Education

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO DECLARE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AS "SC TRIO DAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA" AND TO COMMEND THE SC TRIO ORGANIZATION FOR OVER 50 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROGRESS TO PROMOTE AWARENESS, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY FOR TRIO PERSONNEL AND TO EMPOWER STUDENTS TO BECOME COLLEGE READY, GAIN COLLEGE ACCESS, AND GRADUATE FROM AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-26-42 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL ANNUALLY DEVELOP AND APPROVE GUIDELINES FOR A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN ALL TEACHING AREAS, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE ALL DISTRICTS ANNUALLY SHALL PROVIDE THE PROGRAM AS IN-SERVICE TRAINING TO TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY THE DISTRICT AT NO COST TO THE TEACHERS, TO PROVIDE ALL TEACHERS ANNUALLY SHALL COMPLETE THE PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE ANNUAL COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM DURING EACH YEAR OF A PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR CERTIFICATE RENEWAL CYCLE WILL SATISFY ALL RENEWAL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE RENEWAL IN THAT CYCLE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPLICATION OF THIS REQUIREMENT TO CERTIFICATE RENEWAL CYCLES THAT BEGIN AFTER JUNE 30, 2026 AND CERTIFICATE RENEWAL CYCLES THAT BEGAN BEFORE JUNE 30, 2026.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-155 SO AS TO PROVIDE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS QUARTERLY SHALL COMPILE AND REPORT INCIDENTS OF HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-130, RELATING TO MANDATORY REPORTING OF CONDUCT PROHIBITED UNDER THE SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATE ACT, SO AS TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-150, RELATING TO REMEDIES AND IMMUNITIES UNDER THE SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATE ACT, SO AS TO IMPOSE STRINGENT PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.

A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, BY REPEALING SECTION 4, ARTICLE XI RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION ON PUBLIC FUNDS BEING USED FOR THE DIRECT BENEFIT OF A RELIGIOUS OR OTHER PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 6-1-320, RELATING TO THE LIMIT ON ANNUAL PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE INCREASES IMPOSED BY POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS, SO AS TO RESTORE THE FORMER METHOD OF OVERRIDING THE ANNUAL CAP BY A POSITIVE MAJORITY OF THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY AND DELETING THE SUPER MAJORITY REQUIREMENT FOR OVERRIDING THE CAP FOR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES; BY AMENDING SECTION 11-11-150, RELATING TO THE TRUST FUND FOR TAX RELIEF, SO AS TO RESTORE FUNDING FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION AND FULL FUNDING FOR THE SCHOOL-OPERATING MILLAGE PORTION OF THE REIMBURSEMENT PAID LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR THE ELDERLY OR DISABLED; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-220, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO DELETE THE EXEMPTION REIMBURSED FROM THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FUND FROM ALL SCHOOL-OPERATING MILLAGE ALLOWED ALL OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-270, RELATING TO THE REIMBURSEMENTS PAID LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR PROPERTY TAX NOT COLLECTED AS A RESULT OF THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR THE ELDERLY OR DISABLED AND, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE APPLICATION OF PROPERTY TAX CREDITS IN COUNTIES WHERE THE USE OF LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX REVENUES GIVE RISE TO A CREDIT AGAINST SCHOOL-OPERATING PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING AMENDMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-251, RELATING TO THE CALCULATION OF "ROLLBACK TAX MILLAGE" APPLICABLE FOR REASSESSMENT YEARS, SO AS TO RESTORE THE FORMER EXEMPTION ALLOWED FROM A PORTION OF SCHOOL-OPERATING MILLAGE FOR ALL OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY; BY REPEALING ARTICLE 7 OF CHAPTER 10, TITLE 4 RELATING TO THE LOCAL OPTION SALES AND USE TAX FOR LOCAL PROPERTY TAX CREDITS; BY REPEALING SECTIONS 11-11-157, 11-11-155, AND 11-11-156 RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION TRUST FUND; BY REPEALING ARTICLE 11 OF CHAPTER 36, TITLE 12 RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE ADDITIONAL ONE PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX THE REVENUES OF WHICH REIMBURSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FROM ALL PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE IMPOSED FOR SCHOOL OPERATIONS; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 12-37-3130, 12-37-3140, AND 12-37-3150, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, VALUATION, AND ASSESSABLE TRANSFERS OF INTEREST, FOR PURPOSES OF THE "SOUTH CAROLINA REAL PROPERTY VALUATION REFORM ACT," SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE "POINT OF SALE" VALUATION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PURPOSES OF IMPOSITION OF THE PROPERTY TAX AND RETURN TO THE FORMER VALUATION SYSTEM IN WHICH REAL PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS TO REAL PROPERTY ARE APPRAISED BY THE ASSESSOR AND PERIODICALLY ADJUSTED IN COUNTYWIDE REAPPRAISALS, TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN THE FIFTEEN PERCENT CAP OVER FIVE YEARS ON INCREASES IN FAIR MARKET VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY RESULTS IN A VALUE THAT IS LOWER THAN THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE PROPERTY AS DETERMINED BY THE ASSESSOR THAT THE LOWER VALUE BECOMES THE PROPERTY TAX VALUE OF THE REAL PROPERTY AND IS DEEMED ITS FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR PURPOSES OF IMPOSITION OF PROPERTY TAX, TO PROVIDE THAT AN ASSESSABLE TRANSFER OF INTEREST IS A TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OR OTHER INSTANCE CAUSING A "STEPUP" IN THE PROPERTY TAX VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY TO ITS FAIR MARKET VALUE AS DETERMINED BY THE ASSESSOR, TO REQUIRE THE CAP ON INCREASES IN VALUE TO BE APPLIED SEPARATELY TO REAL PROPERTY AND THE IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND TO PROVIDE WHEN THE STEPUP VALUE FIRST APPLIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-60-30, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF "PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT" FOR PURPOSES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA REVENUE PROCEDURES ACT, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE NOTICES TO INCLUDE PROPERTY TAX VALUE AND PROVIDE THAT THE APPLICABLE ASSESSMENT RATIO APPLIES TO THE LOWER OF FAIR MARKET VALUE, PROPERTY TAX VALUE, OR SPECIAL USE VALUE; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-60-2510, RELATING TO THE FORM OF ASSESSMENT NOTICES ISSUED BY THE COUNTY ASSESSOR, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THESE NOTICES MUST CONTAIN THE PROPERTY TAX VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS IN ADDITION TO FAIR MARKET VALUE AND SPECIAL USE VALUE; BY REPEALING ARTICLE 25 OF CHAPTER 37, TITLE 12 RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA REAL PROPERTY VALUATION REFORM ACT, IF CERTAIN CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ARE RATIFIED; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-43-220, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS AND SECTIONS 12-60-30 AND 12-60-2510, RELATING TO TAX PROCEDURES, ALL SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING AMENDMENTS, AND MAKE THESE REPEALS AND AMENDMENTS CONTINGENT UPON RATIFICATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 6, ARTICLE X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS STATE ELIMINATING THE FIFTEEN PERCENT CAP OVER FIVE YEARS IN INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PURPOSES OF IMPOSITION OF THE PROPERTY TAX AND ELIMINATING AN ASSESSABLE TRANSFER OF INTEREST AS AN EVENT THAT MAY RESULT IN A CHANGE IN THE VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PURPOSES OF THE IMPOSITION OF THE PROPERTY TAX.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3791 SO AS TO ALLOW AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO A SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES GRANTS FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND CERTAIN INDEPENDENT AND HOME SCHOOLS, TO SPECIFY THE MANNER IN WHICH THE CREDIT IS CLAIMED, TO SPECIFY THE PROCESS BY WHICH CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOLS BECOME ELIGIBLE, TO SPECIFY CERTAIN INFORMATION WHICH MUST BE MADE PUBLIC, AND TO ALLOW THE STATE TREASURER AND DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THE CREDIT; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 12-6-3790 RELATING TO THE EDUCATIONAL CREDIT FOR EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS CHILDREN'S FUND.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-33-55 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL ADVISORY COUNCILS FOR EDUCATING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES FOR EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZER BY ITS RESPECTIVE GOVERNING BODY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP, COMPOSITION, DUTIES, AND PURPOSES OF LOCAL ADVISORY COUNCILS; TO PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR LOCAL ADVISORY COUNCILS; AND TO PROVIDE DEADLINES FOR THE CREATION OF RELATED MODEL BYLAWS, THE SUBMISSION OF LOCAL ADVISORY COUNCIL BYLAWS FOR APPROVAL, AND THE FIRST MEETINGS OF EACH LOCAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-29-235 SO AS TO PROVIDE ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE ONE UNIT OF CIVICS EDUCATION THAT MUST INCLUDE CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONAL AND EXPERIENTIAL COMPONENTS AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, AND TO ESTABLISH THE PALMETTO MIDDLE SCHOOL CIVICS CHALLENGE TO ENABLE ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO SHOWCASE THEIR STUDENT-LED CIVICS PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE AND DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, CITIZENSHIP, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE, TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT RELATED CURRICULUM BEFORE THE 2027-2028 SCHOOL YEAR, AND TO MAKE THESE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO STUDENTS WHO BEGIN MIDDLE SCHOOL IN THE 2027-2028 SCHOOL YEAR.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-355 SO AS TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM WAGE SCALE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF, TO REQUIRE PUBLICATION OF THE MINIMUM WAGE SCALE BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND TO PROVIDE MEANS FOR REDRESS; AND TO MAKE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-440 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT OR CHANCELLOR OF A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING TO CLOSE THE INSTITUTION TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS FROM HAZARDOUS WEATHER OR EMERGENCY CONDITIONS.