H 4954 Session 125 (2023-2024) H 4954 General Bill, By Landing, M.M. Smith, Gilliam, Hartnett, Bustos, Hager, Haddon, Mitchell, Brewer, Robbins, McGinnis, Gagnon, McCravy, Moss, Brittain, Crawford, Guest, Nutt, O'Neal, Guffey, Pope, Felder, Kilmartin, Burns, Pendarvis, Leber, Chumley, Magnuson, S. Jones, A.M. Morgan, Bannister, J.E. Johnson, Harris, White, Willis, Hardee, Williams, Garvin, J. Moore, Cobb-Hunter, Pace, Stavrinakis, Blackwell, McCabe, Gibson, Wetmore, Dillard, Rivers, Jefferson, Pedalino, Long, Oremus, Trantham, Hayes, W. Jones, T.A. Morgan, B.J. Cox, Weeks, Wheeler, Sessions, Cromer, Vaughan, J.L. Johnson, Beach, Kirby, Anderson, Thayer and Chapman
A bill
TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE
27 TO CHAPTER 1, TITLE 1, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR DEFINITIONS AND TO REQUIRE EACH
ENTITY RESPONSIBLE FOR
Whereas, electromagnetic pulse can be caused by a solar flare, also known as a coronal mass ejection, or a nuclear blast high up in the atmosphere that could be delivered via a suitcase-sized bomb on a weather balloon, satellite, or ballistic missile; and
Whereas, China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran are all very aware of the potential for disaster caused by an electromagnetic pulse, and some of them already have access to the technology to wreak havoc on their enemies; and
Whereas, the federal government is fully aware of this and has taken steps to protect military installations, but they are at least partially dependent on the civilian grid; and
Whereas, the "Carrington Event" describes the global impact on telegraph wires and communication by a solar flare on September 1, 1859, and there have been numerous smaller flares since then; and
Whereas, if we had the dependence then on the electrical grid and silicon chips that we have today, the effects would have been far more life-altering and lasting; and
Whereas, estimates from
scientists who have studied this subject are that within one year, nearly
ninety percent of humans could die based on the inability to restore
Whereas, with no power, no access to water or sewer systems, no hospitals, no pharmacies, no refrigeration of any kind, many who are dependent on daily medications or machines for survival would perish much sooner; and
Whereas, there are times when the State of South Carolina, in order to provide for the common defense, has a compelling interest to require action by local municipalities, state agencies, and private enterprise that are essential to the protection of our citizens. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 1 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:
Article 27
Protect South Carolina's Citizens from the Effect of Electromagnetic Pulses
Section 1-1-1800. For purposes of this article: (1)
" (2) "Electromagnetic pulse" means a burst of electromagnetic energy that has the potential to negatively affect technology systems on Earth and in space. This may include human-made electromagnetic pulses and geomagnetic disturbances, and its interaction is measured in nanoseconds.
Section
1-1-1810. (A) Each entity that owns or is otherwise
responsible for (B) All electrical utilities in this State, including electrical utilities not within the Public Service Commission's jurisdiction, must offer a program to its residential customers who request electromagnetic pulse protection for their personal assets. This program must allow the customer, if the customer so desires, to receive electromagnetic pulse protection from the utility and to establish a payment plan through the customer's monthly utility bill. (C) Any entity that fails to comply with the provisions of this section within one year after the effective date of this act must pay a fine of one hundred dollars for each day of noncompliance. All fines collected pursuant to this section must be placed into the General Fund of this State.
SECTION 2. The
General Assembly must provide for funding in the 2024-2025 Appropriations Act
to assist governmental entities with
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. ----XX---- This web page was last updated on January 25, 2024 at 11:49 AM |