Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

April 22, 2026

 

H. 4476

 

Introduced by Reps. Rutherford, Bamberg, J. Moore and Herbkersman

 

S. Printed 4/22/26--H.

Read the first time May 1, 2025

 

________

 

The committee on House Labor, Commerce and Industry

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4476) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Chapter 80 to Title 39 entitled "South Carolina-Bahamas Trade Commission" so as to establish the South Carolina-Bahamas, 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 39-80-100(E) and inserting:

    (E) The commission shall meet and hold hearings at designated places throughout the State.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

 

WILLIAM HERBKERSMAN for Committee.

 

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill establishes the Commission to advance bilateral trade and investments between South Carolina and The Bahamas. This bill also specifies the membership appointment requirements for the Commission, the length of service of appointed members, and the Commission's purposes. Membership appointments for the Commission are as follows:

Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House, including two members of the House of Representatives;

Four members appointment by the President of the Senate, including two members of the Senate; and

Seven members appointed by the Governor, including the Secretary of the Department of Commerce or his designee, the Commissioner of Agriculture or his designee, two representatives from state institutions of higher education, two members representing Bahamian Americans in S.C. or Bahamian-American communities, and one representative from a S.C. business organization or trade school.

This bill requires the Commission to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly within one year of its initial meeting and by February first each year thereafter. Members serve without compensation, but expenses incurred by members while performing their duties may be reimbursed within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Commission. This bill authorizes the Commission to raise funds through direct solicitation or fundraising events, accept gifts, grants, and bequests to defray administrative expenses. Funds received are to be allocated to the Department of Commerce for the purposes of the Commission by the State Treasurer. The Department of Commerce may use appropriated funds for Foreign Operations to support the Commission if sufficient non-appropriated funds are unavailable. Expenditures for the Commission are exempt from the provisions in the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code.

The bill is not expected to impact expenditures for the Department of Agriculture, the House of Representatives, the Senate, or the Office of the Governor if sufficient funds are available for the Commission to reimburse members for expenses incurred in performance of their duties. If sufficient funds are not available, there may be a minimal impact on agencies to reimburse members for per diem, travel, and subsistence as allowed for members of boards and commissions.

The Department of Commerce indicates that there will be no fiscal impact on the department if the Commission raises sufficient funds for its purposes. Furthermore, any offsetting of expenses from the Foreign Operations account would be at the discretion of the Department of Commerce and is unknown at this time.

 

State Revenue

The impact of the bill on General Fund and Other Fund revenue of the Commission will depend on the amount of funds that will be raised by or appropriated to the Commission for the purpose of advancing bilateral trade and investments between South Carolina and The Bahamas.

 

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 80 TO TITLE 39 ENTITLED "SOUTH CAROLINA-BAHAMAS TRADE COMMISSION" SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA-BAHAMAS TRADE COMMISSION AND PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP AND PURPOSE.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Title 39 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

CHAPTER 80

 

South Carolina-Bahamas Trade Commission

 

    Section 39-80-100. (A) There is established the "South Carolina-Bahamas Trade Commission" to advance bilateral trade and investment between South Carolina and The Bahamas. The commission consists of fifteen members appointed as follows:

       (1) four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two of whom must be members of the House of Representatives;

       (2) four members appointed by the President of the Senate, two of whom must be members of the Senate; and

       (3) seven members appointed by the Governor:

           (a) the Secretary of the Department of Commerce or his designee;

           (b) the Commissioner of Agriculture or his designee;

           (c) two representatives from state institutions of higher education;

           (d) two members representing Bahamian Americans in South Carolina or Bahamian-American communities; and

           (e) one representative from a South Carolina business organization or trade organization.

    (B) The members of the commission must be appointed for terms of four years each and until their successors are appointed and qualify, except that the seven members appointed by the Governor shall serve initial terms of two years each, the four members appointed by the President of the Senate shall serve initial terms of three years each, and the four members appointed by the Speaker shall serve initial terms of four years each. Members may be reappointed and must include:

       (1) the Secretary of the Department of Commerce or his designee;

       (2) the Commissioner of Agriculture or his designee;

       (3) one representative from a state institution of higher education;

       (4) at least two members representing Bahamian Americans in South Carolina or Bahamian-American communities; and

       (5) one representative from a South Carolina business organization or trade organization.

    (C) Appointments must be made within ninety days following the enactment of this act. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.

    (D) Members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise available to the commission.

    (E) The commission shall meet and hold hearings at designated places throughout the State.

    (F) The Governor shall designate a chairperson or co-chairpersons from among the commission members, serving at the Governor's pleasure. The chairperson may appoint subcommittees and its chairpersons as deemed necessary. A majority of the commission members constitutes a quorum for conducting business.

    (G) The commission's purposes include:

       (1) advancing bilateral trade and investment between South Carolina and The Bahamas;

       (2) initiating joint action on policy issues of mutual interest;

       (3) promoting business and academic exchanges;

       (4) encouraging mutual economic support;

       (5) encouraging mutual investment in infrastructure; and

       (6) addressing other issues as determined by the commission.

    (H) The commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly within one year of its initial meeting and by February first annually thereafter. The report must include recommendations to effectuate its purposes.

    (I) The commission is authorized to raise funds through direct solicitation or fundraising events, alone or with other groups, and accept gifts, grants, and bequests to defray administrative expenses and carry out its purposes. Funds received shall be deposited with the State Treasurer and allocated to the Department of Commerce for these purposes. The Department may use appropriated funds for Foreign Operations to support the commission if sufficient nonappropriated funds are unavailable. Expenditures for administering the commission and fulfilling its purposes are exempt from the provisions of Title 11, Chapter 35 of the S.C. Code.

 

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

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