H 3428 General Bill, By J.E. Smith, Gilliard, Mack, Williams and Jefferson
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 25-11-65 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF VETERANS'
 AFFAIRS SHALL RECEIVE AND RESPOND TO COMPLAINTS FROM VETERANS REGARDING COUNTY
 VETERANS' AFFAIRS OFFICERS.

   01/11/17  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 39)
   01/11/17  House  Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
                     Public and Municipal Affairs (House Journal-page 39)
   03/22/17  House  Committee report: Favorable Medical, Military,
                     Public and Municipal Affairs (House Journal-page 75)
   03/28/17  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Gilliard, Mack
   03/28/17  House  Debate adjourned until Wed., 3-29-17
                     (House Journal-page 47)
   03/29/17  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor:
                     Williams, Jefferson
   03/29/17  House  Read second time (House Journal-page 38)
   03/29/17  House  Roll call Yeas-87  Nays-21 (House Journal-page 38)
   03/30/17  House  Read third time and sent to Senate
                     (House Journal-page 15)
   03/30/17  Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 9)
   03/30/17  Senate Referred to Committee on General
                     (Senate Journal-page 9)

COMMITTEE REPORT

March 22, 2017

H. 3428

S. Printed 3/22/17--H.

Read the first time January 11, 2017.

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3428) to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section 25-11-65 so as to provide that the Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

LEON HOWARD for Committee.

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

Introduced on January 11, 2017

State Expenditure

This bill adds Section 25-11-65 to require the Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs to receive and respond to veterans' complaints regarding county veterans' affairs officers. The director shall forward the complaint along with his recommendation for discipline, including the possible removal of the county veterans' affairs officer in question, to the appropriate legislative delegation for its consideration and final determination.

Department of Administration. The department indicates that current administration practices for complaints regarding county veterans' affairs offices is to contact the county veterans' affairs offices to relay the veterans' complaint. The division will develop operational procedures for forwarding the complaint and the division's recommendations for discipline to the appropriate legislative delegation. These new procedures are a minimal extension of the normal activities of the division. As a result, this bill would have no expenditure impact on the general fund, federal funds, or other funds.

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 25-11-65 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS SHALL RECEIVE AND RESPOND TO COMPLAINTS FROM VETERANS REGARDING COUNTY VETERANS' AFFAIRS OFFICERS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Article 1, Chapter 11, Title 25 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 25-11-65.    Notwithstanding another provision of law, the Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs shall receive and respond to veterans' complaints regarding county veterans' affairs officers. The Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs shall forward the complaint along with his recommendation for discipline, including the possible removal of the county veterans' affairs officer in question, to the appropriate legislative delegation for its consideration and final determination."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.