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H 3279

SC Equine Promotion Act

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dennis Moss and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a state-funded Equine Promotion Program financed by a $2/ton assessment on equine feed to promote, educate, and research South Carolina’s equine industry.

Member(s) request name removed as sponsor: Taylor
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Bill Summary · H 3279

Summary — H 3279: South Carolina Equine Promotion Act

Note: the provided file also contains unrelated Massachusetts draft language about state investment in digital financial assets; this summary focuses on the South Carolina “Equine Promotion Act” text included in the submission.

Purpose / Intent

Establish a dedicated program and funding mechanism to promote, research, educate about, and otherwise support South Carolina’s equine industry. The act creates an industry-led board to collect and direct program funds generated by an assessment on commercial horse feed.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a new Chapter 23 in Title 47: the “South Carolina Equine Promotion Act.”
  • Creates the Equine Promotion Board (9 voting members) under the Department of Agriculture to oversee promotion activities.
    • Appointments: 1 by the Commissioner of Agriculture; 1 by the Senate Ag Committee Chair; 1 by the House Ag Committee Chair; 1 by the South Carolina Horsemen’s Council; 1 by the SC Farm Bureau President; 1 by the Director of Parks, Recreation & Tourism; 1 by the SC Veterinary Association; and 2 at-large members selected by initial appointees.
    • Ex‑officio advisory (nonvoting) members: Equine Marketing Specialist (Dept. of Agriculture) and an equine specialist appointed from Clemson University.
    • Limits any single breed/discipline/special-interest group to no more than two board members.
    • Initial staggered terms (mix of 4-, 3-, and 2-year terms); thereafter, four-year terms. Board meets at least quarterly. Members receive mileage/per diem but no salary.
  • Imposes an assessment of $2.00 per ton on all commercial feed and custom blends labeled for equine use sold in South Carolina.
    • Assessment payable quarterly by feed manufacturers/sellers; manufacturers must receive a receipt before supplying feed to retailers.
    • Collection and enforcement governed by the same procedures as other similar assessments (reference: Chapter 54, Title 12).
  • Establishes the “Equine Promotion Fund” (separate state treasury account).
    • Revenues used solely for promoting the equine industry: research, education, promotion, and related administrative expenses.
    • Department of Agriculture may be reimbursed for administrative costs from the fund up to 15% of net annual assessments.
  • Requires an annual audit of the Equine Promotion Fund and its assessment/expenditures by the State Auditor.
  • Effective upon gubernatorial approval.

Who is affected

  • Commercial feed manufacturers, custom blenders and sellers of equine-labeled feed (will pay the $2/ton assessment).
  • The Equine Promotion Board and Department of Agriculture (administration and program delivery).
  • Equine industry stakeholders statewide (breeders, owners, trainers, vets, tourism entities) who may benefit from funded promotion, education, and research.

Procedural / timeline notes (as provided)

  • Prefiled: 12/05/2024
  • Introduced / read first time: 01/14/2025; referred to Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs
  • Additional entries list referral to Revenue (02/27/2025), Senate concurrence, sponsor name removal (03/11/2025), and hearings scheduled/rescheduled for 10/07/2025. (Document contains some inconsistent metadata; dates above reflect entries provided in the file.)

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Provides a stable, industry-funded revenue stream for targeted promotion and research.
  • Imposes a modest per-ton cost on feed sellers (likely passed partially to buyers).
  • Ensures industry representation in governance but includes safeguards (representation limits, auditor oversight, and administrative caps).
  • Implementation details (forms, reporting/collection processes, and board bylaws) will determine administrative burden and program effectiveness.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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