Coronavirus Update
County officials are on the front lines of our public health emergency working daily to keep citizens and employees safe and informed. SCAC stands with our counties and will continue to provide resources regarding legislative updates and implications for county operations.
State Legislative Update
The South Carolina Senate Finance Committee plans to meet on Tuesday, March 17th at 11:00 a.m. to discuss funding related to DHEC’s response to COVID-19 and possibly a Continuing Resolution that would allow state government to operate at current spending levels if the legislature is unable to adopt a budget by July 1, 2020. You may watch the Finance meeting here: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/video/stream.php?key=10439&audio=0 SCAC Staff has been informed that after the 11:00 a.m. Finance Committee meeting, the Senate will meet in full session at 2:00 p.m. You may watch full session here: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/video/chamber.php?chamber=S&audio=0 After Tuesday’s meetings, reports indicate that the Senate will be in perfunctory session for the remainder of the week.
The South Carolina House of Representatives is currently on a previously scheduled furlough this week from March 16th through March 18th. Reports indicate that the House will return to Columbia at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19th and is likely to approve the appropriation to DHEC and the Continuing Resolution after the Senate considers both matters early this week. A link is not yet available for the House broadcast. SCAC staff has not heard of when the House or Senate will return after this week. All other legislative meetings have been cancelled.
SCAC staff will continue open communication with House and Senate members and officials, and we will keep the counties updated as soon as we receive additional information regarding the legislative schedule. Please contact SCAC staff if you have any questions or concerns. Please follow the Association on social media: @SCCounties on Facebook and Twitter, South Carolina Association of Counties on LinkedIn.
Federal Legislative Update
The U.S. House of Representatives passed The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H. R. 6201) on March 13, 2020, for emergency and supplemental appropriations to address the Coronavirus. NACo has sent a letter to congressional leaders regarding this federal legislation.
Resources for County Operations
SCAC has posted national, state, and employer information online. The Association sent out information regarding the Coronavirus and considerations for county operations on March 13, 2020. This information has been updated to reflect the Governor's Executive Order dated March 15, 2020. Additional information regarding county authority to restrict public gatherings, control access to or close private facilities, or enact local curfews is now available online. We will continue to send out important information on social media and through email.