Great news for small business healthcare access! This afternoon the House took up S.588, small business healthcare access for small businesses, along with an amendment that Chip Huggins proposed on South Carolina Realtors® behalf clarifying that the legislation applies to an independent contractor. The House adopted the amendment by voice vote and it was given second reading by a vote of 105 to 0. This would allow our association to negotiate a group health insurance policy for th membership and is similar in concept to the SBHP legislation supported by National Association of Realtors® at the federal level. It should receive third reading in the House tomorrow and then moves back to the Senate for concurrence with house amendments (ours was the only one). That means it will be on the Senate calendar in time for our Capitol conference State House visits Tuesday, February 5th. Realtors® will have the opportunity to ask their Senator in person to vote to concur with the House passed bill, for this most important issue, not only for us, but all small businesses and independent contractors.