Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
The House assembled at 10:00 A.M.
Deliberations were opened with prayer by the Chaplain of the House of Representatives, the Rev. Dr. Alton C. Clark, as follows:
Lord, as we approach this Memorial Day, sacred to the memory of our Nation's war dead, we thank You for all who have fought a good fight, nobly died, and kept the faith. In prayerful remembrance, and with due honor and dignity, may we strengthen their efforts to win a new and better life. We pray for all whom war has left weakened in body and mind. Grant that they may live cheerful and useful lives among a grateful people. May we ever remain as "one Nation under God" as "in God we trust." Amen.
Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by the SPEAKER.
After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of yesterday, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.
Rep. MEACHAM moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of George E. Ackerman of Fort Mill, which was agreed to.
The following was received.
Columbia, S.C., May 26, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:
The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it concurs in the amendments proposed by the House to S. 150:
S. 150 (Word version) -- Senators Wilson, Elliott, Leventis, Branton, Hayes and Reese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-1815, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY'S AUTHORITY TO ISSUE SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES TO RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY ALSO ISSUE A SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE TO A MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-1820, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DESIGN OF, FEE FOR, AND DURATION OF THE NATIONAL GUARD SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE AND THE DENOTATION OF A RETIRED NATIONAL GUARD MEMBER'S STATUS ON THE LICENSE PLATE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE MAY HAVE NATIONAL GUARD OR STATE GUARD ALSO PRINTED ON IT WITH NUMBERS, OR LETTERS, OR BOTH, AND TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT A RETIRED NATIONAL GUARD MEMBER'S RETIRED STATUS MUST BE DENOTED ON THE SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-1830, RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF A NATIONAL GUARD SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE, ITS DISPLAY ON AN UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLE, AND ITS RETURN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ONCE THE HOLDER CEASES TO BE A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL GUARD, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THIS PROVISION APPLIES TO A STATE GUARD SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE; AND TO REPEAL SECTIONS 56-3-4710, 56-3-4720, 56-3-4730, AND 56-3-4740 RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD.
and has ordered the Bill Enrolled for Ratification.
Very respectfully,
President
Received as information.
The following was received.
Columbia, S.C., May 26, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:
The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it nonconcurs in the amendments proposed by the House to H. 3833:
H. 3833 (Word version) -- Rep. Robinson: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-54-75 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR ELECTRONIC COLLECTION OF REVENUES BY A STATE AGENCY PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT NEGOTIATED AND ENTERED INTO BY THE STATE TREASURER ON BEHALF OF THE AGENCY.
Very respectfully,
President
On motion of Rep. ROBINSON, the House insisted upon its amendments.
Whereupon, the Chair appointed Reps. ROBINSON, CLYBURN and VAUGHN to the Committee of Conference on the part of the House and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.
Rep. HARRISON, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:
S. 226 (Word version) -- Senator McConnell: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 5-1-30, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PREREQUISITES TO ISSUANCE OF A CORPORATE CERTIFICATE TO A PROPOSED MUNICIPALITY, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE AREA SEEKING TO BE INCORPORATED TO BE CONTIGUOUS, AND PROVIDE THAT CONTIGUITY IS NOT DESTROYED BY AN INTERVENING NAVIGABLE WATERWAY, MARSHLAND, OR LOWLAND WHETHER OR NOT IT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY INCORPORATED OR ANNEXED, AND PROVIDE THAT THE NAVIGABLE WATERWAY, MARSHLAND, OR LOWLAND DOES NOT PRECLUDE IT FROM BEING USED BY ANOTHER MUNICIPALITY TO ESTABLISH CONTIGUITY FOR PURPOSES OF AN INCORPORATION OR ANNEXATION PROVIDED THE DISTANCE FROM HIGHLAND TO HIGHLAND OF THE AREA BEING INCORPORATED OR ANNEXED IS NOT GREATER THAN ONE MILE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. HARRISON, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:
S. 597 (Word version) - Judiciary Committee: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-170, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PENALITIES FOR VIOLATION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE RESTRICTION IMPOSED DUE TO THE DRIVER'S LIMITED ABILITY, SO AS TO PERMIT A PERSON WHOSE LICENSE IS SUSPENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION TO OBTAIN A ROUTE RESTRICTED LICENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-320, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF A RESIDENT'S LICENSE OR NONRESIDENT'S DRIVING PRIVILEGE UPON CONVICTION IN ANOTHER STATE, SO AS TO PERMIT A PERSON WHOSE LICENSE IS SUSPENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION TO OBTAIN A ROUTE RESTRICTED LICENSE IF PERMITTED BY THE APPLICABLE LAW IN SOUTH CAROLINA; TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-740, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE SUSPENSION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR NON-RESIDENT'S PRIVILEGE TO DRIVE AFTER AN ACCUMULATION OF EXCESSIVE POINTS, SO AS TO PERMIT A PERSON WHOSE LICENSE IS SUSPENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION TO OBTAIN A ROUTE RESTRICTED LICENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-750, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF FAILURE TO STOP, SO AS TO PERMIT A PERSON WHOSE LICENSE IS SUSPENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION TO OBTAIN A ROUTE RESTRICTED LICENSE IF PERMITTED BY THE APPLICABLE LAW IN SOUTH CAROLINA; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-2951, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A TEMPORARY ALCOHOL RESTRICTED LICENSE SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES AN ORDER AND SENDS NOTICE TO A PERSON THAT HIS SUSPENSION WAS UPHELD AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE THAT AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING MUST BE HELD WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE REQUEST FOR THE HEARING IS RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; TO AMEND SECTION 56-9-430, RELATING TO THE SUSPENSION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR PRIVILEGE AND REGISTRATION FOR THE NONPAYMENT OF A JUDGMENT, SO AS TO PERMIT A PERSON WHOSE LICENSE IS SUSPENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION TO OBTAIN A ROUTE RESTRICTED LICENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-260, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO A FALSE CERTIFICATE OR FALSE EVIDENCE OF INSURANCE, SO AS TO PERMIT A PERSON WHOSE LICENSE IS SUSPENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION TO OBTAIN A ROUTE RESTRICTED LICENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-270, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF AN UNINSURED VEHICLE, SO AS TO PERMIT A PERSON WHOSE LICENSE IS SUSPENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION TO OBTAIN A ROUTE RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-748, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO ROUTE RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A ROUTE RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSE ONE TIME ONLY.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. HARRISON, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:
H. 3702 (Word version) -- Reps. Quinn, Barfield, Battle, Bowers, T. Brown, Dantzler, Davenport, Emory, Fleming, Harrison, Hinson, Inabinett, Koon, Loftis, Mason, McGee, Rhoad, Riser, Robinson, Simrill, Stille, Stuart, Taylor, Vaughn, Whatley, Whipper and Young-Brickell: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 37-10-103, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PAYMENTS MADE ON A LOAN AGREEMENT SECURED BY A LIEN ON REAL ESTATE, SO AS TO DELETE THE ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR LIMIT AND ALLOW PREPAYMENT WITHOUT PENALTY OF A LOAN OF ANY AMOUNT SECURED BY A MORTGAGE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. HARRISON, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:
S. 708 (Word version) -- Judiciary Committee: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 16 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON, BY AMENDING SECTION 16-3-800, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEFINITION OF SEXUAL CONDUCT INCLUDES LEWD EXHIBITION OF THE FEMALE BREASTS; BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-1600, SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR "SEXUAL BATTERY", "SEXUAL FONDLING", "INTIMATE PARTS", AND "ACTOR"; BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-1610, SO AS TO PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM ENTICING A MINOR UNDER SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE TO ENGAGE IN "SEXUAL BATTERY" OR "SEXUAL FONDLING"; BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-1620, SO AS TO PROVIDE A PENALTY OF NOT MORE THAN TEN YEARS' IMPRISONMENT FOR A VIOLATION OF SECTION 16-3-1610; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-1700, RELATING TO HARASSMENT AND STALKING, SO AS TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF HARASSMENT TO INCLUDE ELECTRONIC CONTACT; TO AMEND SECTION 16-15-375, RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST MORALITY AND DECENCY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEFINITION OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY INCLUDES TOUCHING ONE'S SELF OR ANOTHER PERSON IN AN ACT OF APPARENT SEXUAL STIMULATION OR SEXUAL ABUSE; TO AMEND SECTION 20-4-40, RELATING TO PROTECTION FROM DOMESTIC ABUSE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A MAGISTRATE MAY NOT CHARGE A FEE FOR FILING A PETITION FOR AN ORDER FOR PROTECTION FROM DOMESTIC ABUSE; TO AMEND SECTION 23-3-430, RELATING TO THE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY, SO AS TO ADD CERTAIN OFFENSES TO THE LIST OF OFFENSES FOR WHICH A PERSON MUST REGISTER.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. HARRISON, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:
S. 250 (Word version) -- Senators Leatherman and Hayes: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-30, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LOBBYIST'S REPORTING OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TIME FOR FILING REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-35, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO LOBBYIST'S PRINCIPAL'S REPORTING OF LOBBYING EXPENDITURES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TIME FOR FILING REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-40, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE STATE AGENCY REPORT OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TIME FOR FILING THE REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-90, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO ACTS PROHIBITED OF LOBBYISTS' PRINCIPALS, ACTS PROHIBITED OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, EXCEPTIONS, AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO EXCLUDE CABINET OFFICERS; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-320, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION, IN ADDITION TO THE RESPONDENT, TO WAIVE THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE COMPLAINT AFTER IT HAS BEEN DISMISSED WHEN A COMPLAINT DOES NOT ALLEGE FACTS SUFFICIENT TO CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1310, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE RECIPIENTS OF CERTAIN CAMPAIGN REPORTS AND COPIES OF THEM AND THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION REVIEW, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT TO SEND CAMPAIGN REPORTS TO THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1366, RELATING TO THE PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF CERTIFIED CAMPAIGN REPORTS, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION AS A LOCATION OF THESE REPORTS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1372, RELATING TO TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS OF RULES ON CAMPAIGN REPORTS, SO AS TO SUBSTITUTE THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION FOR THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION AS THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING ERRORS OR OMISSIONS ON CAMPAIGN REPORTS.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 631 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO ACCEPTABLE CREDITS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2387, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 634 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO APPLICATION FOR TEACHING CREDENTIAL, REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2392, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 642 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR CREDENTIAL ADVANCEMENT, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2394, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 641 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO ADDITIONAL AREAS OF LICENSURE, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2396, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 792 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO PERSONS REQUIRED TO HOLD A TEACHING LICENSE, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2385, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 793 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO STUDENT TEACHING, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2389, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 744 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO READING, WRITING, AND MATHEMATICS OBJECTIVES FOR GRADES 1-12, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2369, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 632 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2390, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 639 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO EFFECTIVE DATE OF CREDENTIAL, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2393, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 635 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO TEACHING EXPERIENCE ACCEPTABLE FOR CREDIT, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2401, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 633 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO OTHER EXPERIENCE ACCEPTABLE FOR CREDIT, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2402, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 637 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO FOREIGN APPLICANTS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2399, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 640 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO RENEWAL OF CREDENTIALS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2397, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 638 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO EXPIRED LICENSES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2398, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 796 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO TYPES OF LEVELS OF CREDENTIAL CLASSIFICATION, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2395, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 795 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL AREAS OF LICENSURE, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2403, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. TOWNSEND, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report on:
S. 794 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR INITIAL LICENSURE AT THE ADVANCED LEVEL, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2404, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Rep. R. SMITH for the Aiken Delegation, submitted a favorable report; Rep. CLYBURN for the minority, submitted an unfavorable report on:
H. 4175 (Word version) -- Reps. R. Smith, Mason, Beck and Sharpe: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 503 OF 1982, RELATING TO THE AIKEN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD MUST BE ELECTED IN PARTISAN ELECTIONS, BEGINNING IN THE YEAR 2000 AT THE GENERAL ELECTION WITH THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS WHO WILL SUCCEED THE MEMBERS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 2001, TO CLARIFY THAT THE LAWS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION APPLY; TO DELETE PROVISIONS INCONSISTENT WITH GENERAL ELECTION LAWS.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
The following was introduced:
H. 4182 (Word version) -- Rep. Beck: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND SANDRA KANGAS FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE OF HER DUTIES AS A PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER WHILE EMPLOYED BY THE AIKEN DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND TO CONGRATULATE SANDRA KANGAS ON THE OCCASION OF HER RECEIVING THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INDUSTRIAL SECURITY EXCELLENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced:
H. 4183 (Word version) -- Rep. Cobb-Hunter: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND MAC ARTHUR GOODWIN OF COLUMBIA FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO ART AND ART EDUCATION OVER MANY YEARS AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RECENT ELECTION AS PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced:
H. 4184 (Word version) -- Rep. Sandifer: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE LADY CATS OF SENECA HIGH SCHOOL ON WINNING THE 1999 CLASS AAA STATE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.
The following was taken up for immediate consideration:
S. 831 (Word version) -- Senators Wilson, Bryan, Giese and Glover: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO FIX WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1999, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ELECTION OF JUDGES AS THE TIME TO ELECT A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY REPRESENTING THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, SEAT SIX.
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
(1) That the Senate and the House of Representatives meet in joint session in the Hall of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 2, 1999, immediately after the election of judges for the purpose of electing a member of the board of trustees of Francis Marion University representing the third congressional district, seat six.
(2) That all nominations be made by the chairman of the joint legislative committee which screened the candidates for the above offices and that no further nominating nor any seconding speeches be made during the joint session by members of the General Assembly on behalf of any of the candidates.
The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered returned to the Senate with concurrence.
The Senate sent to the House the following:
S. 865 (Word version) -- Senator Matthews: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SINCERE DESIRE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE CONGREGATION OF THE BROOKLAND BAPTIST CHURCH UPON THE OCCASION OF THE DEDICATION OF THE NEW EDIFICE IN WEST COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, WHICH HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SPECIAL BLESSING TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered returned to the Senate with concurrence.
The Senate sent to the House the following:
S. 869 (Word version) -- Senators Leventis and Land: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND ANDRENA ELIZABETH RAY OF SUMTER, ONE OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S MOST DISTINGUISHED EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, FOR HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND MANY YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND TO CONGRATULATE HER FOR A JOB WELL DONE ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AS SUPERINTENDENT OF SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT 17.
The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered returned to the Senate with concurrence.
The following Bills and Joint Resolutions were introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committees:
H. 4185 (Word version) -- Rep. Bowers: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-4100, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION AGAINST SPILLING LOADS ON A HIGHWAY BY A VEHICLE, SO AS TO REVISE THE METHOD OF TRANSPORTING ROCK OR GRAVEL IN TRAILERS.
Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
H. 4186 (Word version) -- Education and Public Works Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO FREE TEXTBOOKS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2362, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Without Reference
H. 4187 (Word version) -- Education and Public Works Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO DEFINED PROGRAM GRADES 9 - 12, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2317, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Without Reference
H. 4188 (Word version) -- Education and Public Works Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELATING TO COMPUTING EXPERIENCE FOR TEACHERS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2400, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Without Reference
H. 4189 (Word version) -- Rep. Martin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 9-1-1140, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ESTABLISHING SERVICE CREDIT FOR PURPOSES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM, SO AS TO ALLOW UP TO ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS OF A MEMBER'S UNUSED SICK LEAVE TO BE USED TO QUALIFY FOR THE CREDITED SERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE RETIREMENT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-1-1510 AND 9-1-1550, BOTH AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SERVICE RETIREMENT UNDER THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM, SO AS TO REDUCE FROM THIRTY TO TWENTY-EIGHT THE YEARS OF CREDITABLE SERVICE REQUIRED TO RETIRE AT ANY AGE WITHOUT PENALTY; TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-1-1515, 9-1-1660, AND 9-1-1770, AS AMENDED, AND 9-1-1850, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO EARLY RETIREMENT OPTIONS, ELECTION OF A BENEFIT ON THE INSERVICE DEATH OF A MEMBER, AND AMOUNTS DUE ESTATES OF DECEASED MEMBERS UNDER THE GROUP LIFE INSURANCE PLAN, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ELECTION OF A MEMBER WITH TWENTY-FIVE YEARS CREDITED SERVICE TO BUY SUFFICIENT CREDIT FOR SERVICE RETIREMENT APPLIES TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM, UPDATE THE BENEFIT ELECTION OPTION ON THE INSERVICE DEATH OF A MEMBER TO REFLECT OTHER CHANGES SINCE ORIGINAL ENACTMENT, AND TO CONFORM THESE OPTIONS AND BENEFITS TO SERVICE RETIREMENT AFTER TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS CREDITABLE SERVICE AT ANY AGE WITHOUT PENALTY AS PROVIDED IN THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 9-1-1220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM, SO AS TO INCREASE THE EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION RATE BY EIGHT-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT; AND TO REQUIRE THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD TO RAISE EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS BY AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE ACTUARIAL COST OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT ALLOWING UP TO ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS OF UNUSED SICK LEAVE TO COUNT AS CREDITED SERVICE TOWARD SERVICE RETIREMENT.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
S. 11 (Word version) -- Senators Drummond, Elliott, Leventis, Rankin, Reese and Short: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 1, ARTICLE X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO ASSESSMENT RATIOS AND CLASSES OF PROPERTY FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROPERTY TAX, SO AS TO CREATE A NEW CLASS OF PERSONAL PROPERTY REQUIRED TO BE TITLED BY A STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY, NOT INCLUDING UNITS OF MANUFACTURED HOUSING, ASSESSED AT TEN AND ONE-HALF PERCENT OF FAIR MARKET VALUE OR SOME PERCENTAGE LESS THAN TEN AND ONE-HALF PERCENT BUT NOT LESS THAN SIX PERCENT SET BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE COUNTY IN CONSULTATION WITH ALL PROPERTY TAXING ENTITIES IN THE COUNTY; AND PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 4, ARTICLE X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO REASSESSMENT OF REAL PROPERTY, SO AS TO ALLOW A COUNTY GOVERNING BODY TO LIMIT THE INCREASE IN REAL PROPERTY VALUE TO FIFTEEN PERCENT AS A RESULT OF A COUNTYWIDE REASSESSMENT AND EQUALIZATION AND TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS TO THIS LIMITATION.
Rep. ROBINSON asked unanimous consent to have the Joint Resolution placed on the Calendar without reference.
Rep. SHEHEEN objected.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
S. 293 (Word version) -- Senator Hayes: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 2A TO TITLE 36 SO AS TO MAKE GENERAL PROVISIONS TO THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE REGARDING LEASES AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE FORMATION, CONSTRUCTION, EFFECT, PERFORMANCE, AND DEFAULT OF A LEASE CONTRACT; AND TO AMEND SECTIONS 36-1-105, AS AMENDED, 36-1-201(37), AS AMENDED, AND 36-9-113, RELATING TO OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, SO AS TO REVISE THESE PROVISIONS TO CONFORM THEM TO THE ABOVE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 2A.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
S. 851 (Word version) -- Senators Glover and Elliott: A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR PAYMENT FOR THE ATTENDANCE OF MEETINGS BY THE MARION COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.
On motion of Rep. M. HINES, with unanimous consent, the Bill was ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.
The roll call of the House of Representatives was taken resulting as follows:
Allen Allison Altman Bailey Bales Barfield Barrett Battle Beck Breeland Brown G. Brown H. Brown J. Campsen Carnell Cato Chellis Clyburn Cobb-Hunter Cooper Cotty Dantzler Easterday Edge Emory Fleming Gamble Gilham Gourdine Hamilton Harrell Harris Harrison Haskins Hawkins Hayes Hines J. Hines M. Hinson Howard Inabinett Keegan Kelley Kennedy Kirsh Klauber Knotts Koon Lanford Law Leach Lee Littlejohn Lloyd Loftis Lourie Lucas Mack Maddox Martin Mason McCraw McGee McLeod M. McLeod W. McMahand Meacham Miller Neal J.M. Neilson Ott Parks Phillips Quinn Rhoad Rice Riser Robinson Rodgers Rutherford Sandifer Scott Sharpe Sheheen Simrill Smith D. Smith F. Smith R. Stille Stuart Taylor Townsend Tripp Vaughn Walker Webb Whatley Wilder Wilkins Witherspoon Woodrum Young-Brickell
I came in after the roll call and was present for the Session on Thursday, May 27.
Harry Askins William Bowers Ralph Davenport Greg Delleney Jerry Govan Alex Harvin Douglas Jennings H.B. "Chip" Limehouse Woodrow McKay Bessie Moody-Lawrence Joseph Neal Clementa Pinckney Lynn Seithel Jackson Whipper Timothy Wilkes
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Rep. MASON and the Aiken Delegation presented to the House the South Aiken High School "Thoroughbreds" Men's Tennis Team, Class AAAA State Champions, and their coach, Mike Hicks.
Rep. LOURIE presented to the House the University of South Carolina Women's Track and Field Team, 1999 Southeastern Conference Champions, their coaches and other school officials.
Reps. J. M. NEAL and SHEHEEN presented to the House the North Central High School Girls Softball Team, the Class A State Champions, their coaches and other school officials.
Rep. HARRIS and the Chesterfield Delegation presented to the House the Cheraw High School "Braves" Baseball Team, the 1999 Class AA Champions, their coaches and other school officials.
Rep. MILLER presented to the House the Waccamaw High School "Warriors" Golf Team, the 1999 Class A Champions, their coach and other school officials.
In accordance with House Rule 5.2 below:
"5.2 Every bill before presentation shall have its title endorsed; every report, its title at length; every petition, memorial, or other paper, its prayer or substance; and, in every instance, the name of the member presenting any paper shall be endorsed and the papers shall be presented by the member to the Speaker at the desk. After a bill or resolution has been presented and given first reading, no further names of co-sponsors may be added. A member may add his name to a bill or resolution or a co-sponsor of a bill or resolution may remove his name at any time prior to the bill or resolution receiving passage on second reading. The member or co-sponsor shall notify the Clerk of the House in writing of his desire to have his name added or removed from the bill or resolution. The Clerk of the House shall print the member's or co-sponsor's written notification in the House Journal. The removal or addition of a name does not apply to a bill or resolution sponsored by a committee."
Bill Number: H. 4166 (Word version)
Date: ADD:
05/27/99 SANDIFER
Bill Number: H. 3128 (Word version)
Date: REMOVE:
05/27/99 EDGE
The following Bills were read the third time, passed and having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title of each be changed to that of an Act and that they be enrolled for Ratification:
S. 839 (Word version) -- Senators Elliott and Glover: A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR PAYMENT FOR THE ATTENDANCE OF MEETINGS BY THE DILLON COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.
S. 739 (Word version) -- Senators McGill and Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 46, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO AGRICULTURE, BY ADDING CHAPTER 30, ARTICLE 3 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA TOBACCO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP, POWERS, AND DUTIES RELATING TO THE ALLOCATION OF PRIVATE TRUST FUNDS AMONG TOBACCO GROWERS AND TOBACCO QUOTA HOLDERS; TO AMEND SECTION 1-23-10, RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT, SO AS TO EXEMPT THE BOARD FROM ITS SCOPE; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-770, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION AGAINST LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS SERVING ON STATE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE TOBACCO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD AS AN EXCEPTION TO THIS PROHIBITION, AND TO AMEND SECTION 15-78-60, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE EXCEPTIONS TO THE WAIVER OF IMMUNITY UNDER THE TORT CLAIMS ACT, SO AS TO ADD AS AN EXCEPTION THE ACTIONS OF THE TOBACCO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
The following Bills were taken up, read the third time, and ordered returned to the Senate with amendments:
S. 564 (Word version) -- Senators Courson, Giese, Jackson and Patterson: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 50-11-27, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO HUNTING MIGRATORY WATERFOWL ON LAKE MURRAY, SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE HUNTING OF MIGRATORY WATERFOWL, WITH OR WITHOUT THE LAND OWNER'S PERMISSION, WITHIN A FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY YARD RADIUS OF ANY LAND BORDERING THE WATERS OF LAKE MURRAY ON THE PORTION OF LAKE MURRAY LYING WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
S. 526 (Word version) -- Senators Land, McGill, Saleeby, Hayes, Moore, Rankin, Gregory and Peeler: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 41-31-390, AS AMENDED, AND 41-31-400, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BOTH RELATING TO WARRANTS OF EXECUTION FOR THE COLLECTION OF DEFAULT PAYMENTS OWED TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSION TO LEVY UPON THE PROPERTY SECURING THE WARRANT FOR NONPAYMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS, INTEREST, PENALTIES, ASSESSMENTS, AND COSTS AND TO CONTRACT WITH A COLLECTION AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSE OF COLLECTING DELINQUENT PAYMENTS, TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION TO FILE A COPY OF THE EXECUTION WITH THE CLERK OF COURT IN THE COUNTIES IN WHICH THE DELINQUENT EMPLOYER DOES BUSINESS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE POWERS CONFERRED UPON THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE FOR THE COLLECTION OF UNPAID INCOME TAXES ARE CONFERRED UPON THE COMMISSION, MUTATIS MUTANDIS, FOR THE COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT PAYMENTS OWED TO THE COMMISSION.
S. 311 (Word version) -- Senator Martin: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-52-95 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SCHOOL TO WORK ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL REPORT TO THE HOUSE EDUCATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE AND THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE BY JANUARY 1, 2000, AS TO THE PROGRESS MADE IN ESTABLISHING THE SCHOOL-TO-WORK SYSTEM, DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED, AND ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ENSURE SUCCESS OF THE SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE THAT NO STATE FUNDS SHALL BE EXPENDED TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL, AND THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL TERMINATE ON DECEMBER 1, 2002; AND TO AMEND SECTION 59-52-90, RELATING TO THE SCHOOL TO WORK ADVISORY COUNCIL AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS, SO AS TO DELETE REFERENCES TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2002.
S. 727 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PUPILS, BY ADDING ARTICLE 13 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A SYSTEM OF ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS FOR SPECIFIED STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-12 FOR WHICH A SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL RECEIVE CERTAIN FUNDING IF IT CHOOSES TO ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR THROUGH A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH OTHER DISTRICTS, AND TO REPEAL SECTION 59-18-1900 RELATING TO COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO FUND ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS.
The following Bills were taken up, read the third time, and ordered sent to the Senate:
H. 3858 (Word version) -- Reps. Battle and M. Hines: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 4-9-82, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF THE ASSETS, PROPERTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT FOR THE DELIVERY OF CLINICAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO ANOTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR AN APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER LOCATED WITHIN THE DISTRICT, SO AS TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE SERVICES MUST BE CLINICAL AND THAT THE TRANSFER MUST BE TO ANOTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR AN APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IN THE DISTRICT, LIMIT THE APPLICATION OF THIS SECTION TO A HOSPITAL PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT, PROVIDE THAT THE REFERENDUM REQUIREMENT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR A TRANSFER TO CERTAIN ENTITIES, AND PROVIDE THAT THE DISTRICT MAY BE DISSOLVED UPON THE COMPLETION OF THE TRANSFER AND ASSUMPTION OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE DISTRICT.
H. 3455 (Word version) -- Reps. Lloyd, Clyburn, Parks, J. Hines, Scott, Bales, Taylor, Rutherford and M. Hines: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-3350, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL IDENTIFICATION CARDS, SO AS TO REVISE THE AGE OF A PERSON WHO MAY APPLY FOR A SPECIAL IDENTIFICATION CARD.
H. 3720 (Word version) -- Rep. Bauer: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-4-65 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IN THE EVENT THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA DETERMINES BY LAW OR OTHERWISE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA TUITION PREPAYMENT PROGRAM AND ITS FUND SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED AND ALL TUITION PREPAYMENT CONTRACTS CANCELED, CONTRIBUTORS SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A REFUND OF ALL PAYMENTS TO THE FUND PLUS INTEREST ON THESE CONTRIBUTIONS AT THE RATE OF FOUR PERCENT PER ANNUM, AND TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE FUND DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT MONIES TO MAKE SUCH REFUNDS, THE DEFICIENCIES SHALL BE PAID FROM THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 591 (Word version) -- Senators McConnell, Ravenel, Hutto, Leventis, Cork and Passailaigue: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 48 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE POLLUTION CONTROL ACT, BY ADDING SECTION 48-1-83 SO AS TO ESTABLISH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR DISSOLVED OXYGEN DEPRESSIONS IN NATURALLY LOW DISSOLVED OXYGEN WATERBODIES.
Rep. ROBINSON moved to reconsider the vote whereby Amendment No. 4 was adopted, which was agreed to.
Rep. ROBINSON moved to table the amendment, which was agreed to.
Reps. ROBINSON and DAVENPORT proposed the following Amendment No. 6 to (Doc Name BBM\AMEND\9386SOM99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, in Section 48-1-83(D), as contained in SECTION 1, by striking item (2) and inserting:
/ (2) the United States Geological Survey of the United States Department of the Interior;
( ) the Department of Natural Resources; and /
Amend the bill further, in Section 48-1-83(E), as contained in SECTION 1, by striking item (2) and inserting:
/ (2) the United States Geological Survey of the United States Department of the Interior;
( ) the Department of Natural Resources; and /
Renumber items to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Rep. ROBINSON explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.
On motion of Rep. ROBINSON, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 591 be read the third time tomorrow.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 535 (Word version) -- Senators Short, Bryan, Washington, Cork, Setzler, Anderson, Mescher, Hayes, Wilson, Drummond, Waldrep, Jackson, Ford, Rankin, Moore, Land, J. Verne Smith, Hutto, Branton, Russell, Matthews, Leventis, Reese, Passailaigue, Glover, McGill, Elliott, Saleeby and Holland: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EDUCATION BY ADDING CHAPTER 152, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO READINESS ACT" WHICH IS AN INITIATIVE FOR IMPROVING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING GRANTS TO LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ENABLE CHILDREN TO REACH SCHOOL READY TO LEARN; TO ESTABLISH GOALS FOR THIS INITIATIVE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING THE INITIATIVE; TO ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND PROGRAM PARAMETERS FOR LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS; AND TO ESTABLISH FISCAL GUIDELINES, CRITERIA FOR LOCAL MATCHING FUNDS, AND EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS; TO AMEND ARTICLE 17, CHAPTER 7, TITLE 20 RELATING TO THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND OF SOUTH CAROLINA, SO AS TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE FUND TO CHILDREN'S FIRST STEPS TRUST FUND, PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL OVERSEE THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT, AND TO REVISE THE PURPOSES OF THE TRUST FUND AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR ITS GOVERNING BOARD, FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND FUNDING; TO ADD SECTIONS 43-1-240 AND 44-1-280 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE BOARD AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, IN ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES AND FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WHICH IMPACT ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING THE FIRST YEARS OF A CHILD'S LIFE, MUST SUPPORT THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS; TO STATE THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT STATE AGENCIES SUPPORT THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT; TO REQUIRE THE CODE COMMISSIONER TO REVISE REFERENCES IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE TO CONFORM TO THIS ACT, AS FEASIBLE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TERMS OF BOARD MEMBERS OF THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND OF SOUTH CAROLINA EXPIRE ON THIS ACT'S EFFECTIVE DATE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT FUNDS IN THE TRUST FUND PRIOR TO THIS ACT'S EFFECTIVE DATE MUST BE EXPENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PURPOSES OF THE FUND BEFORE AMENDMENT BY THIS ACT.
Rep. WALKER moved to recommit the Bill, which was was agreed to.
Rep. HARRISON moved to adjourn debate upon the following Bill, which was adopted:
H. 3786 (Word version) -- Rep. Fleming: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-13-40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE TIME FOR CONDUCTING A PARTY PRIMARY AND THE CERTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES PLACED ON PRIMARY BALLOTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE CANDIDATES TO BE CERTIFIED IN WRITING, ADD SATURDAY TO SUNDAY AS A DEADLINE FOR CERTIFICATION WHICH WOULD BE MOVED TO THE FOLLOWING MONDAY IF IT FELL ON THOSE DAYS, REQUIRE THE WRITTEN CERTIFICATION TO VERIFY THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A CANDIDATE, REQUIRE THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION TO PROVIDE EACH PARTY WITH AN AFFIDAVIT WHICH MUST BE USED TO CERTIFY A CANDIDATE, AND PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FILE OR FOR KNOWINGLY FALSIFYING AN AFFIDAVIT.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 581 (Word version) -- Senator McConnell: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 434 OF 1998, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE PROHIBITIONS, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROHIBITION AGAINST THE SALE OF MALT LIQUOR IN CONTAINERS GREATER THAN ONE LITER.
Rep. EASTERDAY explained the Bill.
Reps. TRIPP and LOFTIS requested debate on the Bill.
Rep. TRIPP made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
H. 3873 (Word version) -- Reps. D. Smith, Robinson, Quinn, Kelley, Sharpe, McGee, Law, Edge, Harrison, Meacham, Allison, Altman, Bailey, Barrett, Beck, Campsen, Cato, Chellis, Clyburn, Cotty, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Hamilton, Haskins, Hinson, Jennings, Koon, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Mason, Rice, Rodgers, Sandifer, Simrill, J. Smith, R. Smith, Vaughn, Walker, Woodrum and Young-Brickell: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 2-1-70 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT DURING ITS ANNUAL SESSION, EACH HOUSE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL MEET ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY OF EACH WEEK IN STATEWIDE SESSION AND ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY OF EACH WEEK IN LOCAL SESSION.
Rep. HARRISON explained the Bill.
Rep. SCOTT made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 585 (Word version) -- Senator McConnell: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 14-1-206, 14-1-207, AND 14-1-208, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, ALL RELATING TO ASSESSMENTS IMPOSED ON CONVICTIONS IN GENERAL SESSIONS, MUNICIPAL, AND MAGISTRATE'S COURT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, INSTEAD OF FUNDS NOT USED FOR THE PROVISION OF VICTIMS SERVICES AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR BEING USED FOR THE CAPITAL AND OPERATING NEEDS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE UNUSED FUNDS MUST BE CARRIED FORWARD FROM YEAR TO YEAR AND USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE PROVISION OF VICTIM SERVICES, AND TO AMEND SECTION 14-1-211, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO A SURCHARGE IMPOSED ON CONVICTIONS IN GENERAL SESSIONS, MUNICIPAL, AND MAGISTRATE'S COURT, SO AS TO DELETE A PROVISION THAT THE SURCHARGE FUNDS ARE PART OF THE GENERAL FUND OF THE CITY OR COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDS ALLOCATION AND EXPENDITURE AND TO PROVIDE THAT UNUSED FUNDS MUST BE CARRIED FORWARD FROM YEAR TO YEAR AND USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR PROVISION OF SERVICES TO CRIME VICTIMS.
Rep. SHEHEEN made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 37 (Word version) -- Senators Hayes, Elliott, Giese, Rankin and Branton: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 27-40-710, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PERSONAL PROPERTY BELONGING TO A RESIDENTIAL TENANT WHO HAS BEEN EVICTED, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, IF THE PREMISES IS LOCATED IN A MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY THAT DOES NOT COLLECT TRASH OR DEBRIS FROM THE PUBLIC HIGHWAYS, THEN AFTER A PERIOD OF FORTY-EIGHT HOURS, THE LANDLORD MAY REMOVE THE PERSONAL PROPERTY FROM THE PREMISES AND DISPOSE OF IT IN THE MANNER THAT TRASH OR DEBRIS IS NORMALLY DISPOSED OF IN SUCH MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 27-40-735, WHICH IS IDENTICAL TO SECTION 27-40-710(D).
Rep. HARRISON made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bills and Joint Resolution were taken up, read the second time, and ordered to a third reading:
S. 388 (Word version) -- Senator Martin: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-1072, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PHYSICIAN, NURSE, OR ANY OTHER MEDICAL OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL AND ANY EMPLOYEE OF A HOSPITAL, CLINIC, OR NURSING HOME WHO KNOWINGLY TREATS ANY PERSON SUFFERING FROM A GUNSHOT WOUND OR ANY OTHER WOUND INDICATING VIOLENCE OR RECEIVES A REQUEST FOR SUCH TREATMENT SHALL REPORT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME THE EXISTENCE OF A GUNSHOT WOUND OR ANY OTHER WOUND INDICATING VIOLENCE TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE TREATMENT IS ADMINISTERED OR A REQUEST IS RECEIVED.
Rep. CAMPSEN explained the Bill.
S. 70 (Word version) -- Senators Hayes and Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 15-41-30, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS OR ATTACHMENT, LEVY, AND SALE, SO AS TO EXEMPT INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES, AND INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT TRUSTS.
Rep. CAMPSEN explained the Bill.
S. 505 (Word version) -- Senator Martin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-210 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR OFFENSES INVOLVING WEAPONS, SO AS TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF MILITARY FIREARM.
Rep. EASTERDAY explained the Bill.
S. 402 (Word version) -- Senator Gregory: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-11-26 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE HUNTING OF MIGRATORY WATERFOWL ON CERTAIN PORTIONS OF BEAR CREEK IN LANCASTER COUNTY WITHIN TWO HUNDRED YARDS OF A DWELLING WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE OWNER OR OCCUPANT AND PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION.
Rep. WITHERSPOON explained the Bill.
S. 670 (Word version) -- Senator Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 50-11-355, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE HUNTING OF DEER NEAR RESIDENCES SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A LANDOWNER HUNTING ON HIS OWN LAND, HIS LICENSEE, OR A PERSON TAKING DEER PURSUANT TO A DEPARTMENT PERMIT ARE EXEMPT FROM THE PROHIBITION AGAINST HUNTING WITHIN THREE HUNDRED YARDS OF A RESIDENCE.
Rep. WITHERSPOON explained the Bill.
S. 38 (Word version) -- Senators McConnell, Passailaigue, O'Dell, Elliott, Leventis, Wilson and Branton: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO NAME THE BRIDGE TO BE BUILT REPLACING THE JOHN P. GRACE BRIDGE AND THE SILAS N. PEARMAN BRIDGE IN CHARLESTON COUNTY THE "ARTHUR RAVENEL, JR. BRIDGE" AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SHALL ERECT SUCH SIGNS AS APPROPRIATE TO DESIGNATE AND NAME THE NEW BRIDGE OVER THE COOPER RIVER AS THE "ARTHUR RAVENEL, JR. BRIDGE".
On motion of Rep. CAMPSEN, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 388 be read the third time tomorrow.
On motion of Rep. CAMPSEN, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 70 be read the third time tomorrow.
On motion of Rep. EASTERDAY, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 505 be read the third time tomorrow.
On motion of Rep. WITHERSPOON, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 402 be read the third time tomorrow.
On motion of Rep. WITHERSPOON, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 670 be read the third time tomorrow.
On motion of Rep. MARTIN, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 38 be read the third time tomorrow.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 87 (Word version)-- Senators Thomas, Elliott and Hayes: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 27-37-30, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO RULES TO SHOW CAUSE IN EJECTMENT PROCEEDINGS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE SERVICE OF THE RULE BY POSTING WHEN THREE PRIOR ATTEMPTS TO SERVE THE RULE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL.
Rep. LUCAS made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 709 (Word version) -- Judiciary Committee: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-13-185, SO AS TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL TO INTENTIONALLY LEAVE AN ESTABLISHMENT WITHOUT MAKING PAYMENT FOR GASOLINE THAT IS DISPENSED INTO A MOTOR VEHICLE; AND BY ADDING SECTION 56-1-292, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 16-13-185.
Rep. FLEMING requested debate on the Bill.
Rep. SHEHEEN made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 126 (Word version) -- Senators Passailaigue and Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-740, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS OF THE RETURN OF A TRUE BILL OF AN INDICTMENT BY A GRAND JURY FOR A CRIME WHEREIN THE VICTIM WAS EXPOSED TO BLOOD OR VAGINAL OR SEMINAL OR OTHER BODY FLUIDS OR SECRETIONS OF THE ALLEGED OFFENDER OR THE ALLEGED JUVENILE OFFENDER THE SOLICITOR SHALL MAKE A MOTION AND THE COURT SHALL ORDER THAT THE ALLEGED OFFENDER OR THE ALLEGED JUVENILE OFFENDER SHALL BE TESTED FOR HEPATITIS B AND ALL SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES INCLUDING HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV), THE VIRUS THAT CAUSES ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS), AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE RESULTS OF SUCH TESTING BE REVEALED ONLY TO THE VICTIM, THE VICTIM'S PARENT(S) OR LEGAL GUARDIAN(S) OR REPRESENTATIVE OR ATTORNEY UNTIL THE ALLEGED OFFENDER OR ALLEGED JUVENILE OFFENDER IS CONVICTED OR ADJUDICATED.
Rep. F. SMITH made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 704 (Word version) -- Senators Holland and Grooms: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 6, TITLE 23, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY BY ADDING ARTICLE 5, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OR ANY AGENCY, OFFICE OR UNIT TRANSFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENTAL RESTRUCTURING OR THEREAFTER, INCLUDING FORMER OR RETIRED OFFICERS MAY RECEIVE A SPECIAL DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY CONSTABLE COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR SHALL DETERMINE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THESE CONSTABLES, INCLUDING TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER CRITERIA; TO PROVIDE THAT INDIVIDUALS COMMISSIONED BY THE DEPARTMENT MAY RECEIVE SPECIAL DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY CONSTABLE IDENTIFICATION CARDS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 23-6-145, RELATING TO COMMISSIONED AND UNIFORMED OFFICERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A COMMISSIONED OR UNIFORMED OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT MAY MAKE TRAFFIC STOPS.
The Judiciary Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name NBD\AMEND\11409SOM99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, page 2, Section 23-6-200(1) by striking the /or/ on line 12, striking the /./ on line 16, and inserting:
/ ; or
(d) other formerly commissioned law enforcement officers or retired officers in good standing from any law enforcement agency, state constables, or volunteer state constables serving without compensation whose appointment is certified by the State Law Enforcement Division as having completed the requisite training to maintain an active commission./
Amend further, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
/ SECTION ___. Section 1-11-140 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 145 of 1995, is further amended by adding an appropriately lettered subitem to read:
"( ) The board, through the Office of Insurance Services, is further authorized to provide insurance for state constables, including volunteer state constables, to protect these personnel against tort liability arising in the course of their employment, whether or not for compensation, while serving in a law enforcement capacity." /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Rep. JENNINGS explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
Rep. JENNINGS explained the Bill.
The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.
On motion of Rep. JENNINGS, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 704 be read the third time tomorrow.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 102 (Word version) -- Senators Passailaigue, Hayes, Elliott, Leventis, Ryberg, Giese, Wilson, Reese, Setzler, Drummond, Bryan, Martin, Courtney, Branton, Fair, J. Verne Smith, Russell and Mescher: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO NARCOTICS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, SO AS TO ADD CHAPTER 54 CREATING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA DRUG DEALER LIABILITY ACT" WHICH PROVIDES A CIVIL REMEDY FOR DAMAGES FOR MONETARY, NON-ECONOMIC, AND PHYSICAL LOSSES TO PERSONS AND COMMUNITIES INCURRED AS A RESULT OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF ILLEGAL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.
The Judiciary Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name NBD\AMEND\11410SOM99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, page 6, line 28 by striking Section 44-54-100(A) in its entirety and inserting:
/ Section 44-54-100. (A) Proof of liability in an action brought pursuant to this chapter shall be by a preponderance of the evidence. /
Amend title to conform.
Rep. JENNINGS explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.
On motion of Rep. JENNINGS, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 102 be read the third time tomorrow.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 403 (Word version) -- Senators Courtney, Short, Moore and Washington: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-767, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES REGARDING CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, SO AS TO REVISE THE DUTIES CONCERNING CONDUCTING VISITS WITH FOSTER CHILDREN AND CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS OF FOSTER FAMILIES; TO REQUIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SECTION, AND TO STATE THE DUTIES OF FOSTER PARENTS UNDER THIS SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-764, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPROVAL OR AMENDMENT OF A PLACEMENT PLAN AFTER REMOVAL OF A CHILD, SO AS TO PROVIDE CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THE COURT TO CONSIDER WHEN DETERMINING WHETHER TO DISCLOSE IN THE PLAN THE LOCATION OF THE CHILD'S PLACEMENT; TO ADD SECTION 20-7-775 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO DISCLOSE CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE CHILD TO THE FOSTER PARENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 19-1-180, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ADMISSIBILITY OF OUT-OF-COURT STATEMENTS BY CERTAIN CHILDREN, SO AS TO EXPAND THE ADMISSIBILITY OF THESE STATEMENTS TO INCLUDE CHILDREN WHO FUNCTION COGNITIVELY, ADAPTIVELY, OR DEVELOPMENTALLY UNDER AGE TWELVE; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-420, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE FAMILY COURT, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE AUTHORITY TO HEAR AND DETERMINE ACTIONS CONCERNING CONTROL OF A MINOR, INCLUDING GUARDIANSHIP OF A MINOR; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-490, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN ARTICLE 7, CHAPTER 7, TITLE 20, SO AS TO ALSO APPLY THESE DEFINITIONS TO OTHER ARTICLES IN THE CHILDREN'S CODE; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-510, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PERSONS REQUIRED TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, SO AS TO REQUIRE A MANDATED REPORTER TO REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT IF THE PERPETRATOR IS NOT A "PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR A CHILD'S WELFARE" AND TO PROVIDE REPORTING AND CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISIONS FOR EXCHANGE OF REPORTER INFORMATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-540, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR REPORTING ABUSE AND NEGLECT, SO AS TO EXPAND THE IMMUNITY TO PERSONS WHO PARTICIPATE IN AN INVESTIGATION OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT AND TO EXTEND THE IMMUNITY TO INCLUDE FULL DISCLOSURE OF THE FACTS; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-545, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO IMMUNITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES PERSONNEL FROM LIABILITY FOR PERFORMING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES OR CHILD WELFARE FUNCTIONS, SO AS TO ALSO INCLUDE CONTRACT EMPLOYEES; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-610, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CUSTODY PROCEDURES, SO AS TO REVISE CERTAIN PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING PROCEDURES; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-618 RELATING TO DETAINMENT OF ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILDREN BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT SUCH DETAINMENT IS NOT KEEPING A CHILD IN EMERGENCY PHYSICAL CUSTODY; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-650, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF A CHILD'S DEATH DUE TO ABUSE OR NEGLECT UNLESS OTHER CHILDREN ARE IN THE HOME OR IF THE ALLEGED PERPETRATOR IS THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN AND TO REVISE CERTAIN PROCEDURES WHEN A CHILD IS IN PLACEMENT WITH A RELATIVE; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-690, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTS AND RECORDS, SO AS TO REVISE CERTAIN PERSONS, AGENCIES, OR ENTITIES WHICH MAY HAVE ACCESS TO THESE REPORTS AND RECORDS AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO DISCLOSE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO PARTICIPANTS IN A FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCE; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-736, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE FAMILY COURT IN ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-765 RELATING TO FOSTER CARE TREATMENT PLAN REQUIREMENTS REGARDING SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TERM "TREATMENT PLAN" TO "PLACEMENT PLAN"; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-766, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARINGS FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT A PROCEEDING MUST BE INITIATED BY THE FILING OF A MOTION AND TO PROVIDE THAT PENDING AN APPEAL IN A FOSTER CARE CASE THE JURISDICTION AND DISPOSITIONAL POWERS OF THE COURT CONTINUES ON MATTERS UNRELATED TO THE APPEAL; TO ADD SECTION 20-7-770 REQUIRING CLERKS OF COURT TO SUBMIT CERTAIN INFORMATION ON CHILD PROTECTION CASES TO COURT ADMINISTRATION WHICH MUST FORWARD THIS INFORMATION MONTHLY AND IN AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT AND TO REQUIRE COURT ADMINISTRATION TO PROSPECTIVELY USE A SEPARATE CODE TO IDENTIFY ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-1572, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, SO AS TO ADD CONVICTION FOR CERTAIN CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON, INCLUDING CRIMINAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AS A GROUND FOR TERMINATION; TO ADD SECTION 20-7-1630 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO INFORM FOSTER PARENTS OF FOSTER CHILDREN WHO ARE RELATIVES ABOUT THE BENEFITS ATTENDANT TO PROVIDING FOSTER CARE AND TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN ACQUIRING LICENSING; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-1640, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO FINGERPRINTING OF FOSTER PARENTS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE A TEMPORARY LICENSE IF CERTAIN PRELIMINARY CRIMINAL RECORDS REQUIREMENTS ARE MET; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-2376, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF LOCAL FOSTER CARE REVIEW BOARDS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE BOARDS TO SUBMIT WRITTEN REPORTS TO THE COURT THAT ARE DISTINCTIVE FROM OTHER DOCUMENTS IN THE FILE; TO AMEND SECTION 59-63-31 RELATING TO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR ATTENDING A PUBLIC SCHOOL, SO AS TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR CHILDREN TO OBTAIN CONTINUED SCHOOLING AT A PARTICULAR SCHOOL IF THE CHILD IS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; AND TO AMEND JOINT RESOLUTION 157 OF 1997 RELATING TO THE PILOT CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES SYSTEM, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT THE REQUIRED EVALUATION IS THE ONLY EVALUATION THAT MUST BE PERFORMED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN COUNTIES PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT DATA COLLECTION AND EVALUATION SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM, AND TO EXPAND FROM THIRTY TO FORTY-FIVE DAYS THE TIME WITHIN WHICH A DETERMINATION MUST BE MADE FOR A CASE TO BE REFERRED TO THE PILOT PROJECT.
Rep. FLEMING made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 181 (Word version) -- Senators Washington and Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND SUBARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 7, TITLE 20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-2275 SO AS TO ESTABLISH A KINSHIP FOSTER CARE PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES INTO THE HOMES OF RELATIVES FOR KINSHIP FOSTER CARE.
Rep. EASTERDAY made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 372 (Word version) -- Senators Anderson and Glover: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-2725, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DAY CARE CENTER EMPLOYMENT, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN OFFENSES WHICH PROHIBIT AN INDIVIDUAL FROM BEING EMPLOYED AS A DAY CARE WORKER.
Rep. TRIPP made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 351 (Word version) -- Senators McConnell, Matthews, Courtney, Patterson, Reese, Hayes, Jackson and Passailaigue: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 29-3-325, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO RECORDING SATISFACTION OR CANCELLATION OF A MORTGAGE, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN PROVISIONS AND PROVIDE THAT, UPON PAYMENT IN FULL OF A MORTGAGE DEBT, WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SATISFACTION OF THE MORTGAGE, AND PAYMENT OF ANY REQUIRED SATISFACTION FEE, THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THE MORTGAGE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RECORDING THE SATISFACTION OR CANCELLATION OF THE MORTGAGE IT HOLDS AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE DAMAGES AND PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO SO SATISFY THE MORTGAGE; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 29-3-320, RELATING TO LIABILITY FOR FAILURE TO ENTER SATISFACTION OF A MORTGAGE.
Rep. COTTY explained the Bill.
Rep. KNOTTS made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 7 (Word version) -- Senators Short, Leventis, McGill, Glover, Washington, Reese and Setzler: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 62 SO AS TO ENACT THE "MEDICAL RADIATION HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT"; TO RECOGNIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA RADIATION QUALITY STANDARDS ASSOCIATION; AND TO ESTABLISH CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF PERSONS USING RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS OR EQUIPMENT EMITTING IONIZING RADIATION ON HUMANS FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES.
The Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name NBD\AMEND\11429AC99):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Title 44 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 44-74-10. This chapter may be cited as the 'Medical Radiation Health and Safety Act'.
Section 44-74-20. As used in this chapter:
(1) 'Board' means the board of the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association.
(2) 'Certificate' means a certificate issued by the board or by an entity recognized by the board authorizing the certificate holder to use radioactive materials or equipment emitting ionizing radiation on humans for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(3) 'Licensed practitioner' means a person licensed to practice medicine, dentistry, podiatry, chiropractic, or osteopathy in this State.
(4) 'Limited practice radiographer' means a person who conducts diagnostic radiology exams limited to the performance of specific procedures or applications of ionizing radiation to specific parts of the human body.
(5) 'Limited chest radiographer' means a person who conducts diagnostic radiography exams of the chest only, not to include mammography.
(6) 'Nuclear medicine technologist' means a person, other than a licensed practitioner, who prepares and administers radiopharmaceutical agents to humans for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
(7) 'podiatric limited practice radiographer' means a person who conducts diagnostic radiology exams limited to the performance of specific procedures or applications of ionizing radiation to specific parts of the human body, working under the supervision of a licensed podiatrist.
(8) 'Radiation therapist' means a person, other than a licensed practitioner, who applies radiation to humans for therapeutic purposes.
(9) 'Radiographer' means a person, other than a licensed practitioner, who applies radiation to humans for diagnostic purposes including, but not limited to, mammography, cardiovascular-interventional technology, and computed tomography.
(10) 'Radiologic technologist' means a person who is a limited practice radiographer, radiographer, Podiatric limited practice radiographer, limited chest radiographer, radiation therapist, or nuclear medicine technologist certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or who is certified by the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association or who has obtained a certificate acceptable to the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association.
(11) 'Direct Supervision' means a certified radiographer who:
(a) reviews the procedure in relation to the student's achievement;
(b) evaluates the condition of the patient in relation to the student's knowledge;
(c) is present during the conduct of the procedure;
(d) reviews and approves the procedure; and
(e) is present during student performance of any repeat of any unsatisfactory radiograph.
Section 44-74-30. (A) No person, other than a licensed practitioner or a radiologic technologist possessing a certificate from the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association may use ionizing radiation or equipment emitting or detecting ionizing radiation on humans for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
(B) No person knowingly may employ or designate as a radiologic technologist a person who does not hold a certificate issued by the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association.
(C) No person holding a certificate issued by the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association may use radioactive substances or equipment emitting or detecting ionizing radiation on humans for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes unless under the direction and supervision of a licensed practitioner and unless so directed by prescription of a licensed practitioner.
(D) No person who is not certified by the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association shall take, use, or exhibit the title of 'Limited Practice Radiographer', 'Podiatric limited practice radiographer', 'Limited Chest Radiographer', 'Radiographer', 'Radiation Therapist', or 'Nuclear Medicine Technologist', or any other title, sign, display, or declaration that tends to lead the public to believe that the person is authorized to apply ionizing radiation on humans for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
(E) No person, other than a licensed practitioner, may operate any x-ray machinery in the health care setting, including a hospital, a mobile or temporary health care setting, or the office of a person licensed to practice any health care profession pursuant to any chapter of Title 40 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina without possessing a current valid certificate from the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association.
Section 44-74-40. (A) A radiologic technologist who is certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists is deemed to have met the qualifications for certification by the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association and, upon application, must be issued an initial certification without examination.
(B) Nothing in this chapter limits, enlarges, or affects the practice of a licensed practitioner.
(C) A resident physician or a student enrolled in and attending a school or college of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, podiatry, radiologic technology, or a curriculum approved by the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association who applies ionizing radiation to humans while under the supervision of a licensed practitioner or direct supervision of a certified radiologic technologist appropriately trained to supervise the specific procedure is not required to be certified under this chapter.
Section 44-74-50. (A) Any person employing or allowing a person to operate x-ray machinery without possessing a certificate must be reported to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control must take appropriate action against the registrant of the x-ray machinery pursuant to regulations of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Reports of violations can be made to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control by members of the public, licensed health care professionals, hospitals, or the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control must act on these complaints within ninety days. A current copy of the operators' certificate must be reviewed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control at the time of inspection. The registrant of the equipment must display the current operators' certificates in public view.
(B) Dentists and their auxiliaries who meet the requirements of the South Carolina Dental Practice Act are exempt from the provisions of this act.
Section 44-77-60. (A) The South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association must be registered with the South Carolina Secretary of State's Office as a non-profit corporation and recognized as a tax exempt organization under Section 501(C) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.
(B) The board must be composed of thirteen members from the below listed trade associations as follows: one member shall be a representative from the South Carolina Society of Medical Assistants, Incorporated who is also a certified limited practice radiographer and a certified medical assistant; one member shall be a consumer from the South Carolina Radiation Standards Association; two members shall be radiologic technologists from the South Carolina Society of Radiologic Technologists (SCSRT), one of whom is employed by a hospital and from the South Carolina Health Care Alliance; one member shall be a radiologic technologist educator from the SCSRT; one member shall be a radiologic technologist of nuclear medicine from the South Carolina Society of Nuclear Medicine; one member shall be a radiation therapist from the SCSRT; three members shall be medical doctors, one doctor shall be a licensed family physician from the South Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, one doctor shall be a licensed radiologist from the South Carolina Radiological Society, and one doctor shall be a medical doctor of another specialty from the South Carolina Medical Association; one member shall be a chiropractor from the South Carolina Chiropractic Association; one member shall be a podiatrist from the South Carolina Podiatric Medical Association; and one member shall be a non-voting representative from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, ex officio, and from the Radiological Health Branch.
(C) The members of the board shall be appointees from the above listed trade associations and the members of the board shall serve for a term to be established by the board. The members of the board shall serve without compensation. However, the board may establish rates for mileage, subsistence and per diem to be paid to board members not to exceed the usual payments for mileage, subsistence and per diem as provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions.
(D) The board is authorized to:
(1) Establish certification qualifications for each category of radiological technologist;
(2) Conduct certification examinations;
(3) Certify qualified radiological technologists;
(4) Establish and collect fees necessary to conduct certification examinations and administer the board; and
(5) Establish continuing education requirements and terms of re-certification."
SECTION 2. (A) For two years after this act's effective date, upon application and the payment of a fee equivalent to that required for the written examination and initial certification fee, the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association Board shall issue a certificate without examination to a person who has been employed by a licensed practitioner to take x-rays for a minimum of three years of the immediately preceding five years.
(B) A certification of examination shall be conducted by the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association Board at a time and place designated by the board for those individuals who have been employed by a licensed practitioner to take x-rays during one of the past three years immediately before the act's effective date. Those individuals receiving a satisfactory score as determined by the board must be issued a certificate to practice.
SECTION 3. Within one year after the effective date of this act, the South Carolina Podiatric Medical Association shall submit to the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association (S.C.R.Q.S.A.) for the board's approval a podiatric limited practice radiographer certification examination. This examination, if approved by the S.C.R.Q.S.A. shall be the only examination required for certification as a Podiatric limited practice radiographer.
SECTION 4. Upon this act's effective date for two years thereafter, all orders for medication dispensed or treatment provided in a hospital shall be authenticated according to hospital policy. The orders shall be taken by personnel qualified by hospital medical staff rules and shall include the date, time, and name of persons who gave the order and the signature of the person taking the order. The Department of Health and Environmental Control shall promulgate regulations consistent with this provision.
SECTION 5. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor, provided, however, that the certification requirements outlined in this act shall not take effect for a period of one year after this act's effective date. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. PARKS explained the amendment.
Rep. WILDER made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
Reps. KIRSH and ROBINSON withdrew their requests for debate on the following Bill:
S. 528 (Word version) -- Senators Gregory, Waldrep, Ravenel and Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FISH, GAME, AND WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA BOATING REFORM AND SAFETY ACT OF 1999"; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE EQUIPMENT AND OPERATION OF WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR DEFINITIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-110, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO NEGLIGENT OPERATION OF BOATS OR SIMILAR DEVICES, SO AS TO DEFINE NEGLIGENT OPERATION OF A WATERCRAFT AND PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-111 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO PERSON MAY OPERATE OR DIRECT THE OPERATION OF A VESSEL OR USE WATER SKIS OR SIMILAR WATER DEVICES WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS, OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-112, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO USE OF A VESSEL OR WATER DEVICE, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH WHILE OPERATING A VESSEL OR USING A WATER DEVICE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-113 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF RECKLESS OPERATION OF A VESSEL OR WATER DEVICE, AND TO PROVIDES PENALTIES; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-114, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO OPERATION OF A VESSEL OR MANIPULATION OF A WATER DEVICE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON ARRESTED FOR OPERATING A VESSEL OR MANIPULATING A WATER DEVICE IN THE WATERS OF THIS STATE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE GIVEN HIS CONSENT TO ONE OR A COMBINATION OF CHEMICAL TESTS TO DETERMINE THE PRESENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR THE REFUSAL TO TAKE THE CHEMICAL TESTS REQUIRED BY THE ARRESTING OFFICER; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-115, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO RECKLESS HOMICIDE BY OPERATION OF A BOAT, SO AS TO INCREASE THE PERMISSIBLE TERM OF IMPRISONMENT FROM FIVE YEARS TO TEN YEARS; BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-116 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON MUST SUBMIT TO ONE OR A COMBINATION OF TESTS WHEN THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT A PERSON WHO VIOLATED OR IS UNDER ARREST FOR OPERATING A WATERCRAFT WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS, OR A COMBINATION OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS; BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-117 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSES OF OPERATING A VESSEL UNDER SUSPENSION AND USING A WATER DEVICE UNDER SUSPENSION, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-120, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DUTY OF A BOAT LIVERY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE OWNER OF A BOAT LIVERY, HIS AGENT, AND EMPLOYEES, MUST NOT PERMIT A VESSEL TO DEPART FROM HIS PREMISES UNLESS IT IS IN SOUND AND SAFE OPERATING CONDITION, HAVE A VALID REGISTRATION, BE PROPERLY NUMBERED AND TITLED IN THIS STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-130, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF VESSEL OPERATORS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, ACCIDENT, OR OTHER CASUALTY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF FAILURE TO STOP WHEN INJURY, GREAT BODILY INJURY, OR DEATH RESULTS FROM A COLLISION, ACCIDENT, OR OTHER CASUALTY, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-150, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER 21,TITLE 50, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE CHAPTER WHERE PENALTIES ARE NOT SPECIFIED; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-320, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO VESSELS THAT NEED NOT BE NUMBERED, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, WHEN CERTAIN VESSELS COVERED BY A CERTIFICATE OR NUMBER IN EFFECT THAT IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO FEDERAL LAW OR A FEDERAL NUMBERING SYSTEM, NEED NOT BE NUMBERED IN THIS STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-340, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPLICATIONS FOR NUMBER AND CERTIFICATE FOR MOTORBOATS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE APPLICATION FEE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-370, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER FOR RECENTLY PURCHASED WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, WHEN USING A RECENTLY PURCHASED WATERCRAFT UNDER AUTHORITY OF A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER, THE OPERATOR SHALL CARRY A COPY OF THE BILL OF SALE AND THE TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER ON BOARD AS PROOF OF OWNERSHIP; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-710, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO AIDS TO NAVIGATION, NEGLIGENT OPERATION, AND PROHIBITED ACTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT OPERATION OF ANY VESSEL WITHIN A PROHIBITED AREA IS NEGLIGENT OPERATION; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-870, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT AND BOATING SAFETY, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN PROVISIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-15, RELATING TO PERMITTED MARINE DEALERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR INSPECTION OF PREMISES, BOOKS, AND RECORDS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO ALLOW INSPECTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-70, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATES OF TITLE, SO AS TO INCREASE THE APPLICATION FEES AND PROVIDE FOR AN EXEMPTION FOR WATERCRAFT PROPELLED BY HAND WITH OAR, PADDLE, OR SIMILAR DEVICE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS PERTAINING TO THE TITLED OWNER'S PERSONAL INFORMATION AND THE MANUFACTURER'S HULL AND IDENTIFICATION OR SERIAL NUMBER FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-190, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL ACTS IN CONNECTION WITH WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE A WATERCRAFT WITHOUT DISPLAYING THE ISSUED DECAL; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-210, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CERTIFICATES OF TITLE TO WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MAY REVOKE A CERTIFICATE OF TITLE UPON NOTICE AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING, AND THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY SEIZE REVOKED CERTIFICATES THAT ARE NOT RETURNED TO THE DEPARTMENT; BY ADDING SECTION 50-23-215 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE OWNER OF A VESSEL NUMBERED OR DOCUMENTED IN THIS STATE MUST FURNISH THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE TRANSFER OF HIS INTEREST IN A VESSEL NUMBERED OR DOCUMENTED IN THIS STATE WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE TRANSFER; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-220, RELATING TO DEPOSIT AND USE OF FUNDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT UP TO ONE-HALF OF THE FEES COLLECTED UNDER THIS CHAPTER MAY BE USED FOR ENFORCEMENT OF BOATING LAWS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-280, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50, SO AS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES; TO AMEND TITLE 50 OF THE 1976 CODE BY NAMING CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50, "WATERCRAFT AND OUTBOARD MOTORS", TO DESIGNATE SECTIONS 50-23-10 THROUGH 50-23-290 AS ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50 NAMED "TITLING", TO REDESIGNATE ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 21, TITLE 50 AS ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50 NAMED "NUMBERING", AND TO DIRECT THE CODE COMMISSIONER TO RENUMBER THE CODE SECTIONS OF THE EXISTING ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 21, TITLE 50 AS ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50; AND TO REPEAL SECTIONS 50-21-390, 50-21-410, 50-23-10, 50-23-24, AND 50-23-50 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Rep. LOFTIS withdrew his request for debate on the following Bill:
S. 581 (Word version) -- Senator McConnell: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 434 OF 1998, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE PROHIBITIONS, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROHIBITION AGAINST THE SALE OF MALT LIQUOR IN CONTAINERS GREATER THAN ONE LITER.
Reps. CLYBURN, DAVENPORT, MILLER and R. SMITH withdrew their requests for debate on H. 3037; however, other requests for debate remained on the Bill.
Reps. MCMAHAND and KENNEDY withdrew their requests for debate on S. 118; however, other requests for debate remained on the Bill.
Rep. TRIPP withdrew his request for debate on the following Bill:
S. 581 (Word version) -- Senator McConnell: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 434 OF 1998, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE PROHIBITIONS, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROHIBITION AGAINST THE SALE OF MALT LIQUOR IN CONTAINERS GREATER THAN ONE LITER.
Rep. MCGEE withdrew his request for debate on the following Bill:
S. 528 (Word version) -- Senators Gregory, Waldrep, Ravenel and Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FISH, GAME, AND WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA BOATING REFORM AND SAFETY ACT OF 1999"; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE EQUIPMENT AND OPERATION OF WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR DEFINITIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-110, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO NEGLIGENT OPERATION OF BOATS OR SIMILAR DEVICES, SO AS TO DEFINE NEGLIGENT OPERATION OF A WATERCRAFT AND PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-111 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO PERSON MAY OPERATE OR DIRECT THE OPERATION OF A VESSEL OR USE WATER SKIS OR SIMILAR WATER DEVICES WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS, OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-112, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO USE OF A VESSEL OR WATER DEVICE, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH WHILE OPERATING A VESSEL OR USING A WATER DEVICE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-113 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF RECKLESS OPERATION OF A VESSEL OR WATER DEVICE, AND TO PROVIDES PENALTIES; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-114, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO OPERATION OF A VESSEL OR MANIPULATION OF A WATER DEVICE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON ARRESTED FOR OPERATING A VESSEL OR MANIPULATING A WATER DEVICE IN THE WATERS OF THIS STATE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE GIVEN HIS CONSENT TO ONE OR A COMBINATION OF CHEMICAL TESTS TO DETERMINE THE PRESENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR THE REFUSAL TO TAKE THE CHEMICAL TESTS REQUIRED BY THE ARRESTING OFFICER; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-115, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO RECKLESS HOMICIDE BY OPERATION OF A BOAT, SO AS TO INCREASE THE PERMISSIBLE TERM OF IMPRISONMENT FROM FIVE YEARS TO TEN YEARS; BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-116 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON MUST SUBMIT TO ONE OR A COMBINATION OF TESTS WHEN THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT A PERSON WHO VIOLATED OR IS UNDER ARREST FOR OPERATING A WATERCRAFT WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS, OR A COMBINATION OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS; BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-117 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSES OF OPERATING A VESSEL UNDER SUSPENSION AND USING A WATER DEVICE UNDER SUSPENSION, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-120, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DUTY OF A BOAT LIVERY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE OWNER OF A BOAT LIVERY, HIS AGENT, AND EMPLOYEES, MUST NOT PERMIT A VESSEL TO DEPART FROM HIS PREMISES UNLESS IT IS IN SOUND AND SAFE OPERATING CONDITION, HAVE A VALID REGISTRATION, BE PROPERLY NUMBERED AND TITLED IN THIS STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-130, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF VESSEL OPERATORS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, ACCIDENT, OR OTHER CASUALTY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF FAILURE TO STOP WHEN INJURY, GREAT BODILY INJURY, OR DEATH RESULTS FROM A COLLISION, ACCIDENT, OR OTHER CASUALTY, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-150, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER 21,TITLE 50, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE CHAPTER WHERE PENALTIES ARE NOT SPECIFIED; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-320, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO VESSELS THAT NEED NOT BE NUMBERED, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, WHEN CERTAIN VESSELS COVERED BY A CERTIFICATE OR NUMBER IN EFFECT THAT IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO FEDERAL LAW OR A FEDERAL NUMBERING SYSTEM, NEED NOT BE NUMBERED IN THIS STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-340, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPLICATIONS FOR NUMBER AND CERTIFICATE FOR MOTORBOATS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE APPLICATION FEE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-370, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER FOR RECENTLY PURCHASED WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, WHEN USING A RECENTLY PURCHASED WATERCRAFT UNDER AUTHORITY OF A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER, THE OPERATOR SHALL CARRY A COPY OF THE BILL OF SALE AND THE TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER ON BOARD AS PROOF OF OWNERSHIP; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-710, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO AIDS TO NAVIGATION, NEGLIGENT OPERATION, AND PROHIBITED ACTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT OPERATION OF ANY VESSEL WITHIN A PROHIBITED AREA IS NEGLIGENT OPERATION; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-870, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT AND BOATING SAFETY, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN PROVISIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-15, RELATING TO PERMITTED MARINE DEALERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR INSPECTION OF PREMISES, BOOKS, AND RECORDS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO ALLOW INSPECTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-70, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATES OF TITLE, SO AS TO INCREASE THE APPLICATION FEES AND PROVIDE FOR AN EXEMPTION FOR WATERCRAFT PROPELLED BY HAND WITH OAR, PADDLE, OR SIMILAR DEVICE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS PERTAINING TO THE TITLED OWNER'S PERSONAL INFORMATION AND THE MANUFACTURER'S HULL AND IDENTIFICATION OR SERIAL NUMBER FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-190, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL ACTS IN CONNECTION WITH WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE A WATERCRAFT WITHOUT DISPLAYING THE ISSUED DECAL; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-210, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CERTIFICATES OF TITLE TO WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MAY REVOKE A CERTIFICATE OF TITLE UPON NOTICE AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING, AND THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY SEIZE REVOKED CERTIFICATES THAT ARE NOT RETURNED TO THE DEPARTMENT; BY ADDING SECTION 50-23-215 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE OWNER OF A VESSEL NUMBERED OR DOCUMENTED IN THIS STATE MUST FURNISH THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE TRANSFER OF HIS INTEREST IN A VESSEL NUMBERED OR DOCUMENTED IN THIS STATE WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE TRANSFER; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-220, RELATING TO DEPOSIT AND USE OF FUNDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT UP TO ONE-HALF OF THE FEES COLLECTED UNDER THIS CHAPTER MAY BE USED FOR ENFORCEMENT OF BOATING LAWS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-280, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50, SO AS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES; TO AMEND TITLE 50 OF THE 1976 CODE BY NAMING CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50, "WATERCRAFT AND OUTBOARD MOTORS", TO DESIGNATE SECTIONS 50-23-10 THROUGH 50-23-290 AS ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50 NAMED "TITLING", TO REDESIGNATE ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 21, TITLE 50 AS ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50 NAMED "NUMBERING", AND TO DIRECT THE CODE COMMISSIONER TO RENUMBER THE CODE SECTIONS OF THE EXISTING ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 21, TITLE 50 AS ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50; AND TO REPEAL SECTIONS 50-21-390, 50-21-410, 50-23-10, 50-23-24, AND 50-23-50 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Reps. J. HINES and LEE withdrew their requests for debate on S. 118; however, other requests for debate remained on the Bill.
Rep. ROBINSON asked unanimous consent to recall H. 4166 from the Committee on Ways and Means.
Rep. SCOTT objected.
Rep. SHARPE asked unanimous consent to recall S. 80 from the Committee on Ways and Means.
Rep. KOON objected.
Rep. SIMRILL asked unanimous consent to recall S. 304 from the Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs.
Rep. MCGEE objected.
On motion of Rep. GILHAM, with unanimous consent, the following Bill was ordered recalled from the Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs:
S. 491 (Word version) -- Senator Cork: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-136, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO NO WAKE ZONES ON CERTAIN CREEKS AND COVES ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND AND ON THE NEW RIVER IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, SO AS TO CORRECT A DIRECTIONAL REFERENCE.
Rep. W. MCLEOD asked unanimous consent to recall H. 3827 from the Committee on Ways and Means.
Rep. ROBINSON objected.
Rep. H. BROWN asked unanimous consent to recall S. 11 from the Committee on Ways and Means.
Rep. SHEHEEN objected.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. COTTY a temporary leave of absence.
The Senate amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration:
H. 3640 (Word version) -- Rep. Harrison: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 17-1-40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CRIMINAL RECORDS OF A PERSON WHOSE CRIMINAL CHARGE HAS BEEN DISCHARGED OR DISMISSED OR WHO HAS BEEN FOUND INNOCENT OF A CRIMINAL CHARGE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A CLERK OF COURT MUST DESTROY AND MUST NOT RETAIN THESE RECORDS.
Rep. HARRISON proposed the following Amendment No. 1A (Doc Name NBD\AMEND\11416CM99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words, and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Section 17-1-40 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 17-1-40. Any A person who after being charged with a criminal offense and such the charge is discharged or proceedings against such the person dismissed or the person is found to be innocent not guilty of such the charge, the arrest and booking record, files, mug shots, and fingerprints of such the person shall must be destroyed and no evidence of such the record pertaining to such the charge shall must not be retained by any a municipal, county or state law enforcement agency, or a clerk of court."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Amend title to conform.
Rep. HARRISON explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
Reps. D. SMITH and JENNINGS proposed the following Amendment No. 4A (Doc Name GGS\AMEND\22368CM99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words, and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Section 17-1-40 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 17-1-40. Any A person who after being charged with a criminal offense and such the charge is discharged or proceedings against such the person dismissed or the person is found to be innocent not guilty of such the charge or pardoned of a conviction, must have the arrest and booking record, files, mug shots, and fingerprints of such the person shall be destroyed and no evidence of such the record pertaining to such the charge or conviction shall must not be retained by any a municipal, county or state law enforcement agency, or a clerk of court."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Amend title to conform.
Rep. D. SMITH explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
Rep. D. SMITH moved to reconsider the vote whereby Amendment No. 4A was adopted, which was agreed to.
Rep. D. SMITH moved to table the amendment, which was agreed to.
Rep. D. Smith proposed the following Amendment No. 5A (Doc Name BBM\AMEND\9397SOM99):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 17-1-40, as contained in SECTION 1, by adding a new paragraph at the end to read:
/ However, an arrest and booking record covered by this section must not be destroyed for a person who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or who is convicted of another offense until all post conviction relief proceedings initiated by the person are completed. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. D. SMITH explained the amendment.
Rep. HARRISON moved to adjourn debate upon the Senate amendments until Tuesday, June 1, which was agreed to.
The Senate amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration:
H. 3835 (Word version) -- Rep. Robinson: A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 54, TITLE 12, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF TAXES LEVIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, BY ADDING SECTIONS 12-54-43 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CIVIL PENALTIES AND 12-54-44 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CRIMINAL PENALTIES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 4-12-30, AS AMENDED, AND 4-29-67, AS AMENDED, BOTH RELATING TO A PROJECT PAYING A FEE IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAXES, SO AS TO DEFINE "REPLACEMENT PROPERTY" AS REPLACING THE OLDEST PROPERTY IN THE PROJECT SUBJECT TO THE FEE; TO AMEND SECTION 4-29-68, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO A PROJECT PAYING A FEE IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAXES, SO AS TO ADD CERTAIN CROSS REFERENCES; TO AMEND SECTION 6-1-320, RELATING TO LIMITATIONS ON MILLAGE RATE INCREASES, SO AS TO REFERENCE THE CALENDAR YEAR INSTEAD OF THE FISCAL YEAR AND TO PROVIDE FOR COMPUTATION OF THE ROLLBACK MILLAGE; TO AMEND SECTION 11-1-10, RELATING TO OFFICIAL RECEIPTS FOR MONIES COLLECTED, SO AS TO LIMIT RELEASE OF DOCUMENTS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-50, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE NOT ADOPTED BY THE STATE, SO AS TO ADOPT SECTION 6015; TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-3360, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO JOB TAX CREDIT, SO AS TO DESCRIBE SPECIFICALLY THE DATA USED TO RANK AND DESIGNATE THE STATE'S COUNTIES AS THE AVAILABLE PER CAPITA INCOME DATA AND UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DATA FROM THE LAST THREE YEARS AND THE DATA USED FOR DETERMINATION OF THE PER CAPITA INCOME OF A COUNTY AS THE LATEST AVAILABLE DATA AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PASS THROUGH OF THE UNUSED CREDIT TO MEMBERS OF CERTAIN ENTITIES CLAIMING THE CREDIT; TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-4910, RELATING TO THOSE TAXPAYERS REQUIRED TO FILE INCOME TAX RETURNS, SO AS TO REFERENCE THE DEDUCTION FOR RETIREMENT INCOME; TO AMEND SECTIONS 12-6-5060, 12-6-5065, 12-6-5070, AND 12-6-5080, ALL RELATING TO DESIGNATIONS ON THE TAX RETURNS FOR VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SOLICITATION OF CHARITABLE FUNDS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 12-21-2550, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO FAILURE TO MAKE A CORRECT TAX RETURN OR TO FILE A RETURN, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO ESTIMATE THE TAX LIABILITY AND ISSUE A PROPOSED ASSESSMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO INCLUDE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-251, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FROM PROPERTY TAX, SO AS TO DELETE REFERENCE TO CALCULATION OF ROLLBACK MILLAGE; TO AMEND SECTION 12-54-55, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO INTEREST ON UNDERPAYMENT OF ESTIMATED TAX, SO AS TO DELETE LANGUAGE MAKING THE PENALTY INTEREST THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY; TO AMEND SECTION 12-54-240, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROHIBITION OF THE DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, SO AS TO ALLOW THE DISCLOSURE OF NAMES AND ADDRESSES TO THE STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM IN CONNECTION WITH INACTIVE ACCOUNTS; TO AMEND SECTION 12-56-20, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THE SETOFF DEBT COLLECTION ACT, SO AS TO ADD THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS A CLAIMANT AGENCY AND TO CHANGE "INDIVIDUAL" TO "PERSON"; AND TO REPEAL SECTIONS 12-6-5590 RELATING TO REVISION OF THE ASSESSED TAX, 12-54-35 RELATING TO SPOUSAL LIABILITY FOR TAX, AND 12-54-40 RELATING TO PENALTIES IN CONNECTION WITH COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF TAXES.
Rep. EDGE proposed the following Amendment No. 2A (Doc Name GJK\AMEND\20764HTC99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
/SECTION ___. A. Article 21, Chapter 37, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 12-37-2695. (A) Effective for motor vehicle tax years beginning after 1999, There is allowed as a credit against the property tax due on a private passenger motor vehicle as defined in Section 56-3-630, a motorcycle, and a motor-driven cycle for a motor vehicle tax year an amount determined pursuant to subsection (C) of this section.
(B)(1) There must be reimbursed to political subdivisions of the State, including school districts, amounts not collected in personal property taxes because of the tax credit allowed by this section. The Board of Economic Advisors shall estimate the total property taxes to be paid in the State in the calendar year 2000 on vehicles eligible for the credit. An amount equal to seven percent of that estimate must be credited each calendar year to the Trust Fund for Tax Relief.
(2) There must be distributed to each county a percentage of the total credited to the Trust Fund for Tax Relief pursuant to item (1) for a calendar year that is the same percentage the county receives for the fiscal year ending during the applicable calendar year of the total amount distributed to counties pursuant to Chapter 27 of Title 6, the State Aid to Subdivisions Act. These reimbursements must be paid not less than monthly, and in advance. The reimbursement must be allocated to a taxing entity in the proportion that its revenues from property taxes on eligible vehicles is of the total of such revenues in the county for the calendar year.
(C) From the reimbursements paid a county pursuant to this section for a calendar year, the auditor shall calculate a credit against the personal property tax coming due on eligible motor vehicles during the year, with the credit on each individual vehicle determined by the ratio that its assessed value is of the assessed value of all eligible vehicles registered in the county. This credit shall reduce proportionately the tax otherwise due on the vehicle imposed by each property taxing entity and must be noted on a separate line on the personal property tax bill as 'state motor vehicle tax relief'."
B. Section 11-11-150(A) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 419 of 1998, is amended to read:
"(A) In calculating estimated state individual and corporate income tax revenues for a fiscal year, the Board of Economic Advisors shall deduct amounts sufficient to pay the reimbursement required pursuant to:
(1) Section 12-37-251 for the residential property tax exemption;
(2) Section 12-37-270 for the homestead exemption for persons over age sixty-five or disabled;
(3) Section 12-37-935(B) for manufacturer's additional depreciation; and
(4) Section 12-37-450 for the inventory tax exemption; and
(5) Section 12-37-2695 for the motor vehicle tax credit."
C. Notwithstanding other effective dates provided in this act, this section takes effect upon approval by the Governor, and applies for motor vehicle tax years beginning after 1999. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. EDGE explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
Rep. CATO proposed the following Amendment No. 3A (Doc Name PSD\AMEND\7542AC99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by inserting before the enacting words:
Whereas, pertaining to Part II of this act:
(1) Congress enacted the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to open local telephone markets to competition, and the telecommunications industry is in a state of transition;
(2) In addition to new competitors in traditional local exchange telecommunications markets, a number of new technologies have developed and are developing at a rapid pace, expanding the array of telecommunications providers and services available to consumers;
(3) Since the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, competition in telecommunications services and the number of competitors in the telecommunications industry in South Carolina has grown and continues to grow, as evidenced by the hundreds of new entrants into the industry. In South Carolina, over four hundred companies have been authorized to provide long distance service and over seventy companies have been authorized to provide local telephone service. South Carolina now has over one thousand authorized pay phone service providers and numerous digital and analog wireless and paging providers. Telephony may also now be provided over Internet protocol and cable modems;
(4) The citizens of municipalities in South Carolina have long enjoyed the public benefit of dependable local exchange and long distance telecommunications service provided to them by telecommunications carriers that have constructed, operated, and maintained telecommunications facilities to serve those citizens, and that currently occupy the municipal rights-of-way in the State; and
(5) Congress has stated that nothing in Section 253 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 affects the authority of the state or local government to manage the public rights-of-way or to require fair and reasonable compensation from telecommunications providers, on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis, for use of public rights-of-way on a nondiscriminatory basis, if the compensation required is disclosed by such government. The General Assembly finds that shifting of current taxation and fees from a franchise fee basis to the basis outlined in the attached article is necessary and appropriate due to the transition of the telecommunications industry and is fair and reasonable, and taxes and fees exceeding such amount, except upon extraordinary circumstances, would be unreasonable. Now, therefore,
Amend the bill further, by inserting after the enacting words and before SECTION 1 of the bill:
Amend the bill further, by deleting SECTION 29, and inserting:
SECTION 29. Chapter 9 of Title 58 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 58-9-2200. As used in this article:
(1) 'Telecommunications service' means the provision, transmission, conveyance, or routing for a consideration of voice, data, video, or any other information or signals of the purchaser's choosing to a point, or between or among points, specified by the purchaser, by or through any electronic, radio, or similar medium or method now in existence or hereafter devised. The term 'telecommunications service' includes, but is not limited to, local telephone services, toll telephone services, telegraph services, teletypewriter services, teleconferencing services, private line services, channel services, internet protocol telephony, and mobile telecommunications services and to the extent not already provided herein, those services described in Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 481 and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 5133, except satellite services exempted by law.
(2) 'Retail telecommunications service' includes telecommunications services as defined in item (1) of this section but shall not include:
(a) telecommunications services which are used as a component part of a telecommunications service, are integrated into a telecommunications service, or are otherwise resold by another provider to the ultimate retail purchaser who originates or terminates the end-to-end communication including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) carrier access charges;
(ii) right of access charges;
(iii) interconnection charges paid by the providers of mobile telecommunications services or other telecommunications services;
(iv) charges paid by cable service providers for the transmission by another telecommunications provider of video or other programming;
(v) charges for the sale of unbundled network elements;
(vi) charges for the use of intercompany facilities; and
(vii)charges for services provided by shared, not for profit public safety radio systems approved by the FCC;
(b) information and data services including the storage of data or information for subsequent retrieval, the retrieval of data or information, or the processing, or reception and processing, of data or information intended to change its form or content;
(c) cable services that are subject to franchise fees defined and regulated under 47 U.S.C. Section 542;
(d) satellite television broadcast services.
(3) 'Telecommunications company' means a provider of one or more telecommunications services.
(4) 'Cable service' includes, but is not limited to, the provision of video programming or other programming service to purchasers, and the purchaser interaction, if any, required for the selection or use of the video programming or other programming service, regardless of whether the programming is transmitted over facilities owned or operated by the cable service provider or over facilities owned or operated by one or more other telecommunications service providers.
(5) 'Mobile telecommunications service' includes, but is not limited to, any one-way or two-way radio communication service carried on between mobile stations or receivers and land stations and by mobile stations communicating among themselves, through cellular telecommunications services, personal communications services, paging services, specialized mobile radio services and any other form of mobile one-way or two-way communications service.
(6) 'Service address' means the location of the telecommunications equipment from which telecommunications services are originated or at which telecommunications services are received by a retail customer. If this is not a defined location, as in the case of mobile phones, paging systems, maritime systems, and the like, 'service address' means the location of the retail customer's primary use of the telecommunications equipment or the billing address as provided by the customer to the service provider, provided that the billing address is within the licensed service area of the service provider.
(7) 'Bad debt' means any portion of a debt that is related to a sale of telecommunications services and which has become worthless or uncollectable, as determined under applicable federal income tax standards.
Section 58-9-2210. Nothing in this article shall limit a municipality's authority to enter into and charge for franchise agreements with respect to cable services as governed by 47 U.S.C. Section 542.
Section 58-9-2220. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary:
(1) A business license tax levied by a municipality upon retail telecommunications services for the years 1999 through the year 2003 shall not exceed two-tenths of one percent of the gross income derived from the sale of retail telecommunications services for the preceding calendar or fiscal year which either originate or terminate in the municipality and which are charged to a service address within the municipality regardless of where these amounts are billed or paid and on which a business license tax has not been paid to another municipality. For business license tax levied for the year 2004 and every year thereafter the tax shall not exceed five-tenths of one percent of gross income derived from the sale of retail telecommunications services for the preceding calendar or fiscal year which either originate or terminate in the municipality and which are charged to a service address within the municipality regardless of where these amounts are billed or paid and on which a business license tax has not been paid to another municipality. For a business in operation for less than one year, the amount of business license tax authorized by this section must be computed based on a twelve-month projected income.
(2) A business license tax levied by a municipality upon the retail telecommunications services provided by a telecommunications company must be levied in a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory manner upon all providers of retail telecommunications services.
(3) The measurement of the amounts derived from the retail sale of telecommunications services does not include:
(a) an excise tax, sales tax, or similar tax, fee, or assessment levied by the United States or any state or local government including, but not limited to, emergency telephone surcharges, upon the purchase, sale, use, or consumption of a telecommunications service, which is permitted or required to be added to the purchase price of the service; and
(b) bad debts.
(4) A business license tax levied by a municipality upon a telecommunications company must be reported and remitted on an annual basis. The municipality may inspect the records of the telecommunications company as they relate to payments under this Article.
(5) The measurement of the amounts derived from the retail sale of mobile telecommunications services shall include only revenues from the fixed monthly recurring charge of customers whose service address is within the boundaries of the municipality.
Section 58-9-2230. (A) A municipality must manage its public rights-of-way on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis and may impose a fair and reasonable franchise or consent fee on a telecommunications company for use of the public streets and public property to provide telecommunications service unless the telecommunications company has an existing contractual, constitutional, statutory, or other right to construct or operate in the public streets and public property including, but not limited to, consent previously granted by a municipality. Any such fair and reasonable franchise or consent fee which may be imposed upon a telecommunications company shall not exceed the annual sum as set forth in the following schedule based on population:
Tier I 1- 1,000 $100.00
Tier II 1,001- 3,000 $200.00
Tier III 3,001- 5,000 $300.00
Tier IV 5,001- 10,000 $500.00
Tier V 10,001- 25,000 $750.00
Tier VI Over 25,000 $1,000.00
(B) A municipality must manage its public rights-of-way on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis and may impose an administrative fee upon a telecommunications company which is not subject to subsection (1) in this Section that constructs or installs or has previously constructed or installed facilities in the public streets and public property to provide telecommunications service. Any such fee which may be imposed on a telecommunications company shall not exceed the annual sum as set forth in the following schedule based on population:
Tier I 1- 1,000 $100.00
Tier II 1,001- 3,000 $200.00
Tier III 3,001- 5,000 $300.00
Tier IV 5,001- 10,000 $500.00
Tier V 10,001- 25,000 $750.00
Tier VI Over 25,000 $1,000.00
(C) No municipality shall levy any tax, license, fee, or other assessment on, with respect to, or measured by the receipts from any telecommunications service, other than (a) the business license tax authorized by this Article, and (b) franchise fees as defined and regulated under 47 U.S.C. Section 542; provided, however, that nothing herein shall restrict the right of any municipality to impose ad valorem taxes, service fees, sales taxes, or other taxes and fees lawfully imposed on other businesses within the municipalities.
(D) A telecommunications company, including a mobile telecommunications company providing mobile telecommunications services, shall not be deemed to be using public streets or public property unless it has constructed or installed physical facilities in public streets or on public property, provided that the use of public streets or public property under lease, site license or other similar contractual arrangement between a municipality and a telecommunications company shall not constitute the use of public streets or public property under this Article. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a telecommunications company shall not be deemed to be using public streets or public property under this article solely because of its use of airwaves within a municipality. Should any telecommunications company, including a telecommunications company providing mobile telecommunications services, request of a municipality permission to construct or install physical facilities in public streets or on public property, such request shall be considered by such municipality in a manner that is competitively neutral and non-discriminatory as amongst all telecommunications companies.
Section 58-9-2240. A municipality may not use its authority over the public street and public property as a basis for asserting or exercising regulatory control over telecommunications companies regarding matters within the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission or the Federal Communications Commission including, but not limited to, the operations, systems, service quality, service territory, and prices, of a telecommunications company. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of a local governmental entity over a cable television company providing cable service as permitted by 47 U.S.C. Section 542.
Section 58-9-2250. A telecommunications company, its successors or assigns, that is occupying the public streets and public property of a municipality on the effective date of this Article with the consent of the municipality to use such public streets and public property shall not be required to obtain additional consent to continue the occupation of those public streets and public property.
Section 58-9-2260. A telecommunications company may include the following statement in any municipal customer's bill when that customer's municipality charges a business license tax to the telecommunications company under this chapter: 'Please note that there may be a line-item charge included in this bill that is for a business license tax assessed by your municipality'.
Section 58-9-2270. No municipality may enforce an ordinance or practice which is inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this article, provided, however, that as of the time of the effective date of this article, any municipality which had entered into a franchise agreement or other contractual agreement with a telecommunications provider prior to December 31, 1997, may continue to collect fees under such franchise agreement or other contractual agreement through December 31, 2003, regardless of whether such franchise agreement or contractual agreement expires prior to December 31, 2003. Nothing in this article shall be interpreted to interfere with continuing obligations of any franchise or other contractual agreement in the event that such franchise agreement or other contractual agreement should expire after December 31, 2003. In the event that a municipality collects such fees under a franchise agreement or other contractual agreement herein, then such fees shall be in lieu of fees or taxes that might otherwise be authorized by this Article. Provided, further, that any municipality that, as of the effective date of this article, has in effect a business license tax ordinance, adopted prior to December 31, 1997, under which the municipality has been imposing and a telecommunications company has been paying, a business license tax higher than that permitted under this article, may continue to collect such tax under the ordinance through December 31, 2003, instead of the business license tax permitted under this article."
SECTION 30. If a section, paragraph, provision, or portion of this article is held to be unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, this holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this article, and the General Assembly for this purpose hereby declares that the provisions of this article are severable from each other. /
SECTION 31. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor; and Sections 2, 3, and 5 are effective for property tax years beginning after 1998, Sections 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 18 are effective for taxable years after 1998, and Section 16 is effective July 1, 1999.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Rep. CATO explained the amendment.
Rep. SHEHEEN raised a Point of Order that Amendment No. 3A was out of order in that it was not germane to the Bill.
Rep. CATO stated that the Bill was a comprehensive Bill that dealt with local governments setting tax policies and the amendment merely attempted to further clarify the setting of tax policy of local governments.
Rep. HASKINS stated that the amendment was germane to the Bill. He stated further that the Bill dealt with local taxing authority such as homestead exemptions from property tax and limitations on millage rate increases
SPEAKER WILKINS stated that based on Mr. HASKINS ruling from the day before he would overrule the Point of Order. He stated that the Bill was a very broad and comprehensive tax bill and dealt with local government's taxing and assessment authority.
Rep. CATO continued speaking.
Rep. W. MCLEOD spoke against the amendment.
Rep. CATO spoke in favor of the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
Rep. ROBINSON proposed the following Amendment No. 4A (Doc Name DKA\AMEND\3577MM99), which was rejected.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by deleting SECTIONS 26 and 27 in their entirety.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Rep. ROBINSON explained the amendment.
Rep. LIMEHOUSE moved to table the amendment.
Rep. COBB-HUNTER demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken, resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Altman Askins Bailey Bales Bowers Brown H. Chellis Dantzler Davenport Edge Gamble Gilham Gourdine Hamilton Harrell Harris Harrison Harvin Hinson Keegan Kelley Kennedy Kirsh Knotts Koon Law Leach Lee Limehouse Lourie Lucas McGee Meacham Miller Moody-Lawrence Neilson Quinn Riser Rodgers Seithel Sharpe Simrill Stuart Townsend Webb Whatley Wilkins Young-Brickell
Those who voted in the negative are:
Allen Allison Barrett Battle Beck Brown G. Brown J. Canty Carnell Cato Clyburn Cobb-Hunter Delleney Easterday Emory Fleming Govan Haskins Hawkins Hayes Hines J. Hines M. Howard Jennings Klauber Lanford Littlejohn Lloyd Loftis Mack McCraw McLeod M. McLeod W. McMahand Neal Neal J.M. Parks Phillips Pinckney Rhoad Rice Robinson Rutherford Scott Sheheen Smith D. Smith F. Smith R. Taylor Vaughn Walker Whipper Wilder Woodrum
So, the House refused to table the amendment.
I was out of the chamber and was not sure what effect this amendment had and voted incorrectly. Had I had all of the information I would have voted to table this amendment.
Rep. FLEMING
Rep. H. BROWN spoke against the amendment.
The question then recurred to the adoption of the amendment.
Rep. LIMEHOUSE demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken, resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Allison Barrett Beck Brown J. Canty Delleney Emory Hawkins Lanford Littlejohn Lloyd Loftis McCraw McLeod M. Neal J.M. Phillips Rice Robinson Rutherford Scott Sheheen Smith D. Smith R. Tripp Walker Webb Woodrum
Those who voted in the negative are:
Allen Altman Askins Bales Barfield Battle Bowers Brown G. Brown H. Campsen Carnell Cato Chellis Dantzler Davenport Edge Fleming Gamble Gilham Gourdine Hamilton Harrell Harris Harrison Harvin Hayes Hines J. Hines M. Hinson Howard Inabinett Jennings Keegan Kelley Kennedy Kirsh Klauber Knotts Koon Law Leach Lee Limehouse Lourie Lucas Mack McGee McLeod W. McMahand Meacham Miller Moody-Lawrence Neal Neilson Ott Parks Pinckney Quinn Rhoad Riser Rodgers Seithel Sharpe Simrill Smith F. Stille Stuart Taylor Townsend Vaughn Whatley Whipper Wilder Wilkes Wilkins Witherspoon Young-Brickell
So, the amendment was rejected.
Reps. KELLEY and H. BROWN proposed the following Amendment No. 5A (Doc Name DKA\AMEND\3571MM99), which was tabled.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 25 and inserting:
/ SECTION 25. A. Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 12-46-10. This chapter may be cited as the 'Tax Increment Financing Act for Counties'.
Section 12-46-20. (A) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Section 14(10) of Article X of the Constitution of South Carolina provides that the General Assembly may authorize by general law that indebtedness for the purpose of redevelopment within counties may be incurred and that the debt service of such indebtedness be provided from the added increments of tax revenues to result from the project.
(2) An increasing demand for public services must be provided from a limited tax base. Incentives must be provided for redevelopment in areas which are, or threaten to become, predominantly slum or blighted.
(3) There exist in many counties of this State blighted, conservation, and sprawl areas; the sprawl and conservation areas are rapidly deteriorating and declining and may soon become blighted areas if their decline is not checked; the stable economic and physical development of the blighted areas, conservation areas, and sprawl areas are endangered by the presence of blighting factors as manifested by progressive and advanced deterioration of structures, by the overuse of housing and other facilities, by a lack of physical maintenance of existing structures, by obsolete and inadequate community facilities, and a lack of sound community planning, by obsolete platting, diversity of ownership, excessive tax, and special assessment delinquencies, or by a combination of these factors; that as a result of the existence of blighted areas, areas requiring conservation, and sprawl areas, there is an excessive and disproportionate expenditure of public funds, inadequate public and private investment, unmarketability of property, growth in delinquencies and crime, and housing and zoning law violations in such areas together with an abnormal exodus of families and businesses so that the decline of these areas impairs the value of private investments and threatens the sound growth and the tax base of taxing districts in such areas, and threatens the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public.
(4) In order to promote and protect the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public, blighted conditions need to be eradicated and conservation measures instituted, sprawl areas controlled, and redevelopment of such areas undertaken; to remove and alleviate adverse conditions it is necessary to encourage private investment and restore and enhance the tax base of the taxing districts in such areas by the redevelopment of project areas. The eradication of blighted areas and treatment and improvement of sprawl areas and conservation areas by redevelopment projects is declared to be essential to the public interest.
(5) The use of incremental tax revenues derived from the tax rates of various taxing districts in redevelopment project areas for the payment of redevelopment project costs is of benefit to the taxing districts because taxing districts located in redevelopment project areas would not derive the benefits of an increased assessment base without the benefits of tax increment financing, all surplus tax revenues are turned over to the taxing districts in redevelopment project areas, and all taxing districts benefit from the removal of blighted conditions, the eradication of conditions requiring conservation measures, and control of sprawl conditions.
(B) The General Assembly intends to implement the authorization granted in Article X, Section 14 of the Constitution of this State. The authorization in this chapter provides for this State an essential method for financing redevelopment. The governing bodies of the counties are vested with all powers consistent with the Constitution necessary, useful, and desirable to enable them to accomplish redevelopment in areas which are or threaten to become blighted and to sufficiently meet all constitutional requirements pertaining to incurring indebtedness for the purpose of redevelopment and funding the debt service of such indebtedness from the added increment of tax revenues to result from such redevelopment as provided in Section 14(10) of Article X of the Constitution of this State. The indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 14(10) of Article X of the Constitution is exempt from all debt limitations imposed by Article X. The powers granted in this chapter must be in all respects exercised for the benefit of the inhabitants of the State, for the increase of its commerce, and for the promotion of its welfare and prosperity.
(C) All action taken by any county in carrying out the purposes of this chapter shall perform essential governmental functions.
(D) Pursuant to the authorization granted in Article VIII, Section 13, of the Constitution of this State, if a redevelopment project area is located in more than one county, the powers granted herein may be exercised jointly.
Section 12-46-30. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) 'Blighted area' means any improved or vacant area within the boundaries of a redevelopment project area located within the territorial limits of a county where:
(a) if improved, industrial, commercial, and residential buildings or improvements, because of a combination of five or more of the following factors: age; dilapidation; obsolescence; deterioration; illegal use of individual structures; presence of structures below minimum code standards; excessive vacancies; overcrowding of structures and community facilities; lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities; inadequate utilities; excessive land coverage; deleterious land use or layout; depreciation of physical maintenance; lack of community planning, are detrimental to the public safety, health, morals, or welfare or;
(b) if vacant, the sound growth is impaired by:
(i) a combination of two or more of the following factors: obsolete platting of the vacant land; diversity of ownership of such land; tax and special assessment delinquencies on such land; deterioration of structures or site improvements in neighboring areas adjacent to the vacant land; or
(ii) the area immediately prior to becoming vacant qualified as a blighted area. Any area within a redevelopment plan established by Chapter 10 of Title 31 is deemed to be a blighted area.
(2) 'Conservation area' means any vacant or improved area within the boundaries of a redevelopment project area located within the territorial limits of a county that is not yet a blighted area but, because of a combination of three or more of the following factors: dilapidation; obsolescence; deterioration; illegal use of structures; presence of structures below minimum code standards; abandonment; excessive vacancies; overcrowding of structures and community facilities; lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities; inadequate utilities; excessive land coverage; depreciation of physical maintenance; or lack of community planning, is detrimental to the public safety, health, morals, or welfare and may become a blighted area.
(3) 'Sprawl area' means a vacant or improved area within the boundaries of a redevelopment project area located within the territorial limits of the unincorporated area of a county that is not yet a blighted area nor a conservation area but, because of the existence of one or more of the following conditions, has the potential to become blighted or in need of conservation:
(a) The sprawl area is an unincorporated urban zone, UUZ, which is an area within the unincorporated portion of the county issuing the finding and has a population density equal to or greater than the average population density of the incorporated municipalities within the territorial limits of the county issuing the finding.
(b) The sprawl area is a linear service zone, LSZ, which is an area within the unincorporated portion of the county issuing the finding which is or is likely to become an area no more than two miles wide at its widest point and no less than three miles in length and which, due to development within the zone, represents an impediment to vehicular and pedestrian traffic so that the county finds its existence a detriment to the:
( i) economic health and well-being of the county;
( ii) health or safety of the persons living, working, or traveling through the zone; or
(iii) efficient provision of governmental services both within and without the zone.
(c) The sprawl area is a rural redevelopment zone, RRZ, which is an area within the unincorporated portion of the county issuing the finding which consists primarily of vacant land which, if provided with certain environmental, energy, transportation, or communications infrastructure, could be developed as a planned community consisting of a minimum of one thousand contiguous acres of land, inclusive of flooded land.
(4) 'Municipality' means an incorporated municipality of this State.
(5) 'Obligations' means bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness issued by the county to carry out a redevelopment project or to refund outstanding obligations.
(6) 'Redevelopment plan' means the comprehensive program of the county for redevelopment intended by the payment of redevelopment costs to reduce or eliminate those conditions which qualified the redevelopment project area as a blighted area, conservation area, or sprawl area, or combination of two or three of them, and to enhance the tax bases of the taxing districts which extend into the project redevelopment area. Each redevelopment plan shall set forth in writing the program to be undertaken to accomplish the objectives and shall include, but not be limited to, estimated redevelopment project costs, the anticipated sources of funds to pay costs, the nature and term of any obligations to be issued, the most recent equalized assessed valuation of the project area, an estimate as to the equalized assessed valuation after redevelopment, and the general land uses to apply in the redevelopment project area. A redevelopment plan established by Chapter 10 of Title 31 is deemed a redevelopment plan for purposes of this paragraph.
(7) 'Redevelopment project' means any buildings, improvements, including street improvements, water, sewer and storm drainage facilities, parking facilities, and recreational facilities. Any project or undertaking authorized under Section 6-21-50 may also qualify as a redevelopment project under this chapter. All such projects are to be publicly owned.
(8) 'Redevelopment project area' means an area designated by the county, which is not less in the aggregate than one and one-half acres and in respect to which the county has made a finding that there exist conditions that cause the area to be classified as a blighted area, a conservation area, or a sprawl area, or a combination of two or three of them. The total aggregate amount of all redevelopment project areas of any one county may not exceed five percent of the total acreage of the county.
(9) 'Redevelopment project costs' means and includes the sum total of all reasonable or necessary costs incurred or estimated to be incurred and any costs incidental to a redevelopment project. The costs include, without limitation:
(a) costs of studies and surveys, plans, and specifications; professional service costs including, but not limited to, architectural, engineering, legal, marketing, financial, planning, or special services;
(b) property assembly costs including, but not limited to, acquisition of land and other property, real or personal, or rights or interest therein, demolition of buildings, and the clearing and grading of land;
(c) costs of rehabilitation, reconstruction, repair, or remodeling of a redevelopment project;
(d) costs of the construction of a redevelopment project;
(e) financing costs including, but not limited to, all necessary and incidental expenses related to the issuance of obligations and which may include payment of interest on any obligations issued under the provisions of this chapter accruing during the estimated period of construction of any redevelopment project for which the obligations are issued and including reasonable reserves related thereto;
(f) relocation costs to the extent that a county determines that relocation costs must be paid or required by federal or state law.
(10) 'Taxing districts' means counties, incorporated municipalities, schools, special purpose districts, and public and any other municipal corporations or districts with the power to levy taxes. Taxing districts include school districts which have taxes levied on their behalf.
(11) 'Vacant land' means any parcel or combination of parcels of real property without industrial, commercial, and residential buildings.
(12) 'County' means any county in the State.
Section 12-46-40. Obligations secured by the special tax allocation fund set forth in Section 12-46-70 for the redevelopment project area may be issued to provide for redevelopment project costs. The obligations, when so issued, must be retired in the manner provided in the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the obligations by the receipts of taxes levied as specified in Section 12-46-110 against the taxable property included in the area and other revenue as specified in Section 12-46-110 designated by the county which source does not involve revenues from any tax or license. In the ordinance the county may pledge all or any part of the funds in and to be deposited in the special tax allocation fund created pursuant to Section 12-46-70 to the payment of the redevelopment project costs and obligations. Any pledge of funds in the special tax allocation fund must provide for distribution to the taxing districts of monies not required for payment and securing of the obligations and the excess funds are surplus funds. In the event a county only pledges a portion of the monies in the special tax allocation fund for the payment of redevelopment project costs or obligations, any funds remaining in the special tax allocation fund after complying with the requirements of the pledge are also considered surplus funds. All surplus funds must be distributed annually to the taxing districts in the redevelopment project area by being paid by the county to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall immediately thereafter make distribution to the respective taxing districts in the same manner and proportion as the most recent distribution by the county treasurer to the affected districts of real property taxes from real property in the redevelopment project area. In addition to obligations secured by the special tax allocation fund, the county may pledge for a period not greater than the term of the obligations toward payment of the obligations any part of the revenues remaining after payment of operation and maintenance, of all or part of any redevelopment project. The obligations may be issued in one or more series, may bear such date or dates, may mature at such time or times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates, may bear such rate or rates of interest as the governing body shall determine, may be in such denomination or denominations, may be in such form, either coupon or registered, may carry such registration and conversion privileges, may be executed in such manner, may be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, may be subject to such terms of redemption, with or without premium, may be declared or become due before the maturity date thereof, may provide for the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, stolen, or lost bonds, may be authenticated in such manner and upon compliance with such conditions, and may contain such other terms and covenants, as may be provided by the governing body of the county. If the governing body determines to sell any obligations the obligations must be sold at public or private sale in such manner and upon such terms as the governing body considers best for the interest of the county.
A certified copy of the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the obligations must be filed with the treasurer of each county in which any portion of a redevelopment project is situated and shall constitute the authority for the extension and collection of the taxes to be deposited in the special tax allocation fund.
A county also may issue its obligations to refund in whole or in part obligations previously issued by the county under the authority of this chapter, whether at or prior to maturity, and all references in this chapter to 'obligations' are considered to include these refunding obligations. The debt incurred by a county pursuant to this chapter is exclusive of any statutory limitation upon the indebtedness a taxing district may incur. All obligations issued pursuant to this chapter shall contain a statement on the face of the obligation specifying the sources from which payment is to be made and shall state that the full faith, credit, and taxing powers are not pledged for the obligations.
The trustee or depositary under any indenture may be such persons or corporations as the governing body designates, or they may be nonresidents of South Carolina or incorporated under the laws of the United States or the laws of other states of the United States.
Section 12-46-50. The proceeds from obligations issued under authority of this chapter must be applied only for the purpose for which they were issued. Any premium and accrued interest received in any such sale must be applied to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the obligations sold. Any portion of the proceeds not needed for redevelopment project costs must be applied to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the obligations.
Section 12-46-60. The obligations authorized by this chapter and the income from the obligations and all security agreements and indentures executed as security for the obligations made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and the revenue derived from the obligations are exempt from all taxation in the State of South Carolina except for inheritance, estate, or transfer taxes and all security agreements and indentures made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter are exempt from all state stamp and transfer taxes.
Section 12-46-70. A county, within five years after the date of adoption of an ordinance providing for approval of a redevelopment plan pursuant to Section 12-46-80, may issue obligations under this chapter to finance the redevelopment project upon adoption of an ordinance providing that:
(1) after the issuance of the obligations; and
(2) after the total equalized assessed valuation of the taxable real property in a redevelopment project area exceeds the certified 'total initial equalized assessed value' established in accordance with Section 12-46-100(B) of all taxable real property in the project area, the ad valorem taxes, if any, arising from the levies upon taxable real property in the project area by taxing districts and tax rates determined in the manner provided in Section 12-46-100(B) each year after the obligations have been issued until obligations issued under this chapter have been retired and redevelopment project costs have been paid must be divided as follows:
(a) that portion of taxes levied upon each taxable lot, block, tract, or parcel of real property which is attributable to the total initial equalized assessed value of all taxable real property in the redevelopment project area must be allocated to and when collected must be paid by the county treasurer to the respective affected taxing districts in the manner required by law in the absence of the adoption of the redevelopment plan; and
(b) that portion, if any, of taxes which is attributable to the increase in the current total equalized assessed valuation of all taxable real property in the redevelopment project area over and above the total initial equalized assessed value of taxable real property in the redevelopment project area must be allocated to and when collected must be paid to the county which shall deposit the taxes into a special fund called the special tax allocation fund of the county for the purpose of paying redevelopment project costs and obligations incurred in the payment of the costs and obligations. The county may pledge in the ordinance the funds in and to be deposited in the special tax allocation fund for the payment of the costs and obligations.
Any ordinance adopted based on acts of the county occurring before the effective date of this chapter must incorporate by reference and adopt those prior acts undertaken in accordance with the procedures of this chapter as if they had been undertaken pursuant to this chapter.
When obligations issued under this chapter have been retired and redevelopment project costs incurred under this chapter have been paid or budgeted pursuant to the redevelopment plan, as evidenced by resolution of the governing body of the county, all surplus funds then remaining in the special tax allocation fund must be paid by the county treasurer immediately to the taxing districts in the redevelopment project area in the same manner and proportion as the most recent distribution by the treasurer to the affected districts of real property taxes from real property in the redevelopment project area.
Upon the payment of all redevelopment project costs, retirement of all obligations of a county issued under this chapter, and the distribution of any surplus monies pursuant to this section, the county shall adopt an ordinance dissolving the tax allocation fund for the project redevelopment area and terminating the designation of the redevelopment project area as a redevelopment project area for purposes of this chapter. Thereafter, the rates of the taxing districts must be extended and taxes levied, collected, and distributed in the manner applicable in the absence of the adoption of a redevelopment plan and the issuance of obligations under this chapter.
If five years have passed from the time a redevelopment project area is designated and the county has not issued obligations under this chapter to finance the redevelopment project, upon the expiration of the five-year term, the county shall adopt an ordinance terminating the designation of the redevelopment project area.
Section 12-46-75. If a municipality annexes a tract of property located in a redevelopment project area, the value of each parcel of real property therein for purposes of the ad valorem taxes of the municipality shall be that which is attributable to its initial equalized assessed value before the redevelopment project and not to the increase in its equalized assessed value due to the redevelopment project.
Section 12-46-80. (A) Prior to the issuance of any obligations under this chapter, the county shall set forth by way of ordinance the following:
(1) a copy of the redevelopment plan containing a statement of the objectives of a county with regard to the plan;
(2) a statement indicating the need for and proposed use of the proceeds of the obligations in relationship to the redevelopment plan;
(3) a statement containing the cost estimates of the redevelopment plan and redevelopment project and the projected sources of revenue to be used to meet the costs including estimates of tax increments and the total amount of indebtedness to be incurred;
(4) a list of all real property in the redevelopment project area;
(5) the duration of the redevelopment plan;
(6) a statement of the estimated impact of the redevelopment plan upon the revenues of all taxing districts in which a redevelopment project area is located and, if residential development is included in the plan, the estimated impact on public school enrollment;
(7) findings that:
(a) the redevelopment project area is a blighted, conservation, or sprawl area and that private initiatives are unlikely to alleviate these conditions without substantial public assistance,
(b) property values in the area would remain static or decline without public intervention, and
(c) redevelopment is in the interest of the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the county.
(B) Before approving any redevelopment plan under this chapter, the governing body of the county must hold a public hearing on the redevelopment plan after published notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the county and any taxing district affected by the redevelopment plan is located not less than fifteen days and not more than thirty days prior to the hearing. The notice shall include:
(1) the time and place of the public hearing;
(2) the boundaries of the proposed redevelopment project area;
(3) a notification that all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing;
(4) a description of the redevelopment plan and redevelopment project; and
(5) the maximum estimated term of obligations to be issued under the redevelopment plan.
Not less than forty-five days prior to the date set for the public hearing, the county shall give notice to all taxing districts of which taxable property is included in the redevelopment project area, and in addition to the other requirements of the notice set forth in the section, the notice shall request each taxing district to submit comments to the county concerning the subject matter of the hearing prior to the date of the public hearing.
(C) If a taxing district does not file an objection to the redevelopment plan at or prior to the date of the public hearing, the taxing district is considered to have consented to the redevelopment plan and the issuance of obligations under this chapter to finance the redevelopment project, provided that the actual term of obligations issued is equal to or less than the term stated in the notice of public hearing. The county may issue obligations to finance the redevelopment project if less than all taxing districts consent to the redevelopment plan. The tax increment for a taxing district that does not consent to the redevelopment plan must not be included in the special tax allocation fund after the first fifteen years after the initial issuance of obligations to finance such plan. No consent is required of any taxing district if the term of the proposed initial obligations is fifteen years or less or, in the case of any additional or refunding obligations, if the term of the obligations is not greater than the later of fifteen years from the date of issuance of the initial or refunded obligations or the remaining term of the initial or refunded obligations.
(D) If the redevelopment plan includes residential development, then to the extent that the findings pursuant to subsection (A)(6) demonstrate increased public school enrollment because of this development, then an amount of the increment equal to the average property tax collected per pupil in the district multiplied by the estimated increased enrollment is not credited to the special tax allocation fund but is instead allocated to the affected school district as other school tax revenue.
(E) Prior to the adoption of an ordinance approving a redevelopment plan pursuant to Section 12-46-80, changes may be made in the redevelopment plan which do not alter the exterior boundaries or do not substantially affect the general land use established in the plan or substantially change the nature of the redevelopment project, without further hearing or notice, provided that notice of the changes is given by mail to each affected taxing district and by publication in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation within the taxing districts not less than ten days prior to the adoption of the changes by ordinance. Notice of the adoption of the ordinance must be published by the county in a newspaper having general circulation in the affected taxing districts. Any interested party may, within twenty days after the date of publication of the notice of adoption of the redevelopment plan, but not afterwards, challenge the validity of such adoption by action de novo in the court of common pleas in the county in which the redevelopment plan is located.
(F) After adoption of an ordinance approving a redevelopment plan, any alteration in the exterior boundaries, general land uses established pursuant to the redevelopment plan, maximum term of maturity of obligations to be issued under the plan, or the redevelopment project must be approved by resolution of each affected taxing district in accordance with the procedures provided in this chapter for the initial approval of a redevelopment project and designation of a redevelopment project area.
Section 12-46-90. When there are any persons residing in the area covered by the redevelopment plan:
(1) the redevelopment plan shall include:
(a) an assessment of the displacement impact of the redevelopment project and provisions for the relocation of all persons who would be displaced by the project, provided that no residents may be displaced by a redevelopment project unless housing is made available to them pursuant to the terms of this section;
(b) provisions for the creation of housing opportunities to the extent feasible to enable a substantial number of the displaced persons to relocate within or in close proximity to the area covered by the redevelopment plan.
(2) Prior to authorizing the demolition of any residential units in connection with a tax increment financing plan, the governing body of the county must ensure that the redevelopment plan complies with the requirements of this section and further that standard housing is made available to all persons to be displaced.
(3) Persons displaced by a redevelopment plan are entitled to the benefits and protections available under Section 28-11-10. The costs of the relocation are proper expenditures for the proceeds of any obligations issued under this chapter.
Section 12-46-100. (A) If a county by ordinance approves a redevelopment plan pursuant to Section 12-46-80, the auditor of the county, immediately after adoption of the ordinance pursuant to Section 12-46-80, upon request of the county, must determine and certify:
(1) the most recently ascertained equalized assessed value of all taxable real property within the redevelopment project area, as of the date of adoption of the ordinance adopted pursuant to Section 12-46-80, which value is the 'initial equalized assessed value' of the property; and
(2) the total equalized assessed value of all taxable real property within the redevelopment project area and certifying the amount as the 'total initial equalized assessed value' of the taxable real property within the redevelopment project area.
(B) After the county auditor has certified the total initial equalized assessed value of the taxable real property in the area, then in respect to every taxing district containing a redevelopment project area, the county auditor or any other official required by law to ascertain the amount of the equalized assessed value of all taxable property within the district for the purpose of computing the rate percent of tax to be extended upon taxable property within such district, shall in every year that obligations are outstanding for redevelopment projects in the redevelopment area ascertain the amount of value of taxable property in a project redevelopment area by including in the amount the certified total initial equalized assessed value of all taxable real property in the area in lieu of the equalized assessed value of all taxable real property in the area. The rate percent of tax determined must be extended to the current equalized assessed value of all property in the redevelopment project area in the same manner as the rate percent of tax is extended to all other taxable property in the taxing district. The method of extending taxes established under this section terminates when the county adopts an ordinance dissolving the special tax allocation fund for the redevelopment project.
Section 12-46-110. Revenues received by the county from any property, building, or facility owned by the county or any agency or authority established by the county in the redevelopment project area may be used to pay redevelopment project costs or reduce outstanding obligations of the county incurred under this chapter for redevelopment project costs. If the obligations are used to finance the extension or expansion of a system as defined in Section 6-21-40 in the redevelopment project area, all or a portion of the revenues of the system, whether or not located entirely within the redevelopment project area, including the revenues of the redevelopment project, may be pledged to secure the obligations issued under this chapter. The county is fully empowered to use any of the powers granted by either or both of the provisions of Chapter 17 of Title 6 (The Revenue Bond Refinancing Act of 1937) or the provisions of Chapter 21 of Title 6 (Revenue Bond Act for Utilities). In exercising the powers conferred by the provisions, the county may make any pledges and covenants authorized by any provision of those chapters. The county may place the revenues in the special tax allocation fund or a separate fund which must be held by the county or financial institution designated by the county. Revenue received by the county from the sale or other disposition of real property acquired by the county with the proceeds of obligations issued under the provisions of this chapter must be deposited by the county in the special tax allocation fund or a separate fund which must be held by the county or financial institution designated by the county. Proceeds of grants may be pledged by the county and deposited in the special tax allocation fund or a separate fund.
Section 12-46-120. Counties and municipalities may jointly adopt redevelopment plans and authorize obligations as provided under the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 6 of Title 31."
B. Items (6) and (9) of Section 31-6-30 of the 1976 Code are amended to read:
"(6) 'Redevelopment project' means any buildings, improvements, including street improvements, water, sewer and storm drainage facilities, parking facilities, and recreational facilities. Any project or undertaking authorized under SECTION 6-21-50 may also qualify as a redevelopment project under this chapter. All such projects are to be owned by the municipality publicly owned.
(9) 'Taxing districts' means counties, incorporated municipalities, schools, special purpose districts, and public and any other municipal corporations or districts with the power to levy taxes. Taxing districts include school districts which have taxes levied on their behalf."
C. The undesignated paragraph of Section 31-6-80 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"After adoption of an ordinance approving a redevelopment plan, any alteration in the exterior boundaries, general land uses established pursuant to the redevelopment plan, maximum term of maturity of obligations to be issued under the plan, or nature of the redevelopment project must be approved by ordinance resolution of the municipality each affected taxing district in accordance with the procedures provided in this chapter for the initial approval of a redevelopment project and designation of a redevelopment project area." /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. KELLEY explained the amendment.
Rep. KELLEY continued speaking.
Rep. MILLER spoke against the amendment.
Rep. MILLER continued speaking.
Rep. COTTY spoke against the amendment.
Rep. COTTY moved to table the amendment.
Rep. KELLEY demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken, resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Allen Allison Askins Bailey Bales Battle Bowers Breeland Brown G. Brown J. Carnell Clyburn Cobb-Hunter Cotty Dantzler Delleney Emory Fleming Govan Harrison Harvin Haskins Hawkins Hayes Hines J. Hines M. Howard Inabinett Kirsh Klauber Lanford Leach Lee Lloyd Loftis Lourie Lucas Mack Maddox Martin Mason McCraw McGee McLeod W. McMahand Meacham Miller Moody-Lawrence Neal Neal J.M. Neilson Ott Parks Quinn Rhoad Rutherford Scott Sheheen Simrill Smith F. Smith R. Stille Stuart Taylor Tripp Vaughn Walker Whatley Whipper Wilder Wilkes
Those who voted in the negative are:
Altman Barfield Brown H. Campsen Chellis Easterday Edge Gamble Gilham Gourdine Harrell Harris Hinson Keegan Kelley Koon Law Limehouse Phillips Rice Riser Robinson Rodgers Sandifer Seithel Smith D. Webb Wilkins Witherspoon Woodrum Young-Brickell
So, the amendment was tabled.
Rep. JENNINGS proposed the following Amendment No. 6A (Doc Name KGH\AMEND\15749HTC99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
/ SECTION ___. A. Section 12-20-105(C) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 151 of 1997, is further amended to read:
"(C) For the purpose of this section, 'infrastructure' means improvements for water, sewer, gas, steam, electric energy, and communication services made to a building or land which are considered necessary, suitable, or useful to an eligible project. These improvements include, but are not limited to:
(1) improvements to both public or private water and sewer systems;
(2) improvements to both public or private electric, natural gas, and telecommunication telecommunications systems including, but not limited to, ones owned or leased by an electric cooperative, electric utility, or electric supplier, as defined in Chapter 27, Title 58;
(3) fixed transportation facilities including highway, road, rail, water, and air;
(4) for a qualifying project under subsection (B)(2), infrastructure improvements include industrial shell buildings and the purchase of land for an office, business, commercial, or industrial park which is constructed by a county or political subdivision of this State."
B. Section 12-36-2120 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 419 of 1998, is further amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:
"( ) clothing and other attire required for working in a Class 100 or better as defined in Federal Standard 209E clean room environment."
C. Section 12-37-930(6)(c) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 32 of 1995, is amended to read:
"(c) Electronic Interconnection Component Assembly Devices for Computers and Computer Peripherals; semiconductors and semiconductor devices; substrates; flat panel displays; and liquid crystal displays......................................30%
Includes the manufacture of interconnection component assemblies and devices, semiconductors and semiconductor devices, flat panel displays, and liquid crystal displays which are incorporated in computers or computer peripherals, or other electronic control applications, and telecommunications devices. Computer peripherals include tape drives, compact disk read-only memory systems, hard disks, drivers, tape streamers, monitors, printers, routers, servers, and power supplies."
D. The schedule in Section 12-37-930 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 231 of 1996, is further amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:
"( ) Class 100 or better as defined in Federal Standard 209E Clean Room Modules and Associated Mechanical Systems, Process Piping, Wiring, Environmental Systems, and Water Purification Systems..........................10%
Includes waffle flooring, wall and ceiling panels; foundation improvements that isolate the clean room to control vibrations; clean air handling and filtration systems; piping systems for fluids and gases used in the manufacturing process and that touch the product during the fabrication of semiconductors, flat panel displays, and liquid crystal displays; process equipment energy control systems; ultra pure water processing and waste water recycling systems; and safety alarm and monitoring systems."
E. Notwithstanding any other effective date provided in this act, subsection A of this section takes effect upon approval by the Governor, and the remaining sections take effect upon approval by the Governor and apply for taxable years beginning after 1998. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. R. SMITH explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
Rep. ROBINSON proposed the following Amendment No. 10A (Doc Name DKA\AMEND\3589MM99):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
/ SECTION __. A. Chapter 10 of Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 12-10-81. (A) A business may claim a job development credit as determined by this section if the:
(1) council approves the use of this section for the business;
(2) business qualifies pursuant to Section 12-10-50; and
(3) business is a manufacturer which has more than one billion dollars in capital invested in this State and employs more than seven thousand employees in this State and which commits within a period of five years from the date of a revitalization agreement, to invest an additional four hundred million dollars and create an additional four hundred jobs in this State qualifying for job development fees or credits pursuant to current or future revitalization agreements. The council, in its discretion, may extend the five-year period for two additional years if the business has made a commitment to the additional four hundred million dollars and makes substantial progress toward satisfying the goal before the end of the initial five-year period. A business that represents to the council its intent to qualify pursuant to this section and is approved by the council may put job development fees computed pursuant to this section into an escrow account until the date the business satisfies the capital and job requirements of this section.
(B)(1) A business qualifying pursuant to this section may claim its job development credit against its withholding on its quarterly state withholding tax return for the amount of job development credit allowable. The credit must be claimed on a quarterly basis. To claim a job development credit, the business must be current with respect to its withholding tax and other tax due and owing the State, and must have maintained its minimum employment requirement for the entire quarter.
(2) To be eligible to apply to the council to claim a job development credit pursuant to this section, a qualifying business must create at least ten new, full-time jobs at the South Carolina facility or facilities described in the revitalization agreement.
(3) To the extent a return of an overpayment of withholding that results from claiming job development credits is not used as permitted by subsection (D), it must be treated as misappropriated employee withholding.
(4) If a qualifying business claims job development credits pursuant to this section, it must make its payroll books and records available for inspection by the council and the department at the times the council and the department request. Each qualifying business claiming job development credits pursuant to this section must file the job development credit and the use of any overpayment of withholding resulting from the claiming of a job development credit according to the revitalization agreement that the council or department requests. Each qualifying business must furnish an audited report prepared by an independent certified public accountant which itemizes the sources and uses of the funds. The audited report must be filed with the council and the department no later than June thirtieth following the calendar year in which the job development credits are claimed. An employer may not claim an amount that results in an employee receiving a smaller amount of wages on either a weekly or on an annual basis than the employee would otherwise receive in the absence of this chapter.
(C)(1) The maximum job development credit a qualifying business may claim for new employees is determined by the sum of the following amounts:
(a) two percent of the gross wages of each new employee who earns $6.34 or more an hour but less than $8.45 an hour;
(b) three percent of the gross wages of each new employee who earns $8.45 or more an hour but less than $10.57 an hour;
(c) four percent of the gross wages of each new employee who earns $10.57 or more an hour but less than $15.85 an hour;
(d) five percent of the gross wages of each new employee who earns $15.85 or more an hour; and
(e) the increase in the state sales and use tax of the business from the year of the effective date of its revitalization agreement pursuant to this section and subsequent years, over its state sales and use tax for the first of the three years preceding the effective date of this revitalization agreement.
(2) The hourly gross wages in item (1) must be adjusted annually by the inflation factor determined by the State Budget and Control Board for the purposes of Section 12-10-80(3). The amount which may be claimed by a qualifying business is limited by the revitalization agreement. The business may proceed by using either the job development fee escrow procedure available pursuant to revitalization agreements with effective dates before 1997, or the job development credit, or a combination of the two. For a business qualifying pursuant to this section, the council also may approve or waive sections of a revitalization agreement and the council's rules as needed, in the council's discretion, to assist the business.
(D) To claim a job development credit, the qualifying business must incur expenditures at the facility or for utility or transportation improvements that serve the facility. The expenditures must be incurred during the term of the revitalization agreement or within sixty days before the execution of a revitalization agreement including a preliminary revitalization agreement authorized by the revitalization agreement, and used for:
(1) training costs and facilities;
(2) acquiring and improving real estate whether constructed or acquired by purchase, or in cases approved by the council, acquired by lease or otherwise;
(3) improvements to both public and private utility systems including water, sewer, electricity, natural gas, and telecommunication;
(4) fixed transportation facilities including highway, rail, water, and air; or
(5) construction or improvements of real property and fixtures constructed or improved primarily for the purpose of complying with local, state, or federal environmental laws or regulations.
(E) A job development credit of a qualifying business permanently lapses upon expiration or termination of the revitalization agreement. If an employee is terminated, the qualifying business immediately must cease to claim job development credits.
(F) The statute of limitations provided by Section 12-54-85 is suspended until the end of the five-year or seven-year period described in item (3) of subsection (A) with respect to state withholding taxes under this section for a business subject to this section."
B. This section applies to taxable years beginning after 1998. Notwithstanding any to the contrary in this section, no business shall be entitled to any benefits under a revitalization agreement entered into under this section before July 1, 2000. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. ROBINSON explained the amendment.
Rep. ROBINSON moved to adjourn debate on the amendment, which was agreed to.
Rep. D. Smith proposed the following Amendment No. 11A (Doc Name PSD\AMEND\7555AC99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
/ SECTION____A. Section 12-36-2120 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:
"( )(a) crutches, hospital beds, and wheelchairs;
(b) equipment, including manual control units, van lifts, van door opening units, and raised roofs, for attaching to or modifying a motor vehicle for use by a permanently physically disabled person;
(c) equipment, including elevators, dumbwaiters, chair lifts, and bedroom or bathroom lifts, whether or not sold for attaching to real property, for use by a permanently physically disabled person in that person's principal dwelling;
(d) equipment, including manual control units, for attaching to or modifying motorized implements of husbandry for use by permanently physically disabled persons."
B. This section takes effect July 1, 2000./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. D. SMITH explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
Reps. SCOTT and J. BROWN proposed the following Amendment No. 12A (Doc Name DKA\AMEND\3563MM99), which was ruled out of order.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Many of South Carolina's urban and rural communities face critical social and economic problems arising in part from people living in poverty and the lack of economic growth and employment and other opportunities.
(2) The restoration and maintenance of these communities requires increased access to credit and capital for development activities, including investment in businesses, housing, human development, and other activities that promote the long-term economic and social viability of the community.
(3) Access to credit and capital is essential to unleash the untapped entrepreneurial energy of South Carolina's poorest communities and to empower individuals and communities to become self-sufficient.
(4) Community development corporations have a proven ability to identify and respond to community needs and manage community assets for the purpose of community and economic development on a local level.
(5) Community development financial institutions have a proven ability to identify and respond to community needs for capital, credit, and development services in the absence of, or as a complement to, services provided by other lenders.
(6) For the above reasons, it has determined to enact the provisions of this act as being consistent with public policy objectives of our State including economic growth, higher employment, and community development.
SECTION 2. Title 34 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 34-43-10. This chapter may be cited as the South Carolina Community Economic Development Act.
Section 34-43-20. (A) The South Carolina Department of Commerce shall execute the purpose of this act, specifically, certifying entities as community development corporations, as defined in Section 34-43-40, and as community development financial institutions, as defined in Section 34-43-50. The department also may make grants and loans to community development corporations and community development financial institutions from grant funds made available to it by the General Assembly or from other available funds.
(B) In addition to its other powers, the department may:
(1) promulgate regulations necessary to carry out its functions pursuant to this chapter;
(2) contract for and accept, for use in carrying out the provisions of this chapter, a grant or contribution of funds from a political subdivision of the State or from another source and comply, subject to the provisions of this chapter, with the terms and conditions of the contract; and
(3) do what is necessary or convenient to carry out its powers and functions.
(C) The department may receive funds from, among other sources, state appropriations and private contributions.
Section 34-43-30. (A) The department, to the extent funding is available, may employ or contract for staff and consultants necessary to assist in carrying out its duties and responsibilities pursuant to this chapter.
(B) In its internal functions, the department shall keep proper records of its accounts and follow the procedures of this State governing the purchase of office space, supplies, facilities, materials, equipment, and professional services. The department must be audited by the State Auditor as provided in Chapter 7 of Title 11.
(C) The department shall make an annual report on its condition and operations to the General Assembly and the Governor, including the information required to be reported by Section 34-43-80.
Section 34-43-40. (A) The department may certify an entity as a community development corporation if it meets the definition provided in subsection (B).
(B) For purposes of this section:
(1) 'Community development corporation' means a nonprofit corporation which:
(a) is chartered pursuant to Chapter 31, Title 33;
(b) is tax exempt pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(c) has a primary mission of developing and improving low-income communities and neighborhoods through economic and related development;
(d) has activities and decisions initiated, managed, and controlled by the constituents of those local communities;
(e) has a primary function of developing projects and activities designed to enhance the economic opportunities of the people in the community served, including efforts to enable them to become owners and managers of small businesses and producers of affordable housing and jobs in the community served;
(f) does not provide credit, capital, or other assistance from public funds in an amount greater than twenty-five thousand dollars at one time or in one transaction. The department shall adjust that dollar amount in the manner provided in Section 37-1-109; and
(g) is not a nonprofit organization with the sole purpose of providing housing to neighborhoods or technical assistance to other nonprofit organizations.
(2) The term 'invest' includes an advance of funds to a community development corporation whether by charitable contributions or purchase of stock or other equity interest.
(3) The term 'low income' means an income level which falls within the eightieth percentile of the mean income for a family of four within this State.
(C) The department shall establish and implement criteria for grants made to community development corporations pursuant to Section 34-43-10. The criteria must require that the applicant demonstrate a capacity to engage in community development projects and sufficient organizational structure to ensure proper management. However, if the applicant is created after the effective date of this section, the applicant must present a strategic plan for community development projects and show evidence of developing an organizational structure which ensures proper management.
(D) The department shall contract with an appropriate entity or the South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations to provide technical support to assist community development corporations served pursuant to this section in developing their organizational capacity and implementing their projects successfully.
(E) The department shall make an annual report to the General Assembly regarding grants made pursuant to this section. The report required by this subsection may be included with the report required by Section 34-43-30.
Section 34-43-50. (A) The department may certify an entity as a community development financial institution if it meets the definition provided in subsection (B).
(B) For purposes of this section:
(1) 'Community development financial institution' means an organization that:
(a) has a primary mission of promoting community development by providing credit, capital, or development services to small businesses or home mortgage assistance to individuals, including, but not limited to, capital access programs, microlending, franchise financing, and guaranty performance bonds;
(b) provides service delivery throughout the State;
(c) maintains, through representation on its governing board, accountability to persons in need of the institution's services;
(d) is not an agent or instrumentality of the United States, or of a state or political subdivision of a state nor maintains an affiliate relationship with any of them;
(e) maintains a goal of providing a majority of its services to low-income individuals, minorities, females, or rural areas;
(f) provides capital and technical assistance to small and micro businesses, or mortgage assistance to individuals;
(g) does not provide credit, capital, or other assistance in an amount greater than two hundred fifty thousand dollars at one time or in one transaction. That dollar amount must be adjusted in the manner provided in Section 37-1-109; and
(h) has been certified or recertified as a community development financial institution as provided in this chapter.
(2) 'Low income' means an income level which falls within the eightieth percentile of the mean income for a family of four within this State.
(3) The term 'invest' includes an advance of funds to a community development financial institution whether by purchase of stock or other equity interest or by charitable contribution.
(C) Banks and financial institutions chartered by the State of South Carolina may invest in community development financial institutions incorporated pursuant to the laws of this State, up to a maximum of ten percent of a chartered bank or financial institution's total capital and surplus.
(D) A federally-chartered or state-chartered financial institution holding company may qualify as a community development financial institution only if the holding company and the subsidiaries and affiliates of the holding company collectively satisfy the requirements of subsection (B).
(E) A community development financial institution is not subject to taxes based upon or measured by income which are levied by the State now or later.
Section 34-43-60. (A) Application for certification must be in writing under oath and in the form prescribed by the department. It must contain the information the department requires, including names and addresses of the partners, officers, directors or trustees, and those principal owners or members who provide the basis for investigations and findings contemplated by subsection (B). At the time of making the application, the applicant must pay to the department a fee for investigating the application, as prescribed by the department, in an amount sufficient to defray the department's costs of investigating the applicant.
(B) Upon the filing of the application and payment of the fees, the department shall investigate the facts concerning the application and the requirements of either Section 34-43-40 or Section 34-43-50.
Section 34-43-70. (A) Certification of a community development corporation or a community development financial institution expires two years from the date of certification.
(B) Certification of a community development corporation or a community development financial institution may be renewed for additional two-year periods upon application by the corporation or institution and approval by the department.
(C) The department may not renew certification of a corporation or an institution unless it continues to comply with the regulations of the department and provisions of Section 34-43-40 or Section 34-43-50.
(D) The department may revoke the certification of a corporation or an institution upon a finding that the corporation or institution does not comply with the provisions of Section 34-43-40 or Section 34-43-50.
(E) The department shall serve a notice of intent not to grant certification, intent not to renew certification, or intent to revoke certification upon the corporation or institution with a brief statement of the reasons alleged. The corporation or institution may request a hearing within thirty days of receiving notice by filing a request for a hearing with the department. The hearing must be held in accordance with Article 3, Chapter 23, Title 1, the Administrative Procedures Act.
(F) A taxpayer may not claim the tax credit provided for in Section 12-6-3520 unless the corporation or institution in which the investment is made is certified by the department at the time the investment is made. A taxpayer who invested in good faith in a certified corporation or institution may claim the credit provided in Section 12-6-3520 notwithstanding the fact that the certification is later revoked or not renewed by the department.
Section 34-43-80. A community development financial institution shall file with the department, on or before the anniversary date of its certification, an annual report for the preceding calendar year. The report must give information about the financial condition of the institution, and must include balance sheets for the beginning and end of the accounting period, a statement of income and expenses for the period, a reconciliation of surplus with the balance sheets, a schedule of assets used and useful by the institution to conduct its business, an analysis of charges, size and type of loans and other activities described in Section 34-43-40(B)(1)(a), and other relevant information in form and detail as the department prescribes. The report must be made under oath and in the form prescribed by the department, which shall make and publish annually an analysis and recapitulation of the reports for inclusion in its annual report to the Governor and General Assembly as provided in Section 34-43-30(F)."
SECTION 3. Article 25, Chapter 6, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 12-6-3520. (A) A taxpayer may claim as a credit against his state income tax, bank tax, or premium tax liability thirty-three percent of all amounts invested in a community development corporation, as defined in Section 34-43-40 or in a community development financial institution, as defined in Section 34-43-50.
To qualify for this credit the taxpayer must obtain a certificate from the South Carolina Department of Commerce certifying that the entity into which the funds are invested is a community development corporation within the meaning of Section 34-43-40 or a community development financial institution within the meaning of Section 34-43-50 and certifying that the credit taken or available to that taxpayer will not exceed the aggregate ten million dollar limitation of all those credits as provided in subsection (B) when added to the credits previously taken or available to other taxpayers making similar investments.
(B) The total amount of credits allowed pursuant to this section may not exceed, in the aggregate, ten million dollars for all taxpayers and all taxable years. The total amount of credits allowed for investments in community development corporations may not exceed, in the aggregate, one million dollars for all taxpayers and all taxable years. The total amount of credits allowed for investments in community development financial institutions may not exceed, in the aggregate, nine million dollars for all taxpayers and all taxable years. The credit must be allowed to taxpayers in the order of the time of the making of the qualified investments in community development corporations and community development financial institutions.
The department shall monitor the investments made by taxpayers in community development corporations and community development financial institutions as permitted by this section and shall perform the functions as provided in subsection (A) above.
(C) If the amount of the credit determined pursuant to subsection (A) exceeds the taxpayer's state tax liability for the applicable taxable year, the taxpayer may carry over the excess to the immediately succeeding taxable years. However, the credit carry-over may not be used for a taxable year that begins on or after ten years from the date of the qualified investment. The amount of the credit carry-over from a taxable year must be reduced to the extent that the carry-over is used by the taxpayer to obtain a credit under this chapter for a later taxable year.
(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (A), (B), and (C) above, if on April 1, 2000, or as soon after that as the department is able to determine, the total amount of tax credits which may be claimed by all taxpayers exceeds the total amount of tax credits authorized by this section, the credits must be determined on a pro rata basis. For purposes of this subsection, a community development corporation or community development financial institution for which an investment may be claimed as a tax credit pursuant to this section must report all investments made before April 1, 2000, to the department by April 1, 2000, which shall inform, as soon as reasonably possible, all community development corporations and community development financial institutions of the total of all investments in all institutions and corporations as of April 1, 2000.
(E) If a qualified investment which is the basis for a credit under this section is redeemed by a taxpayer within five years of the date it is purchased, the credit provided by this section for the qualified investment is disallowed, and credit previously claimed and allowed with respect to the redeemed qualified investment must be paid to the Department of Revenue with the appropriate return of the taxpayer covering the period in which the redemption occurred. When payments are made to the Department of Revenue pursuant to this section, the amount collected must be handled as if no credit had been allowed.
(F) To receive the credit provided by this section, a taxpayer shall:
(1) claim the credit on his annual state income or premium tax return as prescribed by the Department of Revenue; and
(2) file with the Department of Revenue and with his annual state income or premium tax return a copy of the form issued by the department as to the qualified investment by the taxpayer, including an undertaking by the taxpayer to report to the Department of Revenue a redemption of the qualified investment.
(G) The department shall complete forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue which must show as to each qualified investment in a community development corporation or a community development financial institution:
(1) the name, address, and identification number of the taxpayer who purchased a qualified investment; and
(2) the nature of the qualified investment purchased by the taxpayer and the amount paid for it.
These forms must be filed with the Department of Revenue on or before the fifteenth day of the third month following the month in which the qualified investment is purchased. Copies of the forms to be provided to the Department of Revenue must be mailed to the taxpayer on or before the fifteenth day of the second month following the month in which the qualified investment is purchased.
(H) A taxpayer may not claim the tax credit provided in this section unless the community development corporation or community development financial institution in which the investment is made has been certified at the time the investment is made. A taxpayer who invested in good faith in a certified corporation or institution may claim the credit provided in this section, notwithstanding the fact that the certification is later revoked or not renewed by the department.
(I) If the community development financial institution in which the investment is made is a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation, the tax credit provided in this section is not allowed if the taxpayer claims the investment as a deduction pursuant to Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(J) The total amount of credits allowed by the Department of Revenue may not exceed five hundred thousand dollars in a community development corporation for fiscal year 2000-2001 and each fiscal year after that until the total aggregate amount of one million dollars is reached. The total amount of credits allowed by the Department of Revenue may not exceed one million five hundred thousand dollars in a community development financial institution for fiscal year 2000-2001 and each fiscal year after that until the total aggregate amount of nine million dollars is reached. A credit which is disallowed because of this subsection may be carried forward as provided in this section."
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval of the Governor, except that Section 3 applies to tax years beginning after 1999. /
Amend title to conform.
Rep. SCOTT explained the amendment.
Rep. KOON raised a Point of Order that Amendment No. 12A was out of order in that it was not germane to the Bill.
Rep. SCOTT argued contra.
SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE HASKINS sustained the Point of Order and ruled the amendment out of order.
Rep. Robinson proposed the following Amendment No. 14A (Doc Name DKA\AMEND\3582MM99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding appropriately numbered SECTIONS to read:
/ SECTION __. A. Section 2-7-76 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Section 115, Part II, Act 497 of 1994, is further amended to read:
"Section 2-7-76. (A) Whenever The chairman of the legislative committee to which a bill or resolution was referred shall direct the Budget Division or the Economic Research Section of the Budget and Control Board, as appropriate, to prepare and affix to it a statement of the estimated fiscal or revenue impact and cost to the counties and municipalities of the proposed legislation before the legislation is reported out of that committee if a bill or resolution:
(1) requires a county or municipality to expend funds allocated to the county or municipality under pursuant to Chapter 27 of Title 6, or whenever a bill or resolution;
(2) is introduced in the General Assembly to require the expenditure of funds by a county or municipality, or whenever a bill or resolution;
(3) requires the use of county or municipal personnel, facilities, or equipment to implement a general law or regulations promulgated pursuant to a general law,; or whenever a bill
(4) relates to taxes imposed by political subdivisions, the chairman of the legislative committee to which the bill or resolution was referred shall direct the Budget Division or the Department of Revenue, as appropriate, to prepare and affix to it a statement of the estimated fiscal or revenue impact and cost to the counties and municipalities of the proposed legislation prior to the legislation being reported out of that committee.
(B) A revised estimated fiscal or revenue impact and cost statement must be prepared at the direction of the presiding officer of the House of Representatives or the Senate by the Budget Division or Department of Revenue prior to Economic Research Section of the Budget and Control Board before third reading of the bill or resolution, if there is a significant amendment to the bill or resolution.
(C) For purposes of this section, political subdivision means a county, municipality, school district, special purpose district, public service district, or consolidated political subdivision."
B. Section 12-6-40(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 268 of 1998, is further amended to read:
"(A) 'Internal Revenue Code' means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended through December 31, 1997 1998, and includes the effective date provisions contained therein."
C. Section 12-6-1120(8) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 76 of 1995, is amended to read:
"(8) Each partner in the Palmetto Seed Capital Fund Limited Partnership (Fund) established under pursuant to Section 41-44-60 shall exclude from South Carolina gross income, seventy-five percent of the partner's proportionate share of income that the fund derives from a South Carolina business which is either:
( i) established and operated in a less least developed county as defined in Section 12-6-3360,; or
(ii) invested in agriculture, aquaculture, or a related business or in a business created by a socially or economically disadvantaged individual as defined in 13 Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 124.105(A) and 124.106 (1987)."
D. Section 12-6-3410(D)(2) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 76 of 1995, is amended to read:
"(2) The establishment, expansion, or addition of a corporate headquarters or research and development facility must result in:
(a) the creation of at least seventy-five new full-time jobs performing either:
( i) headquarters related functions and services; or
(ii) research and development related functions and services_which.
The jobs must have an average cash compensation level of more than one and one-half times the per capita income of this State at the time the jobs are filled based on the most recent per capita income data available as of the end of the taxpayer's taxable year in which the jobs are filled; and
(b) an average South Carolina employee cash compensation level for all employees in this State of more than twice the per capita income in the State at the time the newly created jobs are filled based on the most recent per capita income data available as of the end of the taxpayer's taxable year in which the jobs are filled."
E. Section 12-6-3465 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 32 of 1995, is amended to read:
"Section 12-6-3465. A taxpayer who is constructing or operating a qualified recycling facility as defined in Section 12-7-1275 12-6-3460 shall be is entitled to credits in the amount of all funds collected as permitted in Section 12-10-80, which credits can be used to reduce the taxpayer's corporate income tax imposed by Section 12-7-230 12-6-530, sales or use tax imposed by the State or any political subdivision of the State, corporate license fees imposed by Section 12-19-70 12-20-50 or any tax similar to these taxes. Any unused credits may be carried forward to subsequent taxable years until such credits are exhausted."
F. Section 12-16-20(5) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 361 of 1992, is further amended to read:
"(5) 'Internal Revenue Code' means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1991 described in Section 12-6-40(A)."
G. Section 12-20-20(A) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 76 of 1995, is amended to read:
"(A) Except for those corporations described in Section 12-20-110, every domestic corporation, every foreign corporation qualified to do business in this State, and any other corporation required by Section 12-6-530 12-6-4910 to file income tax returns shall file an annual report with the department."
H. The third paragraph of Section 12-36-510(C) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 383 of 1994, is further amended to read:
" 'Special event' means a promotional show, trade show, fair, festival, or carnival for which an admissions fee is required for entering the event or, in the case of a festival, if the festival is listed as a special event in the calendar of events provided by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. In addition, the event must be operated for a period of less than twelve consecutive days."
I. Section 12-37-251(F) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Section 29C, Part II, Act 419 of 1998, is further amended to read:
"(F) The exemption allowed by this section is conditional on full funding of the Education Finance Act and on an appropriation by the General Assembly each year reimbursing school districts an amount equal to the Department of Revenue's Economic Research Section of the Budget and Control Board estimate of total school tax revenue loss resulting from the exemption in the next fiscal year."
J. The second paragraph of Section 12-54-85(D) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 60 of 1995, is amended to read:
"Notwithstanding any restrictions on filing a claim for refund provided in subsection (F) below, a corporation may file a claim for refund resulting from an overpayment due to changes in taxable income made by the Internal Revenue Service within thirty ninety days from the date the Internal Revenue Service changes the taxable income."
K. Sections B, C, D, E, F, G, and J are effective for taxable years after 1998 and Section I is effective for property tax years beginning after 1998.
SECTION __. A. Section 12-56-20(1) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Section 55A, Part II, Act 419 of 1998, is further amended to read:
"(1) 'Claimant agency' means a state agency, board, committee, commission, public institution of higher learning, political subdivision, South Carolina Student Loan Corporation, housing authorities established pursuant to Articles 5, 7, and 9 of Chapter 3 of Title 31, and the Internal Revenue Service. It also includes a private institution of higher learning for the purpose of collecting debts related to default on authorized educational loans made pursuant to Chapters 111, 113, or 115 of Title 59. 'Political subdivision' includes the Municipal Association of South Carolina and the South Carolina Association of Counties when these organizations submit claims on behalf of their members, or other political subdivisions, or other claimant agencies as defined in this item. A political subdivision who submits a claim through an association is a claimant agency for the purpose of the notice and appeal provisions and other requirements of this chapter."
B. Section 12-56-60 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 76 of 1995, is amended to read:
"Section 12-56-60. (A) A claimant agency seeking to attempt collection of a delinquent debt through setoff shall notify the department in writing and supply information the department determines necessary to identify the debtor whose refund is sought to be set off. A request for setoff may be made only after the claimant agency has notified the debtor of its intention to cause the debtor's refund to be set off not less than thirty days before the claimant agency's request to the department. This notice must be given in person, left at the dwelling or usual place of business of the debtor, or sent by certified or registered mail to the debtor's last known address no less than thirty days before the claimant agency's request to the department. The notice shall include a statement which sets forth administrative appeal procedures available to the debtor and alternatives available to the debtor which could prevent setoff. The claimant agency promptly shall notify the debtor when the liability out of which the setoff arises is satisfied. Notification to the department and the furnishing of identifying information must occur on or before a date specified by the department in the year preceding the calendar year during which the refund would be paid. Additionally, subject to the notification deadline specified above, the notification is effective only to initiate setoff for claims against refunds that would be made in the calendar year subsequent to the year in which notification is made to the department.
(B) Upon receiving the certification of the claimant agency of the amount of the delinquent debt, the department shall determine if the debtor is due a refund. If the debtor is due a refund of more than twenty-five dollars, the department shall set off the delinquent debt against the amount of the refund in excess of twenty-five dollars and transfer the amount set off to the claimant agency. The department may retain an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars of each refund set off to defray its administrative expenses. No apportionment is required in cases of refunds resulting from filing joint returns. A person has no property right or property interest in a refund until all amounts due the State and claimant agencies are paid. The department shall consider any certified delinquent debt and debtor list provided by a claimant agency as correct and the department is not liable for a wrongful or improper setoff. Reviews of refund setoffs are with the claimant agency. If, after appropriate review the claimant agency determines that the setoff amount is excessive, it shall refund the appropriate amount to the taxpayer. If, after appropriate review, the claimant agency determines that it is entitled to no part of the amount set off, it shall refund the entire amount plus the administrative fee retained by the department. That portion of the refund reflecting the administrative fee must be paid from claimant agency funds. If a refund has been retained in error, the claimant agency shall pay interest to the taxpayer calculated as provided in Section 12-54-20 from the date provided by law after which interest is paid on refunds until the appeal is final except that no interest accrues when the claimant agency is the Office of Child Support Services of the South Carolina Department of Social Services."
C. Chapter 56 of Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 12-56-62. The notice of intention to set off must be given by mailing the notice, with postage prepaid, addressed to the debtor at the address provided to the claimant agency when the debt was incurred or at the debtor's last known address. The giving of the notice by mail is complete upon the expiration of thirty days after deposit of the notice in the mail. A certification by the claimant agency that the notice has been sent as required by this section is presumptive proof that the requirements as to notice are met, even if the notice actually has not been received by the debtor. The notice must include a statement of appeal procedures available to the debtor, substantially as follows:
'According to our records, you owe the (claimant agency) a debt in the amount of (amount of the debt) for (type of debt) . You are hereby notified of the (claimant agency's) intention to submit this debt to the South Carolina Department of Revenue to be set off against your individual income tax refund. Pursuant to the Setoff Debt Collection Act, this amount, plus all costs, will be deducted from your South Carolina individual income tax refund unless you file a written protest within thirty days of the date of this notice. If you file a joint return with your spouse, this amount will be deducted from the total joint refund without regard to which spouse incurred the debt or actually withheld the taxes. The protest must contain the following information:
(1) your name;
(2) your address;
(3) your social security number;
(4) the type of debt in dispute; and
(5) a detailed statement of all the reasons you disagree or dispute the debt.
The original written protest must be mailed to the (claimant agency) at the following address:
(address of the entity requesting the setoff) .'
Section 12-56-63. (A) A debtor who protests the debt shall file a written protest with the claimant agency at the address provided in the claimant agency's notification of intention to set off. The protest must be filed within thirty days of the date of the notice of intention to set off and must contain the debtor's name, address, and social security number, identify the type of debt in dispute, and give a detailed statement of all the reasons which support the protest. The requirements of this section are jurisdictional.
(B) An association defined as a political subdivision in Section 12-56-20(1) may contract with another political subdivision for the processing of debts to be submitted to the department. These services may be funded through an administrative fee. The association is exempt from the notice and appeal procedures of this chapter. The entity responsible for the notice and hearing requirements of this chapter is the political subdivision which has submitted its claim through the association or governmental entity which has submitted it directly to the department.
Section 12-56-65. (A) Before submitting a debt to the department, the claimant agency shall appoint a hearing officer to hear a protest of a debtor. This hearing officer is vested with the authority to decide a protest in favor of either the debtor or the claimant agency. The claimant agency shall certify to the department, on a form prescribed by the department, that a hearing officer has been appointed and shall inform the department of the name, address, and telephone number of the hearing officer. If this hearing officer is unable to serve at any time, the claimant agency shall appoint another hearing officer.
(B) Upon receipt of a notice of protest, the claimant agency shall notify the department that a protest has been received and shall hold an informal hearing at which the debtor may present evidence, documents, and testimony to dispute the debt. The claimant agency shall notify the debtor of the date, time, and location of the informal hearing. At the conclusion of the informal hearing, the hearing officer shall render his determination. Upon receipt of a sworn certification from the hearing officer that he held an informal hearing and ruled in favor of the claimant agency, the department may proceed with the setoff, regardless of a subsequent appeal by the debtor.
(C) A debtor may seek relief from the hearing officer's determination by requesting, within thirty days of the determination, a contested case hearing before the Administrative Law Judge Division. A request for a hearing before the Administrative Law Judge Division must be made in accordance with its rules.
(D) If a setoff is made and the determination of the hearing officer in favor of the claimant agency is later reversed, the claimant agency shall refund the appropriate amount to the taxpayer. If the claimant agency is found to be entitled to no part of the amount set off, it shall refund the entire amount plus the administrative fee retained by the department. That portion of the refund reflecting the administrative fee must be paid from claimant agency funds. If the claimant agency is found to be entitled to a portion of the amount set off, it is not required to refund the administrative fee retained by the department.
(E) If a refund is retained in error, the claimant agency shall pay to the taxpayer interest calculated as provided in Section 12-54-20 from the date provided by law after which interest is paid on refunds until the appeal is final, except that interest does not accrue when the claimant agency is the Office of Child Support Services of the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
(F) If the claimant agency determines that money has been erroneously or illegally set off, the claimant agency, in its discretion, may refund the amount of the setoff, even if the debtor does not file a protest.
(G) A setoff may not be contested more than one year after the date the setoff was made. The date of the setoff must be conclusively determined by the department. This provision must be construed as a statute of repose and not as a statute of limitation.
Section 12-56-67. This section does not create a right to jury trial where one does not already exist. Where a debtor otherwise is entitled to have a jury determine the issue of indebtedness, that right is preserved specifically. If a right to a jury trial already exists and the debtor wishes to exercise that right, the debtor is not required to request a contested case hearing before the Administrative Law Judge Division, but instead must file a summons and complaint in the Court of Common Pleas and serve the pleadings on the claimant agency within thirty days from the date of the hearing officer's determination. The summons and complaint must name the claimant agency as a defendant and the allegations of the complaint must contest the debt and any potential setoff.
Section 12-56-120. The department is exempt from the notice and appeal procedures of this chapter. The appeal procedures for the setoff of any debt owed to the department is governed by the provisions of Chapter 60 of Title 12 which provides the sole and exclusive remedy for these procedures."
D. Section 12-56-110 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 76 of 1995, is amended to read:
"Section 12-56-110. The department shall may promulgate regulations and prescribe forms and procedures necessary to implement this chapter."
E. All liabilities incurred and rights accrued before the effective date of this section are unaffected by the provisions of this section.
F. This section applies to a liability incurred or a right accrued on and after that date.
SECTION __. A. Section 4-10-65 of the 1976 Code, as added by Section 99, Part II, Act 164 of 1993, is amended to read:
"Section 4-10-65. Funds collected by the Tax Commission department from the local option sales tax which are not identified as to the governmental unit due the tax, shall, and cannot be so identified after a reasonable effort by the commission department to determine the appropriate governmental unit, must be deposited to a local option supplemental revenue fund. These funds must be distributed in accordance with Section 4-10-60 to those counties generating less than the minimum distribution."
B. Section 4-10-330(E) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 138 of 1997, is amended to read:
"(E) All qualified electors desiring to vote in favor of imposing the tax for the stated purposes shall vote 'yes' and all qualified electors opposed to levying the tax shall vote 'no'. If a majority of the votes cast are in favor of imposing the tax, then the tax is imposed as provided in this article and the enacting ordinance. A subsequent referendum on this question must be held on the date prescribed in subsection (C). The election commission shall conduct the referendum under the election laws of this State, mutatis mutandis, and shall certify the result no later than December thirty-first November thirtieth to the county governing body and to the Department of Revenue. Expenses of the referendum must be paid by the governmental entities that would receive the proceeds of the tax in the same proportion that those entities would receive the net proceeds of the tax."
C. Section 4-10-350(C), (D), and (E) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 138 of 1997, is amended to read:
"(C) Taxpayers A taxpayer required to remit taxes under Article 13, Chapter 36 of Title 12 must identify the county, municipality, or both, in which the personal property purchased at retail is stored, used, or consumed in this State.
(D) Utilities are A utility is required to report sales in the county, municipality, or both, in which the consumption of the tangible personal property occurs.
(E) A taxpayer subject to the tax imposed by Section 12-36-920, who owns or manages rental units in more than one county, municipality, or combination thereof, must report separately in his sales tax return the total gross proceeds from business done in each county or municipality."
D. Section 4-10-360 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 138 of 1997, is amended by adding at the end:
"However, allocations made as a result of city or county code errors must be corrected prospectively."
E. Article 3, Chapter 10, Title 4 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 4-10-380. Annually, and only in the month of June, funds collected by the department from the local option capital project sales tax, which are not identified as to the governmental unit due the tax, must be transferred, after reasonable effort by the department to determine the appropriate governmental unit, to the State Treasurer's Office. The State Treasurer shall distribute these funds to the county treasurer in the county area in which the tax is imposed and the revenues must be used only for the purposes stated in the imposition ordinance. The State Treasurer shall calculate this supplemental distribution on a proportional basis, based on the current fiscal year's county area revenue collections."
F. Section 4-37-30(A)(4) and (15) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 52 of 1995, is amended to read:
"(4) All qualified electors desiring to vote in favor of imposing the tax for a particular purpose shall vote 'yes' and all qualified electors opposed to levying the tax for a particular purpose shall vote 'no'. If a majority of the votes cast are in favor of imposing the tax for one or more of the specified purposes, then the tax is imposed as provided in this section; otherwise, the tax is not imposed. The election commission shall conduct the referendum under the election laws of this State, mutatis mutandis, and shall certify the result no later than sixty days November thirtieth after the date of the referendum to the appropriate governing body and to the Department of Revenue. Included in the certification must be the maximum cost of the project or projects or facilities to be funded in whole or in part from proceeds of the tax, the maximum time specified for the imposition of the tax, and the principal amount of bonds to be supported by the tax receiving a favorable vote. Expenses of the referendum must be paid by the jurisdiction conducting the referendum. If the tax is approved in the referendum, the tax is imposed effective the first day of the month occurring one hundred eighty days after May following the date of the referendum. If the certification is not timely made to the Department of Revenue, the imposition is postponed for twelve months.
(15) The revenues of the tax collected in each county under this section must be remitted to the State Treasurer and credited to a fund separate and distinct from the general fund of the State. After deducting the amount of refunds made and costs to the Department of Revenue of administering the tax, not to exceed one percent of the revenues, the State Treasurer shall distribute the revenues and all interest earned on the revenues while on deposit with the State Treasurer him quarterly to the county in which the tax is imposed and these revenues and interest earnings must be used only for the purpose stated in the imposition ordinance. The State Treasurer may correct misallocation costs or refunds by adjusting subsequent later distributions, but these adjustments must be made in the same fiscal year as the misallocation. However, allocations made as a result of city or county code errors must be corrected prospectively."
G. Chapter 37, Title 4 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 4-37-50. Annually, and only in the month of June, funds collected by the department from the local option transportation facility tax, which are not identified as to the governmental unit due the tax, must be transferred, after reasonable effort by the department to determine the appropriate governmental unit, to the State Treasurer's Office. The State Treasurer shall distribute these funds to the county treasurer in the county area in which the tax is imposed and the revenues must be used only for the purposes stated in the imposition ordinance. The State Treasurer shall calculate this supplemental distribution on a proportional basis, based on the current fiscal year's county area revenue collections."
H. 1. Section 6(A) of Act 588 of 1994 is amended to read:
"(A) The revenues of the tax collected in the county under this act must be remitted to the State Treasurer and credited to a fund separate and distinct from the general fund of the State. After deducting the amount of refunds made and costs to the Department of Revenue and Taxation of administering the tax, not to exceed one percent of the revenues, the State Treasurer shall distribute the revenues quarterly to the county treasurer who holds the debt service funds established for payment of principal and interest on the bonds to which the tax is applicable. The State Treasurer may correct misallocation costs or refunds by adjusting subsequent distributions, but these adjustments must be made in the same fiscal year as the misallocation. However, allocations made as a result of city or county code errors must be corrected prospectively."
2. Act 588 of 1994 is amended by adding an appropriately numbered section to read:
"SECTION __. Annually, and only in the month of June, funds collected by the department from the local option school district tax, which are not identified as to the governmental unit due the tax, must be transferred, after reasonable effort by the department to determine the appropriate governmental unit, to the State Treasurer's Office. The State Treasurer shall distribute these funds to the county treasurer in the county area in which the tax is imposed and the revenues must be used only for the purposes stated in the imposition resolution. The State Treasurer shall calculate this supplemental distribution on a proportional basis, based on the current fiscal year's county area revenue collections."
I. Section 12-4-580(B) of the 1976 Code, as added by Section 59A, Part II, Act 458 of 1996, is amended to read:
"(B) The department may charge and retain a reasonable fee for any collection effort made on a governmental entity's behalf. The department may expend the funds resulting from any fees so charged and retained and may carry the funds forward from one fiscal year to the next. The amount of the fee must be negotiated between the governmental entity and the department."
J. Section 12-54-240(B)(6) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 658 of 1988, is amended to read:
"(6) disclosure of a deficiency assessments assessment to a probate courts and the filing of warrants for uncollected taxes court, the filing of a tax lien for uncollected taxes, and the issuance of a notice of levy; /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Rep. ROBINSON explained the amendment.
Rep. ROBINSON continued speaking.
The amendment was then adopted.
Rep. Scott proposed the following Amendment No. 15A (Doc Name PSD\AMEND\7556AC99), which was ruled out of order.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered Section to read:
/ SECTION __. Section 53-5-10 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Section 76, Part II, Act 458 of 1996, is further amended to read:
"Section 53-5-10. The first day of January, the fifteenth day of third Monday in January, the nineteenth day of January, the third Monday in February, the tenth day of May, the last Monday of May, the third day of June, the Fourth day of July, the first Monday in September, the eleventh day of November, National Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth days of December in each year are legal holidays.
State employees may select, prior to before the first day of January, in writing on a form provided by their employer, one of the following nonnational holidays: Martin Luther King's birthday, January 15; Robert E. Lee's birthday, January 19; Confederate Memorial Day, May 10; or Jefferson Davis' birthday, June 3, or, in the alternative, select a day of their choice.
All general election days are legal holidays in addition to the above.
The holiday schedules of public colleges and universities, including technical colleges, shall must not be in violation of this section so long as the number of holidays provided for in this section are not exceeded." /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. SCOTT explained the amendment.
Rep. EASTERDAY raised a Point of Order that Amendment No. 15A was out of order in that it was not germane to the Bill.
SPEAKER WILKINS sustained the Point of Order and ruled the amendment out of order.
Rep. ROBINSON proposed the following Amendment No. 10A (Doc Name DKA\AMEND\3589MM99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
/ SECTION __. A. Chapter 10 of Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 12-10-81. (A) A business may claim a job development credit as determined by this section if the:
(1) council approves the use of this section for the business;
(2) business qualifies pursuant to Section 12-10-50; and
(3) business is a manufacturer which has more than one billion dollars in capital invested in this State and employs more than seven thousand employees in this State and which commits within a period of five years from the date of a revitalization agreement, to invest an additional four hundred million dollars and create an additional four hundred jobs in this State qualifying for job development fees or credits pursuant to current or future revitalization agreements. The council, in its discretion, may extend the five-year period for two additional years if the business has made a commitment to the additional four hundred million dollars and makes substantial progress toward satisfying the goal before the end of the initial five-year period. A business that represents to the council its intent to qualify pursuant to this section and is approved by the council may put job development fees computed pursuant to this section into an escrow account until the date the business satisfies the capital and job requirements of this section.
(B)(1) A business qualifying pursuant to this section may claim its job development credit against its withholding on its quarterly state withholding tax return for the amount of job development credit allowable. The credit must be claimed on a quarterly basis. To claim a job development credit, the business must be current with respect to its withholding tax and other tax due and owing the State, and must have maintained its minimum employment requirement for the entire quarter.
(2) To be eligible to apply to the council to claim a job development credit pursuant to this section, a qualifying business must create at least ten new, full-time jobs at the South Carolina facility or facilities described in the revitalization agreement.
(3) To the extent a return of an overpayment of withholding that results from claiming job development credits is not used as permitted by subsection (D), it must be treated as misappropriated employee withholding.
(4) If a qualifying business claims job development credits pursuant to this section, it must make its payroll books and records available for inspection by the council and the department at the times the council and the department request. Each qualifying business claiming job development credits pursuant to this section must file the job development credit and the use of any overpayment of withholding resulting from the claiming of a job development credit according to the revitalization agreement that the council or department requests. Each qualifying business must furnish an audited report prepared by an independent certified public accountant which itemizes the sources and uses of the funds. The audited report must be filed with the council and the department no later than June thirtieth following the calendar year in which the job development credits are claimed. An employer may not claim an amount that results in an employee receiving a smaller amount of wages on either a weekly or on an annual basis than the employee would otherwise receive in the absence of this chapter.
(C)(1) The maximum job development credit a qualifying business may claim for new employees is determined by the sum of the following amounts:
(a) two percent of the gross wages of each new employee who earns $6.34 or more an hour but less than $8.45 an hour;
(b) three percent of the gross wages of each new employee who earns $8.45 or more an hour but less than $10.57 an hour;
(c) four percent of the gross wages of each new employee who earns $10.57 or more an hour but less than $15.85 an hour;
(d) five percent of the gross wages of each new employee who earns $15.85 or more an hour; and
(e) the increase in the state sales and use tax of the business from the year of the effective date of its revitalization agreement pursuant to this section and subsequent years, over its state sales and use tax for the first of the three years preceding the effective date of this revitalization agreement.
(2) The hourly gross wages in item (1) must be adjusted annually by the inflation factor determined by the State Budget and Control Board for the purposes of Section 12-10-80(3). The amount which may be claimed by a qualifying business is limited by the revitalization agreement. The business may proceed by using either the job development fee escrow procedure available pursuant to revitalization agreements with effective dates before 1997, or the job development credit, or a combination of the two. For a business qualifying pursuant to this section, the council also may approve or waive sections of a revitalization agreement and the council's rules as needed, in the council's discretion, to assist the business.
(D) To claim a job development credit, the qualifying business must incur expenditures at the facility or for utility or transportation improvements that serve the facility. The expenditures must be incurred during the term of the revitalization agreement or within sixty days before the execution of a revitalization agreement including a preliminary revitalization agreement authorized by the revitalization agreement, and used for:
(1) training costs and facilities;
(2) acquiring and improving real estate whether constructed or acquired by purchase, or in cases approved by the council, acquired by lease or otherwise;
(3) improvements to both public and private utility systems including water, sewer, electricity, natural gas, and telecommunication;
(4) fixed transportation facilities including highway, rail, water, and air; or
(5) construction or improvements of real property and fixtures constructed or improved primarily for the purpose of complying with local, state, or federal environmental laws or regulations.
(E) A job development credit of a qualifying business permanently lapses upon expiration or termination of the revitalization agreement. If an employee is terminated, the qualifying business immediately must cease to claim job development credits.
(F) The statute of limitations provided by Section 12-54-85 is suspended until the end of the five-year or seven-year period described in item (3) of subsection (A) with respect to state withholding taxes under this section for a business subject to this section."
B. This section applies to taxable years beginning after 1998. Notwithstanding any to the contrary in this section, no business shall be entitled to any benefits under a revitalization agreement entered into under this section before July 1, 2000. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. ROBINSON explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
Reps. SCOTT and J. BROWN proposed the following Amendment No. 16A (Doc Name DKA\AMEND\3563MM99), which was tabled.
Amend by inserting:
/ SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Many of South Carolina's urban and rural communities face critical social and economic problems arising in part from people living in poverty and the lack of economic growth and employment and other opportunities.
(2) The restoration and maintenance of these communities requires increased access to credit and capital for development activities, including investment in businesses, housing, human development, and other activities that promote the long-term economic and social viability of the community.
(3) Access to credit and capital is essential to unleash the untapped entrepreneurial energy of South Carolina's poorest communities and to empower individuals and communities to become self-sufficient.
(4) Community development corporations have a proven ability to identify and respond to community needs and manage community assets for the purpose of community and economic development on a local level.
(5) Community development financial institutions have a proven ability to identify and respond to community needs for capital, credit, and development services in the absence of, or as a complement to, services provided by other lenders.
(6) For the above reasons, it has determined to enact the provisions of this act as being consistent with public policy objectives of our State including economic growth, higher employment, and community development.
SECTION 2. Title 34 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 34-43-10. This chapter may be cited as the South Carolina Community Economic Development Act.
Section 34-43-20. (A) The South Carolina Department of Commerce shall execute the purpose of this act, specifically, certifying entities as community development corporations, as defined in Section 34-43-40, and as community development financial institutions, as defined in Section 34-43-50. The department also may make grants and loans to community development corporations and community development financial institutions from grant funds made available to it by the General Assembly or from other available funds.
(B) In addition to its other powers, the department may:
(1) promulgate regulations necessary to carry out its functions pursuant to this chapter;
(2) contract for and accept, for use in carrying out the provisions of this chapter, a grant or contribution of funds from a political subdivision of the State or from another source and comply, subject to the provisions of this chapter, with the terms and conditions of the contract; and
(3) do what is necessary or convenient to carry out its powers and functions.
(C) The department may receive funds from, among other sources, state appropriations and private contributions.
Section 34-43-30. (A) The department, to the extent funding is available, may employ or contract for staff and consultants necessary to assist in carrying out its duties and responsibilities pursuant to this chapter.
(B) In its internal functions, the department shall keep proper records of its accounts and follow the procedures of this State governing the purchase of office space, supplies, facilities, materials, equipment, and professional services. The department must be audited by the State Auditor as provided in Chapter 7 of Title 11.
(C) The department shall make an annual report on its condition and operations to the General Assembly and the Governor, including the information required to be reported by Section 34-43-80.
Section 34-43-40. (A) The department may certify an entity as a community development corporation if it meets the definition provided in subsection (B).
(B) For purposes of this section:
(1) 'Community development corporation' means a nonprofit corporation which:
(a) is chartered pursuant to Chapter 31, Title 33;
(b) is tax exempt pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(c) has a primary mission of developing and improving low-income communities and neighborhoods through economic and related development;
(d) has activities and decisions initiated, managed, and controlled by the constituents of those local communities;
(e) has a primary function of developing projects and activities designed to enhance the economic opportunities of the people in the community served, including efforts to enable them to become owners and managers of small businesses and producers of affordable housing and jobs in the community served;
(f) does not provide credit, capital, or other assistance from public funds in an amount greater than twenty-five thousand dollars at one time or in one transaction. The department shall adjust that dollar amount in the manner provided in Section 37-1-109; and
(g) is not a nonprofit organization with the sole purpose of providing housing to neighborhoods or technical assistance to other nonprofit organizations.
(2) The term 'invest' includes an advance of funds to a community development corporation whether by charitable contributions or purchase of stock or other equity interest.
(3) The term 'low income' means an income level which falls within the eightieth percentile of the mean income for a family of four within this State.
(C) The department shall establish and implement criteria for grants made to community development corporations pursuant to Section 34-43-10. The criteria must require that the applicant demonstrate a capacity to engage in community development projects and sufficient organizational structure to ensure proper management. However, if the applicant is created after the effective date of this section, the applicant must present a strategic plan for community development projects and show evidence of developing an organizational structure which ensures proper management.
(D) The department shall contract with an appropriate entity or the South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations to provide technical support to assist community development corporations served pursuant to this section in developing their organizational capacity and implementing their projects successfully.
(E) The department shall make an annual report to the General Assembly regarding grants made pursuant to this section. The report required by this subsection may be included with the report required by Section 34-43-30.
Section 34-43-50. (A) The department may certify an entity as a community development financial institution if it meets the definition provided in subsection (B).
(B) For purposes of this section:
(1) 'Community development financial institution' means an organization that:
(a) has a primary mission of promoting community development by providing credit, capital, or development services to small businesses or home mortgage assistance to individuals, including, but not limited to, capital access programs, microlending, franchise financing, and guaranty performance bonds;
(b) provides service delivery throughout the State;
(c) maintains, through representation on its governing board, accountability to persons in need of the institution's services;
(d) is not an agent or instrumentality of the United States, or of a state or political subdivision of a state nor maintains an affiliate relationship with any of them;
(e) maintains a goal of providing a majority of its services to low-income individuals, minorities, females, or rural areas;
(f) provides capital and technical assistance to small and micro businesses, or mortgage assistance to individuals;
(g) does not provide credit, capital, or other assistance in an amount greater than two hundred fifty thousand dollars at one time or in one transaction. That dollar amount must be adjusted in the manner provided in Section 37-1-109; and
(h) has been certified or recertified as a community development financial institution as provided in this chapter.
(2) 'Low income' means an income level which falls within the eightieth percentile of the mean income for a family of four within this State.
(3) The term 'invest' includes an advance of funds to a community development financial institution whether by purchase of stock or other equity interest or by charitable contribution.
(C) Banks and financial institutions chartered by the State of South Carolina may invest in community development financial institutions incorporated pursuant to the laws of this State, up to a maximum of ten percent of a chartered bank or financial institution's total capital and surplus.
(D) A federally-chartered or state-chartered financial institution holding company may qualify as a community development financial institution only if the holding company and the subsidiaries and affiliates of the holding company collectively satisfy the requirements of subsection (B).
(E) A community development financial institution is not subject to taxes based upon or measured by income which are levied by the State now or later.
Section 34-43-60. (A) Application for certification must be in writing under oath and in the form prescribed by the department. It must contain the information the department requires, including names and addresses of the partners, officers, directors or trustees, and those principal owners or members who provide the basis for investigations and findings contemplated by subsection (B). At the time of making the application, the applicant must pay to the department a fee for investigating the application, as prescribed by the department, in an amount sufficient to defray the department's costs of investigating the applicant.
(B) Upon the filing of the application and payment of the fees, the department shall investigate the facts concerning the application and the requirements of either Section 34-43-40 or Section 34-43-50.
Section 34-43-70. (A) Certification of a community development corporation or a community development financial institution expires two years from the date of certification.
(B) Certification of a community development corporation or a community development financial institution may be renewed for additional two-year periods upon application by the corporation or institution and approval by the department.
(C) The department may not renew certification of a corporation or an institution unless it continues to comply with the regulations of the department and provisions of Section 34-43-40 or Section 34-43-50.
(D) The department may revoke the certification of a corporation or an institution upon a finding that the corporation or institution does not comply with the provisions of Section 34-43-40 or Section 34-43-50.
(E) The department shall serve a notice of intent not to grant certification, intent not to renew certification, or intent to revoke certification upon the corporation or institution with a brief statement of the reasons alleged. The corporation or institution may request a hearing within thirty days of receiving notice by filing a request for a hearing with the department. The hearing must be held in accordance with Article 3, Chapter 23, Title 1, the Administrative Procedures Act.
(F) A taxpayer may not claim the tax credit provided for in Section 12-6-3520 unless the corporation or institution in which the investment is made is certified by the department at the time the investment is made. A taxpayer who invested in good faith in a certified corporation or institution may claim the credit provided in Section 12-6-3520 notwithstanding the fact that the certification is later revoked or not renewed by the department.
Section 34-43-80. A community development financial institution shall file with the department, on or before the anniversary date of its certification, an annual report for the preceding calendar year. The report must give information about the financial condition of the institution, and must include balance sheets for the beginning and end of the accounting period, a statement of income and expenses for the period, a reconciliation of surplus with the balance sheets, a schedule of assets used and useful by the institution to conduct its business, an analysis of charges, size and type of loans and other activities described in Section 34-43-40(B)(1)(a), and other relevant information in form and detail as the department prescribes. The report must be made under oath and in the form prescribed by the department, which shall make and publish annually an analysis and recapitulation of the reports for inclusion in its annual report to the Governor and General Assembly as provided in Section 34-43-30(F)."
SECTION 3. Article 25, Chapter 6, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 12-6-3520. (A) A taxpayer may claim as a credit against his state income tax, bank tax, or premium tax liability twenty-five percent of all amounts invested in a community development corporation, as defined in Section 34-43-40 or in a community development financial institution, as defined in Section 34-43-50.
To qualify for this credit the taxpayer must obtain a certificate from the South Carolina Department of Commerce certifying that the entity into which the funds are invested is a community development corporation within the meaning of Section 34-43-40 or a community development financial institution within the meaning of Section 34-43-50 and certifying that the credit taken or available to that taxpayer will not exceed the aggregate ten million dollar limitation of all those credits as provided in subsection (B) when added to the credits previously taken or available to other taxpayers making similar investments.
(B) The total amount of credits allowed pursuant to this section may not exceed, in the aggregate, ten million dollars for all taxpayers and all taxable years. The total amount of credits allowed for investments in community development corporations may not exceed, in the aggregate, one million dollars for all taxpayers and all taxable years. The total amount of credits allowed for investments in community development financial institutions may not exceed, in the aggregate, nine million dollars for all taxpayers and all taxable years. The credit must be allowed to taxpayers in the order of the time of the making of the qualified investments in community development corporations and community development financial institutions.
The department shall monitor the investments made by taxpayers in community development corporations and community development financial institutions as permitted by this section and shall perform the functions as provided in subsection (A) above.
(C) If the amount of the credit determined pursuant to subsection (A) exceeds the taxpayer's state tax liability for the applicable taxable year, the taxpayer may carry over the excess to the immediately succeeding taxable years. However, the credit carry-over may not be used for a taxable year that begins on or after ten years from the date of the qualified investment. The amount of the credit carry-over from a taxable year must be reduced to the extent that the carry-over is used by the taxpayer to obtain a credit under this chapter for a later taxable year.
(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (A), (B), and (C) above, if on April 1, 2000, or as soon after that as the department is able to determine, the total amount of tax credits which may be claimed by all taxpayers exceeds the total amount of tax credits authorized by this section, the credits must be determined on a pro rata basis. For purposes of this subsection, a community development corporation or community development financial institution for which an investment may be claimed as a tax credit pursuant to this section must report all investments made before April 1, 2000, to the department by April 1, 2000, which shall inform, as soon as reasonably possible, all community development corporations and community development financial institutions of the total of all investments in all institutions and corporations as of April 1, 2000.
(E) If a qualified investment which is the basis for a credit under this section is redeemed by a taxpayer within five years of the date it is purchased, the credit provided by this section for the qualified investment is disallowed, and credit previously claimed and allowed with respect to the redeemed qualified investment must be paid to the Department of Revenue with the appropriate return of the taxpayer covering the period in which the redemption occurred. When payments are made to the Department of Revenue pursuant to this section, the amount collected must be handled as if no credit had been allowed.
(F) To receive the credit provided by this section, a taxpayer shall:
(1) claim the credit on his annual state income or premium tax return as prescribed by the Department of Revenue; and
(2) file with the Department of Revenue and with his annual state income or premium tax return a copy of the form issued by the department as to the qualified investment by the taxpayer, including an undertaking by the taxpayer to report to the Department of Revenue a redemption of the qualified investment.
(G) The department shall complete forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue which must show as to each qualified investment in a community development corporation or a community development financial institution:
(1) the name, address, and identification number of the taxpayer who purchased a qualified investment; and
(2) the nature of the qualified investment purchased by the taxpayer and the amount paid for it.
These forms must be filed with the Department of Revenue on or before the fifteenth day of the third month following the month in which the qualified investment is purchased. Copies of the forms to be provided to the Department of Revenue must be mailed to the taxpayer on or before the fifteenth day of the second month following the month in which the qualified investment is purchased.
(H) A taxpayer may not claim the tax credit provided in this section unless the community development corporation or community development financial institution in which the investment is made has been certified at the time the investment is made. A taxpayer who invested in good faith in a certified corporation or institution may claim the credit provided in this section, notwithstanding the fact that the certification is later revoked or not renewed by the department.
(I) If the community development financial institution in which the investment is made is a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation, the tax credit provided in this section is not allowed if the taxpayer claims the investment as a deduction pursuant to Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(J) The total amount of credits allowed by the Department of Revenue may not exceed five hundred thousand dollars in a community development corporation for fiscal year 2000-2001 and each fiscal year after that until the total aggregate amount of one million dollars is reached. The total amount of credits allowed by the Department of Revenue may not exceed one million five hundred thousand dollars in a community development financial institution for fiscal year 2000-2001 and each fiscal year after that until the total aggregate amount of nine million dollars is reached. A credit which is disallowed because of this subsection may be carried forward as provided in this section."
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval of the Governor, except that Section 3 applies to tax years beginning after 1999. /
Amend title to conform.
Rep. SCOTT explained the amendment.
Rep. MCGEE raised a Point of Order that Amendment No. 16A was out of order in that it was not germane to the Bill.
Rep. COBB-HUNTER stated that the amendment was germane to the Bill.
Rep. KOON stated that the amendment was not germane to the Bill.
SPEAKER WILKINS overruled the Point of Order.
Rep. KOON spoke against the amendment.
Rep. COBB-HUNTER spoke in favor of the amendment.
Rep. COBB-HUNTER continued speaking.
Rep. KIRSH spoke against the amendment.
Rep. KIRSH moved to table the amendment.
Rep. LITTLEJOHN demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken, resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Allison Altman Barfield Barrett Beck Cato Chellis Cooper Cotty Davenport Delleney Easterday Edge Fleming Gamble Hamilton Harrell Harrison Hawkins Hinson Keegan Kelley Kirsh Klauber Koon Lanford Law Leach Littlejohn Loftis Lucas Martin Mason McCraw McGee Meacham Rhoad Rice Riser Robinson Sandifer Seithel Simrill Stille Taylor Townsend Vaughn Walker Webb Wilkins Witherspoon Woodrum Young-Brickell
Those who voted in the negative are:
Allen Bailey Bales Battle Bowers Breeland Brown G. Brown H. Brown J. Canty Clyburn Cobb-Hunter Emory Gilham Gourdine Govan Harris Harvin Hayes Hines M. Howard Inabinett Kennedy Lee Lloyd Lourie Mack Maddox McLeod M. McLeod W. McMahand Miller Moody-Lawrence Neal J.M. Neilson Ott Parks Phillips Rodgers Rutherford Scott Sharpe Smith F. Smith R. Stuart Whatley Whipper Wilder Wilkes
So, the amendment was tabled.
The Senate amendments, as amended, were then agreed to and the Bill was ordered returned to the Senate.
The Senate amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration:
S. 337 (Word version) -- Senators McConnell, Matthews, Courtney, Patterson, Reese, Hayes, Jackson and Passailaigue: A BILL TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 29 OF TITLE 34 AND CHAPTERS 1, 2, 3, AND 4 OF TITLE 37 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTIONS, SO AS TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, REQUIRE THAT THE AMOUNT OF LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE BE BASED UPON NET COVERAGE PLUS SIX MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR LOANS WITH A TERM IN EXCESS OF SIXTY MONTHS; REQUIRE THE DEFINITION OF DISABILITY TO BE BASED UPON THE INSURED'S OWN OCCUPATION ON THE DATE OF DISABILITY FOR THE FIRST YEAR AND AN OCCUPATION WITH SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT REMUNERATION THEREAFTER; LOWER THE RATES FOR CREDIT LIFE INSURANCE; ADD A PROVISION RELATING TO UNFAIR CLAIMS PRACTICES; REQUIRE THAT CREDIT INSURANCE BE PORTABLE; REQUIRE THAT A POLICY MAY NOT BE CONTESTED UNLESS THE MISREPRESENTATION DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE CONTINGENCY OR EVENT BY WHICH THE CLAIM ARISES; LOWER THE MAXIMUM PREMIUM FOR NON-FILING INSURANCE; ENHANCE CONSUMER DISCLOSURES; PROHIBIT NON-FILING INSURANCE AS A PERMITTED CHARGE FOR PURCHASE MONEY SECURITY INTEREST LOANS BEYOND APRIL 1, 2000; PROHIBIT A CHARGE FOR AND FILING OF A UCC SECURITY FORM FOR COLLATERAL THAT CANNOT BE USED AS SECURITY FOR A LOAN PURSUANT TO LAW; AND TO REQUIRE THAT IT MUST BE THE CONSUMER'S CHOICE TO PURCHASE INSURANCE FOR LESS THAN THE LENGTH OF THE LOAN.
Rep. CATO explained the Senate amendments.
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 Senate amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration:
S. 277 (Word version) -- Senators Thomas, Giese and Wilson: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-1080 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT SELLING URINE WITH THE INTENT TO DEFRAUD A DRUG SCREENING TEST IS A FELONY, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY.
Rep. HARRISON explained the Senate amendments.
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 Senate amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration:
H. 3928 (Word version) -- Rep. Cato: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-33-50, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE POWERS OF HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THOSE POWERS INCLUDE THE OFFERING OF AN OUT-OF NETWORK COVERAGE UNDER A POINT OF SERVICE OPTION, AND PROVIDE FOR THE PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 38-33-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PROVISION THAT EVERY ENROLLEE IN A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION IS ENTITLED TO EVIDENCE OF COVERAGE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT FOR A POINT OF SERVICE OPTION OFFERED JOINTLY BY A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION AND AN INSURER, ONLY ONE EVIDENCE OF COVERAGE IS REQUIRED.
Rep. CATO explained the Senate amendments.
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 Senate amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration:
H. 3779 (Word version) -- Reps. Dantzler and Law: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 41-18-40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA AMUSEMENT RIDERS SAFETY CODE, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "SERIOUS INJURY" TO INCLUDE DEATH, IMMEDIATE INPATIENT HOSPITALIZATION, FRACTURES, AND DISFIGUREMENTS.
Rep. CATO explained the Senate amendments.
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 Senate amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration:
H. 3329 (Word version) -- Rep. Harrison: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 29-5-10 AND SECTION 29-5-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE SETTLEMENT OF ACTIONS TO ENFORCE MECHANICS' LIENS AND THE AWARD OF ATTORNEY'S FEES TO THE PREVAILING PARTY, SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE THE TERM "PREVAILING PARTY" AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE VALUE OF A DEFENDANT'S COUNTERCLAIM IS CONSIDERED A NEGATIVE OFFER OF SETTLEMENT IF THE DEFENDANT DOES NOT MAKE A WRITTEN OFFER OF SETTLEMENT.
Rep. HARRISON explained the Senate amendments.
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 Senate amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration:
H. 3798 (Word version) -- Reps. Bailey, Barfield, Allen, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bales, Battle, Beck, Breeland, G. Brown, H. Brown, J. Brown, T. Brown, Campsen, Canty, Carnell, Cato, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Edge, Emory, Gamble, Gourdine, Gilham, Hamilton, Harris, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hawkins, Hayes, J. Hines, Hinson, Howard, Inabinett, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kennedy, Kirsh, Klauber, Knotts, Koon, Lanford, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, Mack, Maddox, Martin, Mason, McCraw, McGee, M. McLeod, W. McLeod, McMahand, Meacham, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, Neal, Neilson, Ott, Parks, Phillips, Pinckney, Rhoad, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scott, Sharpe, Sheheen, Simrill, J. Smith, F. Smith, R. Smith, Stille, Taylor, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Vaughn, Walker, Webb, Whatley, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkins, Witherspoon, Woodrum and Young-Brickell: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-11-260, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR GENERAL AND MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS' LICENSURE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ON RENEWAL A GENERAL CONTRACTOR BIDDING AND PERFORMING ON JOBS NOT EXCEEDING A SPECIFIED AMOUNT MAY SUBMIT AN OWNER-PREPARED FINANCIAL STATEMENT WITH AN AFFIDAVIT OF ACCURACY INDICATING A CERTAIN REQUIRED NET WORTH, RATHER THAN REQUIRING A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT TO PREPARE THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Reps. BAILEY and CATO proposed the following Amendment No. 1A (Doc Name PSD\AMEND\7551AC99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 40-11-260(A)(3)(c), page 1, by deleting lines 40 and 41 and inserting:
/ (d)(c) compiled with an affidavit of accuracy indicating a /
Amend the bill further, Section
40-11-260(A)(4)(c), page 2, by deleting lines 18-19 and inserting:
"/compiled with an affidavit of accuracy indicating a /
amend the bill further, Section
40-11-260(B)(3)(c), page 2, by deleting lines 38-39 and inserting:
"/compiled with an affidavit of accuracy indicating a /
Amend the bill further, Section
40-11-260(B)(4)(b), page 3, by deleting line 9 and inserting:
/(b) required net worth of $25,000.00;/
amend the bill further, Section
40-11-260(B)(4)(c), page 3, by deleting lines 15-16.
/ compiled with an affidavit of accuracy indicating a /
amend the bill further, Section 40-11-60, page 5, line 6, by deleting / 40-11-260 / and inserting / 40-11-260(A)(3)(c),(A)(4)(c), (B)(3)(c) and (B)(4)(c)" /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. BAILEY explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.
The Senate amendments, as amended, were then agreed to and the Bill was ordered returned to the Senate.
The Senate amendments to the following Bill were taken up for consideration:
H. 4000 (Word version) -- Reps. Hamilton, Wilkins, Townsend, Altman, Bales, Battle, Barrett, Beck, G. Brown, H. Brown, Canty, Carnell, Clyburn, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Easterday, Emory, Gilham, Gourdine, Harrell, Hayes, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kirsh, Klauber, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Maddox, Martin, Mason, McCraw, McGee, Miller, Parks, Phillips, Rodgers, Sandifer, D. Smith, J. Smith, R. Smith, Stille, Stuart, Taylor, Vaughn, Young-Brickell and Simrill: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EDUCATION, BY ADDING CHAPTER 75 SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATION FLEXIBILITY PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 1999" WHICH AUTHORIZES THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO GRANT WAIVERS TO SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM SPECIFIED STATE STATUTORY AND REGULATORY EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
The House refused to agree to the Senate amendments and a message was ordered sent accordingly.
The following Bills were taken up, read the third time, and ordered sent to the Senate:
H. 3216 (Word version) -- Reps. Campsen and Rodgers: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 24-3-40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF WAGES OF A PRISONER ALLOWED TO WORK AT PAID EMPLOYMENT SO AS TO PROVIDE A DISTRIBUTION PLAN FOR THE WAGES THAT INCLUDES PAYMENTS FOR VICTIM RESTITUTION, CHILD SUPPORT, PRISONER ROOM AND BOARD, PRISONER INCIDENTALS, AND PRISONER ESCROW ACCOUNT.
H. 3745 (Word version) -- Reps. Campsen, Altman, Barrett, Barfield, Cato, Cooper, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Edge, Emory, Gilham, Govan, Hamilton, Harrison, Haskins, Inabinett, Kelley, Leach, Littlejohn, Loftis, McCraw, McMahand, Neal, Phillips, Pinckney, Sandifer, Sharpe, Simrill, J. Smith, Stille, Tripp, Vaughn, Wilkins, Witherspoon, Lourie and Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MARRIAGE, BY ADDING ARTICLE 7 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY RESPECT ACT", TO PROVIDE THE LANGUAGE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET, AND TO PROVIDE TO WHOM THE PAMPHLET SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED; TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 53, RELATING TO THE CELEBRATION OF SPECIAL DAYS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A FAMILY RESPECT DAY AND TO PROVIDE THE DAY IS OBSERVED IN THE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS; TO AMEND SECTION 20-1-240, RELATING TO INFORMATION GIVEN TO MARRIAGE APPLICANTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET IS DISTRIBUTED TO APPLICANTS; TO AMEND SECTION 44-63-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFIED COPIES OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET IS INCLUDED WITH EACH CERTIFIED COPY OF THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 44-122-40, RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF COUNTY FUNDED ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY PREVENTION INITIATIVES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FAMILY RESPECT PAMPHLET WITH ADOLESCENTS INVOLVED IN THE INITIATIVES.
The following House Resolution was taken up:
H. 4145 (Word version) -- Rep. Rice: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON METHODS TO ELIMINATE THE FORTY-FIVE DAY GRACE PERIOD IN WHICH PERSONS WHO NEWLY ACQUIRE MOTOR VEHICLES AND OWNERS OF FOREIGN MOTOR VEHICLES BEING MOVED INTO THIS STATE MAY OPERATE THESE MOTOR VEHICLES WITHOUT DISPLAYING AN OFFICIAL SOUTH CAROLINA LICENSE PLATE.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, requests the Director of the Department of Public Safety to study and make recommendations to the House of Representatives by January 1, 2000, on methods to eliminate the forty-five day grace period in which persons who newly acquire motor vehicles and owners of foreign motor vehicles being moved into this State may operate these motor vehicles without displaying an official South Carolina license plate.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Director of the Department of Public Safety.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up:
H. 4120 (Word version) -- Reps. Bales and Neal: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO NAME THE BOAT LANDING ON THE WATEREE RIVER LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 378 AND THE WATEREE RIVER IN RICHLAND COUNTY IN HONOR OF SERGEANT WILLIAM T. (BILLY) TOLAR AND TO ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS REFLECTING THIS DESIGNATION.
Whereas, Sergeant William T. "Billy" Tolar of the Town of Eastover in Richland County was employed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, formerly the South Carolina Department of Wildlife and Marine Resources as a Wildlife Officer for twenty-nine years from November 1, 1968, to June 30, 1986; and
Whereas, following his retirement in 1986, Sergeant Tolar returned to the department and served an additional ten years in the Boating Facility Inspection and Maintenance Division; and
Whereas, Sergeant Tolar has dedicated his professional life to enforcing the wildlife and natural resource laws and regulations of our State, to the safety and enjoyment of the boating public, and to the furtherance of the conservation, utilization, and protection of the state's natural resources; and
Whereas, he has served his community and fellow citizens in numerous capacities including twenty years of service as an Eastover Town Councilman, interim Mayor of the Town of Eastover, and a charter member of the Eastover Ruritan Club; and
Whereas, Sergeant Tolar has spent a major portion of his life on the Wateree and Congaree Rivers; and
Whereas, he has been instrumental in the development and maintenance of the popular and strategic boat landing on the Wateree River near United States Highway 378 in Richland County; and
Whereas, it is appropriate and fitting to name the Wateree River Boat Landing located at United States Highway 378 in Richland County the William T. "Billy" Tolar Boat Landing in honor of this great South Carolinian. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the General Assembly requests that the Department of Natural Resources name the Wateree River Boat Landing located at United States Highway 378 in Richland County the William T. "Billy" Tolar Boat Landing, and to erect appropriate signs or markers reflecting this designation.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Sergeant Tolar and a copy forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources.
The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and sent to the Senate.
The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up:
H. 4151 (Word version) -- Rep. Rice: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON METHODS TO ELIMINATE THE FORTY-FIVE DAY GRACE PERIOD IN WHICH PERSONS WHO NEWLY ACQUIRE MOTOR VEHICLES AND OWNERS OF FOREIGN MOTOR VEHICLES BEING MOVED INTO THIS STATE MAY OPERATE THESE MOTOR VEHICLES WITHOUT DISPLAYING AN OFFICIAL SOUTH CAROLINA LICENSE PLATE.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, requests the Director of the Department of Public Safety to study and make recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 2000, on methods to eliminate the forty-five day grace period in which persons who newly acquire motor vehicles and owners of foreign motor vehicles being moved into this State may operate these motor vehicles without displaying an official South Carolina license plate.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Director of the Department of Public Safety.
The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and sent to the Senate.
The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up:
H. 4154 (Word version) -- Rep. Fleming: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO DEVELOP AND ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WILL ENHANCE THE USE OF ACHIEVEMENT GROUPING OF STUDENTS IN REGULAR CLASSES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Whereas, a review of scholarly literature in the field of education shows that grouping of students by achievement or ability is a widely used practice in basic courses such as English and math; and
Whereas, research shows that the major part of reading instruction in the elementary schools of the United States is carried on in groups; and
Whereas, federal courts in the 5th and 11th Circuits have held that the practice of achievement grouping is not, per se, unconstitutional; under proper circumstances, courts have approved the practice and, indeed, in some cases, courts have directed the use of special groups, particularly where concentrated remedial counseling is required to overcome language difficulties; and
Whereas, achievement grouping, according to experts, groups children, not on the basis of an intelligence test, but on the basis of their skill mastery of a subject at the time of the grouping, with all students in the group studying "common content". Achievement grouping is considered by experts to be far superior to ability grouping; and
Whereas, experts who testified in certain court cases opined that the socioeconomic background of the children, rather than race, determined the distribution of the children in the achievement groups; and
Whereas, the use of achievement grouping is seen as educationally sound, both in theory and in practice; and
Whereas, there are opportunities for movement between achievement levels during the school year; and
Whereas, the rule of law on achievement or ability grouping is set forth in a seminal case of the 5th Circuit where the court held that "... grouping, like any other non-racial method of student assignment is not constitutionally forbidden. Certainly educators are in a better position than courts to appreciate the educational advantages or disadvantages of such a system in a particular school or district. School districts ought to be free, and are, free to use such groupings whenever it does not have a racially discriminatory effect. If it does cause segregation, whether in classrooms or in schools, ability grouping may nevertheless be permitted in an otherwise unitary system if the school district can demonstrate that its assignment method is not based on the present results of past segregation or will remedy such results through better educational opportunities." Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of South Carolina, by this resolution, hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to develop and enact legislation that would enhance the use of achievement grouping of students in regular classes in public schools.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Honorable Denny Hastert, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, to the President of the United States Senate, and to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.
The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and sent to the Senate.
Rep. KENNEDY moved that the House recur to the morning hour, which was agreed to.
The COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE, to whom was referred:
S. 27 (Word version) -- Senator Leventis: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 47-1-210 SO AS TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL TO GIVE AWAY A LIVE ANIMAL AS A PRIZE FOR, OR AS AN INDUCEMENT TO ENTER, ANY CONTEST, GAME, OR OTHER COMPETITION, OR AS AN INDUCEMENT TO ENTER A PLACE OF AMUSEMENT, OR AS AN INCENTIVE TO ENTER INTO ANY BUSINESS AGREEMENT IF THE OFFER MADE WAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTRACTING TRADE, AND PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES, EXCEPTIONS, AND RELATED MATTERS.
Beg leave to report that they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend:
That the same do pass with the following amendments:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting therein the following:
/ SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 47-1-210. (A) It is unlawful to give away a live animal including, but not limited to, a fish, bird, fowl, or reptile, as a prize for, or as an inducement to enter, any contest, game, or other competition, or as an inducement to enter a place of amusement, or for these species to be used as an incentive to enter into any business agreement if the offer made was for the purpose of attracting trade.
(B) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit an auction or raffle of a live animal including, but not limited to, a fish, bird, fowl, or reptile. Further, the giving away or the testing of game or fowl for breeding purposes only is lawful and is not prohibited by this section as an incentive to enter into a business agreement if the person giving away or testing game or fowl is engaged in that trade.
(C) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished for each separate offense by a fine not to exceed three hundred dollars or imprisonment not to exceed thirty days, or both.
(D) This section does not apply when a live animal is given away as follows:
(1) by individuals or organizations operating in conjunction with a cooperative extension education program or agricultural vocational program sanctioned by the State Department of Education or local school districts;
(2) by individuals or organizations operating in conjunction with field trials approved by the Department of Natural Resources; or
(3) by kennels that advertise in national publications in regard to dogs that are registered with the United Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor./
Amend title to conform.
/s/Phil P. Leventis /s/Dwight A. Loftis Darrell Jackson /s/William D. Witherspoon /s/Robert L. Waldrep /s/Thomas N. Rhoad On Part of the Senate. On Part of the House.
Rep. WITHERSPOON explained the Conference Report.
The Conference Report was adopted and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.
The following was received.
Columbia, S.C., May 27, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:
The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has appointed Senators Moore, O'Dell and Alexander of the Committee of Conference on the part of the Senate on S. 398:
S. 398 (Word version) -- Senator Setzler: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 40, CHAPTER 22 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS, SO AS TO CONFORM THIS CHAPTER TO THE STATUTORY ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF TITLE 40, CHAPTER 1 FOR BOARDS UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, AUTHORIZING THE BOARD TO REGULATE CROSS-BORDER ENGINEERING.
Very respectfully,
President
Received as information.
The following was received.
Columbia, S.C., May 27, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:
The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has adopted the report of the Committee of Conference on S. 27:
S. 27 (Word version) -- Senator Leventis: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 47-1-210 SO AS TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL TO GIVE AWAY A LIVE ANIMAL AS A PRIZE FOR, OR AS AN INDUCEMENT TO ENTER, ANY CONTEST, GAME, OR OTHER COMPETITION, OR AS AN INDUCEMENT TO ENTER A PLACE OF AMUSEMENT, OR AS AN INCENTIVE TO ENTER INTO ANY BUSINESS AGREEMENT IF THE OFFER MADE WAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTRACTING TRADE, AND PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES, EXCEPTIONS, AND RELATED MATTERS.
Very respectfully,
President
Received as information.
The following was received.
Columbia, S.C., May 27, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:
The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has appointed Senators Thomas, Patterson and McGill of the Committee of Conference on the part of the Senate on H. 3833:
H. 3833 (Word version) -- Rep. Robinson: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-54-75 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR ELECTRONIC COLLECTION OF REVENUES BY A STATE AGENCY PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT NEGOTIATED AND ENTERED INTO BY THE STATE TREASURER ON BEHALF OF THE AGENCY.
Very respectfully,
President
Received as information.
The following was received.
Columbia, S.C., May 27, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:
The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has appointed Senators Bryan, Wilson and Hutto of the Committee of Conference on the part of the Senate on H. 3035:
H. 3035 (Word version) -- Rep. Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 14-25-65, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES THAT A MUNICIPAL JUDGE MAY IMPOSE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE JUDGE MAY ORDER RESTITUTION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN ADDITION TO CRIMINAL PENALTIES; TO AMEND SECTION 22-3-550, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO A MAGISTRATE'S CRIMINAL JURISDICTION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE MAGISTRATE MAY ORDER RESTITUTION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 22-3-1000, RELATING TO PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A MAGISTRATE'S ORDER OF RESTITUTION MAY BE APPEALED SEPARATELY FROM AN APPEAL RELATING TO CONVICTION.
Very respectfully,
President
Received as information.
The following was received.
Columbia, S.C., May 27, 1999
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:
The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has appointed Senators Bryan, Short and Matthews of the Committee of Conference on the part of the Senate on H. 3620:
H. 3620 (Word version) -- Reps. J. Smith, Allen, Bailey, Bales, Battle, Bowers, Breeland, J. Brown, T. Brown, Carnell, Cobb-Hunter, Emory, Gourdine, Harris, Hayes, M. Hines, Howard, Inabinett, Jennings, Kennedy, Lee, Lourie, Mack, Maddox, McCraw, M. McLeod, W. McLeod, McMahand, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, Neal, Neilson, Ott, Phillips, Pinckney, Rhoad, Sheheen, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Lloyd, Scott and J. Hines: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EDUCATION BY ADDING CHAPTER 152, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO READINESS ACT" WHICH IS AN INITIATIVE FOR IMPROVING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING GRANTS TO LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ENABLE CHILDREN TO REACH SCHOOL READY TO LEARN; TO ESTABLISH GOALS FOR THIS INITIATIVE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING THE INITIATIVE; TO ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND PROGRAM PARAMETERS FOR LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS; AND TO ESTABLISH FISCAL GUIDELINES, CRITERIA FOR LOCAL MATCHING FUNDS, AND EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS; TO AMEND ARTICLE 17, CHAPTER 7, TITLE 20 RELATING TO THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND OF SOUTH CAROLINA, SO AS TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE FUND TO CHILDREN'S FIRST STEPS TRUST FUND, PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL OVERSEE THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT, AND TO REVISE THE PURPOSES OF THE TRUST FUND AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR ITS GOVERNING BOARD, FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND FUNDING; TO ADD SECTIONS 43-1-240 AND 44-1-280 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE BOARD AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, IN ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES AND FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WHICH IMPACT ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING THE FIRST YEARS OF A CHILD'S LIFE, MUST SUPPORT THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS; TO STATE THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT STATE AGENCIES SUPPORT THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT; TO REQUIRE THE CODE COMMISSIONER TO REVISE REFERENCES IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE TO CONFORM TO THIS ACT, AS FEASIBLE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TERMS OF BOARD MEMBERS OF THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND OF SOUTH CAROLINA EXPIRE ON THIS ACT'S EFFECTIVE DATE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT FUNDS IN THE TRUST FUND PRIOR TO THIS ACT'S EFFECTIVE DATE MUST BE EXPENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PURPOSES OF THE FUND BEFORE AMENDMENT BY THIS ACT; AND TO AMEND CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PUPILS, BY ADDING ARTICLE 13 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE CONDITIONS, REQUIREMENTS, AND PROCEDURES UNDER WHICH LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF TRUSTEES BEGINNING WITH SCHOOL YEAR 1999-2000 SHALL ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A PROGRAM OF ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS, TO PERMIT THESE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO BE OPERATED EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR AS A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS SHALL BE FUNDED.
Very respectfully,
President
Received as information.
The following was introduced:
H. 4190 (Word version) -- Rep. Rice: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH MECHANISM THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE LAMPS ON THE HOUSE DESK WHEN THE MACE IS PLACED IN ITS RACK ON THE ROSTRUM IN FRONT OF THE SPEAKER BY THE SERGEANT AT ARMS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SESSION.
The Concurrent Resolution was ordered referred to the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions.
The following was introduced:
H. 4191 (Word version) -- Rep. Harvin: A HOUSE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO CLARENDON COUNTY LIBRARY DIRECTOR, SYBIL GILBERT, ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AND EXTENDING TO HER THEIR HIGHEST APPRECIATION FOR HER DEDICATED SERVICE AND WISHING FOR HER HAPPINESS AND GOOD HEALTH AS SHE PURSUES OTHER INTERESTS.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced:
H. 4192 (Word version) -- Rep. Harvin: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND WILLIAM T. (BILL) GREGORY FOR HIS EFFORTS IN ENCOURAGING INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN CLARENDON COUNTY AND SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON BEING DESIGNATED AN AMBASSADOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR SOUTH CAROLINA.
The Resolution was adopted.
The following was introduced:
H. 4193 (Word version) -- Rep. Bowers: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HAMPTON OLD COLORED SCHOOL MUSEUM AND INFORMATION CENTER LOCATED IN HAMPTON COUNTY WHICH WAS DEDICATED ON MAY 22, 1999, AND COMMENDING THE COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO MADE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE.
The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.
The following was introduced:
H. 4194 (Word version) -- Reps. Mack, Altman, Breeland, Campsen, Inabinett, Whatley and Whipper: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO NAME THE SOUTHBOUND CONNECTOR OF THE BRIDGE TO BE BUILT TO REPLACE THE JOHN P. GRACE AND THE SILAS N. PEARMAN BRIDGES IN CHARLESTON COUNTY THE "LUCILLE S. WHIPPER CONNECTOR" AND TO ERECT SIGNS OR MARKERS CONTAINING THIS DESIGNATION.
The Concurrent Resolution was ordered referred to the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions.
The following was introduced:
H. 4195 (Word version) -- Reps. Cobb-Hunter, Govan, Ott, Sharpe and Stuart: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND JAMAR GLENN OF BOWMAN FOR HIS OUTSTANDING ALL-ROUND ATHLETIC ABILITIES AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON THE OCCASION OF HIS OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AT THE 1999 SOUTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS RECENTLY HELD AT LOWER RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOL.
The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.
The Senate sent to the House the following:
S. 871 (Word version) -- Senators Hayes, Peeler, Short and Gregory: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE WINTHROP UNIVERSITY EAGLES BASEBALL TEAM ON ITS 1999 BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP.
The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered returned to the Senate with concurrence.
The following Bill was introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committee:
H. 4196 (Word version) -- Reps. Witherspoon, Barfield, Edge, Keegan, Kelley and Miller: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 612 OF 1980, RELATING TO THE COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE HORRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND PROVIDE WHEN THE INCREASE IS EFFECTIVE.
On motion of Rep. WITHERSPOON, with unanimous consent, the Bill was ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.
On motion of Rep. BARFIELD, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 4196 be read the second time tomorrow.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 33 (Word version) -- Senators Moore, O'Dell, Elliott, Giese, Rankin, Washington and Setzler: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-211 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS, 1976, RELATING TO THE MEDICAL DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION, SO AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION TO THIRTY-SIX MEMBERS, TO REQUIRE SIX MEMBERS TO BE ELECTED AT LARGE FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND TO REQUIRE MEMBERS TO BE CURRENTLY LICENSED AND ACTIVELY PRACTICING MEDICINE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Rep. TRIPP made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 493 (Word version) -- Senator Moore: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 40-13-5, 40-13-10, 40-13-20, 40-13-30, 40-13-110, 40-13-230, 40-13-240, AND 40-13-250, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 40-13-310, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, ALL RELATING TO THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF COSMETOLOGISTS, MANICURISTS, AND ESTHETICIANS, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TERM "MANICURIST" TO "NAIL TECHNICIAN"; TO PROVIDE MILEAGE, SUBSISTENCE, AND PER DIEM TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY; TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS OF "COSMETOLOGY" AND "ESTHETICIAN" AND TO DEFINE "APPROVED SCHOOL"; TO REQUIRE A TRADE OR INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL TO BE LICENSED; TO ESTABLISH CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO NOTIFY THE BOARD OF A SCHOOL CLOSING OR TO PROVIDE THE BOARD STUDENT RECORDS; TO REVISE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ESTHETICIANS AND NAIL TECHNICIANS; TO PROVIDE FOR BIENNIAL LICENSE RENEWAL RATHER THAN ANNUAL; AND TO PROVIDE RENEWAL AND REINSTATEMENT PROCEDURES FOR INACTIVE LICENSES.
Rep. F. SMITH made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 726 (Word version) -- Senator Giese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-43-30, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA PHARMACY PRACTICE ACT, SO AS TO REVISE CERTAIN DEFINITIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 40-43-60, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DISPENSING AND SALE OF DRUGS, SO AS TO CLARIFY CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH A PHYSICIAN MAY DISPENSE NONCONTROLLED DRUGS AT A CLINIC PROVIDING FREE MEDICAL SERVICES AND TO CLARIFY WHICH NONNARCOTIC NONPRESCRIPTION DRUGS MAY BE SOLD BY A RETAIL MERCHANT; TO AMEND SECTION 40-43-84, RELATING TO PHARMACY INTERNSHIPS, SO AS TO ALSO REFERENCE EXTERNSHIPS; TO AMEND SECTION 40-43-85 RELATING TO INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, SO AS TO REVISE REQUIREMENTS FOR PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE; TO AMEND SECTION 40-43-86, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO FACILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACIES, DUTIES OF PHARMACISTS-IN-CHARGE AND CONSULTANT PHARMACISTS, AND TO THE SALE OF NONPRESCRIPTION DRUGS, SO AS TO REVISE CERTAIN RECORDKEEPING AND FACILITY REQUIREMENTS, TO REVISE AND CLARIFY THE PHARMACIST TO TECHNICIAN RATIO IN CERTAIN FACILITIES, TO REVISE SPECIFIED CONSULTANT PHARMACIST DUTIES, TO CLARIFY PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SALE OF NONPRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND TO PROHIBIT REQUIRING SUCH DRUGS TO BE SOLD BY PHARMACISTS OR IN A PHARMACY, AND TO PROHIBIT THE POSSESSION, DISPENSING, OR DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN DRUGS WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION OF A LICENSED PRACTITIONER; AND TO AMEND SECTION 40-43-170, RELATING TO DISPENSING OF MEDICATIONS IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY, SO AS TO CLARIFY THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH A ONETIME EMERGENCY REFILL MAY BE DISPENSED.
Rep. LITTLEJOHN made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 384 (Word version) -- Senators Anderson, Washington, Matthews, Patterson, Glover, Ford and Reese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 24-3-30, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF PLACES OF CONFINEMENT FOR A PERSON CONVICTED OF AN OFFENSE AGAINST THE STATE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SHALL CONSIDER PROXIMITY TO THE HOME OF THE CONVICTED PERSON IN DESIGNATING THE PLACE OF HIS CONFINEMENT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
Rep. TRIPP made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
H. 3382 (Word version) -- Reps. Moody-Lawrence, Rutherford, Howard, W. McLeod, Canty, J. Hines, Gourdine, Mack, Whipper, F. Smith, Breeland, Cobb-Hunter, Ott, Martin, McGee, Clyburn, Inabinett, Lloyd, Kennedy, Cave, Wilkes, Jennings, T. Brown, Lee, McMahand, Pinckney, Harvin, M. Hines, Hayes and M. McLeod: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 44-41-345 SO AS TO REQUIRE A FEMALE WHO IS PREGNANT, UNMARRIED, AND UNDER EIGHTEEN TO COMPLETE A PREGNANCY PREVENTION EDUCATION COURSE CONDUCTED BY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE COURSE CONTENT, TO REQUIRE PROFESSIONALS PROVIDING HEALTH CARE TO REFER THESE WOMEN TO THE APPROPRIATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS A COMPONENT OF THEIR HEALTH CARE, AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO CONDUCT A STUDY AND REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON DEVELOPING A SIMILAR COURSE FOR MEN.
Rep. LEACH made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
H. 3903 (Word version) -- Reps. Edge and Kelley: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 7, TITLE 5, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE POWERS, FUNCTIONS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MUNICIPALITIES, SO AS TO ADD SECTION 5-7-145, PROVIDING THAT COASTAL MUNICIPALITIES HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE LIFEGUARD AND OTHER RELATED SAFETY SERVICES ALONG THE PUBLIC BEACHES WITHIN THEIR CORPORATE LIMITS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE MUNICIPALITIES MAY CONTRACT WITH PRIVATE BEACH SAFETY COMPANIES TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES, TO PROVIDE CONDITIONS TO BE SATISFIED IN THE CONTRACTING PROCESS, TO AMEND SECTION 4-9-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ITS AUTHORITY TO GRANT FRANCHISES IN AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW FOR MUNICIPALITIES AND SUBJECT TO THE SAME LIMITATIONS INCLUDES THE AUTHORITY TO GRANT FRANCHISES FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC BEACHES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 5-7-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE POWERS OF THE MUNICIPALITIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE AUTHORITY TO GRANT FRANCHISES FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC BEACHES.
Rep. SANDIFER made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
H. 3317 (Word version) -- Reps. Sharpe, Davenport, Witherspoon, R. Smith, Limehouse and Altman: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 44-96-85 SO AS TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO THE DISPLACEMENT OF A PRIVATE COMPANY PROVIDING COLLECTION SERVICES FOR SOLID WASTE OR RECOVERED MATERIALS OR BOTH.
Rep. BARRETT made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 786 (Word version) -- Senator McGill: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 295 OF 1985, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY, SO AS TO REVISE THE PER DIEM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD RECEIVE FOR EACH MEETING.
Rep. KENNEDY proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name PT\AMEND\1581SD99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking Section 3 of Act 632 of 1980 as contained in SECTION 1 and inserting:
/ "Section 3. No member of the board of trustees may receive a salary but shall receive a per diem of fifty dollars for each meeting with the chairman receiving seventy-five dollars for each meeting. The members of the board shall also receive mileage and subsistence as provided by law for members of boards, committees, and commissions, but the mileage may not exceed twenty cents a mile.
In addition to the per diem of members of the board authorized above, the board, by majority vote, may also increase the per diem of its members by an additional amount not exceeding fifty dollars for each meeting." /
Amend title to conform.
The amendment was then adopted.
The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.
On motion of Rep. KENNEDY, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 786 be read the third time tomorrow.
The following Joint Resolution was taken up:
H. 4077 (Word version) -- Rep. Quinn: A JOINT RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE TRAVEL REGULATIONS FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, TO RECOMMEND CHANGES IN THE POLICIES TO ENHANCE THE EFFICIENCY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STATE'S EXPENDITURES ON THE TRAVEL FOR ITS EMPLOYEES; TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT POLICIES WITHOUT CHANGE WHILE THE STUDY IS BEING CONDUCTED; AND TO REPORT THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY JANUARY 15, 2000.
Rep. F. SMITH made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.
The following Bill was taken up:
S. 528 (Word version) -- Senators Gregory, Waldrep, Ravenel and Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FISH, GAME, AND WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA BOATING REFORM AND SAFETY ACT OF 1999"; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE EQUIPMENT AND OPERATION OF WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR DEFINITIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-110, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO NEGLIGENT OPERATION OF BOATS OR SIMILAR DEVICES, SO AS TO DEFINE NEGLIGENT OPERATION OF A WATERCRAFT AND PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-111 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO PERSON MAY OPERATE OR DIRECT THE OPERATION OF A VESSEL OR USE WATER SKIS OR SIMILAR WATER DEVICES WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS, OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-112, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO USE OF A VESSEL OR WATER DEVICE, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH WHILE OPERATING A VESSEL OR USING A WATER DEVICE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-113 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF RECKLESS OPERATION OF A VESSEL OR WATER DEVICE, AND TO PROVIDES PENALTIES; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-114, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO OPERATION OF A VESSEL OR MANIPULATION OF A WATER DEVICE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON ARRESTED FOR OPERATING A VESSEL OR MANIPULATING A WATER DEVICE IN THE WATERS OF THIS STATE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE GIVEN HIS CONSENT TO ONE OR A COMBINATION OF CHEMICAL TESTS TO DETERMINE THE PRESENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR THE REFUSAL TO TAKE THE CHEMICAL TESTS REQUIRED BY THE ARRESTING OFFICER; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-115, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO RECKLESS HOMICIDE BY OPERATION OF A BOAT, SO AS TO INCREASE THE PERMISSIBLE TERM OF IMPRISONMENT FROM FIVE YEARS TO TEN YEARS; BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-116 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON MUST SUBMIT TO ONE OR A COMBINATION OF TESTS WHEN THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT A PERSON WHO VIOLATED OR IS UNDER ARREST FOR OPERATING A WATERCRAFT WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS, OR A COMBINATION OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS; BY ADDING SECTION 50-21-117 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSES OF OPERATING A VESSEL UNDER SUSPENSION AND USING A WATER DEVICE UNDER SUSPENSION, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-120, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DUTY OF A BOAT LIVERY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE OWNER OF A BOAT LIVERY, HIS AGENT, AND EMPLOYEES, MUST NOT PERMIT A VESSEL TO DEPART FROM HIS PREMISES UNLESS IT IS IN SOUND AND SAFE OPERATING CONDITION, HAVE A VALID REGISTRATION, BE PROPERLY NUMBERED AND TITLED IN THIS STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-130, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF VESSEL OPERATORS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, ACCIDENT, OR OTHER CASUALTY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF FAILURE TO STOP WHEN INJURY, GREAT BODILY INJURY, OR DEATH RESULTS FROM A COLLISION, ACCIDENT, OR OTHER CASUALTY, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-150, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER 21,TITLE 50, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE CHAPTER WHERE PENALTIES ARE NOT SPECIFIED; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-320, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO VESSELS THAT NEED NOT BE NUMBERED, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, WHEN CERTAIN VESSELS COVERED BY A CERTIFICATE OR NUMBER IN EFFECT THAT IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO FEDERAL LAW OR A FEDERAL NUMBERING SYSTEM, NEED NOT BE NUMBERED IN THIS STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-340, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPLICATIONS FOR NUMBER AND CERTIFICATE FOR MOTORBOATS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE APPLICATION FEE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-370, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER FOR RECENTLY PURCHASED WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, WHEN USING A RECENTLY PURCHASED WATERCRAFT UNDER AUTHORITY OF A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER, THE OPERATOR SHALL CARRY A COPY OF THE BILL OF SALE AND THE TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER ON BOARD AS PROOF OF OWNERSHIP; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-710, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO AIDS TO NAVIGATION, NEGLIGENT OPERATION, AND PROHIBITED ACTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT OPERATION OF ANY VESSEL WITHIN A PROHIBITED AREA IS NEGLIGENT OPERATION; TO AMEND SECTION 50-21-870, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT AND BOATING SAFETY, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN PROVISIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-15, RELATING TO PERMITTED MARINE DEALERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR INSPECTION OF PREMISES, BOOKS, AND RECORDS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO ALLOW INSPECTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-70, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATES OF TITLE, SO AS TO INCREASE THE APPLICATION FEES AND PROVIDE FOR AN EXEMPTION FOR WATERCRAFT PROPELLED BY HAND WITH OAR, PADDLE, OR SIMILAR DEVICE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS PERTAINING TO THE TITLED OWNER'S PERSONAL INFORMATION AND THE MANUFACTURER'S HULL AND IDENTIFICATION OR SERIAL NUMBER FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-190, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL ACTS IN CONNECTION WITH WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE A WATERCRAFT WITHOUT DISPLAYING THE ISSUED DECAL; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-210, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CERTIFICATES OF TITLE TO WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MAY REVOKE A CERTIFICATE OF TITLE UPON NOTICE AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING, AND THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY SEIZE REVOKED CERTIFICATES THAT ARE NOT RETURNED TO THE DEPARTMENT; BY ADDING SECTION 50-23-215 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE OWNER OF A VESSEL NUMBERED OR DOCUMENTED IN THIS STATE MUST FURNISH THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE TRANSFER OF HIS INTEREST IN A VESSEL NUMBERED OR DOCUMENTED IN THIS STATE WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE TRANSFER; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-220, RELATING TO DEPOSIT AND USE OF FUNDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT UP TO ONE-HALF OF THE FEES COLLECTED UNDER THIS CHAPTER MAY BE USED FOR ENFORCEMENT OF BOATING LAWS; TO AMEND SECTION 50-23-280, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50, SO AS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES; TO AMEND TITLE 50 OF THE 1976 CODE BY NAMING CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50, "WATERCRAFT AND OUTBOARD MOTORS", TO DESIGNATE SECTIONS 50-23-10 THROUGH 50-23-290 AS ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50 NAMED "TITLING", TO REDESIGNATE ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 21, TITLE 50 AS ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50 NAMED "NUMBERING", AND TO DIRECT THE CODE COMMISSIONER TO RENUMBER THE CODE SECTIONS OF THE EXISTING ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 21, TITLE 50 AS ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50; AND TO REPEAL SECTIONS 50-21-390, 50-21-410, 50-23-10, 50-23-24, AND 50-23-50 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Rep. FLEMING moved that the House do now adjourn.
Rep. SIMRILL demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken, resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Davenport Fleming Hines M. Howard McLeod M. Smith F.
Those who voted in the negative are:
Allison Altman Bailey Bales Barfield Barrett Battle Beck Bowers Brown H. Brown J. Cato Chellis Clyburn Cobb-Hunter Cooper Cotty Dantzler Delleney Easterday Edge Emory Gamble Gilham Gourdine Govan Hamilton Harrell Harris Harrison Harvin Haskins Hawkins Hayes Hines J. Hinson Inabinett Keegan Kelley Kirsh Klauber Knotts Koon Lanford Law Leach Lee Littlejohn Lloyd Lourie Lucas Maddox Martin Mason McCraw McGee McLeod W. McMahand Moody-Lawrence Neal Neal J.M. Neilson Ott Parks Phillips Quinn Rhoad Rice Riser Robinson Rodgers Rutherford Sandifer Scott Seithel Sharpe Simrill Smith D. Smith R. Stille Stuart Taylor Townsend Tripp Vaughn Walker Webb Whatley Wilder Wilkins Witherspoon Young-Brickell
So, the House refused to adjourn.
The Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name GJK\AMEND\20660DJC99):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking Section 50-21-10(2) of the 1976 Code as contained in SECTION 2 and inserting:
/(21)(20) 'Reportable boating accident' means an accident, collision, or other casualty involving a vessel subject to this chapter which results in loss of life, injury which results in loss of consciousness, necessity for medical treatment, necessity to carry a person from the scene, disability which prevents the discharge of normal duties beyond the day of casualty, or actual physical damage to property including vessels in excess of one thousand dollars./
Amend the bill furhter, as and if amended, in Section 50-21-10, page 9, by adding an appropriately numbered item to read:
/( ) "Water craft" means any motorboat, boat, personal watercraft or vessel. It does not include water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards or other similar devices. /
Amend the bill furhter, as and if amended, in Section 50-21-112(C), beginning on page 13 and inserting:
/(C) Any person convicted of operating a water device in violation of subsection (A), in addition to any other penalties, must be prohibited by the department from operating any water device within this State for six months for the first conviction, one year for the second conviction, and two years for the third conviction. Only those violations, which occurred within ten years including and immediately preceding the date of the last violation, shall constitute prior violations within the meaning of this section.
A person whose privilege is suspended under the provisions of this section must be notified by the department of the suspension and of the requirement to enroll in and successfully complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program certified by the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services prior to reinstatement of the privilege. An assessment of the degree extent and nature of alcohol and drug abuse problem, if any, of the applicant must be prepared and a plan of education or treatment, or both, must be developed based upon the assessment. Entry into and successful completion of the services, if such services are necessary, recommended in the plan of education or treatment, or both, developed for the applicant is a mandatory requirement of the restoration of privileges to the applicant. The Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program shall determine if the applicant has successfully completed the services. The Departmet of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services shall determine the cost of services provided by each certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. Each applicant shall bear the cost of services recommended in the applicant's plan of education or treatment.. The cost of services must be within the limits set forth in Section 56-5-2990 (C) No applicant may be denied services due to an inability to pay. Inability to pay for services may not be used as a factor in determining of the applicant has successfully completed services. If the applicant has not successfully completed the services as directed by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program within one year of enrollment, a hearing must be provided by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program and if further needed by the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services.
The department and the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services shall develop procedures necessary for the communication of information pertaining to reinstating the privilege, or otherwise. The procedures must be consistent with the confidentiality laws of this State and the United States.
A person convicted under this section, in addition to any other penalties, shall be required by the department to attend and complete a boating safety education program approved by the department. The person required to attend the program shall reimburse the department for the expense of the program. The person's privilege to operate a water device within this State shall be suspended until successful completion of the required program./
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, by striking SECTIONS 15 and 16 on page 25 in their entirety.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. LITTLEJOHN objected to the Bill.
Rep. WITHERSPOON explained the amendment.
The SPEAKER granted Rep. F. SMITH a leave of absence for the remainder of the day.
Rep. WITHERSPOON continued speaking.
Reps. TRIPP, HAWKINS, WITHERSPOON, SHARPE, KNOTTS, STUART, GAMBLE, RISER, DANTZLER, WOODRUM, HAYES, BARFIELD, DAVENPORT, PHILLIPS, RHOAD, GOURDINE and OTT requested debate on the Bill.
Rep. LITTLEJOHN withdrew his objection to S. 528; however, other requests for debate remained on the Bill.
Reps. ROBINSON and MCMAHAND withdrew their requests for debate on H. 3552; however, other objections and requests for debate remained on the Bill.
Rep. BARRETT withdrew his request for debate on S. 118; however, other requests for debate remained on the Bill.
Rep. ROBINSON withdrew his request for debate on S. 199; however, other requests for debate remained on the Bill.
Rep. ALLISON asked unanimous consent to recall H. 3750 from the Committee on Ways and Means.
Rep. COBB-HUNTER objected.
Rep. H. BROWN asked unanimous consent to recall S. 11 from the Committee on Ways and Means.
Rep. OTT objected.
Rep. LANFORD asked unanimous consent to recall H. 3827 from the Committee on Ways and Means.
Rep. KELLEY objected.
Rep. ROBINSON asked unanimous consent to recall H. 4166 from the Committee on Ways and Means.
Rep. SCOTT objected.
Rep. R. SMITH asked unanimous consent to recall S. 11 from the Committee on Ways and Means.
Rep. OTT objected.
Rep. MARTIN asked unanimous consent to recall S. 304 from the Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs.
Rep. COBB-HUNTER objected.
The motion period was dispensed with on motion of Rep. EASTERDAY.
The following Bill was taken up:
H. 3552 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrison, D. Smith, J. Brown, Cobb-Hunter, Cotty, Harvin, Jennings, Klauber, Limehouse, Lourie, Maddox, Seithel, F. Smith, J. Smith, Stuart, Whipper and Wilkes: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-6520, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MANDATORY USE OF SEAT BELTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE ALL PERSONS REGARDLESS OF AGE TO WEAR A SEAT BELT OR BE IN A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM AS APPROPRIATE AND TO CONFORM THIS PROVISION WITH THE CHILD RESTRAINT PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 47, CHAPTER 5, TITLE 56; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-6530, RELATING TO EXCEPTIONS FROM MANDATORY USE OF SEAT BELTS, SO AS TO DELETE AN EXCEPTION FOR CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS IN ORDER TO CONFORM TO THESE PROVISIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-6540, RELATING TO THE PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS OF MANDATORY SEAT BELT USE, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE PRIMARY ENFORCEMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT TO WEAR SEAT BELTS, TO INCREASE THE FINE FOR FAILURE TO WEAR A SEAT BELT, AND TO IMPOSE THE FINE ON THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE IF AN OCCUPANT UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN IS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT.
Rep. SIMRILL moved to recommit the Bill.
Rep. HARRISON moved to table the motion.
Rep. SCOTT demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken, resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Allen Allison Brown H. Carnell Cobb-Hunter Cotty Gamble Gilham Harris Harrison Harvin Hawkins Hinson Howard Jennings Keegan Klauber Knotts Koon Law Leach Littlejohn Loftis Lourie Lucas Maddox McCraw McGee McLeod W. Miller Ott Phillips Riser Rodgers Seithel Smith D. Smith R. Stuart Taylor Webb Whipper Wilder Wilkins Woodrum
Those who voted in the negative are:
Altman Bailey Bales Barfield Barrett Battle Beck Bowers Breeland Brown J. Cato Chellis Cooper Dantzler Davenport Delleney Easterday Edge Emory Fleming Gourdine Govan Hamilton Hayes Hines M. Inabinett Kelley Kennedy Kirsh Lanford Lee Lloyd Mack Mason McLeod M. McMahand Moody-Lawrence Neal Neal J.M. Neilson Parks Rhoad Rice Robinson Rutherford Sandifer Scott Sharpe Simrill Smith F. Vaughn Wilkes Witherspoon Young-Brickell
So, the House refused to table the motion to recommit.
The question then recurred to the motion to recommit the Bill, which was agreed to.
The following Bill was taken up:
H. 3037 (Word version) -- Rep. Miller: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 7 TO TITLE 31 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF INDEBTEDNESS BY COUNTIES IN CONNECTION WITH REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND THE PAYMENT OF SUCH INDEBTEDNESS FROM ADDED INCREMENTS OF TAX REVENUES.
Rep. MILLER proposed the following Amendment No. 2 (Doc Name PT\AMEND\1496DDJC99), which was adopted.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Title 31 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 31-7-10. This chapter may be cited as the 'Tax Increment Financing Act for Counties'.
Section 31-7-20. (A) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Section 14(10) of Article X of the Constitution of South Carolina provides that the General Assembly may authorize by general law that indebtedness for the purpose of redevelopment within counties may be incurred and that the debt service of such indebtedness be provided from the added increments of tax revenues to result from the project.
(2) An increasing demand for public services must be provided from a limited tax base. Incentives must be provided for redevelopment in areas which are, or threaten to become, predominantly slum or blighted.
(3) There exist in many counties of this State blighted, conservation, and sprawl areas; the sprawl and conservation areas are rapidly deteriorating and declining and may soon become blighted areas if their decline is not checked; the stable economic and physical development of the blighted areas, conservation areas, and sprawl areas are endangered by the presence of blighting factors as manifested by progressive and advanced deterioration of structures, by the overuse of housing and other facilities, by a lack of physical maintenance of existing structures, by obsolete and inadequate community facilities, and a lack of sound community planning, by obsolete platting, diversity of ownership, excessive tax, and special assessment delinquencies, or by a combination of these factors; that as a result of the existence of blighted areas, areas requiring conservation, and sprawl areas, there is an excessive and disproportionate expenditure of public funds, inadequate public and private investment, unmarketability of property, growth in delinquencies and crime, and housing and zoning law violations in such areas together with an abnormal exodus of families and businesses so that the decline of these areas impairs the value of private investments and threatens the sound growth and the tax base of taxing districts in such areas, and threatens the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public.
(4) In order to promote and protect the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public, blighted conditions need to be eradicated and conservation measures instituted, sprawl areas controlled, and redevelopment of such areas undertaken; to remove and alleviate adverse conditions it is necessary to encourage private investment and restore and enhance the tax base of the taxing districts in such areas by the redevelopment of project areas. The eradication of blighted areas and treatment and improvement of sprawl areas and conservation areas by redevelopment projects is declared to be essential to the public interest.
(5) The use of incremental tax revenues derived from the tax rates of various taxing districts in redevelopment project areas for the payment of redevelopment project costs is of benefit to the taxing districts because taxing districts located in redevelopment project areas would not derive the benefits of an increased assessment base without the benefits of tax increment financing, all surplus tax revenues are turned over to the taxing districts in redevelopment project areas, and all taxing districts benefit from the removal of blighted conditions, the eradication of conditions requiring conservation measures, and control of sprawl conditions.
(B) The General Assembly intends to implement the authorization granted in Article X, Section 14 of the Constitution of this State. The authorization in this chapter provides for this State an essential method for financing redevelopment. The governing bodies of the counties are vested with all powers consistent with the Constitution necessary, useful, and desirable to enable them to accomplish redevelopment in areas which are or threaten to become blighted and to sufficiently meet all constitutional requirements pertaining to incurring indebtedness for the purpose of redevelopment and funding the debt service of such indebtedness from the added increment of tax revenues to result from such redevelopment as provided in Section 14(10) of Article X of the Constitution of this State. The indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 14(10) of Article X of the Constitution is exempt from all debt limitations imposed by Article X. The powers granted in this chapter must be in all respects exercised for the benefit of the inhabitants of the State, for the increase of its commerce, and for the promotion of its welfare and prosperity.
(C) All action taken by any county in carrying out the purposes of this chapter shall perform essential governmental functions.
(D) Pursuant to the authorization granted in Article VIII, Section 13, of the Constitution of this State, if a redevelopment project area is located in more than one county, the powers granted herein may be exercised jointly.
Section 31-7-30. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) 'Blighted area' means any improved or vacant area within the boundaries of a redevelopment project area located within the territorial limits of a county where:
(a) if improved, industrial, commercial, and residential buildings or improvements, because of a combination of five or more of the following factors: age; dilapidation; obsolescence; deterioration; illegal use of individual structures; presence of structures below minimum code standards; excessive vacancies; overcrowding of structures and community facilities; lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities; inadequate utilities; excessive land coverage; deleterious land use or layout; depreciation of physical maintenance; lack of community planning, are detrimental to the public safety, health, morals, or welfare or;
(b) if vacant, the sound growth is impaired by:
(i) a combination of two or more of the following factors: obsolete platting of the vacant land; diversity of ownership of such land; tax and special assessment delinquencies on such land; deterioration of structures or site improvements in neighboring areas adjacent to the vacant land; or
(ii) the area immediately prior to becoming vacant qualified as a blighted area. Any area within a redevelopment plan established by Chapter 10 of Title 31 is deemed to be a blighted area.
(2) 'Conservation area' means any vacant or improved area within the boundaries of a redevelopment project area located within the territorial limits of a county that is not yet a blighted area but, because of a combination of three or more of the following factors: dilapidation; obsolescence; deterioration; illegal use of structures; presence of structures below minimum code standards; abandonment; excessive vacancies; overcrowding of structures and community facilities; lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities; inadequate utilities; excessive land coverage; depreciation of physical maintenance; or lack of community planning, is detrimental to the public safety, health, morals, or welfare and may become a blighted area.
(3) 'Sprawl area' means a vacant or improved area within the boundaries of a redevelopment project area located within the territorial limits of the unincorporated area of a county that is not yet a blighted area nor a conservation area but, because of the existence of one or more of the following conditions, has the potential to become blighted or in need of conservation:
(a) The sprawl area is an unincorporated urban zone, UUZ, which is an area within the unincorporated portion of the county issuing the finding and has a population density equal to or greater than the average population density of the incorporated municipalities within the territorial limits of the county issuing the finding.
(b) The sprawl area is a linear service zone, LSZ, which is an area within the unincorporated portion of the county issuing the finding which is or is likely to become an area no more than two miles wide at its widest point and no less than three miles in length and which, due to development within the zone, represents an impediment to vehicular and pedestrian traffic so that the county finds its existence a detriment to the:
( i) economic health and well-being of the county;
( ii) health or safety of the persons living, working, or traveling through the zone; or
(iii) efficient provision of governmental services both within and without the zone.
(c) The sprawl area is a rural redevelopment zone, RRZ, which is an area within the unincorporated portion of the county issuing the finding which consists primarily of vacant land which, if provided with certain environmental, energy, transportation, or communications infrastructure, could be developed as a planned community consisting of a minimum of one thousand contiguous acres of land, inclusive of flooded land.
(4) 'Municipality means an incorporated municipality of this State.
(5) 'Obligations' means bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness issued by the county to carry out a redevelopment project or to refund outstanding obligations.
(6) 'Redevelopment plan' means the comprehensive program of the county for redevelopment intended by the payment of redevelopment costs to reduce or eliminate those conditions which qualified the redevelopment project area as a blighted area, conservation area, or sprawl area, or combination of two or three of them, and to enhance the tax bases of the taxing districts which extend into the project redevelopment area. Each redevelopment plan shall set forth in writing the program to be undertaken to accomplish the objectives and shall include, but not be limited to, estimated redevelopment project costs, the anticipated sources of funds to pay costs, the nature and term of any obligations to be issued, the most recent equalized assessed valuation of the project area, an estimate as to the equalized assessed valuation after redevelopment, and the general land uses to apply in the redevelopment project area. A redevelopment plan established by Chapter 10 of Title 31 is deemed a redevelopment plan for purposes of this paragraph.
(7) 'Redevelopment project' means any buildings, improvements, including street improvements, water, sewer and storm drainage facilities, parking facilities, and recreational facilities. Any project or undertaking authorized under Section 6-21-50 may also qualify as a redevelopment project under this chapter. All such projects are to be publicly owned.
(8) 'Redevelopment project area' means an area designated by the county, which is not less in the aggregate than one and one-half acres and in respect to which the county has made a finding that there exist conditions that cause the area to be classified as a blighted area, a conservation area, or a sprawl area, or a combination of two or three of them. The total aggregate amount of all redevelopment project areas of any one county may not exceed five percent of the total acreage of the county.
(9) 'Redevelopment project costs' means and includes the sum total of all reasonable or necessary costs incurred or estimated to be incurred and any costs incidental to a redevelopment project. The costs include, without limitation:
(a) costs of studies and surveys, plans, and specifications; professional service costs including, but not limited to, architectural, engineering, legal, marketing, financial, planning, or special services;
(b) property assembly costs including, but not limited to, acquisition of land and other property, real or personal, or rights or interest therein, demolition of buildings, and the clearing and grading of land;
(c) costs of rehabilitation, reconstruction, repair, or remodeling of a redevelopment project;
(d) costs of the construction of a redevelopment project;
(e) financing costs including, but not limited to, all necessary and incidental expenses related to the issuance of obligations and which may include payment of interest on any obligations issued under the provisions of this chapter accruing during the estimated period of construction of any redevelopment project for which the obligations are issued and including reasonable reserves related thereto;
(f) relocation costs to the extent that a county determines that relocation costs must be paid or required by federal or state law.
(10) 'Taxing districts' means counties, incorporated municipalities, schools, special purpose districts, and public and any other municipal corporations or districts with the power to levy taxes. Taxing districts include school districts which have taxes levied on their behalf.
(11) 'Vacant land' means any parcel or combination of parcels of real property without industrial, commercial, and residential buildings.
(12) 'County' means any county in the State.
Section 31-7-40. Obligations secured by the special tax allocation fund set forth in Section 31-7-70 for the redevelopment project area may be issued to provide for redevelopment project costs. The obligations, when so issued, must be retired in the manner provided in the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the obligations by the receipts of taxes levied as specified in Section 31-7-110 against the taxable property included in the area and other revenue as specified in Section 31-7-110 designated by the county which source does not involve revenues from any tax or license. In the ordinance the county may pledge all or any part of the funds in and to be deposited in the special tax allocation fund created pursuant to Section 31-7-70 to the payment of the redevelopment project costs and obligations. Any pledge of funds in the special tax allocation fund must provide for distribution to the taxing districts of monies not required for payment and securing of the obligations and the excess funds are surplus funds. In the event a county only pledges a portion of the monies in the special tax allocation fund for the payment of redevelopment project costs or obligations, any funds remaining in the special tax allocation fund after complying with the requirements of the pledge are also considered surplus funds. All surplus funds must be distributed annually to the taxing districts in the redevelopment project area by being paid by the county to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall immediately thereafter make distribution to the respective taxing districts in the same manner and proportion as the most recent distribution by the county treasurer to the affected districts of real property taxes from real property in the redevelopment project area. In addition to obligations secured by the special tax allocation fund, the county may pledge for a period not greater than the term of the obligations toward payment of the obligations any part of the revenues remaining after payment of operation and maintenance, of all or part of any redevelopment project. The obligations may be issued in one or more series, may bear such date or dates, may mature at such time or times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates, may bear such rate or rates of interest as the governing body shall determine, may be in such denomination or denominations, may be in such form, either coupon or registered, may carry such registration and conversion privileges, may be executed in such manner, may be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, may be subject to such terms of redemption, with or without premium, may be declared or become due before the maturity date thereof, may provide for the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, stolen, or lost bonds, may be authenticated in such manner and upon compliance with such conditions, and may contain such other terms and covenants, as may be provided by the governing body of the county. If the governing body determines to sell any obligations the obligations must be sold at public or private sale in such manner and upon such terms as the governing body considers best for the interest of the county.
A certified copy of the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the obligations must be filed with the treasurer of each county in which any portion of a redevelopment project is situated and shall constitute the authority for the extension and collection of the taxes to be deposited in the special tax allocation fund.
A county also may issue its obligations to refund in whole or in part obligations previously issued by the county under the authority of this chapter, whether at or prior to maturity, and all references in this chapter to 'obligations' are considered to include these refunding obligations. The debt incurred by a county pursuant to this chapter is exclusive of any statutory limitation upon the indebtedness a taxing district may incur. All obligations issued pursuant to this chapter shall contain a statement on the face of the obligation specifying the sources from which payment is to be made and shall state that the full faith, credit, and taxing powers are not pledged for the obligations.
The trustee or depositary under any indenture may be such persons or corporations as the governing body designates, or they may be nonresidents of South Carolina or incorporated under the laws of the United States or the laws of other states of the United States.
Section 31-7-50. The proceeds from obligations issued under authority of this chapter must be applied only for the purpose for which they were issued. Any premium and accrued interest received in any such sale must be applied to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the obligations sold. Any portion of the proceeds not needed for redevelopment project costs must be applied to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the obligations.
Section 31-7-60. The obligations authorized by this chapter and the income from the obligations and all security agreements and indentures executed as security for the obligations made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and the revenue derived from the obligations are exempt from all taxation in the State of South Carolina except for inheritance, estate, or transfer taxes and all security agreements and indentures made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter are exempt from all state stamp and transfer taxes.
Section 31-7-70. A county, within five years after the date of adoption of an ordinance providing for approval of a redevelopment plan pursuant to Section 31-7-80, may issue obligations under this chapter to finance the redevelopment project upon adoption of an ordinance providing that:
(1) after the issuance of the obligations; and
(2) after the total equalized assessed valuation of the taxable real property in a redevelopment project area exceeds the certified 'total initial equalized assessed value' established in accordance with Section 31-7-100(B) of all taxable real property in the project area, the ad valorem taxes, if any, arising from the levies upon taxable real property in the project area by taxing districts and tax rates determined in the manner provided in Section 31-7-100(B) each year after the obligations have been issued until obligations issued under this chapter have been retired and redevelopment project costs have been paid must be divided as follows:
(a) that portion of taxes levied upon each taxable lot, block, tract, or parcel of real property which is attributable to the total initial equalized assessed value of all taxable real property in the redevelopment project area must be allocated to and when collected must be paid by the county treasurer to the respective affected taxing districts in the manner required by law in the absence of the adoption of the redevelopment plan; and
(b) that portion, if any, of taxes which is attributable to the increase in the current total equalized assessed valuation of all taxable real property in the redevelopment project area over and above the total initial equalized assessed value of taxable real property in the redevelopment project area must be allocated to and when collected must be paid to the county which shall deposit the taxes into a special fund called the special tax allocation fund of the county for the purpose of paying redevelopment project costs and obligations incurred in the payment of the costs and obligations. The county may pledge in the ordinance the funds in and to be deposited in the special tax allocation fund for the payment of the costs and obligations.
Any ordinance adopted based on acts of the county occurring before the effective date of this chapter must incorporate by reference and adopt those prior acts undertaken in accordance with the procedures of this chapter as if they had been undertaken pursuant to this chapter.
When obligations issued under this chapter have been retired and redevelopment project costs incurred under this chapter have been paid or budgeted pursuant to the redevelopment plan, as evidenced by resolution of the governing body of the county, all surplus funds then remaining in the special tax allocation fund must be paid by the county treasurer immediately to the taxing districts in the redevelopment project area in the same manner and proportion as the most recent distribution by the treasurer to the affected districts of real property taxes from real property in the redevelopment project area.
Upon the payment of all redevelopment project costs, retirement of all obligations of a county issued under this chapter, and the distribution of any surplus monies pursuant to this section, the county shall adopt an ordinance dissolving the tax allocation fund for the project redevelopment area and terminating the designation of the redevelopment project area as a redevelopment project area for purposes of this chapter. Thereafter, the rates of the taxing districts must be extended and taxes levied, collected, and distributed in the manner applicable in the absence of the adoption of a redevelopment plan and the issuance of obligations under this chapter.
If five years have passed from the time a redevelopment project area is designated and the county has not issued obligations under this chapter to finance the redevelopment project, upon the expiration of the five-year term, the county shall adopt an ordinance terminating the designation of the redevelopment project area.
Section 31-7-75. If a municipality annexes a tract of property located in a redevelopment project area, the value of each parcel of real property therein for purposes of the ad valorem taxes of the municipality shall be that which is attributable to its initial equalized assessed value before the redevelopment project and not to the increase in its equalized assessed value due to the redevelopment project.
Section 31-7-80. (A) Prior to the issuance of any obligations under this chapter, the county shall set forth by way of ordinance the following:
(1) a copy of the redevelopment plan containing a statement of the objectives of a county with regard to the plan;
(2) a statement indicating the need for and proposed use of the proceeds of the obligations in relationship to the redevelopment plan;
(3) a statement containing the cost estimates of the redevelopment plan and redevelopment project and the projected sources of revenue to be used to meet the costs including estimates of tax increments and the total amount of indebtedness to be incurred;
(4) a list of all real property in the redevelopment project area;
(5) the duration of the redevelopment plan;
(6) a statement of the estimated impact of the redevelopment plan upon the revenues of all taxing districts in which a redevelopment project area is located and, if residential development is included in the plan, the estimated impact on public school enrollment;
(7) findings that:
(a) the redevelopment project area is a blighted, conservation, or sprawl area and that private initiatives are unlikely to alleviate these conditions without substantial public assistance,
(b) property values in the area would remain static or decline without public intervention, and
(c) redevelopment is in the interest of the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the county.
(B) Before approving any redevelopment plan under this chapter, the governing body of the county must hold a public hearing on the redevelopment plan after published notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the county and any taxing district affected by the redevelopment plan is located not less than fifteen days and not more than thirty days prior to the hearing. The notice shall include:
(1) the time and place of the public hearing;
(2) the boundaries of the proposed redevelopment project area;
(3) a notification that all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing;
(4) a description of the redevelopment plan and redevelopment project; and
(5) the maximum estimated term of obligations to be issued under the redevelopment plan.
Not less than forty-five days prior to the date set for the public hearing, the county shall give notice to all taxing districts of which taxable property is included in the redevelopment project area, and in addition to the other requirements of the notice set forth in the section, the notice shall request each taxing district to submit comments to the county concerning the subject matter of the hearing prior to the date of the public hearing.
(C) If a taxing district does not file an objection to the redevelopment plan at or prior to the date of the public hearing, the taxing district is considered to have consented to the redevelopment plan and the issuance of obligations under this chapter to finance the redevelopment project, provided that the actual term of obligations issued is equal to or less than the term stated in the notice of public hearing. The county may issue obligations to finance the redevelopment project to the extent that each affected taxing district consents to the redevelopment plan. The tax increment for a taxing district that does not consent to the redevelopment plan must not be included in the special tax allocation fund.
(D) If the redevelopment plan includes residential development, then to the extent that the findings pursuant to subsection (A)(6) demonstrate increased public school enrollment because of this development, then an amount of the increment equal to the average property tax collected per pupil in the district multiplied by the estimated increased enrollment is not credited to the special tax allocation fund but is instead allocated to the affected school district as other school tax revenue.
(E) Prior to the adoption of an ordinance approving a redevelopment plan pursuant to Section 31-7-80, changes may be made in the redevelopment plan which do not alter the exterior boundaries or do not substantially affect the general land use established in the plan or substantially change the nature of the redevelopment project, without further hearing or notice, provided that notice of the changes is given by mail to each affected taxing district and by publication in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation within the taxing districts not less than ten days prior to the adoption of the changes by ordinance. Notice of the adoption of the ordinance must be published by the county in a newspaper having general circulation in the affected taxing districts. Any interested party may, within twenty days after the date of publication of the notice of adoption of the redevelopment plan, but not afterwards, challenge the validity of such adoption by action de novo in the court of common pleas in the county in which the redevelopment plan is located.
(F) After adoption of an ordinance approving a redevelopment plan, any alteration in the exterior boundaries, general land uses established pursuant to the redevelopment plan, maximum term of maturity of obligations to be issued under the plan, or the redevelopment project must be approved by resolution of each affected taxing district in accordance with the procedures provided in this chapter for the initial approval of a redevelopment project and designation of a redevelopment project area.
Section 31-7-90. When there are any persons residing in the area covered by the redevelopment plan:
(1) the redevelopment plan shall include:
(a) an assessment of the displacement impact of the redevelopment project and provisions for the relocation of all persons who would be displaced by the project, provided that no residents may be displaced by a redevelopment project unless housing is made available to them pursuant to the terms of this section;
(b) provisions for the creation of housing opportunities to the extent feasible to enable a substantial number of the displaced persons to relocate within or in close proximity to the area covered by the redevelopment plan.
(2) Prior to authorizing the demolition of any residential units in connection with a tax increment financing plan, the governing body of the county must ensure that the redevelopment plan complies with the requirements of this section and further that standard housing is made available to all persons to be displaced.
(3) Persons displaced by a redevelopment plan are entitled to the benefits and protections available under Section 28-11-10. The costs of the relocation are proper expenditures for the proceeds of any obligations issued under this chapter.
Section 31-7-100. (A) If a county by ordinance approves a redevelopment plan pursuant to Section 31-7-80, the auditor of the county, immediately after adoption of the ordinance pursuant to Section 31-7-80, upon request of the county, must determine and certify:
(1) the most recently ascertained equalized assessed value of all taxable real property within the redevelopment project area, as of the date of adoption of the ordinance adopted pursuant to Section 31-7-80, which value is the 'initial equalized assessed value' of the property; and
(2) the total equalized assessed value of all taxable real property within the redevelopment project area and certifying the amount as the 'total initial equalized assessed value' of the taxable real property within the redevelopment project area.
(B) After the county auditor has certified the total initial equalized assessed value of the taxable real property in the area, then in respect to every taxing district containing a redevelopment project area, the county auditor or any other official required by law to ascertain the amount of the equalized assessed value of all taxable property within the district for the purpose of computing the rate percent of tax to be extended upon taxable property within such district, shall in every year that obligations are outstanding for redevelopment projects in the redevelopment area ascertain the amount of value of taxable property in a project redevelopment area by including in the amount the certified total initial equalized assessed value of all taxable real property in the area in lieu of the equalized assessed value of all taxable real property in the area. The rate percent of tax determined must be extended to the current equalized assessed value of all property in the redevelopment project area in the same manner as the rate percent of tax is extended to all other taxable property in the taxing district. The method of extending taxes established under this section terminates when the county adopts an ordinance dissolving the special tax allocation fund for the redevelopment project.
Section 31-7-110. Revenues received by the county from any property, building, or facility owned by the county or any agency or authority established by the county in the redevelopment project area may be used to pay redevelopment project costs or reduce outstanding obligations of the county incurred under this chapter for redevelopment project costs. If the obligations are used to finance the extension or expansion of a system as defined in Section 6-21-40 in the redevelopment project area, all or a portion of the revenues of the system, whether or not located entirely within the redevelopment project area, including the revenues of the redevelopment project, may be pledged to secure the obligations issued under this chapter. The county is fully empowered to use any of the powers granted by either or both of the provisions of Chapter 17 of Title 6 (The Revenue Bond Refinancing Act of 1937) or the provisions of Chapter 21 of Title 6 (Revenue Bond Act for Utilities). In exercising the powers conferred by the provisions, the county may make any pledges and covenants authorized by any provision of those chapters. The county may place the revenues in the special tax allocation fund or a separate fund which must be held by the county or financial institution designated by the county. Revenue received by the county from the sale or other disposition of real property acquired by the county with the proceeds of obligations issued under the provisions of this chapter must be deposited by the county in the special tax allocation fund or a separate fund which must be held by the county or financial institution designated by the county. Proceeds of grants may be pledged by the county and deposited in the special tax allocation fund or a separate fund.
Section 31-7-120. Counties and municipalities may jointly adopt redevelopment plans and authorize obligations as provided under the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 6 of this title."
SECTION 2. Items (6) and (9) of Section 31-6-30 of the 1976 Code are amended to read:
"(6) 'Redevelopment project' means any buildings, improvements, including street improvements, water, sewer and storm drainage facilities, parking facilities, and recreational facilities. Any project or undertaking authorized under SECTION 6-21-50 may also qualify as a redevelopment project under this chapter. All such projects are to be owned by the municipality publicly owned.
(9) 'Taxing districts' means counties, incorporated municipalities, schools, special purpose districts, and public and any other municipal corporations or districts with the power to levy taxes. Taxing districts include school districts which have taxes levied on their behalf."
SECTION 3. The third and fifth undesignated paragraphs of Section 31-6-80 of the 1976 Code are amended to read:
"If a taxing district does not file an objection to the redevelopment plan at or prior to the date of the public hearing, the taxing district is considered to have consented to the redevelopment plan and the issuance of obligations under this chapter to finance the redevelopment project, provided that the actual term of obligations issued is equal to or less than the term stated in the notice of public hearing. The municipality may issue obligations to finance the redevelopment project if less than all taxing districts consent to the extent that each affected taxing district consents to the redevelopment plan. The tax increment for a taxing district that does not consent to the redevelopment plan must not be included in the special tax allocation fund after the first fifteen years after the initial issuance of obligations to finance such plan. No consent is required of any taxing district if the term of the proposed initial obligations is fifteen years or less or, in the case of any additional or refunding obligations, if the term of the obligations is not greater than the later of (a) fifteen years from the date of issuance of the initial or refunded obligations or (b) the remaining term of the initial or refunded obligations.
After adoption of an ordinance approving a redevelopment plan, any alteration in the exterior boundaries, general land uses established pursuant to the redevelopment plan, maximum term of maturity of obligations to be issued under the plan, or nature of the redevelopment project must be approved by ordinance resolution of the municipality each affected taxing district in accordance with the procedures provided in this chapter for the initial approval of a redevelopment project and designation of a redevelopment project area."
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. MILLER explained the amendment.
Rep. ALTMAN moved to table the amendment.
Rep. MILLER demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken, resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Altman Barfield Barrett Brown H. Chellis Cooper Davenport Easterday Edge Hamilton Harrell Hinson Keegan Kelley Koon Law Rice Robinson Sandifer Smith D. Witherspoon Woodrum Young-Brickell
Those who voted in the negative are:
Allen Allison Bailey Bales Battle Beck Bowers Breeland Brown J. Carnell Cato Clyburn Cobb-Hunter Cotty Dantzler Delleney Emory Gilham Gourdine Govan Harris Harvin Haskins Hawkins Hayes Hines J. Hines M. Howard Inabinett Jennings Kennedy Kirsh Klauber Knotts Lanford Leach Lee Littlejohn Lloyd Loftis Lourie Lucas Mack Maddox Martin Mason McCraw McGee McLeod M. McLeod W. McMahand Miller Moody-Lawrence Neal Neal J.M. Neilson Ott Parks Phillips Quinn Rhoad Riser Rodgers Rutherford Scott Seithel Simrill Smith F. Smith R. Stuart Taylor Vaughn Webb Whipper Wilder Wilkes Wilkins
So, the House refused to table the amendment.
The question then recurred to the adoption of the amendment, which was agreed to.
I was out the chamber on the phone with my doctor's office when the vote was taken on Amendment No. 2. Had I been in the chamber, I would have voted in favor of this amendment.
Rep. GAMBLE
The Ways and Means Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name KGH\AMEND\15636HTC99), which was tabled.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Title 31 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 31-7-10. This chapter may be cited as the 'Tax Increment Financing Act for Counties'.
Section 31-7-20. (A) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Section 14(10) of Article X of the Constitution of South Carolina provides that the General Assembly may authorize by general law that indebtedness for the purpose of redevelopment within counties may be incurred and that the debt service of such indebtedness be provided from the added increments of tax revenues to result from the project.
(2) An increasing demand for public services must be provided from a limited tax base. Incentives must be provided for redevelopment in areas which are, or threaten to become, predominantly slum or blighted.
(3) There exist in many counties of this State blighted, conservation, and sprawl areas; the sprawl and conservation areas are rapidly deteriorating and declining and may soon become blighted areas if their decline is not checked; the stable economic and physical development of the blighted areas, conservation areas, and sprawl areas are endangered by the presence of blighting factors as manifested by progressive and advanced deterioration of structures, by the overuse of housing and other facilities, by a lack of physical maintenance of existing structures, by obsolete and inadequate community facilities, and a lack of sound community planning, by obsolete platting, diversity of ownership, excessive tax, and special assessment delinquencies, or by a combination of these factors; that as a result of the existence of blighted areas, areas requiring conservation, and sprawl areas, there is an excessive and disproportionate expenditure of public funds, inadequate public and private investment, unmarketability of property, growth in delinquencies and crime, and housing and zoning law violations in such areas together with an abnormal exodus of families and businesses so that the decline of these areas impairs the value of private investments and threatens the sound growth and the tax base of taxing districts in such areas, and threatens the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public.
(4) In order to promote and protect the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public, blighted conditions need to be eradicated and conservation measures instituted, sprawl areas controlled, and redevelopment of such areas undertaken; to remove and alleviate adverse conditions it is necessary to encourage private investment and restore and enhance the tax base of the taxing districts in such areas by the redevelopment of project areas. The eradication of blighted areas and treatment and improvement of sprawl areas and conservation areas by redevelopment projects is declared to be essential to the public interest.
(5) The use of incremental tax revenues derived from the tax rates of various taxing districts in redevelopment project areas for the payment of redevelopment project costs is of benefit to the taxing districts because taxing districts located in redevelopment project areas would not derive the benefits of an increased assessment base without the benefits of tax increment financing, all surplus tax revenues are turned over to the taxing districts in redevelopment project areas, and all taxing districts benefit from the removal of blighted conditions, the eradication of conditions requiring conservation measures, and control of sprawl conditions.
(B) The General Assembly intends to implement the authorization granted in Article X, Section 14 of the Constitution of this State. The authorization in this chapter provides for this State an essential method for financing redevelopment. The governing bodies of the counties are vested with all powers consistent with the Constitution necessary, useful, and desirable to enable them to accomplish redevelopment in areas which are or threaten to become blighted and to sufficiently meet all constitutional requirements pertaining to incurring indebtedness for the purpose of redevelopment and funding the debt service of such indebtedness from the added increment of tax revenues to result from such redevelopment as provided in Section 14(10) of Article X of the Constitution of this State. The indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 14(10) of Article X of the Constitution is exempt from all debt limitations imposed by Article X. The powers granted in this chapter must be in all respects exercised for the benefit of the inhabitants of the State, for the increase of its commerce, and for the promotion of its welfare and prosperity.
(C) All action taken by any county in carrying out the purposes of this chapter shall perform essential governmental functions.
(D) Pursuant to the authorization granted in Article VIII, Section 13, of the Constitution of this State, if a redevelopment project area is located in more than one county, the powers granted herein may be exercised jointly.
Section 31-7-30. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) 'Blighted area' means any improved or vacant area within the boundaries of a redevelopment project area located within the territorial limits of a county where:
(a) if improved, industrial, commercial, and residential buildings or improvements, because of a combination of five or more of the following factors: age; dilapidation; obsolescence; deterioration; illegal use of individual structures; presence of structures below minimum code standards; excessive vacancies; overcrowding of structures and community facilities; lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities; inadequate utilities; excessive land coverage; deleterious land use or layout; depreciation of physical maintenance; lack of community planning, are detrimental to the public safety, health, morals, or welfare or;
(b) if vacant, the sound growth is impaired by:
(i) a combination of two or more of the following factors: obsolete platting of the vacant land; diversity of ownership of such land; tax and special assessment delinquencies on such land; deterioration of structures or site improvements in neighboring areas adjacent to the vacant land; or
(ii) the area immediately prior to becoming vacant qualified as a blighted area. Any area within a redevelopment plan established by Chapter 10 of Title 31 is deemed to be a blighted area.
(2) 'Conservation area' means any vacant or improved area within the boundaries of a redevelopment project area located within the territorial limits of a county that is not yet a blighted area but, because of a combination of three or more of the following factors: dilapidation; obsolescence; deterioration; illegal use of structures; presence of structures below minimum code standards; abandonment; excessive vacancies; overcrowding of structures and community facilities; lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities; inadequate utilities; excessive land coverage; depreciation of physical maintenance; or lack of community planning, is detrimental to the public safety, health, morals, or welfare and may become a blighted area.
(3) 'Sprawl area' means a vacant or improved area within the boundaries of a redevelopment project area located within the territorial limits of the unincorporated area of a county that is not yet a blighted area nor a conservation area but, because of the existence of one or more of the following conditions, has the potential to become blighted or in need of conservation:
(a) The sprawl area is an unincorporated urban zone, UUZ, which is an area within the unincorporated portion of the county issuing the finding and has a population density equal to or greater than the average population density of the incorporated municipalities within the territorial limits of the county issuing the finding.
(b) The sprawl area is a linear service zone, LSZ, which is an area within the unincorporated portion of the county issuing the finding which is or is likely to become an area no more than two miles wide at its widest point and no less than three miles in length and which, due to development within the zone, represents an impediment to vehicular and pedestrian traffic so that the county finds its existence a detriment to the:
( i) economic health and well-being of the county;
( ii) health or safety of the persons living, working, or traveling through the zone; or
(iii) efficient provision of governmental services both within and without the zone.
(c) The sprawl area is a rural redevelopment zone, RRZ, which is an area within the unincorporated portion of the county issuing the finding which consists primarily of vacant land which, if provided with certain environmental, energy, transportation, or communications infrastructure, could be developed as a planned community consisting of a minimum of one thousand contiguous acres of land, inclusive of flooded land.
(4) 'Municipality' means an incorporated municipality of this State.
(5) 'Obligations' means bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness issued by the county to carry out a redevelopment project or to refund outstanding obligations.
(6) 'Redevelopment plan' means the comprehensive program of the county for redevelopment intended by the payment of redevelopment costs to reduce or eliminate those conditions which qualified the redevelopment project area as a blighted area, conservation area, or sprawl area, or combination of two or three of them, and to enhance the tax bases of the taxing districts which extend into the project redevelopment area. Each redevelopment plan shall set forth in writing the program to be undertaken to accomplish the objectives and shall include, but not be limited to, estimated redevelopment project costs, the anticipated sources of funds to pay costs, the nature and term of any obligations to be issued, the most recent equalized assessed valuation of the project area, an estimate as to the equalized assessed valuation after redevelopment, and the general land uses to apply in the redevelopment project area. A redevelopment plan established by Chapter 10 of Title 31 is deemed a redevelopment plan for purposes of this paragraph.
(7) 'Redevelopment project' means any buildings, improvements, including street improvements, water, sewer and storm drainage facilities, parking facilities, and recreational facilities. Any project or undertaking authorized under Section 6-21-50 may also qualify as a redevelopment project under this chapter. All such projects are to be publicly owned.
(8) 'Redevelopment project area' means an area designated by the county, which is not less in the aggregate than one and one-half acres and in respect to which the county has made a finding that there exist conditions that cause the area to be classified as a blighted area, a conservation area, or a sprawl area, or a combination of two or three of them. The total aggregate amount of all redevelopment project areas of any one county may not exceed five percent of the total acreage of the county.
(9) 'Redevelopment project costs' means and includes the sum total of all reasonable or necessary costs incurred or estimated to be incurred and any costs incidental to a redevelopment project. The costs include, without limitation:
(a) costs of studies and surveys, plans, and specifications; professional service costs including, but not limited to, architectural, engineering, legal, marketing, financial, planning, or special services;
(b) property assembly costs including, but not limited to, acquisition of land and other property, real or personal, or rights or interest therein, demolition of buildings, and the clearing and grading of land;
(c) costs of rehabilitation, reconstruction, repair, or remodeling of a redevelopment project;
(d) costs of the construction of a redevelopment project;
(e) financing costs including, but not limited to, all necessary and incidental expenses related to the issuance of obligations and which may include payment of interest on any obligations issued under the provisions of this chapter accruing during the estimated period of construction of any redevelopment project for which the obligations are issued and including reasonable reserves related thereto;
(f) relocation costs to the extent that a county determines that relocation costs must be paid or required by federal or state law.
(10) 'Taxing districts' means counties, incorporated municipalities, schools, special purpose districts, and public and any other municipal corporations or districts with the power to levy taxes. Taxing districts include school districts which have taxes levied on their behalf.
(11) 'Vacant land' means any parcel or combination of parcels of real property without industrial, commercial, and residential buildings.
(12) 'County' means any county in the State.
Section 31-7-40. Obligations secured by the special tax allocation fund set forth in Section 31-7-70 for the redevelopment project area may be issued to provide for redevelopment project costs. The obligations, when so issued, must be retired in the manner provided in the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the obligations by the receipts of taxes levied as specified in Section 31-7-110 against the taxable property included in the area and other revenue as specified in Section 31-7-110 designated by the county which source does not involve revenues from any tax or license. In the ordinance the county may pledge all or any part of the funds in and to be deposited in the special tax allocation fund created pursuant to Section 31-7-70 to the payment of the redevelopment project costs and obligations. Any pledge of funds in the special tax allocation fund must provide for distribution to the taxing districts of monies not required for payment and securing of the obligations and the excess funds are surplus funds. In the event a county only pledges a portion of the monies in the special tax allocation fund for the payment of redevelopment project costs or obligations, any funds remaining in the special tax allocation fund after complying with the requirements of the pledge are also considered surplus funds. All surplus funds must be distributed annually to the taxing districts in the redevelopment project area by being paid by the county to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall immediately thereafter make distribution to the respective taxing districts in the same manner and proportion as the most recent distribution by the county treasurer to the affected districts of real property taxes from real property in the redevelopment project area. In addition to obligations secured by the special tax allocation fund, the county may pledge for a period not greater than the term of the obligations toward payment of the obligations any part of the revenues remaining after payment of operation and maintenance, of all or part of any redevelopment project. The obligations may be issued in one or more series, may bear such date or dates, may mature at such time or times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates, may bear such rate or rates of interest as the governing body shall determine, may be in such denomination or denominations, may be in such form, either coupon or registered, may carry such registration and conversion privileges, may be executed in such manner, may be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, may be subject to such terms of redemption, with or without premium, may be declared or become due before the maturity date thereof, may provide for the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, stolen, or lost bonds, may be authenticated in such manner and upon compliance with such conditions, and may contain such other terms and covenants, as may be provided by the governing body of the county. If the governing body determines to sell any obligations the obligations must be sold at public or private sale in such manner and upon such terms as the governing body considers best for the interest of the county.
A certified copy of the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the obligations must be filed with the treasurer of each county in which any portion of a redevelopment project is situated and shall constitute the authority for the extension and collection of the taxes to be deposited in the special tax allocation fund.
A county also may issue its obligations to refund in whole or in part obligations previously issued by the county under the authority of this chapter, whether at or prior to maturity, and all references in this chapter to 'obligations' are considered to include these refunding obligations. The debt incurred by a county pursuant to this chapter is exclusive of any statutory limitation upon the indebtedness a taxing district may incur. All obligations issued pursuant to this chapter shall contain a statement on the face of the obligation specifying the sources from which payment is to be made and shall state that the full faith, credit, and taxing powers are not pledged for the obligations.
The trustee or depositary under any indenture may be such persons or corporations as the governing body designates, or they may be nonresidents of South Carolina or incorporated under the laws of the United States or the laws of other states of the United States.
Section 31-7-50. The proceeds from obligations issued under authority of this chapter must be applied only for the purpose for which they were issued. Any premium and accrued interest received in any such sale must be applied to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the obligations sold. Any portion of the proceeds not needed for redevelopment project costs must be applied to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the obligations.
Section 31-7-60. The obligations authorized by this chapter and the income from the obligations and all security agreements and indentures executed as security for the obligations made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and the revenue derived from the obligations are exempt from all taxation in the State of South Carolina except for inheritance, estate, or transfer taxes and all security agreements and indentures made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter are exempt from all state stamp and transfer taxes.
Section 31-7-70. A county, within five years after the date of adoption of an ordinance providing for approval of a redevelopment plan pursuant to Section 31-7-80, may issue obligations under this chapter to finance the redevelopment project upon adoption of an ordinance providing that:
(1) after the issuance of the obligations; and
(2) after the total equalized assessed valuation of the taxable real property in a redevelopment project area exceeds the certified 'total initial equalized assessed value' established in accordance with Section 31-7-100(B) of all taxable real property in the project area, the ad valorem taxes, if any, arising from the levies upon taxable real property in the project area by taxing districts and tax rates determined in the manner provided in Section 31-7-100(B) each year after the obligations have been issued until obligations issued under this chapter have been retired and redevelopment project costs have been paid must be divided as follows:
(a) that portion of taxes levied upon each taxable lot, block, tract, or parcel of real property which is attributable to the total initial equalized assessed value of all taxable real property in the redevelopment project area must be allocated to and when collected must be paid by the county treasurer to the respective affected taxing districts in the manner required by law in the absence of the adoption of the redevelopment plan; and
(b) that portion, if any, of taxes which is attributable to the increase in the current total equalized assessed valuation of all taxable real property in the redevelopment project area over and above the total initial equalized assessed value of taxable real property in the redevelopment project area must be allocated to and when collected must be paid to the county which shall deposit the taxes into a special fund called the special tax allocation fund of the county for the purpose of paying redevelopment project costs and obligations incurred in the payment of the costs and obligations. The county may pledge in the ordinance the funds in and to be deposited in the special tax allocation fund for the payment of the costs and obligations.
Any ordinance adopted based on acts of the county occurring before the effective date of this chapter must incorporate by reference and adopt those prior acts undertaken in accordance with the procedures of this chapter as if they had been undertaken pursuant to this chapter.
When obligations issued under this chapter have been retired and redevelopment project costs incurred under this chapter have been paid or budgeted pursuant to the redevelopment plan, as evidenced by resolution of the governing body of the county, all surplus funds then remaining in the special tax allocation fund must be paid by the county treasurer immediately to the taxing districts in the redevelopment project area in the same manner and proportion as the most recent distribution by the treasurer to the affected districts of real property taxes from real property in the redevelopment project area.
Upon the payment of all redevelopment project costs, retirement of all obligations of a county issued under this chapter, and the distribution of any surplus monies pursuant to this section, the county shall adopt an ordinance dissolving the tax allocation fund for the project redevelopment area and terminating the designation of the redevelopment project area as a redevelopment project area for purposes of this chapter. Thereafter, the rates of the taxing districts must be extended and taxes levied, collected, and distributed in the manner applicable in the absence of the adoption of a redevelopment plan and the issuance of obligations under this chapter.
If five years have passed from the time a redevelopment project area is designated and the county has not issued obligations under this chapter to finance the redevelopment project, upon the expiration of the five-year term, the county shall adopt an ordinance terminating the designation of the redevelopment project area.
Section 31-7-75. If a municipality annexes a tract of property located in a redevelopment project area, the value of each parcel of real property therein for purposes of the ad valorem taxes of the municipality shall be that which is attributable to its initial equalized assessed value before the redevelopment project and not to the increase in its equalized assessed value due to the redevelopment project.
Section 31-7-80. (A) Prior to the issuance of any obligations under this chapter, the county shall set forth by way of ordinance the following:
(1) a copy of the redevelopment plan containing a statement of the objectives of a county with regard to the plan;
(2) a statement indicating the need for and proposed use of the proceeds of the obligations in relationship to the redevelopment plan;
(3) a statement containing the cost estimates of the redevelopment plan and redevelopment project and the projected sources of revenue to be used to meet the costs including estimates of tax increments and the total amount of indebtedness to be incurred;
(4) a list of all real property in the redevelopment project area;
(5) the duration of the redevelopment plan;
(6) a statement of the estimated impact of the redevelopment plan upon the revenues of all taxing districts in which a redevelopment project area is located and, if residential development is included in the plan, the estimated impact on public school enrollment;
(7) findings that:
(a) the redevelopment project area is a blighted, conservation, or sprawl area and that private initiatives are unlikely to alleviate these conditions without substantial public assistance,
(b) property values in the area would remain static or decline without public intervention, and
(c) redevelopment is in the interest of the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the county.
(B) Before approving any redevelopment plan under this chapter, the governing body of the county must hold a public hearing on the redevelopment plan after published notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the county and any taxing district affected by the redevelopment plan is located not less than fifteen days and not more than thirty days prior to the hearing. The notice shall include:
(1) the time and place of the public hearing;
(2) the boundaries of the proposed redevelopment project area;
(3) a notification that all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing;
(4) a description of the redevelopment plan and redevelopment project; and
(5) the maximum estimated term of obligations to be issued under the redevelopment plan.
Not less than forty-five days prior to the date set for the public hearing, the county shall give notice to all taxing districts of which taxable property is included in the redevelopment project area, and in addition to the other requirements of the notice set forth in the section, the notice shall request each taxing district to submit comments to the county concerning the subject matter of the hearing prior to the date of the public hearing.
(C) If a taxing district does not file an objection to the redevelopment plan at or prior to the date of the public hearing, the taxing district is considered to have consented to the redevelopment plan and the issuance of obligations under this chapter to finance the redevelopment project, provided that the actual term of obligations issued is equal to or less than the term stated in the notice of public hearing. The municipality county may issue obligations to finance the redevelopment project if less than all taxing districts consent to the redevelopment plan. The tax increment for a taxing district that does not consent to the redevelopment plan must not be included in the special tax allocation fund after the first fifteen years after the initial issuance of obligations to finance such plan. No consent is required of any taxing district if the term of the proposed initial obligations is fifteen years or less or, in the case of any additional or refunding obligations, if the term of the obligations is not greater than the later of (a) fifteen years from the date of issuance of the initial or refunded obligations or (b) the remaining term of the initial or refunded obligations.
(D) If the redevelopment plan includes residential development, then to the extent that the findings pursuant to subsection (A)(6) demonstrate increased public school enrollment because of this development, then an amount of the increment equal to the average property tax collected per pupil in the district multiplied by the estimated increased enrollment is not credited to the special tax allocation fund but is instead allocated to the affected school district as other school tax revenue.
(E) Prior to the adoption of an ordinance approving a redevelopment plan pursuant to Section 31-7-80, changes may be made in the redevelopment plan which do not alter the exterior boundaries or do not substantially affect the general land use established in the plan or substantially change the nature of the redevelopment project, without further hearing or notice, provided that notice of the changes is given by mail to each affected taxing district and by publication in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation within the taxing districts not less than ten days prior to the adoption of the changes by ordinance. Notice of the adoption of the ordinance must be published by the county in a newspaper having general circulation in the affected taxing districts. Any interested party may, within twenty days after the date of publication of the notice of adoption of the redevelopment plan, but not afterwards, challenge the validity of such adoption by action de novo in the court of common pleas in the county in which the redevelopment plan is located.
(F) After adoption of an ordinance approving a redevelopment plan, any alteration in the exterior boundaries, general land uses established pursuant to the redevelopment plan, maximum term of maturity of obligations to be issued under the plan, or the redevelopment project must be approved by resolution of each affected taxing district in accordance with the procedures provided in this chapter for the initial approval of a redevelopment project and designation of a redevelopment project area.
Section 31-7-90. When there are any persons residing in the area covered by the redevelopment plan:
(1) the redevelopment plan shall include:
(a) an assessment of the displacement impact of the redevelopment project and provisions for the relocation of all persons who would be displaced by the project, provided that no residents may be displaced by a redevelopment project unless housing is made available to them pursuant to the terms of this section;
(b) provisions for the creation of housing opportunities to the extent feasible to enable a substantial number of the displaced persons to relocate within or in close proximity to the area covered by the redevelopment plan.
(2) Prior to authorizing the demolition of any residential units in connection with a tax increment financing plan, the governing body of the county must ensure that the redevelopment plan complies with the requirements of this section and further that standard housing is made available to all persons to be displaced.
(3) Persons displaced by a redevelopment plan are entitled to the benefits and protections available under Section 28-11-10. The costs of the relocation are proper expenditures for the proceeds of any obligations issued under this chapter.
Section 31-7-100. (A) If a county by ordinance approves a redevelopment plan pursuant to Section 31-7-80, the auditor of the county, immediately after adoption of the ordinance pursuant to Section 31-7-80, upon request of the county, must determine and certify:
(1) the most recently ascertained equalized assessed value of all taxable real property within the redevelopment project area, as of the date of adoption of the ordinance adopted pursuant to Section 31-7-80, which value is the 'initial equalized assessed value' of the property; and
(2) the total equalized assessed value of all taxable real property within the redevelopment project area and certifying the amount as the 'total initial equalized assessed value' of the taxable real property within the redevelopment project area.
(B) After the county auditor has certified the total initial equalized assessed value of the taxable real property in the area, then in respect to every taxing district containing a redevelopment project area, the county auditor or any other official required by law to ascertain the amount of the equalized assessed value of all taxable property within the district for the purpose of computing the rate percent of tax to be extended upon taxable property within such district, shall in every year that obligations are outstanding for redevelopment projects in the redevelopment area ascertain the amount of value of taxable property in a project redevelopment area by including in the amount the certified total initial equalized assessed value of all taxable real property in the area in lieu of the equalized assessed value of all taxable real property in the area. The rate percent of tax determined must be extended to the current equalized assessed value of all property in the redevelopment project area in the same manner as the rate percent of tax is extended to all other taxable property in the taxing district. The method of extending taxes established under this section terminates when the county adopts an ordinance dissolving the special tax allocation fund for the redevelopment project.
Section 31-7-110. Revenues received by the county from any property, building, or facility owned by the county or any agency or authority established by the county in the redevelopment project area may be used to pay redevelopment project costs or reduce outstanding obligations of the county incurred under this chapter for redevelopment project costs. If the obligations are used to finance the extension or expansion of a system as defined in Section 6-21-40 in the redevelopment project area, all or a portion of the revenues of the system, whether or not located entirely within the redevelopment project area, including the revenues of the redevelopment project, may be pledged to secure the obligations issued under this chapter. The county is fully empowered to use any of the powers granted by either or both of the provisions of Chapter 17 of Title 6 (The Revenue Bond Refinancing Act of 1937) or the provisions of Chapter 21 of Title 6 (Revenue Bond Act for Utilities). In exercising the powers conferred by the provisions, the county may make any pledges and covenants authorized by any provision of those chapters. The county may place the revenues in the special tax allocation fund or a separate fund which must be held by the county or financial institution designated by the county. Revenue received by the county from the sale or other disposition of real property acquired by the county with the proceeds of obligations issued under the provisions of this chapter must be deposited by the county in the special tax allocation fund or a separate fund which must be held by the county or financial institution designated by the county. Proceeds of grants may be pledged by the county and deposited in the special tax allocation fund or a separate fund.
Section 31-7-120. Counties and municipalities may jointly adopt redevelopment plans and authorize obligations as provided under the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 6 of this title."
SECTION 2. Items (6) and (9) of Section 31-6-30 of the 1976 Code are amended to read:
"(6) 'Redevelopment project' means any buildings, improvements, including street improvements, water, sewer and storm drainage facilities, parking facilities, and recreational facilities. Any project or undertaking authorized under SECTION 6-21-50 may also qualify as a redevelopment project under this chapter. All such projects are to be owned by the municipality publicly owned.
(9) 'Taxing districts' means counties, incorporated municipalities, schools, special purpose districts, and public and any other municipal corporations or districts with the power to levy taxes. Taxing districts include school districts which have taxes levied on their behalf."
SECTION 3. The undesignated paragraph of Section 31-6-80 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"After adoption of an ordinance approving a redevelopment plan, any alteration in the exterior boundaries, general land uses established pursuant to the redevelopment plan, maximum term of maturity of obligations to be issued under the plan, or nature of the redevelopment project must be approved by ordinance resolution of the municipality each affected taxing district in accordance with the procedures provided in this chapter for the initial approval of a redevelopment project and designation of a redevelopment project area."
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.
Rep. R. SMITH moved to table the amendment, which was agreed to.
Pursuant to Rule 7.7 the Yeas and Nays were taken resulting as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative are:
Allen Bailey Bales Barfield Barrett Battle Beck Bowers Breeland Brown J. Carnell Cato Chellis Clyburn Cobb-Hunter Cotty Dantzler Davenport Delleney Easterday Emory Fleming Gilham Gourdine Govan Hamilton Harris Harrison Harvin Haskins Hawkins Hayes Hines J. Hines M. Hinson Howard Inabinett Jennings Kennedy Klauber Knotts Koon Lanford Law Leach Lee Littlejohn Lloyd Loftis Lourie Lucas Mack Maddox Martin Mason McCraw McGee McLeod M. McLeod W. McMahand Miller Moody-Lawrence Neal Neal J.M. Neilson Ott Parks Phillips Quinn Rhoad Rice Riser Robinson Rodgers Rutherford Sandifer Scott Seithel Sharpe Simrill Smith D. Smith F. Smith R. Stuart Taylor Tripp Vaughn Webb Whatley Whipper Wilder Wilkes Wilkins Woodrum Young-Brickell
Those who voted in the negative are:
Altman Cooper Edge Kirsh
So, the Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.
I was out the chamber on the phone with my doctor's office when the vote was taken on House Bill 3037. Had I been in the chamber, I would have voted for passage of the amended version of H. 3037.
Rep. GAMBLE
Rep. MILLER asked unanimous consent that H. 3037 be read a third time tomorrow.
Rep. EDGE objected.
Rep. FLEMING moved that the House do now adjourn, which was agreed to.
The Senate returned to the House with concurrence the following:
H. 4170 (Word version) -- Reps. Koon, Allen, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Beck, Bowers, Breeland, G. Brown, H. Brown, J. Brown, T. Brown, Campsen, Canty, Carnell, Cato, Chellis, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Edge, Emory, Fleming, Gamble, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hamilton, Harrell, Harris, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hawkins, Hayes, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Howard, Inabinett, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kennedy, Kirsh, Klauber, Knotts, Lanford, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, Mack, Maddox, Martin, Mason, McCraw, McGee, McKay, M. McLeod, W. McLeod, McMahand, Meacham, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, Neal, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Parks, Phillips, Pinckney, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scott, Seithel, Sharpe, Sheheen, Simrill, D. Smith, F. Smith, J. Smith, R. Smith, Stille, Stuart, Taylor, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Vaughn, Walker, Webb, Whatley, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Wilkins, Witherspoon, Woodrum and Young-Brickell: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FAMILY, MANY FRIENDS, AND COLLEAGUES OF CITY OF CHARLESTON POLICE OFFICER PERRIN RICHARD "RICKY" LOVE, WHO WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON MAY 21, 1999.
H. 4184 (Word version) -- Rep. Sandifer: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE LADY CATS OF SENECA HIGH SCHOOL ON WINNING THE 1999 CLASS AAA STATE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
At 3:15 P.M. the House in accordance with the motion of Rep. MEACHAM adjourned in memory of George E. Ackerman of Fort Mill, to meet at 10:00 A.M. tomorrow.
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