Butts v. Mace
The South Carolina Supreme Court overruled precedent that found separation of powers prohibited the legislature from retroactively amending a statute after a judicial interpretation, ruling instead that lawmakers may retroactively apply a statutory amendment so long as doing so does not alter final judgments or violate other constitutional restrictions.
Related Commentary
When Are Retroactive Laws Constitutional?
The South Carolina Supreme Court’s latest word on retroactive legislation is in keeping with a messy tradition.