South Carolina General Assembly
115th Session, 2003-2004

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Bill 4481


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Indicates New Matter


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A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 79 IN TITLE 2, ENACTING THE SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY PREPAREDNESS AND ENHANCEMENT ACT SO AS TO ESTABLISH AND PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP, POWER, AND DUTIES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY PREPAREDNESS AND ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENHANCING THE VALUE OF MILITARY FACILITIES LOCATED IN THIS STATE AND ASSISTING DEFENSE COMMUNITIES WITH SUCH VALUE ENHANCEMENT, TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY VALUE REVOLVING LOAN ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE LOANS TO ASSIST DEFENSE COMMUNITIES TO ENHANCE THE VALUE OF MILITARY FACILITIES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER METHODS AND INCENTIVES TO ACCOMPLISH THESE PURPOSES, INCLUDING SALE OR LEASE OF STATE PROPERTY AND DISCOUNTED UTILITY RATES, AND TO AMEND THE 1976 CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER 53 IN TITLE 11, ENACTING THE SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY VALUE ENHANCEMENT BOND ACT, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE TWENTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS IN STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR FUNDING OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY VALUE REVOLVING LOAN ACCOUNT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO DEFENSE COMMUNITIES IN THIS STATE TO ENHANCE THE VALUE OF MILITARY FACILITIES LOCATED IN THIS STATE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Title 2 of the 176 Code is amended by adding:

"CHAPTER 79

South Carolina Military Preparedness and Enhancement Act

Section 2-79-5.    The General Assembly finds that the South Carolina Military Preparedness and Enhancement Act enacted pursuant to this chapter represents a proactive response to the presently evolving transformation of national defense strategies. It clearly conveys this state's intent to create a business climate that is favorable to defense installations and activities through legislation that assists in reducing base operating cost while enhancing military value. To realign existing infrastructure and generate cost savings necessary for these new defense strategies, the United States Department of Defense will undergo another round of base realignment and closure (BRAC) in 2005. Our military installations and defense related businesses are vital to the state's economy. The United States Department of Defense currently directly employs over fifty thousand people in South Carolina with an annual economic impact of approximately five billion dollars. It is evident that the General Assembly must develop programs to assist communities in adding military value to their local defense installations if South Carolina is to maintain its strong military heritage and presence and the South Carolina Military Preparedness and Enhancement Act constitutes one means to attain these multiple objectives.

Section 2-79-10.    This chapter may be cited as the South Carolina Military Preparedness Act and Enhancement Act.

Section 2-79-20.    As used in this chapter:

(1)    'Commission' means the South Carolina Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission.

(2)    'Account' means the South Carolina Military Value Revolving Account established pursuant to Section 2-79-120.

(3)    'Board' means the State Budget and Control Board.

(4)    'Defense base' means a federally owned or operated military installation or facility that is presently functioning.

(5)    'Defense community' means a political subdivision, including a municipality, county, or special district, that is adjacent to, is near, or encompasses any part of a defense base.

Section 2-79-30.    (A)    There is established within the office of the Governor the South Carolina Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission consisting of eleven members as follows:

(1)    the chairman of the Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs of the House of Representatives or the chairman's designee, ex officio;

(2)    the chairman of the Senate General Committee, or the Chairman's designee, ex officio;

(3)    nine members appointed by the Governor for terms of six years ending on June 30 of the year the term expires and until their successors are appointed and qualify, except that of those first appointed, two shall serve terms of two years and two shall serve terms of four years, the terms to be noted in the appointments. To be eligible for appointment a person must have demonstrated experience in economic development, the defense industry, military installation operation, environmental issues, finance, land government, or the use of air space for future military missions. Members shall serve without compensation but may receive the mileage, subsistence, and per diem allowed by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions, to be paid from approved accounts of the Governor's Office, House of Representatives, and Senate, as applicable. Vacancies must be filled in the manner or original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.

Section 2-79-40.    (A)    The commission shall:

(1)    advise the governor and the General Assembly on military issues and economic and industrial development related to military issues;

(2)    make recommendations regarding:

(a)    the development of policies and plans to support the long-term viability and prosperity of the military, active and civilian, in this State, including promoting strategic regional alliances that may extend over state lines;

(b)    the development of methods to improve private and public employment opportunities for former members of the military residing in this State; and

(c)    the development of methods to assist defense-dependent communities in the design and execution of programs that enhance a community's relationship with military installations and defense-related businesses;

(3)    develop and maintain a database of the names and public business information of all prime contractors and subcontractors operating in this state who perform defense-related work;

(4)    provide information to communities, the General Assembly, the state's congressional delegation, and state agencies regarding federal actions affecting military installations and missions;

(5)    serve as a clearinghouse for:

(a)    defense economic adjustment and transition information and activities; and

(b)    information about:

(i)    issues related to the operating costs, missions, and strategic value of federal military installations located in the State;

(ii)    employment issues for communities that depend on defense bases and in defense-related businesses;

(iii)    defense strategies and incentive programs that other states are using to maintain, expand, and attract new defense contractors;

(6)    provide assistance to communities that have experienced a defense-related closure or realignment;

(7)    assist communities in the design and execution of programs that enhance a community's relationship with military installations and defense-related businesses, including regional alliances that may extend over state lines;

(8)    assist communities in the retention and recruiting of defense-related businesses, including fostering strategic regional alliances that may extend over state lines;

(9)    prepare a biennial strategic plan that:

(a)    fosters the enhancement of military value of the contributions of South Carolina military installations to national defense strategies;

(b)    considers all current and anticipated base realignment and closure criteria; and

(c)    develops strategies to protect the state's existing military missions and positions the State to be competitive for new and expanded military missions; and

(10)    encourage economic development in this State by fostering the development of industries related to defense affairs.

Section 2-79-50.    With prior approval of the governor, the commission may enter into an agreement with a consulting firm to provide information and assistance on a pending decision of the United States Department of Defense or other federal agency regarding the status of military installations and defense-related businesses located in this State.

Section 2-79-60.    (A)    Not later than July 1 of each year, the commission shall prepare and submit a report to the governor and the General Assembly about the active military installations, communities that depend on military installations, and defense-related businesses in this State. The report must include:

(1)    an economic impact statement describing in detail the effect of the military on the economy of this State;

(2)    a statewide assessment of active military installations and current missions;

(3)    a statewide strategy to attract new military missions and defense-related business and include specific actions that add military value to existing military installations;

(4)    a list of state and federal activities that have significant impact on active military installations and current missions;

(5)    a statement identifying:

(a)    the state and federal programs and services that assist communities impacted by military base closures or realignments and the efforts to coordinate those programs; and

(b)    the efforts to coordinate state agency programs and services that assist communities in retaining active military installations and current missions;

(6)    an evaluation of initiatives to retain existing defense-related businesses; and

(7)    a list of agencies with regulations, policies, programs, or services that impact the operating costs or strategic value of federal military installations and activities in the State.

(B)    State agencies shall cooperate with and assist the commission in the preparation of the report required pursuant to Subsection (A), including providing information about regulations, policies, programs, and services that may impact communities dependent on military installations, defense-related businesses, and the viability of existing South Carolina military missions.

(C)    The commission shall coordinate annual meetings with the head of each state agency or member of the General Assembly whose district contains an active, closed, or realigned military installation to discuss the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the report required pursuant to Subsection (A).

Section 2-79-70.    When a commander of a military installation receives a copy of the evaluation criteria for the base under the United States Department of Defense base realignment or closure process, the base commander may request that the commission coordinate assistance from other state agencies to assist the commander in preparing the evaluation. If the commission asks a state agency for assistance pursuant to this section, the state agency shall make the provision of that assistance a top priority

Section 2-79-80.    (A)    A defense community may submit to the commission the community military value enhancement statement prepared pursuant to Section 2-79-150.

(B)    On receiving a defense community's military value enhancement statement, the commission shall analyze the projects included in the statement using the criteria it has developed. The commission shall develop project analysis criteria based on the criteria the United States Department of Defense uses for evaluating military facilities in the department's base realignment and closure process.

(C)    The commission shall determine whether each project identified in the defense community's military value enhancement statement will enhance the military value of the military facility. The commission shall assist the community in prioritizing the projects that enhance the military value of a military facility, giving the highest priority to projects that add the most military value under the commission's project analysis criteria.

(D)    The commission shall refer the defense community to the appropriate state agency that has an existing program to provide financing for each project identified in the community's military value enhancement statement that adds military value to a military facility. If there is no existing program to finance a project, the commission may provide a loan of financial assistance to the defense community for the project.

Section 2-79-90.    (A)    The commission may provide a loan of financial assistance to a defense community for a project that will enhance the military value of a military facility located in, near, or adjacent to the defense community. The loan must be made from the South Carolina Military Value Revolving Loan Account established pursuant to Section 2-79-120.

(B)    On receiving an application for a loan pursuant to this section, the commission shall confirm that the project adds military value to the military facility.

(C)    If the commission determines that a project will enhance the military value of the military facility, the commission shall, in accordance with the criteria adopted by the commission pursuant to Section 2-79-100.

(1)    analyze the creditworthiness of the defense community to determine the defense community's ability to repay the loan; and

(2)    evaluate the feasibility of the project to be financed to ensure that the defense community has pledged a source of revenue or taxes sufficient to repay the loan for the project.

(D)    If the commission determines that the funds will be used to enhance the military value of the military facility based on the base realignment and closure criteria and that the project is financially feasible, the commission may award a loan to the defense community for the project. The commission shall enter into a written agreement with a defense community that is awarded a loan. The agreement must contain the terms and conditions of the loan, including the loan repayment requirements.

(E)    The commission may provide a loan only for a project that is included in the political subdivision's statement pursuant to Section 2-79-140, or to prepare a comprehensive defense installation and community strategic impact plan pursuant to Section 2-79-150.

(F)    A project financed with a loan pursuant to this section must be completed on or before the fifth anniversary of the date the loan is awarded.

(G)    The amount of a loan pursuant to this section may not exceed the total cost of the project.

Section 2-79-100.    (A)    The commission shall adopt policies, in consultation with the board, which contain the criteria for evaluating the credit of a loan applicant and the financial feasibility of a project. The commission shall also adopt a loan application form. The application form may include:

(1)    the name of the defense community and its principal officers;

(2)    the total cost of the project;

(3)    the amount of state financial assistance requested;

(4)    the plan for repaying the loan; and

(5)    any other information the commission requires to perform its duties and to protect the public interest.

(B)    The commission may not accept an application for a loan from the loan account unless the application is submitted in affidavit form by the officials of the defense community. The board shall prescribe the affidavit form.

Section 2-79-110.    (A)    A defense community in this State may borrow money from the State, including by direct loan, based on the credit of the defense community to finance a project included in the community's military value enhancement statement.

(B)    A defense community may enter into a loan agreement with the State to provide financing for a project. The defense community may pledge the taxes of the community or provide any other guarantee for the loan.

(C)    Money borrowed must be segregated from other funds under the control of the defense community and may only be used for purposes related to a specific project.

(D)    The authority granted by this section does not affect the ability of a defense community to incur debt using other statutorily authorized methods.

Section 2-79-120.    (A)    The South Carolina Military Value Revolving Loan Account is established as the State Treasury separate and distinct from the general fund of the State and all other funds. The account may be funded by such appropriations as the General Assembly may provide, proceeds of state general obligation bonds issued pursuant to Chapter 79, Title 2, the South Carolina Military Value Enhancement Bond Act, gifts, and grants. Earnings on the account must remain in the account and be used for the purpose for which the account was established. Balances in the account carry forward in the account to succeeding fiscal years.

(B)    The account may be used only for loans made pursuant to this chapter. The commission shall deposit to the credit of the account all loan payments made by a political subdivision for a loan pursuant to Section 2-79-90. The loan payments must be used to reimburse the account to fund subsequent loans.

Section 2-79-130.    The commission may solicit and accept gifts and grants from any source for the purposes of this chapter.

Section 2-79-140.    (A)    A defense community that applies for financial assistance from the account shall prepare, in consultation with the authorities from each defense base associated with the community, a defense base military value enhancement statement that illustrates specific ways the funds will enhance the military value of the installations and must include the following information for each project:

(1)    the purpose for which financial assistance is requested, including a description of the project;

(2)    the source of other funds for the project;

(3)    a statement on how the project will enhance the military value of the installation;

(4)    whether the defense community has coordinated the project with authorities of the military installation and whether any approval has been obtained from those authorities;

(5)    whether any portion of the project is to occur on the military installation;

(6)    whether the project will have any negative impact on the natural or cultural environment;

(7)    a description of any known negative factors arising from the project that will affect the community or the military installation; and

(8)    a description of how the project will address future base realignment or closure.

(B)    The commission may require a defense community to provide any additional information the commission requires to evaluate the community's request for financial assistance pursuant to this section.

(C)    Two or more defense communities near the same defense base that apply for financial assistance from the account may prepare a joint statement.

(D)    A copy of the defense base military value enhancement statement must be distributed to the authorities of each defense base included in the statement and the commission.

(E)    This section does not prohibit a defense community that is not applying for financial assistance from preparing a defense base military value enhancement statement pursuant to this section.

Section 2-79-150.    (A)    A defense community may request financial assistance from the account to prepare a comprehensive defense installation and community strategic impact plan that states the defense community's long-range goals and development proposals relating to the following purposes:

(1)    controlling negative effects of future growth of the defense community on the defense base and minimizing encroachment on military exercises or training activities connected to the base;

(2)    enhancing the military value of the defense base while reducing operating costs; and

(3)    identifying which, if any, property and services in a region can be shared by the defense base and the defense community.

(B)    The comprehensive defense installation and community strategic impact plan must include, if appropriate, maps, diagrams, and text to support its proposals and must include the following elements as they relate to each defense base included in the plan:

(1)    a land use element that identifies:

(a)    proposed distribution, location, and extent of land uses such as housing, business, industry, agriculture, recreation, public buildings and grounds, and other categories of public and private land uses as those uses may impact the defense base; and

(b)    existing and proposed regulations of land uses, including zoning, annexation, or planning regulations as those regulations may impact the defense base;

(2)    a transportation element that identifies the location and extent of existing and proposed freeways, streets, and roads and other modes of transportation;

(3)    a population growth element that identifies past and anticipated population trends;

(4)    a water resources element that:

(a)    addresses currently available surface water and groundwater supplies; and

(b)    addresses future growth projections and ways in which the water supply needs of the defense community and the defense base can be adequately served by the existing resources, or    if such a need is anticipated, plans for securing additional water supplies;

(5)    a conservation element that describes methods for conservation, development, and use of natural resources, including land, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, wildlife, and other natural resources;

(6)    an open-space area element that includes:

(a)    a list of existing open-space land areas;

(b)    an analysis of the defense base's forecasted needs for open-space areas to conduct its military training activities; and

(c)    suggested strategies under which land on which some level of development has occurred can make a transition to an open-space area, if needed;

(7)    a restricted airspace element that creates buffer zones, if needed, between the defense base and the defense community; and

(8)    a military training route element that identifies existing routes and proposes plans for additional routes, if needed.

(C)    Two or more defense communities near the same defense base may prepare a joint plan.

Section 2-79-160.    If a defense community determines that an ordinance, rule, or plan proposed by the community may impact a defense base or the military exercise or training activities connected to the base, the defense community shall seek comments and analysis from the defense base authorities concerning the compatibility of the proposed ordinance, rule, or plan with base operations. The defense community shall consider and analyze the comments and analysis before making a final determination relating to the proposed ordinance, rule, or plan.

Section 2-79-170.    Any unused or underused state property may be sold or leased, or an easement over the property may be granted, to the United States for the use and benefit of the United States armed forces if the State Budget and Control Board and the commission, after consultation with appropriate military authorities, determine that the sale, lease, or easement would materially assist the military in accomplishing its mission. A sale, lease, or easement pursuant to this section must be at market value.

Section 2-79-180.    Effective July 1, 2004, public utilities whose rates are regulated by South Carolina must provide a twenty percent discount from the rates otherwise applicable to rates charged a defense base. Public utilities changing a substantially equal discounted rate, as determined by the South Carolina Public Service Commission, for a defense base as of June 30, 2004, are exempt from this requirement and a public utility where the discount required pursuant to this section equals more than one percent of its annual gross utility revenues is also exempt from this requirement. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a public utility required to provide the discount provided by this section may recover the revenue not collected by imposing a surcharge on all other customers in its service area. An otherwise exempt public utility offering the discount provided pursuant to this section may similarly recover the revenue not collected by means of this surcharge."

SECTION    2.    Title 11 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Chapter 53

The South Carolina Military Value Enhancement Bond Act

Section 11-53-10.    This chapter may be cited as the 'South Carolina Military Value Enhancement Bond Act'.

Section 11-52-20.    The General Assembly finds it in the public interest that the value of military facilities situated in this State is enhanced in order to secure both the nation's national security needs and the economic well being of the citizens of this State who are directly employed by the United States Department of Defense and the additional many thousands of South Carolinians whose livelihoods are linked to military facilities. In enacting the South Carolina Military Preparedness and Enhancement Act, the General Assembly has provided a means for local communities to take positive steps to enhance the value of a military facility by means of loans from the South Carolina Military Value Revolving Loan Account. The bonds authorized pursuant to this chapter are the primary means the General Assembly has determined to provide the necessary initial funding of this account.

Section 11-53-30.    As used in this chapter:

(1)    'military value enhancement bonds' or 'bonds' mean general obligation bonds issued by this State pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(2)    'revolving loan account' means the South Carolina Military Value Revolving Loan Account established pursuant to Section 2.

Section 11-53-40.    In order to fund the revolving loan account there must be issued from time to time military value enhancement bonds under the conditions prescribed by this chapter.

Section 11-53-50.    The maximum principal amount of bonds that may be issued pursuant to this chapter may not exceed twenty-five million dollars except that this limitation does not apply to any bonds issued for the purpose of refunding prior issues of such bonds. The authority to issue bonds under this chapter expires four years from the effective date of this chapter. The four-year limitation, however, does not apply to bonds issued to retire bond anticipation notes.

Section 11-53-60.    The State Budget and Control Board, by resolution duly adopted, shall effect the issuance of military value enhancement bonds, or pending the issuance, effect the issuance of military value enhancement bond anticipation notes pursuant to Chapter 17 of Title 11.

Section 11-53-70.    To issue military value enhancement bonds, the State Budget and Control Board shall adopt a resolution providing for the issuance of military value enhancement bonds pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The authorizing resolution must include:

(1)    schedules setting forth the aggregate of all general obligation debt of the State (excluding highway bonds, state institution bonds, tax anticipation notes, and bond anticipation notes) together with certificates of the State Treasurer and State Auditor evidencing compliance with the provisions of paragraph 6(c) of Section 13 of Article X of the South Carolina Constitution;

(2)    a schedule showing the aggregate of military value enhancement bonds issued, the annual payments required to retire the state school facilities bonds, the interest thereon, and the amount of any special funds applicable to the retirement of the outstanding military value bonds;

(3)    the amount of military value enhancement bonds to be issued; and

(4)    a schedule showing future annual principal requirements and estimated annual interest requirements on the military value enhancement bonds to be issued.

Section 11-53-80.    The military value enhancement bonds must bear the date and mature at the time that the resolution provides, except that no bond may mature more than thirty years from its date of issue. The bonds may be in the denominations, be payable in the medium of payment, be payable at the place and at the time, and be subject to redemption or repurchase and contain other provisions determined by the State Budget and Control Board before their issuance. The bonds may bear interest payable at the times and at the rates as determined by the State Budget and Control Board.

Section 11-53-90.    All military value enhancement bonds issued under this chapter are exempt from taxation as provided in Section 12-2-50.

Section 11-53-100.    All military value enhancement bonds issued under this chapter must be signed by the Governor and the State Treasurer. The Governor and the State Treasurer may sign these obligations by a facsimile of their signatures. The Great Seal of the State must be affixed to, impressed on, or reproduced upon each of them and each must be attested by the Secretary of State. The delivery of the bonds executed and authenticated is valid notwithstanding changes in officers or seal occurring after the execution or authentication.

Section 11-53-110.    For the payment of the principal and interest on all military value enhancement bonds issued and outstanding pursuant to this chapter there is pledged the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the State of South Carolina, and in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (4) of Section 13 of Article X of the South Carolina Constitution, the General Assembly hereby allocates on an annual basis sufficient tax revenues to provide for the punctual payment of the principal and interest on the debt authorized by this chapter.

Section 11-53-120.    Military value enhancement bonds must be sold by the Governor and the State Treasurer upon sealed proposals, after publication of notice of the sale one or more times at least seven days before the sale, in a financial paper published in New York City which regularly publishes notices of sale of state or municipal bonds. The bonds may be awarded only to the lowest interest cost bidder, but the right is reserved to reject all bids and to readvertise the bonds for sale. For the purpose of bringing about successful sales of the bonds, the State Budget and Control Board may do all things ordinarily and customarily done in connection with the sale of state or municipal bonds. All expenses incident to the sale of the bonds must be paid from the proceeds of the sale of the bonds.

Section 11-53-130.    The proceeds of the sale of military value enhancement bonds must be received by the State Treasurer and credited to the revolving loan account to be used for the purposes provided pursuant to Chapter 79, Title 2, except that the accrued interest, if any, must be used to discharge in part the first interest to become due on the bonds, and the premium, if any, must be used to discharge the payment of the first installment of principal to become due on the bonds, but the purchasers of such bonds are in no way be liable for the proper application of the proceeds to the purposes for which they are intended.

Section 59-146-140.    It is lawful for all executors, administrators, guardians, and other fiduciaries to invest any monies in their hands in bonds issued pursuant to this chapter."

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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