[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_75":74},"mediaId",6265828,"mediaKeyId","3088568-8782ce98ec92c29b2defa540f935887c","parentId",3088568,"title","Panel clears firefighter registration cleanup bill S.101 after amendment","audioSeconds",232,"startMs",4427000,"endMs",4659000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088568-8782ce98ec92c29b2defa540f935887c&start=4427&end=4659","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088568-8782ce98ec92c29b2defa540f935887c/thumbnail_4427000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6265828/South-Carolina/Panel-clears-firefighter-registration-cleanup-bill-S101-after-amendment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265828-623ec0c469021e80ba1887bee782dd0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776304891&Signature=XCBJD8CO5il94-U5D-QNc~8elHojn8H4JVPDcRLz528LwKLi2aC7Xk-JjV2hO7KkJYeJI7430X5ygEE0Zf8BPaD9vJhdb6UczkxYRad0YBXQDXzTjinuKX1GTPpHjWZkIK1zglEXvK7pmRwRBR7pYlli5cJPtsFAd5h2cmg9K~drNJTO5H~5OSobzUpf7-jDRdRMOVLaGMfLZg2ehaiH67VTuJHZEIBAWlHibhVfAEEzDfqT5cAkEgSCe71Xz-MIeXUqZih5CNn5wqODkASz2HbRlmrf2CADXFXdvDvGg4KjmvxjZdDdMjH6P47Qu23DMvIibpfzbDoXKkfg0zt67Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Carolina Legislature","date","2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 101, which makes minor but practical changes to the Firefighter Registration Act, passed the subcommittee after members approved an amendment the State Fire Marshal’s Office requested.

Chief Jamie Helms of the State Fire Marshal’s Office told the committee the bill clarifies definitions and changes a requirement that previously referenced a specific state driver‑license type to simply require a valid driver’s license. Helms said the change addresses border‑area complications and aids recruitment and retention because many recruits do not have a South Carolina license in the first 30 days after arrival.

The committee reviewed the proposed amendment, which contains multiple small strike‑through and insert edits to section 4,080‑10 and related subsections. A motion to approve the amendment passed unanimously by voice vote, and the committee then approved the amended bill and advanced it out of subcommittee. Senator Gambrell, sponsor of the bill, was recognized post‑vote; committee members commended firefighters and discussed the bill’s practical effect on registration and hiring.

The amended S.101 will move to the next legislative stage.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee -- L.C.I. Business and Commerce Subcommittee - April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 101, which replaces a requirement for a specific state driver’s license with a valid driver’s license in firefighter registration law and makes other clerical updates, passed the subcommittee after an amendment and unanimous voice vote.","taxTitle","2025 Legislative Meetings, South Carolina","taxId",78666,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6265833,"Subcommittee approves amended bill to update CPA licensing and board authority (S.176)",247,4088000,4335000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088568-8782ce98ec92c29b2defa540f935887c&start=4088&end=4335","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088568-8782ce98ec92c29b2defa540f935887c/thumbnail_4088000.jpg","/articles/6265833/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-approves-amended-bill-to-update-CPA-licensing-and-board-authority-S176","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265833-1f27c9359f2833c938f70cc7221acdd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776304891&Signature=CKDkZFv2Ye-wHCHV9O33-5oWAwAgTks7WXZA0CwyNFB~DbwjWeRqowfJ0x0ujECOxRAI4pDWbGTViOxxpirIgRuPMEI74Wpq4oDrX5CJXhf3FsCiwWSe0SLdQ5okmNM-hSec~0kk-GJIVRao-0B5tQ74RC~XPZpH5obk0k4BvhCljvexJx1mzcfYPOS9nSFNcbmI8b~G3ALEoJFAJCrTtUM5CT3Z0U0M2uUBAEOQpRXh-Cg6ban6ryYz~WrfeNygrzu74f~MoC-6tw5iC4RK1U8YfAJQA5qogZAxzlwxL-N4pBgChb34HLxIeLu38pNmc7UlfqWrCBszb7SwKt6y0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 176, aimed at strengthening the CPA pipeline and modernizing statutes governing certified public accountants, cleared the subcommittee after committee members approved an amendment correcting language about the required 150 academic hours.

Doug Schneider presented the bill and the amendment, saying the changes were mainly clarifications and a technical correction to ensure consistent reference to the 150‑hour education requirement. \"Once you get a degree you had to have so many hours to get to the 150,\" Schneider explained, and the amendment aligns repeated references to that requirement.

Chris Jenkins, CEO of the South Carolina Association of CPAs, described the measure as workforce development and public protection for the profession. Jenkins said reciprocity and mobility provisions allow licensed CPAs from other jurisdictions to practice for South Carolina clients while remaining under the Board of Accountancy’s jurisdiction.

A committee member moved to approve the amendment; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The committee then voted to advance the amended bill out of subcommittee by voice vote.

The amendment corrects typos and inconsistent phrasing, clarifies mergers and acquisitions language, and aligns multiple sections to reference 150 hours consistently. The bill will proceed to the next committee stage.","The subcommittee approved an amendment and advanced Senate Bill 176, which updates definitions, clarifies 150‑hour education language and strengthens Board of Accountancy input to address workforce development and public protection for certified public accountants.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6265838,"Heated testimony on House Bill 4,135 as providers, plans and patient advocates debate vision benefits",3820,226000,4046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088568-8782ce98ec92c29b2defa540f935887c&start=226&end=4046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088568-8782ce98ec92c29b2defa540f935887c/thumbnail_226000.jpg","/articles/6265838/South-Carolina/Heated-testimony-on-House-Bill-4135-as-providers-plans-and-patient-advocates-debate-vision-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265838-9feb7412538d027a95ff0e9bdc074cae/orig.mp4?Expires=1776304891&Signature=B0W8vtdppXTLdajFjyGwB50baoZcckoG6kFZGHAII1oaj510uu3oNNzh3Q~J5dlUmqtSYusgWPNnv-yPn7kWapNEwujgjm0Y9qY7Xsx0cfYl21YFpnAMI~P~zgg92TGCwxJsWlNk7u2lwP~hJ52kTh~DVgB6GNaO9pMr0sCkTjQT7tChsxwxR7JwQCm6opKXU62fEmlFO2fHw2xIpe7BXvXaW7xdXeKICAauIgTC8wrTYzSYeECw6T8UozZi8sSCmsRSDXKxuDRjS4-ZwmXj8Py7Oih6SNVCnkrldap2XfOzTrhvPqTrNLyVy76C9sglcDXEbEzgHswBZJjKNl~QUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The subcommittee heard more than an hour of testimony and questions on House Bill 4,135, a measure that would change how vision care plans operate and how providers can source lenses and materials.

Jody McGinnis, a licensed optician and owner of two clinics in Moncks Corner and North Charleston, spoke in favor of the bill and testified she has paid out of pocket to keep patients functioning when network rules or supplier limits left patients without covered lenses. \"I put $286 into this lens for the patient,\" McGinnis said, describing a November 2024 case in which a member’s covered lens had been discontinued by network suppliers.

Representing the National Association of Vision Care Plans, Julian Roberts urged opposition. He said the association’s members provide vision benefits to millions nationally and contend the bill would increase costs and confuse consumers by requiring opticians be listed alongside optometrists and ophthalmologists in provider directories. \"House Bill 4,135 threatens this affordability and accessibility,\" Roberts told the committee.

Other witnesses disputed each other on market structure and regulatory oversight. Mary Johnson, an eye‑care consultant who said she worked on Georgia’s similar 2013 law, said state statutes that allow providers to choose suppliers can encourage local manufacturing and protect patient access. \"Since legislation has passed in Georgia, there have been huge manufacturing plants that have opened in the state,\" Johnson said. Jim Ritchie of the South Carolina Alliance of Health Plans — representing major payors and Medicaid managed‑care organizations — told members the bill, as drafted, would undermine the consumer protections and network controls insurers use to keep care affordable. \"This bill will undermine both of those principles,\" Ritchie said.

James Morris, an attorney who described a long personal experience seeking specialty lenses for his son, said opticians are the \"pharmacists of the eye care world\" and argued some vision plans are selling unregulated products marketed as insurance. \"There is no regulation of any of the vision care plans in the state of South Carolina at all,\" Morris said.

Committee members asked detailed questions about rural access, customer service, plan appeal processes, and whether the bill would apply to insurance or voluntary discount plans. Members also discussed prior stakeholder negotiations, and Representative Wooden moved to adjourn debate to allow further talks among stakeholders; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Committee leadership clarified that adjourned debate (carryover) preserves the bill for continued negotiation rather than killing it.

The subcommittee did not vote on final passage; the committee voted to adjourn debate to permit additional stakeholder work before further action.","Five witnesses and several associations testified for and against House Bill 4,135, which would change how vision care plans contract and disclose benefits; committee members voted to adjourn debate to allow further stakeholder negotiations.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6265844,"Subcommittee endorses peer‑to‑peer car‑sharing bill S.307",176,61000,237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088568-8782ce98ec92c29b2defa540f935887c&start=61&end=237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088568-8782ce98ec92c29b2defa540f935887c/thumbnail_61000.jpg","/articles/6265844/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-endorses-peertopeer-carsharing-bill-S307","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265844-0a95fc27c8425d9559a62f9ae9156dfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1776304891&Signature=Oik3dV~y-9EXD7ZT5y59bJ3yuMNIiMz28uXjpj-T-US5zm0Yw-Fdna1ZYkM8ot6VbTWSHwLPlC~R8iah-~ykSJxw1VG7F1LXPefl6KKMKY40mtzIqYrLSQMQXuuUeCxir78Ljy0IVxfcnOi~Dvh7n-WakxTFLMbmQwZNVhsKjcoxBPQJRvzHjCI4LLpnURVAi-NpygO258e8IPFkOvC4UkAxCidgMWcvB6SWGGxNac1tW9btjmyKdvezSJtqcDbWiYIN94gQvJsCsKjXC2hdh5HA0Ibk14bgCJ6yXw1bcWe-fVXi54LwZ51hjbTF4bO2ckppAKPW-uYooRJBvh2hlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Gary Brewer of South Carolina presented Senate Bill 307, describing it as a forward‑looking bill to provide regulatory guardrails for peer‑to‑peer car sharing.

\"This is peer to peer car sharing. And I'm gonna tell you this is a bill that's, you know, very futuristic for South Carolina,\" Representative Gary Brewer said, urging members to move the measure forward so constituents using shared‑vehicle platforms would have protections.

A witness identified as \"Mister John\" remained available for committee questions but offered no extended testimony; he told the committee he was present \"for questions.\" Committee members asked clarifying, mostly procedural questions, including whether the arrangement would work like Airbnb. Brewer replied it was \"similar\" and described the model as a vehicle owner letting another person use the vehicle for a fee.

A motion for passage was made on the floor and seconded; the committee took a voice/hand vote and advanced the bill unanimously. Committee leadership confirmed the agenda order had been adjusted at the start of the meeting so S.307 would be heard first.

The action advances S.307 to the next committee/meeting stage for further consideration.","The Labor, Commerce and Industry subcommittee voted unanimously to advance S.307, a peer‑to‑peer car‑sharing bill presented by Representative Gary Brewer, after brief remarks and one committee question.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel clears firefighter registration cleanup bill S.101 after amendment

Subcommittee approves amended bill to update CPA licensing and board authority (S.176)

Heated testimony on House Bill 4,135 as providers, plans and patient advocates debate vision benefits

Subcommittee endorses peer‑to‑peer car‑sharing bill S.307