Bill > H3441

This bill amends South Carolina law regarding County Veterans' Affairs Officers by changing their employment status and removal process. Currently, these officers are appointed by the state secretary with input from county legislative delegations, serving two-year terms starting on July 1st of odd-numbered years. The proposed legislation explicitly designates these officers as county employees who are now subject to removal by the county legislative delegation (the group of state senators and representatives from that specific county). The bill maintains the existing appointment process, which requires recommendation from a majority of the county's senators and representatives, but clarifies that the officers are now "at-will" employees who can be removed for cause by the secretary, county senators, and county representatives. Additionally, the secretary retains the ability to provide recommendations to the county delegation after conducting annual reviews of local veterans' affairs offices. The changes aim to provide more local control over these important county-level positions that support veterans. The bill will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Health and Social Services

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3441&session=126&summary=B