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H4698 • 2026
Veteran preference
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Veteran preference
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Govan, Wooten, Chapman
Introduced and read first time ( House Journal-page 60 )
Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs ( House Journal-page 60 )
Prefiled
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Veteran preference
2025-2026 Bill 4698: Veteran preference - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly 126th Session, 2025-2026 Download This Bill in Microsoft Word Format Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter H. 4698 STATUS INFORMATION General Bill Sponsors: Reps. C. Mitchell, B.L. Cox, Gilliam, Yow, Pope, Govan, Wooten and Chapman Document Path: LC-0347DG26.docx Introduced in the House on January 13, 2026 Currently residing in the House Summary: Veteran preference HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS Date Body Action Description with journal page number 12/16/2025 House Prefiled 12/16/2025 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary 1/13/2026 House Introduced and read first time ( House Journal-page 60 ) 1/13/2026 House Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs ( House Journal-page 60 ) 1/20/2026 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Govan, Wooten, Chapman View the latest legislative information at the website VERSIONS OF THIS BILL 12/17/2025 A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 8-1-200 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A VETERAns' PREFERENCE IN STATE AGENCY HIRING PRACTICES, TO REQUIRE THE CREATION OF A VETERANS' RECRUITMENT PLAN, AND TO PROVIDE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. B e it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: S ECTION 1. C hapter 1, Title 8 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding: S ection 8-1-200 . ( A) Notwithstanding another provision of law, if a vacancy occurs in a state agency, other than an institution of higher learning, or if an agency acts to fill a new position, the agency must give preference to a veteran, if the applicants are equally qualified for the vacancy or new position. ( B) The State and its political subdivisions may waive a postsecondary educational requirement for a veteran applicant. ( C) Each state agency and political subdivision shall develop and implement a written Veterans' Recruitment Plan that establishes annual goals for ensuring the full use of veterans in the agency's or political subdivision's workforce and shall present such plan to the Office of Human Resources of the Department of Administration. ( D) By February first of each year, each state agency must submit statistical data to the Department of Employment and Workforce's Coordinating Council on Workforce Development on the number of persons who claim a veterans' preference, the number of persons who are hired through veterans' preference, and the number of persons who are hired as a result of the veterans' recruitment plan. The Department of Employment and Workforce must update the statistical data required by this subsection annually on its website and include such statistical data in its annual workforce report. ( E) For purposes of this section, "veteran" has the same meaning as provided in Section 25-11-40 . S ECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. ----XX---- This web page was last updated on January 13, 2026 at 2:43 PM