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Subcommittee backs bill to fund two full-time county veterans officers, adds funding trigger
Summary
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.
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 secretarys unilateral authority to remove a county veterans affairs officer, leaving removal to the countys 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 bills 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.
