A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 1-30-200 SO AS TO MANDATE EXPEDITED REVIEW OPTIONS FOR CERTAIN LICENSES AND PERMITS REQUIRED FOR BUSINESSES AND OCCUPATIONS, TO REQUIRE TIMELY APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES, AND TO PROHIBIT STATE AGENCIES FROM IMPLEMENTING OR ENFORCING POLICIES, GUIDELINES, OR OTHER INTERPRETIVE STATEMENTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PROMULGATED AS REGULATIONS PURSUANT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Chapter 30, Title 1 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 1-30-200. (A) Each department of state government in this chapter shall initiate and make available an alternative program for the expedited review of applications for any permits or licenses issued by the department or a board administered by the department, including permits or licenses issued for facilities, business entities, and persons, except as provided in subsection (B) for professional and occupational licenses. These programs may require payment of a fee for use of the expedited process and must provide status updates by electronic means or certified mail, at the election of the applicant, every thirty days after the expedited fee application is submitted and the fee, if any, is paid. These programs must be implemented before two years after January 1, 2025; provided, however, if an expedited process must first receive federal approval, then the department must seek such approval before January 1, 2025, and the two-year period for implementation by the department begins upon its receipt of such approval.

    (B) All departments of state government in this chapter, or boards or commissions administered by them, that issue professional or occupational licenses, certificates, or other such credentials shall:

       (1) correspond with an applicant for such credentials within seven business days of receiving the application and notify the applicant of any deficiencies in the application and supporting documentation; and

       (2) approve such application within fourteen business days of receiving a completed application with all deficiencies reported to the applicant cured.

    (C) A department of state government in this chapter may not implement or enforce against any person a policy or guideline that has not been properly adopted as a regulation pursuant to Section 1-23-120.

 

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

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