Journal of the Senate
of the Second Session of the 111th General Assembly
of the State of South Carolina
being the Regular Session Beginning Tuesday, January 9, 1996

Page Finder Index

| Printed Page 2520, May 9 | Printed Page 2540, May 9 |

Printed Page 2530 . . . . . Thursday, May 9, 1996

The House returned the Bill with amendments.

On motion of Senator HOLLAND, the Senate nonconcurred in the House amendments and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

NONCONCURRENCE

H. 3962 -- Reps. Wilkins, Harrison, D. Smith, Huff, Wells, Witherspoon, H. Brown, Sharpe, Meacham, Fulmer, Fleming, Mason, Wright, A. Young, Keegan, Cain, Tripp, Rice, Riser, Herdklotz, Seithel, Kelley, Trotter, Haskins, Simrill, Hutson, Wofford, Marchbanks, Cotty, Fair, R. Smith, Harrell, Stuart, Klauber, Walker and Sandifer: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 3, ARTICLE V OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE SUPREME COURT; SECTION 8, ARTICLE V, RELATING TO THE COURT OF APPEALS; SECTION 13, ARTICLE V, RELATING TO THE JUDICIAL CIRCUITS AND THE COURTS THEREOF; SECTION 17, ARTICLE V, RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OR RETIREMENT OF JUDGES OF THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM; AND SECTION 18, ARTICLE V, RELATING TO VACANCIES IN THE SUPREME COURT, COURT OF APPEALS, AND THE CIRCUIT COURT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT JUDGES OF THESE COURTS MUST BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR FROM A LIST OF NOMINEES SUBMITTED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION; AND TO


Printed Page 2531 . . . . . Thursday, May 9, 1996

AMEND ARTICLE V OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS STATE RELATING TO THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT BY ADDING SECTION 27 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMISSION TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR THE ABOVE JUDICIAL OFFICES AND FOR JUDGES OF OTHER COURTS OF UNIFORM JURISDICTION AS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY PROVIDE BY LAW.

The House returned the Resolution with amendments.

On motion of Senator HOLLAND, the Senate nonconcurred in the House amendments and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

HOUSE CONCURRENCE

S. 1409 -- Senator Hayes: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FAMILY OF MR. MOUBRAY BEATY, A PROMINENT ROCK HILL REALTOR AND DEVELOPER, UPON HIS DEATH.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

HOUSE CONCURRENCE

S. 1410 -- Senator Patterson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND ON ITS THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE FOR THE THIRTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE BLIND AND SEVERELY VISUALLY IMPAIRED CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT STATE.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO A CALL OF THE UNCONTESTED LOCAL AND STATEWIDE CALENDAR.

ORDERED ENROLLED FOR RATIFICATION

The following Bills were read the third time and having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the titles be changed to that of Acts and enrolled for Ratification:


Printed Page 2532 . . . . . Thursday, May 9, 1996

H. 4853 -- Rep. Wilkes: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 191 OF 1991, RELATING TO THE GOVERNANCE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BOARD MUST BE ELECTED IN A NONPARTISAN ELECTION HELD AT THE TIME OF THE GENERAL ELECTION, TO DELETE OBSOLETE PROVISIONS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE TERMS OF BOARD MEMBERS REPRESENTING DISTRICTS 2, 4, AND 6 ARE EXTENDED UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE ELECTED AND QUALIFY.

(By prior motion of Senator SHORT)

H. 4743 -- Reps. Cotty, Sheheen, Riser and Witherspoon: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 48-11-100, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE COMPOSITION AND ELECTION OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF A WATERSHED CONSERVATION DISTRICT, SO AS TO CHANGE THE METHOD BY WHICH A CANDIDATE FOR WATERSHED DIRECTOR BECOMES QUALIFIED.

HOUSE BILLS RETURNED

The following House Bills were read the third time and ordered returned to the House with amendments:

H. 3710 -- Reps. Keyserling, Richardson, Seithel, L. Whipper, Whatley and Jaskwhich: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXTEND THE EXEMPTION ALLOWED MANUFACTURING MACHINERY TO MACHINERY USED FOR RECYCLING AND TO DEFINE "RECYCLING".

H. 3373 -- Reps. Seithel, Trotter, Wilder, Clyburn, Tripp, G. Brown, Hallman, Townsend, Bailey, Rice, Littlejohn, Herdklotz, Meacham, Jaskwhich, Elliott, Allison, Vaughn, Fulmer, McCraw, Whatley, Limehouse, Simrill, Shissias, Easterday, Breeland, L. Whipper, Harrell, Phillips, Haskins, Cato, A. Young, Stoddard, S. Whipper, Neilson, Sandifer, Davenport, Hines, Moody-Lawrence, Dantzler, Fleming, Lloyd, J. Brown, Limbaugh, Cain, Hodges, Boan, McKay, Walker, Beatty, Rhoad, Hutson, Spearman, Thomas, Cave, J. Young, T. Brown, Stille, Martin and Klauber: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 47-1-160, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FINES


Printed Page 2533 . . . . . Thursday, May 9, 1996

PERTAINING TO CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR DISTRIBUTION OF THE FINES TO ALL ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETIES.

H. 4663 -- Rep. Tucker: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 18-1-90, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE GRANTING OF BAIL FOR A DEFENDANT APPEALING A CONVICTION, SO AS TO MAKE THE GRANTING OF BAIL DISCRETIONARY FOR DEFENDANTS CONVICTED OF CERTAIN OFFENSES.

H. 3055 -- Reps. Kirsh, Simrill, Allison, Baxley, Lloyd and S. Whipper: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-120 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT TO GRANT FOREIGN LANGUAGE CREDIT FOR A COURSE IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE.

AMENDED, READ THE THIRD TIME

RETURNED TO THE HOUSE

H. 3566 -- Reps. Harrison, Cobb-Hunter, Shissias, Quinn, Govan, Martin, Wright, Thomas, Kinon, Haskins, Allison, Neal and Limbaugh: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 20, CHAPTER 7, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 30 SO AS TO ENACT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CODE BY CONSOLIDATING INTO ONE ARTICLE ALL PROVISIONS OF LAW IN VARIOUS PARTS OF TITLE 20, CHAPTER 7, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND RELATING TO DELINQUENCY PROCEEDINGS AND PROCEDURES; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 20-7-330, 20-7-340, 20-7-350, 20-7-360, 20-7-370, 20-7-380, 20-7-390, 20-7-430, 20-7-600, 20-7-605, 20-7-620, 20-7-630, 20-7-740, 20-7-770, 20-7-780, 20-7-1330, 20-7-2080, 20-7-2095, 20-7-2105, 20-7-2115, 20-7-2125, 20-7-2135, 20-7-2145, 20-7-2155, 20-7-2170, 20-7-2175, 20-7-2180, 20-7-2185, 20-7-2190, 20-7-2195, 20-7-2200, 20-7-2203, 20-7-2205, 20-7-2210, 20-7-3100, 20-7-3110, 20-7-3120, 20-7-3130, 20-7-3170, 20-7-3180, 20-7-3190, 20-7-3200, 20-7-3210, 20-7-3220, 20-7-3230, 20-7-3235, 20-7-3240, 20-7-3260, 20-7-3270, 20-7-3280, 20-7-3290, 20-7-3300, 20-7-3310, 20-7-3320, 20-7-3330, 20-7-3340, 20-7-3350, 20-7-3360, 20-7-3370, 20-7-3380, AND 20-7-4000, ALL RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PROCEEDINGS AND PROCEDURES


Printed Page 2534 . . . . . Thursday, May 9, 1996

IN TITLE 20, CHAPTER 7 WHICH ARE CONSOLIDATED INTO ARTICLE 30 AS PROVIDED ABOVE.

Senator RICHTER asked unanimous consent to take the Bill up for immediate consideration.

There was no objection.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill. The question being the third reading of the Bill.

Senator RICHTER proposed the following amendment (DKA\3500CM.96), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 20-7-6605(1), SECTION 1, page 2, by adding after the /./ on line 19:

/An additional or accompanying charge associated with the charges contained in this item must be heard by the court with jurisdiction over the offenses contained in this item./

Amend title to conform.

Senator RICHTER explained the amendment.

Senator RICHTER proposed the following amendment (PFM\9377AC.96), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 20-7-8510(C), page 35, on line 1 and on line 9, after /juvenile/ by inserting /under criminal investigation or/.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend totals and title to conform.

Senator RICHTER explained the amendment.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the third time and ordered returned to the House of Representatives with amendments.

AMENDED, READ THE THIRD TIME

RETURNED TO THE HOUSE

H. 4694 -- Reps. Harrison, Wofford, Stuart, Hodges, Neal, Cave, Govan, Baxley, Knotts, Meacham, Bailey, Delleney, Shissias, Klauber, Simrill, Thomas, Clyburn, Wright, Fulmer, Jennings, Martin, J. Harris, Kinon, J. Young, Boan, Limbaugh, McCraw, Young-Brickell, T. Brown, Scott, Tucker, White, D. Smith and Phillips: A BILL TO AMEND


Printed Page 2535 . . . . . Thursday, May 9, 1996

SECTION 58-9-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF TELEPHONE COMPANIES AND DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO ADD PROVISIONS DEFINING "BASIC LOCAL EXCHANGE TELEPHONE SERVICE", "CARRIER OF LAST RESORT", "INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER" OR "INCUMBENT LEC", "LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER" OR "LEC", "NEW ENTRANT LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER" OR "NEW ENTRANT LEC", "SMALL LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER" OR "SMALL LEC", "TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES", AND "UNIVERSAL SERVICE"; TO AMEND SECTION 58-9-280, RELATING TO TELEPHONE COMPANIES AND THE REQUIREMENT THAT A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, OR EXTENSION OF A PLANT OR SYSTEM, SO AS TO ADD PROVISIONS WHICH PROVIDE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT AFTER NOTICE AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD, THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION MAY GRANT A CERTIFICATE TO OPERATE AS A TELEPHONE UTILITY TO APPLICANTS PROPOSING TO FURNISH LOCAL TELEPHONE SERVICE IN THE SERVICE TERRITORY OF AN "INCUMBENT LEC", SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND EXEMPTIONS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS; TO AMEND THE 1976 CODE BY ADDING SECTION 58-9-576 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN "INCUMBENT LEC" MAY ELECT TO HAVE RATES, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS PURSUANT TO THE PLAN DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS; AND TO AMEND THE 1976 CODE BY ADDING SECTION 58-9-577 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING SECTIONS 58-9-575 AND 58-9-576, A "SMALL LEC" MAY ELECT TO HAVE THE RATES, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS OF ITS SERVICES DETERMINED PURSUANT TO ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF REGULATION, WHICH MAY DIFFER AMONG COMPANIES AND MAY INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, PRICE REGULATION, RATHER THAN RATE OF RETURN OR OTHER FORMS OF EARNING REGULATION, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.

Senator MOORE asked unanimous consent to take the Bill up for immediate consideration.

There was no objection.


Printed Page 2536 . . . . . Thursday, May 9, 1996

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill. The question being the adoption of the amendment proposed by the Committee on Judiciary.

The Judiciary Committee proposed the following amendment (JUD4694.001), which was adopted:

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

/SECTION 1. Section 58-9-10 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"(9) The term `basic local exchange telephone service' means for residential and single-line business customers, access to basic voice grade local service with touchtone, access to available emergency services and directory assistance, the capability to access interconnecting carriers, relay services, access to operator services, and one annual local directory listing (white pages or equivalent).

(10) The term `carrier of last resort' means a facilities-based local exchange carrier, as determined by the commission, not inconsistent with the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, which has the obligation to provide basic local exchange telephone service, upon reasonable request, to all residential and single-line business customers within a defined service area. Initially, the incumbent LEC must be a carrier of last resort within its existing service area.

(11) The term `incumbent local exchange carrier' or `incumbent LEC' means a telecommunications company, its affiliates, successors, or its assigns, which provides local exchange service pursuant to a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the commission before July 1, 1995, or operating as a local exchange carrier before that date pursuant to commission authority, to provide local exchange service within a certificated geographic service area of the State. Any such entity must be treated as the incumbent local exchange carrier only within the geographic area where it maintains service pursuant to:

(a) any certificate of public convenience and necessity issued before July 1, 1995; or

(b) any certificate of public convenience and necessity issued to supersede, in whole or in part, any certificate of public convenience and necessity issued before July 1, 1995.

(12) The term `local exchange carrier' or `LEC' means either an incumbent local exchange carrier or a new entrant local exchange carrier.

(13) The term `new entrant local exchange carrier' or `new entrant LEC' means a telecommunications company holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the commission pursuant to Section


Printed Page 2537 . . . . . Thursday, May 9, 1996

58-9-280 (B) after December 31, 1995, to provide local exchange service within a certificated geographic service area of the State.

(14) The term `small local exchange carrier' or `small LEC' means a rural telephone company as defined on February 8, 1996, in the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.

(15) The term `telecommunications services' means the services for the transmission of voice and data communications to the public for hire, including those nonwireline services provided in competition to landline services.

(16) The term `universal service' means the providing of basic local exchange telephone service, at affordable rates, upon reasonable request, to all residential and single-line business customers within a defined service area."

SECTION 2. Section 58-9-280 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 58-9-280. (A) No telephone utility shall begin the construction or operation of any telephone utility plant or system, or of any extension thereof, except those ordered by the commission under the provisions of Section 58-9-270, without first obtaining from the commission a certificate that public convenience and necessity require or will require such construction or operation. But this section shall not be construed to require any telephone utility to secure a certificate for any extension within any municipality or district within which it had lawfully commenced operations on June 16, 1950, or for an extension within or to territory already served by it, necessary in the ordinary course of its business, or for an extension into territory contiguous to that already occupied by it as defined by the commission and not receiving similar service from another telephone utility; but, if any telephone utility in constructing or extending its lines, plant, or system unreasonably interferes or is about to interfere unreasonably with the service or system of any other telephone utility, the commission may make such order and prescribe such terms and conditions in harmony with Articles 1 through 13 of this chapter as are just and reasonable.
(B) After notice and an opportunity to be heard, the commission may grant a certificate to operate as a telephone utility, as defined in Section 58-9-10(6), to applicants proposing to furnish local telephone service in the service territory of an incumbent LEC, subject to the conditions and exemptions stated in this section and in applicable federal law. The provisions of this act shall apply to any such application for a certificate pending before the commission on the effective date of this act; provided, however, that any carrier filing an application to furnish telecommunications service as a private line or special access service


Printed Page 2538 . . . . . Thursday, May 9, 1996

provider or as a carrier's carrier prior to March 25, 1996, may elect to comply with the certification requirements in effect on that date rather than those contained within this subsection (B); provided, further, however, that such carrier shall comply with subsection (B)(4) hereof. In determining whether to grant a certificate under this subsection, the commission may require, not inconsistent with the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, that the:

(1) applicant show that it possesses technical, financial, and managerial resources sufficient to provide the services requested;

(2) service to be provided will meet the service standards that the commission may adopt;

(3) provision of the service will not adversely impact the availability of affordable local exchange service;

(4) applicant, to the extent it may be required to do so by the commission, will participate in the support of universally available telephone service at affordable rates; and

(5) provision of the service does not otherwise adversely impact the public interest.

In its application for certification, the applicant seeking to provide the service shall set forth with particularity the proposed geographic territory to be served, and a price list and informational tariff regarding the types of local exchange and exchange access services to be provided. Any person granted authority under this section shall maintain a current price list with the commission. A commission order, denying or approving an application for certification of a new local telephone service provider, shall be entered no more than sixty days from the filing of the application, except that the commission, upon notice, may extend that period not to exceed an additional sixty days.

(C) The commission shall determine the requirements applicable to all local telephone service providers necessary to implement this subsection. These requirements shall be consistent with applicable federal law and shall:

(1) provide for the reasonable interconnection of facilities between all certificated local telephone service providers upon a bona fide request for interconnection, subject to the negotiation process set forth in subsection (D) of this section;

(2) provide for the transfer of telephone numbers between local telephone service providers in a manner that is technically feasible;

(3) provide for the reasonable unbundling of network elements upon a request from a LEC where technically feasible and priced in a manner that recovers the providing LEC's cost;


Printed Page 2539 . . . . . Thursday, May 9, 1996

(4) determine, for small LECs, when and under what circumstances resale of local exchange telephone services is in the public interest and should be allowed. Telecommunications services that are available at retail to a specific category of subscribers only shall not be offered for resale to a different category of subscribers; and

(5) provide for the continued development and encouragement of universally available basic local exchange telephone service at reasonably affordable rates.

The final commission order implementing these requirements shall be issued within six months of the effective date of this section, except that the commission, upon notice, may extend that period up to an additional ninety days.

(D) A LEC shall negotiate the rates, terms, and conditions for local interconnection. In the event that the parties are unable to agree on appropriate rates, terms, and conditions for interconnection within one hundred thirty-five to one hundred sixty days of receipt of a bona fide request, either party may petition the commission for determination of the appropriate rates, terms, and conditions for interconnection. This period may be shortened or extended by mutual agreement of the parties. The commission shall determine the appropriate rates, terms, and conditions for interconnection within nine months from the filing of the petition in accordance with the terms of applicable federal law.

(E) In continuing South Carolina's commitment to universally available basic local exchange telephone service at affordable rates and to assist with the alignment of prices and/or cost recovery with costs, and consistent with applicable federal policies, the commission shall establish a universal service fund (USF) for distribution to a carrier(s) of last resort. The commission shall issue its final order adopting such guidelines as may be necessary for the funding and management of the USF within twelve months of the effective date of this section except that the commission, upon notice, may extend that period up to an additional ninety days. These guidelines must not be inconsistent with applicable federal law and shall address, without limitation, the following:

(1) The USF shall be administered by the commission or a third party designated by the commission under guidelines to be adopted by the commission.

(2) The commission shall require all telecommunications companies providing telecommunications services within South Carolina to contribute to the USF as determined by the commission.

(3) The commission also shall require any company providing telecommunications service to contribute to the USF if, after notice and


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