Senate Bill 474 is not a single law. The number has been used by several state legislatures in recent sessions for unrelated bills, so what “SB 474” means depends on the state and the year. The most prominent versions include a California law capping prison canteen markups, a West Virginia law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, a South Carolina abortion restriction, a Florida military affairs update, a Wisconsin fire suppression grant expansion, a North Carolina property tax reappraisal pause, a Pennsylvania zero-based budgeting proposal, and a separate California bill targeting the state’s Air Resources Board. Each is summarized below.
California BASICs Act (Prison Canteen Markups)
California’s SB 474, the BASICs Act, was authored by Senator Josh Becker and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 8, 2023. It took effect January 1, 2024.1California Legislative Information. SB-474 Bill History2Davis Vanguard. Governor Newsom Signs Measure Reducing Markups on Essential Items Across California Prison Canteens
Before the law, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation applied markups averaging 65 percent on canteen items, with some products marked up as much as 200 percent.3Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. SB 474 Passes Senate Public Safety Committee Incarcerated people in California earn between eight and thirty-seven cents per hour, and advocates estimated families collectively spent more than $80 million per year on canteen purchases.4California Senate Committee on Public Safety. SB 474 Committee Analysis
The law reduces the markup cap from 65 percent to 35 percent over four years, with the 35 percent ceiling in place until January 1, 2028. Supporters projected the change would save affected families more than $16 million a year.2Davis Vanguard. Governor Newsom Signs Measure Reducing Markups on Essential Items Across California Prison Canteens The coalition behind the bill included the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, All of Us or None, Legal Aid at Work, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, MILPA Collective, and the Women’s Foundation California Solís Policy Institute.5Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. BASICs Act Update Some advocates have noted that even at 35 percent, California prices remain higher than in comparison states: Virginia’s markup stood at 9 percent, and Michigan and Nevada had eliminated markups on hygiene products.6The Appeal. Locked In, Priced Out
West Virginia DEI Ban
West Virginia’s SB 474 eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, offices, and officers across the executive branch, public K–12 schools, and institutions of higher education. Governor Patrick Morrisey signed it on May 7, 2025.7Office of the Governor of West Virginia. Governor Patrick Morrisey Announces Signing of Bills
State agencies may not maintain DEI offices or require DEI-related statements or training. Public schools are barred from teaching certain concepts, including that one race or sex is inherently superior, and school employees are not required to use a student’s preferred pronoun if it differs from the student’s biological sex. Colleges and universities must certify compliance to the Joint Committee on Education by July 1 each year or risk losing state funding, and any money previously allocated to DEI initiatives must be redirected toward merit scholarships or tuition reductions. The law carves out exceptions for academic course instruction, research, registered student organizations, mental health services, Title IX compliance, and single-sex athletic or housing facilities.8West Virginia Legislature. SB 474 Introduced Text
Final passage on April 12, 2025 came eight minutes before the midnight session deadline. The Senate voted 31–2 to concur with the House version after Senator Eric Tarr moved to suspend Joint Rule 3, bypassing 13 amendments filed by Senator Joey Garcia; microphones for Garcia and Minority Leader Mike Woelfel were muted while they attempted to raise points of order.9West Virginia Watch. DEI Ban Passes in Final Minutes of WV Session Amid Procedural Shenanigans House Minority Whip Shawn Fluharty said the bill’s title was never amended to reflect changes made to its contents, raising what he called a potential constitutional question about its validity.10The Intelligencer. Rules Made to Be Followed
South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection From Abortion Act
South Carolina’s SB 474, sponsored by Senators Grooms, Massey, Kimbrell, and Adams, was signed into law on May 25, 2023 as Act No. 70. It generally prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, with exceptions for medical emergencies, rape, incest (up to twelve weeks gestational age), and fatal fetal anomalies.11South Carolina Legislature. SB 474 Bill Text
The law also prohibits criminal prosecution of women who seek or obtain abortions, requires that biological fathers’ child support and pregnancy expense obligations begin at the date of conception, mandates contraceptive coverage by state health insurers, and bars the use of state funds for abortion-related expenses, including funding for Planned Parenthood. Physicians who intentionally or recklessly violate the act face immediate revocation of their medical licenses.11South Carolina Legislature. SB 474 Bill Text
Providers challenged the law shortly after it was signed. A circuit court declared it unconstitutional and enjoined it, but the South Carolina Supreme Court reversed in August 2023.12Justia. Planned Parenthood v. South Carolina, Docket No. 2828013ACLU. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic v. Wilson
Florida Military Affairs
Florida’s SB 474, sponsored by Senator Wright, updates several military service provisions in state law. Governor Ron DeSantis signed it on May 22, 2026, with a July 1, 2026 effective date; it is designated Chapter 2026-92.14Florida Senate. SB 474 – Military Affairs
The law expands military leave-of-absence eligibility to include the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida State Guard, clarifies that leaves for active military service are based on a single order, and revises which Department of Military Affairs positions participate in the Senior Management Service Class of the Florida Retirement System. It expands the Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Program to cover traditional drilling guardsmen on state active duty or Title 32 duty, and shifts oversight of that program’s assistance requests to the Florida National Guard Foundation’s board of directors.15Florida Senate. SB 474 Bill Text The bill passed unanimously in both chambers.14Florida Senate. SB 474 – Military Affairs
Wisconsin Soy-Based Fire Suppression Grants
Wisconsin’s SB 474 makes the purchase of fire suppression products derived from soybeans an eligible cost under the Department of Natural Resources’ existing grant program for forest fire suppression equipment, supplies, and training. Eligible fire departments can receive grants covering up to 50 percent of costs. Governor Tony Evers signed it on April 2, 2026 as 2025 Wisconsin Act 178.16Wisconsin State Legislature. 2025 Senate Bill 474 Text17Wisconsin State Legislature. 2025 Senate Bill 474
The law responds to concerns about PFAS-containing firefighting foams, which have been linked to cancer risks and environmental contamination. Wisconsin’s DNR banned PFAS-based foams in 2020, and the new law supports departments buying a biodegradable soy-based alternative that research from Chippewa Valley Technical College found effective for structural and liquid fuel fires. The Wisconsin Soybean Association backed the measure as a new domestic market for the state’s soybean crop.18FireRescue1. Wis. Law Helps Fire Departments Buy Soy-Based PFAS-Free Foam
North Carolina Property Tax Reappraisal Moratorium
North Carolina’s SB 474, filed March 24, 2025 by Senators Phil Berger, Tim Moffitt, and Kevin Jarvis, adjusts which counties fall under a moratorium on property tax reappraisals established by a companion measure, Senate Bill 889. Governor Josh Stein signed SB 889 on June 19, 2026, freezing reappraisals for an initial group of nine counties.19North Carolina General Assembly. Senate Bill 47420Office of the Governor of North Carolina. Governor Stein Takes Action on Two Bills
The House version of SB 474 lowers the population threshold for inclusion from 15,000 to 12,000 residents, adding Chowan and Pamlico counties, and removes Harnett and Scotland counties from the freeze. For affected counties, the bill prohibits use of property value schedules that took effect January 1, 2026, requiring reversion to the most recent previous schedule, and shifts those counties to the January 1, 2026 schedule beginning in the 2027 tax year until a new reappraisal is conducted.21North Carolina General Assembly. SB 474 Committee Substitute
The House passed its version 111–1 on June 17, 2026. The Senate refused to concur 12–33 on June 23, 2026, sending the bill to a conference committee.22News & Observer. NC House Passes Property Reappraisal Bill19North Carolina General Assembly. Senate Bill 474 As of late June 2026 no conference report had been adopted. Governor Stein has publicly urged the Senate to pass the bill, saying it “would shield Buncombe County and other jurisdictions recovering from the storm,” referring to communities affected by Hurricane Helene.20Office of the Governor of North Carolina. Governor Stein Takes Action on Two Bills
Pennsylvania Zero-Based Budgeting
Pennsylvania’s SB 474, the Commonwealth Zero-Based Budgeting Act, was introduced by Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill. The bill would require state agencies to justify every dollar in their budgets from scratch each cycle rather than build on the prior year’s appropriations. Twenty percent of state programs would undergo a full zero-based review each year, completing a cycle every five years, with agencies providing detailed program costs, legal justifications, and measurable outcomes.23Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill. Phillips-Hill’s Legislation to Require Justification of Every State Dollar Clears Senate Finance Committee
The Senate Finance Committee approved the bill 7–4 on June 24, 2025.24Pennsylvania General Assembly. Senate Bill 474 On October 6, 2025, it was passed over at the request of Senator Pittman and laid on the table under Senate Rule 9.25Pennsylvania General Assembly. Senate Session Journal, October 6, 2025 As of mid-2026 no motion to take it from the table had been filed, and the bill remained shelved.
California CARB Reform (Separate 2025–2026 SB 474)
A separate California SB 474, introduced in the 2025–2026 session by Senator Roger Niello, would have stripped the California Air Resources Board of authority to adopt, revise, or repeal regulations, reclassifying the board as a purely advisory body that would propose measures to the Legislature for statutory enactment. The bill included a grandfather clause preserving regulations adopted before January 1, 2026. It failed early, returning to the Secretary of the Senate on February 2, 2026.26Digital Democracy. SB 474: State Air Resources Board Regulatory Authority Revocation