PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO
ARTICLE
XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION
OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS, BY ADDING SECTION
16, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY PROVIDE FOR THE CONDUCT OF
GAMBLING AND GAMING ACTIVITIES IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STATE UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE THAT ANY GAMBLING OR GAMING ACTIVITIES MUST BE
STRICTLY REGULATED, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ALLOCATION OF ANY REVENUES; AND
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 8,
ARTICLE
XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH
CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO OFFICERS GAMBLING AND BETTING, BY DELETING SECTION
8, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT MAKES IT UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON HOLDING AN
OFFICE OF HONOR, TRUST, OR PROFIT TO ENGAGE IN GAMBLING OR BETTING ON GAMES OF
CHANCE, AND TO REQUIRE AN OFFICER'S REMOVAL FROM OFFICE UPON CONVICTION FOR A
GAMBLING OFFENSE.
Be it enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. It is
proposed that
Article
XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended by
adding:
Section 16. The General Assembly may by law provide in
specified areas of the State for the conduct of gambling and gaming activities
on which bets are made, to include pari-mutuel betting on horse racing; sports
betting on professional sports; casino activities, such as card or dice games in
which the skill of a player is involved in the outcome; and games of chance
with the use of electronic devices or gaming tables, all of which must be
strictly regulated and may be conducted in one location or in separate
locations within the specified areas, with the revenue realized by the State to
be allocated to the State's retirement systems in order to achieve and maintain
a ratio of the actuarial value of the systems' assets to the actuarial
accrued liability of the systems that is equal to or greater than ninety
percent. Any revenue realized above the amount necessary to achieve and
maintain that ratio shall be deposited in the State's general fund.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 14,
Article
VIII or any other provision of this Constitution, the General Assembly, in
establishing the specific locations provided, may alter the application of the
criminal laws of this State, or of any of its political subdivisions, and the
penalties and sanctions for violations in these locations and may enact special
legislation, including criminal laws, relating to or arising from gambling and
gaming activities that is applicable only in these locations."
SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified
electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be
provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or
written on each ballot:
"Must
Article
XVII of the Constitution of this State be
amended so as to provide that the General Assembly may by law provide, in
specified areas of the State, for the conduct of gambling and gaming activities
on which bets are made, to include pari-mutuel betting on horse racing; sports
betting on professional sports; casino activities, such as card or dice games in
which the skill of a player is involved in the outcome; and games of chance
with the use of electronic devices or gaming tables, all of which must be strictly
regulated and may be conducted in one location or in separate locations within
the specified areas, with the revenue realized by the State and local
jurisdictions to be used to reduce the unfunded liabilities of the State's
retirement systems until the actuarially funded ratio equals or exceeds ninety
percent, with any remaining funds deposited in the State's general fund, and to
allow the General Assembly to enact special laws, including criminal laws,
applicable only in the specified area in which gambling is allowed?
Yes p
No p
Those voting in favor of the
question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after
the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot
with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."
SECTION 3. It is proposed that Section 8,
Article
XVII of the
Constitution of this State be amended to read:
ArtXVIISec8
_e65cc2f30">Section 8. It shall be unlawful for any
person holding an office of honor, trust or profit to engage in gambling or
betting on games of chance; and any such officer, upon conviction thereof,
shall become thereby disqualified from the further exercise of the functions of
his office, and the office of said person shall become vacant, as in the case
of resignation or death. (Reserved.)"
SECTION
4. The proposed amendment must be
submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for
representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with
the following words printed or written on each ballot:
"Must Section 8,
Article XVII of the Constitution of
this State, relating to officers gambling and betting, be amended so as to
delete the provision that makes it unlawful for a person holding an office of
honor, trust, or profit to engage in gambling or betting on games of chance,
and that requires an officer's removal from office upon conviction for a
gambling offense?
Yes p
No p
Those
voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross
mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question
shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word
'No'."
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