South Carolina General Assembly
107th Session, 1987-1988

Bill 1006

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               1006
Ratification Number:       675
Act Number                 588
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                   Loggerhead turtle (caretta caretta) as
                           the official reptile of the state
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

(A588, R675, S1006)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-625 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE LOGGERHEAD TURTLE (CARETTA CARETTA) AS THE OFFICIAL REPTILE OF THE STATE.

Whereas, loggerhead sea turtles are recognized as threatened specie and the destruction of their nesting habitat further threatens them with extinction; and

Whereas, sea turtles are an important part of the marine ecosystem; and

Whereas, sea turtles perform extended migrations between their feeding grounds and rookeries, and South Carolina is considered to have some of the most pristine nesting areas used for nesting of loggerhead sea turtles on the eastern coast; and

Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes that it is the responsibility of the State of South Carolina to preserver and protect our wildlife and natural resources. Now, therefore,

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

Loggerhead turtle - state reptile

SECTION 1. Article 9, Chapter 1, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 1-1-625. The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is the official reptile of the State."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.