Date: March 20, 2024
A summary of the SC House Medical, Military and Municipal Affairs Committee stakeholders’ discussion on the short term rental proposed legislation is below.
Yesterday Chairwoman Sylleste Davis and bill sponsor Representative Lee Hewitt held a stakeholders’ “conversation” to air several issues related to short term rentals as they work toward perfecting the proposed legislation. Present in the meeting were representatives from tourism, counties, the municipal association, City of Folly Beach, Air BNB, Elliott Beach Rentals, SC Realtors Association, SC Barrier Island Property Owners Association and the House Speaker’s chief of staff.
Mel Miles did an excellent job representing our interests. Mel presented data showing how property values are affected when arbitrary restrictions are placed on these properties.
A good deal of time was spent discussing inequities between online platforms (specifically Airbnb) and SC licensed vacation property managers. The SC Municipal Association was very vocal in criticizing the platforms for refusing to release addresses of their rental properties to ensure applicable taxes are being collected and remitted properly.
Livability issues and transferability of licenses were also touched upon. Nothing was decided on these particular issues but they were flagged as needing attention.
The state Hotel and Lodging Association weighed in supporting restrictions. They have are opposed to the state pre-empting local rules and ordinances.
Several corporate staff from Elliott Beach Rentals were there and brought up the unfair playing field in terms of escrowed payments and managers being unlicensed. They felt we should all be held to the same set of rules or should all be released from them.
While we have been regularly talking with legislators and other like- minded companies, this is the first time we have been able to discuss our concerns in a large group and to work as a group on a manageable way to resolve this issue.
It was good to know Chairwoman Davis is willing to work on finding a legislative solution. She heard us clearly today. At the close of the meeting she stated her next step is to get with Rep Hewitt and work on improving the legislation so that it resolves the issues she heard.
We will be following up with both of them in the coming week to see how quickly they will make some decisions and get a bill moving.
Senate Bill 953 closed-door stakeholder Q&A
