Things have been moving quickly in Columbia and many of the Chamber’s legislative priorities are receiving attention. Some of these will require our active involvement, and we need your support to ensure they move forward in ways that benefit our community and our business environment.

Here’s an update on several critical pieces of legislation currently in play:

H. 3510: County Veterans’ Affairs Officers
This bill aims to ensure that each county has at least two full-time personnel in their Veterans Affairs offices. It’s a significant step in supporting our military and veteran community, which is a key part of the Chamber’s mission. Importantly, this will not be an unfunded mandate. The necessary funding will be directly appropriated to the counties and the bill will not take effect until that funding is in place. This bill passed the House and will now move to the Senate.

S. 78: Work Experience Credit for Educators
With the ongoing teacher shortage, we need innovative solutions to attract qualified professionals to our classrooms. S. 78 addresses this by offering individuals with prior relevant work experience a spot on the teacher pay scale that reflects their experience. This bill is an important step toward helping mid-career professionals transition into teaching. The Senate passed this bill this week and it will soon be heading to the House for consideration. We will be closely monitoring its progress.

S. 79: Noncertified Teacher Pilot Program
This bill creates an optional pilot program allowing school districts to hire non-certified teachers, with the ratio of non-certified teachers capped at 10% of the teaching staff. It’s another measure aimed at addressing the teacher workforce shortage. We expect the Senate to take up this bill next week and we will continue to track its developments.

S. 47: Childcare Business Tax Credits
As businesses across South Carolina strive to support their employees, access to affordable childcare has become an increasingly important issue. S. 47 proposes to increase tax credits for businesses offering childcare programs and creates a new tax credit for individuals employed full-time in childcare at licensed facilities. The Chamber recently testified in support of this legislation in the Senate Finance subcommittee, and we are optimistic about its potential. The bill will be taken up again after the Joint Committee on Childcare releases their report.

If you or your business are interested in supporting this legislation, please reach out to bvincett@charlestonchamber.org.

H. 3309: Energy Infrastructure and Permitting Reform
As South Carolina grows, we must ensure we have the energy infrastructure to support it. H. 3309 addresses the critical need for reliable energy generation by providing regulatory clarity, including permitting reform to streamline the construction of vital energy infrastructure. This bill passed the House and is now heading to the Senate. We believe it will play a crucial role in ensuring our state’s energy future.

S. 244: Tort Reform
The passage of S. 244 presents a significant opportunity to bring about fairer accountability, lower costs and stronger legal protections for businesses in South Carolina. While the bill is still being refined, we are encouraged by the willingness of Senators to work with the business community to address concerns and improve the legislation.

There has been considerable public discussion surrounding this bill, and it’s crucial for our voices to be heard in support of these needed reforms. Engaging in this conversation and sharing why tort reform matters to your business can help ensure that the final version of the bill aligns with our collective goals.

If you are interested in learning more about the bill and how you can take action, click here. We encourage you to reach out to your senators and participate in this important dialogue.

As these pieces of legislation continue to progress, we ask for your support and engagement. These bills represent opportunities to strengthen our community and ensure long-term economic growth for South Carolina.

Stay tuned for more updates and ways to get involved as we continue to advocate on your behalf.