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S. 1416

STATUS INFORMATION

Joint Resolution
Sponsors: Senators L. Martin, Campbell, Shoopman and Cleary
Document Path: l:\s-res\lam\010liab.mrh.lam.docx

Introduced in the Senate on April 10, 2012
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary

Summary: Liability of members and managers of Limited Liability Companies

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   4/10/2012  Senate  Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 11)
   4/10/2012  Senate  Referred to Committee on Judiciary 
                        (Senate Journal-page 11)
   4/11/2012  Senate  Referred to Subcommittee: Campsen (ch), Hutto, Malloy, 
                        Campbell, Massey

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

4/10/2012

TO RECODIFY SECTION 33-44-303 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE LIABILITY OF MEMBERS AND MANAGERS OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES, AND TO EXPRESS THAT IT IS THE CLEAR AND UNAMBIGUOUS INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO SHIELD A MEMBER OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY FROM PERSONAL LIABILITY FOR ACTIONS TAKEN IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY'S BUSINESS.

Whereas, the South Carolina Supreme Court recently issued the opinion in the case of 16 Jade Street v. R. Design Construction Co., LLC, et al., where the Court held that the General Assembly did not intend the Limited Liability Corporation Act to shield a member of the LLC from liability for his own torts; and

Whereas, the Court provided in its majority opinion that "while we agree the language of the LLC Act appears to insulate a member from personal liability, we hold that such a sweeping liability shield was not intended by the General Assembly"; and

Whereas, the Court further provided in its majority opinion that "the right to sue one's tortfeasor is a long-standing right in our legal system, and we will only find it abrogated by statute through 'clear legislative intent'"; and

Whereas, the Court provided in its majority opinion that "we are not persuaded that (limiting personal liability) was the intent of the General Assembly"; and

Whereas, the Court stated in its majority opinion that they "conclude that Section 33-44-303(a) only protects non-tortfeasor members from vicarious liability and does not insulate the tortfeasor himself from personal liability for his actions." Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    The General Assembly, by this joint resolution, recodifies Section 33-44-303 of the South Carolina Code of Laws as of the effective date of this joint resolution that was interpreted in the 16 Jade Street opinion of the South Carolina Supreme Court so that the clear and unambiguous intent of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina as expressed in the language of that section is that the limited liability act was intended by the General Assembly to shield a member of an LLC from personal liability for actions taken in the ordinary course of business of the LLC.

SECTION    2.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval of the Governor.

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