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The Senate amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration.

H. 3746 -- Reps. Carnell, Klauber and McAbee: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-11-90 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE MUZZLELOADER HUNTS IN GAME ZONE 2.

The Senate amendments were agreed to, and the Bill, having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and that it be enrolled for ratification.

The following Bills were taken up, read the third time, and ordered sent to the Senate.

H. 4443 -- Reps. Wright, Richardson, Cooper, Townsend, Allison, Littlejohn, Kelley and Jaskwhich: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EDUCATION, BY ADDING CHAPTER 40 SO AS TO ENACT THE SOUTH CAROLINA CHARTER SCHOOL ACT WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH A CHARTER SCHOOL SHALL BE FORMED, FUNDED, REGULATED, AND GOVERNED, AND TO ESTABLISH A CHARTER SCHOOLS REVIEW COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS ACT.

H. 4469 -- Reps. Wilkins, Sharpe, Haskins, Cato, D. Smith, Townsend, J. Brown and Harrison: A BILL TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA EFFECTIVE DEATH PENALTY ACT OF 1996" INCLUDING PROVISIONS TO ADD SECTION 16-3-21, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO PROHIBIT, WITHOUT PRIOR COURT APPROVAL, CONTACT WITH JURORS WHO SENTENCED AN INDIVIDUAL TO DEATH BY ATTORNEYS OR AGENTS OF THAT INDIVIDUAL; BY ADDING SECTION 17-25-375 SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR PROCEDURES FOR THE SETTING OF EXECUTION DATES; BY AMENDING SECTION 17-25-380, RELATING TO NOTICES OF THE INTENT TO EXECUTE A DEATH SENTENCE, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THESE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 17-27-130 SO AS TO

H. 4502 -- Reps. Simrill, Herdklotz, Cain, Sandifer, Haskins, Meacham, Hallman, Trotter, Cato and R. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-1-85 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT MARRIAGES BETWEEN PERSONS OF THE SAME SEX VALID IN ANOTHER STATE ARE VOID IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

H. 4635 -- Reps. Gamble, Mason, Stoddard, Carnell, Neal, G. Brown, Howard, Sandifer, Kennedy, Walker, Bailey, Whatley, Hutson, Stuart, Simrill, Shissias, Lloyd, Byrd, Herdklotz, Thomas, J. Young, Keegan, Stille, Rhoad, Lee, McCraw, Rice, Robinson, Harvin, Cain, Davenport and Chamblee: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO ENACT ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS OF LAW WHICH WILL RESTRAIN THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE, DRUGS, SEX, AND INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOR ON TELEVISION WHICH REASONABLY CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE SEEN BY CHILDREN.

Whereas, several reputable studies have now shown that the increase in drugs, violence, implicit and explicit sex and sexual innuendo, and vulgar

Whereas, taken to the extreme, some children have actually tried to duplicate in real life inappropriate and violent behavior that they have seen as drama or fiction on television; and

Whereas, some steps have been taken in the past to try to deal with this problem. The Federal Communications Commission set aside certain times for "children's hour" programming on television, and the recently enacted Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 further attempts to deal with this problem through a series of provisions designed to clean up the type of programming seen by children; and

Whereas, much more needs to be done and under the United States Constitution, Congress and not individual state legislatures is empowered to take such action; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly of South Carolina, by this resolution, call on the Congress to enact comprehensive legislation that through such vehicles as required ratings, voluntary or mandatory standards, and peer and FCC review, will decrease the amount of violence, sex, drugs, and inappropriate language and behavior on television which reasonably can be expected to be seen by children. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the General Assembly of South Carolina hereby memorializes the Congress of the United States to enact additional provisions of law which will restrain the amount of violence, drugs, sex, and inappropriate language and behavior on television which reasonably can be expected to be seen by children.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of South Carolina's congressional delegation.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered sent to the Senate.

Rep. COBB-HUNTER moved that the House recur to the morning hour, which was agreed to.

On motion of Rep. SPEARMAN, with unanimous consent, the following was taken up for immediate consideration:

H. 4980 -- Rep. Spearman: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES ON ASSOCIATION WEEK TO BE CELEBRATED MAY 6-10, 1996.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly recognize that hundreds of nonprofit national, regional, state and local trade associations, professional societies, and community service organizations operate in the public interest of South Carolina; and

Whereas, such organizations exist for the mutual benefit of their members and constituents through education, public information, influence on public policy, group benefits, and pursuit of other common goals; and

Whereas, these South Carolina associations encourage high standards of conduct and codes of ethics in the public interest and promote voluntary action as an effective means of meeting common challenges; and

Whereas, hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians hold individual membership in South Carolina associations with a direct economic impact on the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the General Assembly salutes all associations and acknowledges the many contributions made to communities by these organizations and their members. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina hereby declare May 6-10, 1996, as Association Week for the South Carolina Society of Association Executives.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Carolina Society of Association Executives.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following Bills were introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committee:

S. 1219 -- Education Committee: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 59-35-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT

S. 1375 -- Senator Matthews: A BILL TO PROVIDE THAT ORANGEBURG COUNTY ON JULY 1, 1997, SHALL CONSIST OF THREE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICTS; TO PROVIDE THAT EACH CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF TRUSTEES WHO SHALL BE ELECTED IN NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS ON SPECIFIED DATES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION AND MANNER OF ELECTION OF EACH CONSOLIDATED BOARD; TO ESTABLISH AN ORANGEBURG COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ON JULY 1, 1997, TO BE COMPOSED OF SEVEN MEMBERS ELECTED IN NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS IN THE MANNER SPECIFIED; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNTY BOARD; TO PROVIDE FOR THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COUNTY BOARD AND THE CONSOLIDATED BOARDS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH SCHOOL BUDGETS MUST BE PREPARED AND SCHOOL TAX MILLAGE DETERMINED AND LEVIED; TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE ASSETS, LIABILITIES, AND BONDED INDEBTEDNESS OF THE EIGHT PRESENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO THE COUNTY BOARD WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEBT LIMITATION OF THE COUNTY BOARD FOR THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS MUST BE

On motion of Rep. SHARPE, with unanimous consent, the Bill was ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

The motion period was dispensed with on motion of Rep. KLAUBER.

Rep. YOUNG-BRICKELL moved that the House do now adjourn.

Rep. WILKES raised the Point of Order that fifteen minutes had not elapsed since a similar motion was made, which point was sustained by the Chair.

Rep. LIMBAUGH moved to adjourn debate upon the following Joint Resolution until Tuesday, April 30, which was adopted.

H. 3812 -- Reps. Limbaugh, Tripp, Mason, McElveen, Herdklotz, Knotts, Cain, Dantzler, J. Young, R. Smith, Martin, Wilkins, Hallman, Whatley, Law, Felder, Rice, Sandifer, A. Young, Wofford, Simrill, Allison, Harrell, Keegan, Fair, Cotty, Cooper, Easterday, Quinn, Wells, Kelley, Shissias, Limehouse, Fulmer, Seithel, Huff, Fair, Cotty, Harrison, Walker, D. Smith, Robinson, Fleming, Hutson, Witherspoon, Riser, Davenport, Vaughn, Cato, Wright, Littlejohn, Klauber, Lanford, J. Harris, Sharpe and Haskins: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, BY ADDING SECTION 16 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA OR ANY OF ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS FROM USING RACE, SEX, COLOR, ETHNICITY, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN AS A CRITERION FOR EITHER DISCRIMINATING AGAINST OR GRANTING PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP IN THE OPERATION OF THE STATE'S SYSTEM OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, PUBLIC EDUCATION, OR PUBLIC CONTRACTING.

Rep. SIMRILL moved to adjourn debate upon the following Bill until Tuesday, April 30, which was adopted.

S. 517 -- Senator Patterson: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 8-11-640, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CREDIT FOR PRIOR STATE SERVICE IN COMPUTING BONUS LEAVE EARNINGS AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS, SO AS TO INCREASE FROM TEN TO TWENTY THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF YEARS FOR WHICH CERTAIN EMPLOYEES SHALL RECEIVE CREDIT FOR PRIOR STATE SERVICE FOR PURPOSES OF COMPUTING BONUS EARNINGS.

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 3803 -- Reps. A. Young, Keegan, Mason, R. Smith, Bailey, Wofford, Klauber, Law, Hutson, Whatley, Vaughn, Chamblee, Byrd, Gamble, Witherspoon, Lloyd, Limbaugh, Kinon, Littlejohn, Haskins and Meacham: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PERSONS WHO MAY OBTAIN A DRIVER'S LICENSE, BEGINNER'S PERMIT OR INSTRUCTION PERMIT, SO AS TO REQUIRE APPLICANTS FOR A BEGINNER'S PERMIT TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 56-1-50, TO REQUIRE APPLICANTS FOR A RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 56-1-180, AND TO DELETE "INSTRUCTION PERMIT" AND "SECTION 56-1-60"; TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-50, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO OBTAINING A BEGINNER'S PERMIT, SO AS TO REQUIRE APPLICANTS TO COMPLETE A DRIVER'S TRAINING COURSE BEFORE BEING ISSUED A BEGINNER'S PERMIT; TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-180, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO A RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSE, SO AS TO DELETE "INSTRUCTION PERMIT" AND TO REQUIRE APPLICANTS TO COMPLETE A DRIVER'S TRAINING COURSE BEFORE BEING ISSUED A RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSE.

Rep. SPEARMAN moved to adjourn debate upon the Bill until Tuesday, April 30.

Rep. WALKER moved to table the motion, which was not agreed to.

The Education and Public Works Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name P:\amend\DKA\3803CM.96).

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

/SECTION 1. Section 56-1-40(1) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 497 of 1994, is further amended to read:

"(1) who is under sixteen seventeen years of age. However, the department may issue a beginner's or instruction permit as provided in Sections Section 56-1-50 and 56-1-60 to a person who is at least fifteen years of age, and meets the requirements of that section. The department also may issue a special restricted driver's license to a person who is at least fifteen sixteen years of age and less than sixteen seventeen years of age as provided in Section 56-1-180 and meets the requirements of that section;"

SECTION 2. Section 56-1-50 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 497 of 1994, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-1-50. (A) A person who is at least fifteen years of age may apply to the department for a beginner's permit. After the applicant has passed successfully all parts of the examination other than the driving test, the department may issue to the applicant a beginner's permit which entitles the applicant having the permit in his immediate possession to drive a motor vehicle under the conditions contained in this section on the public highways for not more than twelve months.

(B) The permit is valid only under the following conditions:

(1) in the operation of all vehicles after the hour of six o'clock a.m. and no later than six o'clock p.m. However, beginning on the day that daylight saving time goes into effect through the day that daylight saving time ends, the holder of the permit may operate a vehicle after six o'clock a.m. and no later than eight o'clock p.m.;

(2) in the operation of farm machinery and equipment, other than a passenger car, while engaged in agricultural pursuits; and

(3) in the operation of a motor scooter or light motor-driven cycle of five-brake horsepower or less.
(C) Except as provided in item (D), while driving, as specified in subsection (B)(1), the permittee must be accompanied by a licensed driver eighteen twenty-one years of age or older who has had at least one year of driving experience, and who is occupying a seat beside the driver, except when the permittee is operating a motorcycle. A three-wheel

(D) The restrictions of subsection (C) require the holder of a beginner's permit to be accompanied by an adult during the hours specified in subsection (B)(1), do not apply if the person successfully has completed a driver training course administered by a driver training school or a private, parochial, or public high school conducted by a person holding a valid driver instructor permit contained in Section 56-23-87, and while driving maintains in his possession the certificate of completion he received pursuant to Section 56-23-87.

(E) A beginner's permit may be renewed or a new permit issued for additional periods of twelve months, but the department may refuse to renew or issue a new permit where the examining officer has reason to believe the applicant has not made a bona fide effort to pass the required driver's road test or does not appear to the examining officer to have the aptitude to pass the road test. The fee for every beginner's or renewal permit is two dollars and fifty cents, and the permit must bear the full name, date of birth, and residence address and a brief description and color photograph of the permittee and a facsimile of the signature of the permittee or a space upon which the permittee shall write his usual signature with pen and ink immediately upon receipt of the permit. No permit is valid until it has been so signed by the permittee.

(F) The following persons are not required to obtain a beginner's permit to operate a motor vehicle:

(1) a student regularly enrolled in a high school of this State which conducts a driver training course is not required to obtain a beginner's permit to operate a motor vehicle while the student is participating in the driver training course and when accompanied by a qualified instructor of the driver training course.;

(2) Also exempted from the requirement of the beginner's permit are persons a person enrolled in a driver training courses course conducted by a driver training schools school licensed under Chapter 23 of this title. However, these persons this person at all times must be accompanied by an instructor of the school and may drive only an automobile owned or leased by the school which is covered by liability insurance in an amount not less than the minimum required by law."

SECTION 3. Section 56-1-180 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 490 of 1992, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-1-180. (A) The department may issue a special restricted driver's license to a person who is at least fifteen sixteen years old of age and less than sixteen seventeen years old of age, who first has acquired

(B) The special restricted driver's license is valid only under the following conditions:

(1) in the operation of all type vehicles, except that between the hours of after six o'clock p.m. a.m. and no later than six o'clock a.m. p.m. the holder of the special restricted driver's license must be accompanied by a licensed adult, twenty-one years of age or more, or accompanied by the holder's parent or guardian. However, beginning on the day that daylight saving time goes into effect through the day that daylight saving time ends, the holder of the license does not need to be accompanied before may operate a vehicle after six o'clock a.m. and no later than eight o'clock p.m.;

(2) in the operation of all vehicles during hours not specified in subsection (B)(1), the holder of a special restricted driver's license must be accompanied by a licensed adult, twenty-one years of age or more, or accompanied by the holder's parent or guardian;

(3) in the operation of farm machinery and equipment, other than a passenger car, while engaged in agricultural pursuits; and

(3)(4) in the operation of a motor scooter or light motor-driven cycle of five-brake horsepower or less."

SECTION 4. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 56-23-87. All persons successfully completing a driver training course conducted by a person holding a valid driver instructor permit as specified in Section 56-23-85, must be issued a certificate of completion in a form consistent with regulations issued by the Department of Public Safety.

SECTION 5. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and is applicable to a person applying for a beginner's permit or motor vehicle license on or after January 1, 1997. /

Amend title to conform.

Rep. KELLEY explained the amendment.

Rep. FELDER spoke against the amendment.

Rep. J. BROWN moved that the House do now adjourn, which was adopted.

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