Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

February 12, 2025

 

H. 3563

 

Introduced by Reps. Davis, B. J. Cox, Spann-Wilder, McCravy, Taylor, Chapman and Kirby

 

S. Printed 2/12/25--H.

Read the first time January 14, 2025

 

________

 

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

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3563) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 25-11-50, relating to county veterans' affairs officers, so as to provide that the secretary shall evaluate, etc., respectfully

Report:

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

 

S.H. DAVIS for Committee.

 

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill requires the secretary of DVA or his designee to evaluate each county office no less than once per year to ensure level of services and compliance with procedures. If any deficiencies are noted in a county office during the initial inspection, DVA is to assist the county in creating and executing a corrective plan and must reevaluate the office no more than six months after the initial inspection. Additionally, this bill requires the secretary to report the results of the final inspection, in writing, to the legislative delegation and the county administrator of each county within ninety days of the final evaluation. Further, a county officer who fails to participate in the annual evaluation is ineligible for reappointment by the county legislative delegation unless the secretary waives the requirement in writing.

 

DVA anticipates being able to implement the evaluation of the county offices with existing current staff and appropriations. Therefore, this bill will have no expenditure impact on the agency.

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

_______

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 25-11-50, RELATING TO COUNTY VETERANS' AFFAIRS OFFICERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY SHALL EVALUATE EACH COUNTY VETERANS' AFFAIRS OFFICE NO LESS THAN ONCE PER YEAR.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 25-11-50 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    Section 25-11-50.  (A) The secretary shall establish uniform methods and procedures for the performance of service work among the several county officers, maintain contact and close cooperation with such officers, and provide assistance, advice and instructions with respect to changes in law and regulations and administrative procedure in relation to the application of such laws and he may require from time to time reports from such county veterans' affairs officers, reflecting the character and progress of their official duties.

    (B) The secretary or his designee shall evaluate each county office no less than once per year to determine the level of service being provided to veterans and to ensure compliance with established uniform methods and procedures. The department shall reevaluate any deficiencies noted no more than six months from the initial inspection. The department may assist a county in creating and executing a corrective action plan by the time of reinspection. The secretary shall report the results of final inspection, in writing, to the legislative delegation and the county administrator of each county within ninety days of the final evaluation. A county officer who fails to participate in the annual evaluation is ineligible for reappointment by the county legislative delegation unless the secretary waives the requirement in writing.

 

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

----XX----