO2026-001, the Commission partially withdrew Advisory Opinions SEC AO92-054, SEC AO92-100, SEC AO92-063, and SEC 94-005 to the extent they prohibit public employees from accepting direct expense reimbursement for speaking engagements under Section 8-13-715, effective January 15, 2026.  

Further, the Commission withdrew Advisory Opinions SEC AO92-51 and SEC AO92-057, effective January 15, 2026.