19 December 2024
The South Carolina General Assembly returns to the State House on January 14th, and we’ll be keeping an eye on the issues that impact the arts so we can continue to keep you informed. We’ve compiled this 2025 State House Preview to help set the stage for what’s on the docket in the coming months, and help prepare advocates to raise their voices for the creative sector.
The Landscape
The November General Election saw 34 new legislators elected to office joining the 170 member general assembly. Now is a really good time to make sureyou know who represents you in Columbia, introduce yourself to new legislators, and reconnect with returning leaders. After the election, Republicans now how super majority control of both the House and Senate. Here are some top line priorities they’ll likely be working on:
- Pay increases for educators to move faster toward the target starting salary of $50,000
- Continued efforts to recruit and retain teachers
- Workforce development
- Addressing skyrocketing liquor liability insurance costs, possibly through joint-and-several liability law reform (more on this later)
- A renewed attempt to implement to the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, which was recently struck down by State courts as unconstitutional.
- Steeper income tax cuts
- Property tax reductions for small businesses
- Infrastructure and economic development funding
As always, we’ll be focused on how the arts can play a role in reaching shared goals and working to strengthen its impact across South Carolina.
Arts Funding
The South Carolina Arts Commission will be requesting a $7 million increase to statewide arts funding this year, with a focus on programs that have a big impact on local communities:
- $3.5 Million for General Operating Support Grants
General Operating Support grants fund organizations throughout South Carolina that contribute to local economies, impact educational outcomes, provide access to local arts experiences, and increase quality of life and livability in their communities. - 3 Million for Community Grant Programs
Increased funding for the new Festivals Grant Program and the establishment of a grant program specifically for SC Cultural Districts. These approaches have been effective for communities to pool resources across multiple sectors to bring people together, boost the local economy, increase tourism, and maximize the benefits of arts and culture.
- $500,000 for Arts Hub Regions
Last year the General Assembly approved an increase of $1M in recurring funds and $2M in one-time funding to establish and staff six regional offices for the Arts Commission. Arts Hub Regions ensure equitable access to the arts across ALL of South Carolina, by providing direct support in local communities. The six Arts Hub Regions are strategically located to ensure access to Arts Commission programming and services across all of South Carolina.
The Arts Commission has also requested a $3.8 million increase in Education Improvement Act funds to support arts education programs throughout the State, and continue the arts learning and partnership work of Arts Grow SC.
You can learn more about these funding requests in our Issue Briefs here >>
Other Bills to Watch
The first round of pre-filed bills have hit the State House, and there are a few that we’ve got our eyes on. You can see a full list of bills we’re tracking by visiting The Docket.
- H3372 would enable artists and craftsman to make limited sales at festivals without obtaining a retail license.
- H3497 may address the increasing rise in liquor liability insurance rates for bars and music venues where artists perform, while S0133 takes a different approach. You can learn more about this issue here.
- H3449 strengthens consumer protections for ticketing. Though this bill does not address most of the major concerns (yet), ticketing has been a hot button topic at the federal, and several state levels. You can learn more about why its important here.
- S0088 could provide a new incentive for artists to join the teaching profession, by allowing the inclusion of prior work experience on a teaching certificate.
- H3196 removes the renewal requirement for teaching certificates, among other items. We always follow bills that impact teachers closely, for the benefit of arts educators.
- S0104 deals with the availability of certain materials in public libraries.
PARTING THOUGHTS
Stay tuned for more ways that you can get involved and advocate for the issues that matter most for the creative sector. We hope you’ll also make plans to join us at the State House for SC Arts Day in February, or tune in for our 2025 Arts Advocacy Week!
