Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

May 6, 2026

 

H. 3510

 

Introduced by Reps. Gilliam, Davis, M. M. Smith, Vaughan, Chapman, Kirby, Landing, Bustos, Yow, C. Mitchell, Hart, Williams, Luck, Gagnon and Weeks

 

S. Printed 5/6/26--S.

Read the first time February 19, 2025

 

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The committee on Senate Family and Veterans' Services

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3510) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 25-11-40, relating to county veterans' affairs officers, so as to provide that the secretary of the, etc., respectfully

Report:

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

 

    Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 25-11-40(B) and inserting:

    (B) Subject to the recommendation of a majority of the Senators representing the county and a majority of the House members representing the county, the secretary shall appoint a one county veterans' affairs officer for each county in the State, whose term of office shall begin July first of each odd-numbered year and shall continue for a term of two years and until a successor shall be appointed. Upon securing funding in the annual general appropriations act, the General Assembly shall provide for two full-time employees in each county veterans' affairs office in each county. Qualifications shall be determined by the county legislative delegation upon a majority vote of the Senators representing the county and a majority of the House members representing the county. Each county must use aid to subdivision funds to ensure that its county veterans' affairs office has at least one full-time employee. Additionally, each county veterans' affairs office that has less than two employees shall ensure that another county office handles matters with the public contacting that office when the county veterans' affairs office employee will miss more than two consecutive business days from work. A county veterans' affairs officer is an at-will employee of the department, subject to removal for cause at any time by the secretary, a majority of the Senators representing the county, and a majority of the House members representing the county.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

THOMAS YOUNG for Committee.

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 25-11-40, RELATING TO COUNTY VETERANS' AFFAIRS OFFICERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS SHALL APPOINT ONE COUNTY VETERANS' AFFAIRS OFFICER FOR EACH COUNTY IN THE STATE AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL APPROPRIATE THE NECESSARY FUNDS FOR TWO FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES IN EACH COUNTY VETERANS' AFFAIRS OFFICE.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 25-11-40(B) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (B) Subject to the recommendation of a majority of the Senators representing the county and a majority of the House members representing the county, the secretary shall appoint a one county veterans' affairs officer for each county in the State, whose term of office shall begin July first of each odd-numbered year and shall continue for a term of two years and until a successor shall be appointed. Upon securing funding in the annual general appropriations act, the General Assembly shall provide for two full-time employees in each county veterans' affairs office in each county. Qualifications shall be determined by the county legislative delegation upon a majority vote of the Senators representing the county and a majority of the House members representing the county. A county veterans' affairs officer is an at-will employee of the department, subject to removal for cause at any time by the secretary, a majority of the Senators representing the county, and a majority of the House members representing the county.

 

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

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