2024 Legislative Recap

The second year of the two-year session for the South Carolina General Assembly has come to an end. There were several positive legislative outcomes and victories for older South Carolinians and their families. AARP South Carolina was fortunate to see strong action on several legislative bills that passed both the House and the Senate.

Caregiving
H4832 – Will establish family leave benefits that will help South Carolina’s 700,000 family caregivers.

Healthcare
H4159 – A telehealth bill that now provides reimbursement to physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses. The bill has been signed into law by the Governor.

Veteran & Military Families
H3116 – Provides for an exemption for disabled veterans and certain spouses for property taxes in the year the disability occurs. The bill has been signed into law by the Governor.

H4953 – Removes the residency requirement relating to state veterans’ cemeteries. Awaiting the signature of the Governor.

Consumer Protection
S881- Unfair service agreements will be prohibited (real estate contracts that trap and bind homeowners into unfair real estate practices).

One to Watch: Utility Bill H5118 
A much-debated bill, H5118, the South Carolina Energy Security Act was amended on the Senate floor on May 7 to remove everything except some statements about need. The bill now is headed to a Conference Committee, which has a huge gulf between the House and Senate versions.

The bill would have allowed two utilities to build a natural gas generation plant while rolling back consumer protections put in place after the fallout of the V. C. Summer construction failure and required residential consumers to subsidize large industries. AARP South Carolina anticipates a potential Senate study committee during the summer.

As we look forward in drafting a two-year legislative agenda, your thoughts and comments are always welcome. Email us here.

With more than 600,000 South Carolina AARP members it is our pleasure to advocate for you and your family on these important issues.