Bill 3487

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                    3487
Ratification Number:            52
Act Number:                     31
Type of Legislation:            General Bill GB
Introducing Body:               House
Introduced Date:                19950202
Primary Sponsor:                Hutson
All Sponsors:                   Hutson, Moody-Lawrence, Baxley,
                                Jennings, Cain, Neilson, Quinn, Cromer,
                                Harrison, Cobb-Hunter, Cave, L. Whipper,
                                Bailey, Sharpe, McElveen, Worley,
                                S. Whipper, Koon, Knotts, Kennedy, Law,
                                Walker, Wilder, Simrill, White,
                                Inabinett, Limehouse, Fulmer, J. Harris,
                                Robinson, Kelley, Wells, Trotter, Neal,
                                Williams, Shissias, Hines, Keyserling,
                                Riser, Rhoad, Kinon, Harwell,
                                Witherspoon, Davenport, Seithel,
                                Whatley, Richardson, J. Brown, Byrd,
                                McMahand, H. Brown, G. Brown, Townsend,
                                R. Smith, J. Young, Spearman, Carnell,
                                D. Smith, Herdklotz, Huff, Rice, Vaughn,
                                Stuart, Stille, Meacham, Wright, Wilkes,
                                Limbaugh, Lloyd, Keegan, Haskins,
                                Phillips, Wofford, McAbee, P. Harris,
                                Hodges, Tucker, Dantzler, Askins,
                                Howard, Lanford, Klauber and Allison
Drafted Document Number:        br1\18095ac.95
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:   19950404
Governor's Action:              S
Date of Governor's Action:      19950410
Subject:                        State Hospitality Beverage,
                                Tea

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________

------  19950410  Act No. A31
------  19950410  Signed by Governor
------  19950405  Ratified R52
Senate  19950404  Read third time, enrolled for
                  ratification
Senate  19950330  Read second time, notice of
                  general amendments
Senate  19950329  Committee report: Favorable              08 SG
Senate  19950209  Introduced, read first time,             08 SG
                  referred to Committee
House   19950208  Read third time, sent to Senate
House   19950207  Read second time
House   19950202  Recalled from Committee                  20 HANR
House   19950202  Introduced, read first time,             20 HANR
                  referred to Committee

(A31, R52, H3487)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-692 SO AS TO DESIGNATE SOUTH CAROLINA GROWN TEA AS THE OFFICIAL HOSPITALITY BEVERAGE OF THE STATE.

Whereas, a member of the Camellia family, Camellia sinensis, most commonly known as tea, is the world's most popular beverage excepting water; and

Whereas, South Carolina is the first place in the United States where tea was grown having been planted in the South Carolina Lowcountry outside of Charleston in 1799 at what is now Middleton Place; and

Whereas, South Carolina contains a unique combination of factors that makes tea production possible; and

Whereas, quality tea was produced successfully by Dr. Charles Shepard at Pinehurst Tea Plantation near Summerville circa 1888 and continued for over twenty-five years; and

Whereas, subsequent to its introduction in America, commercial tea production also was attempted in South Carolina in Greenville, in Georgetown, and in Ravenel; and

Whereas, most recently tea is being produced in the tradition of Dr. Shepard on Wadmalaw Island from plants descended from the tea planted near Summerville over one hundred years ago; and

Whereas, with improved plant horticulture and the invention of unique machinery to harvest the delicate leaves, Mack Fleming and William B. Hall of American Classic Tea are growing, harvesting, drying, grading, and packaging this beverage again on Wadmalaw Island; and

Whereas, it is recognized that tea is unique to South Carolina in that South Carolina is the only state to have ever produced tea commercially, and with the revitalizing of an industry that flourished at the turn of the century, it is appropriate that this beverage be so recognized as the official hospitality beverage of the State. Now, therefore,

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

Tea designated state hospitality beverage

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 1-1-692. South Carolina grown tea is designated as the official hospitality beverage of the State."

Time effective

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

Approved the 10th day of April, 1995.