South Carolina General Assembly
115th Session, 2003-2004
Journal of the Senate

Wednesday, April 28, 2004
(Statewide Session)

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 words from the 115 Psalm:

"The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's; but the earth hath He given to the children of men."
Let us pray.

Father, we remember the words of the hymn writer, Cecil Alexander, who sang more than a century and a half ago:

"All things bright and beautiful, all things great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all."

At this time, we pause to remember our former colleague, Marion County's Senator Ralph Gasque, whose more than 20 years of wise and wonderful service made him a remarkable servant for our state.

But the stunning declaration is made by the psalmist:

"But the earth hath He given to the children of men" is the most alarming. The verb is "given" to the children of men. Are there creatures on some other planet in all the infinite space? We don't know yet, for sure... but help us, Father, to take good care of our divine gift, the good earth, and keep its water clean and pure.
Amen.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator THOMAS rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

S. 356--POINT OF ORDER

S. 356 (Word version) -- Senator Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 1 OF TITLE 56 OF THE 1976 CODE BY ADDING SECTION 56-1-205 TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT, UPON REQUEST, MUST PLACE A NOTATION ON AN APPLICANT'S DRIVER'S LICENSE THAT THE APPLICANT IS HEARING IMPAIRED AND IF THE APPLICANT SUFFERS HEARING LOSS OF FORTY DECIBELS OR MORE; AND TO AMEND CHAPTER 3 OF TITLE 56 BY ADDING SECTION 56-3-1930 TO PROVIDE FOR IDENTIFICATION PLACARDS FOR HEARING IMPAIRED DRIVERS.

Having voted on the prevailing side, Senator THOMAS moved to reconsider the vote taken yesterday whereby the Senate refused to continue the Bill.

Point of Order

Senator HUTTO raised a Point of Order that the motion to reconsider was out of order inasmuch as Senator HUTTO retained the floor on the Bill.

Senator MARTIN spoke on the Point of Order.

Senator MOORE spoke on the Point of Order.

Senator HUTTO spoke on the Point of Order.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator RYBERG rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator MARTIN rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Senator RITCHIE spoke on the Point of Order.

The PRESIDENT overruled the Point of Order raised by Senator HUTTO.

Decision of PRESIDENT Appealed

Senator MOORE appealed the ruling of the PRESIDENT.

ACTING PRESIDENT PRESIDES

At 2:49 P.M., the PRESIDENT Pro Tempore assumed the Chair.

The question then was "Shall the ruling of the PRESIDENT be overridden?"

Senator MOORE spoke on the appeal.

Senator RICHARDSON spoke on the appeal.

Objection

Senator LAND asked unanimous consent to make a motion that, if the Senate took a vote on the question of the appeal while he was on leave, that he be recorded in favor of overriding the ruling of the PRESIDENT.

Senator KNOTTS objected unless the motion included the caveat of his vote not changing the outcome.

Senator RICHARDSON spoke on the appeal.

Objection

With Senator RICHARDSON retaining the floor, Senator MARTIN moved at 3:03 P.M. that the Senate stand in recess not to exceed fifteen minutes.

Senator HAWKINS objected.

Senator RICHARDSON spoke on the appeal.

RECESS

At 3:07 P.M., with Senator RICHARDSON retaining the floor, on motion of Senator RYBERG, with unanimous consent, the Senate receded from business not to exceed ten minutes.

At 3:25 P.M., the Senate resumed.

Senator RICHARDSON spoke on the appeal.

Appeal of Decision of PRESIDENT Withdrawn

With Senator RICHARDSON retaining the floor, Senator MOORE asked unanimous consent to make a motion to withdraw the appeal of the ruling of the PRESIDENT.

There was no objection and the appeal was withdrawn.

PRESIDENT PRESIDES

At 3:27 P.M., the PRESIDENT assumed the Chair.

With Senator RICHARDSON retaining the floor, Senator HUTTO asked unanimous consent to make a motion to withdraw the Point of Order.

There was no objection and the Point of Order was withdrawn.

With Senator RICHARDSON retaining the floor, Senator THOMAS asked unanimous consent to make a motion to withdraw the motion to reconsider the vote taken yesterday whereby the Senate refused to continue the Bill.

There was no objection and the motion to reconsider was withdrawn.

On motion of Senator McCONNELL, with unanimous consent, S. 356 was taken up for immediate consideration.

CONTINUED

S. 356 (Word version) -- Senator Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 1 OF TITLE 56 OF THE 1976 CODE BY ADDING SECTION 56-1-205 TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT, UPON REQUEST, MUST PLACE A NOTATION ON AN APPLICANT'S DRIVER'S LICENSE THAT THE APPLICANT IS HEARING IMPAIRED AND IF THE APPLICANT SUFFERS HEARING LOSS OF FORTY DECIBELS OR MORE; AND TO AMEND CHAPTER 3 OF TITLE 56 BY ADDING SECTION 56-3-1930 TO PROVIDE FOR IDENTIFICATION PLACARDS FOR HEARING IMPAIRED DRIVERS.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being concurrence in the House amendments.

Senator HUTTO was recognized.

With Senator HUTTO retaining the floor, Senator MARTIN asked unanimous consent to make a motion to continue the Bill.

There was no objection and the question then was the motion to continue S. 356.

On motion of Senator McCONNELL, with unanimous consent, Senator LAND was granted leave to vote against the motion to continue.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 23; Nays 21

AYES

Alexander                 Cromer                    Elliott
Fair                      Giese                     Grooms
Hawkins                   Hayes                     Knotts
Kuhn                      Leatherman                Martin
McConnell                 Mescher                   O'Dell
Peeler                    Ravenel                   Richardson
Ritchie                   Smith, J. Verne           Thomas
Verdin                    Waldrep

Total--23

NAYS

Anderson                  Branton                   Courson
Drummond                  Ford                      Gregory
Hutto                     Jackson                   Land
Malloy                    Matthews                  McGill
Moore                     Patterson                 Pinckney
Rankin                    Reese                     Ryberg
Setzler                   Sheheen                   Short

Total--21

S. 356 was continued.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator BRANTON rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

OBJECTION

S. 1025 (Word version) -- Senators Richardson and Pinckney: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 54, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 54-3-700, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE PORTS AUTHORITY IS NOT REQUIRED TO OPERATE A MARINE TERMINAL AT PORT ROYAL, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE CESSATION OF TERMINAL OPERATIONS, THE SALE OF PROPERTY AT FAIR MARKET VALUE, AND FOR THE DISPOSITION OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY.

Senator RYBERG asked unanimous consent to make a motion to request the return of the Bill from the House of Representatives, that upon granting the request and receipt of the Bill, the Senate would reconsider the vote whereby the Bill was given a third reading, and, further, the Senate would reconsider the vote whereby the amendment proposed by Senator ELLIOTT was adopted.

Senator RICHARDSON spoke on the motion.

Senator ELLIOTT objected.

Senator ELLIOTT spoke on the motion.

Senator MESCHER spoke on the motion.

Senator RYBERG spoke on the motion.

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

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., April 28, 2004

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has overridden the veto by the Governor on R274, H. 4919 by a vote of 2 to 0:

(R274, H. 4919 (Word version)) -- Rep. Jennings: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOL DAYS MISSED ON JANUARY 27, 2004, AND FEBRUARY 26 AND 27, 2004, BY THE STUDENTS OF SCHOOLS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MARLBORO COUNTY WHEN THE SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED DUE TO ICE OR INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE MAKE-UP REQUIREMENT THAT FULL SCHOOL DAYS MISSED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES BE MADE UP.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

VETO OVERRIDDEN

(R274, H. 4919 (Word version)) -- Rep. Jennings: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOL DAYS MISSED ON JANUARY 27, 2004, AND FEBRUARY 26 AND 27, 2004, BY THE STUDENTS OF SCHOOLS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MARLBORO COUNTY WHEN THE SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED DUE TO ICE OR INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE MAKE-UP REQUIREMENT THAT FULL SCHOOL DAYS MISSED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES BE MADE UP.

The veto of the Governor was taken up for immediate consideration.

Senator McGILL moved that the veto of the Governor be overridden.

The question was put, "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 46; Nays 0

AYES

Alexander                 Anderson                  Branton
Courson                   Cromer                    Drummond
Elliott                   Fair                      Ford
Giese                     Glover                    Gregory
Grooms                    Hawkins                   Hayes
Hutto                     Jackson                   Knotts
Kuhn                      Land                      Leatherman
Leventis                  Malloy                    Martin
Matthews                  McConnell                 McGill
Mescher                   Moore                     O'Dell
Patterson                 Peeler                    Pinckney
Rankin                    Ravenel                   Reese
Richardson                Ritchie                   Ryberg
Setzler                   Sheheen                   Short
Smith, J. Verne           Thomas                    Verdin
Waldrep

Total--46

NAYS

Total--0

The necessary two-thirds vote having been received, the veto of the Governor was overridden, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

REGULATION RECEIVED

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

Document No. 2909
Agency: Department of Labor, Office of State Fire Marshal
SUBJECT: Adoption of National Explosives Standards
Received by Lieutenant Governor April 27, 2004
Referred to Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee
Legislative Review Expiration August 25, 2004
(Subject to Sine Die Revision)

Doctor of the Day

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

Leave of Absence

At 2:30 P.M., Senator COURSON requested a leave of absence from 4:30 - 6:30 P.M.

Leave of Absence

At 2:35 P.M., Senator FAIR requested a leave of absence beginning at 5:30 P.M.

Leave of Absence

On motion of Senator SETZLER, at 3:30 P.M. Senators SETZLER, CROMER and KNOTTS were granted a leave of absence from 3:40 - 4:30 P.M.

Leave of Absence Amended

On motion of Senator LAND, the leave of absence, which was granted to him for today between 2:00 - 4:00 P.M., was amended to read from 3:00 - 4:00 P.M.

RECALLED AND COMMITTED

H. 4070 (Word version) -- Rep. Witherspoon: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 48-1-87 SO AS TO ENACT THE "AQUATIC LIFE PROTECTION ACT" TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO IMPOSE NPDES PERMIT LIMITATIONS FOR TOXICITY IF A DISCHARGE HAS THE REASONABLE POTENTIAL TO IMPACT WATER QUALITY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND TO FURTHER DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT IN TESTING AND DEVELOPING METHODOLOGIES TO IMPLEMENT THIS REQUIREMENT.

Senator WALDREP asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Bill from the Committee on Medical Affairs.

There was no objection.

The Bill was recalled from the committee.

Senator WALDREP asked unanimous consent to commit the Bill Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

There was no objection and the Bill was committed.

RECALLED AND COMMITTED

S. 1183 (Word version) -- Senator Land: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 31-7-25 SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FINDINGS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY AVAILABLE FOR REDEVELOPMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING ACT FOR COUNTIES; TO AMEND SECTION 31-7-20, RELATING TO EXISTING FINDINGS FOR PURPOSES OF THE ACT, SO AS TO EXTEND EXISTING FINDINGS WITH RESPECT TO THE ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 31-7-30, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THE ACT, SO AS TO REVISE APPLICABLE DEFINITIONS TO EXTEND THE APPLICATION OF THE ACT TO MORE RURAL AREAS AND ADD ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS TO DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS NECESSARY TO ASSIST SUCH RURAL AREAS; TO AMEND SECTION 31-7-80, RELATING TO THE FINDINGS REQUIRED FOR A REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT ORDINANCE, SO AS TO REVISE THESE FINDINGS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 31-7-120, RELATING TO JOINTLY ADOPTED MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT PLANS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE COUNTIES JOINTLY BY INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS TO ESTABLISH A MULTI-COUNTY OR REGIONAL AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH REDEVELOPMENT PLANS AND PROPERTY WHEN SUCH PROJECTS HAVE ECONOMIC IMPACT BEYOND A SINGLE COUNTY AND PROVIDE FOR ALL SUCH AUTHORITIES TO ACT BY INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT AND ORDINANCES OF COUNTIES PARTY TO THE AGREEMENT.

Senator J. VERNE SMITH asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Bill from the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.

There was no objection.

The Bill was recalled from the committee.

Senator J. VERNE SMITH asked unanimous consent to commit the Bill to the Committee on Finance.

There was no objection and the Bill was committed.

OBJECTION

H. 5172 (Word version) -- Reps. J.E. Smith, Allen, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Freeman, Frye, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hagood, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jennings, Keegan, Kennedy, Kirsh, Koon, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Richardson, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D.C. Smith, F.N. Smith, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.R. Smith, W.D. Smith, Snow, Stewart, Stille, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Umphlett, Vaughn, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Wilkins, Witherspoon and Young: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE THIRTY-FOURTH EARTH DAY ON APRIL 22, 2004, TO REFLECT ON THE RICH HISTORY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT IN SOUTH CAROLINA OVER THE LAST THIRTY YEARS, AND TO PRAISE THE SOUTH CAROLINA HERITAGE TRUST PROGRAM AND ITS STAFF FOR ITS EFFORTS IN PROTECTING AND PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINIANS.

Senator MESCHER asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Bill from the General Committee and give the Bill immediate consideration.

Senator RYBERG objected.

HOUSE AMENDMENTS AMENDED
RETURNED TO THE HOUSE WITH AMENDMENTS

S. 487 (Word version) -- Senator Waldrep: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-90, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE SALES AND USE TAX ACT, SO AS TO EXCLUDE THE ENVIRONMENTAL SURCHARGE IMPOSED PURSUANT TO SECTION 44-56-430 FROM THE DEFINITION OF "GROSS PROCEEDS OF SALES"; TO AMEND SECTION 44-56-430, RELATING TO THE DRYCLEANING FACILITY RESTORATION TRUST FUND, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE CALCULATION, ADMINISTRATION, COLLECTION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SURCHARGE; TO AMEND SECTION 44-56-470, RELATING TO THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION AND FEES FOR DRYCLEANING FACILITIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE'S RETENTION OF FUNDS FOR COSTS INCURRED TO COLLECT AND ENFORCE THE DRYCLEANING FACILITY RESTORATION TRUST FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 44-56-480, RELATING TO THE SURCHARGE ON PERCHLOROETHYLENE (TETRACHLOROETHYLENE) AND STODDARD SOLVENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE MUST ADMINISTER, COLLECT, AND ENFORCE THE SURCHARGE IN THE MANNER THAT SALES AND USE TAXES ARE ADMINISTERED, COLLECTED, AND ENFORCED UNDER CHAPTER 36 OF TITLE 12; AND TO AMEND SECTION 44-56-485, RELATING TO THE ELECTION TO PLACE A DRYCLEANING FACILITY UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 4, CHAPTER 56 OF TITLE 44, SO AS TO ADD PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO THE EFFECT OF VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION ON A DRYCLEANING FACILITY'S LIABILITY FOR THE PAYMENT OF CERTAIN TAXES, FEES, PENALTIES, AND INTEREST.

The House returned the Bill with amendments.

Senator WALDREP proposed the following amendment (487R004.RLW), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 15, by striking lines 25-26 and inserting:

/   that is was in existence on July 1, 1995, that drycleans with Stoddard solvents or its breakdown products nonhalogenated cleaners only, nor to dry drop-off facilities whose clothing and other fabrics are cleaned only by such a dry cleaning facility.   /

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 16, by striking line 16 and inserting:

/   2005, and paying the fees and taxes provided under this article./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator WALDREP explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senator ALEXANDER proposed the following amendment (487R005.TCA), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 16, by striking line 20 and inserting:

/   interest. An electing drycleaning facility may pay the back taxes and fees that the facility is required to pay under this subsection by making monthly installments toward full payment of all back taxes and fees. The monthly installments must commence no later than July 1, 2004, and all back taxes and fees must be fully paid on or before July 1, 2006.   /

Amend title to conform.

Senator WALDREP explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was ordered returned to the House with amendments.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

The following were introduced:

S. 1204 (Word version) -- Senator Patterson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE SHAKEEM KENYA LANE FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE FIELD OF MEDICINE, TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON HIS GRADUATION FROM THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA ON MAY 21, 2004, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES TO HIM IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.

S. 1205 (Word version) -- Senator Patterson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS OF TAMEKA KIMESUNG LANE OF BLAIR, SOUTH CAROLINA, IN THE FIELD OF MEDICINE, TO CONGRATULATE HER UPON HER GRADUATION FROM THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA ON MAY 21, 2004, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES TO HER IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.

S. 1206 (Word version) -- Senator Sheheen: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND MR. REGGIE DEAN OF CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON BEING NAMED SOUTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.

S. 1207 (Word version) -- Senator Hayes: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO REVISE THE 2004 INDEX OF TAXPAYING ABILITY FOR PURPOSES OF ADJUSTING FOR A VALUATION ERROR IN ROCK HILL SCHOOL DISTRICT THREE OF YORK COUNTY.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 1208 (Word version) -- Senator Verdin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 5-31-240, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE QUALIFICATION AND ORGANIZATION OF A COMMISSION OF PUBLIC WORKS, SO AS TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE CLERK OR RECORDER OF THE MUNICIPALITY ACT AS SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 1209 (Word version) -- Senator Reese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 15-48-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EXCEPTIONS TO THE UNIFORM ARBITRATION ACT, SO AS TO INCLUDE A CONTRACT BETWEEN A NURSING HOME AND A RESIDENT OF A NURSING HOME.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 1210 (Word version) -- Senator Thomas: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 25-9-130 SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN IMMUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS ENROLLED OR REGISTERED WITH A DISASTER COUNCIL OR ORGANIZATION OF THIS STATE OR ANY OF ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY OR A LOCAL EMERGENCY IN CARRYING OUT OR COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF LAW IN PERFORMING ANY AUTHORIZED FUNCTION, DUTY, OR TRAINING FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR AUTHORIZED FUNCTION OR DUTY.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 1211 (Word version) -- Senator Reese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 17-15-260, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF FUNDS COLLECTED DURING A PROCEEDING IN A FORFEITURE OF RECOGNIZANCE CASE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE PORTION OF THE FUNDS COLLECTED THAT ARE REMITTED CURRENTLY TO THE SOLICITORS' OFFICES MUST BE REMITTED TO THE SCHOOL BOARDS IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE FORFEITURE IS ORDERED; AND TO AMEND SECTION 38-53-70, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF A BENCH WARRANT WHEN A DEFENDANT FAILS TO APPEAR AT A COURT PROCEEDING IN WHICH HE HAS BEEN SUMMONED, SO AS TO INCREASE THE PERIOD OF TIME A SURETY IS REQUIRED TO SURRENDER THE DEFENDANT OR PLACE A HOLD ON THE DEFENDANT'S RELEASE BEFORE HIS BOND IS FORFEITED, TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO NOTIFY THE DEFENDANT'S SURETY BY CERTIFIED MAIL THAT A BENCH WARRANT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE DEFENDANT AND ALL SCHEDULED COURT APPEARANCES FOR THE DEFENDANT, AND TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN A PROCEEDING IS NOT HELD WITHIN A YEAR OF A DEFENDANT'S ARREST, THE SURETY MUST BE RELEASED FROM HIS OBLIGATIONS PURSUANT TO A BOND.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 1212 (Word version) -- Senator Alexander: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 6-13-240, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE POWERS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PIONEER RURAL WATER DISTRICT OF OCONEE AND ANDERSON COUNTIES, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE DISTRICT TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, OR MAINTAIN SEWER LINES, TO AUTHORIZE THE DISTRICT TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH OTHER ENTITIES TO PERFORM THESE POWERS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DISTRICT MAY NOT TREAT OR DISPOSE OF SEWERAGE.
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Read the first time and, on motion of Senator ALEXANDER, with unanimous consent, S. 1212 was ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

S. 1213 (Word version) -- Senators Knotts, Setzler, Courson and Cromer: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 1201 OF 1968, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LEXINGTON COUNTY RECREATION COMMISSION, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROHIBITION THAT A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION SHALL NOT SERVE MORE THAN TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS.
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Read the first time and ordered placed on the Local and Uncontested Calendar.

S. 1214 (Word version) -- Senator Thomas: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONGREGATION OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MAULDIN FOR BEING THE BENCHMARK FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO DECLARE AUGUST 22, 2004, AS "FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MAULDIN DAY" IN RECOGNITION OF ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY AND ITS WONDERFUL MINISTRY AND MISSION.
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On motion of Senator THOMAS, with unanimous consent, the Concurrent Resolution was introduced and ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

S. 1215 (Word version) -- Senators Leatherman and McGill: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE INTERCHANGE OF INTERSTATE 95 AND HIGHWAY 327 IN FLORENCE COUNTY IN HONOR OF MR. ROBERT W. WILLIAMS, JR. FOR HIS LONG AND OUTSTANDING CAREER AS A PIONEER OF RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND INSTALL APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ON THE INTERCHANGE SO THAT AS THE PUBLIC PASSES, THEY WILL REMEMBER MR. WILLIAMS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.
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On motion of Senator LEATHERMAN, with unanimous consent, the Concurrent Resolution was introduced and ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

H. 3989 (Word version) -- Reps. Rhoad and Witherspoon: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 50-5-1506, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FISHING FOR SHAD FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, SO AS TO CLOSE THE SEASON, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THERE BE NO LAWFUL TIMES, METHODS, AND EQUIPMENT, OR SIZE AND TAKE LIMITS FOR SHAD IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN BEGINNING JULY 1, 2004.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry.

H. 4310 (Word version) -- Reps. McLeod and Mahaffey: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-224, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MOTOR HOMES WHICH QUALIFY AS A PRIMARY OR SECONDARY RESIDENCE FOR PURPOSES OF AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX, SO AS TO INCLUDE TRAILERS USED FOR CAMPING AND RECREATIONAL TRAVEL PULLED BY A MOTOR VEHICLE.

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

H. 4481 (Word version) -- Reps. Ceips, Harvin, Altman, G. M. Smith, Vaughn, Weeks, Clark, Walker, Gilham, Duncan, Coates, Stille, J. Brown, Young, Bailey, Hinson, Chellis, G. Brown, Keegan, M. A. Pitts, Harrell, Skelton, Cotty, Sandifer, Snow, Leach, Loftis, Scarborough, Edge, Cato, Richardson, Herbkersman, Lloyd, J. E. Smith, Lourie, Haskins, Rivers, Umphlett, Mahaffey and Wilkins: 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.

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

H. 4758 (Word version) -- Reps. Richardson, Simrill, Altman, Bales, Battle, Emory, Kirsh, Lee, Littlejohn, McCraw, McGee, Owens, Scarborough, Vaughn and Young: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 42 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 56 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF CAROLINA PANTHERS SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.

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

H. 4800 (Word version) -- Rep. Townsend: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-2942, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE IMMOBILIZATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AFTER A PERSON IS CONVINCED OF CERTAIN ALCOHOL RELATED OFFENSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A VEHICLE MUST BE IMMOBILIZED AFTER THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES RECEIVES A CONVICTION OF A PERSON FOR A VIOLATION OF CERTAIN ALCOHOL RELATED OFFENSES INSTEAD OF AFTER THE PERSON IS SENTENCED; TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES THE COURT TO ASCERTAIN THE REGISTRATION NUMBER OR OTHER INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THE IDENTITY OF A VEHICLE TO BE IMMOBILIZED, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES SHALL IDENTIFY ALL VEHICLES WHOSE REGISTRATIONS MUST BE SUSPENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT CREATES THE CRIME OF FALSIFYING A REPORT CONCERNING VEHICLES OWNED BY OR REGISTERED TO A PERSON, TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES THE COURT TO ASSESS A FEE OF FORTY DOLLARS FOR EACH VEHICLE OWNED BY OR REGISTERED TO A PERSON CONVICTED OF A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION OF CERTAIN ALCOHOL RELATED OFFENSES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A FEE OF FIFTY DOLLARS MUST BE PAID TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES FOR EACH VEHICLE THAT WAS SUSPENDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION BEFORE A SUSPENDED REGISTRATION AND LICENSE PLATE MAY BE REINSTATED.

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

H. 4802 (Word version) -- Rep. Townsend: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-385, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE REINSTATEMENT OF A PERMANENTLY REVOKED DRIVER'S LICENSE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHOSE DRIVER'S LICENSE HAS BEEN REVOKED PERMANENTLY MAY PETITION THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR REINSTATEMENT OF HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH HIS MOST RECENT CONVICTION FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR ANOTHER SUBSTANCE OCCURRED IF THE CONVICTION OCCURRED IN THIS STATE OR IN HIS COUNTY OF RESIDENCE IF THE CONVICTION OCCURRED IN ANOTHER STATE, TO PROVIDE THAT THIS PROCEEDING MUST INCLUDE THE SOLICITOR AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, OR THEIR DESIGNEES, TO PROVIDE THAT THE COURT MAY NOT ORDER THE REINSTATEMENT OF A PERSON'S DRIVER'S LICENSE IF THE PERSON HAS CHARGES PENDING AGAINST HIM AND HAS NOT COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY AN ALCOHOL OR DRUG ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT PROGRAM SINCE HIS MOST RECENT ALCOHOL OR DRUG OFFENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-465, RELATING TO NOTIFICATION OF SUSPENSION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE FORM OF THE NOTIFICATION SHALL BE THE SAME AS CONTAINED IN SECTION 56-1-360 INSTEAD OF THE NOTIFICATION REQUIRED WHEN A LICENSE IS SUSPENDED DUE TO A LOSS OF POINTS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-510, RELATING TO THE UNLAWFUL USE OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND THE FRAUDULENT APPLICATION FOR A DRIVER'S LICENSE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DISPLAY OR POSSESS A COUNTERFEIT DRIVER'S LICENSE OR PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD; TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-515, RELATING TO THE UNLAWFUL ALTERATION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE, SALE OR ISSUANCE OF A FICTITIOUS DRIVER'S LICENSE, OR USE OF ANOTHER PERSON'S DRIVER'S LICENSE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO PRODUCE OR POSSESS A COUNTERFEIT DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD; TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-810, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE SUSPENSION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE DUE TO THE ACCUMULATION OF SUFFICIENT POINTS TO WARRANT THE SUSPENSION OF THE LICENSE, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO NOTIFY THE LICENSEE, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, AND TO PROVIDE THAT NOTIFICATION OF THE SUSPENSION MUST BE DONE AS CONTAINED IN SECTION 56-1-360; TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-1100, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUNISHMENT FOR A PERSON WHO IS FOUND TO BE A HABITUAL OFFENDER AND WHO SUBSEQUENTLY IS CONVICTED OF OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE THE DECISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES PROHIBITING THE OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE IS IN EFFECT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE COURT AND NO LONGER THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOTIFY THE SOLICITOR OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHEN A PERSON IS FOUND TO BE A HABITUAL OFFENDER; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 56-1-475, RELATING TO PERMITTING A DRIVER TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE IN THIS STATE WITH A VALID OUT-OF-STATE LICENSE AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE PERIOD OF TIME FOR WHICH HIS SOUTH CAROLINA DRIVER'S LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED.

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

H. 4821 (Word version) -- Reps. Hayes, Battle, G. Brown, J. Hines, Jennings, Keegan and Richardson: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 37, TITLE 40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF OPTOMETRISTS, SO AS TO CONFORM THIS CHAPTER TO THE STATUTORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK ESTABLISHED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL BOARDS IN CHAPTER 1, TITLE 40, UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION; AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF OPTOMETRISTS, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO PROVIDE THAT A BACHELOR OF ARTS OR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IS REQUIRED FOR LICENSURE, TO ESTABLISH LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT, TO CLARIFY THAT THERAPEUTICALLY-CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIC EDUCATION COURSES MAY BE TAKEN WHILE ATTENDING SCHOOL RATHER THAN AFTER GRADUATION, TO PROVIDE THAT BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2007, ALL LICENSED OPTOMETRISTS MUST BE LICENSED AS THERAPEUTICALLY-CERTIFIED OPTOMETRISTS, AND TO PROVIDE TRANSITION PROVISIONS.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Medical Affairs.

H. 4848 (Word version) -- Reps. McCraw, Phillips, Ceips, Clark, Cobb-Hunter, Duncan, Emory, Freeman, Gourdine, Hagood, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hosey, Leach, Limehouse, Moody-Lawrence, Perry, Rice, Scarborough, Sinclair, Skelton, D. C. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Clemmons, Snow, Barfield, Stille, Taylor and Tripp: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 56, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING, BY ADDING ARTICLE 74 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY MAY ISSUE VIETNAM WAR VETERANS SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE FEES COLLECTED FOR THIS SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE.

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

H. 4906 (Word version) -- Reps. Thompson, Scarborough and Neilson: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 11-11-310, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE GENERAL RESERVE FUND, SO AS TO MAKE REFERENCE TO INCREASES IN THE AMOUNT REQUIRED IN THE GENERAL RESERVE FUND PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND TO MAKE THIS AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE BEGINNING ON THE RATIFICATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS STATE PROVIDING THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THE GENERAL RESERVE FUND.

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

H. 4907 (Word version) -- Reps. Thompson, Cotty, G. M. Smith, E. H. Pitts, Simrill, Duncan, Viers, McLeod, Vaughn, Lourie, Branham, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Chellis, Clemmons, Cooper, Davenport, Delleney, Edge, Gilham, Hagood, Hamilton, Harrell, Hayes, Herbkersman, Hinson, Jennings, Keegan, Kirsh, Leach, Littlejohn, Lucas, McCraw, McGee, Merrill, Miller, Owens, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, M. A. Pitts, Rice, Richardson, Rivers, Sandifer, Scarborough, Sinclair, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. R. Smith, Stille, Talley, Taylor, Toole, Tripp, Trotter, Umphlett, White, Whitmire, Witherspoon, Young, Cobb-Hunter, Bales, Neilson, Wilkins and J. E. Smith: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 36, ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE GENERAL RESERVE FUND AND THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND, SO AS TO REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT EQUAL TO ONE PERCENT OF STATE GENERAL FUND REVENUE IN THE LATEST COMPLETED FISCAL YEAR TO BE HELD IN THE GENERAL RESERVE FUND EACH TIME THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENACTS LEGISLATION CUMULATIVELY RAISING BY AT LEAST ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT THE AMOUNT OF GENERAL FUND REVENUES OF THE PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR THAT MAY BE USED TO SECURE STATE OBLIGATION DEBT.

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

H. 4921 (Word version) -- Reps. Ott, Clark, Cobb-Hunter, Witherspoon, Rhoad, Duncan, Hosey, Clyburn, Weeks, J. H. Neal, Breeland, G. Brown, Freeman, Gilham, J. Hines, Hinson, Koon, Lloyd, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, Pinson, M. A. Pitts, Snow, Stille, Taylor and Emory: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 27 TO TITLE 50 SO AS TO ENACT THE ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE SAFETY ACT BY PROVIDING FOR A DEFINITION OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES, REGULATION OF OPERATION AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT, REGISTRATION AND LICENSING, OPERATOR AND OWNER LIABILITY, AND CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry.

H. 5061 (Word version) -- Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO DISAPPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, RELATING TO WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2871, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Medical Affairs.

H. 5085 (Word version) -- Reps. Cotty, Bales, Battle, Chellis, Frye, Herbkersman, Littlejohn, G. R. Smith and Snow: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-1140, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEDUCTIONS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TAXABLE INCOME OF INDIVIDUALS FOR PURPOSES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA INCOME TAX ACT, SO AS TO ALLOW A RESIDENT FULL-YEAR INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER TO DEDUCT FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TAXABLE INCOME AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS OF UNREIMBURSED EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE TAXPAYER IN THE DONATION, WHILE LIVING, OF ONE OR MORE OF THE TAXPAYER'S ORGANS TO ANOTHER HUMAN BEING FOR HUMAN ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION AND TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS AND THOSE EXPENSES THAT QUALIFY FOR THE DEDUCTION.

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

H. 5101 (Word version) -- Rep. Townsend: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-3-117 SO AS TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION FOR THE TERM "LOW SPEED VEHICLES", TO PROVIDE THAT THESE VEHICLES MAY BE OPERATED ON CERTAIN SECONDARY ROADS, TO ALLOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO REGULATE THE SPEED OF THESE VEHICLES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THEY MUST MEET CERTAIN FEDERAL REGULATIONS, MUST BE CERTIFIED ROAD WORTHY AND MUST BE REGISTERED.

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

H. 5130 (Word version) -- Reps. E. H. Pitts, Huggins and McLeod: A BILL TO PROVIDE THAT FOR THE LEXINGTON COUNTY RESIDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF LEXINGTON-RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT FIVE WHO TAKES OFFICE AFTER RECEIVING THE THIRD HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES IN THE GENERAL ELECTION OF 2004, FROM THOSE MEMBERS ELECTED FROM LEXINGTON COUNTY, THE TERM OF OFFICE IS FOR TWO YEARS AND UNTIL HIS SUCCESSOR ELECTED IN THE GENERAL ELECTION OF 2006 TAKES OFFICE.

Read the first time and ordered placed on the Local and Uncontested Calendar.

H. 5161 (Word version) -- Reps. Limehouse, Whipper, Altman, Breeland, R. Brown, Hagood and Scarborough: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN PARAGRAPH 4, SECTION 3 OF ACT 956 OF 1938 WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE SELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE CITY OF CHARLESTON NO LONGER APPLY TO THAT HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S COMMISSIONERS MUST BE SELECTED AS PROVIDED BY LAW.

Read the first time and ordered placed on the Local and Uncontested Calendar.

H. 5162 (Word version) -- Rep. Edge: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO NAME THE INTERCHANGE AT UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 701 AND SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 9 BYPASS IN HORRY COUNTY THE "DAVIS HENIFORD, JR. INTERCHANGE" AND TO ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS REFLECTING THE NAME OF THE INTERCHANGE.

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 5174 (Word version) -- Reps. J. Brown, Branham, Allen, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Breeland, G. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Freeman, Frye, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hagood, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jennings, Keegan, Kennedy, Kirsh, Koon, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Richardson, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Snow, Stewart, Stille, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Umphlett, Vaughn, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Wilkins, Witherspoon and Young: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO SHOW APPRECIATION TO DOC MCKENZIE FROM LAKE CITY, SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR ALL OF HIS SERVICES AND FOR BEING A POSITIVE INFLUENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE MANY PEOPLE WITH WHOM HE HAS COME IN CONTACT IN THIS STATE AND NATION.

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

H. 5180 (Word version) -- Reps. Scott, Allen, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Freeman, Frye, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hagood, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jennings, Keegan, Kennedy, Kirsh, Koon, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Richardson, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Snow, Stewart, Stille, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Umphlett, Vaughn, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Wilkins, Witherspoon and Young: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND MR. JOHN WILLIAMS, JR., FOR HIS EIGHT YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND HIS LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO THE EDUCATION OF OUR STATE'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS, AND TO WISH HIM WELL IN ALL OF HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

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

H. 5181 (Word version) -- Rep. Leach: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE AND COMMEND MISS SHALINI BUMB OF GREER UPON RECEIVING THE PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARD, TO RECOGNIZE HER FOR AN OUTSTANDING RECORD OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE, PEER LEADERSHIP, AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT, TO COMMEND HER ON HER ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS, AND TO EXTEND TO HER BEST WISHES IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

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

H. 5183 (Word version) -- Rep. Frye: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE THE KING ACADEMY GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM IN BATESBURG FOR WINNING THE SCISA CLASS A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ON MARCH 6, 2004, AND WISH THE PLAYERS, COACHES, AND STAFF MUCH SUCCESS IN THEIR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

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

H. 5184 (Word version) -- Reps. Neilson, J. Hines and Lucas: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND MR. RICHARD L. "DICK" BEASLEY OF DARLINGTON COUNTY FOR HIS OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF DARLINGTON COUNTY.

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

H. 5185 (Word version) -- Reps. Wilkins, W. D. Smith, Chellis, Harrison, Cato, Harrell, Townsend, Witherspoon, J. Brown and Bingham: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO ADOPT A JOINT RULE OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 2004 SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SO AS TO PROHIBIT AN AMENDMENT FROM BEING OFFERED TO A BILL OR RESOLUTION UNLESS ITS SUBSTANTIAL EFFECT OR IMPACT RELATES TO THE BILL OR RESOLUTION.

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Rules.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Senator J. VERNE SMITH from the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry polled out S. 895 favorable with amendment:

S. 895 (Word version) -- Senator J. Verne Smith: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 45-5-80 SO AS TO REQUIRE LODGING ESTABLISHMENTS TO COMPLY BEFORE JULY 1, 2007, WITH INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE STANDARDS FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION AND TO DEFINE "LODGING ESTABLISHMENT".

Poll of the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee
Polled 17; Ayes 13; Nays 0; Not Voting 4

AYES

J. Verne Smith            Drummond                  Setzler
Leventis                  McConnell                 Moore
Ford                      Ryberg                    Alexander
Leatherman                Hawkins                   Verdin
O'Dell

TOTAL--13

NAYS

TOTAL--0

NOT VOTING

Reese                     Mescher                   Branton
Jackson

TOTAL--4

S. 895--Read the Second Time with Notice of General Amendments

Senator J. VERNE SMITH asked unanimous consent to give the Bill a second reading with notice of general amendments.

There was no objection.

Senator PEELER from the Committee on Medical Affairs submitted a favorable report on:

S. 1146 (Word version) -- Senator Peeler: A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 61, TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE, SO AS TO DEFINE CERTAIN ADDITIONAL TERMS, CHANGE THE PROCEDURE FOR SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF A LICENSE OR A PERMIT, PROVIDE CERTAIN ACTS FOR WHICH A SERVICE MAY BE FINED, PROVIDE CERTAIN CRIMES THAT IF COMMITTED REQUIRE THE DENIAL OF CERTIFICATION, PROVIDE INSTANCES OF MISCONDUCT AND THE SUSPENSION OF A CERTIFICATE PENDING INVESTIGATION OF A COMPLAINT OF MISCONDUCT, PROVIDE FOR AN ADDITIONAL EXEMPTION, CHANGE REFERENCES TO REGULATIONS, PROVIDE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY OF PATIENT CARE RECORDS, CLARIFY LANGUAGE, AND REVISE REFERENCES.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Senator RYBERG from the Committee on Transportation submitted a favorable report on:

S. 1148 (Word version) -- Senator Thomas: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-30, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION UPON LAPSE OR TERMINATION OF THE SECURITY REQUIRED TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE VEHICLE'S OWNER'S DRIVING PRIVILEGES ARE ALSO SUSPENDED WHEN THE VEHICLE'S REQUIRED SECURITY LAPSES OR TERMINATES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-40, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO A PROVIDER OF INSURANCE'S OR SECURITY'S OBLIGATION TO NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES WHEN AN AUTOMOBILE'S INSURANCE OR SECURITY LAPSES OR TERMINATES, SO AS TO REVISE THE PROCEDURE WHEREBY AN INSURANCE OR SECURITY PROVIDER MUST NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES WHEN AN AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE POLICY OR SECURITY LAPSES OR TERMINATES, AND TO REVISE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE'S OBLIGATIONS TO NOTIFY A VEHICLE OWNER THAT HIS VEHICLE REGISTRATION HAS BEEN SUSPENDED; TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT A REGISTERED VEHICLE BE INSURED, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE MUST BE IN A FORM THAT HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND THE WORKING GROUP, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MAY PROMULGATE A REGULATION TO REQUIRE PROOF OF INSURANCE ON CERTAIN NEW AND RENEWAL REGISTRATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-240, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT ONCE A MOTOR VEHICLE BECOMES UNINSURED, THE VEHICLE OWNER MUST OBTAIN NEW INSURANCE OR SURRENDER HIS VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND LICENSE PLATE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON'S DRIVING PRIVILEGES ARE ALSO SUSPENDED WHEN HIS MOTOR VEHICLE BECOMES UNINSURED; TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-640, RELATING TO THE MOTORIST INSURANCE DATABASE PROGRAM, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE WORKING GROUP SHALL ISSUE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM AND ISSUE ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-650, RELATING TO THE SUSPENSION OF THE LICENSE PLATE OF AN UNINSURED MOTOR VEHICLE, SO AS TO REVISE THE PERIOD OF TIME A PERSON MUST VERIFY THAT HIS MOTOR VEHICLE IS INSURED OR EXEMPT FROM THE FINANCIAL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS BEFORE HIS DRIVING PRIVILEGES AND VEHICLE LICENSE PLATES WILL BE SUSPENDED; TO AMEND SECTION 38-55-50, RELATING TO THE PROVISIONS THAT PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION IN THE OFFERING OF INSURANCE POLICIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A LICENSED AGENT OR BROKER MAY CHARGE CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE FEES FOR INCIDENTAL SERVICES TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS ASSOCIATED WITH UNINSURED MOTORIST RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND THE ELECTRONIC REPORTING OF INFORMATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 38-77-340, RELATING TO AGREEMENTS TO EXCLUDE NATURAL PERSONS FROM INSURANCE COVERAGE, SO AS TO REVISE THE PROCEDURES FOR EXECUTING THESE AGREEMENTS.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Senator PEELER from the Committee on Medical Affairs submitted a favorable with amendment report on:

S. 1156 (Word version) -- Senator O'Dell: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO HEALTH, BY ADDING CHAPTER 34 SO AS TO ENACT THE SOUTH CAROLINA IMMUNIZATION REGISTRY ACT WHICH PROVIDES FOR AN ELECTRONIC REPOSITORY OF VACCINATION RECORDS TO BE USED IN AIDING CHILDHOOD DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Senator WALDREP from the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources polled out H. 3552 favorable:

H. 3552 (Word version) -- Reps. Lourie, J.E. Smith, Rivers, Hosey, Altman, Anthony, Dantzler, J. Hines, McCraw, Moody-Lawrence, Richardson, Scarborough and Umphlett: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 47-1-45 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES EMPLOYEES MUST REPORT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED INSTANCES OF ANIMAL CRUELTY, FIGHTING, OR BAITING, TO PROVIDE FOR IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR REPORTING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, TO PROVIDE THAT ANY VETERINARIAN OR OTHER PERSON MAY REPORT SUSPECTED ANIMAL CRUELTY, FIGHTING, OR BAITING, AND TO PROVIDE FOR IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY FOR REPORTING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-510, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PERSONS REQUIRED OR PERMITTED TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT, SO AS TO INCLUDE AN OFFICER OR AGENT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OR OF A SOCIETY INCORPORATED FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS AND AN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER WITHIN THE SECTION AND MAKE A TECHNICAL CORRECTION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-25, RELATING TO PERSONS REQUIRED TO REPORT ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS, SO AS TO INCLUDE AN OFFICER OR AGENT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OR OF A SOCIETY INCORPORATED FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OR AN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER WITHIN THE SECTION.

Poll of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Polled 17; Ayes 16; Nays 0; Not Voting 1

AYES

TOTAL--16

Waldep   Leventis   Peeler
Matthews   McGill   Glover
Hutto   Ravenel   Grooms
Elliott   Verdin   Pinckney
Kuhn   Knotts   Cromer
Martin

NAYS

TOTAL--0

NOT VOTING

Fair

TOTAL--1

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

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

H. 3778 (Word version) -- Reps. Herbkersman, Bailey, Bowers, Ceips, Clark, Clemmons, Duncan, Gilham, Haskins, J. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Lourie, Mahaffey, Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, Richardson, Rivers, Sandifer, Scarborough, Simrill, Sinclair, Snow, Toole, Umphlett, Vaughn, Viers, White and Whitmire: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-1210, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DUTIES OF A DRIVER OF A VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PERSON, SO AS TO DELETE THE PHRASE "IN EVERY EVENT" AS IT REFERS TO INSTANCES IN WHICH A DRIVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT SHALL REMAIN AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT, TO DELETE THE PHRASE "MORE THAN IS NECESSARY" AS IT REFERS TO A DRIVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT MAKING A STOP WITHOUT OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC, AND TO PROVIDE THAT STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES MAY ERECT SIGNS ALONG HIGHWAYS AND STREETS THAT INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT A STOP MADE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MUST BE MADE WITHOUT OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-1220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF A DRIVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO A VEHICLE WHICH IS DRIVEN OR ATTENDED BY A PERSON, SO AS TO DELETE THE PHRASE "IN EVERY EVENT" AS IT REFERS TO INSTANCES IN WHICH A DRIVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO CERTAIN VEHICLES SHALL REMAIN AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT, TO DELETE THE PHRASE "MORE THAN IS NECESSARY" AS IT REFERS TO A DRIVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT MAKING A STOP WITHOUT OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC, AND PROVIDE THAT STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES MAY ERECT SIGNS ALONG HIGHWAYS AND STREETS THAT INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT A STOP MADE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MUST BE MADE WITHOUT OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Senator LEATHERMAN from the Committee on Finance submitted a favorable with amendment report on:

H. 4925--GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., April 28, 2004

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has sustained the veto by the Governor on R272, H. 4912 by a vote of 0 to 14:

(R272, H4912 (Word version)) -- Rep. Miller: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT FOR THE YEAR 2004 ONLY, THE SHAD SEASON IN GAME ZONE 9 IS EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 15, 2004, EXCEPT THAT THE SHAD SEASON IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN TERRITORIAL SEA IS NOT EXTENDED.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

HOUSE CONCURRENCES

S. 1197 (Word version) -- Senator Martin: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE IRVIN D. PARKER UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE STATE ACCIDENT FUND AFTER TWENTY-NINE YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE STATE AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL OF HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 1203 (Word version) -- Senators Patterson and Jackson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO SHOW APPRECIATION TO DOC MCKENZIE FROM LAKE CITY, SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR ALL OF HIS SERVICES AND FOR BEING A POSITIVE INFLUENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE MANY PEOPLE WITH WHOM HE HAS COME IN CONTACT IN THIS STATE AND NATION.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

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

ORDERED ENROLLED FOR RATIFICATION

The following Joint Resolution 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. 4793 (Word version) -- Reps. Kennedy, Harvin and Snow: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOL DAYS MISSED ON JANUARY 27 AND 28, 2004, BY THE STUDENTS OF A SCHOOL IN THE WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT WHEN THE SCHOOL WAS CLOSED DUE TO ICE OR INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE MAKE-UP REQUIREMENT THAT FULL SCHOOL DAYS MISSED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES BE MADE UP.

By prior motion of Senator McGILL, with unanimous consent

ACTING PRESIDENT PRESIDES

At 4:44 P.M., Senator HAYES assumed the Chair.

AMENDED, READ THE THIRD TIME
RETURNED TO THE HOUSE

H. 5056 (Word version) -- Reps. Stille, M.A. Pitts and Townsend: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 780 OF 1928, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE ABBEVILLE COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, SO AS TO DELETE ARCHAIC REFERENCES THAT SPECIFY FROM WHICH VOTING PRECINCTS IN ABBEVILLE COUNTY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL RESIDE.

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

Senator DRUMMOND proposed the following amendment (DKA\3911DW04), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 1(A)(5) of Act 780 of 1928, SECTION 1, page 2, line 4, by striking /Hampton, Hillville,/ and inserting / Hampton, Hillville, /.

Amend further, Section 1(A)(7) of Act 780 of 1928, SECTION 1, page 2, line 12, by deleting / Sharon / and inserting / Lebanon /.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

The amendment was adopted.

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

ACTING PRESIDENT PRESIDES

At 4:47 P.M., Senator PEELER assumed the Chair.

THIRD READING BILL

The following Bill was read the third time and ordered sent to the House of Representatives:

S. 1126 (Word version) -- Senator Leatherman: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-39-70, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PREMIUM SERVICE AGREEMENTS, TO CLARIFY PROVISIONS OF PREMIUM SERVICE CONTRACTS AND DISCLOSURES, INCLUDING RENEWALS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-39-80, RELATING TO PREMIUM SERVICE COMPANIES, TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REGULATIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 38-39-90, RELATING TO CANCELLATION OF INSURANCE CONTRACTS BY PREMIUM SERVICE COMPANIES UPON DEFAULT, TO CLARIFY CERTAIN NOTICES TO INSUREDS.

AMENDED, READ THE THIRD TIME
SENT TO THE HOUSE

S. 718 (Word version) -- Senator Grooms: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 50-11-2200, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS, SO AS TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CHANGE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MAY PROMULGATE REGULATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION, PRESERVATION, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND USE OF LAND LEASED OR ESTABLISHED AS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS.

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

Senator LAND proposed the following amendment (LAND-718), which was adopted:

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

SECTION __.   Section 50-11-10 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

/   "Section 50-11-10. (A) The Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and its implementing regulations are the law of this State. However, the board annually may set seasons, bag limits, and methods for hunting and taking migratory birds consistent with federal law. A violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or its implementing regulations or a violation of regulations set by the board is a misdemeanor.

(B) In addition, it is unlawful to:

(1) trespass while hunting waterfowl;

(2) take or attempt to take waterfowl over bait;

(3) take or attempt to take waterfowl more than fifteen minutes before or after regularly designated hunting hours;

(4) possess more than one waterfowl over the legal limit;

(5) hunt waterfowl out of season.

(C) A person who violates a provision of subsection (A), with the exception of those provisions specified in subsection (B), is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days for each offense. A person who violates a provision of subsection (B) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days for each offense.

(D) A fifty-dollar fee is to be added to every fine assessed in paragraph (C). These funds are to be deposited into the general fund of the State and transferred to the Department of Natural Resources for support of the Wood Duck Box Project."     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator LAND 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 with amendments.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED
READ THE THIRD TIME, SENT TO THE HOUSE

S. 759 (Word version) -- Senators Hayes and Reese: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 102 OF TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ATHLETE AGENTS AND STUDENT ATHLETES, SO AS TO ENACT THE "UNIFORM ATHLETE AGENTS ACT OF 2004", AND TO PROVIDE FOR: DEFINITIONS, APPLICATIONS, REGISTRATION, AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION FOR ATHLETE AGENTS, SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON INDIVIDUALS ACTING AS ATHLETE AGENTS IN THIS STATE, DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE RELATING TO APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION AND ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY CERTIFICATES AND CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION TO ATHLETE AGENTS, THE NON-RENEWAL, SUSPENSION, AND REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION AFTER NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING, REQUIRED PROVISIONS OF AN AGENCY CONTRACT INCLUDING A WARNING TO STUDENT ATHLETES OF CERTAIN RIGHTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF SIGNING AN AGENCY CONTRACT, CANCELLATION OF AN AGENCY CONTRACT, RETENTION OF CERTAIN RECORDS FOR FIVE YEARS BY AN ATHLETE AGENT AND INSPECTION OF THOSE RECORDS, PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS BY AN ATHLETE AGENT OR THE FURNISHING OF ANYTHING OF VALUE TO A STUDENT ATHLETE WITH THE INTENT TO INDUCE A STUDENT ATHLETE TO ENTER INTO AN AGENCY CONTRACT, A RIGHT OF ACTION BY AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION AGAINST AN ATHLETE AGENT OR FORMER STUDENT ATHLETE FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY A VIOLATION OF THIS CHAPTER, AND CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS OF THIS CHAPTER.

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

The Committee on Education proposed the following amendment (PT\1947MM04), which was adopted:

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

/   SECTION   1.   Chapter 102, Title 59 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 456 of 1990, is amended to read:

"CHAPTER 102
Athlete Agents and Student Athletes

Section 59-102-10.   As used in this chapter:

(1)   'Agent contract' means a contract or agreement pursuant to which a student athlete authorizes an athlete agent to represent him in the marketing of his athletic ability or reputation in a sport.

(2)   'Athlete agent' means a person who, directly or indirectly, recruits or solicits a student athlete to enter into an agent contract, or who for a fee procures, offers, promises, or attempts to obtain employment for a student athlete with a professional sports team or as a professional athlete.

(3)   'Student athlete' means an athlete who practices for or otherwise participates in intercollegiate athletics at a college or university that is located in this State. This chapter may be cited as the 'Uniform Athlete Agents Act of 2004'.

Section 59-102-20.   (A)   Each athlete agent shall register biennially with the Department of Consumer Affairs on forms to be provided by the department and, at the same time, pay to the department a registration fee of three hundred dollars, for which the department shall issue a certificate of authority entitling the holder to operate as an athlete agent for two years. The department may revoke or suspend the registration of an athlete agent for cause or for a violation of any provision of this chapter.

(B)   When the business address of an athlete agent operating in this State is changed, the agent shall notify the department within thirty days after the change of address.

(C)   It is unlawful for a person to operate as an athlete agent unless he is registered as provided in this section. A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of five thousand dollars or by imprisonment for five years, or both. In this chapter:

(1)   'Agency contract' means an agreement in which a student athlete authorizes a person to negotiate or solicit on behalf of the student athlete a professional sports services contract or an endorsement contract.

(2)   'Athlete agent' means an individual who enters into an agency contract with a student athlete or, directly or indirectly, recruits or solicits a student athlete to enter into an agency contract. The term includes an individual who represents to the public that the individual is an athlete agent. The term does not include a spouse, parent, sibling, grandparent, or guardian of the student athlete or an individual acting solely on behalf of a professional sports team or professional sports organization.

(3)   'Athletic director' means an individual responsible for administering the overall athletic program of an educational institution or, if an educational institution has separately administered athletic programs for male students and female students, the athletic program for males or the athletic program for females, as appropriate.

(4)   'Contact' means a communication, direct or indirect, between an athlete agent and a student athlete to recruit or solicit the student athlete to enter into an agency contract.

(5)   'Endorsement contract' means an agreement under which a student athlete is employed or receives consideration to use a product or service based on value the student athlete has because of publicity, reputation, following, or fame obtained from athletic ability or performance.

(6)   'Intercollegiate sport' means a sport played at the collegiate level for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student athlete are established by a national association for the promotion or regulation of collegiate athletics.

(7)   'Person' means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, other legal or commercial entity, or government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality.

(8)   'Professional sports services contract' means an agreement under which an individual is employed or agrees to render services as a player on a professional sports team, with a professional sports organization, or as a professional athlete.

(9)   'Record' means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(10)   'Registration' means registration as an athlete agent pursuant to this chapter.

(11)   'State' means the State of South Carolina when referring to this State or a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States when referring to another state.

(12)   'Student athlete' means an individual who engages in, is eligible to engage in, or may be eligible in the future to engage in an intercollegiate sport. If an individual is permanently ineligible to participate in a particular intercollegiate sport, the individual is not a student athlete for purposes of that sport.

Section 59-102-30.   (A)   A student athlete who is subject to the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics, or the National Junior College Athletic Association, who has not completed his last intercollegiate contest including postseason games for the applicable sport, and who enters into an agent contract with an athlete agent or a contract pursuant to which an athlete is employed as a professional athlete, shall notify the athletic director or the president of the college or university in which he is enrolled and the Administrator of the Department of Consumer Affairs that he has entered into such a contract. Written notification of entering into a contract must be given before practicing for or participating in an athletic event on behalf of a college or university or within seventy-two hours after entering into the contract, whichever occurs first. A student athlete who fails to provide this notification is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for one year, or both.

(B)   An athlete agent who enters into an agent contract with a student athlete who is subject to the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics, or the National Junior College Athletic Association shall notify the athletic director or the president of the college or university in which the student athlete is enrolled and the Administrator of the Department of Consumer Affairs that the student athlete has entered into such a contract. Written notification of the contract must be given before the student athlete's practicing for or participating in an athletic event on behalf of a college or university or within seventy-two hours after entering into the contract, whichever occurs first. An athlete agent who fails to provide this notification is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of five thousand dollars or by imprisonment for five years, or both.

(C)   A student athlete or athlete agent who enters into a contract before October 1, 1990, is subject to the notification requirements of this section as of October 1, 1990. Thereafter, they are subject to these notification requirements immediately in the manner required by this section.

(D)   An agent contract between a student athlete and an athlete agent must have a notice printed near the space for the student athlete's signature which must contain the following statement in ten-point bold-faced type:

'WARNING: IF YOU AS A STUDENT ATHLETE SIGN THIS CONTRACT, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR ELIGIBILITY TO COMPETE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS. PURSUANT TO SOUTH CAROLINA LAW, YOU SHALL NOTIFY THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OR PRESIDENT OF YOUR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY AND THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS IN WRITING BEFORE PRACTICING FOR OR PARTICIPATING IN AN ATHLETIC EVENT ON BEHALF OF A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY OR WITHIN SEVENTY-TWO HOURS AFTER ENTERING INTO THIS CONTRACT, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THIS NOTICE IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.'

(E)   An agent contract entered into between a student athlete and an athlete agent who fails to provide the notification required by this section is void and unenforceable.

(F)   A student athlete or athlete agent who enters into an agent contract and fails to provide the notification required by this section is liable for damages to the college or university in which the student athlete is enrolled that result from the student athlete's subsequent ineligibility. In addition to damages, if any, awarded pursuant to this section, damages may be assessed in an amount equal to three times the value of the athletic scholarship furnished by the institution to the student athlete during the student athlete's period of eligibility.

(G)   Within ten days after the date on which the contractual relationship between the athlete agent and the student athlete arises or after notification of the contractual relationship is received by the athletic director or president of the college or university in which the student is enrolled and the Administrator of the Department of Consumer Affairs, whichever occurs later, the student athlete has the right to rescind the contract or any contractual relationship with the athlete agent by giving notice in writing of his intent to rescind. The rescission is effective upon repayment by the student athlete to the athlete agent of any monetary amounts paid to the student athlete by the athlete agent, exclusive of travel, lodging, meals, and entertainment, or reimbursement for these items, furnished by the athlete agent to the student athlete. The student athlete may not effect a waiver of his right to rescind, and an attempt to do so is prohibited and unenforceable.

(H) Postdating of agent contracts is prohibited, and a postdated contract is void and unenforceable. Execution of a postdated contract is a violation of this chapter, and an athlete agent committing the violation is subject to the penalty provisions of Section 59-102-20(C). A student athlete committing the violation is subject to the penalty provisions of Section 59-102-30(A).

(A)   By acting as an athlete agent in this State, a nonresident person appoints the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs as his agent for service of process in a civil action in this State related to his acting as an athlete agent in this State.

(B)   The Department of Consumer Affairs may issue subpoenas for material relevant to the administration of this chapter.

Section 59-102-40.   An agent may not:

(1)   publish or cause to be published false or misleading information or advertisements nor give any false information or make false promises to an athlete concerning employment;

(2)   accept as a client a student athlete referred by an employee of or a coach for a college or university located in this State in exchange for the rendition of free legal services, the rendition of legal services for a reduced fee, or any other consideration;

(3)   enter into an agreement, written or oral, by which the athlete agent offers anything of value to an employee of or a coach for a college or university located in this State in return for the referral of student athlete clients by that employee or coach;

(4)   offer anything of value to induce a student athlete to enter into an agreement by which the agent will represent the student athlete. Negotiations regarding the agent's fee is not considered an inducement;

(5)   conduct business as an athlete agent if his registration is suspended.

(A)   Except as otherwise provided in subsection (B), a person may not act as an athlete agent in this State without holding a certificate of registration pursuant to Section 59-102-60 or 59-102-80.

(B)   Before being issued a certificate of registration, a person may act as an athlete agent in this State for all purposes except signing an agency contract if:

(1)   a student athlete or one acting on behalf of the student athlete initiates communication with the person; and

(2)   within seven days after an initial act as an athlete agent, the person submits an application for registration as an athlete agent in this State.

(C)   An agency contract resulting from conduct in violation of this section is void and the athlete agent shall return all consideration received pursuant to the contract.

Section 59-102-50.   Department of Consumer Affairs to promulgate regulations. The Department of Consumer Affairs may promulgate regulations necessary to implement and enforce this chapter.   (A)   An applicant for registration shall submit an application for registration to the Department of Consumer Affairs in a form prescribed by the Department of Consumer Affairs. An application filed pursuant to this section is a public record. The application must be in the name of a person and, except as otherwise provided in subsection (B), signed or otherwise authenticated by the applicant under penalty of perjury and state or contain:

(1)   the name of the applicant and the address of the applicant's principal place of business;

(2)   the name of the applicant's business or employer, if applicable;

(3)   any business or occupation engaged in by the applicant for the five years next preceding the date of submission of the application;

(4)   a description of the applicant's:

(a)   formal training as an athlete agent;

(b)   practical experience as an athlete agent; and

(c)   educational background relating to his activities as an athlete agent;

(5)   the names and addresses of three individuals not related to the applicant who are willing to serve as references;

(6)   the name, sport, and last known team for each individual for whom the applicant acted as an athlete agent during the five years next preceding the date of submission of the application;

(7)   the names and addresses of all persons who are:

(a)   with respect to the athlete agent's business, if it is not a corporation, the partners, members, officers, managers, associates, or profit-sharers of the business; and

(b)   with respect to a corporation employing the athlete agent, the officers, directors, and any shareholder of the corporation having an interest of five percent or greater;

(8)   whether the applicant or a person named pursuant to item (7) has been convicted of a crime that would be a crime involving moral turpitude or a felony if committed in this State, and identification of the crime;

(9)   whether there has been any administrative or judicial determination that the applicant or a person named pursuant to item (7) has made a false, misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent representation;

(10)   an instance in which the conduct of the applicant or a person named pursuant to item (7) resulted in the imposition against a student athlete or educational institution of a sanction, suspension, or declaration of ineligibility to participate in an interscholastic or intercollegiate athletic event;

(11)   a sanction, suspension, or disciplinary action taken against the applicant or a person named pursuant to item (7) arising out of occupational or professional conduct; and

(12)   whether there has been a denial of an application for, suspension or revocation of, or refusal to renew the registration or licensure of the applicant or a person named pursuant to item (7) as an athlete agent in any state.

(B)   An applicant for registration in this State, who has applied for and holds a certificate, registration, or licensure as an athlete agent in another state, may submit a copy of that application and certificate instead of submitting an application in the form prescribed pursuant to subsection (A). The Department of Consumer Affairs shall accept the application and the certificate from the other state as an application for registration in this State if the application to the other state:

(1)   was submitted in the other state within six months next preceding the submission of the application in this State and the applicant certifies that the information contained in the application is current;

(2)   contains information substantially similar to or more comprehensive than that required in an application submitted in this State; and

(3)   was signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury.

Section 59-102-60.   (A)   Except as otherwise provided in subsection (B), the Department of Consumer Affairs shall issue a certificate of registration to a person who complies with Section 59-102-50(A) or whose application has been accepted pursuant to Section 59-102-50(B).

(B)   The Department of Consumer Affairs may refuse to issue a certificate of registration if he determines the applicant has engaged in conduct that has a significantly adverse effect on the applicant's fitness to act as an athlete agent. In making the determination, the Department of Consumer Affairs may consider whether the applicant has:

(1)   been convicted of a crime that would be a crime involving moral turpitude or a felony if committed in this State;

(2)   made a materially false, misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent representation in the application or as an athlete agent;

(3)   engaged in conduct that would disqualify the applicant from serving in a fiduciary capacity;

(4)   engaged in conduct prohibited by Section 59-102-140;

(5)   had a registration or licensure as an athlete agent suspended, revoked, or denied or been refused renewal of registration or licensure as an athlete agent in any state;

(6)   engaged in conduct resulting in the imposition against a student athlete or educational institution of a sanction, suspension, or declaration of ineligibility to participate in an interscholastic or intercollegiate athletic event; or

(7)   engaged in conduct that significantly adversely reflects on the applicant's credibility, honesty, or integrity.

(C)   In making a determination pursuant to subsection (B), the Department of Consumer Affairs shall consider:

(1)   how recently the conduct occurred;

(2)   the nature of the conduct and the context in which it occurred; and

(3)   other relevant conduct of the applicant.

(D)   An athlete agent may apply to renew a registration by submitting an application for renewal in a form prescribed by the Department of Consumer Affairs. An application filed pursuant to this section is a public record. The application for renewal must be signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury and must contain current information on all matters required in an original registration.

(E)   A person who has submitted an application for renewal of registration or licensure in another state may file a copy of that application for renewal and a valid certificate of registration or licensure from the other state instead of submitting an application for renewal in the form prescribed pursuant to subsection (D). The Department of Consumer Affairs shall accept the application for renewal from the other state as an application for renewal in this State if the application to the other state:

(1)   was submitted in the other state within six months next preceding the filing in this State and the applicant certifies the information contained in the application for renewal is current;

(2)   contains information substantially similar to or more comprehensive than that required in an application for renewal submitted in this State; and

(3)   was signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury.

(F)   A certificate of registration or a renewal of a registration is valid for two years.

Section 59-102-70.   (A)   The Department of Consumer Affairs may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a registration for conduct that would have justified denial of registration pursuant to Section 59-102-60(B).

(B)   The Department of Consumer Affairs may deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a certificate of registration or licensure only after proper notice and an opportunity for a hearing. The Administrative Procedures Act applies to this chapter.

Section 59-102-80.   The Department of Consumer Affairs may issue a temporary certificate of registration while an application for registration or renewal of registration is pending.

Section 59-102-90.   An application for registration or renewal of registration must be accompanied by a fee of:

(1)   five hundred dollars for an initial application for registration; or

(2)   three hundred dollars for an application for renewal of registration.

Section 59-102-100.   (A)   An agency contract must be in a record that is signed or otherwise authenticated by the parties.

(B)   An agency contract must include:

(1)   the amount and method of calculating the consideration to be paid by the student athlete for services provided by the athlete agent under the contract and other consideration the athlete agent receives from another source for entering into the contract or for providing the services;

(2)   the name of a person not listed in the application for registration or renewal of registration to be compensated because the student athlete signed the agency contract;

(3)   a description of expenses the student athlete agrees to reimburse;

(4)   a description of the services to be provided to the student athlete;

(5)   the duration of the contract; and

(6)   the date of execution.

(C)   An agency contract must contain, in close proximity to the signature of the student athlete, a conspicuous notice in boldface type in capital letters stating:

  'WARNING TO STUDENT ATHLETE

IF YOU SIGN THIS CONTRACT:

(1)   YOU MAY LOSE YOUR ELIGIBILITY TO COMPETE AS A STUDENT ATHLETE IN YOUR SPORT;

(2)   IF YOU HAVE AN ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, BOTH YOU AND YOUR ATHLETE AGENT MUST NOTIFY YOUR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR WITHIN 72 HOURS AFTER ENTERING INTO THIS CONTRACT; AND

(3)   YOU MAY CANCEL THIS CONTRACT WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER SIGNING IT. CANCELLATION OF THIS CONTRACT MAY NOT REINSTATE YOUR ELIGIBILITY.'

(D)   An agency contract that does not conform to this section is voidable by the student athlete. If a student athlete voids an agency contract, the student athlete is not required to pay consideration under the contract or to return consideration received from the athlete agent to induce the student athlete to enter into the contract.

(E)   The athlete agent shall give a record of the signed or otherwise authenticated agency contract to the student athlete at the time of execution.

Section 59-102-110.   (A)   Within seventy-two hours after entering into an agency contract or before the next scheduled athletic event in which the student athlete may participate, whichever occurs first, the athlete agent shall give notice in a record of the existence of the contract to the athletic director of the educational institution at which the student athlete is enrolled or the athlete agent has reasonable grounds to believe the student athlete intends to enroll.

(B)   Within seventy-two hours after entering into an agency contract or before the next athletic event in which the student athlete may participate, whichever occurs first, the student athlete shall inform the athletic director of the educational institution at which the student athlete is enrolled that he or she has entered into an agency contract.

Section 59-102-120.   (A)   A student athlete may cancel an agency contract by giving notice of the cancellation to the athlete agent in a record within fourteen days after the contract is signed.

(B)   A student athlete may not waive the right to cancel an agency contract.

(C)   If a student athlete cancels an agency contract, the student athlete is not required to pay consideration under the contract or to return consideration received from the athlete agent to induce the student athlete to enter into the contract.

Section 59-102-130.   (A)   An athlete agent shall retain the following records for a period of five years:

(1)   the name and address of each individual represented by the athlete agent;

(2)   an agency contract entered into by the athlete agent; and

(3)   direct costs incurred by the athlete agent in the recruitment or solicitation of a student athlete to enter into an agency contract.

(B)   Records retained pursuant to subsection (A) are open to inspection by the Department of Consumer Affairs during normal business hours.

Section 59-102-140.   (A)   An athlete agent, with the intent to induce a student athlete to enter into an agency contract, may not:

(1)   give materially false or misleading information or make a materially false promise or representation;

(2)   furnish anything of value to a student athlete before the student athlete enters into the agency contract; or

(3)   furnish anything of value to an individual other than the student athlete or another registered athlete agent.

(B)   An athlete agent may not intentionally:

(1)   initiate contact with a student athlete unless registered pursuant to this chapter;

(2)   refuse or fail to retain or permit inspection of records pursuant to Section 59-102-130;

(3)   fail to register as required by Section 59-102-40;

(4)   provide materially false or misleading information in an application for registration or renewal of registration;

(5)   predate or postdate an agency contract; or

(6)   fail to notify a student athlete before the student athlete signs or otherwise authenticates an agency contract for a particular sport that the signing or authentication may make the student athlete ineligible to participate as a student athlete in that sport.

Section 59-102-150.   An athlete agent who violates Section 59-102-140 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than three years, or both.

Section 59-102-160.   (A)   An educational institution has a right of action against an athlete agent or a former student athlete for damages caused by a violation of this chapter. In an action pursuant to this section, the court may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party.

(B)   Damages to an educational institution pursuant to subsection (A) include, without limitation, losses and expenses incurred because the educational institution was injured by a violation of this chapter or was penalized, disqualified, or suspended from participation in athletics by a national association for the promotion and regulation of athletics, by an athletic conference, or by reasonable self-imposed disciplinary action taken to mitigate sanctions likely to be imposed by such an organization.

(C)   A right of action pursuant to this section does not accrue until the educational institution discovers, or by the exercise of reasonable diligence would have discovered, the violation by the athlete agent or former student athlete.

(D)   Liability of the athlete agent or the former student athlete pursuant to this section is several and not joint.

(E)   This chapter does not restrict rights, remedies, or defenses of a person under law or equity.

Section 59-102-170.   Upon a finding that an athlete agent has violated a provision of this chapter, as determined from admissions of the athlete agent freely and voluntarily made or as the result of a hearing conducted pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, the Department of Consumer Affairs may assess a fine against an athlete agent not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars for a violation of this chapter.

Section 59-102-180.   In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it."

SECTION   2.   The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.

SECTION   3.   If a provision of this chapter or its application to a person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which may be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable.

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

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HAYES explained the committee amendment.

The committee amendment was adopted.

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

AMENDED, READ THE THIRD TIME
SENT TO THE HOUSE

S. 686 (Word version) -- Senators Thomas and Alexander: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 2 TO CHAPTER 73, TITLE 38 SO AS TO ENACT THE "PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE PERSONAL LINES MODERNIZATION ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-910, RELATING TO CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH INSURANCE PREMIUMS MAY BE RAISED, SO AS TO DELETE FIRE, ALLIED LINES, AND HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE FROM THIS REQUIREMENT, AND TO DELETE A PROVISION AUTHORIZING A PRIVATE INSURER TO UNDERWRITE CERTAIN ESSENTIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE AND TO FILE FOR RATE INCREASE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

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

Senator MOORE proposed the following amendment (686MOORE), which was adopted:

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

/   SECTION . Amend Chapter 73, Title 38 of the 1976 Code by adding:

"Section 38-73-325.   Absence of credit information can be used by an insurer for underwriting purposes only if the insurer presents information satisfactory to the director that such absence is related to the risk."   /

Amend the bill further, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/   SECTION .   Amend Chapter 73, Title 38 of the 1976 Code by adding:

"Section 38-73-425.   Absence of credit information can be used by an insurer for underwriting purposes only if the insurer presents information satisfactory to the director that such absence is related to the risk."   /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator MOORE explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senator SHORT proposed the following amendment (686SHORTCLEAN), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 7, line 28, by deleting / December 1, 2004 / and inserting:

/   February 1, 2005   /.

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 15, after line 28, by inserting:

/   (5)   Nothing in this section prohibits an insurer from refusing to issue policies of insurance due to the catastrophe exposure of wind. /.

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 17, after line15, by inserting:

/   (4)   Nothing in this section prohibits an insurer from refusing to renew policies of insurance due to the catastrophe exposure of wind. /.

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 18, line 36, after the word /designee/ by inserting:

/   and are not public information   /.

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 third time, passed and ordered sent to the House of Representatives.

READ THE SECOND TIME
WITH NOTICE OF GENERAL AMENDMENTS

The following Bill, having been read the second time with notice of general amendments, was ordered placed on the Third Reading Calendar:

S. 1181 (Word version) -- Senators Mescher, Grooms, Land, McGill and Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-13-390 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO MORE THAN ONE ARKANSAS BLUE CATFISH OVER THIRTY-FOUR INCHES MAY BE TAKEN FROM THE WATERS OF LAKES MARION AND MOULTRIE BY ANY ONE PERSON IN ONE DAY, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION APPLY TO COMMERCIAL AS WELL AS RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED, AMENDED
READ THE SECOND TIME
WITH NOTICE OF GENERAL AMENDMENTS

S. 682 (Word version) -- Senator Jackson: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 58, TITLE 40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF MORTGAGE LOAN BROKERS, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TERM FROM "MORTGAGE LOAN BROKER" TO "MORTGAGE BROKER", TO CONFORM THE CHAPTER ACCORDINGLY, TO DEFINE "PROCESSOR", TO FURTHER SPECIFY THE SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY OF "ORIGINATORS", AND AMONG OTHER THINGS TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE AND RENEWAL FEES FOR ORIGINATORS.

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

Banking and Insurance Committee proposed the following amendment (PT\2006MM04), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION   1.   Chapter 58, Title 40 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Chapter 58
Registration Licensure of Mortgage Loan Brokers

Section 40-58-10.   (A)   This chapter may be cited as the Licensing Requirements Act of Certain Loan Brokers of Mortgages on Residential Real Property.

(B)   No person, partnership, corporation, banking organization, or other organization shall broker a residential mortgage loan as defined in this chapter unless the broker of the mortgage loan:

(1)   is an exempt person or organization as defined by Section 40-58-20(5); or

(2)   has complied with the provisions of this chapter.

Section 40-58-20.   As used in this chapter:

(1)   'Mortgage loan' means a loan to a natural person made primarily for personal, family, or household use primarily secured by a mortgage on residential real property.

(2)   'Residential real property' means real property located in this State upon which there is located or there is to be located one or more single family, owner-occupied dwellings or dwelling units.

(3)   'Mortgage loan broker' means a person or organization in the business of soliciting, processing, placing, or negotiating mortgage loans mortgages for others or offering to process, place, or negotiate mortgage loans mortgages for others. Mortgage loan broker also includes a person or organization who brings borrowers or lenders together to obtain mortgage loans mortgages or renders a settlement service as described in 24 CFR Part 3500.2(a)(16)(ii).

(4)   'Soliciting, processing, placing, or negotiating a mortgage loan' means for compensation or gain, either directly or indirectly, accepting or offering to accept an application for a mortgage loan, assisting or offering to assist in the processing of an application for a mortgage loan, soliciting or offering to solicit a mortgage loan on behalf of a third party, or negotiating or offering to negotiate the terms or conditions of a mortgage loan with a lender on behalf of a third party.

(5)   'Exempt person or organization' means:

(a)   a bank, bank holding company, credit union, savings and loan association, savings and loan association holding company, their affiliates and subsidiaries, a supervised licensed lender under Title 37 and a restricted lender under Title 34 and their affiliates and subsidiaries, a Department of Housing and Urban Development or Federal Housing Administration approved mortgagee authorized, chartered, licensed, or approved under the laws of this State or of the United States or an instrumentality of them; or persons or organizations which sell or place all of their conventional mortgage loans mortgages on real property with federally insured and/or regulated financial institutions including, but not limited to, banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions.

(b)   an attorney at law licensed to practice law in South Carolina who is not engaged principally in negotiating mortgage loans mortgages when the attorney renders services in the course of his practice as an attorney at law;

(c)   a person employed by an organization defined in subitem (a) of this item;

(d)   title company which is qualified to issue title insurance, directly or through its agents.

(6)   'Licensee' means a person or organization who is licensed pursuant to Section 40-58-50 which engages in the business of soliciting, processing, placing, or negotiating mortgage loans mortgages for others or offering to process, place, or negotiate mortgage loans mortgages for others. Licensee includes mortgage brokers as defined in item (3) and originators as defined in item (14).

(7)   'Administrator' means the Administrator of the Department of Consumer Affairs of this State.

(8)   'RESPA' means the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974, 12 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq., as amended.

(9)   'Recasting' means a promise for an individual to recoup a home sold to a third party with the intent of the original seller to rent back the property for a specific time at which the original seller will have the option to purchase the property back at a specific price. The specific period of time would normally be one year.

(10)   'HUD' means the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(11)   'Department' means the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.

(12)   'Regular business hours' means open for business not less than thirty hours a week, Monday through Friday.

(13)   'Satellite office' means a location at which a mortgage broker may conduct mortgage loan broker business other than at a location that is open for regular business hours and is not required to be staffed full-time by one or more employees who have the authority to contract on behalf of the broker and to accept service on behalf of the broker.

(14)   'Originator' means an employee of a mortgage loan broker whose primary job responsibilities include direct contact with and informing loan mortgage applicants of the rates, terms, disclosure, and other aspects of the mortgage, including accepting or offering to accept applications for mortgages. It does not mean an employee, including processors, whose primary job responsibilities are limited to clerical in nature, such as processing the loan and administrative tasks and who does not solicit borrowers or negotiate the rates, terms, disclosure, or other aspects of a mortgage on behalf of the employer which do not require licensure.

(15)   'Processor' means an employee of a mortgage broker whose primary job responsibilities are mortgage processing and may include direct contact with applicants but does not include informing applicants of rates, terms, disclosure, or solicitation of mortgages.

Section 40-58-30.   (A)   No A mortgage loan broker, as defined in Section 40-58-20(3), or an originator, as defined in Section 40-58-20(14), may not engage in the business of processing, placing, or negotiating a mortgage loan or offering to process, place, or negotiate a mortgage loan in this State without first being licensed with the administrator.

(B)   It is unlawful for a person to employ, to compensate, or to appoint as its agent an originator unless the originator is licensed pursuant to this chapter. The license of an originator is not effective during any period when that person is not employed by a mortgage broker licensed pursuant to this chapter. When an originator ceases to be employed by a licensed mortgage broker, the originator and the mortgage broker by whom that person was employed shall promptly notify the department in writing. An originator must not be employed simultaneously by more than one mortgage broker.

(C)   Notwithstanding subsection (A) of this section, the provisions of this chapter do not apply to an exempt person or organization as defined in Section 40-58-20(5).

Section 40-58-40.   No A person or organization may not offer or agree to offer loan mortgage brokerage services in this State without first depositing and continuously maintaining the amount of ten thousand dollars in cash or securities approved by the administrator or a bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars executed by a surety company authorized by the laws of this State to transact business within this State. Continuously maintaining a bond may be considered evidence of financial responsibility for a person or organization that offers or agrees to offer mortgage brokerage services. The bond must be executed to the State of South Carolina and must be for the use of the State and for any consumers who may have a cause of action against the loan mortgage broker.

Section 40-58-50.   (A)   An application to become licensed as a mortgage loan broker or an originator must be in writing, under oath, and in a form prescribed by the department. The application must contain the name and complete business and residential address or addresses of the applicant. or, If the applicant for a mortgage broker license is a partnership, association, limited liability company, corporation, or other form of business organization, the names and complete business and residential addresses of each member, director, and principal officer and a list of all employees who engage in direct loan brokerage activity including, but not limited to, originators.

(B)(1)   The application for a mortgage broker license must include an affirmation of financial solvency noting bonding requirements required by the department and the descriptions of the business activities, financial responsibility, educational background, and general character and fitness of the applicant as required by this chapter, including consent to a criminal records check. The application must be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee, payable to the department, of five hundred fifty dollars, in addition to the actual cost of obtaining state criminal history record checks by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

(C)(2)   An applicant for a mortgage broker's license must have at least two years' experience working as an originator under the supervision of a mortgage loan broker before his an initial license is issued.

(1)(a)   In lieu of a showing of two years' experience, an applicant may show proof of two years' employment with a federally insured depository institution, or a VA, FHA, or HUD approved mortgagee during which the applicant was actively engaged in originating residential mortgage loans mortgages.

(2)(b)   In lieu of one of the required years' experience, an applicant may show proof of the equivalent of six or more semester hours of satisfactorily completed course work in real estate finance, real estate law, or the like similar course work counting toward the successful completion of a degree that is baccalaureate level or more advanced with a major or minor in finance, accounting, business administration, real estate finance economics, or similar baccalaureate or more advanced degree, approved by the administrator or the administrator's designee, from an accredited college or university.

(3)(c)   However, all mortgage loan brokers properly licensed as a mortgage loan broker before October 1, 1998, may act as mortgage loan brokers after that date without regard to the experience or education requirement of this subsection if they maintain compliance with the continuing professional education requirements of Section 40-58-67 and otherwise comply with this chapter.

(C)   The application for an originator license must designate the employing mortgage broker and must include descriptions of the business activities, educational background, and general character and fitness of the applicant as required by this chapter, including consent to a criminal records check. The application must be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee, payable to the department, of fifty dollars, in addition to the actual cost of obtaining state criminal history record checks by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

(D)   An applicant for an originator's license must be at least eighteen years of age and must have at least six months of experience in residential mortgage lending or complete eight hours of continuing education within ninety days of employment. Additionally, all originators properly licensed before April 1, 2005, may act as originators after that date without regard to the experience or education requirement of this subsection if they maintain compliance with the continuing professional education requirements of Section 40-58-67 and otherwise comply with this chapter.

Section 40-58-55.   (A)   The department may refuse to license an applicant or refuse to renew a license if it finds, after notice and a hearing pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, that the applicant or his agent has:

(1)   violated a provision of this chapter or an order of the department;

(2)   withheld material information in connection with an application for a license or its renewal, or made a material misstatement in connection with the application;

(3)   been convicted of a felony or of an offense involving breach of trust, moral turpitude, fraud, or dishonest dealing within the past ten years.

(B)   Any A person who is was in business as a mortgage loan broker or is an agent of a broker before October 1, 1998, and who has been convicted of a felony or an offense involving breach of trust, moral turpitude, fraud, or dishonest dealing within the past ten years may continue in business as a mortgage loan broker or agent, but if a mortgage loan broker or an agent of a broker is convicted of the above-referenced offenses an offense enumerated in item (3) of subsection (A) on or after October 1, 1998, that person shall be is subject to the provisions of this chapter.

Section 40-58-60.   (A)   Upon the filing of an application for a license, if the department finds that the financial responsibility, experience, character, and general fitness of the applicant, and of the members if the applicant is a copartnership, association, or limited liability company, and of the officers and directors if the applicant is a corporation, are such as to command the confidence of the community and to warrant belief that the business may be operated honestly, fairly, and efficiently according to the purposes of this chapter, it shall license the applicant as a mortgage loan broker and issue a license. If the department does not so find, it shall refuse to license the applicant and shall notify him of the denial.

(B)   Upon the receipt of the license, a mortgage loan broker the licensee is authorized to engage in the business for which the license was issued.

(C)   Each license issued to a licensee must state the address or addresses at which the business is to be conducted and must state fully the name of the licensee and the date of the license. A copy of the license must be posted prominently in each place of business of the licensee. The license is not transferable or assignable.

Section 40-58-65.   (A)   A person mortgage broker licensed pursuant to this chapter must maintain at his usual place of business books, records, and documents pertaining to the business conducted, to enable the department to determine compliance with this chapter. A licensee mortgage broker with two or more licensed offices may consolidate the records at any one of the licensed offices. The records must be available for examination to the administrator or his designee upon request. Books and records must be maintained for at least three years.

(B)   A mortgage broker doing business in this State shall maintain a sufficient physical presence in this State and his records must be maintained at the licensed location in this State. At a minimum, the broker shall maintain an official place of business open during regular business hours, staffed by one or more employees licensees who have the authority to contract on behalf of the broker and to accept service on behalf of the broker. If the official place of business is not open for business within the hours of 8:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, the broker shall notify the department in writing of the business hours maintained by the broker's official place of business.

(C)   A licensed mortgage loan broker with an official place of business within South Carolina also may maintain one or more branch or satellite offices provided that if the:

(1)   mortgage loan broker notifies the department in writing ten days before the opening of a satellite office of the location of the branch or satellite office and notifies the department that all records from the branch or satellite office are stored in a main or branch location in this State which is staffed by one or more employees during regular business hours;

(2)   records of any pending mortgage loan application or records in which a loan closing is still in process are made available at the mortgage loan broker's main or branch location as provided in item (1) to the administrator or his designee within two business days of a written request delivered by facsimile transmission, mail, or hand-delivery by the administrator or his designee;

(3)   broker notifies the department in writing within two business days of closing a branch or satellite office.

(D)   The department, at its discretion, may examine the books and records of a licensee mortgage broker and other specified documents to determine whether there has been substantial compliance with this chapter. Unless there is reason to believe a violation of this chapter has occurred, examinations must be limited to one each year. Records and information obtained by the department during an examination are confidential and the department must certify that it is in compliance with the Right to Financial Privacy Act (RFPA).

(E)   If the mortgage loan broker fails to notify the department of the existence or closing of a branch or satellite office, the actual operating hours of the main or branch offices where records are kept, or the whereabouts of its records, the broker is subject to a penalty of not less than fifty dollars and not more than two hundred fifty dollars. If after the assessment of such a fine within a one-year period, the administrator finds that additional violations of this section are both intentional and repeated, the mortgage loan broker is subject to all of the remedies for violations of this chapter set forth in Section 40-58-80.

Section 40-58-67.   (A)(1)   Effective for license years beginning after September 30, 1998, all for licensed mortgage loan brokers and after March 31, 2005, for licensed originators, licensees must complete at least eight hours of continuing professional education annually. If the licensed mortgage loan broker is a sole proprietorship or partnership, any owners and partners must complete the required eight hours of continuing professional education annually. If the licensed mortgage loan broker is a limited liability company or corporation, any member or president, chief executive officer, or other officer who has ownership interest of twenty-five percent or greater and who actively participates in the broker entity must complete the required eight hours of continuing professional education annually. Up to eight hours of continuing professional education may be carried forward from one year to the next year; for the license year beginning October 1, 1998, up to eight hours of continuing professional education taken in the preceding twelve months may be carried forward. The continuing professional education completed must be reported to the department annually on a form approved by it showing the date and title of the courses taken, the teacher or sponsor of the course taken, and the hours of continuing professional education claimed for the course. If the course is taught in a classroom setting, fifty minutes of classroom contact shall equal one hour of continuing professional education. Course sponsors must maintain records of attendees for two years after the course. As used in this chapter, 'actively participates' means engaging in direct loan brokering activity as defined in Section 40-58-20(3) and (4).

(2)   Documentation of attendance at the courses or correspondence courses completed must be maintained by the mortgage loan broker for all licensees and shall consist of a certificate of completion issued by the teacher or sponsor of the course showing the recommended number of hours of continuing professional education. This documentation is subject to inspection by the department for up to two years after the date of the course. Courses offered by the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, the South Carolina Mortgage Brokers Association, or the department or courses related to real estate law or related law topics, appraisals, mortgage lending, financial management, financial planning, or mortgage processing are considered to qualify for continuing professional education. The department shall offer continuing professional education courses to assist mortgage loan brokers in obtaining the continuing professional education required by this chapter.

(B)   The department shall appoint two mortgage loan brokers and one representative of the department to a panel for two-year terms to approve any courses questioned as to their qualifications as continuing professional education. The panel may conduct its meetings via conference call. The department shall develop a questionnaire to ascertain the interest and background of potential members of this panel.

(C)   If a mortgage loan broker licensee fails to complete his continuing professional education in a timely manner, his license shall expire and the licensee shall pay a penalty not in excess of one hundred dollars in order to renew the license.

(D)   However, the mortgage loan broker licensee may request an administrative hearing to appeal the expiration of his license for failure to complete continuing professional education requirements. A license may be renewed without penalty within thirty days after the expiration if the broker licensee completes his professional education requirements.

Section 40-58-70.   Mortgage loan brokers A licensee may not:

(1)   misrepresent the material facts or make false promises likely to influence, persuade, or induce an applicant for a mortgage loan or a mortgagor to take a mortgage loan. This includes presenting the broker in the guise of a lender or pursuing a course of misrepresentation through agents or otherwise;

(2)   intentionally misrepresent or conceal a material factor, term, or condition of a transaction to which he is a party, pertinent to an applicant for a mortgage loan or a mortgagor;

(3)   engage in a transaction, practice, or course of business which is unconscionable in light of the regular practices of a mortgage loan broker, or which operates a fraud upon a person, in connection with the making of or purchase or sale of a mortgage loan;

(4)   fail to use due diligence and make reasonable efforts to procure a loan mortgage on behalf of a borrower;

(5)   collect any third party fees before a conditional loan mortgage commitment is obtained by the mortgage broker with the exception of normal processing expenses associated with the making of mortgage loans mortgages as authorized or allowed by FNMA, FHLMC, FHA, VA, or any additional fees authorized or allowed by the department;

(6)   engage in recasting unless the applicant obtains the advice and counsel of a licensed attorney who is independent to the transaction. No A party to a transaction, other than the consumer, may not recommend, retain, or influence the selection of independent counsel. An applicant for recasting shall provide to the broker a document identifying the applicant, provide a brief summary of the proposed transaction, and a written statement from an attorney certifying that the applicant has been advised of the potential consequences of recasting.

Section 40-58-75.   (A)   Within three business days of the receipt of an application for a loan mortgage, the broker must disclose in a statement the total estimated charges to the borrower for the loan mortgage and an itemization of the charges provided if required under RESPA. The disclosure is considered delivered when deposited with United States Postal Service for first class delivery.

(B)   No A person may not earn a mortgage broker's fee unless the person meets the requirements of this chapter, is authorized to conduct mortgage brokerage services by this chapter, or is exempt from the requirements of this chapter.

(C)   All fees earned for services rendered as a mortgage broker must be disclosed to the applicant by the mortgage broker as required by RESPA.

Section 40-58-80.   (A)   Upon the finding that an action of a mortgage loan broker licensee may be in violation of this chapter, or of a law or regulation of this State or of the federal government or an agency of them either, the department, after reasonable notice to the mortgage loan broker and an opportunity for the mortgage loan broker to be heard, shall order it the licensee to cease and desist from the action.

(B)   If the mortgage loan broker licensee fails to appeal the cease and desist order of the department in accordance with Section 40-58-90 and continues to engage in the action in violation of the department's order, he the licensee is subject to a penalty of not less than one thousand nor or more than two thousand five hundred dollars, in the discretion of the department, for each action he the licensee takes in violation of the department's order. The penalty provision of this section is in addition to and not instead of other provisions of law applicable to a mortgage loan broker for the mortgage loan broker's licensee's failure to comply with an order of the department.

(C)   The department, upon the finding that a mortgage loan broker licensee has engaged intentionally or repeatedly in a course of conduct in violation of this chapter, may revoke the license of the mortgage loan broker temporarily or permanently in its discretion after reasonable notice to the broker and an opportunity for the broker to be heard and may increase the mortgage broker's required bond up to a maximum of twenty-five thousand dollars to ensure that the public is protected adequately. The department also may impose upon persons violating the provisions of this chapter administrative fines of not more than five hundred dollars for each offense or not more than five thousand dollars for the same set of transactions or occurrences. Each violation constitutes a separate offense. The department, if it determines that the required bond must be increased, shall state in writing the reasons for the increase and immediately serve it upon the mortgage loan broker. The mortgage loan broker shall provide the new bond within thirty days or the department shall revoke the license of the mortgage loan broker.

(D)   A person who violates a provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

(E)   Nothing in this chapter limits a statutory or common law right of a person to bring an action in a court for an act or the right of the State to punish a person for a violation of a law.

(F)   The administrator of the department may suspend the right of an individual to engage in mortgage loan broker activity after finding that an originator or other employee of a licensed mortgage loan broker has failed to comply with a provision of this chapter.

Section 40-58-90.   An aggrieved party, within thirty days after the final decision of the department and by written notice to the department, may appeal to the circuit court of the county where the appellant resides as provided by Article 3, Chapter 23 of Title 1, the Administrative Procedures Act.

Section 40-58-100.   The department may promulgate regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

Section 40-58-110.   (A)(1)   In addition to the initial nonrefundable license application fee of five hundred fifty dollars required by Section 40-58-50, first time mortgage broker licensees also shall pay a one-time, nonrefundable processing fee of two hundred dollars. Thereafter, a mortgage broker licensee shall pay an annual nonrefundable renewal fee of five hundred fifty dollars. A mortgage broker licensee shall pay an initial nonrefundable fee of one hundred fifty dollars and, thereafter, a nonrefundable renewal fee of one hundred fifty dollars for each branch or satellite location.

(2)   The initial nonrefundable license fee is fifty dollars for an originator license, and fifty dollars, nonrefundable, for a renewal license. In addition, all licensees must pay the cost of obtaining state criminal history record checks as the department may require. The broker shall notify the department in writing ten days before opening a new, official branch or satellite location. No initial fee is required when the licensee notifies the department of a change in address for an official branch or satellite location.

(B)   The term of each license is one year. Licenses issued under this chapter expire on September thirtieth each year for mortgage brokers and March thirty-first for originators and must be renewed in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(C)   Failure to renew a license within thirty days of its expiration results in the license being canceled by the department requiring the licensee to complete the initial licensing process, including a criminal records check. A license may be renewed after the thirty-day grace period provided the renewal is within thirty days of expiration must be accompanied by a late penalty of two hundred fifty dollars for mortgage brokers and twenty-five dollars for originators in addition to the five hundred fifty dollar license nonrefundable renewal fee. All renewable applications must contain information required by the department. All fees collected by the department pursuant to this chapter must be used to implement the provisions of this chapter."

SECTION   2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator SHORT explained the committee amendment.

The committee amendment was adopted.

Senators SHORT, JACKSON, HAYES and THOMAS proposed the following amendment (PT\2021MM04), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Chapter 58, Title 40 as contained in SECTION 1, by inserting between Section 40-58-75 and Section 40-58-80 the following:

/   Section 40-58-78.   (A)   A loan agreement with a mortgage broker or originator must contain an explicit statement that:

(1)   the mortgage broker or originator is acting as the agent of the borrower in providing brokerage services to the borrower;

(2)   when acting as agent for the borrower, it owes to that borrower a duty of utmost care, honesty, and loyalty in the transaction, including the duty of full disclosure of all material facts. If the mortgage broker or originator is authorized to act as an agent for any other person, the brokerage agreement must contain a statement of that fact and identification of that person;

(3)   a detailed description of the services the mortgage broker or originator agrees to perform for the borrower, and a good faith estimate of any fees the mortgage broker or originator will receive for those services, whether paid by the borrower, the institutional lender, or both; and

(4)   a clear and conspicuous statement of the conditions under which the borrower is obligated to pay for the services rendered under the agreement.

(B)   If a mortgage broker or originator violates the provisions of subsection (A), the borrower may recover from the mortgage broker or originator charged with the violation:

(1)   a penalty in an amount determined by the court of not less than one thousand five hundred dollars and not more than seven thousand five hundred dollars for each loan transaction;

(2)   fees paid by the borrower to the mortgage broker or originator for services rendered by the agreement; and

(3)   actual costs, including attorney's fees, for enforcing the borrower's rights under the agreement.

(C)   No mortgage broker or originator charged with the violation may be held liable in an action brought under this section for a violation if the mortgage broker or originator charged with the violation shows by a preponderance of evidence that the violation was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adapted to avoid the error. /

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.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED
READ THE SECOND TIME
WITH NOTICE OF GENERAL AMENDMENTS

S. 1048 (Word version) -- Senator Jackson: A BILL TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO INCLUDE ON THE REPORT CARD A CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THE UNIFORM GRADING SCALE FOR ALL SCHOOLS ATTENDED.

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

The Committee on Education proposed the following amendment (BBM\10220SJ04), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 59-5-68 as contained in SECTION 1, page 1, line 22, by deleting /nine/ and inserting / ten /.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator MATTHEWS 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 with notice of general amendments.

SECOND READING BILLS

The following Bills and Joint Resolutions, having been read the second time, were ordered placed on the Third Reading Calendar:

S. 286 (Word version) -- Senator McConnell: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 16, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-640, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE CRIME OF INTERFERENCE WITH THE OPERATION OF A PUBLIC TRANSIT OR PASSENGER VEHICLE.

S. 988 (Word version) -- Transportation Committee: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-176, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ISSUANCE OF CONDITIONAL AND SPECIAL RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THESE AND ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS SHALL APPLY TO THE ISSUANCE OF A BEGINNER'S PERMIT, CONDITIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE, SPECIAL RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSE, AND A REGULAR DRIVER'S LICENSE ISSUED TO A PERSON LESS THAN EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE SUSPENSION OF A PERSON'S PERMIT OR LICENSE IF HE FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THESE CONDITIONS, AND TO REQUIRE THAT THE SUSPENSION REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL THE PERSON HAS DEMONSTRATED COMPLIANCE WITH THESE CONDITIONS FOR ONE FULL SEMESTER SUBSEQUENT TO THE SEMESTER DURING WHICH HIS PERMIT OR LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED.

Senator RITCHIE explained the Bill.

Senator HUTTO spoke on the Bill.

H. 4698 (Word version) -- Reps. Witherspoon, Rhoad, Bailey, Barfield, Battle, Coates, Davenport, Duncan, Edge, Hayes, J. Hines, Keegan, Leach, Limehouse, McCraw and M.A. Pitts: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 48-23-95, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE OFFICIAL SUMMONS FOR MAKING ARRESTS BY FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE VIOLATIONS FOR WHICH THIS SUMMONS MAY BE USED; AND TO AMEND SECTION 48-23-96, RELATING TO THE APPOINTMENT AND TRAINING OF FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THEIR APPOINTMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES.

Senator GREGORY explained the Bill.

S. 1185 (Word version) -- Judiciary Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSION FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS, RELATING TO STATE RECOGNITION OF NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN ENTITIES, ADVISORY COMMITTEES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2874, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

S. 1186 (Word version) -- Medical Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION, BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR LIMITED LICENSE, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2860, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

S. 1187 (Word version) -- Fish, Game and Forestry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA FORESTRY COMMISSION, RELATING TO THE GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR HUNTING, FISHING, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON ALL SOUTH CAROLINA FORESTRY COMMISSION LANDS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2841, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 23, TITLE 48 AND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 50 OF THE 1976 CODE.

S. 1195 (Word version) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION EXCELLENCE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2904, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN
AMENDED, READ THE SECOND TIME

S. 987 (Word version) -- Senators Jackson, Glover, Ford and Pinckney: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE COMMITTEE TO ERECT A MARKER ON THE GROUNDS OF THE CAPITOL COMPLEX TO RECOGNIZE THE LIFE AND MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE LATE UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN ROBERT SMALLS.

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

The General Committee proposed the following amendment (S.987 AMEND2), which was withdrawn:

Amend the joint resolution, as and if amended, page 2, beginning on line 7, by striking SECTION 1 and inserting therein the following:

/       SECTION   1. (A)   The State House Committee which is charged with the responsibilities of reviewing and approving all alterations or renovations of the State House or its grounds, pursuant to Section 10-1-40 of the 1976 Code, is hereby directed to erect a marker on the grounds of the Capitol Complex to recognize the life and many accomplishments of the late United States Congressman Robert Smalls.

(B)     The State House Committee is authorized to solicit private funds, private grants, and gifts to accomplish the purpose of this Joint Resolution, and to approve the design, location, and dedication date of the marker on the grounds of the Capitol Complex; provided, that this marker must be funded entirely by private funds. Upon completion and dedication of the marker, the State shall ensure proper maintenance of the marker as is done for other historical monuments and memorials on the grounds of the Capitol Complex.         /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator PINCKNEY asked unanimous consent to make a motion that the amendment proposed by the General Committee be withdrawn.

There was no objection and the committee amendment was withdrawn.

Senator PINCKNEY proposed the following amendment (JUD0987.001), which was adopted:

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

/   SECTION   1.   There is hereby established on the grounds of the State House a monument to recognize the life and many accomplishments of the late United States Congressman Robert Smalls. The design and location of the monument shall be determined by the commission appointed pursuant to Section 2 of this joint resolution. The monument shall be erected as soon as is reasonably possible after the design and location are approved by the General Assembly by concurrent resolution.

SECTION   2.   (A)   A Robert Smalls' Monument Commission is created to determine the design of the monument and to determine the location of the monument on the State House grounds. The commission is empowered and directed to raise private funds and to receive gifts and grants to carry out the purpose for which it is created. The commission in this regard shall have the power to cause to be created a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation, the purpose of which shall be to receive and disburse funds for the Robert Smalls' Monument. The staff of the State Budget and Control Board shall assist the commission with the preparation and maintenance of financial records for the purpose of ensuring proper accounting of the records. The financial records are public records for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act, except that the names of anonymous donors shall not be disclosed.

By no later than April 1, 2006, the commission shall report the proposed design and location of the monument to the State House Committee for its approval. After action by the committee approving the design and location, the State House Committee shall cause to be introduced the concurrent resolution serving as the instrument of approval as provided in Section 1 of this act. The State shall ensure proper maintenance of the monument as is done for other historical monuments on the State House grounds.

Four members of the commission must be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, four members must be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one member must be appointed by the Governor. Notwithstanding Section 8-13-770 of the 1976 Code, members of the General Assembly may be appointed to this commission. One of the members appointed by the President Pro Tempore must be a Senator and one of the members appointed by the Speaker must be a member of the House of Representatives.

The commission shall elect a chairman, vice chairman, and such other officers as the commission considers appropriate from among its membership. The senior Senator of the commission shall call an organizational meeting for the purpose of electing officers and such other matters as may arise. Commission members are not entitled to receive the subsistence, mileage, and per diem otherwise provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions.

(B)   The commission established pursuant to this act is dissolved on January 1, 2007. However, the commission must be dissolved earlier if both the monument is dedicated and the final report of accounting and activities of the commission is made before January 1, 2007, in which case the commission must be dissolved on the date of the later occurring event of the dedication of the monument or the receipt of the final report.

SECTION   3.   This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.   /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator PINCKNEY 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.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED
READ THE SECOND TIME

S. 1002 (Word version) -- Senators Grooms, Hawkins and Short: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 7, TITLE 20 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO CHILDCARE FACILITIES, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-2723 TO REQUIRE THAT ALL GROUP CHILDCARE HOMES AND FAMILY CHILDCARE HOMES ACQUIRE AND MAINTAIN DAY CARE LIABILITY INSURANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF AT LEAST ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS PER OCCURRENCE AND THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN THE TOTAL AGGREGATE AMOUNT.

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 (JUD1002.002), which was adopted:

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

/   SECTION   1.   Chapter 7, Title 20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 20-7-2723.   (A)   An owner or operator of a group childcare home or a family childcare home, as defined by Section 20-7-2700, who does not carry liability insurance for the operation of his childcare business, must, by no later than January 1, 2005, obtain signed statements from each parent or guardian of each child currently enrolled in the group childcare home or family childcare home indicating that the parent or guardian has received notice that the group childcare home or family childcare home does not carry liability insurance for the operation of its childcare business. The owner or operator of a group childcare home or a family childcare home must maintain a file of these signed statements at the home during the period of time a child is enrolled. For new enrollees to a group childcare home or family childcare home, the owner or operator must provide a parent or guardian of a new enrollee with this information at the time of enrollment, obtain a signed statement from each parent or guardian at the time of enrollment, and maintain these signed statements at the home during the period of time a child is enrolled.

(B)   The department must send a letter to each group childcare home and family childcare home licensed or registered with the department, informing each home of the requirements of subsection (A), and that each home must comply with these requirements by no later than January 1, 2005. For group childcare homes and family childcare homes licensed or registered after the effective date of this section, the department must send information of subsection (A) at the time the group childcare home or family childcare home applies for a license or registration."

SECTION   2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor, except that the Department of Social Services must comply with Section 20-7-2723(B) within sixty days after the effective date.   /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HAWKINS 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.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED
READ THE SECOND TIME

S. 1033 (Word version) -- Senators Verdin, Grooms, Reese, O'Dell, Ryberg, Fair, Hawkins, Cromer, Mescher, Thomas, Ravenel, Martin, Waldrep and Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EXCEPTIONS TO THE UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF PISTOLS, SO AS TO ADD AS AN EXCEPTION A PERSON RIDING ON A MOTORCYCLE WHEN THE PISTOL IS SECURED IN A CLOSED SADDLEBAG OR OTHER SIMILAR, CLOSED ACCESSORY CONTAINER ATTACHED TO THE MOTORCYCLE.

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 (JUD1033.002), 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 16-23-20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an item to read:

"(13)   Any person on a motorcycle when the pistol is secured in a closed saddlebag or other similar, closed accessory container attached, whether permanently or temporarily, to the motorcycle."

SECTION   2.   Section 16-23-420 of the 1976 Code, as amended by Act 274 of 2002, is further amended to read:

"Section 16-23-420.   (A)   It is unlawful for a person to carry onto possess a firearm of any kind on any premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, college, university, technical college, other post-secondary institution, or into in any publicly-owned building a firearm of any kind, without the express permission of the authorities in charge of the premises or property.

(B)   It is unlawful for a person to enter the premises or property described in subsection (A) and to display, brandish, or threaten others with a firearm.

(C)   A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(D)   This section does not apply to a guard, law enforcement officer, or member of the armed forces, or student of military science. A married student residing in an apartment provided by the private or public school whose presence with a weapon in or around a particular building is authorized by persons legally responsible for the security of the buildings is also exempted from the provisions of this section.

(E)   For purposes of this section, the terms 'premises' and 'property' do not include state or locally owned or maintained roads, streets, or rights-of-way of them, running through or adjacent to premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, college, university, technical college, or other post-secondary institution, which are open full time to public vehicular traffic.

(F)   This section does not apply to a person who is authorized to carry concealed weapons pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31 of Title 23 when upon any premises, property, or building that is part of an interstate highway rest area facility."

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

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator RITCHIE 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.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT AMENDED AND ADOPTED
READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 3473 (Word version) -- Reps. Jennings, Hosey, Whipper, Bales, Branham, Breeland, Haskins, Herbkersman, J. Hines, J.E. Smith, M. Hines, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Rivers, Simrill, Vaughn and Witherspoon: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-17-600, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESTRUCTION OR DESECRATION OF HUMAN REMAINS OR REPOSITORIES OF HUMAN REMAINS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO STEAL ANYTHING OF VALUE FROM CERTAIN REPOSITORIES OF HUMAN REMAINS, TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CHANGE, AND TO REVISE THE PENALTY.

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

Senator HUTTO proposed the following amendment (JUD3473.003),   which was adopted:

Amend the committee report, as and if amended, page [3473-2], beginning on line 9, in Section 16-17-600(C)(2)(b), as contained in SECTION 1, by striking lines 9 through 14 in their entirety and inserting therein the following:

/       (b)   a misdemeanor triable in magistrates court if the theft of, destruction to, injury to, or loss of property is valued at less than two hundred dollars. Upon conviction, a person must be fined, imprisoned, or both, pursuant to the jurisdiction of magistrates as provided in Section 22-3-550, and must be required to perform not more than two hundred fifty hours of community service."   /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

The Committee on Judiciary proposed the following amendment (JUD3473.002), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 1, beginning on line 23, by striking SECTION 1 in its entirety and inserting therein the following:

/   SECTION   1.   Section 16-17-600(C) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 307 of 1998, is further amended to read:

"(C)(1)   It is unlawful for a person wilfully, and knowingly, to steal anything of value located upon or around a repository for human remains or within a human graveyard, cemetery, or memorial park, and or for a person wilfully, knowingly, and without proper legal authority to destroy, tear down, or injure only any fencing, plants, trees, shrubs, or flowers located upon or around a repository for human remains, or within a human graveyard, cemetery, or memorial park.

(2)   A person violating the provisions of subsection (C) item (1) is guilty of:

(a)   a felony and, upon conviction, if the theft of, destruction to, injury to, or loss of property is valued at two hundred dollars or more, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. Injury or loss of property less than two hundred dollars is a misdemeanor triable in magistrate's court. Upon conviction, the person must be fined, imprisoned, or both, not more than is permitted by law, without presentment or indictment by the grand jury, and further must be required to perform up to not more than five hundred hours of community service in an amount to be determined by the court;

(b)   a misdemeanor triable in magistrates court if the theft of, destruction to, injury to, or loss of property is valued at less than two hundred dollars. Upon conviction, a person must be fined or imprisoned, or both, as authorized by law and without presentment or indictment by the grand jury, and must be required to perform not more than two hundred and fifty hours of community service."     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

The committee amendment was adopted.

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

AMENDED, READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 4130 (Word version) -- Reps. Cato, Tripp, G.R. Smith, Anthony and Jennings: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-23-117 SO AS TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY IN THE PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS THAT ADVERSELY IMPACT SMALL BUSINESSES, TO DEFINE "SMALL BUSINESS", TO REQUIRE EXAMINATION OF REGULATORY ALTERNATIVES, TO PROVIDE FOR REVIEW OF AN AGENCY DECISION IN THIS CONNECTION, TO REQUIRE REVIEW OF AGENCY REGULATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF PROMOTING FLEXIBILITY IN PROMULGATING REGULATIONS THAT ADVERSELY IMPACT SMALL BUSINESSES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR EMERGENCY REGULATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 1-23-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS, SO AS TO INCLUDE "SMALL BUSINESSES" AND A REFERENCE TO SECTION 1-23-117; AND TO AMEND SECTION 1-23-120, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY REVIEW OF REGULATIONS, SO AS TO REQUIRE AN AGENCY SUBMITTING A REGULATION FOR REVIEW TO ALSO SUBMIT THE DOCUMENTS AN AGENCY IS REQUIRED TO PREPARE PURSUANT TO THIS ACT.

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

Senators GREGORY and HUTTO proposed the following amendment (4130R001.CKG), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 4, by striking lines 34-36 in their entirety.

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 5, by striking line 2 and inserting:

/   proposed permanent regulation has a significant adverse impact on small       /

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 7, by striking line 7 and inserting:

/   that has a significant adverse impact on small business.     /

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 8, by striking lines 25-31 in their entirety.

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 8, by striking line 33 and inserting:

/   Section 1-23-300.   This article does not apply to emergency regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 1-23-130 or regulations promulgated pursuant to Chapter 9 of Title 46 of Chapter 4 of Title 47 or to proposed     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator GREGORY 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.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED
READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 4115 (Word version) -- Reps. Lourie, Parks, Littlejohn, Weeks and McLeod: A BILL TO ENACT THE SOUTH CAROLINA BIRTH DEFECTS ACT OF 2003 BY ADDING CHAPTER 44 TO TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ESTABLISH A BIRTH DEFECTS PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO PROMOTE INCREASED UNDERSTANDING AND THE PREVENTION AND REDUCTION OF BIRTH DEFECTS; TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES; TO ESTABLISH THE BIRTH DEFECTS ADVISORY COUNCIL AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERS, POWERS, AND DUTIES; TO REQUIRE THE PROGRAM TO CONDUCT SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING OF BIRTH DEFECTS AND TO MAINTAIN A CENTRAL DATABASE OF THIS INFORMATION; TO REQUIRE VARIOUS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO BIRTH DEFECT INFORMATION; TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION; AND TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISIONS AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

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

The Medical Affairs Committee proposed the following amendment (4115R002.MLF), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 2, SECTION 1, by striking lines 38-43 and inserting:

/   (2)   referral for service and treatment purposes so that referrals of the individual child and family may be facilitated for optimal care. The department or its employees must not provide referral services or counseling for the purpose of pregnancy termination by induced abortion, nor use any funds under this program for services or counseling for the purpose of pregnancy termination by induced abortion. Referral information is confidential and must be maintained in accordance with Section 44-44-140.       /

Amend the bill, further, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/   SECTION   ____.   The provisions of this act are severable except for the provisions of Section 44-44-30(B)(2). If a court determines that the provisions of Section 44-44-30(B)(2) are unconstitutional, invalid, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this act are deemed void./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator FAIR 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.

ADOPTED

S. 1196 (Word version) -- Senators McConnell, Courson and Ford: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE SITE RECOMMENDED BY THE HUNLEY COMMISSION FOR THE DISPLAY AND EXHIBITION OF THE H. L. HUNLEY IN NORTH CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, SUBJECT TO THE EXECUTION OF AN ACCEPTABLE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE HUNLEY COMMISSION AND THE CITY OF NORTH CHARLESTON.

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

OBJECTION

H. 4539 (Word version) -- Rep. Walker: A BILL TO REPEAL SECTION 59-18-340, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DETERMINING STUDENT AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE RELATIVE TO NATIONAL PERFORMANCE LEVELS UNDER THE EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.

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

Senator RYBERG objected.

RECESS

At 5:19 P.M., on motion of Senator MARTIN, the Senate receded from business not to exceed five minutes.

At 5:25 P.M., the Senate resumed.

Motion Adopted

Senator McCONNELL asked unanimous consent to make a motion to waive the provisions of Rule 31 requiring a full committee screening of the Governor's appointee to the Department of Public Safety.

There was no objection and the motion was adopted.

ADJOURNMENT

At 5:30 P.M., on motion of Senator McCONNELL, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 11:00 A.M.

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