[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6341596,"mediaKeyId","2256747-cdeaf81b43ab07b1d19b87d097f00854","parentId",2256747,"title","Subcommittee renames Military Base Task Force, expands advisory council and membership","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1729000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256747-cdeaf81b43ab07b1d19b87d097f00854&start=1729&end=1729","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256747-cdeaf81b43ab07b1d19b87d097f00854/thumbnail_1729000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6341596/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-renames-Military-Base-Task-Force-expands-advisory-council-and-membership","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341596-4be7738ca34598953a57af1e5138eded/orig.mp4?Expires=1775535833&Signature=KZGlDwmLQE6yvkAaywHvA9ipMXdGDenHTzhMlCu8HwzeTTT~japk1Kk8nRiAVuLmCJUtAy6yeVwfSR1p0lE8PU9zeP91HVode85SzqglTAeqXXCsaCRtfCn5~UJay~75kLm1~IvUceitepBMYetyKKZ4DFRPT-lG47FiJJiG~sMqz2Exb7H70DiVidBaU4xbteP6-fd1p-yNy~PLZPwqOIoaM9R9i9e8KO~c9g6zXJu-LnfFcD33Ah3WTdRnaFarPOHyT9WP68ALBfK3NNjvGvlh4pkV9z0ou2XwIUjWg2rwp7qJkuP0dmohcx4~sRTaJI-IvThhg7RVbbziWWgO-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","The House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs subcommittee voted to favorably recommend H.3564 to the full committee, a bill that renames the South Carolina Military Base Task Force to the South Carolina Military Affairs Advisory Council and broadens its purpose and membership.

The bill updates the council\u0000s purpose to support mission readiness and improve quality of life for service members and their families, expands the council\u0000s advisory role to include the secretary in advising the governor and General Assembly on base closures, realignments and mission changes, and explicitly adds the United States Department of Homeland Security to the list of federal liaisons. It also adds representation from Aiken County: the Aiken County Council chief executive officer, the chairperson of Aiken County Council and the mayor of Aiken.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the change moves the body from a narrowly defensive posture focused on past Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) processes to a proactive, strategic advisory role that can address changing national-security and installation readiness issues. Secretary McCaffrey told the panel the state\u0000s strategic environment has shifted and the council should operate with a wider aperture than simply reacting to BRAC.

\"The military base task force was really stood up to be a defensive piece for base realignment and closure, the BRAC process,\" Secretary McCaffrey said. He said the proposed council would retain installation-specific focus while adding a broader strategic perspective and would require the full council to meet at least annually.

The secretary also described the rationale for added Aiken representation, noting legislative changes last year recognizing Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon, in Georgia) as an installation with significant South Carolina resident workforce. That recognition makes some South Carolina municipalities and counties eligible for military enhancement fund grants if they are identified as supporting an active-component installation.

The bill passed the subcommittee on a unanimous roll call. Members recorded \"aye\" were Chairman Bobby Cox, Rep. Brandon Cox, Chairwoman Celeste Davis, Rep. Harriet Holman and Rep. Joe White. The secretary said the governor\u0000s prior appointee, retired Maj. Gen. Will Grimsley, will remain as chair if the bill becomes law.

What remains: The bill moves to the full committee. Sponsors said they plan to incorporate broader stakeholder input (including an informal spousal advisory voice) though they do not plan to codify a spousal advisory seat in statute.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee -- 3-M Military and Veterans Affairs on H.3510, H.3563 and H.3564 - 02/06/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The subcommittee approved H.3564 to rename the Military Base Task Force as the Military Affairs Advisory Council, expand its advisory role, add specified members including Department of Homeland Security representation and Aiken local officials, and require at least annual meetings.","taxTitle","Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs, Standing, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, South Carolina","taxId",17510,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6341601,"Subcommittee advances bill requiring annual evaluations and retraining for county veterans offices",495,1240000,1735000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256747-cdeaf81b43ab07b1d19b87d097f00854&start=1240&end=1735","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256747-cdeaf81b43ab07b1d19b87d097f00854/thumbnail_1240000.jpg","/articles/6341601/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-advances-bill-requiring-annual-evaluations-and-retraining-for-county-veterans-offices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341601-3f5a3dc7afc29733a155a1be48599118/orig.mp4?Expires=1775535833&Signature=i6jMYkxLo3tKNxkEe41GOkIdsXOlT00Rm-ZJmU9ZTf0QYpuV5LU060SRv5p7YZz2DGF0hF5TbcihBt9wjZrCrSzWxSf~BwRk9lPNaGOjQWCo8WmzF0X0Omz~fVqG~r6W7DadzsuBJuHFg-9mkKafAxUoziI-43ZxLFNeSQfqS~zD4QWbE9-QrCAoS9L12gzINlVDmEBj3gUBnwYM4gPqE2Xcwi4n~ku0ReBJscrfaPIuZ7yxrsuE8XvhIhWGo5oW7lNzNaO3gYhgZqs90kklAbUudBDOayx2dvHaWlX-i77EXWwyZILsm4uLzVcnTdEpDb5~M~y6eh1KHrYSId7C5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs subcommittee voted to send H.3563 to the full committee after testimony outlining plans for annual, standards-based evaluations of county veterans affairs offices and processes for retraining and reinspection.

Under the bill summary read to the subcommittee, each county veterans affairs office would be evaluated at least annually to determine service levels and compliance with \"established uniform methods and procedures.\" The Department of Veterans Affairs would re-evaluate any deficiencies noted within six months. The draft also makes a county officer who refuses to participate in the evaluation ineligible for reappointment by the county legislative delegation unless the secretary provides a written waiver.

Why it matters: Sponsors and the department said the measure creates a statewide floor for the quality of veterans services so veterans in urban and rural counties receive comparable assistance. Secretary McCaffrey said the proposal fills a statutory gap: while Section 25-11-50 directs the secretary to \"establish uniform methods and procedures,\" the current code provides no enforcement mechanism to confirm counties meet those standards.

Secretary McCaffrey told the committee: \"Section 25-11-50 of the state code says, and I quote, 'the secretary shall establish uniform methods and procedures for the performance of service work among the several county officers...'\u0000The challenge is right now there is nothing in the code that provides you a mechanism to do that.\" He said the department plans to use existing staff to conduct inspections and to provide retraining, and that the inspections would be reported back to the county legislative delegation and the county administrator who supports the county officer.

Committee members asked for clarity on who would perform inspections, the frequency and the written standards. The secretary said inspections would be performed by department staff and that standards would be largely based on current U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation standards, supplemented with best practices and shared among counties. He said the department intends to reach each of the 46 counties roughly once per year, subject to logistical scheduling.

The subcommittee recorded a unanimous vote to send the bill to the full committee. Voting members recorded \"aye\" were Chairman Bobby Cox, Rep. Brandon Cox, Chairwoman Celeste Davis, Rep. Harriet Holman and Rep. Joe White.

What remains: The bill will proceed to the full committee; sponsors and the department said they will circulate the draft standards and the inspection cycle to members and continue coordinating with counties on implementation and scheduling.

","The subcommittee approved H.3563, which requires annual evaluations of county veterans affairs offices against uniform standards, re-evaluation within six months for deficiencies, and ineligibility for reappointment if an officer refuses evaluation unless the secretary waives the requirement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6341606,"Subcommittee backs bill to fund two full-time county veterans officers, adds funding trigger",947,187000,1134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256747-cdeaf81b43ab07b1d19b87d097f00854&start=187&end=1134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256747-cdeaf81b43ab07b1d19b87d097f00854/thumbnail_187000.jpg","/articles/6341606/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-backs-bill-to-fund-two-full-time-county-veterans-officers-adds-funding-trigger","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341606-7a64803969df536b01f0008a88e61eb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775535833&Signature=RVbuc3ZD~u-XNPZ8lJAC1Pwfw1alBBGLV7ErBrKSu5RGAIbV~39PWnfQfUFXJQX9F3UIsg9yqsoryXkbAxD~~R0nb8lq8bAyJMFn9vkV7bjlwJHoVl5uCJxJlXWKNa~xC5-wOwikuuQ10zZJrS3t5uZr-LLVHNuDGmsUmwKROems-~T3nE5~izDMnpXZmUAXSRMgLivuee1x2ikj5~EIpdChS0Jp28BFoFHTTdbD2FpfCNHnGqxgEebz7JG8B4S4Xh0H-Rg51KD-DZtW5Ihpw-5A8HBGiC9dFw4jdgK-lwLRCqVK8svOEP-b7UHVOYBT27in1WtQ8FccLSosE1WB0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs subcommittee voted unanimously to send H.3510 to the full committee after adopting an amendment that conditions state funding on the General Assembly appropriating the money in the annual general appropriations act.

The measure, sponsored on the floor by Rep. Doug Gillum, would require the General Assembly to provide funding for two full-time employees for each county veterans affairs office and would remove the secretary\u0000s unilateral authority to remove a county veterans affairs officer, leaving removal to the county\u0000s legislative delegation. The amendment added language that the funding requirement takes effect only \"upon securing funding\" in the general appropriations act.

Why it matters: Subcommittee members and testimony from the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs and county representatives described uneven capacity across counties, with some counties operating only a single veterans service officer and county budgets that pay micro-grants of roughly $6,000 to $8,000 annually. Sponsors said the bill aims to establish a minimum staffing floor so county offices can remain open when officers travel to serve veterans in nursing homes or in-home.

Rep. Doug Gillum, the bill\u0000s primary sponsor, said some rural counties currently receive about $6,000 a year and cannot afford to staff full-time county veterans officers. He described the current situation as an \"unfunded mandate\" on counties and said the proposal would ask the state to \"pick up that unfunded mandate and to make sure everybody has at least 2 so they can keep their office open.\" Gillum estimated the state fiscal impact discussed previously would average about $60,000 per county employee when benefits and salary are included, or roughly $120,000 per county for two positions (a projection he said could vary when finalized by ways and means).

Secretary McCaffrey of the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs told the panel the department supports the bill and recommended the funds be appropriated directly to counties rather than routed through the agency. \"We think it's important that these monies not be taxable, if you will,\" the secretary said, to ensure money is spent on veterans services rather than being redirected by county governments.

The South Carolina Association of Counties submitted testimony in support of the legislation and confirmed it had discussed the proposal with Representative Gillum.

Votes at the subcommittee: The amendment to condition funding on the general appropriations act was moved and adopted and the bill, as amended, passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. Voting members recorded present and voting \"aye\" included Chairman Bobby Cox, Rep. Brandon Cox, Chairwoman Celeste Davis, Rep. Harriet Holman and Rep. Joe White. The amendment mover and seconder were not specified on the record.

What remains: The bill now moves to the full House committee for further consideration. The subcommittee record shows members and witnesses want the annual appropriations process and ways-and-means review to determine the final fiscal impact before state dollars are obligated.

","The House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs subcommittee approved a bill that would require funding for two full-time county veterans service employees in each county, but only upon appropriation in the annual general appropriations act; an amendment specifying the funding trigger passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Subcommittee renames Military Base Task Force, expands advisory council and membership

Subcommittee advances bill requiring annual evaluations and retraining for county veterans offices

Subcommittee backs bill to fund two full-time county veterans officers, adds funding trigger