Current Status Bill Number:3758 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19970401 Primary Sponsor:Felder All Sponsors:Felder Drafted Document Number:bbm\9260jm.97 Residing Body:Senate Date of Last Amendment:19980319 Subject:County Veterans Affairs Officer, appointment of; required to be veteran; Veterans' and Military Affairs
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________
Senate 19980602 Read second time, notice of
general amendments, carrying over
all amendments to third reading
Senate 19980528 Recalled from Committee 08 SG
Senate 19980324 Introduced, read first time, 08 SG
referred to Committee
House 19980320 Read third time, sent to Senate
House 19980319 Amended, read second time,
unanimous consent for third reading
on Friday, 19980320
House 19980319 Request for debate withdrawn
by Representative Loftis
Law
House 19980319 Request for debate withdrawn
by Representative Cooper
Spearman
McCraw
House 19980319 Request for debate withdrawn
by Representative Breeland
Edge
Trotter
Phillips
Fleming
Beck
Kirsh
House 19980317 Request for debate by Representative Cooper
Kirsh
Loftis
Phillips
Beck
Spearman
Fleming
Trotter
McCraw
Edge
Law
Breeland
House 19980317 Amended
House 19980310 Debate adjourned until
Tuesday, 19980317
House 19980302 Debate adjourned until
Tuesday, 19980310
House 19980225 Committee report: Favorable 27 H3M
House 19970401 Introduced, read first time, 27 H3M
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
RECALLED
May 28, 1998
H. 3758
S. Printed 5/28/98--S.
Read the first time March 24, 1998.
TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICERS, SO AS TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, PROVIDE A DEFINITION OF "VETERAN", REQUIRE THE APPOINTMENT OF A VETERAN TO THE POST OF COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICER, PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS, CHANGE PROVISIONS REGARDING THE TERM OF OFFICE, AND PROVIDE FOR A TRAINING COURSE, ACCREDITATION, AND REFRESHER TRAINING.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 25-11-40 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Section 486 of Act 181 of 1993, is further amended to read:
"Section 25-11-40. (A) For the purpose of this section, 'veteran' means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable pursuant to Title 38 of the United States Code. A county veterans affairs officer position may be filled by a qualified veteran or by a qualified nonveteran if the veteran being considered has lesser qualifications.
(B) Subject to the recommendation of a majority of the senators legislative delegation representing the county and a majority of the House members representing the county, the Director of the Division of Veterans' Affairs shall appoint a county veterans affairs officer for each county in the State, whose terms term of office shall begin on the effective date appointed when filling an unexpired term and continue until July first in the odd-numbered year in which an incumbency of four years is recognized. Thereafter, the ensuing term of office shall begin July first of each odd-numbered year and shall continue for a term of two four years and until their his successors shall be successor is appointed. Any such county veterans affairs officer must be a qualified veteran who served on active duty and was discharged or released from such active duty with an honorable discharge; otherwise, a county veterans affairs officer may be a qualified nonveteran, if any veteran being considered for the post has lesser qualifications. Any such county veterans affairs officer shall be is subject to removal for cause at any time by a majority of the senators legislative delegation representing the county and a majority of the House members representing the county.
(C) All county veterans affairs officers must successfully complete a comprehensive course of training and be issued accreditation within two years following initial appointment, either through the Division of Veterans' Affairs or through an accredited national veterans service organization. A training council from the S.C. Association of County Veterans' Affairs officers, in conjunction with the Division of Veterans' Affairs, or through an accredited national veterans service organization, shall develop the training criteria. Training and accreditation must be provided by the Division of Veterans' Affairs or through an accredited national veterans service organization. Any county veterans affairs officer who does not complete the required training and receive accreditation within the first two years following appointment is ineligible for reappointment by the county legislative delegation. Additionally, in order to maintain accreditation, refresher training is required annually.
(D)(1) In Berkeley County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 159 of 1995.
(2) In Dorchester County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 512 of 1996.
(3) In Georgetown County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 515 of 1996."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.