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EYEGLASS LENSES EXEMPTION (H.3127)
A bill to exempt prescription eyeglass lenses and raw materials used in the fabrication of such lenses from sales and use tax. To provide that this exemption does not extend to eyeglass frames.

STATUS: Referred to House Ways and Means Cmte.

FREE ADMISSION TO THE STATE PARK FACILITIES (H.3061)
A bill to allow aged, blind, and disabled persons use of state park facilities free of charge.
STATUS: PASSED HOUSE, Referred to Fish, Game and Forestry Cmte.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION - $25,000 (S.51)
A bill to increase the amount of real property exempted from taxation from the first twenty thousand dollars of fair market value to the first twenty-five STATUS: Referred to Senate Finance Cmte.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION - $30,000 (H.3035)
A bill to increase the amount of real property exempted from taxation from the first twenty-thousand dollars of fair market value to the first-thirty thousand dollars.

STATUS: Referred to House Ways and Means Cmte.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION - $40,000 (H.3572, S.107)
A bill to increase the exemption from the first twenty thousand dollars to forty thousand dollars beginning with the 1995 tax year.
STATUS: H.3572 Referred to House Ways and Means Cmte., S.107 Referred to Senate Finance Cmte.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR PERSON 70+ (H.3725)
A bill to allow an additional homestead exemption equal to one hundred fifty thousand dollars of fair market value of the homestead for an owner who has attained age seventy before the applicable tax year.
STATUS: House Ways and Means Cmte.

HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION (S.52)
A bill to delete the date by which life estates created other than by will are otherwise eligible for the exemption.
STATUS: Referred to Senate Finance Cmte.

HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION (S.255)
A bill to exempt property receiving the homestead exemption from increases in fair market value due to reassessment.

STATUS: Referred to Senate Finance Cmte.

HOSPITAL FAIR PRICING ACT (H.3583)
A bill to enact the Hospital Fair Pricing Act, to define terms, to allow acute care hospitals to purchase services from sole provider hospitals at a certain rate, to provide that the state health plan must contain a policy statement requiring access to health care services by a provider so that the provider may offer these services on a competitive basis, where competition is permitted.
STATUS: Referred to House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Cmte.

HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES AMENDMENT (H.3197)
A bill to provide that persons who live in certain parts of Georgia who hunt and fish, are at least age sixty-five of years or older and wish to attain free licenses should be issued to them.

INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL ACCOUNT ACT (H.3326, S.167)
A bill to create the Individual Medical Account Act allowing a person to deposit funds in an account established as a trust for the purpose of paying the medical, dental and long-term care expenses of the account holder and to provide for the duties of the trustee, to provide a tax exemption on interest earned.
STATUS: H.3326 Referred to House Ways and Means Cmte.; S.167 Referred to Senate Finance Cmte.

LONG TERM CARE SERVICES FOR ELDERLY (H.4178, S.801)
A Joint Resolution to direct the Governor to appoint a task force to develop a plan to restructure and consolidate state level programs which plan, fund, regulate, and deliver long-term care services for the elderly; and to develop a plan which addresses local level coordination of these services.

STATUS: H.4178 Referred to House Ways and Means

Cmte.; S.801 Referred to Senate Medical Affairs Cmte.

MAGISTRATE AGE REQUIREMENT (H.3067)
A bill to delete this requirement that a magistrate has to retire no later than the end of the fiscal year in which he reaches his seventy-second birthday, allowing him to serve so long as the appointing authority consents to and by appointment provides for such service.

STATUS: Referred to House Judiciary Cmte.

MEDICAID ESTATE RECOVERY AMENDMENT (S.609)
A bill to further specify services considered to be medical assistance paid under Medicaid and to revise from whom recovery from an estate may be sought.
STATUS: PASSED SENATE, Referred to House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Cmte.

PRESCRIPTION ORTHOTIC DEVICES EXEMPTION (H.3130)
A bill to exempt from sales tax prescription orthoptic devices and replacement parts for prescription prosthetic and orthotic devices.

ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION AMENDMENTS (H.3182)
A bill to require that counseling and a written statement regarding the donation and its proposed use be given to the person consenting; to prohibit body parts from a dead body removed during an autopsy to be used for organ or tissue donation unless consent had been obtained; to clarify that this permission is in addition to the consent of the decedent or next-of-kin.
STATUS: Referred to House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Cmte.

REGISTRATION FEE FOR VEHICLE OF PERSONS 65+ (H.3051)
A bill to provide that the fee of ten dollars annually is authorized for a person sixty-five years of age or older who leases a private passenger-carrying vehicle.
STATUS: PASSED House, Referred to Senate Transportation Cmte.

RESTRUCTURING STATE GOVERNMENT AMENDMENTS (S.264)
A bill which amends to the current Restructuring Act to include revision of Long Term Care Council and the Human Services Coordinating Council.
STATUS: PASSED SENATE, Referred to House Judiciary Cmte.

RETIREMENT INCOME (H.3082)
A bill to increase from three thousand to six thousand dollars the maximum amount of retirement income a taxpayer at least sixty-two years of age may deduct from taxable income.
STATUS: Referred to House Ways and Means Cmte.

STATE INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR 65+ (S.36)
A bill to exempt from state income tax resident individuals who have attained the age of sixty-five years.

STATUS: Referred to Senate Finance Cmte.

UNIFORM CUSTODIAL TRUST ACT (H.3052)
A bill to enact the Uniform Custodial Trust Act which provides for the creation of a statutory custodial trust for adults whenever property is delivered to another as a custodial trustee under this Act.
STATUS: Referred to House Judiciary Cmte.

VEHICLE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION (S.570)
A bill to exempt fifty percent of the fair market value of a recreational vehicle owned by an individual who has attained age sixty-five.
STATUS: Referred to Senate Finance Cmte.

1995-96 APPROPRIATION BILL (H.3362)
A bill to make appropriations to meet the ordinary expenses of the state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1995 and for other purposes.
STATUS: PASSED HOUSE, PASSED SENATE with amendments, in Conference Committee

The status of legislation introduced by the Committee and other selected legislation related to aging interests are summarized periodically during the session. This "Legislative Update" is very popular among legislators, the aging network organizations and interested individuals. Copies are distributed upon request.

The "Summary of Legislation Related to Aging Interests" (28 pages) is updated after each session, distributed to House and Senate Research,

The Committee also distributes the following pamphlets:
1) "Joint Legislative Committee on Aging," provides brief history, members and legislative priorities; 2) "Aging Resources" lists state organizations, agencies and legislative committees interested in aging issues; 3) "Programs and Services for the Aged", lists age-related benefits; 4) "Your Right to Make Decisions About Health Care," compiles with the federal Patient Self-Determination Act regarding advanced directives, i.e. "Living Wills" and Health Care Powers of Attorney; 5)" State of South Carolina Homestead Tax Exemption Program," compiled by Comptroller General's office.

This year the SC Federation of Older Americans (SCFOA) hosted Seniors' Legislative Day `95 on Tuesday, March 7, 1995 at the Adams Mark Hotel in Columbia. Over 125 persons attended.

"Keeping the Issues Alive in '95" was the theme of this year's event which consisted of workshops and the annual luncheon to honor members of the General Assembly.

Dr. James Califf, President of the Federation, presided over the event and introduced the legislators. Ms. Constance C. Rinehart, Director of the Division on Aging, Office of the Governor, introduced the guest speaker, Senator Hugh Leatherman, Chair of the Health Care Planning and Oversight Committee and the Property Tax Reform Ad Hoc Committee who spoke on "Legislative Issues Affecting Seniors."

Rep. Elsie Rast Stuart received the 1994 Legislator of the Year Award. Ed Galligan, Senior Reporter, WCSC TV, Channel 5 won the Media Person of the Year Award. Bob Corbett, a Meals on Wheels volunteer for Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission, won the Volunteer of the Year Award. The Media Award of the Year went to "Good Morning Columbia", WSCQ Sunny 100.

Karen Jacobs, JLCOA staff, served on the Planning Committee. The Joint Legislative Committee on Aging conducted a workshop on legislative issues for the 1995 session.

Last year the Blue Ribbon Task Force to Study Services for Alzheimer's Victims and Their Families, appointed by the Committee on Aging, recommended in their report, GRAY PLAGUE OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease, Their Families and Caregivers, the establishment of the Alzheimer's Resource Coordination Center, Division on Aging, Office of the Governor (Code 44-36-310) and funding of local respite programs ($100,000 FY94-95).

This year the JLCOA introduced three other legislative recommendations: Special Care Units Study by DHEC (S.329, H.3212), Inclusion of Alzheimer's disease in the State Health Plan (H.3192,S.346), Alzheimer's Disease Registry amendments (H.3929,S.703). Senator Warren K. Giese proposed and the Senate passed in the FY95/96 Appropriation Bill, $150,000 to the Resource Center. House concurrence is pending.

Dana Blanton, Master of Science in Gerontology candidate, from Baylor University, Waco, Texas, interned from January 9 - April 21, 1995.

She prepared a brochure, "Programs and Services for the Aged," in response to inquires generated by the Comptroller General's pamphlet on homestead exemption.

She also collected data on how many persons from Councils on Aging across the state have purchased state health and dental insurance and how it affected costs to the agencies, since enabling legislation was passed last year ( Code 1-11- 720(A)).

Her chief project was a preliminary study, Alzheimer's or Dementia Specific Care Units: Should They Be Regulated?. Copies were sent to the Department of Health and Environmental Control; Division on Aging, Office of the Governor; Alzheimer's Associations, Area Agencies on Aging, State Library (15) and Alzheimer's Task Force members.

Dana served as a issues workshop reporter at the Midlands mini-White House Conference on Aging and the Governor's White House Conference on Aging.

Cheryl Monk participated in the ASC Externship program during the week of January 9-13, 1995. She attended a planning meeting for the Governor's White House Conference on Aging, a press conference, opening day of the 1995 legislative session, an Advanced Directives Coalition meeting, House and Senate committee meetings, and toured the State House and the State Museum.

Caroline Hopps participated in the Shadow program on March 14, 1995. She attended House and Senate committee meetings and observed a session of the General Assembly.

Members of the Committee and/or staff worked cooperatively throughout the year with the standing Committees of the House and Senate, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Joint Health Care Planning and Oversight Committee,Long Term Care Reform Subcommittee, Joint Legislative Committee for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs, Governor's Office-Division on Aging, Comptroller General's Office, Health and Human Services Finance Commission, Human Services Coordinating Council, Adult Protective Services Coordinating Council, Department of Consumer Affairs, the State Library, American Association of Retired Persons, Alzheimer's Associations, Area Agencies on Aging, Councils on Aging, United Way, Manufactured Housing Institute of South Carolina, various Colleges and Universities.

Chairman Patrick B. Harris represents the Committee on the Health Care Planning and Oversight Committee and the Long Term Care Reform Subcommittee.

Senator Warren K. Giese was appointed a delegate by the Governor Campbell to the White House Conference on Aging held in Washington, DC May 2-5, 1995. He was unable to attend due to the Senate budget debate. He attended the Governor's White House Conference on Aging, March 2-3, 1995 at Myrtle Beach, SC.

Keller H. Barron, Director of Research, serves on the Advance Directives Coalition, the Adult Protection Coordinating Council as Committee designee, and on the South Carolina Health Decisions Committee. She was appointed a delegate by the Governor Campbell to the White House Conference on Aging. She attend the Midlands mini

"State Health and Dental Enrollment Survey of Councils on Aging"

* Final Report, Advisory Committee on Adult Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of the Long Term Care Council; April 1992

* Adult Day Care Survey of Needs of State Employees Report to the Committee, Human Resource Management Division, Budget and Control Board, 1991

* Aging in South Carolina: Focus on Caregiving, SC Commission on Aging, 1993

* Alzheimer's or Dementia Specific Care Units: Should They Be Regulated?, 1995

* Annual Reports 1970-1994

* Aging Resources, 1995

* Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Registry, Annual Report, School of Public Health, 1994

* Consumer's Guide to Long Term Care Insurance in SC, 1990

* Declaration of a Desire for a Natural Death,as amended 1991 *Directory of Housing for Seniors in SC, 1994

* Economic Impact of the Senior Living Industry in SC, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, 1991

* Elder Abuse: Questions and Answers, NCEA, 1995

* Final Report: SC Community Long Term Care Waiting List Study, August 1993

* GRAY PLAGUE OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease, Their Families and Caregivers, Alzheimer's Task Force, 1993

* Greying of South Carolina: Facing the 90's, Final Report; SC Humanities Council, 1990

* Health Care Power of Attorney form, as revised 1992

* Health of an Aging America: 1994 Bibliography, 1995

* Highlights of Trends in the Health of Older Americans: United States, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, 1994

* Homestead Tax Exemption Program; Comptroller General, 1994

* Laws, Regulations, Policies and Procedures Affecting the Aged and Disabled Drivers in SC Report to the Committee, Department of Highways and Public Transportation, 1992

* Legislative History of the "Living Will" and Health Care Power of Attorney, 1977-1993

* Long Term Care and Related Services for the Elderly, Limited-Scope Review, Legislative Audit Council, 1993

* Medicare Supplement Insurance Standardization Comparison of Annual Premium Rates in SC, Dept. of Insurance, 1995

* Older Americans Act 1993

* Panel Study of Older South Carolinians, Long Term Care Council, 1990

* Profiles of Long Term Care Systems, AARP, 1994

* Report on the Study of Applicants Seeking Medicaid-Sponsored Nursing Facility Care in SC, H&HSFC, July 1993

* Discovering SC, Vol.2, No.I, 1994

* SC Senior Citizens' Handbook, a Guide to Laws and Programs Affecting Senior Citizens, Young Lawyers Division, SC Bar, 1992

* Senior Housing Survey Report, SC Commission on Aging, 1993

* State Plan on Aging, SC Commission on Aging, 1993-96

* Study of Home Equity Conversion Mortgages in SC, 1993

* Summary of Legislation Related to Aging Interest Enacted Through 1995

* Trends in the Health of Older Americans: United States, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, 1994

* Understanding Social Security, Social Security Admin., 1995

* Volunteers and the Law in South Carolina, Young Lawyers Division of the SC Bar, 1993

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