South Carolina Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Otis Rawl talks with WIS News 10's Ben Hoover on this past Sunday's Newswatch about the 2009 legislative session. Watch the video.	E-Verify Compliance Deadline Approaches Don't Miss Tomorrow’s Midlands Membership Reception Market Your Business at Annual Golf Tournament Invest In Your Future with HR Institute South Carolina Chamber Accepting Board Nominations Phone Changes at the South Carolina Chamber

E-Verify Compliance Deadline Approaches
By C. Frederick W. Manning II, partner at Fisher & Phillips LLP

For private employers in South Carolina who have 100 or more employees, compliance with the employment verification requirements of the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act (the Act) begins July 1, 2009. The Act’s verification procedures apply only to employees hired on or after July 1, 2009.

Employers have a choice on how to comply with the Act. An employer can satisfy the requirements of the Act by filling out and maintaining an I-9 Form on newly hired employees and verifying their work status through the federal E-Verify program. Alternatively, employers can comply by filling out and maintaining an I-9 Form on the new employee and verifying that the employee possesses either a South Carolina driver's license or identification card, is qualified to obtain one, or has an out-of-state driver's license from a state having qualification requirements as strict as those in South Carolina.

The Act creates an inducement to use the E-Verify authorization program by establishing a presumption of compliance for those employers who "in good faith" verify the immigration status of the new employee pursuant to E-Verify. No such presumption is created for employers who elect only to use the I-9 Form and verification of the employee's driver's license or identification card.  Nevertheless, private employers are not required to use E-Verify as long as they adhere to the alternative verification procedures at the time of hire of any new employee.

e-mail: Darrell Scott Phone: 803-255-2639

Don't Miss Tomorrow’s Midlands Membership Reception
This is your last chance to register for the Midlands Area Membership and Legislative Reception. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce will honor members June 17 during a reception from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. The reception is free to all South Carolina Chamber members. Presenting sponsors include AT&T, Bank of America, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, & Stewart P.C. (Greenville, Columbia, Charleston offices). To view a list of all Midlands Area sponsors, click here (PDF). To register, please click here.

Invest In Your Future with HR Institute
For the past three years, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce has encouraged human resources professionals to invest in continuing their education by signing up for the Human Resources Institute Certificate Series. Graduates of the program not only are educated on timely employment topics, but they also receive recertification credit through the Human Resources Certification Institute. The program provides a forum for networking with other human resources professionals as well as with seasoned employment law attorneys and HR consultants. 

Ernestine Middleton, HR Institute graduate and director of internal operations and HR at the South Carolina Education Lottery, said, “Preparing for certification distinguishes us in the profession and adds still another level of credibility. The information is always up to date, which is sometimes difficult in a rapidly changing and litigious environment.” Register now, or contact Alexa Stillwell for additional information.

e-mail: Alexa Stillwell Phone: 803-255-2621

South Carolina Chamber Accepting Board Nominations
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Nominating Committee has established a process for the nomination and selection of officers and members of the Board of Directors for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. The Board of Directors is comprised of 50 elected directors – 26 at-large and eight from each of the three regions. Directors are elected for two-year terms. Officers, who also serve on the Board in addition to the 50 elected members, are elected annually for a one-year term. Twenty seats on the Board of Directors have terms that end September 30. To learn more, access the nomination form.

e-mail: Chris Dornburg Phone: 803-255-2616

Phone Changes at the South Carolina Chamber
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce has activated a new, automated phone system. The welcome message features four options for members to choose when calling the South Carolina Chamber. The main Chamber numbers (800) 799-4601 and (803) 799-4601 are the same, and you can connect with the receptionist if desired. To contact a Chamber employee directly, you can now find phone extensions and e-mail addresses on the staff page of www.scchamber.net.