By PSA Newsroom Staff
Columbia, S.C. — Clarendon County residents will see increased transparency and a revised appointment process for the Clarendon County Aeronautics Commission under Senate Bill 282, authored by Senator Jeff Zell, which was approved by the South Carolina General Assembly and signed into law as Act No. 79 of 2025. The law took effect upon the Governor’s signature.
The legislation updates how commission members are appointed and ensures greater public access to meetings and records, reflecting growing calls for openness in local governance.
Revised Appointment Process
Under the new law, members of the seven-person Clarendon County Aeronautics Commission will be appointed by the Governor based on recommendations from the Clarendon County Legislative Delegation, rather than directly by county council. Commissioners must be county residents and serve five-year terms, with initial terms staggered to maintain continuity. Members serve without compensation and elect their own chair.
Supporters say the change preserves local input while formalizing the appointment process at the state level.
“This law strengthens local input while bringing greater transparency to the Aeronautics Commission’s work,” Senator Zell said. “By modernizing the appointment process and ensuring meetings are open and accessible to the public, we’re giving Clarendon County residents more confidence and visibility in decisions that impact their community and local infrastructure.”
Expanded Transparency Requirements
Act 79 also places new transparency requirements on the commission. All meetings must now be livestreamed and archived on the Clarendon County government website, allowing residents to follow discussions and decisions without having to attend in person. In addition, the commission is explicitly subject to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, reinforcing public access to records and deliberations.
These provisions are intended to make it easier for residents to stay informed about aviation-related decisions that can affect economic development, land use, and infrastructure planning.
Broad Legislative Support
Senate Bill 282 moved smoothly through the legislative process and passed the South Carolina House of Representatives unanimously, reflecting broad agreement on the need for accountability and transparency in local commissions.
What It Means for Residents
With the law now in effect, future appointments and commission meetings will follow the updated procedures. Clarendon County residents can expect greater visibility into how decisions are made and increased confidence that the commission’s work is being conducted openly and with community interests in mind.
The full text of Act No. 79 is available on the South Carolina Legislature’s official website at:
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=282&session=126&summary=B¬op=Y
