Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 11:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the PRESIDENT.

A quorum being present, the proceedings were opened with a devotion by the Chaplain as follows:

Beloved, hear a passage from the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi, Chapter 4 (v. 2), the last chapter in the Old Testament:

"But for you who revere my Name the sun of righteousness

shall rise, with healing in its wings, You shall go out like

calves leaping from the stall."
Let us pray.

Our Father, our perceptions are not yet in focus.

We have a feeling we've lost a bit of our fellowship. We've lost some spiritual altitude.

We have a feeling that looking back is not our way out. But, together, looking up to our Heavenly Father, as brothers and sisters, and looking at the future for our children, we shall find light for our path and strength and wisdom for our common tasks.

Make of us patriots, in the truest sense, in our day that our children's children may sing, together, the praises of our God, free, sharing the burdens of an unknown future.

So, unite us, Lord, renew our spirits, let the healing begin!
Amen.

The PRESIDENT called for Petitions, Memorials, Presentments of Grand Juries and such like papers.

The following appointments were transmitted by the Honorable James H. Hodges:

Reappointment, Charleston County Board of Voter Registration, with term to commence March 15, 2000, and to expire March 15, 2002:

Flora P. Condon, 751 Jim Isle Drive, Charleston, S.C. 29412

Reappointment, Charleston County Board of Voter Registration, with term to commence March 15, 2000, and to expire March 15, 2002:

Pearl M. Crawford, 41 Vincent Drive, Mt. Pleasant, S.C. 29464

Reappointment, Charleston County Board of Voter Registration, with term to commence March 15, 2000, and to expire March 15, 2002:

Louise M. Hill, 157 Grove Street, Charleston, S.C. 29403

Reappointment, Fairfield County Board of Voter Registration, with term to commence March 15, 2000, and to expire March 15, 2002:

Deane H. Smith, 5625 US Highway 321 South, Winnsboro, S.C. 29180

Reappointment, Fairfield County Board of Voter Registration, with term to commence March 15, 2000, and to expire March 15, 2002:

Debby L. Stidham, 206 Buchanan Street, Winnsboro, S.C. 29180

Initial Appointment, Kershaw County Master-in-Equity, with term to commence July 1, 1995, and to expire July 1, 2001:

Jeffrey Marc Tzerman, 2105 Forest Drive, Camden, S.C. 29020 VICE Rolly W. Jacobs

The following were received and referred to the appropriate committee for consideration:

Document No. 2485
Agency: Department of Insurance
SUBJECT: (Repeal) Automobile Insurance Credit and Discount Plans
Received by Lieutenant Governor April 6, 2000
Referred to Banking and Insurance Committee
Legislative Review Expiration August 4, 2000 (Subject to Sine Die Revision)

Document No. 2486
Agency: Department of Insurance
SUBJECT: (Repeal) Refusal to Write, Nonrenewal and Cancellation of Insurance on Motor Vehicles
Received by Lieutenant Governor April 6, 2000
Referred to Banking and Insurance Committee
Legislative Review Expiration August 4, 2000 (Subject to Sine Die Revision)

Document No. 2487
Agency: Department of Insurance
SUBJECT: (Repeal) South Carolina Merit Rating Plan
Received by Lieutenant Governor April 6, 2000
Referred to Banking and Insurance Committee
Legislative Review Expiration August 4, 2000 (Subject to Sine Die Revision)

Document No. 2501
Agency: Department of Insurance
SUBJECT: Hurricane Deductible
Received by Lieutenant Governor April 6, 2000
Referred to Banking and Insurance Committee
Legislative Review Expiration August 4, 2000 (Subject to Sine Die Revision)

Senator GIESE introduced Dr. John L. Eady of Columbia, S.C., Doctor of the Day.

Senator RAVENEL rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

H. 4499 (Word version) -- Reps. Allison, Davenport, Hawkins, Lanford, Lee, Littlejohn, D. Smith, Vaughn, Walker and Wilder: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THAT PORTION OF THE EXISTING SIDEWALK LOCATED BETWEEN W. R. GRACE AND CO. CRYOVAC DIVISION TO HIGHLAND DRIVE IN DUNCAN, SOUTH CAROLINA, THE "HUBERT E. JONES" SIDEWALK, AND INSTALL AN APPROPRIATE MARKER OR SIGN ALONG THE SIDEWALK IN HONOR OF MR. HUBERT E. JONES WHO WAS A LOYAL EMPLOYEE OF THE CRYOVAC DIVISION FOR THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AND WHO WALKED TO AND FROM HIS WORK ALONG THIS ROUTE ON A DAILY BASIS AND WHO, THUS, WALKED OVER FIFTEEN THOUSAND MILES DURING HIS CAREER.

Senator LAND asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Resolution from the Committee on Transportation.

There was no objection.

Senator LAND asked unanimous consent to take the Resolution up for immediate consideration.

There was no objection.

Senator LAND asked unanimous consent to adopt the Concurrent Resolution.

There was no objection.

The Resolution was recalled, adopted and returned to the House.

The following were introduced:

S. 1313 (Word version) -- Senator McGill: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE RYAN WILLIAMS ON WINNING THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE DUCK CALLING CHAMPIONSHIP.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.

S. 1314 (Word version) -- Senator Land: A SENATE RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING MR. ED PAUL OF CLARENDON COUNTY ON WINNING THE PRESTIGIOUS JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DUCK-CALLING CONTEST.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.

S. 1315 (Word version) -- Senators McConnell and Saleeby: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 71 OF TITLE 38 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE BY ADDING ARTICLE 19, SO AS TO PROVIDE STANDARDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF EXTERNAL REVIEW PROCEDURES TO ASSURE THAT COVERED PERSONS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF ADVERSE & FINAL ADVERSE DETERMINATIONS.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance.

S. 1316 (Word version) -- Senator Passailaigue: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-28-1910, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ENFORCEMENT OF TAXES ON MOTOR FUELS, SO AS TO ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OR ITS DESIGNEE TO CONDUCT INSPECTIONS AND REMOVE SAMPLES OF FUEL FROM ANY VEHICLE, TANK, OR OTHER CONTAINER, INSTEAD OF LIMITING THE INSPECTION AND REMOVAL OF SAMPLES TO A PLACE WHERE THE TAXABLE FUEL IS PRODUCED, STORED, OR LOADED FOR TRANSPORT; AND BY REPEALING CHAPTERS 27 AND 29 OF TITLE 12 RELATING TO TAX ON GASOLINE AND ON OTHER MOTOR FUELS; AND TO AMEND CHAPTER 28 OF TITLE 12, RELATING TO TAX ON MOTOR FUELS, SO AS TO REENACT FORMER SECTION 12-27-405 AS SECTION 12-28-2940.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 1317 (Word version) -- Senator Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 9, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM, BY ADDING SECTION 9-1-535 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SURVIVING SPOUSE OF A FORMER MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY PURCHASE UP TO EIGHT YEARS OF SERVICE CREDIT TIME IN THE STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM, IF THE MEMBER SERVED A MINIMUM OF SIX YEARS BUT LESS THAN EIGHT IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE RATE AT WHICH THE SERVICE CREDIT TIME MAY BE PURCHASED; AND TO PROVIDE FOR STATE MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 1318 (Word version) -- Senator Passailaigue: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-220, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO GENERAL EXEMPTIONS FROM PROPERTY TAXES, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE DWELLING HOUSE OF A PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED VETERAN IF THE VETERAN OR HIS QUALIFYING SURVIVING SPOUSE FILES A CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; TO DEFINE "DWELLING HOUSE" FOR PURPOSES OF THAT EXEMPTION AS THE DOMICILE OF THE QUALIFYING PERSON AND TO INCLUDE THE DWELLING HOUSE HELD IN TRUST FOR A BENEFICIARY WHO WOULD QUALIFY OTHERWISE FOR THE EXEMPTION AND WHO USES THE DWELLING HOUSE AS HIS DOMICILE; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-930, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO VALUATION OF PROPERTY FOR TAXATION, BY ALLOWING A MANUFACTURER WHO USES A CLASS 100 OR BETTER CLEAN ROOM AN ANNUAL DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE OF TEN PERCENT INSTEAD OF ALLOWANCES TO WHICH IT OTHERWISE WOULD BE ENTITLED; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 12-43-280 AND 12-43-290 RELATING TO THE LIMITATION ON THE INCREASE IN AD VALOREM TAX AS A RESULT OF EQUALIZATION AND REASSESSMENT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 4-12-30, AS AMENDED, AND 12-44-130, BOTH RELATING TO THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIRED FOR QUALIFICATION FOR PAYMENT OF A FEE IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAXES, SO AS TO DELETE SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF FIVE MILLION DOLLARS; TO AMEND CHAPTER 10, TITLE 4, RELATING TO LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX, BY ADDING SECTION 4-10-67 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEPOSIT AND DISTRIBUTION OF LOCAL OPTION USE TAX FUNDS COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-2810, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITION OF "MOTOR CARRIER" SO AS TO INCLUDE CERTAIN FARM VEHICLES; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-2840, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX RETURNS OF MOTOR CARRIERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR PAYMENT OR APPEAL OF A PROPOSED ASSESSMENT ISSUED FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY FILE A RETURN OR PAY A TAX DUE; TO AMEND CHAPTER 37 OF TITLE 12, RELATING TO ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES, BY ADDING SECTION 12-37-2842 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR REGISTRATION AND FILING BY MOTOR CARRIERS AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO INFORM A MOTOR CARRIER OF REGISTRATION AND FILING REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND TO SUPPLY FORMS; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 12-37-2845, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR FAILURE OF A MOTOR CARRIER TO FILE A RETURN AND PAY TAX DUE.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 1319 (Word version) -- Senator Passailaigue: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 33-3-102, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE GENERAL POWERS OF CORPORATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE POWERS EXTEND TO THOSE GRANTED BY CHAPTER 21 OF TITLE 33.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 1320 (Word version) -- Senators Wilson, Ravenel, Leatherman, Richardson, Thomas, Bauer, McConnell, Mescher, Ryberg, Russell, Giese, Courson, Gregory, Grooms, Branton, Alexander, Fair, Peeler, Martin and Hayes: A BILL TO ENACT "THE SOUTH CAROLINA EXILE ACT OF 2000", INCLUDING PROVISIONS TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-50, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR OFFENSES INVOLVING WEAPONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE INCREASED PENALTIES FOR AN OFFENDER WITH A PREVIOUS CONVICTION FOR A FELONY; TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-420, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR ENTERING PUBLIC PROPERTY AND THREATENING OTHERS WITH A FIREARM, SO AS TO PROVIDE A MANDATORY MINIMUM TERM OF IMPRISONMENT UPON CONVICTION; TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-490, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION OF A FIREARM DURING COMMISSION OF A VIOLENT CRIME, SO AS TO PROVIDE A SEPARATE OFFENSE FOR THE POSSESSION OF A FIREARM DURING AN OFFENSE INVOLVING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND TO PROVIDE A SEPARATE, MANDATORY MINIMUM TERM OF IMPRISONMENT UPON CONVICTION; TO AMEND SECTION 17-15-10, RELATING TO BAIL AND RECOGNIZANCE, SO AS TO ADD OTHER CONDITIONS OF RELEASE AND MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 17-15-15, RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT OF CASH PERCENTAGE IN LIEU OF BOND, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 17-15-30, RELATING TO THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN FACTORS WHEN MAKING A BAIL DECISION, SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FACTORS AND TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO CONSIDER EACH FACTOR WHEN MAKING ITS DECISION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 22-5-510, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO BOND HEARINGS, SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL OFFENSES FOR WHICH THE MAGISTRATE MAY DENY BAIL AND TO REQUIRE THE MAGISTRATE TO OBTAIN, WHEN FEASIBLE, THE PERSON'S CRIMINAL HISTORY FROM THE ARRESTING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BEFORE CONDUCTING THE BOND HEARING AND TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION OF CRIMINAL HISTORY.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 1321 (Word version) -- Senator Rankin: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 23, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, BY ADDING CHAPTER 20, SO AS TO ENACT THE "LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT ACT" BY PERMITTING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OF THIS STATE TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, TO REQUIRE THESE CONTRACTS TO INCLUDE CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED, TO REQUIRE THAT OFFICERS OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROVIDER BE UNDER THE IMMEDIATE CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF THE CONTRACTING AGENCY, AND TO ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO WAIVE THE CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS OF THIS CHAPTER DURING A NATURAL DISASTER.
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Senator RANKIN spoke on the Bill.

Read the first time and, on motion of Senator RANKIN, with unanimous consent, ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

On motion of Senator RANKIN, with unanimous consent, S. 1321 was ordered to receive a second and third reading on the next two consecutive legislative days.

S. 1322 (Word version) -- Senators Holland and Giese: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PRIVATE SECURITY AND INVESTIGATION AGENCIES, BY REPEALING CHAPTER 17 AND ADDING CHAPTER 18, SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS, TO DESIGNATE THE TWO CLASSIFICATIONS OF SECURITY BUSINESSES AS CONTRACT SECURITY BUSINESSES AND PROPRIETARY SECURITY BUSINESSES, TO REQUIRE SLED LICENSURE OF CONTRACT AND PROPRIETARY SECURITY BUSINESSES AND TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, TO REQUIRE SLED REGISTRATION FOR PERSONS EMPLOYED AS SECURITY OFFICERS AND TO PROVIDE FOR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, TO PROVIDE THAT PERSONS EMPLOYED AS PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS BE REGISTERED WITH SLED AND BE EMPLOYED ONLY BY LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATION BUSINESSES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS OF PRIVATE INVESTIGATION BUSINESSES AND THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS, TO REQUIRE AN APPLICANT FOR A PRIVATE INVESTIGATION LICENSE TO POST A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND WITH SLED, AND TO PROVIDE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS CHAPTER.
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Read the first time and, on motion of Senator HOLLAND, with unanimous consent, ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

S. 1323 (Word version) -- Senators Bauer and Wilson: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000, TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF A SURPLUS NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY IN WHITMIRE, SOUTH CAROLINA, TO THE TOWN OF WHITMIRE.
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Read the first time and, on motion of Senator BAUER, with unanimous consent, ordered placed on the Local and Uncontested Calendar.

On motion of Senator BAUER, with unanimous consent, S. 1323 was ordered to receive a second reading on April 7, 2000.

S. 1324 (Word version) -- Senator Branton: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 512 OF 1996, RELATING TO DEVOLUTION OF AUTHORITY AND BUDGETARY APPROVALS TO THE GOVERNING BODY OF DORCHESTER COUNTY, SO AS TO DELETE THE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE FROM THE OFFICES, BOARDS, AND COMMISSIONS OVER WHICH THE GOVERNING BODY OF DORCHESTER COUNTY HAS AUTHORITY.
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Read the first time and ordered placed on the Local and Uncontested Calendar.

On motion of Senator BRANTON, with unanimous consent, S. 1324 was ordered to receive a second reading on April 7, 2000.

H. 3090 (Word version) -- Reps. Altman and Rodgers: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-220, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT THE DWELLING HOME AND LOT OF A FORMER PRISONER OF WAR OR MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER AND TO PROVIDE THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE EXEMPTION CONTINUES FOR A SURVIVING SPOUSE.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

H. 3300 (Word version) -- Reps. Beck, Mason, R. Smith, Lourie, J. Smith, Jennings, Emory, Howard and Seithel: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-195 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS MUST TRANSPORT TEN OR MORE STUDENTS IN A SCHOOL BUS OR ACTIVITY BUS, PROVIDE THAT VEHICLES PURCHASED BEFORE A CERTAIN DATE HAVE A GRACE PERIOD DURING WHICH THEY MUST COMPLY WITH THIS PROVISION, AND PROVIDE THAT DURING THE GRACE PERIOD A NON-COMPLYING VEHICLE MUST DISPLAY A DECAL THAT STATES THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MEET THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OF A SCHOOL BUS; BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-196 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MUST NOTIFY OWNERS OF CERTAIN VEHICLES USED TO TRANSPORT STUDENTS OF THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-190, RELATING TO SCHOOL BUSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THIS PROVISION APPLIES TO SC0HOOL BUSES TRANSPORTING STUDENTS TO BOTH P0UBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 59-67-30, RELATING TO PAINTING AND MARKINGS ON SCHOOL BUSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE MARKINGS THAT MUST APPEAR ON A SCHOOL BUS THAT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE STATE'S REQUIREMENTS.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 4281 (Word version) -- Reps. Rodgers and Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 23-31-210, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH 00CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF TERMS CONTAINED IN THE "LAW ABIDING CITIZENS SELF-DEFENSE ACT OF 1996" WHICH AUTHORIZES PERMITS TO BE ISSUED TO SPECIFIED RESIDENTS TO CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "RESIDENT" TO INCLUDE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO POSSESSES A VALID SOUTH CAROLINA VOTER REGISTRATION CARD OR A VALID SOUTH CAROLINA DRIVER'S LICENSE.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

H. 4338 (Word version) -- Reps. Wilkins, Robinson, Harrison, Sandifer, Quinn, Huggins, Lanford, Harrell, H. Brown, Barrett, Vaughn, Riser, Cooper, Cato, D. Smith, Haskins, Witherspoon, Townsend, Leach, Allison, Altman, Campsen, Chellis, Hinson, Klauber, Loftis, Rice, Taylor, Littlejohn, Cotty, Walker, Easterday, Kirsh, Gamble, McGee, Meacham-Richardson, Gilham, Knotts, Whatley and Rodgers: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 11-11-440, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LIMITATIONS ON GENERAL TAX INCREASES AND NEW GENERAL TAXES, SO AS TO REQUIRE A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE ELECTED MEMBERSHIP OF EACH HOUSE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE IMPOSITION OF A NEW OR INCREASED TAX.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

H. 4393 (Word version) -- Reps. Jennings and Bales: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 7-13-365 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE MUST FILE A DECLARATION STATING THAT HE IS A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE, AS WELL AS THE OFFICE HE IS SEEKING, IN ORDER TO HAVE ANY WRITE-IN VOTES CAST FOR HIM COUNTED AND REPORTED AND PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 7-13-360, RELATING TO WRITE-IN NAMES ON A BALLOT, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT WRITE-IN CANDIDATES COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 7-13-365.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

H. 4416 (Word version) -- Reps. Kelley, Robinson, Riser and Carnell: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 9, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE VARIOUS STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS, BY ADDING CHAPTER 19 ENACTING THE "OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS" AND PROVIDE FOR ITS OPERATION.

On motion of Senator SETZLER, with unanimous consent, the Bill was ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.

H. 4444 (Word version) -- Reps. Robinson, Wilkins, Quinn, Barfield, Barrett, H. Brown, Chellis, Cotty, Dantzler, Fleming, Gamble, Gilham, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, Hinson, Huggins, Keegan, Koon, Law, Leach, Martin, Meacham-Richardson, Riser, Rodgers, Sandifer, D. Smith, Stuart, Taylor, Walker, Young-Brickell, Whatley, Tripp, Cooper, Seithel, Allison, Altman, Beck, Campsen, Cato, Davenport, Easterday, Edge, Frye, Haskins, Kelley, Knotts, Lanford, Limehouse, Loftis, Lucas, McGee, McKay, Perry, Rice, Sharpe, Simrill, R. Smith, Trotter, Vaughn, Webb, Witherspoon and Woodrum: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-520, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ANNUAL INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS TO STATE INCOME TAX BRACKETS, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION LIMITING THE INFLATION ADJUSTMENT TO ONE-HALF OF THE ACTUAL INFLATION RATE AND THE OVERALL FOUR PERCENT LIMIT ON THE TOTAL INFLATION ADJUSTMENT AND TO DELETE REDUNDANT LANGUAGE.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

H. 4491 (Word version) -- Reps. Campsen, Edge, Wilkins, Allison, Altman, Barfield, Barrett, Beck, Cato, Cotty, Delleney, Easterday, Frye, Gilham, Hamilton, Harris, Harrison, Haskins, Huggins, Jennings, Leach, Limehouse, Loftis, Lucas, McGee, Meacham-Richardson, Perry, Quinn, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Sandifer, Simrill, D. Smith, Stille, Tripp, Vaughn, Witherspoon, Kelley and W. McLeod: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-19-170 ENACTING THE "GAMBLING CRUISE PROHIBITION ACT" SO AS TO PROHIBIT GAMBLING OR THE REPAIR OF GAMBLING DEVICES ON A VESSEL IN A VOYAGE THAT BEGINS AND ENDS WITHIN THIS STATE AND PROHIBIT THE OPERATION OF A VESSEL THAT TRANSPORTS PERSONS TO ANOTHER VESSEL FOR THE PURPOSE OF GAMBLING IF BOTH THE TRANSPORTING VESSEL AND THE VESSEL ON WHICH A GAMBLING DEVICE IS USED OR REPAIRED BEGINS AND ENDS ITS VOYAGE IN THIS STATE, AND TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

H. 4684 (Word version) -- Rep. Jennings: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 9, TITLE 17, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EXTRADITION PROCEDURES, BY ADDING SECTION 17-9-15, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXTRADITION OF A PERSON WHO IS CHARGED IN THE REQUESTING STATE WITH COMMITTING AN ACT IN THIS STATE OR A THIRD STATE WHICH INTENTIONALLY RESULTED IN COMMITTING AN OFFENSE IN THE REQUESTING STATE.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

H. 4445 (Word version) -- Reps. Robinson, Wilkins, Quinn, Barfield, Barrett, H. Brown, Chellis, Cotty, Dantzler, Fleming, Gamble, Gilham, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, Hinson, Huggins, Keegan, Koon, Law, Leach, Littlejohn, Martin, Meacham-Richardson, Riser, Rodgers, Sandifer, D. Smith, Stuart, Taylor, Walker, Young-Brickell, Seithel, Cooper, Whatley, Tripp, Allison, Altman, Beck, Campsen, Cato, Davenport, Easterday, Edge, Frye, Haskins, Kelley, Knotts, Lanford, Limehouse, Loftis, Lucas, McGee, McKay, Perry, Rice, Sharpe, Simrill, R. Smith, Trotter, Vaughn, Webb, Witherspoon and Woodrum: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO REDUCE BY ONE PERCENT A YEAR THE STATE PORTION OF SALES TAX ON FOOD ITEMS WHICH LAWFULLY MAY BE PURCHASED WITH UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD COUPONS, TO EXEMPT COMPLETELY FROM THE STATE PORTION OF THE TAX ALL SUCH FOOD AND MEALS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2004, TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF THE REVENUE FROM THE REDUCED RATES OF TAX DURING THE PHASE-IN PERIOD, AND TO ALLOW A COUNTY BY ORDINANCE TO EXEMPT FOOD ITEMS FROM LOCAL SALES AND USE TAXES.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

H. 4526 (Word version) -- Reps. Campsen, Quinn, Taylor, McGee, Altman, Barrett, Easterday, Hamilton, Harrell, Haskins, Leach, Meacham-Richardson, Rice, Robinson, Sandifer, Simrill, F. Smith, Tripp, Trotter, Wilkins, Woodrum and Loftis: A BILL TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACT OF 2000" INCLUDING PROVISIONS TO ADD SECTION 1-7-35 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL DESIGNATE ONE MEMBER OF HIS PROFESSIONAL STAFF AS THE "SOUTH CAROLINA RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFICER" AND TO PROVIDE FOR THIS OFFICER'S DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES; TO ADD SECTION 59-17-135 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THIS STATE SHALL CONDUCT TRAINING FOR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS DURING ANNUAL IN-SERVICE TRAINING REGARDING CONSTITUTIONALLY AND STATUTORILY PERMITTED SCHOOL RELIGIOUS EXERCISES AND EXPRESSIONS; AND TO ADD SECTION 59-17-140 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT BY JULY 1, 2001, SHALL ADOPT A RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS POLICY AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONTENTS OF THIS POLICY AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT SHALL BE DEVELOPED.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

H. 4550 (Word version) -- Reps. Sandifer, G. Brown, Askins, Bailey, Barrett, Canty, Cato, Chellis, Davenport, Edge, Fleming, Frye, Gilham, Govan, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Hosey, Howard, Keegan, Kelley, Kirsh, Lanford, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Martin, McCraw, M. McLeod, Meacham-Richardson, Moody-Lawrence, Perry, Phillips, Quinn, Rodgers, J. Smith, R. Smith, Stille, Tripp, Trotter, Walker, Webb, Wilder, Young-Brickell, Neilson, Emory, J.M. Neal and Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 55, TITLE 39, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CEMETERIES, SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA PERPETUAL CARE CEMETERY BOARD UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION; TO CONFORM THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER TO THE STATUTORY ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK ESTABLISHED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL BOARDS UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT; AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF CEMETERY COMPANIES.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.

H. 4783 (Word version) -- Reps. Harris, Lucas, Jennings and Neilson: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AUTHORIZED TO PILOT A PROGRAM TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF USING SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION AS PART OF A COORDINATED COMMUNITY SERVICE BY ALLOWING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO RIDE STATE-OWNED SCHOOL BUSES OPERATED ON STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROVED ROUTES ON A SPACE-AVAILABLE BASIS AND UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO ALLOW THE USE OF STATE-OWNED SCHOOL BUSES IN CONJUNCTION WITH NONSCHOOL-RELATED ACTIVITIES OR PROGRAMS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE THAT THIS PROVISION IS NOT A WAIVER OR ABROGATION OF THE STATE'S LIMITED IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY AND SUIT UNDER THE STATE'S TORT CLAIMS ACT, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT MUST OBTAIN A SLED BACKGROUND CHECK ON EACH INDIVIDUAL WHO SEEKS PERMISSION TO RIDE A SCHOOL BUS PURSUANT TO THIS PROVISION, TO PROVIDE THAT AN ADULT GIVEN PERMISSION TO RIDE A SCHOOL BUS PURSUANT TO THIS PROVISION MUST POSSESS AND WEAR A PHOTO-IDENTIFICATION CARD CONTAINING CERTAIN INFORMATION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT INDIVIDUALS OTHER THAN SCHOOL STUDENTS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED "LAWFUL OCCUPANTS" PURSUANT TO CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Education.

H. 4818 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrell and M. McLeod: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 9-1-1615, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS OF A RETIRED MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE MONTH IN WHICH THE RETIREE DIES; TO AMEND SECTION 9-1-1770, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PRERETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OF MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM, SO AS TO INCREASE INSURANCE PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF A DECEASED RETIRED MEMBER UNDER THE GROUP LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-8-80, 9-9-80, AND 9-11-160, RELATING TO THE PAYMENT OF BENEFITS UNDER THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR JUDGES AND SOLICITORS, THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS OF A RETIRED MEMBER FOR THE MONTH IN WHICH THE RETIREE DIES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 9-11-120, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PRERETIREMENT AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM, SO AS TO INCREASE INSURANCE PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF DECEASED RETIREES UNDER THE GROUP LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

H. 4860 (Word version) -- Reps. Sandifer and Barrett: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 30-5-10, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS' DUTIES BY A CLERK OF COURT IN CERTAIN COUNTIES, SO AS TO ADD OCONEE COUNTY TO THE LIST OF THOSE COUNTIES WHICH HAVE BOTH A REGISTER OF DEEDS AND A CLERK OF COURT; AND TO AMEND SECTION 30-5-12, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF A REGISTER OF DEEDS, SO AS TO ADD OCONEE COUNTY TO THE LIST OF COUNTIES IN WHICH THE GOVERNING BODY APPOINTS THE REGISTER OF DEEDS.

Read the first time and, on motion of Senator HOLLAND, with unanimous consent, ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

On motion of Senator HOLLAND, with unanimous consent, H. 4860 was ordered to receive a second and third reading on the next two consecutive legislative days.

H. 4868 (Word version) -- Rep. Wilkins: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXTEND A WARM WELCOME AND OUR BEST WISHES FOR A SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO OUR FRIENDS FROM FRANCE PARTICIPATING IN THE STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM WITH J. L. MANN HIGH SCHOOL.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.

H. 4878 (Word version) -- Reps. Davenport and Walker: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND EXPRESSING THE GRATITUDE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE STUDENTS OF BOILING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL FOR DEMONSTRATING THE VERY EXCELLENCE THAT THE STATE IS STRIVING TO MAKE A REALITY IN ALL SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOLS AND ENCOURAGING EACH STUDENT TO CONTINUE TO BE A SOURCE OF GREAT PRIDE AS THEY GRADUATE AND BECOME AMBASSADORS OF SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATION IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.

H. 4879 (Word version) -- Reps. Davenport and Walker: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE GRATITUDE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND STAFF OF SPARTANBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT TWO WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE RECOGNITION OF BOILING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL AS A CAROLINA FIRST PALMETTO'S FINEST INSTITUTION AND WHO CREATE THE RICH LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS THE KEY TO EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.

H. 4884 (Word version) -- Rep. J. Brown: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE AND RECOGNIZE MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH WILLIAMS OF RICHLAND COUNTY FOR THE WONDROUS AND JOYOUS EVENT OF CELEBRATING THEIR FIFTY-THIRD WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ON APRIL 12, 2000.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.

H. 4885 (Word version) -- Reps. Davenport and Walker: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE COMMUNITIES OF THE BOILING SPRINGS AREA FOR THEIR LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIP IN EXCELLENCE WITH BOILING SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL WHICH HAS BEEN HONORED BY RECEIVING THE CAROLINA FIRST PALMETTO'S FINEST AWARD FOR THE YEAR 2000.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.

Senator LAND from the Committee on Transportation submitted a favorable with amendment report on:

S. 1170 (Word version) -- Senators Land, Leventis, Alexander, Reese, Moore, Hayes, Elliott, Passailaigue, Wilson, Hutto, Grooms, Short, Martin, O'Dell, Fair, McGill, Peeler, Glover and Russell: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 6 TO TITLE 39 SO AS TO ENACT THE "FAIR PRACTICES OF FARM, CONSTRUCTION, INDUSTRIAL, AND OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, WHOLESALERS, AND DEALERS ACT" TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRACTICES OF MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, WHOLESALERS, AND DEALERS OF FARM, CONSTRUCTION, INDUSTRIAL, AND OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING SPECIFICATION AND PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN UNFAIR ACTS OF TRADE AND COMPETITION, AND TO PROVIDE FOR JURISDICTION, VENUE, STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS, PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE, AND LEGAL AND EQUITABLE REMEDIES FOR ACTIONS ARISING OUT OF A VIOLATION OF ITS PROVISIONS.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Columbia, S.C., April 6, 2000

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it concurs in the amendments proposed by the Senate to:
H. 4138 (Word version) -- Reps. Askins, Leach and R. Smith: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THAT PORTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 41-51 IN FLORENCE COUNTY AS THE "W. ODELL VENTERS HIGHWAY" IN HONOR OF THE HONORABLE W. ODELL VENTERS WHO SERVED THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE COUNTY OF FLORENCE WITH DISTINCTION AS A MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR FIFTEEN YEARS; AND TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT TO ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS AND MARKERS REFLECTING THIS DESIGNATION.
and has ordered the Bill Enrolled for Ratification.

Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

Columbia, S.C., April 4, 2000

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it insists upon the amendments proposed by the House to:
S. 1034 (Word version) -- Senators Leatherman, Glover, Elliott, Land, McGill and Saleeby: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-260, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO VOTING PRECINCTS IN FLORENCE COUNTY, SO AS TO COMBINE THE BACK SWAMP AND QUINBY PRECINCTS AND REDESIGNATE A MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THE LINES OF THESE PRECINCTS ARE DELINEATED.
asks for a Committee of Conference, and has appointed Reps. M. Hines, McGee and J. Hines to the committee on the part of the House.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

S. 1034 (Word version) -- Senators Leatherman, Glover, Elliott, Land, McGill and Saleeby: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-260, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO VOTING PRECINCTS IN FLORENCE COUNTY, SO AS TO COMBINE THE BACK SWAMP AND QUINBY PRECINCTS AND REDESIGNATE A MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THE LINES OF THESE PRECINCTS ARE DELINEATED.

Whereupon, the PRESIDENT Pro Tempore appointed Senators LEATHERMAN, McGILL and GLOVER to the Committee of Free Conference on the part of the Senate and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

S. 139 (Word version) -- Senators Peeler, Giese, Leventis, Russell and Reese: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO HEALTH, BY ADDING CHAPTER 32 SO AS TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR BODY PIERCING IN THIS STATE, INCLUDING PROVISIONS FOR REGISTRATION, PAYMENT OF FEES, INSPECTIONS, CIVIL PENALTIES, AND CRIMINAL OFFENSES AND PENALTIES.

The House returned the Bill with amendments.

On motion of Senator PEELER, the Senate concurred in the House amendments and a message was sent to the House accordingly. Ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act and the Act enrolled for Ratification.

S. 755 (Word version) -- Senator Bryan: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 44-9-90 AND 44-9-100 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE GENERAL RIGHTS, DUTIES, AND POWERS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION, SO AS TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE COMMISSION COLLECT STATISTICS AND ADOPT REGULATIONS ON MENTAL DEFICIENCIES AND EPILEPTICS; TO AMEND SECTION 44-11-10, RELATING TO STATE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT HALL PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE SHALL NO LONGER BE MAINTAINED AS A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY; TO AMEND SECTION 44-15-50, RELATING TO GRANTS AUTHORIZED AND APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, SO AS TO DELETE REQUIREMENTS AS TO HOW FUNDS MAY BE EXPENDED; TO AMEND SECTION 44-15-80, RELATING TO THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ANYONE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TREATMENT IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE CERTAIN SERVICES; TO AMEND SECTION 44-17-410, RELATING TO THE EMERGENCY ADMISSION OF PERSONS TO A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE HOSPITAL, MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC, OR MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES FOR REVIEWING INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 44-17-540, RELATING TO THE EXAMINATION OF PERSONS ADMITTED FOR INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS, SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS WHEN INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT IS REQUIRED; TO AMEND SECTION 44-17-580, RELATING TO HOSPITALIZATION FOR INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISMISSAL OF PROCEEDINGS WHEN A PERSON IS NOT IN NEED OF INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 44-22-150, RELATING TO THE RESTRAINT, SECLUSION, OR PHYSICAL COERCION OF PATIENTS RESIDING IN MENTAL HEALTH OR ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE FACILITIES, SO AS TO DEFINE RESTRAINT; TO AMEND SECTION 44-23-1100, RELATING TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 44-22-100; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 44-23-50.

The House returned the Bill with amendments.

On motion of Senator BRYAN, the Senate concurred in the House amendments and a message was sent to the House accordingly. Ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act and the Act enrolled for Ratification.

S. 1284 (Word version) -- Senators J. Verne Smith, Thomas, Bryan, Fair and Anderson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE REPLACEMENT OVERPASS BRIDGE THAT CROSSES THE NORFOLK-SOUTHERN RAILROAD TRACKS ON SUBER ROAD IN THE CITY OF GREER IN HONOR OF THE HONORABLE LEWIS RAYMOND VAUGHN AND TO ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS REFLECTING THIS DESIGNATION.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 1285 (Word version) -- Senators Wilson, Hayes, Branton, Leventis and Ravenel: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING APRIL 12, 2000, AS "SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD APPRECIATION DAY" IN HONOR OF THE MEN AND WOMEN PROUDLY SERVING IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD AND IN GRATITUDE FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND MANY SACRIFICES.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 691 (Word version) -- Senators Land, Drummond, Elliott, Hutto, Leatherman, Peeler, Holland, Gregory, Bryan, McGill, McConnell, Branton and Grooms: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 50 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FORESTRY, BY ADDING CHAPTER 2, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FOREST MANAGEMENT PROTECTION ACT" AND TO PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND DEFINITIONS AND APPROPRIATE GUIDELINES FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT.

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

There was no objection.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill. The question being the adoption of the amendment proposed by the Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry.

The Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry proposed the following amendment (691R001.HSP), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 2, line 24, by adding after the word / fertilizers /:

/       , herbicides,       /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator PEELER explained the committee amendment.

The committee amendment was adopted.

Senators LEVENTIS and PEELER proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (gjk\21027SD00), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, in item (5) of SECTION 1 by striking / acres /on line 39, page 1, and inserting

/ areas /

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, by striking on page 2, Section 50-2-50 as contained in SECTION 2 and inserting:

/ Section 50-2-50.   (A)   No established forestry operation is or may become a nuisance, private or public, if the forestry operation adheres to best management practices as promulgated by the South Carolina Forestry Commission. This section does not apply whenever a nuisance results from the negligent, improper, or illegal operation of a forestry operation.

(B)   For the purposes of this chapter, the established date of operation is the date on which the forestry operation commenced operation. If the operation is expanded subsequently or new technology adopted, the established date of operation for each change is not a separately and independently established date of operation and the commencement of the expanded operation does not divest the forestry operation of a previously established date of operation.

(C)   An ordinance of a county or municipality that makes a forestry operation following best management practices as promulgated by the South Carolina Forestry Commission a nuisance or providing for abatement as a nuisance in derogation of this chapter, is null and void. The provisions of this section do not apply whenever a nuisance results from the negligent, illegal, or improper operation of a forestry operation. /

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, by striking Section 50-2-60 in its entirety.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator LEVENTIS explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

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

S. 1266 (Word version) -- Senator Ford: A BILL TO PROVIDE THAT THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG SHALL BE REMOVED FROM ATOP THE STATE HOUSE, FROM THE FRONT GROUND FLOOR FOYER OF THE STATE HOUSE, AND FROM THE CHAMBERS OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND PLACED IN AN UNBREAKABLE GLASS DISPLAY CASE IN FRONT OF THE CONFEDERATE SOLDIER'S MONUMENT ON THE STATE HOUSE GROUNDS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE FIRST NATIONAL FLAG OF THE CONFEDERACY (STARS AND BARS) SHALL BE DISPLAYED AT THE WOMEN'S MONUMENT TO THE CONFEDERACY ON THE STATE HOUSE GROUNDS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE UNIVERSAL NEGRO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION FLAG (BLACK LIBERATION FLAG) SHALL BE DISPLAYED AT THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MONUMENT ON THE STATE HOUSE GROUNDS; AND TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY, BY ADDING SECTION 10-1-165 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY THE UNITED STATES FLAG AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FLAG SHALL FLY ATOP THE STATE HOUSE, BE DISPLAYED IN THE FRONT GROUND FLOOR FOYER OF THE STATE HOUSE, AND IN THE CHAMBERS OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

On behalf of the Chairmen's Committee, Senator MOORE asked unanimous consent to make a motion to make the Bill a Special Order, ahead of all other Special Orders, not to be taken up for consideration before Wednesday, April 12, 2000.

The Bill was made a Special Order, ahead of all other Special Orders, not to be taken up for consideration before Wednesday, April 12, 2000.

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

The following Bill was read the third time and having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act and enrolled for Ratification:

H. 4383 (Word version) -- Reps. Quinn, Gilham and Seithel: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 40-15-135 SO AS TO PROHIBIT PERSONS NOT LICENSED AS A DENTIST FROM PERFORMING CERTAIN ACTS RELATED TO DENTAL TREATMENTS IN THE OPERATION OF A DENTAL OFFICE OR PRACTICE AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES, AND BY ADDING SECTION 40-15-83, SO AS TO REQUIRE DENTISTS TO MAINTAIN PATIENT RECORDS FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AFTER WHICH THEY MAY BE DESTROYED.

The following House Bill was read the third time and ordered returned to the House with amendments:

H. 3889 (Word version) -- Rep. Edge: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 32, TITLE 27, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO VACATION TIMESHARING PLANS, BY ADDING ARTICLE 3, SO AS TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR THE FORECLOSURE OF LIENS ON TIMESHARE ESTATES; AND TO DESIGNATE SECTIONS 27-32-10 THROUGH 27-32-250 AS ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 32, TITLE 27, ENTITLED "VACATION TIME SHARING PLANS".

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

There was no objection.

The following Bills and Joint Resolution were read the third time and ordered sent to the House of Representatives:

S. 1290 (Word version) -- Senator Hayes: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000, TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF A SURPLUS NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY IN YORK, SOUTH CAROLINA, TO YORK COUNTY.

S. 1250 (Word version) -- Senators Grooms, Matthews and Washington: A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 9, CHAPTER 1, TITLE 1, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-708 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE SOUTH CAROLINA ARTISANS CENTER IN WALTERBORO AS THE OFFICIAL STATE FOLK ART AND CRAFTS CENTER.

S. 1007 (Word version) -- Senators Holland and Giese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEATH PENALTY, SO AS TO MAKE THE OFFENSE OF AGGRAVATED STALKING AN AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE COURT OR THE JURY IN DETERMINING IF THE DEATH PENALTY SHOULD BE IMPOSED.

S. 894 (Word version) -- Senator McGill: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO HEALTH, BY ADDING CHAPTER 128, SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA YOUTH SMOKING PREVENTION COMMISSION AND FUND, TO PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, THE DISTRIBUTION OF MONIES RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STATE PLAN FOR YOUTH SMOKING PREVENTION, AND THE TYPES OF QUALIFIED PROGRAMS ELIGIBLE FOR GRANTS FROM THE FUND; AND TO AMEND SECTION 1-30-110, RELATING TO VARIOUS ENTITIES INCORPORATED INTO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, SO AS TO ADD THE YOUTH SMOKING PREVENTION COMMISSION IN THAT OFFICE.

S. 1166 (Word version) -- Senator Alexander: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-53-85, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE MET AND THE EXAMINATION THAT MUST BE COMPLETED BY AN APPLICANT TO BECOME A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL BONDSMAN, SURETY BONDSMAN, OR RUNNER, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PROFESSIONAL BONDSMAN, SURETY BONDSMAN, OR RUNNER WHO IS MORE THAN SIXTY YEARS OF AGE AND WHO HAS AT LEAST TWENTY YEARS OF LICENSURE IS EXEMPT FROM THE CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS PROVISION.

Senator ANDERSON explained the Bill.

S. 518 (Word version) -- Senators Land, McGill, Saleeby, Hayes, Moore, Rankin, Gregory, Peeler and Reese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-51-90, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE REDEMPTION OF PROPERTY SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT INTEREST ON THE WHOLE AMOUNT OF THE TAX SALE BID IS AT THE RATE OF THREE, SIX, NINE, OR TWELVE PERCENT, RISING FOR EACH THREE MONTHS OF THE REDEMPTION PERIOD RATHER THAN A RATE OF EIGHT OR TWELVE PERCENT ON THE WHOLE AMOUNT REGARDLESS OF WHEN THE PROPERTY IS REDEEMED, AND TO PROVIDE THAT INTEREST DUE MUST NOT EXCEED THE BID ON THE PROPERTY SUBMITTED BY THE FORFEITED LAND COMMISSION.

S. 1310 (Word version) -- Senators Grooms and Mescher: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 178 OF 1999, RELATING TO THE BERKELEY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOND-PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT, BY REPEALING SECTION 9, RELATING TO A REFERENDUM ON A SPECIAL ONE PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX FOR NOT MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS IN BERKELEY COUNTY.

By prior motion of Senator GROOMS

S. 567 (Word version) -- Senators Land, Anderson, Courson, Elliott, Ford, Glover, Hutto, Jackson, Matthews, McGill, Moore, O'Dell, Passailaigue, Rankin, Reese, Saleeby, Setzler, Short, Washington, Wilson, Patterson, Branton, Courtney, Holland, Russell, Peeler, Grooms, Bauer and Mescher: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-1-1510 AND 9-1-1550, BOTH AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, 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 SECTIONS 9-1-1810 AND 9-11-310, RELATING TO THE ANNUAL COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT AUTHORIZED FOR RETIREES AND BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE METHOD OF CALCULATING THE ADJUSTMENT, SO AS TO MAKE MANDATORY THE PAYMENT OF AMOUNTS UP TO ONE PERCENT CALCULATED UNDER THE ADJUSTMENT FORMULA, AND TO DELETE OBSOLETE PROVISIONS, AND TO CONFORM IN BOTH SECTIONS REFERENCES TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX USED IN CALCULATING THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT; AND 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 ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT.

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

The Committee on Finance proposed the following amendment (BBM\9345HTC00), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION   1.   Chapter 1, Title 9 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 9-1-2210.   (A)   An active contributing member who is eligible for service retirement under this chapter and complies with the requirements of this article may elect to participate in the Teacher and Employee Retention Incentive Program (program). A member electing to participate in the program retires for purposes of the system, and the member's normal retirement benefit is calculated on the basis of the member's average final compensation and service credit at the time the program period begins. The program participant shall agree to continue employment with an employer participating in the system for a program period, not to exceed five years. The member shall notify the system before the beginning of the program period. Participation in the program does not guarantee employment for the specified program period.

(B)   During the specified program period, receipt of the member's normal retirement benefit is deferred. The member's deferred monthly benefit must be placed in the system's trust fund on behalf of the member. No interest is paid on the member's deferred monthly benefit placed in the system's trust fund during the specified program period.

(C)   During the specified program period, the employer shall pay to the system the employer contribution for active members prescribed by law with respect to any program participant it employs, regardless of whether the program participant is a full-time or part-time employee, or a temporary or permanent employee. If an employer who is obligated to the system pursuant to this subsection fails to pay the amount due, as determined by the system, the amount must be deducted from any funds payable to the employer by the State.

(D)   A program participant is considered to be retired from the retirement system as of the beginning of the program period. A program participant makes no further employee contributions to the system, accrues no service credit during the program period, and is not eligible to receive group life insurance benefits. Accrued annual leave and sick leave used in any manner in the calculation of the program participant's retirement benefit is deducted from the amount of such leave accrued by the participant.

(E)   A program participant is considered retired for retirement benefit purposes only. For employment purposes, a program participant is considered to be an active employee, retaining all the rights and benefits of an active employee and is not subject to the earnings limitation of Section 9-1-1790 during the program period.

(F)   Upon termination of employment either during or at the end of the program period, the member must receive the balance in the member's program account by electing one of the following distribution alternatives:

(1)   a lump-sum distribution, paying appropriate taxes;

(2)   a tax sheltered rollover into an eligible plan.

The member also must receive the previously determined normal retirement benefits plus any applicable cost of living increases declared during the program period, based upon the member 's average final compensation and service credit at the time the program period began.

(G)   If a program participant dies during the specified program period, the member's designated program beneficiary must receive the balance in the member's program account by electing one of the following distribution alternatives:

(1)   a lump-sum distribution, paying appropriate taxes;

(2)   a tax sheltered rollover into an eligible plan.

In accordance with the form of system benefit selected by the member at the time the program commenced, the member's designated system beneficiary must receive either a survivor benefit or a refund of contributions from the member's system account.

(H)   If a program participant fails to terminate employment with an employer participating in the retirement system within one month after the end of the specified program period, the member:

(1)   is considered an active employee, receiving no retirement benefits, as of the end of the specified program period; and

(2)   becomes an active member of the retirement system as of the end of the program period.

A member who failed to terminate employment at the end of the program period may establish service credit for the program period by paying the normal employee contribution required of active members, plus regular interest, for the period the member participated in the program based on the member's salary during the program period.

(I)   A member is not eligible to participate in the program if the member has participated previously in and received a benefit under this program."

SECTION   2.   The first paragraph of Section 9-1-1510 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Any A member may retire upon written application to the board system setting forth at what time, not more than ninety days prior before nor more than six months subsequent to after the execution and filing thereof of the application, he desires to be retired, if such the member at the time so specified for his service retirement shall have has attained the age of sixty years or shall have has thirty twenty-eight or more years of creditable service and shall have has separated from service and, if the time so specified is subsequent to after the date of application, notwithstanding that, during such the period of notification, he may have separated from service."

SECTION   3.   Section 9-1-1515 of the 1976 Code, as amended by Section 52, Part II, Act 100 of 1999, is further amended to read:

"Section 9-1-1515.     (A)   In addition to other types of retirement provided by this chapter, a member who has attained the age of fifty-five years and who has at least twenty-five years of creditable service may elect early retirement. A member electing early retirement shall apply in the manner provided in Section 9-1-1510.

(B)   The benefits for a member electing early retirement under this section must be calculated in the manner provided in Section 9-1-1550, except that in lieu of any other reduction factor, the member's early retirement allowance is reduced by four percent a year, prorated for periods less than one year, for each year of creditable service less than thirty twenty-eight. However, a member's early retirement allowance is not reduced if the member pays into the system, in a lump-sum payment before the member's retirement, an amount equal to twenty percent of the member's earnable compensation or the average of the member's twelve highest consecutive fiscal quarters of compensation at the time of payment, whichever is greater, prorated for periods less than one year for each year of creditable service less than thirty twenty-eight. The member's retirement must occur not more than ninety days after the date of the payment.

(C)   A member who elects early retirement under this section is ineligible to receive any cost-of-living increase provided by law to retirees until the second July first after the date the member attains age sixty; or the second July first after the date the member would have thirty twenty-eight years' creditable service had he not retired, whichever is earlier.

(D)(1)   Except as provided in item (2) of this subsection, a member who elects early retirement under this section is not covered by the State Insurance Benefits Plan until the earlier of:

(a)   the date the member attains age sixty, or

(b)   the date the member would have thirty twenty-eight years' creditable service had he not retired.

(2)   A member taking early retirement may maintain coverage under the State Insurance Benefits Plan until the date his coverage is reinstated pursuant to item (1) of this subsection by paying the total premium cost, including the employer's contribution, in the manner provided by the Division of Insurance Services of the State Budget and Control Board."

SECTION   4.   Subsections (A) and (B) of Section 9-1-1550 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 189 of 1989, are further amended to read:

"(A)   Upon retirement from service on or after July 1, 1964, a Class One member shall receive a service retirement allowance which shall consist of:

(1)   An employee annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his accumulated contributions at the time of his retirement; and

(2)   An employer annuity equal to the employee annuity allowable at the age of sixty-five years or at age of retirement, whichever is less, computed on the basis of contributions made prior to the age of sixty-five years; and

(3)   If he has a prior service certificate in full force and effect, an additional employer annuity which must be equal to the employee annuity which would have been provided at age sixty-five or at age of retirement, whichever is less, by twice the contributions which he would have made during his entire period of prior service had the system been in operation and had he contributed thereunder during such entire period.

Upon retirement from service on or after July 1, 1989 December 31, 2000, a Class One member shall receive a service retirement allowance computed as follows: If the member's service retirement date occurs on or after his sixty-fifth sixty-second birthday, or after he has completed thirty twenty-eight or more years of creditable service, the allowance must be equal to one and forty-five hundredths percent of his average final compensation multiplied by the number of years of his creditable service.

If the member's service retirement date occurs before his sixty-fifth sixty-second birthday and before he completes thirty twenty-eight years of creditable service, his service retirement allowance is computed as above, but is reduced by five-twelfths of one percent thereof for each month by which his retirement date precedes the first day of the month, prorated for periods less than a month, coincident with or next following his sixty-fifth sixty-second birthday.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any Class One member who retires on or subsequent to after July 1, 1976, shall receive not less than the benefit provided under the formula in effect before July 1, 1976.

(B)   Upon retirement from service on or after July 1, 1989 December 31, 2000, a Class Two member shall receive a service retirement allowance computed as follows:

(1)   If the member's service retirement date occurs on or after his sixty-fifth sixty-second birthday or after he has completed thirty twenty-eight or more years of creditable service, the allowance must be equal to one and eighty-two hundredths percent of his average final compensation, multiplied by the number of years of his creditable service.

(2)   If the member's service retirement date occurs before his sixty-fifth sixty-second birthday and before he completes the thirty twenty-eight years of creditable service, his service retirement allowance is computed as in item (1) above but is reduced by five-twelfths of one percent thereof for each month, prorated for periods less than a month, by which his retirement date precedes the first day of the month coincident with or next following his sixty-fifth sixty-second birthday.

(3)   Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a Class Two member whose creditable service began before July 1, 1964, shall receive not less than the benefit provided by subsection (A) of this section."

SECTION   5.   Section 9-1-1560 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 166 of 1993, is amended to read:

"Section 9-1-1560.   (A)   Upon retirement for disability on or after July 1, 1976, a Class One member shall receive a service retirement allowance if he has attained the age of sixty-five sixty-two years. Otherwise he shall receive a disability retirement allowance which shall must be computed as follows:

(1)   Such The allowance shall must be equal to the service retirement allowance which would have been payable had he continued in service to age sixty-five sixty-two based on the average final compensation, minus the actuarial equivalent of the contribution the member would have made during such continued service, with an interest rate of four percent per annum a year.

(2)   Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any Class One member whose creditable service commenced prior to July 1, 1976, shall receive not less than the benefit which would have been provided by the provisions of this section in effect immediately prior to July 1, 1976.

(B)   Upon retirement for disability on or after May 19, 1973, a Class Two member shall receive a service retirement allowance if he has attained the age of sixty-five sixty-two years. Otherwise, he shall receive a disability retirement allowance which shall must be computed as follows:

(1)   Such The allowance shall must be equal to the service retirement allowance which would have been payable had he continued in service to age sixty-five sixty-two based on the average final compensation, minus the actuarial equivalent of the contribution the member would have made during such continued service, with an interest rate of four percent per annum a year.

(2)   Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any Class Two member whose creditable service commenced prior to July 1, 1964, shall receive not less than the benefit provided by subsection (A) of this section.

(C)   Employees retired on disability subsequent to July 1, 1982, must have their benefits recalculated in accordance with the provisions of item (1) of subsection (A) and item (2) of subsection (B).

(D)   Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, upon retirement for disability after October 15, 1992, at any age, a member must receive a disability retirement allowance equal to at least fifteen percent of his average final compensation."

SECTION   6.     Section 9-1-1660 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-1-1660.     (1)   The person nominated by a member to receive the full amount of his accumulated contributions in the event of his death before retirement may, if such the member dies after the attainment of age sixty-five sixty or after the accumulation of fifteen years of creditable service and death occurs in service, elect to receive in lieu of the accumulated contributions an allowance for life in the same amount as if the deceased member had retired at the time of his death and had named the person as beneficiary under an election of Option 2 of Section 9-1-1620. For purposes of the benefit calculation, a member under age sixty with less than thirty twenty-eight years' credit is assumed to be sixty years of age.

(2)   Any A person otherwise eligible under subsection (1) of this section to elect to receive an allowance who has attained age sixty-five or after the accumulation of thirty years of creditable service or after the attainment of age sixty with twenty or more years of creditable service but who has received a refund of the member's accumulated contributions under Section 9-1-1650 may, upon repayment of the refund to the system in a single sum, make the election provided for in subsection (1). The monthly payments under Option 2 to the person date from the time of the repayment of the accumulated contributions to the system."

SECTION   7.   The last paragraph of Section 9-1-1770 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 412 of 1990, is further amended to read:

"Upon the death of a retired member on or after July 1, 1985 after December 31, 2000, there must be paid to the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, if living at the time of the retired member's death, otherwise to the retired member's estate, a death benefit of one thousand dollars if the retired member had ten years of creditable service but less than twenty years, two thousand dollars if the retired member had twenty years of creditable service but less than thirty twenty-eight, and three thousand dollars if the retired member had at least thirty twenty-eight years of creditable service at the time of retirement, provided the retired member's most recent employer prior to retirement is covered by the Group Life Insurance Program."

SECTION   8.   Section 9-1-1810 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-1-1810.     As of the end of each calendar year commencing with the year ending December 31, 1969, the increase in the ratio of the Consumer Price Index to the index as of December 31, 1968, or the most recent prior December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase in retirement allowances was granted, must be determined, and if the increase equals or exceeds three percent, the retirement allowance, inclusive of the supplemental allowances payable under the provisions of Sections 9-1-1910, 9-1-1920, and 9-1-1930, of each beneficiary in receipt of an allowance as of December 31, 1968, or the most recent December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase was granted, must be increased by four percent. If the increase in the index is less than three percent, the retirement allowance, inclusive of supplemental allowances, all as determined above, must be increased by a percentage equal to the increase in the index. The increase in retirement allowances shall commence commences the July first immediately following the December thirty-first that the increase in ratio was determined. Beginning with the calendar year ending December 31, 1981, and all increases in retirement allowances must be granted to these beneficiaries in receipt of a retirement allowance on July first immediately preceding the effective date of the increase. Any increase in allowances after the first five increases shall become is effective only if the additional liabilities, on account because of the increase in allowances, do not require an increase in the total employer rate of contribution except that any increase of up to and including one percent must be paid. Any increase in allowance granted hereunder pursuant to this section must be included in the determination of any subsequent increases, irrespective of any subsequent decrease in the Consumer Price Index.

The allowance of a surviving annuitant of a beneficiary whose allowance is increased under this section must, when and if payable, be increased by the same percent.

For purposes of this section, 'Consumer Price Index' means the Consumer Price Index for Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics."

SECTION   9.   Section 9-1-1850 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 420 of 1994, is further amended to read:

"Section 9-1-1850.     (A)(1)   A member who has at least twenty-five years of creditable service in any retirement the system provided in this title chapter may elect to receive up to five three years of additional service credit as though the additional service credit were rendered by the member as an employee or member by paying into the member's retirement system South Carolina Retirement System the amount provided in this item. The required amount is determined by multiplying the member's current salary or the highest fiscal year salary in the member's work career, whichever is greater, by the percentage provided in this item and multiplying the result by the number of years credited, prorated for periods less than one year. The applicable percentage of salary to calculate the payment allowed pursuant to this subsection is as follows:

Years to be Credited                     Percentage of Salary

(a)     not more than one year             58 percent

(b)     over one year but not

more than two years               54 percent for each year

(c)     over two years

but not more than three years         50 percent for each year

(d)     over three years, but not

more than four years               46 percent for each year

(e)     over four years                   42 percent for each year

(2)   The member also shall pay the employer and employee cost for health and dental insurance for a time period equal to the period of service credit purchased, or until the date the member attains age sixty, at which time the member becomes eligible for employer-paid health and dental insurance.

(3)   Any service credit purchased under this subsection qualifies the member for retirement, and the member must retire within ninety days after the purchase.

(B)   As an alternative to the option provided in subsection (A), the member, if he has at least twenty-five years of creditable service, may elect to receive up to five three years of additional service credit as though the additional service credit were rendered by him as an employee or member upon paying into his retirement system, during the ensuing number of years he wishes to purchase in the manner the Comptroller General shall direct, the employer and employee contributions that would be due for the position that he presently holds at the salary level in effect during those years. If the position is consolidated or eliminated after the member's retirement, he shall pay the employer and employee contributions during the remaining required years at a level equal to what these contributions were for the position before its consolidation or elimination. The member also shall pay the employer and employee cost for health and dental insurance in effect during the ensuing years the member wishes to purchase. The additional service credit qualifies the member for retirement, and the member must retire within ninety days subsequent to electing the option provided by subsection (B). The salary level of the position the member presently holds, during the ensuing years the member pays the employer and employee contributions, is attributable to the member for purposes determining the member's average final compensation.

The retirement benefits of the member shall not commence until the time benefits would have been paid when the member had completed thirty twenty-eight years of service."

SECTION   10.   Section 9-11-310 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-11-310.     As of the end of each calendar year commencing with the year ending December 31, 1974, the increase in the ratio of the Consumer Price Index to such the index as of December 31, 1973, or the most recent prior December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase in retirement allowances was granted, must be determined, and if the increase equals or exceeds three percent, the retirement allowance, exclusive of any part thereof derived from accumulated additional contributions, of each beneficiary in receipt of an allowance as of December 31, 1973, or the most recent December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase was granted, must be increased by four percent. If the increase in the index is less than three percent, the retirement allowances, as determined above, must be increased by a percentage equal to the increase in the index. The increase in retirement allowances must commence commences the July first immediately following the December thirty-first that the increase in ratio was determined.

Beginning with the calendar year ending December 31, 1981, all All increases in retirement allowances must be granted to those beneficiaries in receipt of a retirement allowance on July first immediately preceding the effective date of the increase. The increase in allowances after the first five such increases shall become becomes effective only if the additional liabilities on account of the increase in allowances do not require an increase in the employer rate of contribution except that any increase of up to and including one percent must be paid. Any increase in allowance granted hereunder pursuant to this section is permanent, irrespective of any subsequent decrease in the Consumer Price Index, and must be included in determining any subsequent increase.

The allowance of a surviving annuitant of a beneficiary whose allowance is increased under this section, must, when and if payable, must be increased by the same percent.

For purposes of this section, 'Consumer Price Index' means the Consumer Price Index (all items--United States city average), for Wage Earners and Clerical Workers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics."

SECTION   11.   This act takes effect January 1, 2001. /

Amend title to conform.

On motion of Senator J. VERNE SMITH, the committee amendment was adopted.

Senators DRUMMOND, J. VERNE SMITH, LAND, SETZLER and GIESE proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (BBM\9437HTC00), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, in Section 9-1-2210, as contained in SECTION 1, beginning on page 567-2, by striking subsections (D) through (H) and inserting:

/ (D)   A program participant is retired from the retirement system as of the beginning of the program period. A program participant makes no further employee contributions to the system, accrues no service credit during the program period, and is not eligible to receive group life insurance benefits or disability retirement benefits. Accrued annual leave and sick leave used in any manner in the calculation of the program participant's retirement benefit is deducted from the amount of such leave accrued by the participant.

(E)   A program participant is retired for retirement benefit purposes only. For employment purposes, a program participant is considered to be an active employee, retaining all other rights and benefits of an active employee and is not subject to the earnings limitation of Section 9-1-1790 during the program period.

(F)   Upon termination of employment either during or at the end of the program period, the member must receive the balance in the member's program account by electing one of the following distribution alternatives:

(1)   a lump-sum distribution, paying appropriate taxes; or

(2)   to the extent permitted under law, a tax sheltered rollover into an eligible plan.

The member also must receive the previously determined normal retirement benefits based upon the member's average final compensation and service credit at the time the program period began, plus any applicable cost of living increases declared during the program period. The program participant is thereafter subject to the earnings limitation of Section 9-1-1790.

(G)   If a program participant dies during the specified program period, the member's designated beneficiary must receive the balance in the member's program account by electing one of the following distribution alternatives:

(1)   a lump-sum distribution, paying appropriate taxes; or

(2)   to the extent permitted under law, a tax sheltered rollover into an eligible plan.

In accordance with the form of system benefit selected by the member at the time the program commenced, the member's designated beneficiary must receive either a survivor benefit or a refund of contributions from the member's system account.

(H)   If a program participant fails to terminate employment with an employer participating in the retirement system within one month after the end of the specified program period, the member must receive the previously determined normal retirement benefits based upon the member's average final compensation and service credit at the time the program began, plus any applicable cost of living increases declared during the program period. The program participant is thereafter subject to the earnings limitation of Section 9-1-1790. The program participant also must receive the balance in the member's program account by selecting one of the following alternatives:

(1)   a lump-sum distribution, paying appropriate taxes; or

(2)   to the extent permitted under law, a tax sheltered rollover into an eligible plan. /

Amend further, as and if amended, beginning on page 567-5, by striking Section 4 and inserting:

/ SECTION   4.   Subsections (A) and (B) of Section 9-1-1550 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 189 of 1989, are further amended to read:

"(A)   Upon retirement from service on or after July 1, 1964, a Class One member shall receive a service retirement allowance which shall consist of:

(1)   An employee annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his accumulated contributions at the time of his retirement; and

(2)   An employer annuity equal to the employee annuity allowable at the age of sixty-five years or at age of retirement, whichever is less, computed on the basis of contributions made prior to the age of sixty-five years; and

(3)   If he has a prior service certificate in full force and effect, an additional employer annuity which must be equal to the employee annuity which would have been provided at age sixty-five or at age of retirement, whichever is less, by twice the contributions which he would have made during his entire period of prior service had the system been in operation and had he contributed thereunder during such entire period.

Upon retirement from service on or after July 1, 1989 December 31, 2000, a Class One member shall receive a service retirement allowance computed as follows: If the member's service retirement date occurs on or after his sixty-fifth birthday, or after he has completed thirty twenty-eight or more years of creditable service, the allowance must be equal to one and forty-five hundredths percent of his average final compensation multiplied by the number of years of his creditable service.

If the member's service retirement date occurs before his sixty-fifth birthday and before he completes thirty twenty-eight years of creditable service, his service retirement allowance is computed as above, but is reduced by five-twelfths of one percent thereof for each month by which his retirement date precedes the first day of the month, prorated for periods less than a month, coincident with or next following his sixty-fifth birthday.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any Class One member who retires on or subsequent to after July 1, 1976, shall receive not less than the benefit provided under the formula in effect before July 1, 1976.

(B)   Upon retirement from service on or after July 1, 1989 December 31, 2000, a Class Two member shall receive a service retirement allowance computed as follows:

(1)   If the member's service retirement date occurs on or after his sixty-fifth birthday or after he has completed thirty twenty-eight or more years of creditable service, the allowance must be equal to one and eighty-two hundredths percent of his average final compensation, multiplied by the number of years of his creditable service.

(2)   If the member's service retirement date occurs before his sixty-fifth birthday and before he completes the thirty twenty-eight years of creditable service, his service retirement allowance is computed as in item (1) above but is reduced by five-twelfths of one percent thereof for each month, prorated for periods less than a month, by which his retirement date precedes the first day of the month coincident with or next following his sixty-fifth birthday.

(3)   Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a Class Two member whose creditable service began before July 1, 1964, shall receive not less than the benefit provided by subsection (A) of this section." /

Amend further, as and if amended, beginning on page 567-6, by striking Section 5.

Amend further, as and if amended, in Section 9-1-1770, as contained in SECTION 7, page 567-8, line 4, by striking /death/ and inserting / death life insurance /.

Amend further, as and if amended, beginning on page 567-8, by striking Section 8 and inserting:

/ SECTION   8.   Section 9-1-1810 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-1-1810.     As of the end of each calendar year commencing with the year ending December 31, 1969, the increase in the ratio of the Consumer Price Index to the index as of December 31, 1968, or the most recent prior December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase in retirement allowances was granted, must be determined, and if the increase equals or exceeds three four percent, the retirement allowance, inclusive of the supplemental allowances payable under the provisions of Sections 9-1-1910, 9-1-1920, and 9-1-1930, of each beneficiary in receipt of an allowance as of December 31, 1968, or the most recent December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase was granted, must be increased by four percent. If the increase in the index is less than three four percent, the retirement allowance, inclusive of supplemental allowances, all as determined above, must be increased by a percentage equal to the increase in the index. The increase in retirement allowances shall commence commences the July first immediately following the December thirty-first that the increase in ratio was determined. Beginning with the calendar year ending December 31, 1981, and all increases in retirement allowances must be granted to these beneficiaries in receipt of a retirement allowance on July first immediately preceding the effective date of the increase. Any increase in allowances after the first five increases shall become is effective only if the additional liabilities, on account because of the increase in allowances, do not require an increase in the total employer rate of contribution, except that an increase of up to and including one-half percent must be paid after December 31, 2000, and an increase of up to and including an additional one-half percent must be paid after December 31, 2001. After December 31, 2002, the board is authorized to declare further guaranteed cost of living allowance increases of up to and including an additional two percent, in increments of one-half percent, upon certification from the system actuary that the system's unfunded actuarial liability amortization period does not exceed the acceptable limit as defined by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board as a result of the increase in allowances. Any increase in allowance granted hereunder pursuant to this section must be included in the determination of any subsequent increases, irrespective of any subsequent decrease in the Consumer Price Index.

The allowance of a surviving annuitant of a beneficiary whose allowance is increased under this section must, when and if payable, be increased by the same percent.

For purposes of this section, 'Consumer Price Index' means the Consumer Price Index for Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics." /

Amend further, as and if amended, beginning on page 567-10, by striking Section 10 and inserting:

/ SECTION   10.   Section 9-11-310 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-11-310.     As of the end of each calendar year commencing with the year ending December 31, 1974, the increase in the ratio of the Consumer Price Index to such the index as of December 31, 1973, or the most recent prior December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase in retirement allowances was granted, must be determined, and if the increase equals or exceeds three four percent, the retirement allowance, exclusive of any part thereof derived from accumulated additional contributions, of each beneficiary in receipt of an allowance as of December 31, 1973, or the most recent December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase was granted, must be increased by four percent. If the increase in the index is less than three four percent, the retirement allowances, as determined above, must be increased by a percentage equal to the increase in the index. The increase in retirement allowances must commence commences the July first immediately following the December thirty-first that the increase in ratio was determined.

Beginning with the calendar year ending December 31, 1981, all All increases in retirement allowances must be granted to those beneficiaries in receipt of a retirement allowance on July first immediately preceding the effective date of the increase. The increase in allowances after the first five such increases shall become is effective only if the additional liabilities on account of the increase in allowances do not require an increase in the employer rate of contribution, except that an increase of up to and including one-half percent must be paid after December 31, 2000, and an additional increase of up to and including one-half percent must be paid after December 31, 2001. After December 31, 2002, the board is authorized to declare further guaranteed cost of living allowance increases of up to and including an additional two percent, in increments of one-half percent, upon certification from the system actuary that the system's unfunded actuarial liability amortization period does not exceed the acceptable limit as defined by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board as a result of the increase in allowances. Any increase in allowance granted hereunder pursuant to this section is permanent, irrespective of any subsequent decrease in the Consumer Price Index, and must be included in determining any subsequent increase.

The allowance of a surviving annuitant of a beneficiary whose allowance is increased under this section, must, when and if payable, must be increased by the same percent.

For purposes of this section, 'Consumer Price Index' means the Consumer Price Index (all items--United States city average), for Wage Earners and Clerical Workers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics." /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator J. VERNE SMITH explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senator DRUMMOND proposed the following Amendment No. 2 (BBM\9430HTC00), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/ SECTION   __.   A.   Article 13, Chapter 1, Title 9 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 9-1-1615.   All retirement allowances are payable in monthly installments. Upon the death of a retired member, the retirement allowance for the month the retired member died, if not previously paid, must be paid to the member's designated beneficiary, if the beneficiary is living at the time of the member's death, otherwise to the member's estate. If the retired member elected a survivor option pursuant to the optional forms of allowances in Section 9-1-1620, any allowance payable to a survivor beneficiary commences in the month after the death of the retired member."

B.   Section 9-1-1770 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 458 of 1996, is further amended by adding a new undesignated paragraph at the end to read:

"Upon the death of a retired member after June 30, 2000, the life insurance benefit otherwise due the member's beneficiary, beneficiaries, or estate under the above paragraph is increased as follows: one thousand dollars is increased to two thousand dollars; two thousand dollars is increased to four thousand dollars; and three thousand dollars is increased to six thousand dollars."

C.   Section 9-8-80 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-8-80.   All retirement allowances shall be are payable in monthly installments ceasing with the last payment prior to death except for the spouse entitlement. If a member of the System has elected the optional form of allowance those provisions shall apply. Upon the death of a retired member, the retirement allowance for the month the retired member died, if not previously paid, must be paid to the member's spouse, or if the member designated a nonspouse beneficiary or beneficiaries, then to the nonspouse beneficiary or beneficiaries living at the time of the member's death, otherwise to the estate of the member. A spouse's entitlement to a benefit pursuant to Section 9-8-110 commences in the month after the retired member's death. If the retired member elected a survivor option pursuant to the optional retirement allowances in Section 9-8-70, any allowance payable to a survivor beneficiary or beneficiaries commences in the month after the death of the retired member."

D.   Section 9-9-80 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-9-80.   All retirement allowances shall be are payable in monthly installments ceasing with the last payment prior to death; provided, that if a member of the System has elected an optional allowance the provisions thereof shall apply. Upon the death of a retired member, the retirement allowance for the month the retired member died, if not previously paid, must be paid to the member's designated beneficiary, if the beneficiary is living at the time of the member's death, otherwise to the estate of the member. If the retired member elected a survivor option pursuant to the optional forms of allowances in Section 9-9-70, any allowance payable to a survivor beneficiary commences in the month after the death of the retired member."

E.   The last paragraph of Section 9-11-120 of the 1976 Code, as amended by Act 170 of 1991, is further amended to read:

"Upon the death of a retired member on or after July 1, 1985 2000, there must be paid to the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, if living at the time of the retired member's death, otherwise to the retired member's estate, a death life insurance benefit of two thousand dollars if the retired member had ten years of creditable service but less than twenty years, three four thousand dollars if the retired member had twenty years of creditable service but less than thirty twenty-five, and four six thousand dollars if the retired member had at least thirty twenty-five years of creditable service at the time of retirement, provided if the retired member's most recent employer prior to retirement is covered by the Group Life Insurance Program."

F.   Section 9-11-160 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-11-160.   All retirement allowances shall be are payable in monthly installments ceasing with the last payment prior to death, provided that if a member has elected an optional allowance the provisions thereof shall apply. Upon the death of a retired member, the retirement allowance for the month the retired member died, if not previously paid, must be paid to the member's designated beneficiary, if the beneficiary is living at the time of the member's death, otherwise to the member's estate. If the retired member elected a survivor option pursuant to the optional forms of allowances in Section 9-11-150, any allowance payable to a survivor beneficiary commences in the month after the death of the retired member."

G.   Notwithstanding the general effective date of this act, this section takes effect July 1, 2000. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator J. VERNE SMITH explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senator MARTIN proposed the following Amendment No. 3 (BBM\ 9442HTC00), which was tabled:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered section to read:

/ SECTION __.   Section 9-1-1220 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 189 of 1989, is further amended by adding at the end:

"Effective January 1, 2001, employer and employee contributions for the South Carolina Retirement System are increased by seventy-five hundredths of one percent." /

Amend further, as and if amended, page 567-8, by striking Section 9-1-1810 as contained in SECTION 8 and inserting:

/ "Section 9-1-1810.   As of the end of each calendar year commencing with the year ending December 31, 1969, the increase in the ratio of the Consumer Price Index to the index as of December 31, 1968, or the most recent prior December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase in retirement allowances was granted, must be determined, and if the increase equals or exceeds three percent, the retirement allowance, inclusive of the supplemental allowances payable under the provisions of Sections 9-1-1910, 9-1-1920, and 9-1-1930, of each beneficiary in receipt of an allowance as of December 31, 1968, or the most recent December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase was granted, must be increased by four percent. If the increase in the index is less than three percent, the retirement allowance, inclusive of supplemental allowances, all as determined above, must be increased by a percentage equal to the increase in the index. The increase in retirement allowances shall commence commences the July first immediately following the December thirty-first that the increase in ratio was determined. Beginning with the calendar year ending December 31, 1981, and all increases in retirement allowances must be granted to these beneficiaries in receipt of a retirement allowance on July first immediately preceding the effective date of the increase. Any increase in allowances after the first five increases shall become is effective only if the additional liabilities, on account because of the increase in allowances, do not require an increase in the total employer rate of contribution except that any increase of up to and including one percent must be paid. Any increase in allowance granted hereunder pursuant to this section must be included in the determination of any subsequent increases, irrespective of any subsequent decrease in the Consumer Price Index.

The allowance of a surviving annuitant of a beneficiary whose allowance is increased under this section must, when and if payable, be increased by the same percent.

For purposes of this section, 'Consumer Price Index' means the Consumer Price Index for Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics." /

Amend further, as and if amended, page 567-10, by striking Section 9-11-310 as contained in SECTION 10 and inserting:

/ "Section 9-11-310.     As of the end of each calendar year commencing with the year ending December 31, 1974, the increase in the ratio of the Consumer Price Index to such the index as of December 31, 1973, or the most recent prior December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase in retirement allowances was granted, must be determined, and if the increase equals or exceeds three percent, the retirement allowance, exclusive of any part thereof derived from accumulated additional contributions, of each beneficiary in receipt of an allowance as of December 31, 1973, or the most recent December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase was granted, must be increased by four percent. If the increase in the index is less than three percent, the retirement allowances, as determined above, must be increased by a percentage equal to the increase in the index. The increase in retirement allowances must commence commences the July first immediately following the December thirty-first that the increase in ratio was determined.

Beginning with the calendar year ending December 31, 1981, all All increases in retirement allowances must be granted to those beneficiaries in receipt of a retirement allowance on July first immediately preceding the effective date of the increase. The increase in allowances after the first five such increases shall become becomes effective only if the additional liabilities on account of the increase in allowances do not require an increase in the employer rate of contribution except that any increase of up to and including one percent must be paid. Any increase in allowance granted hereunder pursuant to this section is permanent, irrespective of any subsequent decrease in the Consumer Price Index, and must be included in determining any subsequent increase.

The allowance of a surviving annuitant of a beneficiary whose allowance is increased under this section, must, when and if payable, must be increased by the same percent.

For purposes of this section, 'Consumer Price Index' means the Consumer Price Index (all items--United States city average), for Wage Earners and Clerical Workers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics." /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator MARTIN explained the amendment.

Senator MARTIN moved that the amendment be adopted.

Senator J. VERNE SMITH argued contra to the adoption of the amendment.

Senator SETZLER spoke on the amendment.

Senator J. VERNE SMITH moved to lay the amendment on the table.

The amendment was laid on the table.

Senator PASSAILAIGUE proposed the following Amendment No. 4A (GJK\21213SD00), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding a new SECTION appropriately numbered to read:

/ SECTION   ____.   The fifth paragraph of Section 9-1-1140 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 59 of 1991, is further amended to read:

"Merchant marine seamen who served in active ocean-going service from December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1947, and civil service crew members aboard United States Army Transport Service and Naval Transportation Service vessels in ocean-going service in foreign waters during the same period may establish their period of service as creditable service in the manner that military service is established as creditable service pursuant to this section. Persons who have served on active duty as commissioned officers in the United States Public Health Service may establish their period of service as creditable service in the same manner that military service is established as creditable service pursuant to this section, provided that this service credit for service in the United States Public Health Service must be established and purchased before December 31, 2000."/

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator PASSAILAIGUE explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the question then was the third reading of the Bill.

Senator FAIR argued contra to the third reading of the Bill.

Senator BRYAN spoke on the Bill.

Senator BRYAN proposed the following Amendment No. 5 (sbd\567.2), which was adopted:

Amend the committee amendment, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

SECTION_____ All local school district classroom teachers must provide, to their employer, notice of their intent to retire after December 31, 2000, and before the end of the 2000-2001 school year. This notification must be submitted in writing no later than September 1, 2000. Employees electing to retire from the retirement system but choosing to stay employed under the Optional Retirement Plan are exempt from this requirement.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator BRYAN explained the amendment.

Senator SETZLER spoke on the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

The following amendment (567R002.fc), as approved by the Clerk, reconciled the amendments adopted during the consideration of S. 567:

Amend the bill by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

/   SECTION   1.   A.   Chapter 1, Title 9 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 9-1-2210.   (A)   An active contributing member who is eligible for service retirement under this chapter and complies with the requirements of this article may elect to participate in the Teacher and Employee Retention Incentive Program (program). A member electing to participate in the program retires for purposes of the system, and the member's normal retirement benefit is calculated on the basis of the member's average final compensation and service credit at the time the program period begins. The program participant shall agree to continue employment with an employer participating in the system for a program period, not to exceed five years. The member shall notify the system before the beginning of the program period. Participation in the program does not guarantee employment for the specified program period.

(B)   During the specified program period, receipt of the member's normal retirement benefit is deferred. The member's deferred monthly benefit must be placed in the system's trust fund on behalf of the member. No interest is paid on the member's deferred monthly benefit placed in the system's trust fund during the specified program period.

(C)   During the specified program period, the employer shall pay to the system the employer contribution for active members prescribed by law with respect to any program participant it employs, regardless of whether the program participant is a full-time or part-time employee, or a temporary or permanent employee. If an employer who is obligated to the system pursuant to this subsection fails to pay the amount due, as determined by the system, the amount must be deducted from any funds payable to the employer by the State.

(D)   A program participant is retired from the retirement system as of the beginning of the program period. A program participant makes no further employee contributions to the system, accrues no service credit during the program period, and is not eligible to receive group life insurance benefits or disability retirement benefits. Accrued annual leave and sick leave used in any manner in the calculation of the program participant's retirement benefit is deducted from the amount of such leave accrued by the participant.

(E)   A program participant is retired for retirement benefit purposes only. For employment purposes, a program participant is considered to be an active employee, retaining all other rights and benefits of an active employee and is not subject to the earnings limitation of Section 9-1-1790 during the program period.

(F)   Upon termination of employment either during or at the end of the program period, the member must receive the balance in the member's program account by electing one of the following distribution alternatives:

(1)   a lump-sum distribution, paying appropriate taxes; or

(2)   to the extent permitted under law, a tax sheltered rollover into an eligible plan.

The member also must receive the previously determined normal retirement benefits based upon the member's average final compensation and service credit at the time the program period began, plus any applicable cost of living increases declared during the program period. The program participant is thereafter subject to the earnings limitation of Section 9-1-1790.

(G)   If a program participant dies during the specified program period, the member's designated beneficiary must receive the balance in the member's program account by electing one of the following distribution alternatives:

(1)   a lump-sum distribution, paying appropriate taxes; or

(2)   to the extent permitted under law, a tax sheltered rollover into an eligible plan.

In accordance with the form of system benefit selected by the member at the time the program commenced, the member's designated beneficiary must receive either a survivor benefit or a refund of contributions from the member's system account.

(H)   If a program participant fails to terminate employment with an employer participating in the retirement system within one month after the end of the specified program period, the member must receive the previously determined normal retirement benefits based upon the member's average final compensation and service credit at the time the program began, plus any applicable cost of living increases declared during the program period. The program participant is thereafter subject to the earnings limitation of Section 9-1-1790. The program participant also must receive the balance in the member's program account by selecting one of the following alternatives:

(1)   a lump-sum distribution, paying appropriate taxes; or

(2)   to the extent permitted under law, a tax sheltered rollover into an eligible plan.

(I)   A member is not eligible to participate in the program if the member has participated previously in and received a benefit under this program."

B.     The first paragraph of Section 9-1-1510 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Any A member may retire upon written application to the board system setting forth at what time, not more than ninety days prior before nor more than six months subsequent to after the execution and filing thereof of the application, he desires to be retired, if such the member at the time so specified for his service retirement shall have has attained the age of sixty years or shall have has thirty twenty-eight or more years of creditable service and shall have has separated from service and, if the time so specified is subsequent to after the date of application, notwithstanding that, during such the period of notification, he may have separated from service."

C.     Section 9-1-1515 of the 1976 Code, as amended by Section 52, Part II, Act 100 of 1999, is further amended to read:

"Section 9-1-1515.     (A)   In addition to other types of retirement provided by this chapter, a member who has attained the age of fifty-five years and who has at least twenty-five years of creditable service may elect early retirement. A member electing early retirement shall apply in the manner provided in Section 9-1-1510.

(B)   The benefits for a member electing early retirement under this section must be calculated in the manner provided in Section 9-1-1550, except that in lieu of any other reduction factor, the member's early retirement allowance is reduced by four percent a year, prorated for periods less than one year, for each year of creditable service less than thirty twenty-eight. However, a member's early retirement allowance is not reduced if the member pays into the system, in a lump-sum payment before the member's retirement, an amount equal to twenty percent of the member's earnable compensation or the average of the member's twelve highest consecutive fiscal quarters of compensation at the time of payment, whichever is greater, prorated for periods less than one year for each year of creditable service less than thirty twenty-eight. The member's retirement must occur not more than ninety days after the date of the payment.

(C)   A member who elects early retirement under this section is ineligible to receive any cost-of-living increase provided by law to retirees until the second July first after the date the member attains age sixty; or the second July first after the date the member would have thirty twenty-eight years' creditable service had he not retired, whichever is earlier.

(D)(1)   Except as provided in item (2) of this subsection, a member who elects early retirement under this section is not covered by the State Insurance Benefits Plan until the earlier of:

(a)   the date the member attains age sixty, or

(b)   the date the member would have thirty twenty-eight years' creditable service had he not retired.

(2)   A member taking early retirement may maintain coverage under the State Insurance Benefits Plan until the date his coverage is reinstated pursuant to item (1) of this subsection by paying the total premium cost, including the employer's contribution, in the manner provided by the Division of Insurance Services of the State Budget and Control Board."

D.   Subsections (A) and (B) of Section 9-1-1550 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 189 of 1989, are further amended to read:

"(A)   Upon retirement from service on or after July 1, 1964, a Class One member shall receive a service retirement allowance which shall consist of:

(1)   An employee annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his accumulated contributions at the time of his retirement; and

(2)   An employer annuity equal to the employee annuity allowable at the age of sixty-five years or at age of retirement, whichever is less, computed on the basis of contributions made prior to the age of sixty-five years; and

(3)   If he has a prior service certificate in full force and effect, an additional employer annuity which must be equal to the employee annuity which would have been provided at age sixty-five or at age of retirement, whichever is less, by twice the contributions which he would have made during his entire period of prior service had the system been in operation and had he contributed thereunder during such entire period.

Upon retirement from service on or after July 1, 1989 December 31, 2000, a Class One member shall receive a service retirement allowance computed as follows: If the member's service retirement date occurs on or after his sixty-fifth birthday, or after he has completed thirty twenty-eight or more years of creditable service, the allowance must be equal to one and forty-five hundredths percent of his average final compensation multiplied by the number of years of his creditable service.

If the member's service retirement date occurs before his sixty-fifth birthday and before he completes thirty twenty-eight years of creditable service, his service retirement allowance is computed as above, but is reduced by five-twelfths of one percent thereof for each month by which his retirement date precedes the first day of the month, prorated for periods less than a month, coincident with or next following his sixty-fifth birthday.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any Class One member who retires on or subsequent to after July 1, 1976, shall receive not less than the benefit provided under the formula in effect before July 1, 1976.

(B)   Upon retirement from service on or after July 1, 1989 December 31, 2000, a Class Two member shall receive a service retirement allowance computed as follows:

(1)   If the member's service retirement date occurs on or after his sixty-fifth birthday or after he has completed thirty twenty-eight or more years of creditable service, the allowance must be equal to one and eighty-two hundredths percent of his average final compensation, multiplied by the number of years of his creditable service.

(2)   If the member's service retirement date occurs before his sixty-fifth birthday and before he completes the thirty twenty-eight years of creditable service, his service retirement allowance is computed as in item (1) above but is reduced by five-twelfths of one percent thereof for each month, prorated for periods less than a month, by which his retirement date precedes the first day of the month coincident with or next following his sixty-fifth birthday.

(3)   Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a Class Two member whose creditable service began before July 1, 1964, shall receive not less than the benefit provided by subsection (A) of this section."

E.     Section 9-1-1660 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-1-1660.     (1)   The person nominated by a member to receive the full amount of his accumulated contributions in the event of his death before retirement may, if such the member dies after the attainment of age sixty-five sixty or after the accumulation of fifteen years of creditable service and death occurs in service, elect to receive in lieu of the accumulated contributions an allowance for life in the same amount as if the deceased member had retired at the time of his death and had named the person as beneficiary under an election of Option 2 of Section 9-1-1620. For purposes of the benefit calculation, a member under age sixty with less than thirty twenty-eight years' credit is assumed to be sixty years of age.

(2)   Any A person otherwise eligible under subsection (1) of this section to elect to receive an allowance who has attained age sixty-five or after the accumulation of thirty years of creditable service or after the attainment of age sixty with twenty or more years of creditable service but who has received a refund of the member's accumulated contributions under Section 9-1-1650 may, upon repayment of the refund to the system in a single sum, make the election provided for in subsection (1). The monthly payments under Option 2 to the person date from the time of the repayment of the accumulated contributions to the system."

F.     The last paragraph of Section 9-1-1770 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 412 of 1990, is further amended to read:

"Upon the death of a retired member on or after July 1, 1985 after December 31, 2000, there must be paid to the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, if living at the time of the retired member's death life insurance, otherwise to the retired member's estate, a death benefit of one thousand dollars if the retired member had ten years of creditable service but less than twenty years, two thousand dollars if the retired member had twenty years of creditable service but less than thirty twenty-eight, and three thousand dollars if the retired member had at least thirty twenty-eight years of creditable service at the time of retirement, provided the retired member's most recent employer prior to retirement is covered by the Group Life Insurance Program."

G.   Section 9-1-1810 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-1-1810.     As of the end of each calendar year commencing with the year ending December 31, 1969, the increase in the ratio of the Consumer Price Index to the index as of December 31, 1968, or the most recent prior December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase in retirement allowances was granted, must be determined, and if the increase equals or exceeds three four percent, the retirement allowance, inclusive of the supplemental allowances payable under the provisions of Sections 9-1-1910, 9-1-1920, and 9-1-1930, of each beneficiary in receipt of an allowance as of December 31, 1968, or the most recent December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase was granted, must be increased by four percent. If the increase in the index is less than three four percent, the retirement allowance, inclusive of supplemental allowances, all as determined above, must be increased by a percentage equal to the increase in the index. The increase in retirement allowances shall commence commences the July first immediately following the December thirty-first that the increase in ratio was determined. Beginning with the calendar year ending December 31, 1981, and all increases in retirement allowances must be granted to these beneficiaries in receipt of a retirement allowance on July first immediately preceding the effective date of the increase. Any increase in allowances after the first five increases shall become is effective only if the additional liabilities, on account because of the increase in allowances, do not require an increase in the total employer rate of contribution, except that an increase of up to and including one-half percent must be paid after December 31, 2000, and an increase of up to and including an additional one-half percent must be paid after December 31, 2001. After December 31, 2002, the board is authorized to declare further guaranteed cost of living allowance increases of up to and including an additional two percent, in increments of one-half percent, upon certification from the system actuary that the system's unfunded actuarial liability amortization period does not exceed the acceptable limit as defined by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board as a result of the increase in allowances. Any increase in allowance granted hereunder pursuant to this section must be included in the determination of any subsequent increases, irrespective of any subsequent decrease in the Consumer Price Index.

The allowance of a surviving annuitant of a beneficiary whose allowance is increased under this section must, when and if payable, be increased by the same percent.

For purposes of this section, 'Consumer Price Index' means the Consumer Price Index for Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics."

H.   Section 9-1-1850 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 420 of 1994, is further amended to read:

"Section 9-1-1850.     (A)(1)   A member who has at least twenty-five years of creditable service in any retirement the system provided in this title chapter may elect to receive up to five three years of additional service credit as though the additional service credit were rendered by the member as an employee or member by paying into the member's retirement system South Carolina Retirement System the amount provided in this item. The required amount is determined by multiplying the member's current salary or the highest fiscal year salary in the member's work career, whichever is greater, by the percentage provided in this item and multiplying the result by the number of years credited, prorated for periods less than one year. The applicable percentage of salary to calculate the payment allowed pursuant to this subsection is as follows:

Years to be Credited               Percentage of Salary

(a)     not more than one year             58 percent

(b)     over one year but not

more than two years               54 percent for each year

(c)     over two years

but not more than three years         50 percent for each year

(d)     over three years, but not

more than four years               46 percent for each year

(e)     over four years                   42 percent for each year

(2)   The member also shall pay the employer and employee cost for health and dental insurance for a time period equal to the period of service credit purchased, or until the date the member attains age sixty, at which time the member becomes eligible for employer-paid health and dental insurance.

(3)   Any service credit purchased under this subsection qualifies the member for retirement, and the member must retire within ninety days after the purchase.

(B)   As an alternative to the option provided in subsection (A), the member, if he has at least twenty-five years of creditable service, may elect to receive up to five three years of additional service credit as though the additional service credit were rendered by him as an employee or member upon paying into his retirement system, during the ensuing number of years he wishes to purchase in the manner the Comptroller General shall direct, the employer and employee contributions that would be due for the position that he presently holds at the salary level in effect during those years. If the position is consolidated or eliminated after the member's retirement, he shall pay the employer and employee contributions during the remaining required years at a level equal to what these contributions were for the position before its consolidation or elimination. The member also shall pay the employer and employee cost for health and dental insurance in effect during the ensuing years the member wishes to purchase. The additional service credit qualifies the member for retirement, and the member must retire within ninety days subsequent to electing the option provided by subsection (B). The salary level of the position the member presently holds, during the ensuing years the member pays the employer and employee contributions, is attributable to the member for purposes determining the member's average final compensation.

The retirement benefits of the member shall not commence until the time benefits would have been paid when the member had completed thirty twenty-eight years of service."

I.     Section 9-11-310 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-11-310.     As of the end of each calendar year commencing with the year ending December 31, 1974, the increase in the ratio of the Consumer Price Index to such the index as of December 31, 1973, or the most recent prior December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase in retirement allowances was granted, must be determined, and if the increase equals or exceeds three four percent, the retirement allowance, exclusive of any part thereof derived from accumulated additional contributions, of each beneficiary in receipt of an allowance as of December 31, 1973, or the most recent December thirty-first subsequent thereto as of which an increase was granted, must be increased by four percent. If the increase in the index is less than three four percent, the retirement allowances, as determined above, must be increased by a percentage equal to the increase in the index. The increase in retirement allowances must commence commences the July first immediately following the December thirty-first that the increase in ratio was determined.

Beginning with the calendar year ending December 31, 1981, all All increases in retirement allowances must be granted to those beneficiaries in receipt of a retirement allowance on July first immediately preceding the effective date of the increase. The increase in allowances after the first five such increases shall become is effective only if the additional liabilities on account of the increase in allowances do not require an increase in the employer rate of contribution, except that an increase of up to and including one-half percent must be paid after December 31, 2000, and an additional increase of up to and including one-half percent must be paid after December 31, 2001. After December 31, 2002, the board is authorized to declare further guaranteed cost of living allowance increases of up to and including an additional two percent, in increments of one-half percent, upon certification from the system actuary that the system's unfunded actuarial liability amortization period does not exceed the acceptable limit as defined by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board as a result of the increase in allowances. Any increase in allowance granted hereunder pursuant to this section is permanent, irrespective of any subsequent decrease in the Consumer Price Index, and must be included in determining any subsequent increase.

The allowance of a surviving annuitant of a beneficiary whose allowance is increased under this section, must, when and if payable, must be increased by the same percent.

For purposes of this section, 'Consumer Price Index' means the Consumer Price Index (all items--United States city average), for Wage Earners and Clerical Workers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics."

J.     Notwithstanding the general effective date of this act, this section takes effect January 1, 2001.

SECTION   2.   A.   Article 13, Chapter 1, Title 9 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 9-1-1615.   All retirement allowances are payable in monthly installments. Upon the death of a retired member, the retirement allowance for the month the retired member died, if not previously paid, must be paid to the member's designated beneficiary, if the beneficiary is living at the time of the member's death, otherwise to the member's estate. If the retired member elected a survivor option pursuant to the optional forms of allowances in Section 9-1-1620, any allowance payable to a survivor beneficiary commences in the month after the death of the retired member."

B.     Section 9-1-1770 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 458 of 1996, is further amended by adding a new undesignated paragraph at the end to read:

"Upon the death of a retired member after June 30, 2000, the life insurance benefit otherwise due the member's beneficiary, beneficiaries, or estate under the above paragraph is increased as follows: one thousand dollars is increased to two thousand dollars; two thousand dollars is increased to four thousand dollars; and three thousand dollars is increased to six thousand dollars."

C.     Section 9-8-80 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-8-80.   All retirement allowances shall be are payable in monthly installments ceasing with the last payment prior to death except for the spouse entitlement. If a member of the System has elected the optional form of allowance those provisions shall apply. Upon the death of a retired member, the retirement allowance for the month the retired member died, if not previously paid, must be paid to the member's spouse, or if the member designated a nonspouse beneficiary or beneficiaries, then to the nonspouse beneficiary or beneficiaries living at the time of the member's death, otherwise to the estate of the member. A spouse's entitlement to a benefit pursuant to Section 9-8-110 commences in the month after the retired member's death. If the retired member elected a survivor option pursuant to the optional retirement allowances in Section 9-8-70, any allowance payable to a survivor beneficiary or beneficiaries commences in the month after the death of the retired member."

D.   Section 9-9-80 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-9-80.   All retirement allowances shall be are payable in monthly installments ceasing with the last payment prior to death; provided, that if a member of the System has elected an optional allowance the provisions thereof shall apply. Upon the death of a retired member, the retirement allowance for the month the retired member died, if not previously paid, must be paid to the member's designated beneficiary, if the beneficiary is living at the time of the member's death, otherwise to the estate of the member. If the retired member elected a survivor option pursuant to the optional forms of allowances in Section 9-9-70, any allowance payable to a survivor beneficiary commences in the month after the death of the retired member."

E.     The last paragraph of Section 9-11-120 of the 1976 Code, as amended by Act 170 of 1991, is further amended to read:

"Upon the death of a retired member on or after July 1, 1985 2000, there must be paid to the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, if living at the time of the retired member's death, otherwise to the retired member's estate, a death life insurance benefit of two thousand dollars if the retired member had ten years of creditable service but less than twenty years, three four thousand dollars if the retired member had twenty years of creditable service but less than thirty twenty-five, and four six thousand dollars if the retired member had at least thirty twenty-five years of creditable service at the time of retirement, provided if the retired member's most recent employer prior to retirement is covered by the Group Life Insurance Program."

F.     Section 9-11-160 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 9-11-160.   All retirement allowances shall be are payable in monthly installments ceasing with the last payment prior to death, provided that if a member has elected an optional allowance the provisions thereof shall apply. Upon the death of a retired member, the retirement allowance for the month the retired member died, if not previously paid, must be paid to the member's designated beneficiary, if the beneficiary is living at the time of the member's death, otherwise to the member's estate. If the retired member elected a survivor option pursuant to the optional forms of allowances in Section 9-11-150, any allowance payable to a survivor beneficiary commences in the month after the death of the retired member."

G.   Notwithstanding the general effective date of this act, this section takes effect July 1, 2000.

SECTION   3.   The fifth paragraph of Section 9-1-1140 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 59 of 1991, is further amended to read:

"Merchant marine seamen who served in active ocean-going service from December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1947, and civil service crew members aboard United States Army Transport Service and Naval Transportation Service vessels in ocean-going service in foreign waters during the same period may establish their period of service as creditable service in the manner that military service is established as creditable service pursuant to this section. Persons who have served on active duty as commissioned officers in the United States Public Health Service may establish their period of service as creditable service in the same manner that military service is established as creditable service pursuant to this section, provided that this service credit for service in the United States Public Health Service must be established and purchased before December 31, 2000."

SECTION   4.   All local school district classroom teachers must provide, to their employer, notice of their intent to retire after December 31, 2000 and before the end of the 2000-2001 school year. This notification must be submitted in writing no later than September 1, 2000. Employees electing to retire from the retirement system but choosing to stay employed under the Optional Retirement Plan are exempt from this requirement.

SECTION   5.   Except as otherwise noted, this act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.   /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

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

I voted "no" on this Bill because the vast majority of South Carolinians in the private sector must work for over 30 years before they can retire. Additionally, this Bill does apply to teachers and this Bill is an enticement for best teachers to leave the system early. We should be passing measures that will strengthen education. This measure weakens education in my opinion.

The following Bills, having been read the second time with notice of general amendments, were ordered placed on the third reading Calendar:

S. 1279 (Word version) -- Senator Leventis: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 44-56-470, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO REGISTRATION AND FEES FOR DRYCLEANING FACILITIES, SO AS TO REVISE THE DATE BY WHICH A DRYCLEANING FACILITY OWNER OR OPERATOR MUST RECEIVE CERTAIN CERTIFICATIONS AND THE DATE BY WHICH THEY MUST INSTALL CONTAINMENT STRUCTURES AROUND EQUIPMENT ITEMS IN WHICH DRYCLEANING SOLVENTS ARE USED; AND TO AMEND ACT 119 OF 1995, RELATING TO DRYCLEANING FACIITY RESTORATION, THE DRYCLEANING RESTORATION TRUST FUND, AND THE REGULATION AND REGISTRATION OF DRYCLEANING FACILITIES, SO TO DELETE THE PROVISION WHICH REPEALS THE ACT ON JULY 1, 2005.

Senator LEVENTIS explained the Bill.

H. 4470 (Word version) -- Reps. Cato, Battle, J. Brown, Cobb-Hunter, Harrison, Kirsh, Knotts, Leach, McCraw, Meacham-Richardson, Miller, Riser, Rodgers, Sandifer, R. Smith, Taylor, Walker, Bowers, Edge, Koon, McKay, Tripp, T. Brown and Huggins: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 39-5-170 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE KNOWING ACCEPTANCE OF PAYMENT FOR AN INSURANCE REFERRAL FROM A SERVICE PROVIDER, THE KNOWING PAYMENT BY A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR A REFERRAL, AND THE REGULAR PRACTICE BY A SERVICE PROVIDER OF WAIVING OR REBATING ALL OR PART OF A CLAIMANT'S CASUALTY OR PROPERTY INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE ARE UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 39-5-40, RELATING TO THE PRACTICES TO WHICH THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT APPLY, SO AS TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION THAT THE PRACTICES DESCRIBED IN SECTION 39-5-170 MAY BE REGULATED BY CHAPTER 57 OF TITLE 38 AND THIS ARTICLE.

S. 1210 (Word version) -- Senator Short: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 6, TITLE 12, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE STATE INCOME TAX, BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3365 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A MORATORIUM ON STATE CORPORATE INCOME TAXES FOR A TAXPAYER WHO CREATES AND MAINTAINS FULL-TIME NEW JOBS IN A COUNTY QUALIFYING BY REASON OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT OR LOW PER CAPITA INCOME, TO ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF FULL-TIME NEW JOBS REQUIRED AND FOR THE DETERMINATION OF QUALIFYING COUNTIES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE LENGTH OF THE MORATORIUM; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-3360, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO JOB TAX CREDIT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT TAX CREDITS MAY BE CLAIMED, OR UNUSED TAX CREDITS CARRIED FORWARD, AFTER EXPIRATION OF THE MORATORIUM PERIOD; AND TO PROVIDE THAT A TAXPAYER MAY QUALIFY FOR THE MORATORIUM BEGINNING IN TAX YEARS AFTER 1997, WITH THE REPEAL OF THESE PROVISIONS ON JULY 1, 2005, NOT AFFECTING A MORATORIUM THEN IN EFFECT.

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

Senator SHORT proposed the following amendment (BBM\9452HTC00), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, in Section 12-6-3365(B)(1) as contained in SECTION 1, page 2, line 10, by striking /during/ and inserting / during each of /.

Amend further, as and if amended, page 3, by striking SECTION 3 and inserting:

/ SECTION   3.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to tax years beginning after 1999. Further, Section 12-6-3365 of the 1976 Code, as added by this act is repealed effective July 1, 2005, except that the repeal does not affect any moratorium in effect on that date. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator SHORT explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading with notice of general amendments.

H. 3393 (Word version) -- Reps. Law, H. Brown and Young-Brickell: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 23, TITLE 50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO WATERCRAFT AND MOTOR TITLING, BY ADDING SECTION 50-23-295 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TITLE TO WATERCRAFT MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES HAS NOTICE THAT PROPERTY TAXES ARE OWED ON THE WATERCRAFT OR OUTBOARD MOTOR.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill. The question being the adoption of Amendment No. 2 (3393R003.ELP) proposed by Senators PASSAILAIGUE and McCONNELL.

Senators PASSAILAIGUE and McCONNELL proposed the following amendment (3393R003.ELP), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered new SECTION to read:

/   SECTION   ___.   A.   Section 12-43-220(f) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(f)   Except as specifically provided by law, all other personal property shall be taxed on an assessment of ten and one-half percent of fair market value of such property, except that commercial fishing boats and commercial tugboats shall be taxed on an assessment of five percent of fair market value. As used in this item "'commercial fishing boats'" shall mean boats licensed by the Department of Natural Resources which are used exclusively for commercial fishing, shrimping, or crabbing. As used in this item, 'commercial tugboats' shall mean boats used exclusively for harbor and ocean towing, documented with the U.S. Coast Guard, constructed of steel, and being at least eighty feet in length and having a gross tonnage of at least one hundred tons."

B.   This section is effective for tax year commencing January 1, 1999./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator PASSAILAIGUE explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading with notice of general amendments.

The following Bill, having been read the second time, was ordered placed on the third reading Calendar:

S. 1305 (Word version) -- Senator Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-21-2734, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ANNUAL LICENSES TO OPERATE CERTAIN AMUSEMENTS, SO AS TO ESTABLISH AN OPTION TO PURCHASE AN EIGHT-MONTH LICENSE IN LIEU OF A TWENTY-FOUR MONTH OR A SIX-MONTH LICENSE.

On motion of Senator ELLIOTT, with unanimous consent, S. 1305 was ordered to receive a third reading on Friday, April 7, 2000.

S. 389 (Word version) -- Senator Martin: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 41, TITLE 15, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM ATTACHMENT LEVY AND SALE, BY ADDING SECTION 15-41-33 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE EXEMPTION FROM ATTACHMENT FOR A DISABILITY BENEFIT PROVIDED IN SECTION 15-41-30 SHALL NOT APPLY WITH RESPECT TO A LEVY OR EXECUTION OF A JUDGMENT FOR RESTITUTION OR A CIVIL JUDGMENT CONVERTED FROM A RESTITUTION ORDER.

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

The Committee on Judiciary proposed the following amendment (JUD0389.002), which was adopted:

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

/   SECTION   1.   Section 15-41-30(10)(C) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(C)   a disability benefit, except as provided in Section 15-41-33, or an illness, or unemployment benefit;"

SECTION   2.   Chapter 41, Title 15 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 15-41-33.     The exemption for a disability benefit provided in Section 15-41-30(10)(C) does not apply with regard to a levy or execution of a judgment authorized by Section 17-25-323 or Section 17-25-325."

SECTION   3.   Section 2 applies with respect to a disability payment received on or after the effective date of this act.

SECTION   4.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor./

Amend title to conform.

Senator MARTIN explained the committee amendment.

The committee amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time and ordered placed on the third reading Calendar.

H. 4817 (Word version) -- Reps. Meacham-Richardson, Delleney, Kirsh, McCraw, Moody-Lawrence and Simrill: A BILL TO ESTABLISH FIVE SINGLE MEMBER ELECTION DISTRICTS FROM WHICH CERTAIN MEMBERS OF YORK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1 OF YORK COUNTY MUST RESIDE AND BE ELECTED BY THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF EACH DISTRICT, PROVIDE THAT TWO MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED AT-LARGE FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, PROVIDE A SCHEDULE FOR THE ELECTION OF TRUSTEES, THE METHOD OF DETERMINING CANDIDATES, AND A PROCEDURE FOR FILLING VACANCIES.

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

There was no objection.

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

Senator HAYES proposed the following amendment (DKA\3829MM00), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking item (3) of subsection (B) as contained in SECTION 1, beginning on page 8 and line 8, and inserting:

/ (3)   Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, beginning with elections conducted in 1996, each candidate for election as a trustee to the school boards in York County School Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4 must file his statement of candidacy with the Registration and Elections Commission for York County for the period beginning no earlier than 12:00 noon on August first and ending no later than 12:00 noon on August thirty-first. However, if either of these dates falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the date is extended until 12:00 noon of the next succeeding day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HAYES explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time and ordered placed on the third reading Calendar.

On motion of Senator HAYES, with unanimous consent, H. 4817 was ordered to receive a third reading on Friday, April 7, 2000.

S. 1282 (Word version) -- Banking and Insurance Committee: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 38-79-130, AS AMENDED, AND 38-79-480, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING RESPECTIVELY TO THE POWERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LIABILITY JOINT UNDERWRITING ASSOCIATION AND LIMITS ON RECOVERY FOR CLAIMS MADE AGAINST A PERSON OR ENTITY INSURED BY THE ASSOCIATION SO AS TO INCREASE THE LIMITS FROM ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EACH CLAIMANT AND FROM THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR ALL CLAIMANTS UNDER ONE POLICY IN ANY ONE YEAR; TO AMEND SECTION 38-79-250, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS TERMINATED FROM THE ASSOCIATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS, EXPENSES, LIABILITIES, JUDGMENTS, OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION; TO AMEND SECTION 38-79-260, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE ASSOCIATION, SO AS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS ON THIS BOARD FROM TWENTY-ONE TO THIRTEEN AND TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO DEVELOP A PLAN OF OPERATION SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-79-430, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CREATION OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS TO MANAGE AND OPERATE THE SOUTH CAROLINA PATIENT'S COMPENSATION FUND, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO DEVELOP A PLAN OF OPERATION SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 38-79-450, RELATING TO FEES FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA PATIENT'S COMPENSATION FUND, SO AS TO REQUIRE MEMBERS TO PAY ANY DEFICIT OF THE FUND AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS, EXPENSES, LIABILITIES, JUDGMENTS, OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE FUND.

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

Senators McCONNELL and SALEEBY proposed the following amendment (S.1282GFM.001.S-INS), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 4, line 12 by striking / four / and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

/ five /

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 4, line 15, by striking / five / and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

/ four /.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator McCONNELL explained the Bill.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time and ordered placed on the third reading Calendar with notice of general amendments.

On motion of Senator SALEEBY, with unanimous consent, S. 1282 was ordered to receive a third reading on Friday, April 7, 2000.

H. 4543 (Word version) -- Rep. Miller: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 6-1-120, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL TAXPAYER INFORMATION, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT FINANCIAL INFORMATION PROVIDED IN A RETURN, REPORT, OR APPLICATION FILED WITH A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY IS CONFIDENTIAL BUT DOES NOT PROHIBIT THE SHARING OF DATA BETWEEN PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE THAT A PERSON IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PENALTIES IF THE PERSON KNOWINGLY VIOLATES THIS SECTION.

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

The Committee on Judiciary proposed the following amendment (JUD4543.001), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 2, line 18, in Section 6-1-120(C), as contained in SECTION 1, by striking line 18 in its entirety and inserting therein the following:

/     (C)   A person who knowingly violating violates the provisions of this section     /.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator McCONNELL explained the committee amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

On motion of Senator SALEEBY, with unanimous consent, H. 4543 was ordered to receive a third reading on Friday, April 7, 2000.

H. 3509 (Word version) -- Reps. Simrill, Mason, Robinson, Moody-Lawrence, Altman, Davenport, Hamilton, Kirsh, Leach, Meacham-Richardson, J.H. Neal and Sandifer: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 13, TITLE 16, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FORGERY, LARCENY, AND SIMILAR OFFENSES, BY ADDING ARTICLE 2, ENTITLED THE "PERSONAL FINANCIAL SECURITY ACT" SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF FINANCIAL IDENTITY FRAUD AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION; AND TO FURTHER AMEND CHAPTER 13, TITLE 16 BY DESIGNATING SECTION 16-13-10 THROUGH 16-13-490 AS ARTICLE 1 OF THAT CHAPTER.

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

The Committee on Judiciary proposed the following amendment (JUD3509.003), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 2, beginning on line 30, in Section 16-13-530, as contained in SECTION 1, by striking Section 16-13-530(1) in its entirety and inserting therein the following:

/     (1)   the lawful acquisition and use of credit or other information in the course of a bona fide consumer or commercial transaction or in connection with an account by any financial institution or entity defined in or required to comply with the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C.A. Section 1681, or the Federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act, 113 Stat. 1338; or /

Amend title to conform.

Senator BRYAN explained the committee amendment.

The committee amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

S. 1058 (Word version) -- Senator Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-6605, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEFINITIONS IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CODE, SO AS TO DEFINE VALID COURT ORDER; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-7810, RELATING TO COMMITMENT OF CHILDREN, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A CHILD WHO COMMITS A STATUS OFFENSE MAY BE COMMITTED TO THE CUSTODY OF A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION ONLY IF THE CHILD HAS BEEN FOUND IN CONTEMPT OF COURT OR HAS VIOLATED THE CONDITIONS OF PROBATION.

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

The Committee on Judiciary proposed the following amendment (JUD1058.003), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 1 in its entirety and inserting therein the following:

/   SECTION   1.   Section 20-7-6605 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding a new item to read:

"(9)   'Valid court order' means an order, including a consent order, issued by the family court pertaining to a child over whom the court has jurisdiction and where the court has:

(a)   ensured that the child has been afforded all due process rights guaranteed to child offenders; and

(b)   received a written report from the appropriate state or local agency or public entity which has:

(1)   reviewed the circumstances causing the child to be before the court; and

(2)   made a recommendation as to disposition."     /

Amend title to conform.

Senator BRYAN explained the committee amendment.

The committee amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

S. 1012 (Word version) -- Senators J. Verne Smith, Fair and Anderson: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-2010, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY PERMITS TO SELL ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS, AFTER A FAVORABLE REFERENDUM, SO AS TO INCREASE FROM TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED TO TEN THOUSAND THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SIGNATURES REQUIRED TO INITIATE THE REFERENDUM, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE LOCAL ELECTION COMMISSION CONDUCT THE REFERENDUM WITHIN THIRTY NOR MORE THAN FORTY DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE PETITION, TO REQUIRE THE PETITION FORM PROVIDED TO COUNTY OFFICIALS BE USED, TO REQUIRE THE ELECTION COMMISSION TO CERTIFY THE NAMES ON THE PETITION WITHIN THIRTY DAYS FROM ITS RECEIPT, AND TO REQUIRE THE REFERENDUM TO BE CONDUCTED AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION.

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

Senator PASSAILAIGUE proposed the following amendment (1012R001.ELP), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered new SECTION to read:

/   SECTION   ____.   Section 61-6-2010 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 61-6-2010.   (A)   In addition to the provisions of Section 61-6-2000, the department may issue a temporary permit to allow the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors in sealed containers of two ounces or less. This permit is valid for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours and may be issued only to bona fide nonprofit organizations and business establishments otherwise authorized to be licensed for sales. The department shall charge a nonrefundable filing fee of one hundred dollars for processing each application and a daily permit fee of fifty dollars for each day for which a permit is approved. An application must be filed for each permit requested. The department must also offer the option of an annual fifty-two week temporary permit for a non-refundable fee of three thousand dollars per year. The department in its sole discretion shall specify the terms and conditions of the permit.

(B)(1) The filing and permit fees must be distributed to the municipality or county in which the retailer who paid the fee is located. The revenue may be used only by the municipality or county for the following purposes:

(a)   capital improvements to tourism-related buildings including, but not limited to, civic centers, convention centers, coliseums, aquariums, stadiums, marinas, parks, and recreational facilities;

(b)   purchase or renovation of buildings which are historic properties as defined in Section 60-12-10(4) and (5);

(c)   festivals which have a demonstrable and significant impact on tourism;

(d)   local youth mentor programs to serve juvenile offenders under the jurisdiction of the family court;

(e)   contributions to matching funds necessary for a local government or entity to receive funding from the Legacy Trust Fund pursuant to Chapter 22 of Title 51;

(f)   contributions to a redevelopment authority pursuant to Section 31-12-10, et seq.

(g)   acquiring fee and less than fee interest in land while it is still available to be held in perpetuity as wildlife preserves or believed to be needed by the public in the future for active and passive recreation uses and scenic easements, to include the following types of land: ocean, harbor, and pond frontage in the form of beaches, dunes, and adjoining backlands; barrier beaches; fresh and saltwater marshes and adjoining uplands; land for bicycle paths; land protecting existing and future; public water supply, well fields, highway buffering and aquifer recharge areas; and land for wildlife preserves; and land for future public recreational facilities;

(h)   nourishment, renourishment (resanding), and maintenance of beaches;

(i)     dune restoration, including the planting of grass, sea oats, or other vegetation useful in preserving the dune system;

(j)     maintenance of public beach access;

(k)   capital improvements to the beaches and beach-related facilities, such as public parking areas for beach access; dune walkovers and rest room facilities, with or without changing rooms, at public beach parks; and

(l)     construction and maintenance of drainage systems.

(2)   The revenue may not be used for operating expenses of tourism-related buildings.

(C)   Permits authorized by this section may be issued only in those counties or municipalities where a majority of the qualified electors voting in a referendum vote in favor of the issuance of the permits. The county or municipal election commission, as the case may be, shall conduct a referendum upon petition of at least ten percent but not more than twenty-five hundred qualified electors of the county or municipality, as the case may be, in not less than thirty nor more than forty days after receiving the petition. The election commission shall cause a notice to be published in a newspaper circulated in the county or municipality, as the case may be, at least seven days before the referendum. The state election laws shall apply to the referendum, mutatis mutandis. The election commission shall publish the results of the referendum and certify them to the South Carolina Department of Revenue. The question on the ballot shall read substantially as follows:

'Shall the South Carolina Department of Revenue be authorized to issue temporary permits in this (county)(municipality) for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours to allow the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors in sealed containers of two ounces or less to bona fide nonprofit organizations and business establishments otherwise authorized to be licensed for sales?'

A referendum for this purpose may not be held more often than once in forty-eight months.

The expenses of any such referendum must be paid by the county or municipality conducting the referendum.

(D)   Through the State Aid to Subdivisions authorized by Chapter 27 of Title 6, the State shall reimburse the county or municipality for any loss of revenue to the county or municipality caused by the election of the annual permit option authorized in subsection (A)."   /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator PASSAILAIGUE explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senator THOMAS proposed the following amendment (1012R003.DLT):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 2, by inserting immediately after line 24:

/     (4)   Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, after January 1, 2000, a referendum in a municipality may not be conducted to authorize a temporary permit for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours to allow the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquor in sealed containers of two ounces or less.   /

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered new SECTION to read:

/   SECTION   ____.   If any section, subsection, or subitem of this act is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this act.   /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator THOMAS explained the amendment.

Senator J. VERNE SMITH spoke on the Bill.

Senator RICHARDSON objected to further consideration of the Bill.

S. 916 (Word version) -- Senators Courson, Setzler, Giese, Hayes, J. Verne Smith, Wilson, Branton and Reese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-190 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, SO AS TO INCLUDE GAMMA HYDROXY BUTYRATE IN SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

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

The Committee on Judiciary proposed the following amendment (JUD0916.002), which was adopted:

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

/   SECTION   1.   Section 16-3-652(1)(c) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(c)   The actor causes the victim, without the victim's consent, to become mentally incapacitated or physically helpless by administering, distributing, dispensing, delivering, or causing to be administered, distributed, dispensed, or delivered a controlled substance, or gamma hydroxy butyrate a controlled substance analogue, or any intoxicating substance."

SECTION   2.   Section 44-53-110 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 44-53-110.   As used in this article and Sections 44-49-10, 44-49-40, and 44-49-50:

'Administer' means the direct application of a controlled substance, whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or any other means, to the body of a patient or research subject by:

(1)   a practitioner (or, in his presence, by his authorized agent), or

(2)   the patient or research subject at the direction and in the presence of the practitioner.

'Agent' means an authorized person who acts on behalf of or at the direction of a manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser;, except that such this term does not include a common or contract carrier, public warehouseman, or employee of the carrier or warehouseman, when acting in the usual or lawful course of the carrier's or warehouseman's business.

'Bureau' means the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, United States Department of Justice, or its successor agency.

'Commission' means the South Carolina Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

'Confidant' means a medical practitioner, a pharmacist, a pharmacologist, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a full-time staff member of a college or university counselling counseling bureau, a guidance counselor or a teacher in an elementary school or in a junior or senior high school, a full-time staff member of a hospital, a duly ordained and licensed member of the clergy, accredited Christian Science practitioner, or any professional or paraprofessional staff member of a drug treatment, education, rehabilitation, or referral center who has received a communication from a holder of the privilege.

'Controlled substance' means a drug, substance, or immediate precursor in Schedules I through V in Sections 44-53-190, 44-53-210, 44-53-230, 44-53-250, and 44-53-270.

'Controlled substance analogue' means a substance that is intended for human consumption and that either has a chemical structure substantially similar to that of a controlled substance in Schedules I, II, or III or has a stimulant, depressant, analgesic, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to that of a controlled substance in Schedules I, II, or III. Controlled substance analogue does not include a controlled substance; any substance generally recognized as safe and effective within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.; any substance for which there is an approved new drug application; or, with respect to a particular person, any substance if an exemption is in effect for investigational use for that person under Section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 355.

'Counterfeit substance' means a controlled substance which, or the container or labeling of which, without authorization, bears the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint, number, or device, or any likeness thereof, of a manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser other than the person who, in fact, manufactured, distributed, or dispensed such substance and which, thereby, falsely purports or is represented to be the product of, or to have been distributed by, such other manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser.

'Crack cocaine' means an alkaloidal cocaine or freebase form of cocaine, which is the end product of a chemical alteration whereby the cocaine in salt form is converted to a form suitable for smoking.

'Deliver' or 'delivery' means the actual, constructive, or attempted transfer of a controlled drug or paraphernalia whether or not there exists an agency relationship.

'Department' means the State Department of Health and Environmental Control.

'Depressant or stimulant drug' means (a) a drug which contains any quantity of barbituric acid or any of the salts of barbituric acid, or any derivative of barbituric acid which has been designated as habit forming by the appropriate Federal federal agency or by the department; (b) a drug which contains any quantity of amphetamine or any of its optical isomers, any salt of amphetamine or any salt of any optical isomer of amphetamine, or any other substance which the appropriate Federal federal agency, or the department, after investigation, as found to be capable of being, and by regulation designated as, habit forming because of its stimulant effect on the central nervous system; or (c) lysergic acid diethylamide or mescaline, or any other substance which the appropriate Federal federal agency or the department, after investigation, has found to have, and by regulation designates as having a potential for abuse because of its stimulant or depressant effect on the central nervous system, or its hallucinogenic effect.

'Detoxification treatment' means the dispensing, for a period not in excess of twenty-one days, of a narcotic drug in decreasing doses to an individual in order to alleviate adverse physiological or psychological effects incident to withdrawal from the continuous or sustained use of a narcotic drug and as a method of bringing the individual to a narcotic drug-free state within such this period.

'Director' shall mean means the Director of the Department of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs under the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

'Dispense' means to deliver a controlled substance to an ultimate user or research subject by or pursuant to the lawful order of a practitioner, including the prescribing, administering, packaging, labeling, or compounding necessary to prepare the substance for such the delivery.

'Dispenser' means a practitioner who delivers a controlled substance to the ultimate user or research subject.

'Distribute' means to deliver (other than by administering or dispensing) a controlled substance.

'Distributor' means a person who so delivers a controlled substance.

'Drug' means (a) substances recognized in the official United States Pharmacopoeia, official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, or official National Formulary, or any supplement to any of them; and (b) substances intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man and animals; and (c) substances (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man and animals; and (d) substances intended for use as a component of any substance specified in clause (a), (b), or (c) of this paragraph; but does not include devices or their components, parts, or accessories.

'Drug problem' means a mental or physical problem caused by the use or abuse of a controlled substance.

'Holder of the privilege' means a person with an existing or a potential drug problem who seeks counselling counseling, treatment, or therapy regarding such drug problem.

'Ice' or 'crank' means amphetamine or methamphetamine, any salt, isomer, or salt of an isomer, or any mixture or compound containing any of the above these substances.

'Imitation controlled substance' means a noncontrolled substance which is represented to be a controlled substance and is packaged in a manner normally used for the distribution or delivery of an illegal controlled substance.

'Immediate precursor' means a substance which the appropriate Federal federal agency or the department has found to be and by regulation has designated as being the principal compound commonly used or produced primarily for use, and which is an immediate chemical intermediary used or likely to be used in the manufacture of a controlled substance, the control of which is necessary to prevent, curtail, or limit such manufacture.

'Maintenance treatment' means the dispensing, for a period in excess of twenty-one days, of a narcotic drug in the treatment of an individual for dependence upon heroin or other morphine-like drugs.

'Manufacture' means the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion, or processing of a controlled substance, either directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of natural origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis, and includes any packaging or repackaging of the substance or labeling or relabeling of its container, except that this term does not include the preparation or compounding of a controlled substance by an individual for his own use or the preparation, compounding, packaging, or labeling of a controlled substance:

(1)   By by a practitioner as an incident to his administering or dispensing of a controlled substance in the course of his professional practice, or

(2)   By by a practitioner, or by his authorized agent under his supervision, for the purpose of, or as an incident to, research, teaching, or chemical analysis and not for sale.

'Manufacturer' means any person who packages, repackages, or labels any container of any controlled substance, except practitioners who dispense or compound prescription orders for delivery to the ultimate consumer.

'Marijuana' means:

(1)   All all species or variety of the marijuana plant and all parts thereof whether growing or not.;

(2)   The the seeds of the marijuana plant.;

(3)   The the resin extracted from any part of the marijuana plant.;

(4)   Every every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of the marijuana plant, marijuana seeds, or marijuana resin.

'Marijuana' does not mean:

(1)   The the mature stalks of the marijuana plant or fibers produced from such these stalks.;

(2)   Oil oil or cake made from the seeds of the marijuana plant.;

(3)   Any any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivatives, mixture or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom).;

(4)   The the sterilized seed of the marijuana plant which is incapable of germination.

'Narcotic drug' means any of the following, whether produced directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of vegetable origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis:

(a)   Opium opium, coca leaves, and opiates;

(b)   A a compound, manufacture, salt, derivative or preparation of opium, coca leaves, or opiates;

(c)   A a substance (and any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, or preparation thereof) which is chemically identical with any of the substances referred to in clauses (a) or (b). Such This term does not include decocainized coca leaves or extracts of coca leaves, which extracts do not contain cocaine or ecgonine.

'Noncontrolled substance' means any substance of chemical or natural origin which is not included in the schedules of controlled substances set forth in this article or included in the federal schedules of controlled substances set forth in Title 21, Section 812 of the United States Code or in Title 21, Part 1308, of the Code of Federal Regulations.'

'Opiate' means any substance having an addiction-forming or addiction-sustaining liability similar to morphine or being capable of conversion into a drug having addiction-forming or addiction-sustaining liability. It does not include, unless specifically designated as controlled under this article, the dextrorotatory isomer of 3-methoxy-n-methylmorphinan and its salts (dextromethorphan). It does include its racemic and levorotatory forms.

'Opium poppy' means the plant of the species Papaver somniferum L., except the seed thereof.

'Paraphernalia' means any instrument, device, article, or contrivance used, designed for use, or intended for use in ingesting, smoking, administering, or preparing marijuana, hashish, hashish oil, or cocaine and shall does not include cigarette papers and tobacco pipes but shall include includes, but is not be limited to:

(1)   metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic marijuana or hashish pipes with or without screens, permanent screens, hashish heads, or punctured metal bowls.;

(2)   water pipes designed for use or intended for use with marijuana, hashish, hashish oil, or cocaine.;

(3)   carburetion tubes and devices.;

(4)   smoking and carburetion masks.;

(5)   roach clips.;

(6)   separation gins designed for use or intended for use in cleaning marijuana.;

(7)   cocaine spoons and vials.;

(8)   chamber pipes.;

(9)   carburetor pipes.;

(10)   electric pipes.;

(11)   air-driven pipes.;

(12)   chilams.;

(13)   bongs.;

(14)   ice pipes or chillers.

'Peyote' means all parts of the plant presently classified botanically as Lophophora Williamsii Lemaire, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; any extract from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds, or extracts.

'Poppy straw' means all parts, except the seeds, of the opium poppy, after mowing.

'Practitioner' means:

(1)   A physician, dentist, veterinarian, podiatrist, scientific investigator, or other person licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to, or to administer a controlled substance in the course of professional practice or research in this State.

(2)   A pharmacy, hospital, or other institution licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to, or to administer a controlled substance in the course of professional practice or research in this State.

'Production' includes the manufacture, planting, cultivation, growing, or harvesting of a controlled substance.

'Ultimate user' means a person who lawfully possesses a controlled substance for his own use or for the use of a member of his household or for administration to an animal owned by him or a member of his household."

SECTION   3.   Section 44-53-190(e) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(e)   Depressants. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substance having a depressant effect on the central nervous system, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers if possible within the specific chemical designation:

(1)   Mecloqualone.;

(2)   Methaqualone; or

(3)   Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid."

SECTION   4.   Section 44-53-230(c) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(c)   Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a depressant effect on the central nervous system:

1.   any compound, mixture, or preparation containing amobarbital, secobarbital, pentobarbital or any salt thereof and one or more other active ingredients which are not listed in any schedule.;

2.   any suppository dosage form containing amobarbital, secobarbital, pentobarbital, or any salt of any of these drugs and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for marketing only as a suppository.;

3.   any substance which contains any quantity of a derivative or barbituric acid or any salt thereof.;

4.   Chlorhexadol;

5.   Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid, and its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers contained in a drug product for which an application has been approved under Section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.;

6.       Glutehimide;

6.7.     Lysergic Acid;

7.8.     Lysergic Acid Amide;

8.9.     Methyprylon;

9.10.   Sulfondiethylmethane;

10.11.   Sulfonethylmethane;

11.12.   Sulfonmethane."

SECTION   5.   Section 44-53-370(a)(1) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(1)   to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver, purchase, or aid, abet, attempt, or conspire to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver, or purchase, or possess with the intent to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver, or purchase a controlled substance or a controlled substance analogue;"

SECTION   6.   Section 44-53-370(b)(2) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(2)   any other controlled substance classified in Schedule I, II, or III, or flunitrazepam or a controlled substance analogue, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, for a first offense must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. For a second offense, or, if, in the case of a first conviction of violation of any provision of this subsection, the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of the laws of the United States or of any state, territory, or district relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both. For a third or subsequent offense, or, if the offender previously has been convicted two or more times in the aggregate of a violation of the laws of the United States or of any state, territory, or district relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than five years nor more than twenty years, or fined not more than twenty thousand dollars, or both. Except in the case of conviction for a first offense, the sentence must not be suspended and probation must not be granted;"

SECTION   7.   Section 44-53-370(d)(3) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(3)   possession of more than: ten grains of cocaine, one hundred milligrams of alpha- or beta-eucaine, four grains of opium, four grains of morphine, two grains of heroin, one hundred milligrams of isonipecaine, twenty-eight grams or one ounce of marijuana, ten grams of hashish, or more than fifty micrograms of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or its compounds, or twenty milliliters or milligrams of gamma hydroxybutyric acid or a controlled substance analogue of gamma hydroxybutyric acid, is prima facie guilty of violation of subsection (a) of this section. A person who violates this subsection with respect to twenty-eight grams or one ounce or less of marijuana or ten grams or less of hashish is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than thirty days or fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars. Conditional discharge may be granted in accordance with the provisions of Section 44-53-450 upon approval by the circuit solicitor to the magistrate or municipal judge. As a part of a sentence, a magistrate or municipal judge may require attendance at an approved drug abuse program. Persons charged with the offense of possession of marijuana or hashish under this item may be permitted to enter the pretrial intervention program under the provisions of Sections 17-22-10 through 17-22-160. For a second or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or both."

SECTION   8.   Section 44-53-370(e) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(e)   Any person who knowingly sells, manufactures, cultivates, delivers, purchases, or brings into this State, or who provides financial assistance or otherwise aids, abets, attempts, or conspires to sell, manufacture, cultivate, deliver, purchase, or bring into this State, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession or who knowingly attempts to become in actual or constructive possession of:

(1)   ten pounds or more of marijuana is guilty of a felony which is known as 'trafficking in marijuana' and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a)   ten pounds or more, but less than one hundred pounds:

1.   for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of ten thousand dollars;

2.   for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than twenty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifteen thousand dollars;

3.   for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(b)   one hundred pounds or more, but less than two thousand pounds, or one hundred to one thousand marijuana plants regardless of weight, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(c)   two thousand pounds or more, but less than ten thousand pounds, or more than one thousand marijuana plants, but less than ten thousand marijuana plants regardless of weight, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(d)   ten thousand pounds or more, or ten thousand marijuana plants, or more than ten thousand marijuana plants regardless of weight, a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars;

(2)   ten grams or more of cocaine or any mixtures containing cocaine, as provided in Section 44-53-210(b)(4), is guilty of a felony which is known as 'trafficking in cocaine' and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a)   ten grams or more, but less than twenty-eight grams:

1.   for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than three years nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

2.   for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

3.   for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(b)   twenty-eight grams or more, but less than one hundred grams:

1.   for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

2.   for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

3.   for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years and not more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(c)   one hundred grams or more, but less than two hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(d)   two hundred grams or more, but less than four hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of one hundred thousand dollars;

(e)   four hundred grams or more, a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars;

(3)   four grams or more of any morphine, opium, salt, isomer, or salt of an isomer thereof, including heroin, as described in Section 44-53-190 or 44-53-210, or four grams or more of any mixture containing any of these substances, is guilty of a felony which is known as 'trafficking in illegal drugs' and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a)   four grams or more, but less than fourteen grams:

1.   for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

2.   for a second or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of one hundred thousand dollars;

(b)   fourteen grams or more but less than twenty-eight grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars;

(c)   twenty-eight grams or more, a mandatory term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than forty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars;

(4)   fifteen grams or more of methaqualone is guilty of a felony which is known as 'trafficking in methaqualone' and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a)   fifteen grams but less than one hundred fifty grams:

1.   for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of ten thousand dollars;

2.   for a second or subsequent offense, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(b)   one hundred fifty grams but less than fifteen hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(c)   fifteen hundred grams but less than fifteen kilograms, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(d)   fifteen kilograms or more, a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars.;

(5)   one hundred tablets, capsules, dosage units, or the equivalent quantity, or more of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is guilty of a felony which is known as 'trafficking in LSD' and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a)   one hundred dosage units or the equivalent quantity, or more, but less than five hundred dosage units or the equivalent quantity:

1.   for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than three years nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty thousand dollars;

2.   for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended or probation granted, and a fine of forty thousand dollars;

3.   for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(b)   five hundred dosage units or the equivalent quantity, or more, but less than one thousand dosage units or the equivalent quantity:

1.   for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

2.   for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

3.   for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years and not more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(c)   one thousand dosage units or the equivalent quantity, or more, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of one hundred thousand dollars.;

(6)   one gram or more of flunitrazepam is guilty of a felony which is known as 'trafficking in flunitrazepam' and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a)   one gram but less than one hundred grams;

1.   for a first offense a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of ten thousand dollars;

2.   for a second or subsequent offense, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(b)   one hundred grams but less than one thousand grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(c)   one thousand grams but less than five kilograms, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(d)   five kilograms or more, a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years, nor more than thirty years, with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars.;

(7)   fifty milliliters or milligrams or more of gamma hydroxybutyric acid or a controlled substance analogue of gamma hydroxybutyric acid is guilty of a felony which is known as 'trafficking in gamma hydroxybutyric acid' and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:

(a)   for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of ten thousand dollars;

(b)   for a second or subsequent offense, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars.

A person convicted and sentenced under this subsection to a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, or a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years is not eligible for parole, extended work release, as provided in Section 24-13-610, or supervised furlough, as provided in Section 24-13-710. Notwithstanding Section 44-53-420, a person convicted of conspiracy pursuant to this subsection must be sentenced as provided in this section with a full sentence or punishment and not one-half of the sentence or punishment prescribed for the offense.

The weight of any controlled substance in this subsection includes the substance in pure form or any compound or mixture of the substance.

The offense of possession with intent to distribute described in Section 44-53-370(a) is a lesser included offense to the offenses of trafficking based upon possession described in this subsection."

SECTION   9.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor./

Amend title to conform.

Senator MOORE explained the committee amendment.

The committee amendment was adopted.

On motion of Senator LEATHERMAN, the Bill was carried over.

H. 4833 (Word version) -- Rep. Hawkins: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE MEN AND WOMEN PROUDLY SERVING IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD AND DECLARE APRIL 12, 2000, AS "SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD APPRECIATION DAY" IN APPRECIATION FOR THEIR SERVICE AND THEIR SACRIFICES.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.

H. 3266 (Word version) -- Reps. D. Smith, J. Brown, W. McLeod and Miller: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 56, TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT BY ADDING ARTICLE 7, SO AS TO ESTABLISH A VOLUNTARY CLEANUP PROGRAM AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS PURPOSES AND THE PROCEDURES UNDER WHICH IT IS TO OPERATE.

On motion of Senator MOORE, with unanimous consent, the Bill was carried over.

S. 1272 (Word version) -- Judiciary Committee: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-3-85, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFENSE PERTAINS TO ANY PERSON WHO COMMITS ABUSE AND NEGLECT WHICH RESULTS IN THE DEATH OF A CHILD; AND BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-95, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF INFLICTING GREAT BODILY INJURY UPON A CHILD AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE OFFENSE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-1-60, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFENSES OF INFLICTING GREAT BODILY INJURY UPON A CHILD AND ALLOWING GREAT BODILY INJURY TO BE INFLICTED UPON A CHILD ARE ADDED TO THE LIST OF VIOLENT CRIMES.

On motion of Senator MOORE, with unanimous consent, the Bill was carried over.

Having received a favorable report from the Charleston County Delegation, the following appointments were confirmed in open session:

Reappointment, Charleston County Board of Voter Registration, with term to commence March 15, 2000, and to expire March 15, 2002:

Flora P. Condon, 751 Jim Isle Drive, Charleston, S.C. 29412

Reappointment, Charleston County Board of Voter Registration, with term to commence March 15, 2000, and to expire March 15, 2002:

Pearl M. Crawford, 41 Vincent Drive, Mt. Pleasant, S.C. 29464

Reappointment, Charleston County Board of Voter Registration, with term to commence March 15, 2000, and to expire March 15, 2002:

Louise M. Hill, 157 Grove Street, Charleston, S.C. 29403

Having received a favorable report from the Fairfield County Delegation, the following appointments were confirmed in open session:

Reappointment, Fairfield County Board of Voter Registration, with term to commence March 15, 2000, and to expire March 15, 2002:

Deane H. Smith, 5625 US Highway 321 South, Winnsboro, S.C. 29180

Reappointment, Fairfield County Board of Voter Registration, with term to commence March 15, 2000, and to expire March 15, 2002:

Debby L. Stidham, 206 Buchanan Street, Winnsboro, S.C. 29180

Having received a favorable report from the Kershaw County Delegation, the following appointment was confirmed in open session:

Initial Appointment, Kershaw County Master-in-Equity, with term to commence July 1, 1995, and to expire July 1, 2001:

Jeffrey Marc Tzerman, 2105 Forest Drive, Camden, S.C. 29020 VICE Rolly W. Jacobs

On motion of Senator WALDREP, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of Mrs. Annette Mullinax, beloved wife of former Senator MULLINAX, of Anderson, S.C.

Senator DRUMMOND moved that, when the Senate adjourns on Friday, April 7, 2000, it stand adjourned to meet next Tuesday, April 12, 2000, at 12:00 Noon, which motion was adopted.

At 12:57 P.M., on motion of Senator DRUMMOND, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 11:00 A.M. under the provisions of Rule 1 for the purpose of taking up local matters and uncontested matters which have previously received unanimous consent to be taken up.

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