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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 58-23-110 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PROVISION AFFECTING A MOTOR CARRIER TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT THAT INDEMNIFIES, DEFENDS, OR HOLDS HARMLESS THE CONTRACT'S PROMISEE FROM OR AGAINST LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OR INTENTIONAL ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF THE CONTRACT'S PROMISEE, OR ANY AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, SERVANTS, OR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS WHO ARE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO THE CONTRACT'S PROMISEE IS UNENFORCEABLE, TO DEFINE THE TERM "MOTOR CARRIER TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT", AND TO PROVIDE THAT THIS PROVISION DOES NOT AFFECT A PROVISION, CLAUSE, COVENANT, OR AGREEMENT WHERE THE MOTOR CARRIER INDEMNIFIES OR HOLDS HARMLESS THE CONTRACT'S PROMISEE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 1, Chapter 23, Title 58 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 58-23-110. (A) Notwithstanding another provision of law, a provision, clause, covenant, or agreement contained in, collateral to, or affecting a motor carrier transportation contract that purports to indemnify, defend, or hold harmless, or has the effect of indemnifying, defending, or holding harmless, the contract's promisee from or against any liability for loss or damage resulting from the negligence or intentional acts or omissions of the contract's promise, or any agents, employees, servants, or independent contractors who are directly responsible to the contract's promisee, is against the public policy of this State and is unenforceable.
(B) As used in this section 'motor carrier transportation contract' means a contract, agreement, or understanding covering:
(1) the transportation of property for compensation or hire by the motor carrier;
(2) the entrance on property by the motor carrier for the purpose of loading, unloading, or transporting property for compensation or for hire; or
(3) a service incidental to activity described in items (1) or (2) including, but not limited to, storage of property.
(C) Nothing contained in this section affects a provision, clause, covenant, or agreement where the motor carrier indemnifies or holds harmless the contract's promisee against liability for damages from the negligence of the motor carrier, its agents, employees, servants, or independent contractors who are directly responsible to the motor carrier."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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