The SPEAKER granted Rep. ROGERS a leave of absence for the day.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. McELVEEN a leave of absence for the day.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. RICE a leave of absence for the day.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. KEYSERLING a leave of absence for the day.
Announcement was made that Dr. Tom Whitaker of Myrtle Beach is the Doctor of the Day for the General Assembly.
Rep. FULMER, on behalf of the Charleston Delegation, presented to the House Lieutenant General Claudius E. "Bud" Watts III, President of the Citadel, on occasion of his retirement.
Rep. FELDER, on behalf of the Calhoun Delegation, presented to the House the Calhoun County High School Saints Boys Basketball Team, winners of the 1995-96 Class AA State Championship, their coaches and other school officials.
Rep. T. BROWN moved to adjourn debate upon the following Bill until Tuesday, May 7, which was adopted.
S. 944 -- Senators Greg Smith and Rose: A BILL TO DEVOLVE THE AUTHORITY FOR APPOINTMENTS AND BUDGETARY APPROVALS FOR CERTAIN OFFICES, BOARDS, AND COMMISSIONS FROM THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION REPRESENTING GEORGETOWN COUNTY TO THE GOVERNING BODY OF GEORGETOWN COUNTY.
The following Bills and Joint Resolutions were taken up, read the third time, and ordered sent to the Senate.
H. 4545 -- Reps. Klauber, Simrill, Askins, Chamblee, Mason, R. Smith, Limehouse, Young-Brickell, Koon, Wright, Herdklotz, Sharpe, Knotts, Tripp, Elliott, Fulmer, D. Smith, Gamble, Quinn, Kennedy, Vaughn, Rice, Cato, Bailey, Wofford, Davenport, Whatley, Haskins, Worley, J. Young, Littlejohn, Law, Allison, Riser, Witherspoon, Lanford and Carnell: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 58-27-865, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ELECTRIC UTILITIES AND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, RATES AND CHARGES, ESTIMATES OF FUEL COSTS, REPORTS, AND ADJUSTMENT OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACTUAL AND ESTIMATED COSTS, SO AS TO DEFINE "COST" FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, DELETE CERTAIN LANGUAGE, PROVIDE THAT IT MUST BE CONCLUSIVELY PRESUMED THAT AN ELECTRICAL UTILITY MADE EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT TO MINIMIZE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATION OF ITS NUCLEAR GENERATION FACILITY OR SYSTEM, AS APPLICABLE, IF THE UTILITY ACHIEVED A NET CAPACITY FACTOR OF NINETY PERCENT OR HIGHER DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW.
H. 4861 -- Rep. Boan: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 57, TITLE 40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS, COUNSELORS, SALESMEN, APPRAISERS, AUCTIONEERS, AND PROPERTY MANAGERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE CHAPTER TO CONFORM TO A UNIFORM FRAMEWORK FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL BOARDS.
H. 4686 -- Rep. Hodges: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 34, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO BANKING AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS BY ADDING CHAPTER 26 SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA CREDIT UNION ACT OF 1996", WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE ORGANIZATION, OPERATION, AND SUPERVISION OF COOPERATIVE NONPROFIT THRIFT AND CREDIT ASSOCIATIONS KNOWN AS CREDIT UNIONS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR DUTIES, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS; AND
H. 4795 -- Rep. Gamble: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 37-10-102, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ATTORNEY'S FEES AND OTHER CHARGES ON MORTGAGE LOANS FOR PERSONAL, FAMILY, OR HOUSEHOLD PURPOSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ATTORNEY'S PREFERENCE AND THE INSURANCE AGENT'S PREFERENCE OF THE BORROWER REQUIRED TO BE ASCERTAINED BY THE CREDITOR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE LOANS ARE INDEPENDENT OF EACH OTHER AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THE CREDITOR SHALL COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-10-105, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTION CODE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 37-10-102 ABOVE RELATING TO THE ASCERTAINING OF THE ATTORNEY'S PREFERENCE AND THE INSURANCE AGENT'S PREFERENCE OF A BORROWER SHALL BE PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 37-5-202 BELOW; AND TO AMEND SECTION 37-5-202, RELATING TO VIOLATIONS OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTION CODE AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES IN REGARD THERETO INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES, SO AS TO INCLUDE THEREIN VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 37-10-102 IN REGARD TO ATTORNEY AND INSURANCE AGENT PREFERENCES.
H. 4782 -- Rep. Easterday: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 37-5-203, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE CONSUMER PROTECTION CODE, DEBTORS' REMEDIES, AND CIVIL LIABILITY FOR VIOLATION OF DISCLOSURE PROVISIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPOSE CIVIL LIABILITY OR PENALTIES ON AN ARRANGER OF CREDIT WHEN DISCLOSURE CONSTITUTING A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL TRUTH IN LENDING ACT IS ACTUALLY COMMITTED BY ANOTHER PERSON AND THE ARRANGER OF THE CREDIT HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE VIOLATION WHEN IT OCCURRED, AND TO REQUIRE THE CREDITOR TO PROVIDE A COPY OF THE FINAL CLOSING DOCUMENTS TO THE ARRANGER OF CREDIT; TO AMEND SECTION 40-58-20, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO
H. 4973 -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF PILOTAGE FOR THE PORT OF CHARLESTON, RELATING TO CONTROL OF VESSELS DURING DOCKING AND UNDOCKING OPERATIONS; INCREASE IN REGISTRATION FEES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 1910, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
H. 4959 -- Rep. Martin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-655, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT WITH MINORS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON IS GUILTY OF CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT IN THE SECOND DEGREE IF HE KNOWINGLY ENGAGES IN SEXUAL BATTERY WITH CERTAIN VICTIMS AND REVISE THE AGE OF CERTAIN PERPETRATORS OF THIS CRIME.
H. 4765 -- Rep. Wilder: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-250, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEPRESSANTS CLASSIFIED AS SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, SO AS TO REVISE THE SUBSTANCES COMPRISING THIS CLASSIFICATION; TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-360, RELATING TO DISPENSING OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, SO AS TO CONFORM REFERENCES TO CURRENT LAW AND TO DELETE PROVISIONS RELATING TO LABELING OF CERTAIN DRUG PRODUCTS AND TO REVISE MAXIMUM PERIODS FOR WHICH CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES MAY BE PRESCRIBED; TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-710, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO METHADONE TREATMENT, SO AS TO DELETE REFERENCES TO PROGRAMS LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE SERVICES; TO AMEND
H. 4838 -- Reps. Moody-Lawrence, Kirsh, McMahand, Harvin, L. Whipper, Inabinett, M. Hines, Sheheen, J. Hines, Cobb-Hunter, Neal, Breeland, S. Whipper, White, H. Brown, Meacham, Kennedy, McCraw, Bailey, Allison, Young-Brickell, Clyburn, Lloyd, Cave, T. Brown, Scott, Howard, Byrd, Wells, Lee, Canty, Davenport, Simrill, Walker, Anderson, Tripp, Littlejohn, Delleney and Waldrop: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO INSTRUCT THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND TAXATION TO DEVELOP A PROCESS THAT ALLOWS A DRIVER WHO COMMITS A TRAFFIC VIOLATION IN ANOTHER STATE TO INFORM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE VIOLATION AND ITS DISPOSITION.
H. 4979 -- Reps. Carnell, McAbee, Boan, Hallman and Keegan: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 1377 OF 1968, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SO AS TO REVISE EXISTING BOND AUTHORIZATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND MARINE RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.
The following Bills were taken up, read the third time, and ordered returned to the Senate with amendments.
S. 1043 -- Senators Short, Rose, Peeler, Richter, Greg Smith, Thomas, Mescher, Moore, J. Verne Smith, Courtney, Elliott, Holland, Reese, Leventis, McGill, Cork, Passailaigue, Rankin, Matthews, Waldrop, Washington, Lander, Jackson, O'Dell and Gregory: A BILL TO AMEND
S. 642 -- Senator Thomas: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-9-60, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT, SELF-INSURERS, AND DETERMINATION OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT A COPY OF THE APPLICANT'S LATEST FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARED BY A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT LICENSED TO DO BUSINESS IN SOUTH CAROLINA INDICATING THAT THE APPLICANT HAS A POSITIVE NET WORTH MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR A DETERMINATION OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND THAT AN APPLICANT MAY BE REQUIRED TO DEPOSIT IN A SEGREGATED SELF-INSURED CLAIMS ACCOUNT THE SUM OF THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EACH VEHICLE TO BE COVERED BY THE SELF-INSURER'S CERTIFICATE.
S. 571 -- Senator Peeler: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2680, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE USE OF SALES TAX EXEMPTION CERTIFICATES MAINTAINED ON FILE USED IN MAKING VARIOUS TAX EXEMPT PURCHASES, SO AS TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE PURCHASER SIGN THE INVOICE AND TO MAKE THIS DELETION EFFECTIVE FOR EXEMPT SALES MADE ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1995.
S. 1195 -- Education Committee: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-103-15 SO AS TO DEFINE THE MISSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND OF EACH TYPE OF PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING; TO AMEND
S. 774 -- Senator Land: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-31-50, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE COLLECTION AND USE OF SURCHARGES IMPOSED UPON THE PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES RENTED FOR THIRTY-ONE DAYS OR LESS, AND TO CERTAIN REPORTS, VIOLATIONS, PENALTIES, REGULATIONS, AND FORMS PERTAINING TO THE COLLECTION OF THE SURCHARGES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SURCHARGES ARE A SALES TAX THAT BELONGS TO THE STATE WHICH MUST BE PLACED IN A SEGREGATED ACCOUNT, THE SURCHARGES ARE NOT SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CREDITOR LIENS, AND ARE NOT GROSS RECEIPTS OR REVENUE, AND A PERSON OR ENTITY MAY NOT IMPOSE A FEE, PENALTY, OR EXPENSE ON INDIVIDUALS COMPLYING WITH THIS PROVISION.
The following Bills were read the third time, passed and, having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title of
S. 501 -- Senator Gregory: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 6-1-110 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY MAY NOT IMPOSE A MORATORIUM ON A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR WHICH A PERMIT HAS BEEN GRANTED WITHOUT GIVING A TWO-WEEK NOTICE IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE PROJECT IS LOCATED AND REQUIRE AT LEAST TWO READINGS WHICH ARE A WEEK APART BEFORE A MORATORIUM MAY BE IMPOSED.
S. 1226 -- Senators Giese, Passailaigue and Glover: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 44, CHAPTER 36, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO ENACT THE "ALZHEIMER'S SPECIAL CARE DISCLOSURE ACT" SO AS TO REQUIRE CERTAIN FACILITIES OFFERING SPECIAL CARE UNITS OR PROGRAMS FOR ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS TO DISCLOSE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL THE FORM OF CARE OR TREATMENT PROVIDED THAT DISTINGUISHES IT AS BEING ESPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR THESE PATIENTS.
The following Bill was taken up.
H. 4657 -- Reps. Haskins, Easterday, Rice, Knotts, Limehouse, Simrill, Cooper, Meacham, Herdklotz, Byrd, Loftis, Stille, Chamblee, Waldrop, Kelley, Vaughn, Law, Allison, Davenport, Wright and Robinson: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-1535 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SHALL PROVIDE CRIME VICTIMS WITH A COPY OF THE CRIME INCIDENT REPORT RELATING TO THEIR CASE AND CERTAIN OTHER INFORMATION; TO ADD SECTION 16-3-1537 SO AS TO REQUIRE A CRIMINAL SENTENCING JUDGE TO APPLY AMOUNTS FORFEITED TO THE COURT BY A PERSON PURSUANT TO SECTION 17-15-90 TOWARD THE PAYMENT OF RESTITUTION