What does it mean that biennial license fees are retaliatory?

The concept of retaliatory fees in the context of biennial licensing means that if a licensee from one state is faced with higher licensing fees in another state, that state may impose similar or higher fees on licensees from that other state. This is designed to prevent states from undercutting each other on licensing fees and ensures that fees are equitable across state lines.

In South Carolina, retaliatory fees can specifically apply to non-resident licensees who may find that their home state imposes higher fees than those in South Carolina. Therefore, South Carolina will charge fees that correspond to those higher amounts to maintain a level playing field.

This practice helps uphold a fair regulatory environment among states, discouraging competition that undermines state revenue through lower licensing fees.