On June 20, 2023, Governor McMaster signed the most significant bail reform bill South Carolina has seen in over a decade.
Since the signing of this bill, I have seen promotional items issued by some for marketing and others staking claims to specific events. I want to explain what Palmetto Surety did for our agents to protect bail as much as possible.
In late October 2022, we saw a stream of media exchanges that set the alarm within Palmetto Surety. We immediately began using our network and political relationships to understand what many only knew as rumors. By taking this action, we could sit at the table with the support of many state senators and legislators.
Once we identified that something would happen during this term in legislation, we set forth our direction to protect our family of agents. Upon strategizing and outlying our direction, we notified Ricky Hill with the State Association. Upon several meetings and communications, we aligned as a team and set forth our plan.
Palmetto Surety immediately retained the services of attorneys to draft legislation to counter some issues that would harm the bail industry. Our COO, Donnie Mescia, and a team of attorneys and daily rapport with state officials worked hard over the next five months to help create legislation. Even though there are some items we disagreed with, we were also able to accomplish many positives for our industry. We were also able to fight off two of the top issues to make it more valuable to us. We are evaluating two opinions on certain sections of this law to inform our agents better.
After Labor Day weekend, Palmetto Surety will release workshops throughout the state over the coming months to assist our agents in understanding and taking advantage of the new legislation. As others will begin to tell you how to receive training or complete your property and casualty license, do not stress. Palmetto Surety has already developed the training you will need so we can assist our agents in taking advantage of this new chapter.
We will see you all soon.
Kind Regards,
Scott Willis
Chairman and CEO
Palmetto Surety Corporation
PS. Here at Palmetto Surety, we have never liked to brag or applaud our team members as we focus so hard on our agents and building a better way for each of you. However, I want to tell all our agents that we have a strong ground game politically and in business, no matter your state. We have helped bail in every direction in all states we are in. We will continue this fight and not slow down.
