H.4506 creates the South Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, which will be used by the Emergency Management Division for a grant program to provide financial assistance to natural disaster victims. Taxpayers may contribute to the fund while filing their state income tax returns.

Disaster relief is the role of the private sector, churches, and individuals, not government. While this bill would not currently receive any public revenue, it would only be a matter of time before that changed and the well-intentioned fund became yet another black hole for taxpayer dollars.

By South Carolina Policy Council

Since 1986 the South Carolina Policy Council Education Foundation has advocated innovative policy ideas that advance the principles of limited government and free enterprise. The Policy Council is the state’s meeting place for business leaders, policymakers, and academics – as well as engaged citizens – who want to see South Carolina become the most free state in the nation. For questions or comments on the articles on this website, please email Research Director Jamie Murguia.