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Committee Report

February 28, 2024

 

H. 4680

 

Introduced by Reps. M. M. Smith, Henegan, Hartnett, Lawson, Moss, Kilmartin, White, Bauer, Sessions, Pope, Felder, Ligon, Guffey, O'Neal, Hardee, Leber, Gilliard, Rivers and King

 

S. Printed 02/28/24--H.

Read the first time January 09, 2024

 

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The committee on House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4680) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 23-9-197, relating to the Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan, so as to revise the definition, 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 23-9-197(A)(3) and inserting:

       (3) "Firefighter" means any person, paid or unpaid, who is a resident of this State and engages in rescue, fire suppression, or related activities, under the supervision of a fire chief or fire department in this State or who is employed by the State Commission of Forestry, orSouth Carolina State Fire, or a forestry district for the purpose of fire protection.

 

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

 

S.H. DAVIS for Committee.

 

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill amends the definition of firefighter, as it relates to the Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan, to include a nonresident who resides in a contiguous state who engages in rescue, fire suppression, or related activities in this state. 

 

Assuming that coverage for nonresident firefighters is retroactive to the effective date of the current statute and insurance policy, July 1, 2021, LLR reports that the current General Fund appropriation for the Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan insurance policy, which is administered by LLR's Office of State Fire Marshal, is adequate to cover the potential premium increases on the policy.  The amount appropriated for the insurance policy in the FY 2023-24 Appropriations Act is $3,500,000.  Additionally, LLR and the State Division of Procurement anticipate that the insurance policy will not need to be resolicited.  Therefore, this bill will have no expenditure impact to LLR, to the Office of State Fire Marshal, or to the General Fund.

 

Further, for reference, LLR reports that the bill will apply to ninety active and fifty-four retired out-of-state firefighters.  The department does not anticipate that the bill will apply to firefighters employed by fire departments in adjacent states since the bill amends the definition of firefighter but not the definition of fire department, which specifies that the organization is "located and based in this State."  If the intent of the bill is to include firefighters employed by fire departments in adjacent states, LLR will update its response to this impact statement.

 

 

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 AMENDING SECTION 23-9-197, RELATING TO THE FIREFIGHTER CANCER HEALTH CARE BENEFIT PLAN, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "FIREFIGHTER" TO PROVIDE THE TERM INCLUDES CERTAIN NONRESIDENTS OF THIS STATE.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 23-9-197(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (A) As used in this section:

       (1) "Cancer" includes malignant neoplasms of the following body areas and organ systems:

           (a) central and peripheral nervous system;

           (b) oropharyngeal;

           (c) respiratory tract;

           (d) gastrointestinal tract;

           (e) hepatobiliary;

           (f) solid organ and endocrine;

           (g) genitourinary and male reproductive;

           (h) GYN;

           (i) skin, soft tissue, and breast; and

           (j) bone and blood.

       (2) "Fire department" means any organization located and based in this State that provides rescue, fire suppression, and related activities including any public or government-sponsored organizations, excluding federal agencies, engaged in rescue, fire suppression, and related activities.

       (3) "Firefighter" means any person, paid or unpaid, who is a resident of this State, or a nonresident who resides in a contiguous state who and engages in rescue, fire suppression, or related activities, under the supervision of a fire chief or fire department in this State or who is employed by the State Commission of Forestry or a forestry district for the purpose of fire protection.

 

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

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