SENATE JOURNAL 01/09/2008 - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008
Journal of the Senate

Wednesday, January 9, 2008
(Statewide Session)

~~Indicates Matter Stricken~~
Indicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 2:00 P.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:

The Lord is recorded as saying to King Solomon:

" '... if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness... I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever'..." (I Kings 9:4-5)

Let us pray:

Gracious God, please know full well that, unlike Solomon, none of these leaders is seeking to rule from any "throne." In the Senate of South Carolina it is enough to serve and to seek to honor and care for the good women and men and children of this State. Yet let it be known, Lord, that it is the desire of all who serve here to accomplish everything in ways that are pleasing in Your sight. May these women and men who serve You in this Chamber always be known for their "integrity of heart and uprightness." And, as always, to You be the glory, dear Lord.
Amen.

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

REGULATIONS RECEIVED

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

Document No. 3138
Agency: State Board of Education
SUBJECT: Free Textbooks
Received by Lieutenant Governor January 9, 2008
Referred to Education Committee
Legislative Review Expiration May 8, 2008

Document No. 3139
Agency: Department of Health and Environmental Control
SUBJECT: Ice
Received by Lieutenant Governor January 9, 2008
Referred to Medical Affairs Committee
Legislative Review Expiration May 8, 2008

Document No. 3154
Agency: Department of Health and Environmental Control
SUBJECT: Individual Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems
Received by Lieutenant Governor January 9, 2008
Referred to Medical Affairs Committee
Legislative Review Expiration May 8, 2008

REGULATION WITHDRAWN AND RESUBMITTED

The following was received:

Document No. 3113
Agency: Department of Health and Environmental Control
SUBJECT: Solid Waste Management
Received by Lieutenant Governor April 17, 2007
Referred to Medical Affairs Committee
Legislative Review Expiration March 16, 2008
Revised: March 26, 2008
Withdrawn and Resubmitted January 8, 2008

Doctor of the Day

Senator CLEARY introduced Dr. Richard A. Schmitt of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Doctor of the Day.

Leave of Absence

At 3:30 P.M., Senator CLEARY requested a leave of absence from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 10, 2008.

RECALLED AND ADOPTED

S. 958 (Word version) -- Senator Courson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DECLARING JANUARY 2008 AS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER RECOGNITION MONTH, RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE STATE'S LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF ITS PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS, AND EXPRESSING SINCERE APPRECIATION TO LOCAL BOARD MEMBERS FOR THEIR FOCUS ON THE WELL-BEING AND ACHIEVEMENT OF CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

Senator HAYES asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Resolution from the Committee on Education.

There was no objection.

The Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Education.

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

There was no objection.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Resolution, the question being the adoption of the Resolution.

On motion of Senator HAYES, with unanimous consent, Resolution was adopted and ordered sent to the House.

RECOMMITTED

H. 3575 (Word version) -- Reps. Young, Harrell, Anthony, Clyburn, Lucas, J.M. Neal, Owens, E.H. Pitts, Taylor, White, Chellis, Gullick, R. Brown, Stavrinakis, Hagood and Scarborough: A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. (ABBREVIATED TITLE)

Senator GROOMS asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recommit the Bill to the Committee on Transportation.

There was no objection and the Bill was recommitted to the Committee on Transportation.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

The following were introduced:

S. 963 (Word version) -- Senator Leventis: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF OLD UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 521 (S-43-1342) FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 441 TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH CHARLES JACKSON ROAD "BILL PINKNEY OF THE ORIGINAL DRIFTERS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS HIGHWAY THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "BILL PINKNEY OF THE ORIGINAL DRIFTERS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY".
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The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

S. 964 (Word version) -- Senator Thomas: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 34-3-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PROHIBITION OF THE USE OF THE WORD "BANK" IN CONNECTION WITH A PURSUIT OTHER THAN BANKING, SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF A BANKING ENTITY'S LOGO OR NAME IN CONNECTION WITH A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION WITHOUT ITS WRITTEN CONSENT.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance.

S. 965 (Word version) -- Senator Martin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 59-24-60 OF THE 1976 CODE RELATING TO A SCHOOL OFFICIAL'S DUTY TO CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT, TO PROVIDE THAT A SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR AND A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER MAY RELEASE THAT PORTION OF A STUDENT'S EDUCATION RECORDS THAT RELATES TO CRIMINAL GANG ACTIVITY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Education.

S. 966 (Word version) -- Senators Leatherman, Hutto and Ritchie: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-17-680 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL PURCHASE OF COPPER, TO PROVIDE THAT THE PURCHASER OF CERTAIN METALS FROM A PERSON WHO IS NOT AN AUTHORIZED RETAILER OR WHOLESALER MUST PAY BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER, AND OBTAIN THE SELLER'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND LICENSE PLATE, AND MAINTAIN THE RECORD FOR FIVE YEARS; AND TO AMEND CHAPTER 11, TITLE 16 BY ADDING SECTION 16-11-523, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO WILFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY CUT, MUTILATE, OR DEFACE REAL PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING CERTAIN METALS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES, AND TO PROVIDE CIVIL LIABILITY FOR THE VICITIMS OF THE ATTEMPTED THEFT OF CERTAIN METALS.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 967 (Word version) -- Senator Gregory: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7, ARTICLE XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION ON LOTTERIES AND THE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS PROHIBITION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A RAFFLE CONDUCTED NOT MORE THAN FOUR TIMES IN A CALENDAR YEAR BY A CHARITABLE, RELIGIOUS, COMMUNITY-SERVICE, EDUCATION-RELATED, OR FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION THAT HAS BEEN ORGANIZED AND OPERATING IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA FOR FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO IMPLEMENTATION AND IN WHICH ALL RAFFLE PROCEEDS EXCEPT FOR THE COSTS OF PRIZES AND THE COSTS OF PRINTING TICKETS ARE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT PURPOSES IS NOT A LOTTERY PROHIBITED BY THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS STATE.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 968 (Word version) -- Senators McGill, O'Dell and Williams: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-405, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITION OF "WEAPON" AND THE HANDLING OF WEAPONS USED IN THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME, SO AS TO REMOVE "KNIFE WITH A BLADE OVER TWO INCHES LONG" FROM THE DEFINITION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-460, RELATING TO CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXCLUSION OF KNIVES WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE OFFENSE UNLESS THEY ARE USED WITH THE INTENT TO COMMIT A CRIME.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 969 (Word version) -- Senator McConnell: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 35, TITLE 23, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FIREWORKS AND EXPLOSIVES, BY ADDING SECTION 23-35-180 SO AS TO PERMIT A LOCAL GOVERNING BODY TO REGULATE THE DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 970 (Word version) -- Senator Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 44-29-135, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE RECORDS, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO NOTIFY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL NURSE IF A MINOR IS ATTENDING A SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT AND HAS ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME OR IS INFECTED WITH THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Medical Affairs.

S. 971 (Word version) -- Senator McConnell: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 56, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 101 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MAY ISSUE VETERANS LICENSE PLATES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY AND WERE HONORABLY DISCHARGED.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

S. 972 (Word version) -- Senator Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 57, CHAPTER 3, ARTICLE 7, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 57-3-619 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO IMPOSE A TOLL ALONG INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 95 WHERE IT CROSSES LAKE MARION IN EITHER ORANGEBURG COUNTY OR CLARENDON COUNTY.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 4397 (Word version) -- Reps. Ott, Agnew, Alexander, Allen, Anderson, Anthony, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bedingfield, Bingham, Bowen, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Brantley, Breeland, G. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Chalk, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Crawford, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Erickson, Frye, Funderburk, Gambrell, Govan, Gullick, Hagood, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, Harrison, Hart, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, Hiott, Hodges, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hutson, Jefferson, Jennings, Kelly, Kennedy, Kirsh, Knight, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lowe, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Mitchell, Moody-Lawrence, Moss, Mulvaney, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Rice, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Sellers, Shoopman, Simrill, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stewart, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Umphlett, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Williams, Witherspoon and Young: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DECLARE THAT JANUARY 31, 2008, "PUBLIC LIBRARY APPRECIATION DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

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

H. 4416 (Word version) -- Reps. Delleney, W. D. Smith and F. N. Smith: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO FIX 12:00 NOON ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2008, AS THE TIME TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, SEAT 3, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES JULY 31, 2008; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, SEAT 6, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2009, AND THE SUBSEQUENT FULL TERM WHICH EXPIRES ON JUNE 30, 2015; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2012; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, AT-LARGE SEAT 11, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2008; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, AT-LARGE SEAT 12, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2008; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, AT-LARGE SEAT 13, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2008, AND THE SUBSEQUENT FULL TERM WHICH EXPIRES ON JUNE 30, 2014; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 3, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2008; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 3, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2013; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2008, AND THE SUBSEQUENT FULL TERM WHICH EXPIRES ON JUNE 30, 2014; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 5, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2008; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 1, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2013; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 5, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2008; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 2, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2010; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 3, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2008; AND TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT, SEAT 5, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2008.

On motion of Senator RITCHIE, with unanimous consent, the Concurrent Resolution was introduced and ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

H. 4434 (Word version) -- Reps. Harvin, Agnew, Alexander, Allen, Anderson, Anthony, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bedingfield, Bingham, Bowen, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Brantley, Breeland, G. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Chalk, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Crawford, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Erickson, Frye, Funderburk, Gambrell, Govan, Gullick, Hagood, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, Harrison, Hart, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, Hiott, Hodges, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hutson, Jefferson, Jennings, Kelly, Kennedy, Kirsh, Knight, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lowe, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Mitchell, Moody-Lawrence, Moss, Mulvaney, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Rice, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Sellers, Shoopman, Simrill, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stewart, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Umphlett, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Williams, Witherspoon and Young: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO JOIN THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN THEIR PROFOUND SADNESS AT THE LOSS OF THE DISTINGUISHED GOVERNOR ROBERT EVANDER MCNAIR, A STATESMAN AND GENTLEMAN WHOSE INTEGRITY DURING TURBULENT TIMES WROUGHT A NEW DAY FOR THIS STATE AND ITS PEOPLE.

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

H. 4436 (Word version) -- Rep. Walker: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE JANUARY 2008 AS SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER RECOGNITION MONTH TO HONOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOLCHILDREN.

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

HOUSE CONCURRENCES

S. 942 (Word version) -- Senators Setzler, Knotts, Cromer and Courson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND MR. RAYMOND S. CAUGHMAN OF LEXINGTON, ONE OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S MOST RESPECTED BUSINESS, CIVIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND CHURCH LEADERS, UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE FIRST "HEART OF LEXINGTON ONE" AWARD PRESENTED BY THE LEXINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 943 (Word version) -- Senator Lourie: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY PRIVATE ALGERNON ADAMS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD WHILE HE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN IRAQ AND TO EXPRESS TO HIS WIDOW, PARENTS, AND FAMILY THE DEEPEST APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 944 (Word version) -- Senator Lourie: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY SERGEANT STEPHEN G. HIGH OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA AIR NATIONAL GUARD, WHILE HE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN AND TO EXPRESS TO HIS PARENTS AND FAMILY THE DEEPEST APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 945 (Word version) -- Senator Lourie: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY SPECIALIST CHRYSTAL G. STOUT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA AIR NATIONAL GUARD, WHILE SHE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN AND TO EXPRESS TO HER FATHER AND TO HER SISTER THE DEEPEST APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HER LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 946 (Word version) -- Senator Lourie: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY FIRST LIEUTENANT ANDREW C. SHIELDS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD WHILE HE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN IRAQ AND TO EXPRESS TO HIS PARENTS AND FAMILY THE DEEPEST APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 947 (Word version) -- Senator Lourie: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER PATRICK D. LEACH OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD WHILE HE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN IRAQ AND TO EXPRESS TO HIS WIDOW, CHILDREN, AND FAMILY THE DEEPEST APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 948 (Word version) -- Senator Lourie: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY STAFF SERGEANT JEROME LEMON OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD, WHILE HE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN IRAQ AND TO EXPRESS TO HIS WIDOW, CHILDREN, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS THE DEEPEST APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 960 (Word version) -- Senator Campsen: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING WANDO HIGH SCHOOL FOR BEING SELECTED BY U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT AS ONE OF AMERICA'S BEST HIGH SCHOOLS.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 961 (Word version) -- Senator Campsen: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING ACADEMIC MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL IN NORTH CHARLESTON FOR BEING SELECTED BY U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT AS TWENTY-SEVENTH IN AMERICA'S TOP ONE HUNDRED HIGH SCHOOLS.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 962 (Word version) -- Senator Campsen: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS FOR BEING SELECTED BY U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT AS ONE OF AMERICA'S BEST HIGH SCHOOLS.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

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

HOUSE BILL RETURNED

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

H. 3131 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrell and Umphlett: A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 22, CHAPTER 3, TITLE 56, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE PLATES TO CERTAIN CURRENT AND RETIRED ELECTED OFFICIALS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES TO RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED
CARRIED OVER

H. 3771 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrison and Bales: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-110, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION ON A SHERIFF, DEPUTY SHERIFF, OR SHERIFF'S CLERK FROM PRACTICING LAW OR HOLDING THE OFFICE OF CLERK OF COURT, SO AS TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION REGARDING THE PRACTICE OF LAW.

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

The Judiciary Committee proposed the following amendment (JUD3771.001), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION 1. Section 23-15-110 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 23-15-110. No A sheriff, deputy sheriff, or sheriff's clerk, while in office, ~~shall act as an attorney at law or solicitor in equity in his own name or in the name of any other person or be allowed to~~ may not plead or practice in any of the courts in this State, nor ~~shall any such officer~~ hold the office of clerk of the court of common pleas and general sessions." /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

The committee amendment was adopted.

On motion of Senator MALLOY, with unanimous consent, the Bill was carried over, as amended.

THE CALL OF THE UNCONTESTED CALENDAR HAVING BEEN COMPLETED, THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO THE MOTION PERIOD.

MADE ADJOURNED DEBATE
RECOMMITTED, RETAINING ITS PLACE ON THE CALENDAR

H. 3567 (Word version) -- Reps. Rice, Gullick, Cotty and Agnew: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-21-620, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO TAXATION ON CIGARETTES, SO AS TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF TAX ON EACH CIGARETTE FROM THREE AND ONE-HALF MILLS TO TWO CENTS; TO ADD SECTION 44-6-157 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE REVENUE GENERATED FROM THE TAXATION ON CIGARETTES MUST BE USED TO EXPAND MEDICAID COVERAGE TO CHILDREN EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND YOUNGER WHOSE FAMILY INCOME DOES NOT EXCEED TWO HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL; AND TO CREATE THE HEALTH CARE TRUST FUND TO PROVIDE MEDICAID BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS WHOSE FAMILY INCOME DOES NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL AND WHO ARE UNINSURED AND TO PROVIDE THAT REVENUE IN EXCESS OF THE CHILDREN'S MEDICAID COVERAGE FROM THE CIGARETTE TAX MUST BE CREDITED TO THE HEALTH CARE TRUST FUND; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-910, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SALES TAXES GENERALLY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AS OF JULY 1, 2009, THE THREE PERCENT SALES TAX IS ELIMINATED ON UNPREPARED FOOD WHICH LAWFULLY MAY BE PURCHASED WITH UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD COUPONS, TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN GENERAL FUND TRANSFERS TO THE EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT ACT FUND FOR EACH FISCAL YEAR TO OFFSET EIA REVENUES LOST AS A RESULT OF THE LOSS OF SALES TAX ON THE SALE OF UNPREPARED FOOD, AND TO REDUCE THE SALES TAX ON UNPREPARED FOOD TO TWO PERCENT AS OF JULY 1, 2007, AND ONE PERCENT AS OF JULY 1, 2008.

Senator McCONNELL moved that the Bill be placed in the status of Adjourned Debate; that it be recommitted to the Committee on Finance, retaining its place on the Calendar in the status of Adjourned Debate; and that the Bill be returned for consideration to the Senate no later than Wednesday, February 6, 2008, whether or not the committee votes to report the Bill to the floor.

There was no objection and the motion was adopted.

MOTION ADOPTED

On motion of Senator MARTIN, the Senate agreed to dispense with the Motion Period.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator KNOTTS rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE PRESIDES

At 3:05 P.M., Senator McCONNELL assumed the Chair.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator RYBERG rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator CAMPSEN rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator HAWKINS rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

HAVING DISPENSED WITH THE MOTION PERIOD, THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO A CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS OF COMMITTEES OF CONFERENCE AND FREE CONFERENCE.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., January 9, 2008

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has adopted the report of the Committee of Conference on:

S. 282 (Word version) -- Senators Leatherman and Setzler: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-3005 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS FOR STATE PROCUREMENTS RELATING TO INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-3015 SO AS TO SPECIFY THE SOURCE SELECTION METHODS FOR THE TYPES OF AUTHORIZED PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-3021 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR SUBCONTRACTOR SUBSTITUTION; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-3023 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR PREQUALIFICATION ON STATE CONSTRUCTION; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-3024 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CONTENTS OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND EVALUATION FACTORS APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-3035 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF ERRORS AND OMISSIONS INSURANCE TO COVER CERTAIN SERVICES DELIVERED PURSUANT TO CERTAIN PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-3037 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER FORMS OF SECURITY TO ENSURE PERFORMANCE; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-3070 SO AS TO ALLOW THE GOVERNING BODY TO APPROVE NONMATERIAL CHANGE ORDERS; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-310, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSOLIDATED PROCUREMENT CODE, SO AS TO REDEFINE "CONSTRUCTION"; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-1510, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO METHODS OF SOURCE SELECTION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR SELECTION METHODS IN CONNECTION WITH PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-1530, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSALS, SO AS TO REQUIRE COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSALS FOR CONTRACTS FOR CERTAIN PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-2410, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO FINALITY OF DETERMINATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING, SO AS TO INCLUDE REFERENCES TO CHOICE OF DELIVERY METHOD AND PREQUALIFICATION ON STATE CONSTRUCTION; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-2910, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CERTAIN SERVICES, SO AS TO INCLUDE DEFINITIONS PERTAINING TO THE VARIOUS AUTHORIZED PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS INCLUDING "DESIGN REQUIREMENTS", "INDEPENDENT PEER REVIEWER SERVICE", AND "INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITY"; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-3010, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO ADMINISTRATION OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTING, SO AS TO SUBSTITUTE PROJECT DELIVERY METHOD FOR THE PROCESS AND "GOVERNMENTAL BODY" FOR "USING AGENCY"; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-3020, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES, SO AS TO DELETE SOURCE SELECTION LANGUAGE, TO INCORPORATE NEW PROVISIONS ADDED IN EARLIER SECTIONS AND TO DELETE LANGUAGE DUPLICATIVE OF NEW PROVISIONS ADDED; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-3030, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO BOND AND SECURITY SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CONTRACT PRICE FOR PURPOSES OF A PAYMENT BOND OR PERFORMANCE BOND DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND FINANCE, AND TO ALLOW FOR NO SURETY DURING PRECONSTRUCTION OR DESIGN PHASES; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-3210, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPLICABILITY AND POLICY IN CONNECTION WITH CERTAIN SERVICES, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISIONS REFERRING TO APPLICABILITY TO THOSE SERVICES; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-3220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES, SO AS TO SUBSTITUTE "GOVERNMENTAL BODY" FOR "USING AGENCY"; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-3230, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SMALL ARCHITECT-ENGINEERING AND LAND SURVEYING CONTRACTS, SO AS TO SUBSTITUTE "GOVERNMENTAL BODY" FOR "USING AGENCY"; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-3245, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PERFORMING OTHER WORK, SO AS TO LIMIT ITS APPLICATION TO PROCUREMENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION USING THE DESIGN-BID-BUILD PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS; TO AMEND SECTION 11-35-3310, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO INDEFINITE DELIVERY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS, SO AS TO ADD A CROSS REFERENCE; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 11-35-1825, RELATING TO PREQUALIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION BIDDERS.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

S. 282--REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE ADOPTED

On motion of Senator SETZLER, with unanimous consent, the Report of the Committee of Conference was taken up for immediate consideration.

Senator SETZLER spoke on the report.

On motion of Senator SETZLER, the Report of the Committee of Conference to S. 282 was adopted as follows:

S. 282--Conference Report
The General Assembly, Columbia, S.C., June 1, 2007

The Committee of Conference, to whom was referred:

Beg leave to report that they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend:

That the same do pass with the following amendments: (Reference is to Printer's Version 5/17/07.)

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

/ SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) it adopted a modified version of the 1979 ABA Model Procurement Code for State and Local Governments when it enacted 1981 Act No. 148. Since then, the ABA has revised its recommended model by adopting the 2000 ABA Model Procurement Code for State and Local Governments, which it developed in cooperation with, among others, the National Association of State Procurement Officials, the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, the American Consulting Engineers Council, the Design Professionals Coalition, the Council on the Federal Procurement of A/E Services, the Engineers Joint Contracts Document Committee, and the National Society of Professional Engineers. One of the primary goals of the revision project was to encourage the competitive use of new forms of project delivery in public construction procurement; and

(2) it is the intent of the General Assembly to facilitate the use of these alternate forms of project delivery by adopting, as modified herein, those portions of the new model code related to Article 5 (Procurement of Infrastructure Facilities and Services) of the model code. To that end, the relevant official comments to the model code, and the construction given to the model code, should be examined as persuasive authority for interpreting and construing the new code provisions created by this act.

SECTION 2. Subarticle 3, Article 9, Chapter 35, Title 11 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 11-35-3005. (1) The following project delivery methods are authorized for procurements relating to infrastructure facilities:

(a) design-bid-build;

(b) construction management at-risk;

(d) design-build;

(e) design-build-operate-maintain; and

(f) design-build-finance-operate-maintain.

(2) In addition to those methods identified in item (1), the board, by regulation, and the State Engineer, in accordance with Section 11-35-3010, may:

(a) approve as an alternative project delivery method any combination of design, construction, finance, and services for operations and maintenance of an infrastructure facility; and

(b) allow or require the governmental body to follow any of the additional procedures established by Section 11-35-3025.

(3) Participation in a report or study that is later used in the preparation of design requirements for a project does not disqualify a firm from participating as a member of a proposing team in a construction management at-risk, design-build, design-build-operate-maintain, or design-build-finance-operate-maintain procurement unless the participation provides the business with a substantial competitive advantage. In the Manual for Planning and Execution of State Permanent Improvements, the State Engineer may establish guidance for the application of this item by governmental bodies."

SECTION 3. Subarticle 3, Article 9, Chapter 35, Title 11 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 11-35-3015. (1) Scope. This section specifies the source selection methods applicable to procurements for the project delivery methods identified in Section 11-35-3005 (Project delivery methods authorized), except as provided in Section 11-35-1550 (Small purchases), 11-35-1560 (Sole source procurement), and 11-35-1570 (Emergency procurements).

(2) Design-bid-build:

(a) Design. Architect-engineer, construction management, and land surveying services. The qualifications based selection process in Section 11-35-3220 (Qualifications Based Selection Procedures) must be used to procure architect-engineer, construction management, and land surveying services, unless those services are acquired in conjunction with construction using one of the project delivery methods provided in Section 11-35-3015 (3), (5), (6), (7), and (8).

(b) Construction. Competitive sealed bidding, as provided in Section 11-35-1520 (Competitive sealed bidding), must be used to procure construction in design-bid-build procurements.

(3) Construction Management at-risk. Contracts for construction management at-risk must be procured as provided in either Section 11-35-1520 (Competitive sealed bidding) or Section 11-35-1530 (Competitive sealed proposals).

(4) Operations and Maintenance. Contracts for operations and maintenance must be procured as set forth in Section 11-35-1510 (Methods of source selection).

(5) Design-build. Contracts for design-build must be procured by competitive sealed proposals, as provided in Section 11-35-1530 (Competitive sealed proposals), except that the regulations may describe the circumstances under which a particular design-build procurement does not require the submission of proposal development documents as required in Section 11-35-3025(2)(b).

(6) Design-build-operate-maintain. Contracts for design-build-operate-maintain must be procured by competitive sealed proposals, as provided in Section 11-35-1530 (Competitive sealed proposals).

(7) Design-build-finance-operate-maintain. Contracts for design-build-finance-operate-maintain must be procured by competitive sealed proposals, as provided in Section 11-35-1530 (Competitive sealed proposals).

(8) Other. Contracts for an alternate project delivery method approved pursuant to Section 11-35-3005(2) must be procured by a source selection method provided in Section 11-35-1510, as specified by the authority approving the alternative project delivery method."

SECTION 4. Subarticle 3, Article 9, Chapter 35, Title 11 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 11-35-3021. (1) After notice of an award or intended award has been given, whichever is earlier, the prospective contractor identified in the notice may not substitute a business as subcontractor in place of a subcontractor listed in the prospective contractor's bid or proposal, except for one or more of the following reasons:

(a) upon a showing satisfactory to the governmental body by the prospective contractor that:

(i) the listed subcontractor is not financially responsible;

(ii) the listed subcontractor's scope of work did not include a portion of the work required in the plans and specifications, and the exclusion is not clearly set forth in the subcontractor's original bid;

(iii) the listed subcontractor was listed as a result of an inadvertent clerical error, but only if that request is made within four working days of opening;

(iv) the listed subcontractor failed or refused to submit a performance and payment bond when requested by the prospective contractor after the subcontractor had represented to the prospective contractor that the subcontractor could obtain a performance and payment bond; and

(v) the listed subcontractor must be licensed and did not have the license at the time required by law;

(b) if the listed subcontractor fails or refuses to perform his subcontract;

(d) upon mutual agreement of the contractor and subcontractor; and

(e) with the consent of the governmental body for good cause shown.

(2) The request for substitution must be made to the governmental body in writing. This written request does not give rise to a private right of action against the prospective contractor in the absence of actual malice.

(3) If substitution is allowed, the prospective contractor, before obtaining prices from another subcontractor, must attempt in good faith to negotiate a subcontract with at least one subcontractor whose bid was received before the submission of the prospective contractor's offer. This section does not affect a contractor's ability to request withdrawal of a bid in accordance with the provisions of this code and the regulations promulgated pursuant to it.

(4) This section applies to a procurement conducted using the source selection methods authorized by Section 11-35-3015(2)(b), (3), (5), (6), (7), and (8).

Section 11-35-3023. (A) In accordance with this section and procedures published by the State Engineer, a governmental body may limit participation in a solicitation for construction to only those businesses, including potential subcontractors, that are prequalified. The prequalification process may be used only with the approval and supervision of the State Engineer's Office. If businesses are prequalified, the governmental body must issue a request for qualifications. Adequate public notice of the request for qualifications must be given in the manner provided in Section 11-35-1520(3). The request must contain, at a minimum, a description of the general scope of work to be acquired, the deadline for submission of information, and how businesses may apply for consideration. The evaluation criteria must include, but not be limited to, prior performance, recent past references on all aspects of performance, financial stability, and experience on similar construction projects. Using only the criteria stated in the request for qualifications, businesses must be ranked from most qualified to least qualified. The basis for the ranking must be determined in writing. If fewer than two businesses are prequalified, the prequalification process must be canceled. The determination regarding how many offers to solicit is not subject to review pursuant to Article 17 of this Code. Section 11-35-1520(4) (Request for Qualifications) and Section 11-35-1530(4) (Request for Qualifications) do not apply to a procurement of construction.

(B) In a design-bid-build procurement, the prequalification process may be used only if the construction involved is unique in nature, over ten million dollars in value, or involves special circumstances, as determined by the State Engineer. In a design-bid-build procurement, the minimum requirements for prequalification must be published in the request for qualifications. Offers must be sought from all businesses that meet the published minimum requirements for prequalification.

Section 11-35-3024. (1) Applicability. In addition to the requirements of Section 11-35-1530 (Competitive Sealed Proposals), the procedures in this Section apply as provided in items (2), (3), and (4) below.

(2) Content of Request for Proposals. A Request for Proposals for design-build, design-build-operate-maintain, or design-build-finance-operate-maintain:

(a) must include design requirements;

(b) must solicit proposal development documents; and

(c) may, if the governmental body determines that the cost of preparing proposals is high in view of the size, estimated price, and complexity of the procurement:

(i) prequalify offerors in accordance with Section 11-35-3023 by issuing a request for qualifications in advance of the request for proposals;

(ii) select, pursuant to procedures designated in the Manual for Planning and Execution of State Permanent Improvements, a short list of responsible offerors who submit proposals determined to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award before discussions and evaluations pursuant to Section 11-35-1530, if the number of proposals to be short-listed is stated in the Request for Proposals and prompt public notice is given to all offerors as to which proposals have been short-listed; or

(iii) pay stipends to unsuccessful offerors, if the amount of the stipends and the terms under which stipends are paid are stated in the Request for Proposals.

(3) Evaluation Factors. A Request for Proposals for design-build, design-build-operate-maintain, or design-build-finance-operate-maintain must:

(a) state the relative importance of (i) demonstrated compliance with the design requirements, (ii) offeror qualifications, (iii) financial capacity, (iv) project schedule, (v) price, or life-cycle price for design-build-operate-maintain and design-build-finance-operate-maintain procurements, and (vi) other factors, if any; and

(b) in circumstances designated in the Manual for Planning and Execution of State Permanent Improvements, require each offeror to identify an Independent Peer Reviewer whose competence and qualifications to provide that service must be an additional evaluation factor in the award of the contract.

(4) Unless excused by the State Engineer, the State Engineer's Office shall oversee the evaluation process for a procurement of construction if factors other than price are considered in the evaluation of a proposal."

SECTION 5. Subarticle 3, Article 9, Chapter 35, Title 11 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 11-35-3035. Regulations shall be promulgated that specify when a governmental body shall require offerors to provide appropriate errors and omissions insurance to cover architectural and engineering services under the project delivery methods set forth in Section 11-35-3005 (1) (a), (d), (e), and (f).

Section 11-35-3037. The governmental body may require one or more of the following forms of security to assure the timely, faithful, and uninterrupted provision of operations and maintenance services procured separately or as one element of another project delivery method:

(a) operations period surety bonds that secure the performance of the contractor's operations and maintenance obligations;

(b) letters of credit in an amount appropriate to cover the cost to the governmental body of preventing infrastructure service interruptions for a period up to twelve months; and

(c) appropriate written guarantees from the contractor, or depending upon the circumstances, from a parent corporation, to secure the recovery of reprocurement costs to the governmental body if the contractor defaults in performance."

SECTION 6. Subarticle 3, Article 9, Chapter 35, Title 11 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 11-35-3070. A governmental body may approve and pay for amendments to architectural/engineering contracts and change orders to construction contracts, within the governmental body's certification, which do not alter the original scope or intent of the project and which do not exceed the previously approved project budget."

SECTION 7. Section 11-35-310(7) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(7) "Construction" means the process of building, altering, repairing, remodeling, improving, or demolishing any public structure or building or other public improvements of any kind to any public real property. It does not include the routine operation, routine repair or routine maintenance of existing structures, buildings, or real property. 'Construction' means the process of building, altering, repairing, remodeling, improving, or demolishing a public infrastructure facility, including any public structure, public building, or other public improvements of any kind to real property. It does not include the routine operation, routine repair, or routine maintenance of an existing public infrastructure facility, including structures, buildings, or real property."

SECTION 8. Section 11-35-1510 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 376 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-1510. Unless otherwise provided by law, all state contracts must be awarded by competitive sealed bidding, pursuant to Section 11-35-1520, except as provided in:

(1) Section 11-35-1250 (Authority to Contract for Auditing Services);

(2) Section 11-35-1260 (Authority to Contract for Legal Services);

(3) Section 11-35-1525 (Fixed Priced Bidding);

(4) Section 11-35-1528 (Competitive Best Value Bidding);

(5) Section 11-35-1529 (Competitive Online Bidding);

(6) Section 11-35-1530 (Competitive Sealed Proposals);

(7) Section 11-35-1540 (Negotiations After Unsuccessful Competitive Sealed Bidding);

(8) Section 11-35-1550 (Small Purchases);

(9) Section 11-35-1560 (Sole Source Procurements);

(10) Section 11-35-1570 (Emergency Procurements);

(11) Section 11-35-1575 (Participation in Auction or Bankruptcy Sale);

(12) (Reserved)

(13) ~~Section 11-35-3020 (Construction Procurement Procedures)~~ Section 11-35-3015 (Source selection methods assigned to project delivery methods);

(14) Section 11-35-3220 (Architect Engineer, Construction Management and Land Surveying Services Procurement Procedures); and

(15) Section 11-35-3230 (Exception for Small Architect-Engineer and Land Surveying Services Contracts)."

SECTION 9. Section 11-35-1530(1) of the 1976 Code, as amended by Act 376 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"(1) Conditions for Use. If a purchasing agency determines in writing that the use of competitive sealed bidding is either not practicable or not advantageous to the State, a contract may be entered into by competitive sealed proposals subject to the provisions of Section 11-35-1520 and the ensuing regulations, unless otherwise provided in this section. Subject to the requirements of Section 11-35-3220, the board may provide by regulation that it is either not practicable or not advantageous to the State to procure specified types of supplies, services, information technology, or construction by competitive sealed bidding. The board may provide by regulation that it is either not practicable or not advantageous to the State to procure specified types of supplies, services, information technology, or construction by competitive sealed bidding. Contracts for the design-build, design-build-operate-maintain, or design-build-finance-operate-maintain project delivery methods specified in Article 9 of this Code must be entered into by competitive sealed proposals, except as otherwise provided in Sections 11-35-1550 (Small purchases), 11-35-1560 (Sole source procurements), and 11-35-1570 (Emergency procurements)."

SECTION 10. Section 11-35-2410(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 376 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"(A) The determinations required by the following sections and related regulations are final and conclusive, unless clearly erroneous, arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law: Section 11-35-1520(7) (Competitive Sealed Bidding: Correction or Withdrawal of Bids; Cancellation of Awards), Section 11-35-1520(11) (Competitive Sealed Bidding: Request for Qualifications), Section 11-35-1525(1) (Competitive Fixed Price Bidding: Conditions for Use), Section 11-35-1528(1) (Competitive Best Value Bidding: Conditions for Use), Section 11-35-1528(8) (Competitive Best Value Bidding: Award), Section 11-35-1529(1) (Competitive Online Bidding: Conditions for Use), Section 11-35-1530(1) (Competitive Sealed Proposals, Conditions for Use), Section 11-35-1530(4) (Competitive Sealed Proposals: Request for Qualifications), Section 11-35-1530(7) (Competitive Sealed Proposals, Selection and Ranking of Prospective Offerors), Section 11-35-1530(9) (Competitive Sealed Proposals Award), Section 11-35-1540 (Negotiations After Unsuccessful Competitive Sealed Bidding), Section 11-35-1560 (Sole Source Procurement), Section 11-35-1570 (Emergency Procurement), Section 11-35-1710 (Cancellation of Invitation for Bids or Requests for Proposals), Section 11-35-1810(2) (Responsibility of Bidders and Offerors, Determination of Nonresponsibility), Section 11-35-1825 (Prequalification of Construction Bidders), Section 11-35-1830(3) (Cost or Pricing Data, Cost or Pricing Data Not Required), Section 11-35-2010 (Types and Forms of Contracts), Section 11-35-2020 (Approval of Accounting System), Section 11-35-2030(2) (Multi-Term Contracts, Determination Prior to Use), Section 11-35-3010(1) (Choice of project delivery method), Section 11-35-3020(2)(d) (Construction Procurement Procedures: Negotiations after Unsuccessful Competitive Sealed Bidding), Section 11-35-3023 (Prequalification on State Construction), Section 11-35-3220(5) (Procurement Procedure, Selection and Ranking of the Five Most Qualified), Section 11-35-4210(7) (Stay of Procurement During Protests, Decision to Proceed), and Section 11-35-4810 (Cooperative Use of Supplies, Services, or Information Technology)."

SECTION 11. Section 11-35-2910 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-2910. (1) 'Architect-engineer and land surveying services' are those professional services associated with the practice of architecture, professional engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, and interior design pertaining to construction, as defined by the laws of this State, as well as incidental services that members of these professions and those in their employ may logically or justifiably perform, including studies, investigations, surveys, evaluations, consultations, planning, programming conceptual designs, plans and specifications, cost estimates, inspections, shop drawing reviews, sample recommendations, preparation of operating and maintenance manuals, and other related services.

(2) 'Construction' means the process of building, altering, repairing, remodeling, improving, or demolishing any public structure or building or other public improvements of any kind to any public real property. It does not include the routine operation, routine repair, or routine maintenance of existing structures, buildings, or real property. 'Construction manager agent' means a business that has been awarded a separate contract with the governmental body to provide construction management services but not construction.

(3) 'Construction manager at-risk' means a business that has been awarded a separate contract with the governmental body to provide both construction management services and construction using the construction management at-risk project delivery method. A contract with a construction manager at-risk may be executed before completion of design.

(4) 'Construction management services' are those professional services associated with a system in which the governmental body directly contracts with a professional construction manager to provide that group of management activities required to plan, schedule, coordinate, and manage the design and construction plan of a state project in a manner that contributes to the control of time, cost, and quality of construction as specified in the construction management contract. contract administration, project management, and other specified services provided in connection with the administration of a project delivery method defined in Section 11-35-3005 (Project delivery methods authorized).

(5) 'Construction management at-risk' means a project delivery method in which the governmental body awards separate contracts, one for architectural and engineering services to design an infrastructure facility and the second to a construction manager at-risk for both construction of the infrastructure facility according to the design and construction management services.

(6) 'Design-bid-build' means a project delivery method in which the governmental body sequentially awards separate contracts, the first for architectural and engineering services to design an infrastructure facility and the second for construction of the infrastructure facility according to the design.

(7) 'Design-build' means a project delivery method in which the governmental body enters into a single contract for design and construction of an infrastructure facility.

(8) 'Design-build-finance-operate-maintain' means a project delivery method in which the governmental body enters into a single contract for design, construction, finance, maintenance, and operation of an infrastructure facility over a contractually defined period. Money appropriated by the State is not used to pay for a part of the services provided by the contractor during the contract period.

(9) 'Design-build-operate-maintain' means a project delivery method in which the governmental body enters into a single contract for design, construction, maintenance, and operation of an infrastructure facility over a contractually defined period. All or a portion of the money required to pay for the services provided by the contractor during the contract period are either appropriated by the State before the award of the contract or secured by the State through fare, toll, or user charges.

(10) 'Design requirements' means the written description of the infrastructure facility to be procured pursuant to this article, including:

(a) required features, functions, characteristics, qualities, and properties that are required by the State;

(b) the anticipated schedule, including start, duration, and completion; and

(c) estimated budgets. as applicable to the specific procurement, for design, construction, operation, and maintenance. The design requirements may, but need not, include drawings and other documents illustrating the scale and relationship of the features, functions, and characteristics of the project.

(11) 'Independent peer reviewer services' are additional architectural and engineering services that a governmental body shall acquire, as designated in the Manual for Planning and Execution of State Permanent Improvement, in design-build, design-build-operate-maintain, or design-build-finance-operate-maintain procurements. The function of the independent peer reviewer is to confirm that the key elements of the professional engineering and architectural design provided by the contractor are in conformance with the applicable standard of care. If a governmental body elects not to contract with the independent peer reviewer proposed by the successful offeror, the independent peer reviewer must be selected through competitive sealed proposals.

(12) 'Infrastructure facility' means a building; structure; or networks of buildings, structures, pipes, controls, and equipment, or portion thereof, that provide transportation, utilities, public education, or public safety services. Included are government office buildings; public schools; courthouses; jails; prisons; water treatment plants, distribution systems, and pumping stations; wastewater treatment plants, collection systems, and pumping stations; solid waste disposal plants, incinerators, landfills, and related facilities; public roads and streets; highways; public parking facilities; public transportation systems, terminals, and rolling stock; rail, air, and water port structures, terminals, and equipment.

(13) 'Operations and Maintenance' means a project delivery method in which the governmental body enters into a single contract for the routine operation, routine repair, and routine maintenance of an infrastructure facility.

(14) 'Proposal development documents' means drawings and other design related documents that are sufficient to fix and describe the size and character of an infrastructure facility as to architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical systems, materials, and such other elements as may be appropriate to the applicable project delivery method."

SECTION 12. Section 11-35-3010 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-3010. (1) Selection of Method. The project delivery method ~~of construction contracting administration~~ used for a state construction project ~~by a using agency shall~~ must be ~~determined to be~~ that method which is most advantageous to the State and ~~will result~~ results in the most timely, economical, and successful completion of the construction project. The ~~using agency~~ governmental body shall select, in accordance with regulations of the board, the appropriate project delivery method ~~of construction contracting administration~~ for a particular project and shall state in writing the facts and considerations ~~which led~~ leading to the selection of that particular method.

(2) State Engineer's Office Review. The ~~using agency~~ governmental body shall submit its written report stating the facts and considerations ~~which led~~ leading to the selection of the particular project delivery method ~~of construction contracting administration~~ to the ~~state engineer's office~~ State Engineer's Office for its review.

(3) Approval or Disagreement by State Engineer's Office. The ~~state engineer's office shall have~~ State Engineer's Office has ten days to review the data submitted by the ~~using agency~~ governmental body to determine its position with respect to the particular project delivery method ~~of construction contracting administration~~ recommended for approval by the ~~using agency~~ governmental body, and to notify the ~~using agency~~ governmental body of its decision in writing. If the ~~state engineer's office~~ State Engineer's Office disagrees with the project delivery method selected, it may contest ~~such~~ it by submitting the matter to the board for decision. Written notification by the ~~state engineer's office~~ State Engineer's Office to the ~~using agency~~ governmental body of its intention to contest the project delivery method selected ~~shall~~ must include ~~the~~ its reasons ~~therefor~~. The board shall hear ~~any such contests~~ the contest at its next regularly scheduled meeting ~~subsequent to~~ after notification of the ~~using agency~~ governmental body. If the board rules in support of the ~~state engineer's office~~ State Engineer's Office position, the ~~using agency~~ governmental body shall receive written notification of the decision. If the board rules in support of the ~~using agency~~ governmental body, the ~~using agency shall~~ governmental body must be notified in writing and ~~thereby~~ by that writing be authorized to use that project delivery method ~~of construction contracting administration~~ as previously recommended by the ~~using agency~~ governmental body on the particular construction project."

SECTION 13. Section 11-35-3020 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 376 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-3020. ~~(1)~~ Source Selection. All state construction contracts must be awarded by competitive sealed bidding pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 11-35-1520, subject to the exceptions enumerated in subsection (2) of this section and except as provided in Sections 11-35-1550, 11-35-1560, and 11-35-1570. Competitive sealed proposals as provided in Section 11-35-1530 must not be used, except in cases and in accordance with criteria as may be authorized and prescribed by regulation of the board.

~~(2)~~ Exceptions in Competitive Sealed Bidding Procedures. The process of competitive sealed bidding as required by ~~subsection (1)~~ Section 11-35-3015(2)(b) must be performed in accordance with the procedures outlined in Article 5 of this code subject to the following exceptions:

(a) Invitation for Bids. Instead of Section 11-35-1520(2), Section 11-35-1520(3), and Section 11-35-1520(4), invitations for bids for each state construction project subject to subsection (1) must be made in the following manner. Each ~~using agency must be~~ governmental body is responsible for developing a formal invitation for bids for each state construction project ~~subject to subsection (1)~~. The invitation must include, but not be limited to, all contractual terms and conditions applicable to the procurement. A copy of each invitation for bids must be filed with the State Engineer's Office and must be advertised formally in an official state government publication. The manner in which this official state government publication must be published, the content of the publication itself, the frequency of the publication, the method of subscription to the publication, and the manner by which the publication is distributed must be established by regulation of the board.

(b) Bid Acceptance. Instead of Section 11-35-1520(6), the following provision applies. Bids must be accepted unconditionally without alteration or correction, except as otherwise authorized in this code. The ~~using agency~~ governmental body's invitation for bids must set forth all requirements of the bid including, but not limited to:

(i) The ~~using agency~~ governmental body, in consultation with the architect-engineer assigned to the project, shall identify by specialty in the invitation for bids all subcontractors, who are expected to perform work for the prime contractor to or about the construction when those subcontractors' contracts are each expected to exceed three percent of the prime contractor's total base bid. In addition, the ~~using agency~~ governmental body, in consultation with the architect-engineer assigned to the project, may identify by specialty in the invitation for bids ~~any subcontractors~~ a subcontractor who ~~are~~ is expected to perform work which is vital to the project. The determination of which subcontractors are included in the list provided in the invitation for bids is not protestable pursuant to Section 11-35-4210 or another provision of this code. A bidder in response to an invitation for bids shall set forth in his bid the name of only those subcontractors to perform the work as identified in the invitation for bids. If the bidder determines to use his own employees to perform a portion of the work for which he would otherwise be required to list a subcontractor and if the bidder is qualified to perform that work under the terms of the invitation for bids, the bidder shall list himself in the appropriate place in his bid and not subcontract that work except with the approval of the ~~using agency~~ governmental body for good cause shown.

(ii) Failure to complete the list provided in the invitation for bids renders the bidder's bid unresponsive.

~~(iii)~~ ~~A prime contractor whose bid is accepted may not substitute a person as subcontractor in place of the subcontractor listed in the original bid, except for one or more of the following reasons:~~

~~(aa)~~ ~~upon a showing satisfactory to the governmental body by the contractor that a subcontractor who was listed is not financially responsible;~~

~~(bb)~~ upon a showing satisfactory to the governmental body by the contractor that the scope of work bid by a listed subcontractor did not include a portion of the work required in the plans and specifications, and the exclusion is not clearly set forth in the listed subcontractor's original bid;

~~(cc)~~ ~~upon a showing satisfactory to the governmental body made by the contractor within four working days of the bid opening that the subcontractor was listed as a result of an inadvertent clerical error;~~

~~(dd)~~ upon a showing satisfactory to the governmental body by the contractor that the listed subcontractor failed or refused to submit a performance and payment bond when requested by the prime contractor after the subcontractor had represented to the prime contractor that he could obtain a performance and payment bond;

~~(ee)~~ ~~upon a showing satisfactory to the governmental body by the contractor that the listed subcontractor is required to be licensed and does not have the license by the time it is required by law;~~

~~(ff)~~ ~~when the listed subcontractor fails or refuses to perform his subcontract;~~

~~(gg)~~ ~~when the work of the listed subcontractor is found by the governmental body to be substantially unsatisfactory;~~

~~(hh)~~ ~~upon mutual agreement of the contractor and subcontractor;~~

~~(ii)~~ ~~with the consent of the governmental body for good cause shown.~~

~~(iv)~~ The request for substitution must be made to the governmental body in writing. This written request does not give rise to a private right of action against the prime contractor in the absence of actual malice.

~~(v)~~ Where substitution is allowed, the prime contractor, before obtaining prices from another subcontractor, shall attempt in good faith to negotiate a subcontract with at least one subcontractor whose bid was received before the submission of the prime contractor's bid. This section does not affect a contractor's ability to request withdrawal of a bid in accordance with the provisions of this code and the regulations promulgated pursuant to it.

(iiivi) The ~~using agency~~ governmental body shall send all responsive bidders a copy of the bid tabulation within ten working days following the bid opening.

(i) Unless there is a compelling reason to reject bids as prescribed by regulation of the board, notice of an intended award of a contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder whose bid meets the requirements set forth in the invitation for bids must be given by posting the notice at a location that is specified in the invitation for bids. The invitation for bids and the posted notice must contain a statement of the bidder's right to protest pursuant to Section 11-35-4210(1) and the date and location of posting must be announced at bid opening. In addition to posting notice, the ~~using agency~~ governmental body promptly shall send all responsive bidders a copy of the notice of intended award and of the bid tabulation. The mailed notice must indicate the posting date and must contain a statement of the bidder's right to protest pursuant to Section 11-35-4210(1).

(ii) After ten days' notice is given, the ~~using agency~~ governmental body may enter into a contract with the bidder named in the notice in accordance with the provisions of this code and of the bid solicited. The procurement officer must comply with Section 11-35-1810.

(iii) If, at bid opening, only one bid is received and determined to be responsive and responsible and within the ~~using agency~~ governmental body's construction budget, award may be made without the ten-day waiting period.

(d) Negotiations after Unsuccessful Competitive Sealed Bidding. Instead of Section 11-35-1540, the following provisions apply:

~~(1)~~ ~~When~~ (i) If bids received pursuant to an invitation for bids exceed available funds, and it is determined in writing by the ~~using agency~~ governmental body that circumstances do not permit the delay required to resolicit competitive sealed bids, and the base bid, less ~~any~~ deductive alternates, does not exceed available funds by an amount greater than ten percent of the construction budget established for that portion of the work, a contract may be negotiated pursuant to this section with the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. The ~~using agency~~ governmental body may change the scope of the work to reduce the cost to be within the established construction budget but may not reduce the cost below the established construction budget more than ten percent without a written request by the agency and the written approval of the chief procurement officer based on the best interest of the State.

~~(2)~~ ~~When~~ (ii) If the lowest base bid received pursuant to an invitation for bids exceeds approved available funds and the ~~using agency~~ governmental body is able to identify additional funds for the project, as certified by the appropriate fiscal officers, in the amount of the difference between the lowest base bid and the approved available funds for the project, the ~~using agency~~ governmental body shall submit its request to use ~~such~~ those additional funds to the board and the Joint Bond Review Committee in accordance with Sections 2-47-40 and 2-47-50."

SECTION 14. Section 11-35-3030(1)-(3) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 376 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-3030.(1) Bid Security.

(a) Requirement for Bid Security. Bid security is required for all competitive sealed bidding for construction contracts in a design-bid-build procurement in excess of fifty thousand dollars and other contracts as may be prescribed by the State Engineer's Office. Bid security is a bond provided by a surety company meeting the criteria established by the regulations of the board or otherwise supplied in a form that may be established by regulation of the board.

(b) Amount of Bid Security. Bid security must be in an amount equal to at least five percent of the amount of the bid at a minimum.

(c) Rejection of Bids for Noncompliance with Bid Security Requirements. When the invitation for bids requires security, noncompliance requires that the bid be rejected except that a bidder who fails to provide bid security in the proper amount or a bid bond with the proper rating must be given one working day from bid opening to cure the deficiencies. If the bidder is unable to cure these deficiencies within one working day of bid opening, his bid must be rejected.

(d) Withdrawal of Bids. After the bids are opened, they must be irrevocable for the period specified in the invitation for bids. If a bidder is permitted to withdraw its bid before bid opening pursuant to Section 11-35-1520(78) action must not be had against the bidder or the bid security.

(2) Contract Performance Payment Bonds.

(a) When Required-Amounts. ~~When a construction contract is awarded pursuant to Section 11-35-3020, the~~ The following bonds or security must be delivered to the ~~using agency~~ governmental body and become binding on the parties upon the execution of the contract for construction:

(i) a performance bond satisfactory to the State, executed by a surety company meeting the criteria established by the board in regulations, or otherwise secured in a manner satisfactory to the State, in an amount equal to one hundred percent of the portion of the contract price ~~specified in the contract~~ that does not include the cost of operation, maintenance, and finance;

(ii) a payment bond satisfactory to the State, executed by a surety company meeting the criteria established by the board in regulations, or otherwise secured in a manner satisfactory to the State, for the protection of all persons supplying labor and material to the contractor or its subcontractors for the performance of the construction work provided for in the contract. The bond must be in an amount equal to one hundred percent of the portion of the contract price that does not include the cost of operation, maintenance, and finance.

(iii) in the case of a construction contract valued at fifty thousand dollars or less, the ~~using agency~~ governmental body may waive the requirements of (i) and (ii) above, ~~provided that~~ if the ~~using agency~~ governmental body has protected the State.

(iv) in the case of a construction manager at-risk contract, the solicitation may provide that bonds or security are not required during the project's preconstruction or design phase, if construction does not commence until the requirements of (i) and (ii) above have been satisfied.

(b) Authority to Require Additional Bonds. ~~Subsection~~ Item (2) does not limit the authority of the board to require a performance bond or other security in addition to these bonds, or in circumstances other than specified in subitem (a) of that ~~subsection~~ item in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board.

(c) Suits on Payment Bonds--Right to Institute. ~~Every~~ A person who has furnished labor, material, or rental equipment to a bonded contractor or his subcontractors for the work specified in the contract, and who has not been paid in full for it before the expiration of a period of ninety days after the day on which the last of the labor was done or performed by the person or material or rental equipment was furnished or supplied by the person for which the claim is made, has the right to sue on the payment bond for the amount, or the balance of it, unpaid at the time of institution of the suit and to prosecute the action for the sum or sums justly due the person. A remote claimant has a right of action on the payment bond only upon giving written notice to the contractor within ninety days from the date on which the person did or performed the last of the labor or furnished or supplied the last of the material or rental equipment upon which the claim is made, stating with substantial accuracy the amount claimed as unpaid and the name of the party to whom the material or rental equipment was furnished or supplied or for whom the labor was done or performed. The written notice to the bonded contractor must be served personally or served by mailing the notice by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, in an envelope addressed to the bonded contractor at any place the bonded contractor maintains a permanent office for the conduct of its business, or at the current address as shown on the records of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. The aggregate amount of a claim against the payment bond by a remote claimant may not exceed the amount due by the bonded contractor to the person to whom the remote claimant has supplied labor, materials, rental equipment, or services, unless the remote claimant has provided notice of furnishing labor, materials, or rental equipment to the bonded contractor. The written notice to the bonded contractor must be served personally or sent by fax or by electronic mail or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the bonded contractor at any place the bonded contractor maintains a permanent office for the conduct of its business, or at the current address as shown on the records of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. After receiving the notice of furnishing labor, materials, or rental equipment, payment by the bonded contractor may not lessen the amount recoverable by the remote claimant. The aggregate amount of claims on the payment bond may not exceed the penal sum of the bond.

A suit under this section must not be commenced after the expiration of one year after the last date of furnishing or providing labor, services, materials, or rental equipment.

For purposes of this section, 'bonded contractor' means the contractor or subcontractor furnishing the payment bond, and 'remote claimant' means a person having a direct contractual relationship with a subcontractor of a bonded contractor, but no expressed or implied contractual relationship with the bonded contractor.

(d) Suits on Payment Bonds--Where and When Brought. Every suit instituted upon a payment bond must be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction for the county or circuit in which the construction contract was to be performed; except that a suit must not be commenced after the expiration of one year after the day on which the last of the labor was performed or material was supplied by the person bringing suit. The obligee named in the bond need not be joined as a party in the suit.

(3) Bonds Forms and Copies. (a) Bond Forms. The board shall promulgate by regulation the form of the bonds required by this section.

(b) Certified Copies of Bonds. A person may request and obtain from the ~~using agency~~ governmental body a certified copy of a bond upon payment of the cost of reproduction of the bond and postage, if any. A certified copy of a bond is prima facie evidence of the contents, execution, and delivery of the original."

SECTION 15. Section 11-35-3210, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-3210. ~~(1)~~ Applicability. Architect-engineer, construction management, and land surveying services shall be procured as provided in Section 11-35-3220 except as authorized by Sections 11-35-1560, 11-35-1570, and 11-35-3230.

~~(2)~~ Policy. It is the policy of this State to announce publicly all requirements for architect-engineer, construction management, and land surveying services and to negotiate contracts for such services on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualification for the particular type of services required and at fair and reasonable prices."

SECTION 16. Section 11-35-3220(1), (7), (8), and (9) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 376 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-3220. (1) Agency Selection Committee. ~~Each using agency~~ A governmental body shall establish its own architect-engineer, construction management, and land surveying services selection committee, referred to as the agency selection committee, ~~that~~ which must be composed of those individuals ~~whom~~ the agency head determines to be qualified to make an informed decision as to the most competent and qualified firm for the proposed project. The head of the ~~using agency~~ governmental body or his qualified responsible designee shall sit as a permanent member of the agency selection committee for the purpose of coordinating and accounting for the committee's work. To assist an agency selection committee in the selection of firms to be employed for significant or highly technical projects and to facilitate prompt selections, the agency selection committee may invite the State Engineer or his designee to sit as a nonvoting member of the committee.

(7) Negotiation of Contract. The governing body of the ~~using agency~~ governmental body or its designee shall negotiate a contract for services with the most qualified person or firm at a compensation that is fair and reasonable to the State. If the governing body of the ~~using agency~~ governmental body or its designee is unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with this person or firm, negotiations must be terminated formally. Negotiations must commence in the same manner with the second and then the third most qualified until a satisfactory contract is negotiated. If an agreement is not reached with one of the three, additional persons or firms in order of their competence and qualifications must be selected after consultation with the agency selection committee, and negotiations must be continued in the same manner until agreement is reached.

(8) State Engineer's Office Review. The head of the ~~using agency~~ governmental body shall submit the following documents to the State Engineer's Office for its review:

(a) the written report of the agency selection committee, listing the persons or firms that responded to the invitation to submit information and enumerating the reasons of the committee for selecting the particular ones to be interviewed;

(b) the written ranking report of the agency selection committee and all data substantiating the determinations made in that report; and

(9) Approval or Disagreement by State Engineer's Office. The State Engineer's Office has ten days to review the data submitted by the agency selection committee, and to determine its position with respect to the particular person or firm recommended for approval by the agency. If the State Engineer's Office disagrees with the proposal, it may contest the proposal by submitting the matter to the board for decision. In the event of approval, the State Engineer's Office shall notify immediately in writing the ~~using agency~~ governmental body and the person or firm selected of the award and authorize the ~~using agency~~ governmental body to execute a contract with the selected person or firm. In the event of disagreement, the State Engineer's Office immediately shall notify the ~~using agency~~ governmental body in writing of its intention to contest the ranking and the reasons for it. All contract negotiations by the governing body must be suspended pending a decision by the board concerning a contested ranking. The board shall hear contests at its next regularly scheduled meeting after notification of the ~~using agency~~ governmental body. If the board rules in support of the State Engineer's Office position, the ~~using agency~~ governmental body shall submit the name of another person or firm to the State Engineer's Office for consideration, selected in accordance with the procedures prescribed in this section. If the board rules in support of the ~~using agency~~ governmental body, the ~~using agency~~ governmental body must be notified in writing and authorized to execute a contract with the selected person or firm."

SECTION 17. Section 11-35-3230(4) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 376 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"(4) Splitting of Larger Projects Prohibited. ~~An agency~~ A governmental body may not break a project into small projects for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of Section 11-35-3220 and this section."

SECTION 18. Section 11-35-3245 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 376 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-3245. (a) An architect or engineer performing design work, or construction manager performing construction management services, both as described in Section 11-35-2910(1) and (3), under a contract awarded pursuant to the provisions of Section 11-35-3220 or Section 11-35-3230, may not perform other work, by later amendment or separate contract award, on that project as a contractor or subcontractor either directly or through a business in which he or his architectural engineering or construction management firm has greater than a five percent interest.

(b) For purposes of this section, safety compliance and other incidental construction support activities performed by the construction manager are not considered work performed as a contractor or subcontractor. If the construction manager performs or is responsible for safety compliance and other incidental construction support activities, and these support activities are in noncompliance with the provisions of Section 41-15-210, then the construction management firm is subject to all applicable fines and penalties.

SECTION 19. Section 11-35-3310(1) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"(1) General Applicability. Indefinite delivery contracts may be awarded on an as-needed basis for construction services pursuant to the procedures ~~set forth~~ in Section ~~11-35-3020~~ 11-35-3015(2)(b) and for architectural-engineering and land surveying services pursuant to Section 11-35-3220."

SECTION 20. Section 11-35-1825 of the 1976 Code is repealed.

SECTION 21. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to solicitations issued on or after January 1, 2008. /

Amend title to conform.

/s/Nikki G. Setzler               /s/W. Brian White
/s/Thomas C. Alexander            /s/Tracy R. Edge
/s/Michael L. Fair                /s/Douglas Jennings, Jr.
On Part of the Senate.            On Part of the House.

, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

S. 282--ENROLLED FOR RATIFICATION

The Report of the Committee of Conference having been adopted by both Houses, ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and the Act enrolled for Ratification.

A message was sent to the House accordingly.

MOTION ADOPTED

On motion of Senator LEVENTIS, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of Mr. Henry Clarke Bynum who passed away on September 3, 2007. Mr. Bynum was a devoted husband, father, and friend who loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and every aspect of his life was a witness to God's glory and majesty. He had a deep commitment to serving others and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Because of his life, and the legacy he leaves behind through his family and those whose lives he touched, the world is a much brighter place.

ADJOURNMENT

At 3:30 P.M., on motion of Senator MARTIN, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 11:00 A.M.

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