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:

In addressing his son, Solomon, David admonished him, saying:

"Take heed now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary; be strong, and act."     (I Chronicles 28:10)
  Join me as we bow for prayer, friends:
  Gracious and loving Lord, through David You called upon Solomon to serve You and to labor for the benefit of Your people. So do You call upon these Senate leaders to work toward "building" a better South Carolina. May these Senators and their assistants all stand firm against temptations to take the easy way and to do little or nothing. Grant them strength of will and of faith also to "be strong, and act" for the betterment of this State we all love. And, as always, to You, Lord, be the glory.
Amen.

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

On motion of Senator FAIR, at 2:10 P.M., Senator VAUGHN was granted a leave of absence for yesterday and today.

On motion of Senator FAIR, at 5:16 P.M., Senator RITCHIE was granted a leave of absence for the balance of the day.

On motion of Senator HAYES, at 5:17 P.M., Senator GREGORY was granted a leave of absence for the balance of the day.

On motion of Senator KNOTTS, at 5:18 P.M., Senator SCOTT was granted a leave of absence for the balance of the day.

Senator LOURIE introduced Dr. Christopher A. Yeakel of Columbia, S.C., Doctor of the Day.

The following co-sponsors were added to the respective Bills:
S. 892 (Word version)     Sen. Campsen
S. 998 (Word version)     Sen. Cleary
S. 1058 (Word version)   Sen. Ceips
S. 1072 (Word version)   Sen. Hawkins

The following were introduced:

S. 1123 (Word version) -- Senators Setzler, Alexander, Anderson, Bryant, Campbell, Campsen, Ceips, Cleary, Courson, Cromer, Drummond, Elliott, Fair, Ford, Gregory, Grooms, Hawkins, Hayes, Hutto, Jackson, Knotts, Land, Leatherman, Leventis, Lourie, Malloy, Martin, Massey, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, O'Dell, Patterson, Peeler, Pinckney, Rankin, Reese, Ritchie, Ryberg, Scott, Sheheen, Short, Thomas, Vaughn, Verdin and Williams: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE, COMMEND, AND EXPRESS THE APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE TO JANE FALLAW FOR HER YEARS OF DEDICATED AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA UPON HER RETIREMENT FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE, AND TO WISH HER WELL IN ALL FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
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Whereas, on February 20, 2008, Jane Fallaw is retiring after thirty years of dedicated and distinguished service as an employee of the South Carolina Senate; and

Whereas, Jane is the third daughter of the late Eugene and Janie Toney. She has three sisters, Ruby Toney Farmer, Ann Toney Malpass, and Mary Toney Burkett; and

Whereas, Jane is married to Weldon Foster Fallaw. They have two daughters, Gena Elizabeth Fallaw Turner, who is married to Timothy Reed Turner, and Toney Katherine Fallaw Rish, who is married to Jason David Rish. Jane and Weldon have three grandchildren, Jacob Foster Turner, Elizabeth Reed Turner, and Olivia Katherine Rish; and

Whereas, Jane grew up in the Town of Union, where she attended and graduated from Union High School. She also graduated from Cecil's Business College in Spartanburg; and

Whereas, Jane is a member of State Street Baptist Church of Cayce, where she serves as Church Clerk, serves on the Futuring Team, sings in the Worship Choir, and attends the Grace Sunday School Class; and

Whereas, Jane began working for the State of South Carolina in 1965, where she was employed with Vocational Rehabilitation for twelve years; and

Whereas, during her career with the South Carolina Senate, which began in September, 1978, Jane Fallaw served five senators with distinction, including Senator Robert Lake, Senator Elizabeth Patterson, Senator John Russell, Senator Nikki Setzler, and Senator Brad Hutto. She also held the position of Administrative Assistant for the Senate Education Committee under Senator Setzler; and

Whereas, Jane's years and dedicated service to her beloved Senate and State have left an indelible impact on the people around her. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize, commend, and express their appreciation to Jane Fallaw for her years of dedicated and distinguished service to the State of South Carolina upon her retirement from the South Carolina Senate, and wish her well in all future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mrs. Jane Fallaw.

The Senate Resolution was adopted.

On motion of Senators SETZLER and HUTTO, with unanimous consent, the Privilege of the Floor was extended to former Congresswoman and former Senator ELIZABETH PATTERSON, Senator JOHN RUSSELL and Senator ROBERT LAKE.

The Privilege of the Floor was extended to Mrs. Jane Fallaw, Administrative Assistant to Senators SETZLER and HUTTO who was escorted to the podium by former Congresswoman and former Senator ELIZABETH PATTERSON, Senator JOHN RUSSELL and Senator ROBERT LAKE.

Senators SETZLER and HUTTO, former Congresswoman and former Senator ELIZABETH PATTERSON, Senator JOHN RUSSELL and Senator ROBERT LAKE addressed the Senate upon the occasion of Mrs. Fallaw's retirement after 30 years with the Senate.

S. 1124 (Word version) -- Senator Leatherman: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 9-9-61 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE AWARDING OF AN ANNUAL COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE IN BENEFITS PAYABLE BY THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY USING THE FORMULA AND CRITERIA FOR CALCULATING SUCH INCREASES USED IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTION 9-1-1810, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE AWARD OF ANNUAL COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES IN BENEFITS PAID BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO REFLECT INCREASES IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, SO AS TO INCREASE FROM ONE PERCENT TO TWO PERCENT THE GUARANTEED ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT AND TO REVISE THE CRITERIA WHICH MUST BE MET BEFORE FURTHER INCREASES MAY BE AWARDED SUBJECT TO THE CURRENT OVERALL FOUR PERCENT LIMIT ON ANNUAL COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES; TO AMEND SECTION 9-9-60, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO RETIREMENT UNDER AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS PAID BY THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SO AS TO REFERENCE THE COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT IN THOSE BENEFITS PAYABLE PURSUANT TO SECTION 9-9-61 OF THE 1976 CODE AS ADDED BY THIS ACT AND TO FURTHER DEFINE "EARNABLE COMPENSATION" FOR PURPOSES OF THAT SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTION 9-11-310, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE AWARD OF AN ANNUAL COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE IN BENEFITS PAID BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO REFLECT INCREASES IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, SO AS TO PROVIDE A GUARANTEED TWO PERCENT ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT AND TO REVISE THE CRITERIA WHICH MUST BE MET BEFORE FURTHER INCREASES MAY BE AWARDED SUBJECT TO THE CURRENT OVERALL FOUR PERCENT LIMIT ON ANNUAL COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES, TO MAKE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT UNSEVERABLE, AND TO PROVIDE THE ACTIONS REQUIRED BY THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD FOR THIS ACT TO BECOME EFFECTIVE.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 1125 (Word version) -- Senator Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-31-45 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF THE WORDS "NATIVE AMERICAN", "INDIAN TRIBE", "NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN", OR SIMILAR WORDS IN CONNECTION WITH THE NAME OF A PURSUIT UNLESS THE USER IS RECOGNIZED AS A NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBE BY THE STATE COMMISSION FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 1126 (Word version) -- Senators Knotts, Scott, Bryant, Grooms, McConnell and Campbell: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 40-81-20, 40-81-50, 40-81-70, 40-81-230, 40-81-280, AND 40-81-430, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, ALL RELATING TO REGULATIONS OF VARIOUS ATHLETIC AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES BY THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION; BY ADDING SECTION 40-81-445 SO AS TO MAKE THE COMBATIVE SPORTS OF ULTIMATE FIGHTING AND MIXED MARTIAL ARTS LEGAL IN SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION SHALL SUPERVISE AND REGULATE ULTIMATE FIGHTING OR MIXED MARTIAL ARTS COMPETITIONS; TO REPEAL SECTION 40-81-480 RELATING TO EVENTS OR EXHIBITIONS INVOLVING MORE THAN ONE OF THE COMBATIVE SPORTS AND IN WHICH WEAPONS ARE USED AS BEING UNLAWFUL; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 40-81-530 PROHIBITING ULTIMATE FIGHTING EVENTS IN THIS STATE.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.

S. 1127 (Word version) -- Senators Leventis, Hutto, Cromer, Short, Knotts, Leatherman, Courson, Drummond and Ryberg: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IN EXERCISING ITS ADMINISTRATIVE DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO THE PENALTY THAT IT MAY IMPOSE ON A TAX PREPARER FOR FAILURE TO SUBMIT TAX RETURNS ELECTRONICALLY WHERE REQUIRED TO DELAY IMPOSING A PENALTY BEFORE RETURNS DUE TO BE FILED AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2008, AND TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT TO FORGIVE AND REFUND ANY PENALTIES IMPOSED FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY BEFORE THAT DATE.
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Senator LEVENTIS spoke on the Resolution.

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

S. 1128 (Word version) -- Senators Malloy, Leatherman, Land and Williams: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO WAIVE FROM MOTOR VEHICLE TITLING, LICENSING, AND REGISTRATION LAWS MOTOR VEHICLES PROVIDED FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES BY AN AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER IN CONNECTION WITH NATIONALLY-SPONSORED NASCAR RACING EVENTS HELD IN THIS STATE IN 2008.
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On motion of Senator MALLOY, with unanimous consent, the Concurrent Resolution was introduced and ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

S. 1129 (Word version) -- Senators Thomas, Jackson and Lourie: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 60 TO TITLE 38 SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTHNET PROGRAM"; TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF A FIVE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM TO PROMOTE THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE TO EMPLOYEES REGARDLESS OF HEALTH STATUS OR CLAIMS EXPERIENCE, PREVENT ABUSIVE RATING PRACTICES AND REQUIRE DISCLOSURE OF RATING PRACTICES TO PURCHASERS, ESTABLISH RULES REGARDING RENEWAL OF COVERAGE, LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF PREEXISTING CONDITIONS EXCLUSIONS, ASSURE FAIR ACCESS TO HEALTH PLANS AND IMPROVE OVERALL FAIRNESS AND EFFICIENCY OF THE GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET; TO PROVIDE FOR DEFINITIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION AND AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; TO PROVIDE FAIR MARKETING STANDARDS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CRITERIA FOR PLAN ADMINISTRATION IN THE PLAN OF OPERATION; TO PROVIDE FOR RATES; TO PROVIDE FOR PROVIDER PARTICIPATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE OF THE CHAPTER; TO PROVIDE THAT HEALTH INSURERS SHALL OFFER AND MARKET PLANS DEVELOPED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTHNET PROGRAM WHO ARE ELIGIBLE; TO PROVIDE FOR HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN STANDARDS AND PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION; TO PROVIDE FOR ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS; TO PROVIDE FOR TERMINATION AND NONRENEWAL OF COVERAGE; TO PROVIDE FOR LOSS DATA TO BE REPORTED TO THE PROGRAM; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 60, TITLE 38 ADDED BY THIS ACT.
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Senator THOMAS spoke on the Bill.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance.

S. 1130 (Word version) -- Senator Thomas: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-5-120, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF LICENSE OF AN INSURER AND ITS OFFICERS AND AGENTS AND THE PUBLICATION OF THE NOTICE, SO AS TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR AN AGGRIEVED INSURER TO REQUEST A HEARING BEFORE THE DIRECTOR OR HIS DESIGNEE AND PROVIDE RECOURSE THROUGH JUDICIAL REVIEW; TO AMEND SECTION 38-7-90, RELATING TO THE RETALIATORY TAXES, PENALTIES, INTEREST, AND FEES, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT THE FEES, TAXES, AND OBLIGATIONS MUST BE BASED UPON THE COMPARISON OF THE AGGREGATE REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY AND PAID TO THIS STATE TO THE SAME IMPOSED BY AND PAID TO THE OTHER STATE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 38-21-95, RELATING TO THE APPROVAL, CONDITIONS, AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ACQUISITION OF A DOMESTIC INSURER BY A CONTROLLING PRODUCER, SO AS TO REDEFINE A PORTION OF THE DEFINITION OF "CONTROLLING PRODUCER".
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Senator THOMAS spoke on the Bill.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance.

S. 1131 (Word version) -- Senator Thomas: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 38-43-20, 38-43-70, BOTH AS AMENDED, 38-43-75, 38-43-80, AS AMENDED, 38-43-100, 38-43-101, BOTH AS AMENDED, 38-43-102, 38-43-106, 38-43-107, 38-43-110, AND 38-43-130, ALL AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, ALL RELATING TO INSURANCE PRODUCERS AND AGENCIES, SO AS TO CLARIFY LANGUAGE THAT AN EMPLOYEE OF A LICENSED PRODUCER WHO PERFORMS ONLY CLERICAL DUTIES MAY NOT SIGN AN APPLICATION FOR INSURANCE; TO PROVIDE THAT UNLESS DENIED LICENSURE A NONRESIDENT PERSON SHALL RECEIVE A NONRESIDENT PRODUCER'S LICENSE WITH THE SAME LINES OF AUTHORITY HELD IN THE PRODUCER'S HOME STATE; TO PROVIDE THAT LIMITED LINE INSURANCE INCLUDES CREDIT INSURANCE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEFINITION OF "BIENNIAL APPOINTMENT FEE", PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE FEE IF REJECTED BY A BANK, DELETE THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE, AND AUTHORIZE PAY OF FEES BY A CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD; TO REQUIRE ALL APPLICANTS FOR A PRODUCER'S LICENSE TAKE AN EXAMINATION AND DELETE THE WAIVER OR EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN APPLICANTS; TO PROVIDE THAT A PRODUCER MAY NOT TAKE THE SAME CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE AND CASUALTY-LICENSED INSURANCE PRODUCER COURSE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT MORE THAN ONE TIME IN A BIENNIAL COMPLIANCE PERIOD AND PROVIDE FOR THE NONWAIVER OF CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT INDIVIDUAL LICENSES CONTINUE ON A BIENNIAL BASIS ON THE LICENSEE'S MONTH OF BIRTH; AND TO REDEFINE THE ELEMENTS OF "DECEIVE OR DEALT UNJUSTLY WITH THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE"; TO AMEND SECTIONS 38-45-20, 38-45-30, BOTH AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 38-45-90, ALL RELATING TO BROKERS AND SURPLUS LINES, SO AS TO REQUIRE A PROPERTY AND CASUALTY-LICENSED INSURANCE PRODUCER TO PASS THE SOUTH CAROLINA BROKER LICENSING EXAMINATION IN ORDER TO BE LICENSED AS A BROKER AND TO PROVIDE PAYMENT OF THE BROKER'S PREMIUM TAX; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 38-43-105 RELATING TO EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCAL AND GENERAL PRODUCERS.
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Senator THOMAS spoke on the Bill.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance.

S. 1132 (Word version) -- Senator Thomas: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-1-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN MATTERS RELATING TO INSURANCE, SO AS TO REDEFINE "ADMITTED ASSETS"; TO AMEND SECTION 38-9-10, RELATING TO CAPITAL AND SURPLUS REQUIRED OF STOCK INSURERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE INSURER TO LIST THOSE THAT QUALIFY AS ADMITTED ASSETS ON THE INSURER'S MOST RECENT STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENT FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-9-20, RELATING TO THE SURPLUS REQUIRED OF MUTUAL INSURERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE INSURER TO LIST THOSE THAT QUALIFY AS ADMITTED ASSETS ON THE INSURER'S MOST RECENT STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENT FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-9-210, RELATING TO THE REDUCTION FROM LIABILITY FOR REINSURANCE, SO AS TO REQUIRE A SECURITY TO MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS CONSISTENT WITH THE DEFINITION OF "ADMITTED ASSETS" AS DEFINED IN SECTION 38-1-20 AS AMENDED BY THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 38-10-40, RELATING TO PROTECTED CELL ASSETS, SO AS TO DELETE THE AUTHORIZATION FOR ATTRIBUTABLE ASSET OF A PROTECTED CELL TO BE INVESTED AND REINVESTED WITHOUT REGARD TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTIONS 38-11-40 AND 38-11-50; AND TO AMEND SECTION 38-55-80, RELATING TO LOANS BY AN INSURER TO ITS DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS, SO AS TO DELETE THE LIMITATION ON MORTGAGE LOANS OR RESIDENCES ACQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 38-11-50.
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Senator THOMAS spoke on the Bill.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance.

S. 1133 (Word version) -- Senator Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-1-55 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE USING A CELLULAR TELEPHONE, PAGER, PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT DEVICE, OR ANOTHER WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE THAT IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A HANDS-FREE MECHANISM, TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS PROVISION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICE, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS AND PERSONNEL WHEN THEY ARE PERFORMING THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

S. 1134 (Word version) -- Senator Patterson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE VOCAL TALENT OF RANDY CRAWFORD, AND TO WELCOME HER TO THE PALMETTO STATE FOR HER PERFORMANCE ON FEBRUARY 22, 2008, AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL LEGENDS OF JAZZ CONCERT SERIES FOR THE AUNTIE KAREN FOUNDATION.
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.

S. 1135 (Word version) -- Senator Patterson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LEGENDARY TALENT OF JOE SAMPLE, AND TO WELCOME HIM TO THE PALMETTO STATE FOR HIS PERFORMANCE ON FEBRUARY 22, 2008, AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL LEGENDS OF JAZZ CONCERT SERIES FOR THE AUNTIE KAREN FOUNDATION.
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.

S. 1136 (Word version) -- Senators Matthews, Drummond, Land, Patterson, Hutto, Leventis, Lourie, Williams, Malloy, Reese, Pinckney, Ford, Elliott, Jackson, Anderson and Setzler: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 3, ARTICLE XI OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE SYSTEM OF FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OF A SYSTEM OF FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SHALL ESTABLISH, ORGANIZE, AND SUPPORT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING THAT WILL PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION, ALLOWING EACH STUDENT TO REACH HIS HIGHEST POTENTIAL.
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Senator MATTHEWS spoke on the Resolution.

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

S. 1137 (Word version) -- Senators Peeler and Reese: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT IN 2009 AND 2010, THE ANNUAL FEE FOR THE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER STANDARD LICENSE PLATE FOR VEHICLES IN SUCH MANUFACTURER'S EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAM AND FOR THE TESTING, DISTRIBUTION, EVALUATION, AND PROMOTION OF ITS VEHICLES IS SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX DOLLARS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT TWENTY DOLLARS OF EACH FEE IS CREDITED TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE AND THE BALANCE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

S. 1138 (Word version) -- Senator Peeler: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE THIRD FULL WEEK OF SEPTEMBER IN EACH YEAR AS "MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE AWARENESS WEEK".
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The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Medical Affairs.

H. 4712 (Word version) -- Reps. Neilson, 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, 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 REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO WAIVE FROM MOTOR VEHICLE TITLING, LICENSING, AND REGISTRATION LAWS MOTOR VEHICLES PROVIDED FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES BY AN AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER IN CONNECTION WITH NATIONALLY-SPONSORED NASCAR RACING EVENTS HELD IN THIS STATE IN 2008.

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

H. 4726 (Word version) -- Reps. Bales, Agnew, Alexander, Allen, Anderson, Anthony, 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, 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 RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LIFE OF MARY LOIS SHIVERS, A CHERISHED CITIZEN OF RICHLAND COUNTY, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY, AND TO WISH HER MANY MORE YEARS OF PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS.

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

Senator COURSON from the Committee on Education submitted a favorable with amendment report on:

S. 815 (Word version) -- Senators Setzler, Courson, Short, Matthews, Rankin, Hayes, Sheheen, Drummond and Ford: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 2 TO CHAPTER 35, TITLE 59 SO AS TO CREATE A FULL-DAY, FOUR-YEAR-OLD KINDERGARTEN, TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT ELIGIBILITY AND PRIORITY FOR ADMISSION, TO PROVIDE DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES, TO PROVIDE FUNDING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, TO PROVIDE THAT ENROLLMENT IS A MATTER OF PARENTAL DISCRETION, TO PROVIDE THAT A FEE OR TUITION MAY NOT BE CHARGED, TO PROVIDE A PARENTING EDUCATION PROGRAM, AMONG OTHER THINGS; AND TO DESIGNATE SECTION 59-35-10 AS ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 35, TITLE 59 AND ENTITLED "FIVE-YEAR-OLD KINDERGARTEN".

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

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

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. 4598 (Word version) -- Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, RELATING TO GASOLINE, LUBRICATING OILS AND OTHER PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3123, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

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

S. 1108 (Word version) -- Medical Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, RELATING TO SOUTH CAROLINA BIRTH DEFECTS PROGRAM, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3151, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

S. 1109 (Word version) -- Medical Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD, RELATING TO DATA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO SOUTH CAROLINA HOSPITALS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3179, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

S. 1111 (Word version) -- Medical Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, RELATING TO ICE, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3139, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

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

S. 1113 (Word version) -- Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, RELATING TO WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3133, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

H. 4686 (Word version) -- Reps. McLeod and Duncan: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF A SURPLUS OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SHOP IN NEWBERRY TO THE COUNTY OF NEWBERRY.

H. 3140 (Word version) -- Rep. W.D. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 37-5-103, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS ON DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS IN CONSUMER CREDIT SALES, SO AS TO CORRECT CROSS-REFERENCES TO THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE.

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

S. 1107 (Word version) -- Medical Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD, RELATING TO DATA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO SUBMISSION OF AMBULATORY ENCOUNTER DATA, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3178, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

On motion of Senator LEATHERMAN, with unanimous consent, the Joint Resolution was carried over.

S. 1110 (Word version) -- Medical Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL ELECTRONIC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3149, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

Senator FAIR explained the Joint Resolution.

On motion of Senator FAIR, with unanimous consent, the Joint Resolution was carried over.

S. 1112 (Word version) -- Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, RELATING TO CRITICAL AREAS OF THE COASTAL ZONE, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3111, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

On motion of Senator VERDIN, with unanimous consent, the Joint Resolution was carried over.

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

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

THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO THE INTERRUPTED DEBATE.

H. 3496 (Word version) -- Reps. G.M. Smith, Harrison, Cotty, Shoopman, Duncan, Davenport, Leach, Haley, Huggins, Mcleod, G.R. Smith, F.N. Smith, Allen, Bales, Ballentine, Barfield, Bingham, Bowen, Brady, Cato, Ceips, Chalk, Chellis, Clemmons, Cooper, Crawford, Edge, Frye, Funderburk, Gambrell, Govan, Gullick, Hagood, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, Harvin, Haskins, Herbkersman, Hinson, Hiott, Jefferson, Kirsh, Knight, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lucas, Merrill, Moss, Neilson, Ott, Parks, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Rice, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Skelton, D.C. Smith, J.R. Smith, Spires, Stewart, Talley, Taylor, Toole, Umphlett, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Witherspoon And Young: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 56 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, CONCERNING THE DENIAL AND SUSPENSION OF A LICENSE TO A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF TWENTY-ONE WHO HAS OPERATED A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, IMPLIED CONSENT AND REFUSING A CHEMICAL TEST, THE IMMOBILIZATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE OWNED BY A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, THE OFFENSE OF CAUSING GREAT BODILY INJURY OR DEATH BY OPERATING A VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE, AND THE VIDEOTAPING OF A PERSON CHARGED WITH DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
(ABBREVIATED TITLE)

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, chairman of the subcommittee, was recognized to explain the Bill.

Senator SHEHEEN proposed the following Amendment No. P2 (JUD3496.013), which was adopted:

Amend the committee report, as and if amended, page [3496-44], after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/   SECTION   __.   Section 56-1-365(F) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(F)   If the defendant surrenders his license, upon conviction, and subsequently files a notice of appeal, the appeal acts as a supersedeas as provided in Section 56-1-430. Upon payment of a ten-dollar fee and presentment by the defendant of a certified or clocked-in copy of the notice of appeal, the department shall issue him a certificate which entitles him to operate a motor vehicle for a period of sixty days six months after the verdict or plea. The certificate must be kept in the defendant's possession while operating a motor vehicle during the sixty-day six-month period, and failure to have it in his possession is punishable in the same manner as failure to have a driver's license in possession while operating a motor vehicle."   /

Amend the Committee Report further, as and if amended, page [3496-44], after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/   SECTION   __.   Section 56-1-430 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-1-430.   Upon conviction of an offense making mandatory the suspension or revocation of the driver's license of the person so convicted, an appeal taken from such conviction shall act as a supersedeas so as to preclude for a period of sixty days six months from the date of conviction, any such suspension or revocation."     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senators LOURIE, MARTIN, SHEHEEN, MASSEY, FAIR, RITCHIE and McCONNELL proposed the following Amendment No. P8A (JUD3496.006), which was adopted:

Amend the committee report, as and if amended, page [3496-11], by striking lines 31-41 in their entirety and inserting:

/     (1)   for a first offense, by a fine of four hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than forty-eight hours nor more than thirty days. However, in lieu of the forty-eight hour minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for forty-eight hours of public service employment. The minimum forty-eight hour imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment in lieu of the minimum forty-eight hour sentence. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of seven hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days. However, in lieu of the thirty-day minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for thirty days of public service employment. The minimum thirty days imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions as the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment instead of the thirty-day minimum sentence. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, and 22-3-550, a first offense charged for this item may be tried in magistrate's court;     /

Amend the committee report further, as and if amended, page [3496-16] by striking lines 19-29 in their entirety and inserting:

/     (1)   for a first offense, by a fine of four hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than forty-eight hours nor more than thirty days. However, in lieu of the forty-eight hour minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for forty-eight hours of public service employment. The minimum forty-eight hour imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment in lieu of the minimum forty-eight hour sentence. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of seven hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days. However, in lieu of the thirty-day minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for thirty days of public service employment. The minimum thirty days imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions as the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment instead of the thirty-day minimum sentence. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, and 22-3-550, a first offense charged for this item may be tried in magistrate's court;       /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senators CEIPS, HUTTO and KNOTTS proposed the following Amendment No. P6 (JUD3496.014), which was adopted:

Amend the committee report, as and if amended, page [3496-44], after line 27, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/   SECTION   __.   Section 56-5-2947(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A)   A person eighteen years of age or over is guilty of child endangerment when:

(1)   the person is in violation of:

(a)   Section 56-5-750;

(b)   Section 56-5-2930; or

(c)   Section 56-5-2933; or

(c)(d)   Section 56-5-2945; and

(2)   the person has one or more passengers under sixteen years of age in the motor vehicle when the violation occurs.

If more than one passenger under sixteen years of age is in the vehicle when a violation of subsection (A)(1) occurs, the person may be charged with only one violation of this section."       /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senator MASSEY proposed the following Amendment No. P10 (JUD3496.016), which was adopted, and subsequently reconsidered and tabled:

Amend the committee report, as and if amended, page [3496-27], by striking lines 20-25 and inserting the following:

/   (b)(G)   In the criminal prosecution for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 relating to driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs, the alcohol concentration at the time of the test, as shown by chemical analysis of the person's breath or other body fluids, gives rise to the following:   /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Having voted on the prevailing side, Senator HUTTO moved to reconsider the vote whereby the amendment was adopted.

The motion was adopted to reconsider the vote whereby the amendment was adopted.

The question then was the adoption of Amendment No. P10.

Senator HUTTO moved to lay the amendment on the table.

The amendment was laid on the table.

At 4:30 P.M., on motion of Senator HUTTO, the Senate receded from business not to exceed one minute.

At 4:35 P.M., the Senate resumed.

Senators MARTIN, FAIR and RITCHIE proposed the following Amendment P4A (JUD3496.009), which was adopted:

Amend the committee report, as and if amended, page [3496-32] by striking lines 33-42 in their entirety and inserting:

/   (a)   for a second offense, one hundred eighty days nine months if he refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or sixty days two months if he takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b)   for a third offense, twelve months if he refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or three months if he takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more; and     /

Amend the committee report further, as and if amended, page [3496-33], by striking lines 1-5 in their entirety and inserting:

/   (c)   for a fourth or subsequent offense, fifteen months if he refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or four months if he takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more.     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senator HUTTO proposed the following Amendment P5 (JUD3496.011), which was adopted:

Amend the committee report, as and if amended, page [3496-33], by striking lines 33-39 in their entirety and inserting:

/   (N)   An insurer may not increase premiums on, or add surcharges to, or cancel the automobile insurance of a person charged with a violation of Section 56-1-286, 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, or any other another law of this State or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other drug based solely on the violation unless he is convicted of the violation.       /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senators MARTIN, McCONNELL and KNOTTS proposed the following Amendment P13A (3496R004.LAM), which was adopted:

Amend the committee report, as and if amended, page [3496-34] by striking lines 41 and 42 and on page [3496-35] by striking lines 1-16 and inserting:

/   (1)(a)   The videotaping video recording at the incident site must:

(a)(i)   not begin not later than the activation of the officer's blue lights and conclude after the arrest of the person for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or a probable cause determination that the person violated Section 56-5-2945; and

(b)(ii)   include the person being advised of his Miranda rights before any field sobriety tests are administered, if the tests are administered.; and

(iii)   include the arrest of a person for a violation of Section 56-5-2930 or Section 56-5-2933, or a probable cause determination in that the person violated Section 56-5-2945, and show the person being advised of his Miranda rights.

(b)   A refusal to take a field sobriety test does not constitute disobeying a police command.       /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

Senator HUTTO moved to lay the amendment on the table.

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

Campbell                  Ford                      Hutto
Malloy                    Patterson                 Pinckney
Short

Alexander                 Bryant                    Campsen
Ceips                     Cleary                    Courson
Cromer                    Elliott                   Fair
Gregory *                 Grooms                    Hawkins
Hayes                     Jackson                   Knotts
Leatherman                Leventis                  Lourie
Martin                    Massey                    McConnell
McGill                    O'Dell                    Peeler
Rankin                    Reese                     Ritchie *
Ryberg                    Scott *                   Setzler
Thomas                    Verdin                    Williams

*These Senators were not present in the Chamber at the time the vote was taken and the vote was recorded by leave of the Senate, with unanimous consent.

The Senate refused to table the amendment. The question then was the adoption of the amendment.

Senator MALLOY argued contra to the adoption of Amendment P13A.

With Senator MALLOY retaining the floor, Senator HUTTO asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take up Amendment P9B for immediate consideration.

Senator HAWKINS proposed the following Amendment P9B (3496R002.JDH), which was adopted:

Amend the committee amendment, as and if amended, on page [3496-21], by striking SECTION 6 in its entirety (lines 3-36) and inserting:

/   SECTION   6.   Section 56-5-2934 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2934.   Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person charged with a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 who is being tried in any court of competent jurisdiction in this State has the right to compulsory process for obtaining witnesses, documents, or both, including, but not limited to, state employees charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing pursuant to this article. This process may be issued under the official signature of the magistrate, judge, clerk, or other officer of the court of competent jurisdiction. The term "documents" includes, but is not limited to, a copy of the computer software program of breath testing devices. SLED must produce all breath testing software in a manner that complies with any and all licensing agreements. This section does not limit a person's ability to obtain breath testing software directly from the manufacturer or distributor. The portion of compulsory process provided for in this section that requires the attendance, at any administrative hearing or court proceeding, of state employees charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing pursuant to this article, takes effect once the compulsory process program at the State Law Enforcement Division is specifically, fully, and adequately funded.

In addition, at the time of arrest for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, the arresting officer, in addition to other notice requirements, must inform the defendant of his right to all hearings provided by law to include those if a breath test is refused or taken with a result that would require license suspension. The arresting officer, if the defendant wishes to avail himself of any such hearings, depending on the choices made or the breath test results obtained, must provide the defendant with the appropriate form to request the hearing or hearings. The defendant must acknowledge receipt of the notice requirements and receipt of the hearing form if such a hearing or hearings are desired."     /

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

/   SECTION ___. The Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee shall jointly select a neutral and detached nationally recognized expert in the field of alcohol breath test machinery to test the BAC Datamaster software and the Datamaster DMT. Prior to the use of the results of any Datamaster DMT test in prosecutions pursuant to this act, the expert must certify that the Datamaster DMT accurately and reliably measures a person's alcohol concentration. The results of the test must be transmitted to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court.     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HAWKINS explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senators MARTIN, HAYES, PEELER, VERDIN, THOMAS, RYBERG and O'DELL desired to be recorded as voting against the adoption of Amendment No. 9B.

The Senate resumed consideration of Amendment No. P13A.

Senator MALLOY was recognized to explain the amendment.

Amendment No. 13A was adopted.

The question then was the adoption of the amendment proposed by the Committee on Judiciary.

The Committee on Judiciary proposed the following amendment (JUD3496.004), which was adopted:

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

/   SECTION   1.   Section 56-1-10 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 381 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-1-10.   For the purpose of this title, unless otherwise indicated, the following words, phrases, and terms are defined as follows:

(1)   'Driver' means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.

(2)   'Operator' means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a highway or who is exercising control over or steering a vehicle being towed by a motor vehicle.

(3)   'Owner' means a person, other than a lienholder, having the property or title to a vehicle. The term includes a person entitled to the use and possession of a vehicle subject to a security interest in another person, but excludes a lessee under a lease not intended as security.

(4)   'Department' means the Department of Motor Vehicles when the term refers to the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the former Motor Vehicle Division of the Department of Public Safety and means the Department of Public Safety otherwise and in Section 56-3-840.

(5)   'State' means a state, territory, or possession of the United States and the District of Columbia.

(6)   'Highway' means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part of it is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

(7)   'Motor vehicle' means every vehicle which is self- propelled, except 'moped' as defined in Article 9 of this chapter, and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires but not operated upon rails.

(8)   'Motorcycle' means every motor vehicle having no more than two permanent functional wheels in contact with the ground or trailer and having a saddle for the use of the rider, but excluding a tractor.

(9)   'Nonresident' means every person who is not a resident of this State.

(10)   'Nonresident's operating privilege' means the privilege conferred upon a nonresident by the laws of this State pertaining to the operation by the person of a motor vehicle, or the use of a vehicle owned by the person, in this State.

(11)   'Conviction' includes the entry of any plea of guilty, the entry of any plea of nolo contendere, and the forfeiture of any bail or collateral deposited to secure a defendant's appearance in court.

(12)   'Cancellation of driver's license' means the annulment or termination by formal action of the Department of Motor Vehicles of a person's driver's license because of some error or defect in the license or because the licensee is no longer entitled to the license; the cancellation of a license is without prejudice, and application for a new license may be made at any time after the cancellation.

(13)   'Revocation of driver's license' means the termination by formal action of the Department of Motor Vehicles of a person's driver's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, which privilege to operate is not subject to renewal or restoration, except that an application for a new license may be presented and acted upon by the department.

(14)   'Suspension of driver's license' means the temporary withdrawal by formal action of the Department of Motor Vehicles of a person's driver's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, which temporary withdrawal shall be as specifically designated.

(15)   'Automotive three-wheel vehicle' means every motor vehicle having no more than three permanent functional wheels in contact with the ground, having a bench seat for the use of the operator, and having an automotive type steering device, but excluding a tractor or motorcycle three-wheel vehicle.

(16)   'Alcohol' means a substance containing any form of alcohol including, but not limited to, ethanol, methanol, propanol, and isopropanol.

(17)   'Alcohol concentration' means:

(a)   the number of grams of alcohol for each one hundred milliliters of blood by weight; or

(b)   as determined by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for other bodily fluids.

(18)   'Motorcycle three-wheel vehicle' means every motor vehicle having no more than three permanent functional wheels in contact with the ground to include motorcycles with detachable side cars, having a saddle type seat for the operator, and having handlebars or a motorcycle type steering device but excluding a tractor or automotive three-wheel vehicle.

(19)   'Low speed vehicle' or 'LSV' means a four-wheeled motor vehicle, other than an all terrain vehicle, whose speed attainable in one mile is more than twenty miles an hour and not more than twenty-five miles an hour on a paved level surface.

(20)   'All terrain vehicle' or 'ATV' means a motor vehicle measuring fifty inches or less in width, designed to travel on three or more wheels and designed primarily for off-road recreational use, but not including farm tractors or equipment, construction equipment, forestry vehicles, or lawn and grounds maintenance vehicles.

(21)   'Operator' or 'driver' means a person who is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a highway.

(22)   'Person' means every natural person, firm, partnership, trust, company, firm, association, or corporation. Where the term 'person' is used in connection with the registration of a motor vehicle, it includes any corporation, association, partnership, trust, company, firm, or other aggregation of individuals which owns or controls the motor vehicle as actual owner, or for the purpose of sale or for renting, as agent, salesperson, or otherwise.

(23)   'Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings' means the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings created by Section 1-23-660. The Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings conducts all hearings or administrative hearings arising from department actions.

(24)   'Administrative hearing' means a 'contested case hearing' as defined in Section 1-23-310. It is a hearing conducted pursuant to the South Carolina Administrative Procedures Act."

SECTION   2.   Section 56-1-286 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 381 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-1-286.   (A)   The Department of Motor Vehicles must suspend the driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege of, or deny the issuance of a license or permit to a person under the age of twenty-one who drives a motor vehicle and has an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more. In cases in which a law enforcement officer initiates suspension proceedings for a violation of this section, the officer has elected to pursue a violation of this section and is subsequently prohibited from prosecuting the person for a violation of Section 20-7-8920, 20-7-8925, 56-5-2930, or 56-5-2933 arising from the same incident.

(B)   A person under the age of twenty-one who drives a motor vehicle in this State is considered to have given consent to chemical tests of his breath or blood for the purpose of determining the presence of alcohol.

(C)   A law enforcement officer who has arrested a person under the age of twenty-one for a violation of Chapter 5 of this title (Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways), or any other traffic offense established by a political subdivision of this State, and has probable cause to believe reasonable suspicion that the person under the age of twenty-one has consumed alcoholic beverages and driven a motor vehicle may order the testing of the person arrested to determine the person's alcohol concentration.

A law enforcement officer may detain and order the testing of a person to determine the person's alcohol concentration if the officer has probable cause to believe reasonable suspicion that a motor vehicle is being driven by a person under the age of twenty-one who has consumed alcoholic beverages.

(D)   A test must be administered at the direction of the primary investigating law enforcement officer. At the direction of the officer, the person first must be offered a breath test to determine the person's alcohol concentration. If the person physically is unable to provide an acceptable breath sample because he has an injured mouth or is unconscious or dead, or for any other reason considered acceptable by licensed medical personnel, a blood sample may be taken. The breath test must be administered by a person trained and certified by the State Law Enforcement Division South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, using methods approved by the division pursuant to SLED policies. The primary investigating officer may administer the test if the person's conduct during the twenty-minute pre-test waiting period is videotaped pursuant to Section 56-5-2953(A)(2)(d). Blood samples must be obtained by physicians licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners, registered nurses licensed by the State Board of Nursing, or other medical personnel trained to obtain these samples in a licensed medical facility. Blood samples must be obtained and handled in accordance with procedures approved by the division. The division shall administer the provisions of this subsection and shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out its provisions. The costs of the tests administered at the direction of the officer must be paid from the general fund of the State. However, if the person is subsequently convicted of violating Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, then, upon conviction, the person must pay twenty-five dollars for the costs of the tests. The twenty-five dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the State Law Enforcement Division to offset the costs of administration of the breath testing devices, breath testing site video program, and toxicology laboratory.

The person tested or giving samples for testing may have a qualified person of his choice conduct additional tests at the person's expense and must be notified in writing of that right. A person's request or failure to request additional blood tests is not admissible against the person in any proceeding. The failure or inability of the person tested to obtain additional tests does not preclude the admission of evidence relating to the tests or samples taken at the direction of the officer. The officer must provide affirmative assistance to the person to contact a qualified person to conduct and obtain additional tests. Affirmative assistance shall, at a minimum, include providing transportation for the person to the nearest medical facility which provides blood tests to determine a person's alcohol concentration. If the medical facility obtains the blood sample but refuses or fails to test the blood to determine the person's alcohol concentration, SLED must test the blood and provide the result to the person and to the officer. Failure to provide affirmative assistance upon request to obtain additional tests bars the admissibility of the breath test result in any judicial or administrative proceeding.

(E)   A qualified person and his employer who obtain samples or administer the tests or assist in obtaining samples or administering of tests at the direction of the primary investigating officer are immune from civil and criminal liability unless the obtaining of samples or the administering of tests is performed in a negligent, reckless, or fraudulent manner. A person may not be required by the officer ordering the tests to obtain or take any sample of blood or urine.

(F)   If a person refuses upon the request of the primary investigating officer to submit to chemical tests as provided in subsection (C), the department must suspend his license, permit, or any nonresident operating privilege, or deny the issuance of a license or permit to him for:

(1)   six nine months; or

(2)   one year if the person, within the five years preceding the violation of this section, has been previously convicted of violating Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 or any other law of this State or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or another drug or has had a previous suspension imposed pursuant to Sections 56-1-286, 56-5-2950, or 56-5-2951.

(G)   If a person submits to a chemical test and the test result indicates an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more, the department must suspend his license, permit, or any nonresident operating privilege, or deny the issuance of a license or permit to him for:

(1)   three months; or

(2)   six months if the person, within the five years preceding the violation of this section, has been previously convicted of violating Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 or any other law of this State or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other drug or has had a previous suspension imposed pursuant to Sections 56-1-286, 56-5-2950, or 56-5-2951.

(H)   A person's driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege must be restored when the person's period of suspension under subsection (F) or (G) has concluded, even if the person has not yet completed the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program in which he is enrolled. After the person's driving privilege is restored, he must continue to participate in the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program in which he is enrolled. If the person withdraws from or in any way stops making satisfactory progress toward the completion of the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, the person's license shall must be suspended until he completes the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. A person must be attending or have completed an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 before his driving privilege can be restored at the conclusion of the suspension period.

(I)   A test may not be administered or samples taken unless, upon activation of the video recording equipment and prior to the commencement of the testing procedure, the person has been given a written copy of and verbally informed in writing that:

(1)   he does not have to take the test or give the samples but that his privilege to drive must be suspended or denied for at least six nine months if he refuses to submit to the tests and that his refusal may be used against him in court;

(2)   his privilege to drive must be suspended for at least three months if he takes the test or gives the samples and has an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(3)   he has the right to have a qualified person of his own choosing conduct additional independent tests at his expense;

(4)   he has the right to request an administrative hearing within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension; and

(5)   he must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension if he does not request an administrative hearing or within thirty days of the issuance of notice that the suspension has been upheld at the administrative hearing.

The primary investigating officer must notify promptly the department of the refusal of a person to submit to a test requested pursuant to this section as well as the test result of any person who submits to a test pursuant to this section and registers an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more. The notification must be in a manner prescribed by the department.

(J)   If the test registers an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more or if the person refuses to be tested, the primary investigating officer must issue a notice of suspension, and the suspension is effective beginning on the date of the alleged violation of this section. The person, within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension, must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 if he does not request an administrative hearing. If the person does not request an administrative hearing and does not enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program within thirty days, the suspension remains in effect, and a temporary alcohol restricted license must not be issued. If the person drives a motor vehicle during the period of suspension without a temporary alcohol restricted license, the person must be penalized for driving while his license is suspended pursuant to Section 56-1-460.

(K)   Within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension the person may:

(1)   obtain a temporary alcohol restricted license by filing with the department a form for this purpose. A one-hundred-dollar fee must be assessed for obtaining a temporary alcohol restricted license. Twenty-five dollars of the fee must be retained by the Department of Public Safety for supplying and maintaining all necessary vehicle videotaping equipment. The remaining seventy-five dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray its expenses. The temporary alcohol restricted license allows the person to drive a motor vehicle without any restrictive conditions pending the outcome of the administrative hearing provided for in this section or the final decision or disposition of the matter; and

(2)   request an administrative hearing.

At the administrative hearing if:

(a)   the suspension is upheld, the person must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program and his driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege must be suspended or the person must be denied the issuance of a license or permit for the remainder of the suspension periods provided for in subsections (F) and (G);

(b)   the suspension is overturned, the person must have his driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege reinstated.

(L)   The periods of suspension provided for in subsections (F) and (G) begin on the day the notice of suspension is issued, or at the expiration of any other suspensions, and continue until the person applies for a temporary alcohol restricted license and requests an administrative hearing.

(M)   If a person does not request an administrative hearing, he shall have waived his right to the hearing and his suspension must not be stayed but shall continue for the periods provided for in subsections (F) and (G).

(N)   The notice of suspension must advise the person of the requirement to enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program and of his right to obtain a temporary alcohol restricted driver's license and to request an administrative hearing. The notice of suspension also must advise the person that, if he does not request an administrative hearing within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension, he must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, and he waives his right to the administrative hearing, and the suspension continues for the periods provided for in subsections (F) and (G).

(O)   An administrative hearing must be held within thirty days after the request for the hearing is received by the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings. If the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings does not hold the hearing within thirty days, the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings must issue a written order within thirty days stating the reasons why the hearing was not held within thirty days and providing a schedule date for the hearing. If the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings does not issue a written order within thirty days or fails within thirty days to notify the person of a new hearing date, the person shall have his driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege reinstated. The scope of the hearing is limited to whether the person:

(1)   was lawfully arrested or detained;

(2)   was advised in writing given a written copy of and verbally informed of the rights enumerated in subsection (I);

(3)   refused to submit to a test pursuant to this section; or

(4)   consented to taking a test pursuant to this section, and the:

(a)   reported alcohol concentration at the time of testing was two one- hundredths of one percent or more;

(b)   individual who administered the test or took samples was qualified pursuant to this section;

(c)   test administered and samples taken were conducted pursuant to this section; and

(d)   the machine was operating properly.

Nothing in this section prohibits the introduction of evidence at the administrative hearing on the issue of the accuracy of the breath test result.

A written order must be issued to all parties either reversing or upholding the suspension of the person's license, permit, or nonresident's operating privilege, or denying the issuance of a license or permit within thirty days after the conclusion of the administrative hearing. If the suspension is upheld, the person must receive credit for the number of days his license was suspended before he received a temporary alcohol restricted license and requested the administrative hearing.

(P)   An administrative hearing is a contested proceeding under the Administrative Procedures Act, and a person has a right to appeal the decision of the hearing officer pursuant to that act to the Administrative Law Court in accordance with its appellate rules. The filing of an appeal shall stay the suspension until a final decision is issued.

(Q)   A person who is unconscious or otherwise in a condition rendering him incapable of refusal is considered to be informed and not to have withdrawn the consent provided for in subsection (B) of this section.

(R)   When a nonresident's privilege to drive a motor vehicle in this State has been suspended under the procedures of this section, the department shall give written notice of the action taken to the motor vehicle administrator of the state of the person's residence and of any state in which he has a license or permit.

(S)   A person required to submit to a test must be provided with a written report including the time of arrest, the time of the tests, and the results of the tests before any proceeding in which the results of the tests are used as evidence. A person who obtains additional tests shall furnish a copy of the time, method, and results of any additional tests to the officer before any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in which the person attempts to use the results of the additional tests as evidence.

(T)   A person whose driver's license or permit is suspended under this section is not required to file proof of financial responsibility.

(U)   The department shall administer the provisions of this section, not including subsection (D), and shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out its provisions.

(V)   Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no suspension imposed pursuant to this section is counted as a demerit or result in any insurance penalty for automobile insurance purposes if at the time he was stopped, the person whose license is suspended had an alcohol concentration that was less than eight one-hundredths of one percent."

SECTION   3.   Section 56-1-748 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-1-748.   No person issued a restricted driver's license under the provisions of Section 56-1-170(B), Section 56-1-320(A), Section 56-1-740(B), Section 56-1-745(C), Section 56-1-746(D), Section 56-5-750(G), Section 56-9-430(B), Section 56-10-260(B), or Section 56-10-270(C), or Section 56-5-2951(H) shall subsequently be eligible for issuance of a special restricted driver's license under these provisions."

SECTION   4.   Section 56-5-2930 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 390 of 2000, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2930.   (A)   It is unlawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle within this State while:

(1)   under the influence of alcohol to the extent that the person's faculties to drive a motor vehicle are materially and appreciably impaired;,

(2)   under the influence of any other drug or a combination of other drugs or substances which cause impairment to the extent that the person's faculties to drive a motor vehicle are materially and appreciably impaired;, or

(3)   under the combined influence of alcohol and any other drug or drugs or substances which cause impairment to the extent that the person's faculties to drive a motor vehicle are materially and appreciably impaired. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of the offense of driving under the influence and, upon conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail must be punished as follows:

(1)   for a first offense, by a fine of four hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than forty-eight hours nor more than thirty days. However, in lieu of the forty-eight hour minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for forty-eight hours of public service employment. The minimum forty-eight hour imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment in lieu of the minimum sentence;

(2)   for a second offense, by a fine of not less than two thousand one hundred dollars nor more than five thousand one hundred dollars, and imprisonment for not less than five days nor more than one year. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars. If the person's alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than two years. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than three thousand five hundred dollars nor more than six thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than ninety days nor more than three years. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars;

(3)   for a third offense, by a fine of not less than three thousand eight hundred dollars nor more than six thousand three hundred dollars, and imprisonment for not less than sixty days nor more than three years. If the person's alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than five thousand dollars nor more than seven thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than ninety days nor more than four years. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than seven thousand five hundred dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars and imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than five years; or

(4)   for a fourth or subsequent offense, by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years. If the person's alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by imprisonment for not less than two years nor more than six years. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by imprisonment for not less than three years nor more than seven years.

(B)   No part of the minimum sentences provided in this section may be suspended. Instead of public service employment the court may invoke another sentence provided in this section. For a third or subsequent offense of this section, the service of the minimum sentence is mandatory. However, the judge may provide for the sentence to be served upon terms and conditions as he considers proper including, but not limited to, weekend service or nighttime service in any fashion he considers necessary.

(C)   The fine for a first offense must not be suspended. The court is prohibited from suspending a monetary fine below that of the next preceding minimum monetary fine.

(D)   For the purposes of this section a conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail for the violation of a law or ordinance of this or another state or a municipality of this or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or narcotics, including, but not limited to, this section, or prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle with an unlawful alcohol concentration, including but not limited to, Section 56-5-2933, constitutes a prior offense of this section. Only those violations which occurred within a period of ten years including and immediately preceding the date of the last violation constitute prior violations within the meaning of this section.

(E)   Upon imposition of a sentence of public service, the defendant may apply to the court to be allowed to perform his public service in his county of residence if he has been sentenced to public service in a county where he does not reside.

(F)   One hundred dollars of each fine imposed pursuant to this section must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Public Safety for the Highway Patrol.

(G)   Two hundred dollars of the fine imposed pursuant to subsection (A)(3) must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the State Law Enforcement Division to offset the costs of administration of the breath testing devices, breath testing site video program, and toxicology laboratory.

(H)   A person convicted of violating this section, whether for a first offense or subsequent offense, must enroll in and successfully complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program certified by the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. An assessment of the extent and nature of the alcohol and drug abuse problem of the applicant must be prepared and a plan of education or treatment, or both, must be developed for the applicant. The Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program shall determine if the applicant successfully has completed the services. The applicant must attend the first Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program available after the date of enrollment. The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services shall determine the cost of services provided by each certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. Each applicant shall bear the cost of services recommended in the applicant's plan of education or treatment. The cost may not exceed five hundred dollars for education services, two thousand dollars for treatment services, and two thousand five hundred dollars in total for all services. An applicant may not be denied services due to an inability to pay. Inability to pay for services may not be used as a factor in determining if the applicant has successfully completed services. An applicant who is unable to pay for services shall perform fifty hours of community service as arranged by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, which may use the completion of this community service as a factor in determining if the applicant successfully has completed services. The court must be notified whether an offender failed to enroll in a certified program within thirty days or failed to participate in the plan of education or treatment. The court may hold the individual in contempt of court if the individual cannot show cause as to why no enrollment occurred within the mandated thirty days or why no progress has been made on the plan of education or treatment.

(I)   A person charged for a violation of this section may be prosecuted pursuant to Section 56-5-2933 if the original testing of the person's breath or collection of other bodily fluids was performed within two hours of the time of arrest and reasonable suspicion existed to justify the traffic stop. A person may not be prosecuted for both a violation of this section and a violation of Section 56-5-2933 for the same incident. A person who violates the provisions of this section is entitled to a jury trial and is afforded the right to challenge certain factors including the following:

(1)   whether or not the person was lawfully arrested or detained;

(2)   the period of time between arrest and testing;

(3)   whether or not the person was given a written copy of and verbally informed of the rights enumerated in Section 56-5-2950;

(4)   whether the person consented to taking a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950, and whether the:

(a)   reported alcohol concentration at the time of testing was eight one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b)   individual who administered the test or took samples was qualified pursuant to Section 56-5-2950;

(c)   tests administered and samples obtained were conducted pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 56-5-2951(Q) and Section 56-5-2953(F); and

(d)   machine was working properly.

(J)   Nothing contained in this section prohibits the introduction of:

(1)   the results of any additional tests of the person's breath or other bodily fluids;

(2)   any evidence that may corroborate or question the validity of the breath or bodily fluid test result including, but not limited to:

(a)   evidence of field sobriety tests;

(b)   evidence of the amount of alcohol consumed by the person; and

(c)   evidence of the person's driving;

(3)   a video recording of the person's conduct at the incident site and breath testing site taken pursuant to Section 56-5-2953 which is subject to redaction under the South Carolina Rules of Evidence; or

(4)   any other evidence of the state of a person's faculties to drive a motor vehicle which would call into question the results of a breath or bodily fluid test.

At trial, a person charged with a violation of this section is allowed to present evidence relating to the factors enumerated above and the totality of the evidence produced at trial may be used by the jury to determine guilt or innocence. A person charged with a violation of this section must be given notice of intent to prosecute under the provisions of this section at least thirty calendar days before his trial date.

(K)   For the purpose of this section, any offense carrying a penalty of imprisonment of ninety days or less may be tried in magistrate's court.

(L)   In cases in which enhanced penalties for higher levels of alcohol concentration may be applicable, upon the determination of guilt, the finder of fact shall determine the alcohol concentration and the judge shall apply the appropriate penalty. In cases involving jury trials, upon the return of a guilty verdict by the jury, the judge shall instruct the jury to make a finding of fact as to the following: 'We the jury find the alcohol concentration of the defendant to be (1) at least eight one-hundredths of one percent but less than ten one-hundredths of one percent; (2) at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent; or (3) sixteen one hundredths of one percent or more.' Based on the jury's finding of fact, the judge shall apply the appropriate penalty. If the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict as to the finding of fact, then the judge shall sentence the defendant based on the non-enhanced penalties."

SECTION   5.   Section 56-5-2933 of the 1976 Code is further amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2933.   (A)   It is unlawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle within this State while his alcohol concentration is eight one-hundredths of one percent or more. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of the offense of Driving With An Unlawful Alcohol Concentration driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration and, upon conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail must be punished as follows:

(1)   for a first offense, by a fine of four hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than forty-eight hours nor more than thirty days. However, in lieu of the forty-eight hour minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for forty-eight hours of public service employment. The minimum forty-eight hour imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions as the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment in lieu of the minimum sentence;

(2)   for a second offense, by a fine of not less than two thousand one hundred dollars nor more than five thousand one hundred dollars, and imprisonment for not less than five days nor more than one year. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars. If the person's alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than two years. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than three thousand five hundred dollars nor more than six thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than ninety days nor more than three years. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars;

(3)   for a third offense, by a fine of not less than three thousand eight hundred dollars nor more than six thousand three hundred dollars, and imprisonment for not less than sixty days nor more than three years. If the person's alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than five thousand dollars nor more than seven thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than ninety days nor more than four years. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than seven thousand five hundred dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars and imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than five years; or

(4)   for a fourth or subsequent offense, by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years. If the person's alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by imprisonment for not less than two years nor more than six years. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by imprisonment for not less than three years nor more than seven years.

(B)   No part of the minimum sentences provided in this section may be suspended. Instead of public service employment the court may invoke another sentence provided in this section. For a third or subsequent offense of this section, the service of the minimum sentence is mandatory. However, the judge may provide for the sentence to be served upon terms and conditions as he considers proper including, but not limited to, weekend service or nighttime service in any fashion he considers necessary.

(C)   The fine for a first offense must not be suspended. The court is prohibited from suspending a monetary fine below that of the next preceding minimum monetary fine.

(D)   For the purposes of this chapter a conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail for the violation of a law or ordinance of this or another state or a municipality of this or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or narcotics, including, but not limited to, Section 56-5-2930, or prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle with an unlawful alcohol concentration, including but not limited to, this section, constitutes a prior offense of this section. Only those violations which occurred within a period of ten years including and immediately preceding the date of the last violation constitute prior violations within the meaning of this section.

(E)   Upon imposition of a sentence of public service, the defendant may apply to the court to be allowed to perform his public service in his county of residence if he has been sentenced to public service in a county where he does not reside.

(F)   One hundred dollars of each fine imposed pursuant to this section must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Public Safety for the Highway Patrol.

(G)   Two hundred dollars of the fine imposed pursuant to subsections (A)(3) must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the State Law Enforcement Division to offset the costs of administration of the breath testing devices, breath testing site video program, and toxicology laboratory.

(H)   A person convicted of violating this section, whether for a first offense or subsequent offense, must enroll in and successfully complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program certified by the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. An assessment of the extent and nature of the alcohol and drug abuse problem of the applicant must be prepared and a plan of education or treatment, or both, must be developed for the applicant. The Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program shall determine if the applicant successfully has completed the services. The applicant must attend the first Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program available after the date of enrollment. The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services shall determine the cost of services provided by each certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. Each applicant shall bear the cost of services recommended in the applicant's plan of education or treatment. The cost may not exceed five hundred dollars for education services, two thousand dollars for treatment services, and two thousand five hundred dollars in total for all services. An applicant may not be denied services due to an inability to pay. Inability to pay for services may not be used as a factor in determining if the applicant successfully has completed services. An applicant who is unable to pay for services shall perform fifty hours of community service as arranged by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, which may use the completion of this community service as a factor in determining if the applicant successfully has completed services. The court must be notified whether an offender failed to enroll in a certified program within thirty days or failed to participate in the plan of education or treatment. The court may hold the individual in contempt of court if the individual cannot show cause as to why no enrollment occurred within the mandated thirty days or why no progress has been made on the plan of education or treatment.

(I)   A person charged for a violation of Section 56-5-2930 but may be prosecuted pursuant to this section if the original testing of the person's breath or collection of other bodily fluids was performed within two hours of the time of arrest and articulable reasonable suspicion existed to justify the traffic stop. This section does not apply to cases arising out of a stop at a traffic roadblock or driver's license checkpoint. A person shall not may not be prosecuted for both a violation of Section 56-5-2930 and a violation of this section for the same incident. A person who violates the provisions of this section is entitled to a jury trial and is afforded the right to challenge certain factors including, but not limited to, the following:

(1)   whether or not the person was lawfully arrested or detained;

(2)   whether or not articulable suspicion existed to justify the stop;

(3)(2)   the period of time between arrest and testing;

(4)(3)   whether or not the person was advised in writing given a written copy of and verbally informed of the rights enumerated in Section 56-5-2950;

(5)(4)   whether the person consented to taking a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950, and whether the:

(a)   reported alcohol concentration at the time of testing was eight one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b)   individual who administered the test or took samples was qualified pursuant to Section 56-5-2950;

(c)   tests administered and samples obtained were conducted pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 56-5-2951(Q) and Section 56-5-2953(F); and

(d)   machine was working properly.

(J)   Nothing contained in this section prohibits the introduction of:

(1)   the results of any additional tests of the person's breath or other bodily fluids;

(2)   any evidence that may corroborate or question the validity of the breath or bodily fluid test result including, but not limited to:

(a)   evidence of field sobriety tests;

(b)   evidence of the amount of alcohol consumed by the person; and

(c)   evidence of the person's driving;

(3)   a videotape video recording of the person's conduct at the incident site and breath testing site taken pursuant to Section 56-5-2953 which is subject to redaction under the South Carolina Rules of Evidence; or

(4)   any other evidence of the state of a person's faculties to drive which would call into question the results of a breath or bodily fluid test.

At trial, a person charged with a violation of this section is entitled to a jury instruction stating that allowed to present evidence relating to the factors enumerated above and the totality of the evidence produced at trial may be used by the jury to determine guilt or innocence. A person charged with a violation of this section must be given notice of intent to prosecute under the provisions of this section at least fourteen thirty calendar days before his trial date.

(K)   For the purpose of this section, any offense carrying a penalty of imprisonment of ninety days or less may be tried in magistrate's court.

(L)   In cases in which enhanced penalties for higher levels of alcohol concentration may be applicable, upon the determination of guilt, the finder of fact shall determine the alcohol concentration and the judge shall apply the appropriate penalty. In cases involving jury trials, upon the return of a guilty verdict by the jury, the judge shall instruct the jury to make a finding of fact as to the following: 'We the jury find the alcohol concentration of the defendant to be (1) at least eight one-hundredths of one percent but less than ten one-hundredths of one percent; (2) at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent; or (3) sixteen one hundredths of one percent or more.' Based on the jury's finding of fact, the judge shall apply the appropriate penalty. If the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict as to the finding of fact, then the judge shall sentence the defendant based on the non-enhanced penalties."

SECTION   6.   Section 56-5-2934 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2934.   Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person charged with a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 who is being tried in any court of competent jurisdiction in this State has the right to compulsory process for obtaining witnesses, documents, or both, including, but not limited to, state employees charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing pursuant to this article. This process may be issued under the official signature of the magistrate, judge, clerk, or other officer of the court of competent jurisdiction. The portion of compulsory process provided for in this section that requires the attendance, at any administrative hearing or court proceeding, of state employees charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing pursuant to this article, takes effect once the compulsory process program at the State Law Enforcement Division is specifically, fully, and adequately funded. The State Law Enforcement Division is only required to provide documents pursuant to this section that are within the State Law Enforcement Division's possession.

In addition, at the time of arrest for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, the arresting officer, in addition to other notice requirements, must inform the defendant of his right to all hearings provided by law to include those if a breath test is refused or taken with a result that would require license suspension. The arresting officer, if the defendant wishes to avail himself of any such hearings, depending on the choices made or the breath test results obtained, must provide the defendant with the appropriate form to request the hearing or hearings. The defendant must acknowledge receipt of the notice requirements and receipt of the hearing form if such a hearing or hearings are desired."

SECTION   7.   Section 56-5-2942 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2942.   (A)   A person who is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 must have all motor vehicles owned by or registered to him immobilized if the person is a resident of this State, unless the vehicle has been confiscated pursuant to Section 56-5-6240.

(B)   For purposes of this section, 'immobilized' and 'immobilization' mean suspension and surrender of the registration and motor vehicle license plate.

(C)   Upon sentencing receipt of a conviction by the department from the court for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, the court department must ascertain the registration numbers or other information to determine the identity of the vehicles to be immobilized. The court must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of a person's conviction for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 and the identity of the vehicles to be immobilized determine all vehicles registered to the convicted person, both solely and jointly, and suspend all vehicles registered to the person.

(D)   Upon notification by a court in this State or by any other state of a conviction for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, the department must require the person convicted to surrender all license plates and vehicle registrations subject to immobilization pursuant to this section. The immobilization is for a period of thirty days to take place during the driver's license suspension pursuant to a conviction for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945. The department must maintain a record of all vehicles immobilized pursuant to this section.

(E)   An immobilized motor vehicle must be released to the holder of a bona fide lien on the motor vehicle when possession of the motor vehicle is requested, as provided by law, by the lienholder for the purpose of foreclosing on and satisfying the lien.

(F)   An immobilized motor vehicle may be released by the department without legal or physical restraints to a person who has not been convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, if that person is a registered owner of the motor vehicle or a member of the household of a registered owner. The vehicle must be released if an affidavit is submitted by that person to the department stating that:

(1)   he regularly drives the motor vehicle subject to immobilization;

(2)   the immobilized motor vehicle is necessary to his employment, transportation to an educational facility, or for the performance of essential household duties;

(3)   no other motor vehicle is available for the use of the person person's use;

(4)   the person will not authorize the use of the motor vehicle by any other person known by him to have been convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945; or

(5)   the person will report immediately to a local law enforcement agency any unauthorized use of the motor vehicle by a person known by him to have been convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945.

(G)   The department may conduct a hearing and receive testimony regarding the veracity of an affidavit submitted pursuant to subsection (F) or issue an agency decision to permit or deny the release of the vehicle based on the affidavit. A person may seek relief pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act from an agency action immobilizing a motor vehicle or denying the release of the motor vehicle.

(H)   A person who operates drives an immobilized motor vehicle except as provided in subsections (E) and (F) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.

(I)   A person who falsifies a report concerning vehicles owned by or registered to that person, or who fails to surrender registrations and license plates pursuant to this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.

(J)   The court must assess a fee of forty A fee of fifty dollars for each motor vehicle owned by or registered to the person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 must be paid to the department for each motor vehicle that was suspended before any of the suspended registrations and license plates may be registered or before the motor vehicle may be released pursuant to subsection (F). This fee must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted interest bearing account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the its expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(K)   For purposes of this article, a conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to Section 56-5-2933 is considered a prior offense of Section 56-5-2930."

SECTION   8.   Section 56-5-2945(A) and (B) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A)   A person who, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or the combination of alcohol and drugs, drives a motor vehicle and when driving a motor vehicle does any act forbidden by law or neglects any duty imposed by law in the driving of the motor vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes great bodily injury or death to a person other than himself, is guilty of a felony the offense of felony driving under the influence and upon conviction must be punished:

(1)   by a mandatory fine of not less than five thousand one hundred dollars nor more than ten thousand one hundred dollars and mandatory imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than fifteen years when great bodily injury results;

(2)   by a mandatory fine of not less than ten thousand one hundred dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand one hundred dollars and mandatory imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than twenty-five years when death results.

A part of the mandatory sentences required to be imposed by this section must not be suspended, and probation must not be granted for any portion.

(B)   As used in this section, 'great bodily injury' means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

The Department of Motor Vehicles must suspend the driver's license of a person who is convicted or who receives sentence upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere pursuant to this section for a period to include a term period of imprisonment incarceration plus three years for a conviction of Section 56-5-2945 when 'great bodily injury' occurs and five years when a death occurs. This period of incarceration shall not include any portion of a suspended sentence such as probation, parole, or supervised furlough community supervision. For suspension purposes of this section, convictions arising out of a single incident shall run concurrently."

SECTION   9.   Section 56-5-2950 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2950.   (a)(A)   A person who drives a motor vehicle in this State is considered to have given consent to chemical tests of his breath, blood, or urine for the purpose of determining the presence of alcohol or drugs or the combination of alcohol and drugs if arrested for an offense arising out of acts alleged to have been committed while the person was driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs. A breath test must be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer who has arrested a person for driving a motor vehicle in this State while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs. At the direction of the arresting officer, the person first must be offered a breath test to determine the person's alcohol concentration. If the person is physically unable to provide an acceptable breath sample because he has an injured mouth, is unconscious or dead, or for any other reason considered acceptable by the licensed medical personnel, the arresting officer may request a blood sample to be taken. If the officer has reasonable grounds to believe suspicion that the person is under the influence of drugs other than alcohol, or is under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs, the officer may order that a urine sample be taken for testing. A breath sample taken for testing must be collected within two hours of the arrest. Any additional tests to collect other samples must be collected within three hours of the arrest. If the alcohol concentration is eight one-hundredths of one percent or above, the officer may not require additional tests of the person as provided in this chapter. The breath test must be administered by a person trained and certified by the Department of Public Safety South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, pursuant to SLED policies. The arresting officer may administer the tests if the person's conduct during the twenty-minute pre-test waiting period is videotaped pursuant to Section 56-5-2953(A)(2)(d). Before the breath test is administered, an eight one- hundredths of one percent simulator test must be performed and the result must reflect a reading between 0.076 percent and 0.084 percent. Blood and urine samples must be obtained by physicians licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners, registered nurses licensed by the State Board of Nursing, and other medical personnel trained to obtain the samples in a licensed medical facility. Blood and urine samples must be obtained and handled in accordance with procedures approved by SLED.

(B)   No tests may be administered or samples obtained unless, upon activation of the video recording equipment and prior to the commencement of the testing procedure, the person has been given a written copy of and verbally informed in writing that:

(1)   he does not have to take the test or give the samples, but that his privilege to drive must be suspended or denied for at least ninety days three months if he refuses to submit to the tests and that his refusal may be used against him in court;

(2)   his privilege to drive must be suspended for at least thirty days one month if he takes the tests or gives the samples and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(3)   he has the right to have a qualified person of his own choosing conduct additional independent tests at his expense;

(4)   he has the right to request an administrative hearing within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension; and

(5)   if he does not request an administrative hearing or if his suspension is upheld at the administrative hearing, he must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program.

(C)   A hospital, physician, qualified technician, chemist, or registered nurse who obtains the samples or conducts the test or participates in the process of obtaining the samples or conducting the test in accordance with this section is not subject to a cause of action for assault, battery, or another cause alleging that the drawing of blood or taking samples at the request of the arrested person or a law enforcement officer was wrongful. This release from liability does not reduce the standard of medical care required of the person obtaining the samples or conducting the test. This qualified release also applies to the employer of the person who conducts the test or obtains the samples.

(D)   The person tested or giving samples for testing may have a qualified person of his own choosing conduct additional tests at his expense and must be notified in writing of that right. A person's request or failure to request additional blood or urine tests is not admissible against the person in the criminal trial. The failure or inability of the person tested to obtain additional tests does not preclude the admission of evidence relating to the tests or samples obtained at the direction of the law enforcement officer.

(E)   The arresting officer must provide affirmative assistance to the person to contact a qualified person to conduct and obtain additional tests. Affirmative assistance, at a minimum, includes providing transportation for the person to the nearest medical facility which provides performs blood tests to determine a person's alcohol concentration. If the medical facility obtains the blood sample but refuses or fails to test the blood sample to determine the person's alcohol concentration, SLED must test the blood sample and provide the result to the person and to the arresting officer. Failure to provide affirmative assistance upon request to obtain additional tests bars the admissibility of the breath test result in any judicial or administrative proceeding.

SLED must administer the provisions of this subsection and must make regulations necessary to carry out its provisions. The costs of the tests administered at the direction of the law enforcement officer must be paid from the general fund of the State. However, if the person is subsequently convicted of violating Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, then, upon conviction, the person must pay twenty-five dollars for the costs of the tests. The twenty-five dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the State Law Enforcement Division to offset the costs of administration of the breath testing devices, breath testing site video program, and toxicology laboratory.

(F)   A qualified person who obtains samples or administers the tests or assists in obtaining samples or the administration of tests at the direction of a law enforcement officer is released from civil and criminal liability unless the obtaining of samples or tests is performed in a negligent, reckless, or fraudulent manner. No person may be required by the arresting officer, or by another law enforcement officer, to obtain or take any sample of blood or urine.

(b)(G)   In the criminal prosecution for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 relating to driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs, the alcohol concentration at the time of the test, as shown by chemical analysis of the person's breath or other body fluids, gives rise to the following:

(1)   If if the alcohol concentration was at that time five one-hundredths of one percent or less, it is conclusively presumed that the person was not under the influence of alcohol.;

(2)   If if the alcohol concentration was at that time in excess of five one-hundredths of one percent but less than eight one-hundredths of one percent, this fact does not give rise to any inference that the person was or was not under the influence of alcohol, but this fact may be considered with other evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the person.; or

(3)   If if the alcohol concentration was at that time eight one-hundredths of one percent or more, it may be inferred that the person was under the influence of alcohol.

(4)   If the alcohol concentration was at that time eight one-hundredths of one percent or more and the original testing of the person's breath or collection of other bodily fluids was performed within two hours of the time of arrest, the person has violated Section 56-5-2933.

The provisions of this section must not be construed as limiting the introduction of any other evidence bearing upon the question of whether or not the person was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of them.

(c)(H)   A person who is unconscious or otherwise in a condition rendering him incapable of refusal is considered to be informed and not to have withdrawn the consent provided by subsection (a) (A) of this section.

(d)(I)   A person required to submit to tests by the arresting law enforcement officer must be provided with a written report including the time of arrest, the time of the tests, and the results of the tests before any trial or other proceeding in which the results of the tests are used as evidence. A person who obtains additional tests must furnish a copy of the time, method, and results of any test to the officer before any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in which the person attempts to use the results of the additional tests as evidence.

(e)(J)   Policies, procedures, and regulations promulgated by SLED may be reviewed by the trial judge or hearing officer on motion of either party. The failure to follow any of these policies, procedures, and regulations, or the provisions of this section, shall result in the exclusion from evidence of any tests results, if the trial judge or hearing officer finds that such this failure materially affected the accuracy or reliability of the tests results or the fairness of the testing procedure and the court rules specifically as to the manner in which the failure materially affected the accuracy or reliability of the test results or the fairness of the procedure.

(f)(K)   If a state employee charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing policy is required to testify at an administrative hearing or court proceeding, the entity employing the witness may charge a reasonable fee to the defendant for these services."

SECTION   10.   Section 56-5-2951 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 381 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2951.   (A)   The Department of Motor Vehicles must suspend the driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege of or deny the issuance of a license or permit to a person who drives a motor vehicle and refuses to submit to a test provided for in Section 56-5-2950 or has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more. The arresting officer must issue a notice of suspension which is effective beginning on the date of the alleged violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945.

(B)   Within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension, the person may:

(1)   obtain a temporary alcohol restricted license by filing with the Department of Motor Vehicles a form for this purpose. A one hundred-dollar fee must be assessed for obtaining a temporary alcohol restricted license. Twenty-five dollars of the fee must be retained by the Department of Public Safety for supplying and maintaining all necessary vehicle videotaping equipment. The remaining seventy-five dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the its expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles. The temporary alcohol restricted license allows the person to drive without any restrictive conditions pending the outcome of the administrative hearing provided for in subsection (F) or the final decision or disposition of the matter. If the suspension is upheld at the administrative hearing, the temporary alcohol restricted license remains in effect until the Department of Motor Vehicles issues the hearing officer's decision and sends notice to the person that he is eligible to receive a special restricted license pursuant to subsection (H); and

(2)   request an administrative hearing.

At the administrative hearing if:

(a)   the suspension is upheld, the person's driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege must be suspended or the person must be denied the issuance of a license or permit for the remainder of the suspension period provided for in subsection (I). Within thirty days of the issuance of the notice that the suspension has been upheld, the person must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990;

(b)   the suspension is overturned, the person must have his driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege reinstated.

The provisions of this subsection do not affect the trial for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945.

(C)   The period of suspension provided for in subsection (I) begins on the day the notice of suspension is issued, or at the expiration of any other suspensions, and continues until the person applies for a temporary alcohol restricted license and requests an administrative hearing.

(D)   If a person does not request an administrative hearing, he waives his right to the hearing, and his suspension must not be stayed but continues for the period provided for in subsection (I).

(E)   The notice of suspension must advise the person of his right to obtain a temporary alcohol restricted driver's license and to request an administrative hearing. The notice of suspension also must advise the person that, if he does not request an administrative hearing within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension, he waives his right to the administrative hearing, and the suspension continues for the period provided for in subsection (I). The notice of suspension must also advise the person that if the suspension is upheld at the administrative hearing or if he does not request an administrative hearing, he must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program.

(F)   An administrative hearing must be held within thirty days after the request for the hearing is received by the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings. If the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings does not hold the hearing within thirty days, the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings must issue a written order within thirty days, stating the reasons why the hearing was not held within thirty days, and providing a schedule date for the hearing. If the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings does not issue a written order within thirty days or fails within thirty days to notify the person of a hearing date, the person must have his driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege reinstated. The scope of the hearing is limited to whether the person:

(1)   was lawfully arrested or detained;

(2)   was advised in writing given a written copy of and verbally informed of the rights enumerated in Section 56-5-2950;

(3)   refused to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950; or

(4)   consented to taking a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950, and the:

(a)   reported alcohol concentration at the time of testing was fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b)   individual who administered the test or took samples was qualified pursuant to Section 56-5-2950;

(c)   tests administered and samples obtained were conducted pursuant to Section 56-5-2950; and

(d)   the machine was working properly.

Nothing in this section prohibits the introduction of evidence at the administrative hearing on the issue of the accuracy of the breath test result.

A written order must be issued to all parties either reversing or upholding the suspension of the person's license, permit, or nonresident's operating privilege, or denying the issuance of a license or permit within thirty days after the conclusion of the administrative hearing. If the suspension is upheld, the person must receive credit for the number of days his license was suspended before he received a temporary alcohol restricted license and requested the administrative hearing.

(G)   An administrative hearing is a contested case proceeding under the Administrative Procedures Act, and a person has a right to appeal the decision of the hearing officer pursuant to that act to the Administrative Law Court in accordance with its appellate rules. The filing of an appeal stays the suspension until a final decision is issued on appeal.

(H)(1)   If the suspension is upheld at the administrative hearing, the person must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 and may apply for a special restricted driver's license if he is employed or enrolled in a college or university. The special restricted license permits him to drive only to and from work and his place of education and in the course of his employment or education during the period of suspension. The special restricted license also permits him to drive to and from the Alcohol Drug Safety Action Program classes or to a court-ordered drug program. The department may issue the special restricted driver's license only upon showing by the individual that he is employed or enrolled in a college or university, that he lives further than one mile from his place of employment, place of education, or location of his Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, or the location of his court-ordered drug program, and that there is no adequate public transportation between his residence and his place of employment, his place of education, the location of his Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, or the location of his court-ordered drug program.

(2)   If the department issues a special restricted driver's license, it must designate reasonable restrictions on the times during which and routes on which the individual may operate drive a motor vehicle. A change in the employment hours, place of employment, status as a student, status of attendance of Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, status of attendance of his court-ordered drug program, or residence must be reported immediately to the department by the licensee.

(3)   The fee for a special restricted driver's license is one hundred dollars, but no additional fee may be charged because of changes in the place and hours of employment, education, or residence. Twenty dollars of this fee must be deposited in the state general fund, and eighty dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(4)   The operation of Driving a motor vehicle outside the time limits and route imposed by a special restricted license by the person issued that license is a violation of Section 56-1-460.     /

(I)(1)   The period of a driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege suspension for, or denial of issuance of a license or permit to, an arrested person who has no previous convictions for violating Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, or any other law of this State or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other drug within the ten years preceding a violation of this section, and who has had no previous suspension imposed pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or 56-5-2951 within the ten years preceding a violation of this section is (a) ninety days three months for a person who refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950; or (b) thirty days one month for a person who takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more.

(2)   The period of a driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege suspension for, or denial of issuance of a license or permit to, an arrested person who has been convicted previously for violating Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, or any other law of this State or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other drug within the ten years preceding a violation of this section, or who has had a previous suspension imposed pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or 56-5-2951 within the ten years preceding a violation of this section is:

(a)   for a second offense, one hundred eighty days six months if he refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or sixty days two months if he takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b)   for a third offense, nine months if he refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or three months if he takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more; and

(c)   for a fourth or subsequent offense, one year if he refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or four months if he takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more.

(J)   A person's driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege must be restored when the person's period of suspension under subsection (I) has concluded, even if the person has not yet completed the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program in which he is enrolled. After the person's driving privilege is restored, he must continue the services of the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program in which he is enrolled. If the person withdraws from or in any way stops making satisfactory progress toward the completion of the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, the person's license must be suspended until the completion of the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. A person must be attending or have completed an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 before his driving privilege can be restored at the conclusion of the suspension period.

(K)   When a nonresident's privilege to drive a motor vehicle in this State has been suspended under the provisions of this section, the department must give written notice of the action taken to the motor vehicle administrator of the state of the person's residence and of any state in which he has a license or permit.

(L)   The department must not suspend the privilege to drive of a person under the age of twenty-one pursuant to Section 56-1-286 if the person's privilege to drive has been suspended under this section arising from the same incident.

(M)   A person whose driver's license or permit is suspended pursuant to this section is not required to file proof of financial responsibility.

(N)   An insurer may not increase premiums on, or add surcharges to, or cancel the automobile insurance of a person charged with a violation of Section 56-1-286, 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, or any other another law of this State or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other drug unless he is convicted of the violation.

(O)   The department must administer the provisions of this section and must promulgate regulations necessary to carry out its provisions.

(P)   If a person does not request an administrative hearing within the thirty-day period as authorized pursuant to this section, the person may file with the department a form after enrolling in an approved a certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program to apply for a special restricted driver's license. The special restricted license permits him to drive only to and from work and his place of education and in the course of his employment or education during the period of suspension. The special restricted license also permits him to drive to and from Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes or a court-ordered drug program. The department may issue the special restricted driver's license at any time following the suspension upon a showing by the individual that he is employed or enrolled in a college or university, that he lives further than one mile from his place of employment, place of education, the location of his Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, or the location of his court-ordered drug program, and that there is no adequate public transportation between his residence and his place of employment, his place of education, the location of his Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, or the location of his court-ordered drug program. The department must designate reasonable restrictions on the times during which and routes on which the individual may operate drive a motor vehicle. A change in the employment hours, place of employment, status as a student, status of attendance of Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, status of his court-ordered drug program, or residence must be reported immediately to the department by the licensee. The route restrictions, requirements, and fees imposed by the department for the issuance of the special restricted driver's license issued pursuant to this item are the same as those provided in this section had the person requested an administrative hearing. A special restricted driver's license is valid until the person successfully completes an approved a certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, unless the person fails to complete or make satisfactory progress to complete the program."

SECTION   11.   Section 56-5-2953 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2953.   (A)   A person who violates Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 must have his conduct at the incident site and the breath test site videotaped video recorded.

(1)   The videotaping video recording at the incident site must:

(a)   not begin not later than the activation of the officer's blue lights; and conclude after the arrest of the person for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or a probable cause determination that the person violated Section 56-5-2945; and

(b)   include the officer advising the person that he is not under arrest, that the person is not required to perform the field sobriety tests, and that the person is being investigated for a possible driving under the influence offense and driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration offense;

(b)(c)   include the person being advised of his Miranda rights before any field sobriety tests are administered, if the tests are administered.; and

(c)(d)   include the arrest of a person for a violation of Section 56-5-2930 or Section 56-5-2933, or a probable cause determination in that the person violated Section 56-5-2945, and show the person being advised of his Miranda rights.

(2)   The videotaping video recording at the breath test site must:

(a)   must be completed within three hours of the person's arrest for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 or a probable cause determination that the person violated Section 56-5-2945, unless compliance is not possible because the person needs emergency medical treatment considered necessary by licensed medical personnel;

(b)   must include the reading of Miranda rights, the entire breath test procedure, the person being informed that he is being videotaped video recorded, and that he has the right to refuse the test;

(c)(b)   must include the person taking or refusing the breath test and the actions of the breath test operator while conducting the test; and

(d)(c)   must also include the person's conduct during the required twenty-minute pre-test waiting period, unless the officer submits a sworn affidavit certifying that it was physically impossible to videotape video record this waiting period. However, if the arresting officer administers the breath test, the person's conduct during the twenty-minute pre-test waiting period must be videotaped.

(3)   The videotapes video recordings of the incident site and of the breath test site are admissible pursuant to the South Carolina Rules of Evidence in a criminal, administrative, or civil proceeding by any party to the action.

(B)   Nothing in this section may be construed as prohibiting the introduction of other relevant evidence in the trial of a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945. Failure by the arresting officer to produce the videotapes video recording required by this section is not alone a ground for dismissal of any charge made pursuant to Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 if the arresting officer submits a sworn affidavit certifying that the videotape video recording equipment at the time of the arrest, or probable cause determination, or video equipment at the breath test device facility was in an inoperable condition, stating which reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the equipment in an operable condition, and certifying that there was no other operable breath test facility available in the county or, in the alternative, submits a sworn affidavit certifying that it was physically impossible to produce the videotape video recording because the person needed emergency medical treatment, or exigent circumstances existed. Further, in In circumstances including, but not limited to, road blocks, traffic accident investigations, and citizens' arrests, where an arrest has been made and the videotaping video recording equipment has not been activated by blue lights, the failure by the arresting officer to produce the videotapes video recordings required by this section is not alone a ground for dismissal. However, as soon as videotaping video recording is practicable in these circumstances, videotaping video recording must begin and conform with the provisions of this section. Nothing in this section prohibits the court from considering any other valid reason for the failure to produce the videotape video recording based upon the totality of the circumstances; nor do the provisions of this section prohibit the person from offering evidence relating to the arresting law enforcement officer's failure to produce the videotape video recording.

(C)   A videotape video recording must not be disposed of in any manner except for its transfer to a master tape recording for consolidation purposes until the results of any legal proceeding in which it may be involved are finally determined.

(D)   SLED is responsible for purchasing, maintaining, and supplying all necessary videotaping video recording equipment for use at the breath test sites. SLED also is responsible for monitoring all breath test sites to ensure the proper maintenance of videotaping video recording equipment. The Department of Public Safety is responsible for purchasing, maintaining, and supplying all videotaping equipment for use in all law enforcement vehicles used for traffic enforcement. The Department of Public Safety also is responsible for monitoring all law enforcement vehicles used for traffic enforcement to ensure proper maintenance of videotaping video recording equipment.

(E)   Beginning one month from the effective date of this act section, all of the funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) must be expended by SLED to equip all breath test sites with videotaping video recording devices and supplies. Once all breath test sites have been equipped fully with videotaping video recording devices and supplies, eighty-seven and one-half percent of the funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) must be expended by the Department of Public Safety to purchase, maintain, and supply videotaping video recording equipment for vehicles used for traffic enforcement. The remaining twelve and one-half percent of the funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) must be expended by SLED to purchase, maintain, and supply videotaping video recording equipment for the breath test sites. Funds must be distributed by the State Treasurer to the Department of Public Safety and SLED on a monthly basis. The Department of Public Safety and SLED are authorized to carry forward any unexpended funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) as of June thirtieth of each year and to expend these carried forward funds for the purchase, maintenance, and supply of videotaping video recording equipment. The Department of Public Safety and SLED must report the revenue received under this section and the expenditures for which the revenue was used as required in the department's and SLED's annual appropriation request to the General Assembly.

(F)   The Department of Public Safety and SLED must promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

(G)   The provisions contained in Section 56-5-2953(A), (B), and (C) take effect for each law enforcement vehicle used for traffic enforcement once the law enforcement vehicle is equipped with a videotaping video recording device. The provisions contained in Section 56-5-2953(A), (B), and (C) take effect for a breath test site once the breath test site is equipped with a videotaping video recording device."

SECTION   12.   Section 56-5-2954 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2954.   The State Law Enforcement Division and each law enforcement agency with a breath testing site is required to maintain a detailed record of malfunctions, repairs, complaints, or other problems regarding breath testing devices at each site. These records must be electronically recorded. These records, including any and all remarks, must be entered into a breath testing device and subsequently made available on the State Law Enforcement Division website. The records required by this section are subject to compulsory process issued by any court of competent jurisdiction in this State and are public records under the Freedom of Information Act."

SECTION   13.   Section 1-23-600 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 387 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 1-23-600.   (A)   A full and complete record must be kept of all contested cases and regulation hearings before an administrative law judge. All testimony must be reported, but need not be transcribed unless a transcript is requested by any party. The party requesting a transcript is responsible for the costs involved. Proceedings before administrative law judges are open to the public unless confidentiality is allowed or required by law. The presiding administrative law judge must render the decision in a written order. The decisions or orders of administrative law judges are not required to be published but are available for public inspection unless confidentiality is allowed or required by law.

(B)   An administrative law judge shall preside over all hearings of contested cases as defined in Section 1-23-310 or Article I, Section 22, Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, involving the departments of the executive branch of government as defined in Section 1-30-10 in which a single hearing officer, or an administrative law judge, is authorized or permitted by law or regulation to hear and decide these cases, except those arising under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, those matters arising under the Consolidated Procurement Code, those matters heard by the Public Service Commission, the Employment Security Commission, the Workers' Compensation Commission, or other cases or hearings which are prescribed for or mandated by federal law or regulation, unless otherwise by statute or regulation specifically assigned to the jurisdiction of the Administrative Law Court. Unless otherwise provided by statute, the standard of proof in a contested case is by a preponderance of the evidence.

(C)   All requests for a hearing before the Administrative Law Court must be filed in accordance with the court's rules of procedure. Any party that files a request for a hearing with the Administrative Law Court must simultaneously serve a copy of the request on the affected agency. Upon the filing of the request, the chief judge shall assign an administrative law judge to the case.

(D)   An administrative law judge also shall preside over all appeals from final decisions of contested cases pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, Article I, Section 22, Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, or another law, except that an appeal from a final order of the Public Service Commission and the State Ethics Commission is to the Supreme Court or the court of appeals as provided in the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules, an appeal from the Procurement Review Panel is to the circuit court as provided in Section 11-35-4410, an appeal from the Workers' Compensation Commission is to the circuit court as provided in Section 42-17-60, and an appeal from the Employment Security Commission is to the circuit court as provided in Section 41-35-750.

(E)   Notwithstanding another provision of law, a state agency authorized by law to seek injunctive relief may apply to the Administrative Law Court for injunctive or equitable relief pursuant to Section 1-23-630. The provisions of this section do not affect the authority of an agency to apply for injunctive relief as part of a civil action filed in the court of common pleas.

(F)   Notwithstanding another provision of law, the Administrative Law Court has jurisdiction to review and enforce an administrative process issued by a department of the executive branch of government, as defined in Section 1-30-10, such as a subpoena, administrative search warrant, cease and desist order, or other similar administrative order or process. A department of the executive branch of government authorized by law to seek an administrative process may apply to the chief administrative law judge or his designee to issue or enforce an administrative process. A party aggrieved by an administrative process issued by a department of the executive branch of government may apply to the chief administrative law judge for relief from the process as provided in the Rules of the Administrative Law Court.

(G)(1)   This subsection applies to timely requests for a contested case hearing pursuant to this section of decisions by departments governed by a board or commission authorized to exercise the sovereignty of the State.

(2)   A request for a contested case hearing for an agency order stays the order. A request for a contested case hearing for an order to revoke or suspend a license stays the revocation or suspension. A request for a contested case hearing for a decision to renew a license for an ongoing activity stays the renewed license, the previous license remaining in effect pending completion of administrative review. A request for a contested case hearing for a decision to issue a new license stays all actions for which the license is a prerequisite; matters not affected by the request may not be stayed by the filing of the request. Requests for contested case hearings challenging only the amount of fines or penalties must be deemed not to affect those portions of orders imposing substantive requirements.

(3)   The general rule of subsection (G)(2) does not stay emergency actions taken by an agency pursuant to an applicable statute or regulation.

(4)   After a contested case is initiated before the Administrative Law Court, any party may move before the presiding administrative law judge to lift the stay imposed pursuant to this subsection.

(5)   A final decision issued by the Administrative Law Court in a contested case may not be stayed except by order of the Administrative Law Court, the court of appeals, or in cases when Section 1-23-610(A) applies, the appropriate board or commission.

(6)   Nothing contained in this subsection constitutes a limitation on the authority of the Administrative Law Court to impose a stay as otherwise provided by statute or by rule of court.

(H)   If a petition for judicial review of a final order of the Administrative Law Court is not filed appealed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1-23-600, upon request of a party to the proceedings, the clerk of the Administrative Law Court must file a certified copy of the final order with a clerk of the circuit court, as requested, or court of competent jurisdiction, as requested. After filing, the certified order has the same effect as a judgment of the court where filed and may be recorded, enforced, or satisfied in the same manner as a judgment of that court."

SECTION   14.   Section 1-23-660 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 387 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 1-23-660.   There is created within the Administrative Law Court the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings. The Chief Judge of the Administrative Law Court shall serve as the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings. The duties, functions, and responsibilities of all hearing officers and associated staff of the Department of Motor Vehicles are devolved upon the Administrative Law Court effective January 1, 2006. The hearing officers and staff positions, together with the appropriations relating to these positions, are transferred to the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings of the Administrative Law Court on January 1, 2006. The hearing officers and staff shall be appointed, hired, contracted, and supervised by the chief judge of the court and shall continue to exercise their present Department of Motor Vehicle functions, duties, and responsibilities under the auspices of the Administrative Law Court as directed by the chief judge and shall perform such other functions and duties as the chief judge of the court shall prescribe. All employees of the division shall serve at the will of the chief judge. The chief judge is solely responsible for the administration of the division, the assignment of cases, and the administrative duties and responsibilities of the hearing officers and staff. Notwithstanding another provision of law, the chief judge also has the authority to promulgate rules governing practice and procedures before the division. These rules are subject to review as are the rules of procedure promulgated by the Supreme Court pursuant to Article V of the South Carolina Constitution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and in addition to the assistant provided for in Section 1-23-580(B), the Administrative Law Court must hire and supervise a law clerk or other assistant solely to assist the judges who hear Department of Motor Vehicle Hearing appeals with the administration of those appeals. The law clerk or other assistant must be selected by a majority of the judges who hear Department of Motor Vehicle Hearing appeals. The position must be funded from the appropriations to hear cases from the Department of Motor Vehicles and shall be filled before the support staff of the division shall assume their functions and duties with the court.

The Budget and Control Board shall assist with all necessary actions to be taken to accomplish this transfer in consultation with the agency head of the transferring and receiving agencies.

Notwithstanding another provision of law, the hearing officers shall conduct hearings in accordance with Chapter 23 of Title 1, the Administrative Procedures Act, and the rules of procedure for the Administrative Law Court, at suitable locations as determined by the chief judge. For purposes of this section, any law enforcement agency that employs and officer who requested a breath test and any law enforcement agency that employs a person who acted as a breath test operator resulting in a suspension pursuant to Section 56-1-286 or 56-5-2951 is a party to the hearing and shall be served with appropriate notice, afforded the opportunity to request continuances and participate in the hearing, and provided a copy of all orders issued in the action. Representatives of the Department of Motor Vehicles are not required to appear at implied consent, habitual offender, financial responsibility, or point suspension hearings. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall continue to provide the existing locations within their facilities for such hearings as prescribed by the chief judge. The hearing officers are bound by the Code of Judicial Conduct, as contained in Rule 501 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules. The State Ethics Commission is responsible for enforcement and administration of those rules and for the issuance of advisory opinions on the requirements of those rules for administrative law judges and hearing officers pursuant to the procedures contained in Section 8-13-230. Notwithstanding another provision of law, an administrative law judge or hearing officer, and the judge's or hearing officer's spouse or guest, may accept an invitation to and attend a judicial-related or bar-related function, or an activity devoted to the improvement of the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice. Appeals from decisions of the hearing officers must be taken to the Administrative Law Court pursuant to the court's appellate rules of procedure. Tape recordings of all hearings will be made part of the record on appeal, along with all evidence introduced at hearings, and copies will be provided to parties to those appeals at no charge. The chief judge shall not hear any appeals from these decisions. Nonetheless, the chief judge is not disqualified from, and remains responsible for, adjudicating cases under Section 1-23-600."

SECTION   15.   Section 38-77-140 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 395 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 38-77-140.   (A)   An automobile insurance policy may not be issued or delivered in this State to the owner of a motor vehicle or may not be issued or delivered by an insurer licensed in this State upon a motor vehicle then principally garaged or principally used in this State, unless it contains a provision insuring the persons defined as insured against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of these motor vehicles within the United States or Canada, subject to limits exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each motor vehicle, as follows:

(1)   twenty-five thousand dollars because of bodily injury to one person in any one accident and, subject to the limit for one person;

(2)   fifty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to two or more persons in any one accident; and

(3)   twenty-five thousand dollars because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.

(B)   Nothing in this article prevents an insurer from issuing, selling, or delivering a policy providing liability coverage in excess of these requirements."

SECTION   16.   Section 56-1-1090 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 381 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-1-1090.   No license to operate motor vehicles in this State may be issued to an habitual offender nor shall a nonresident habitual offender operate a motor vehicle in this State:

(a)   for a period of five years from the date of a final decision by the Department of Motor Vehicles that a person is an habitual offender and if, upon appeal, the finding is sustained by a magistrate hearing officer of the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings unless the period is reduced to two years as permitted in item (c);

(b)   until financial responsibility requirements are met;

(c)   until, upon petition to the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings and for good cause shown, the hearing officer may restore to the person the privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this State upon terms and conditions as the department may prescribe in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to this section, subject to other provisions of law relating to the issuance of drivers' licenses. The petition permitted by this item may be filed after two years have expired from the date of the decision of the department finding the person to be an habitual offender. At this time and after hearing, the hearing officer may reduce the five-year period of item (a) to a two-year period for good cause shown. If the two-year period is granted, it must run from the date of the final decision of the hearing officer. If the two-year period is not granted, no petition may be filed again until after five years have expired from the date of the decision of the hearing officer. However, a petition or court order is not required for the restoration of driving privileges, and the issuance of a license after the five-year waiting period has expired and all financial responsibilities have been fulfilled. The department must promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this section as provided by Article 1, Chapter 23 of Title 1. The regulations must set forth the terms and conditions under which the habitual offender suspension period may be reduced."

SECTION   17.   Section 56-5-2949 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2949.   In addition to availability under the Freedom of Information Act, any South Carolina Law Enforcement Division policy, procedure, or regulation concerning breath alcohol testing, or breath site videotaping, or ignition interlock video recording which is in effect on or after July 1, 2000, shall must be made publicly accessible on the SLED internet web site. A policy, procedure, or regulation may be removed from the SLED web site only after five years from the effective date of the subsequent revision."

SECTION   18.   Section 17-22-50 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 17-22-50.   (A)   A person must not be considered for intervention if:

(1)   he previously has been accepted into an intervention program; or

(2)   the person is charged with:

(a)   blackmail;

(b)   driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration;

(c)   a traffic-related offense which is punishable only by fine or loss of points;

(d)   a fish, game, wildlife, or commercial fishery-related offense which is punishable by a loss of eighteen points as provided in Section 50-9-1020;

(e)   a crime of violence as defined in Section 16-1-60; or

(f)   an offense contained in Chapter 25 of Title 16 if the offender has been convicted previously of a violation of that chapter or a similar offense in another jurisdiction.

(B)   However, this section does not apply if the solicitor determines the elements of the crime do not fit the charge."

SECTION   19.   Sections 56-5-2940 and 56-5-3000 are repealed.   SECTION   20.   If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this act, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this act, and each and every section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.

SECTION   21.   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   22.   This act takes effect at 12:00 p.m. on February 10, 2009.     /

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.

The Bill was returned to the Calendar in the status of Special Order.

S. 472 (Word version) -- Senators Lourie, Courson, Vaughn, Alexander, Sheheen, Ryberg, Williams, Leventis, Cleary, Drummond, Mescher, Cromer, Hayes, Verdin, Grooms and Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-2941 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE INSTALLATION OF IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICES, TO PROVIDE THAT IN ADDITION TO OTHER PENALTIES IMPOSED ON A PERSON VIOLATING IMPAIRED DRIVING LAWS, THE COURT MUST REQUIRE THE PERSON TO HAVE AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE INSTALLED ON ANY VEHICLE REGISTERED AND LICENSED IN HIS NAME OR IN THE NAME OF A MEMBER OF HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY, TO PROVIDE THAT THE COURT MAY WAIVE THE INSTALLATION REQUIREMENT FOR AN OFFENDER WHO HAS A MEDICAL CONDITION THAT MAKES HIM INCAPABLE OF PROPERLY OPERATING THE DEVICE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE MUST BE INSTALLED, TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFENDER MUST HAVE HIS IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE INSPECTED EVERY SIXTY DAYS TO VERIFY THAT IT IS AFFIXED TO THE VEHICLE AND OPERATING PROPERLY, TO PROVIDE THAT THE COURT MUST GIVE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES NOTICE OF AN ORDER IMPOSING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT, TO PROVIDE A PROCESS BY WHICH A FOURTH OFFENDER MAY HAVE THE DEVICE REMOVED, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON REQUIRED TO HAVE AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE ENDORSEMENT ON HIS LICENSE TO OPERATE A VEHICLE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE, TO PROVIDE THAT AN OFFENDER WHOSE JOB REQUIRES HIM TO DRIVE A VEHICLE OWNED BY HIS EMPLOYER MAY OPERATE THE EMPLOYER'S VEHICLE WITHOUT AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE INSTALLED, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO TAMPER WITH OR DISABLE AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE, OR TO ATTEMPT TO TAMPER WITH OR DISABLE AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR AN OFFENDER OR ANOTHER PERSON TO SOLICIT OR REQUEST SOMEONE TO ENGAGE AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE TO START A MOTOR VEHICLE, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO ENGAGE AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE TO START A MOTOR VEHICLE FOR AN OFFENDER, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES IS REQUIRED TO DEVELOP REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CERTIFICATION, USE, MAINTENANCE, AND OPERATIONS OF INTERLOCK IGNITION DEVICES, TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY CERTIFIED DEVICES MAY BE USED, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MUST CERTIFY ALL BREATH TESTING IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICES THAT MEET FEDERAL STANDARDS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MUST MAINTAIN A LIST OF CERTIFIED DEVICES AND MANUFACTURERS, TO REQUIRE THAT DECERTIFIED DEVICES MUST BE REPLACED, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MUST MAKE AVAILABLE ON ITS INTERNET WEB SITE ITS POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-400, TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES RETURNS OR ISSUES A NEW LICENSE TO AN OFFENDER WHOSE LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICANTS, THE LICENSE MUST CONTAIN A CONSPICUOUS ENDORSEMENT IDENTIFYING THE LICENSEE AS A PERSON WHO MAY ONLY DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE INSTALLED; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-2959, TO PROVIDE THAT SLED NO LONGER HAS TO POST CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEMS ON ITS INTERNET WEB SITE.

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

There was no objection.

The question was the second reading of the Bill.

Senator McCONNELL proposed the following amendment (472R006.GFM):

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

/   SECTION   1.   Section 56-5-2941 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2941.   (A)(1)   Except as otherwise provided in this section, in In addition to the penalties required and authorized to be imposed against a person violating the provisions of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, the court may must require such the person, whether or not he is a first or subsequent offender and if he is a resident of this State, to have installed on the any vehicle he was operating if it is registered and licensed in his name or in the name of a member of his immediate family the person operates an ignition interlock device designed to prevent the operation of the motor vehicle if the operator has consumed alcoholic beverages. For a first offense in order for an ignition interlock device to be required the person's conviction must be based on an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more that was admitted into evidence in the trial or was the reading presented to the court as part of a plea. The court may waive the requirements of this section if it finds that the offender has a medical condition that makes him incapable of properly operating the installed device. The court in imposing the requirements of this section shall specify the length of time which the interlock device is required to be affixed to the vehicle, shall provide that the cost of the interlock device must be borne by the offender, and shall require the offender to periodically report to appropriate law enforcement or probation authorities for the purpose of verifying that the interlock device is affixed to the vehicle and operational during the time required by the court. The State Law Enforcement Division, in consultation with the Department of Public Safety, shall develop regulations including, but not limited to, regulations governing the use, maintenance, and operation of ignition interlock devices.

If the offender is determined to be indigent by the court and cannot afford the cost of the ignition interlock device, the court may order an interlock device to be affixed to the vehicle and paid for by the jurisdiction making the arrest from fines paid pursuant to Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, and 56-5-2945.

(2)   The court, in imposing the requirements of this section, shall:

(a)   specify that the length of time that an interlock device is required to be affixed to a vehicle following the completion of a period of license suspension imposed on the offender is one year for the first offense;

(b)   notwithstanding the pleadings, for purposes of a second or a subsequent offense the specified length of time that an interlock devices is required to be affixed to a vehicle is based on the Department of Motor Vehicle's records for offenses pursuant to Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, and is two years for the second offense, three years for the third offense, and the remainder of the offender's life for a fourth or subsequent offense;

(c)   provide for an Interlock Device Point System managed by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. An offender receiving a total of two points will have their length of time that the interlock device is required extended by two months. An offender receiving a total of three points will have their length of time that the interlock device is required extended by four months and must submit to a substance abuse assessment pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 and successfully complete the plan of education and treatment, or both, as recommended by the certified substance abuse program. Should the individual not complete the recommended plan, or not make progress toward completing the plan, the Department of Motor Vehicles must suspend the individual's driver's license until the plan is completed or progress is being made toward completing the plan. An offender receiving a total of four points shall have their license suspended for a period of one year and submit to a substance abuse assessment pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 and successfully complete the plan of education and treatment, or both, as recommended by the certified substance abuse program. Completion of the plan is mandatory as a condition of reinstatement of the person's driving privileges. The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse is responsible for notifying the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services of an individual's completion and compliance with education and treatment programs. The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services is responsible for notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles of any suspensions or reinstatements due to an individual's compliance with substance abuse education and treatment programs;

(d)   provide that the cost of the interlock device must be borne by the offender; however, that if the offender is determined to be indigent by the court and cannot afford the cost of the ignition interlock device, the court may order an interlock device to be affixed to the vehicle and paid for by the Interlock Device Fund managed by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services;

(e)   require the ignition interlock service provider to collect and remit monthly to the Interlock Device Fund a fee as determined by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services not to exceed three hundred sixty dollars per year for each year the person is required to operate a vehicle with an ignition interlock device. Any ignition service provider failing to properly remit funds to the Interlock Device Fund may be decertified as an ignition interlock service provider by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. If a service provider is decertified for failing to remit funds to the Interlock Device Fund, the cost for removal and replacement of a ignition interlock device must be borne by the service provider; and

(f)   require the offender to have the interlock device inspected every sixty days to verify that the device is affixed to the vehicle and properly operating. Only a service provider authorized by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services to perform inspections on interlock devices may conduct inspections. The service provider must immediately report any devices that fail inspection to the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. The report must contain the name of the offender, identify the vehicle upon which the failed device is installed, and the reason for the failed inspection. Failure of the offender to have the interlock device inspected every sixty days will result in one interlock device point. Upon review of the interlock device inspection report, if the report reflects that the offender attempted to start the vehicle with an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more, the offender is assessed one-half interlock device point. Upon review of the interlock device inspection report, if the report reflects that the offender violated a running re-test by having an alcohol concentration between two one-hundredths of one percent and less than four one-hundredths of one percent, the offender is assessed one-half interlock device point. Upon review of the interlock device inspection report, if the report reflects that the offender violated a running re-test by having an alcohol concentration between four one-hundredths of one percent and less than fifteen one-hundredths of one percent, the offender is assessed one interlock device point. Upon review of the interlock device inspection report, if the report reflects that the offender violated a running re-test by having an alcohol concentration above fifteen one-hundredths of one percent, the offender is assessed two interlock device points. An individual may appeal any interlock device points received to the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services Hearing Officers through a process established by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

(B)   An order of the court imposing the requirements of this section must be transmitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles in the manner provided in Section 56-5-2970.

(C)   Ten years from the date of the person's last conviction and every five years thereafter a fourth or subsequent offender may apply to the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services for removal of the ignition interlock device and the removal of the restriction from his driver's license. The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services may, for good cause shown, remove the device and remove the restriction from the offender's license.

(D)   Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for a person issued a driver's license with an ignition interlock restriction to operate a vehicle that is not equipped with a properly operating, certified ignition interlock device. A person who violates this section must be punished in the manner provided in Section 56-5-2940.

(E)   An offender that is required in the course and scope of his employment to operate a motor vehicle owned by the offender's employer may operate his employer's motor vehicle without installation of an ignition interlock device, provided that the offender's use of the employer's vehicle is solely for the employer's business purposes.

(F)   It is unlawful for a person to tamper with or disable, or attempt to tamper with or disable, an ignition interlock system installed on a vehicle pursuant to this section. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(G)   It is unlawful for a person to knowingly rent, lease, or otherwise provide an offender with a vehicle without a properly operating, certified ignition interlock device. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(H)   It is unlawful for an offender to solicit or request another person, or for a person to solicit or request another person on behalf of an offender, to engage an interlock ignition system to start a motor vehicle with a device installed pursuant to this section. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(I)   It is unlawful for another person to engage an interlock ignition device to start a motor vehicle with a device installed pursuant to this section. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(J)   Only ignition interlock devices certified by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services may be used to fulfill the requirements of this section.

(1)   The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services must certify whether a device meets the accuracy requirements and specifications provided in guidelines or regulations adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as amended from time to time. All devices certified to be used in South Carolina must be set to prohibit the starting of a vehicle when an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more is measured and all running re-tests must record violations of an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more.

(2)   The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services shall maintain a current list of certified devices and their manufacturer. The list must be updated at least quarterly. If a particular certified device fails to continue to meet federal requirements, the device must be decertified, may not be used until it is compliant with federal requirements, and must be replaced with a device that meets federal requirements. The cost for removal and replacement must be borne by the manufacturer of the non-certified device.

(3)   Only ignition interlock installers certified by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services may install and service ignition interlock devices required pursuant to this section. The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services shall maintain a current list of vendors that are certified to install the devices.

(K)   In addition to availability under the Freedom of Information Act, any Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services policy concerning ignition interlock devices must be made publicly accessible on the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Service's internet web site.

(L)   The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services shall develop policies including, but not limited to, the certification, use, maintenance, and operation of ignition interlock devices and Interlock Device Fund."

SECTION   2.   Section 56-1-400 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-1-400.   The Department of Motor Vehicles, upon suspending or revoking a license, shall require that such license shall be surrendered to the department Department of Motor Vehicles. At the end of the period of suspension, other than suspension for reckless driving, driving under the influence of intoxicants or pursuant to the point system such license so surrendered shall be returned to the licensee, or in the discretion of the department Department of Motor Vehicles, a new license issued to him. The department Department of Motor Vehicles shall not return nor restore a license which has been suspended for reckless driving, driving under the influence of intoxicants, or for violations under the point system until the person has filed an application for a new license, submitted to an examination as upon an original application, and has satisfied the department Department of Motor Vehicles, after an investigation of the character, habits, and driving ability of the person, that it would be safe to grant him the privilege of driving a motor vehicle on the public highways. Provided, the department Department of Motor Vehicles, in its discretion, where the suspension is for violation under the point system may waive such examination, application, and investigation. A record of suspension shall be endorsed on the license returned to the licensee, or the new license issued to the licensee, showing grounds of such suspension. In the case of a license suspended for driving under the influence of intoxicants, the restriction on the license returned to the licensee, or the new license issued to the licensee, must conspicuously identify the licensee as a person who may only operate a motor vehicle with an ignition interlock device installed and the restriction must be maintained on the license for the duration of the period for which the ignition interlock device must be maintained pursuant to Section 56-5-2941. No license containing an ignition interlock device restriction shall be issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles without written notification from the authorized ignition interlock service provider that the device has been installed and confirmed to be in working order. If a person chooses to not have an interlock device installed, the license will remain suspended for three years from the date the suspension for driving under the influence of intoxicants ends. If during this three-year period the person decides to have the ignition interlock device installed, the device must be installed for the full suspension period or until the end of the three-year period, whichever comes first. After five years from the date of conviction or suspension, the driver may apply for a new identical license, and the department Department of Motor Vehicles shall issue such identical license without any notation of suspension endorsed thereon. But this provision shall not affect nor bar the reckoning of prior offenses for reckless driving and driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs, as provided in Article 23 of Chapter 5 of this title.

Any person whose license has been suspended or revoked for an offense within the jurisdiction of the court of general sessions shall provide the department Department of Motor Vehicles with proof that the fine owed by the person has been paid before the department Department of Motor Vehicles may return or issue the person a license. Proof that the fine has been paid may be a receipt from the clerk of court of the county in which the conviction occurred stating that the fine has been paid in full."

SECTION   3.   Section 56-5-2949 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2949.   In addition to availability under the Freedom of Information Act, any South Carolina Law Enforcement Division policy, procedure, or regulation concerning breath alcohol testing, or breath site videotaping, or ignition interlock which is in effect on or after July 1, 2000, shall be made publicly accessible on the SLED internet web site. A policy, procedure, or regulation may be removed from the SLED web site only after five years from the effective date of the subsequent revision."

SECTION   4.   Section 56-1-10 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 381 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-1-10.   For the purpose of this title, unless otherwise indicated, the following words, phrases, and terms are defined as follows:

(1)   'Driver' means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.

(2)   'Operator' means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a highway or who is exercising control over or steering a vehicle being towed by a motor vehicle.

(3)   'Owner' means a person, other than a lienholder, having the property or title to a vehicle. The term includes a person entitled to the use and possession of a vehicle subject to a security interest in another person, but excludes a lessee under a lease not intended as security.

(4)   'Department' means the Department of Motor Vehicles when the term refers to the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the former Motor Vehicle Division of the Department of Public Safety and means the Department of Public Safety otherwise and in Section 56-3-840.

(5)   'State' means a state, territory, or possession of the United States and the District of Columbia.

(6)   'Highway' means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part of it is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

(7)   'Motor vehicle' means every vehicle which is self-propelled, except 'moped' as defined in Article 9 of this chapter, and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires but not operated upon rails.

(8)   'Motorcycle' means every motor vehicle having no more than two permanent functional wheels in contact with the ground or trailer and having a saddle for the use of the rider, but excluding a tractor.

(9)   'Nonresident' means every person who is not a resident of this State.

(10)   'Nonresident's operating privilege' means the privilege conferred upon a nonresident by the laws of this State pertaining to the operation by the person of a motor vehicle, or the use of a vehicle owned by the person, in this State.

(11)   'Conviction' includes the entry of any plea of guilty, the entry of any plea of nolo contendere, and the forfeiture of any bail or collateral deposited to secure a defendant's appearance in court.

(12)   'Cancellation of driver's license' means the annulment or termination by formal action of the Department of Motor Vehicles of a person's driver's license because of some error or defect in the license or because the licensee is no longer entitled to the license; the cancellation of a license is without prejudice, and application for a new license may be made at any time after the cancellation.

(13)   'Revocation of driver's license' means the termination by formal action of the Department of Motor Vehicles of a person's driver's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, which privilege to operate is not subject to renewal or restoration, except that an application for a new license may be presented and acted upon by the department.

(14)   'Suspension of driver's license' means the temporary withdrawal by formal action of the Department of Motor Vehicles of a person's driver's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, which temporary withdrawal shall be as specifically designated.

(15)   'Automotive three-wheel vehicle' means every motor vehicle having no more than three permanent functional wheels in contact with the ground, having a bench seat for the use of the operator, and having an automotive type steering device, but excluding a tractor or motorcycle three-wheel vehicle.

(16)   'Alcohol' means a substance containing any form of alcohol including, but not limited to, ethanol, methanol, propanol, and isopropanol.

(17)   'Alcohol concentration' means:

(a)   the number of grams of alcohol for each one hundred milliliters of blood by weight; or

(b)   as determined by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for other bodily fluids.

(18)   'Motorcycle three-wheel vehicle' means every motor vehicle having no more than three permanent functional wheels in contact with the ground to include motorcycles with detachable side cars, having a saddle type seat for the operator, and having handlebars or a motorcycle type steering device but excluding a tractor or automotive three-wheel vehicle.

(19)   'Low speed vehicle' or 'LSV' means a four-wheeled motor vehicle, other than an all terrain vehicle, whose speed attainable in one mile is more than twenty miles an hour and not more than twenty-five miles an hour on a paved level surface.

(20)   'All terrain vehicle' or 'ATV' means a motor vehicle measuring fifty inches or less in width, designed to travel on three or more wheels and designed primarily for off-road recreational use, but not including farm tractors or equipment, construction equipment, forestry vehicles, or lawn and grounds maintenance vehicles.

(21)   'Operator' or 'driver' means a person who is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a highway.

(22)   'Person' means every natural person, firm, partnership, trust, company, firm, association, or corporation. Where the term 'person' is used in connection with the registration of a motor vehicle, it includes any corporation, association, partnership, trust, company, firm, or other aggregation of individuals which owns or controls the motor vehicle as actual owner, or for the purpose of sale or for renting, as agent, salesperson, or otherwise.

(23)   'Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings' means the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings created by Section 1-23-660. The Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings conducts all hearings or administrative hearings arising from department actions.

(24)   'Administrative hearing' means a 'contested case hearing' as defined in Section 1-23-310. It is a hearing conducted pursuant to the South Carolina Administrative Procedures Act."

SECTION   5.   Section 56-1-286 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 381 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-1-286.   (A)   The Department of Motor Vehicles must suspend the driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege of, or deny the issuance of a license or permit to a person under the age of twenty-one who drives a motor vehicle and has an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more. In cases in which a law enforcement officer initiates suspension proceedings for a violation of this section, the officer has elected to pursue a violation of this section and is subsequently prohibited from prosecuting the person for a violation of Section 20-7-8920, 20-7-8925, 56-5-2930, or 56-5-2933 arising from the same incident.

(B)   A person under the age of twenty-one who drives a motor vehicle in this State is considered to have given consent to chemical tests of his breath or blood for the purpose of determining the presence of alcohol.

(C)   A law enforcement officer who has arrested a person under the age of twenty-one for a violation of Chapter 5 of this title (Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways), or any other traffic offense established by a political subdivision of this State, and has probable cause to believe reasonable suspicion that the person under the age of twenty-one has consumed alcoholic beverages and driven a motor vehicle may order the testing of the person arrested to determine the person's alcohol concentration.

A law enforcement officer may detain and order the testing of a person to determine the person's alcohol concentration if the officer has probable cause to believe reasonable suspicion that a motor vehicle is being driven by a person under the age of twenty-one who has consumed alcoholic beverages.

(D)   A test must be administered at the direction of the primary investigating law enforcement officer. At the direction of the officer, the person first must be offered a breath test to determine the person's alcohol concentration. If the person physically is unable to provide an acceptable breath sample because he has an injured mouth or is unconscious or dead, or for any other reason considered acceptable by licensed medical personnel, a blood sample may be taken. The breath test must be administered by a person trained and certified by the State Law Enforcement Division South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, using methods approved by the division pursuant to SLED policies. The primary investigating officer may administer the test if the person's conduct during the twenty-minute pre-test waiting period is videotaped pursuant to Section 56-5-2953(A)(2)(d). Blood samples must be obtained by physicians licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners, registered nurses licensed by the State Board of Nursing, or other medical personnel trained to obtain these samples in a licensed medical facility. Blood samples must be obtained and handled in accordance with procedures approved by the division. The division shall administer the provisions of this subsection and shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out its provisions. The costs of the tests administered at the direction of the officer must be paid from the general fund of the State. However, if the person is subsequently convicted of violating Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, then, upon conviction, the person must pay twenty-five dollars for the costs of the tests. The twenty-five dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the State Law Enforcement Division to offset the costs of administration of the breath testing devices, breath testing site video program, and toxicology laboratory.

The person tested or giving samples for testing may have a qualified person of his choice conduct additional tests at the person's expense and must be notified in writing of that right. A person's request or failure to request additional blood tests is not admissible against the person in any proceeding. The failure or inability of the person tested to obtain additional tests does not preclude the admission of evidence relating to the tests or samples taken at the direction of the officer. The officer must provide affirmative assistance to the person to contact a qualified person to conduct and obtain additional tests. Affirmative assistance shall, at a minimum, include providing transportation for the person to the nearest medical facility which provides blood tests to determine a person's alcohol concentration. If the medical facility obtains the blood sample but refuses or fails to test the blood to determine the person's alcohol concentration, SLED must test the blood and provide the result to the person and to the officer. Failure to provide affirmative assistance upon request to obtain additional tests bars the admissibility of the breath test result in any judicial or administrative proceeding.

(E)   A qualified person and his employer who obtain samples or administer the tests or assist in obtaining samples or administering of tests at the direction of the primary investigating officer are immune from civil and criminal liability unless the obtaining of samples or the administering of tests is performed in a negligent, reckless, or fraudulent manner. A person may not be required by the officer ordering the tests to obtain or take any sample of blood or urine.

(F)   If a person refuses upon the request of the primary investigating officer to submit to chemical tests as provided in subsection (C), the department must suspend his license, permit, or any nonresident operating privilege, or deny the issuance of a license or permit to him for:

(1)   six nine months; or

(2)   one year if the person, within the five years preceding the violation of this section, has been previously convicted of violating Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 or any other law of this State or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or another drug or has had a previous suspension imposed pursuant to Sections 56-1-286, 56-5-2950, or 56-5-2951.

(G)   If a person submits to a chemical test and the test result indicates an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more, the department must suspend his license, permit, or any nonresident operating privilege, or deny the issuance of a license or permit to him for:

(1)   three months; or

(2)   six months if the person, within the five years preceding the violation of this section, has been previously convicted of violating Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 or any other law of this State or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other drug or has had a previous suspension imposed pursuant to Sections 56-1-286, 56-5-2950, or 56-5-2951.

(H)   A person's driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege must be restored when the person's period of suspension under subsection (F) or (G) has concluded, even if the person has not yet completed the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program in which he is enrolled. After the person's driving privilege is restored, he must continue to participate in the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program in which he is enrolled. If the person withdraws from or in any way stops making satisfactory progress toward the completion of the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, the person's license shall must be suspended until he completes the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. A person must be attending or have completed an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 before his driving privilege can be restored at the conclusion of the suspension period.

(I)   A test may not be administered or samples taken unless, upon activation of the video recording equipment and prior to the commencement of the testing procedure, the person has been given a written copy of and verbally informed in writing that:

(1)   he does not have to take the test or give the samples but that his privilege to drive must be suspended or denied for at least six nine months if he refuses to submit to the tests and that his refusal may be used against him in court;

(2)   his privilege to drive must be suspended for at least three months if he takes the test or gives the samples and has an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(3)   he has the right to have a qualified person of his own choosing conduct additional independent tests at his expense;

(4)   he has the right to request an administrative hearing within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension; and

(5)   he must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension if he does not request an administrative hearing or within thirty days of the issuance of notice that the suspension has been upheld at the administrative hearing.

The primary investigating officer must notify promptly the department of the refusal of a person to submit to a test requested pursuant to this section as well as the test result of any person who submits to a test pursuant to this section and registers an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more. The notification must be in a manner prescribed by the department.

(J)   If the test registers an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths of one percent or more or if the person refuses to be tested, the primary investigating officer must issue a notice of suspension, and the suspension is effective beginning on the date of the alleged violation of this section. The person, within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension, must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 if he does not request an administrative hearing. If the person does not request an administrative hearing and does not enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program within thirty days, the suspension remains in effect, and a temporary alcohol restricted license must not be issued. If the person drives a motor vehicle during the period of suspension without a temporary alcohol restricted license, the person must be penalized for driving while his license is suspended pursuant to Section 56-1-460.

(K)   Within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension the person may:

(1)   obtain a temporary alcohol restricted license by filing with the department a form for this purpose. A one-hundred-dollar fee must be assessed for obtaining a temporary alcohol restricted license. Twenty-five dollars of the fee must be retained by the Department of Public Safety for supplying and maintaining all necessary vehicle videotaping equipment. The remaining seventy-five dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray its expenses. The temporary alcohol restricted license allows the person to drive a motor vehicle without any restrictive conditions pending the outcome of the administrative hearing provided for in this section or the final decision or disposition of the matter; and

(2)   request an administrative hearing.

At the administrative hearing if:

(a)   the suspension is upheld, the person must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program and his driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege must be suspended or the person must be denied the issuance of a license or permit for the remainder of the suspension periods provided for in subsections (F) and (G);

(b)   the suspension is overturned, the person must have his driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege reinstated.

(L)   The periods of suspension provided for in subsections (F) and (G) begin on the day the notice of suspension is issued, or at the expiration of any other suspensions, and continue until the person applies for a temporary alcohol restricted license and requests an administrative hearing.

(M)   If a person does not request an administrative hearing, he shall have waived his right to the hearing and his suspension must not be stayed but shall continue for the periods provided for in subsections (F) and (G).

(N)   The notice of suspension must advise the person of the requirement to enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program and of his right to obtain a temporary alcohol restricted driver's license and to request an administrative hearing. The notice of suspension also must advise the person that, if he does not request an administrative hearing within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension, he must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, and he waives his right to the administrative hearing, and the suspension continues for the periods provided for in subsections (F) and (G).

(O)   An administrative hearing must be held within thirty days after the request for the hearing is received by the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings. If the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings does not hold the hearing within thirty days, the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings must issue a written order within thirty days stating the reasons why the hearing was not held within thirty days and providing a schedule date for the hearing. If the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings does not issue a written order within thirty days or fails within thirty days to notify the person of a new hearing date, the person shall have his driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege reinstated. The scope of the hearing is limited to whether the person:

(1)   was lawfully arrested or detained;

(2)   was advised in writing given a written copy of and verbally informed of the rights enumerated in subsection (I);

(3)   refused to submit to a test pursuant to this section; or

(4)   consented to taking a test pursuant to this section, and the:

(a)   reported alcohol concentration at the time of testing was two one- hundredths of one percent or more;

(b)   individual who administered the test or took samples was qualified pursuant to this section;

(c)   test administered and samples taken were conducted pursuant to this section; and

(d)   the machine was operating properly.

Nothing in this section prohibits the introduction of evidence at the administrative hearing on the issue of the accuracy of the breath test result.

A written order must be issued to all parties either reversing or upholding the suspension of the person's license, permit, or nonresident's operating privilege, or denying the issuance of a license or permit within thirty days after the conclusion of the administrative hearing. If the suspension is upheld, the person must receive credit for the number of days his license was suspended before he received a temporary alcohol restricted license and requested the administrative hearing.

(P)   An administrative hearing is a contested proceeding under the Administrative Procedures Act, and a person has a right to appeal the decision of the hearing officer pursuant to that act to the Administrative Law Court in accordance with its appellate rules. The filing of an appeal shall stay the suspension until a final decision is issued.

(Q)   A person who is unconscious or otherwise in a condition rendering him incapable of refusal is considered to be informed and not to have withdrawn the consent provided for in subsection (B) of this section.

(R)   When a nonresident's privilege to drive a motor vehicle in this State has been suspended under the procedures of this section, the department shall give written notice of the action taken to the motor vehicle administrator of the state of the person's residence and of any state in which he has a license or permit.

(S)   A person required to submit to a test must be provided with a written report including the time of arrest, the time of the tests, and the results of the tests before any proceeding in which the results of the tests are used as evidence. A person who obtains additional tests shall furnish a copy of the time, method, and results of any additional tests to the officer before any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in which the person attempts to use the results of the additional tests as evidence.

(T)   A person whose driver's license or permit is suspended under this section is not required to file proof of financial responsibility.

(U)   The department shall administer the provisions of this section, not including subsection (D), and shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out its provisions.

(V)   Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no suspension imposed pursuant to this section is counted as a demerit or result in any insurance penalty for automobile insurance purposes if at the time he was stopped, the person whose license is suspended had an alcohol concentration that was less than eight one-hundredths of one percent."

SECTION   6.   Section 56-1-748 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-1-748.   No person issued a restricted driver's license under the provisions of Section 56-1-170(B), Section 56-1-320(A), Section 56-1-740(B), Section 56-1-745(C), Section 56-1-746(D), Section 56-5-750(G), Section 56-9-430(B), Section 56-10-260(B), or Section 56-10-270(C), or Section 56-5-2951(H) shall subsequently be eligible for issuance of a special restricted driver's license under these provisions."

SECTION   7.   Section 56-5-2930 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 390 of 2000, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2930.   (A)   It is unlawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle within this State while:

(1)   under the influence of alcohol to the extent that the person's faculties to drive a motor vehicle are materially and appreciably impaired;,

(2)   under the influence of any other drug or a combination of other drugs or substances which cause impairment to the extent that the person's faculties to drive a motor vehicle are materially and appreciably impaired;, or

(3)   under the combined influence of alcohol and any other drug or drugs or substances which cause impairment to the extent that the person's faculties to drive a motor vehicle are materially and appreciably impaired. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of the offense of driving under the influence and, upon conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail must be punished as follows:

(1)   for a first offense, by a fine of four hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than forty-eight hours nor more than thirty days. However, in lieu of the forty-eight hour minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for forty-eight hours of public service employment. The minimum forty-eight hour imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment in lieu of the minimum forty-eight hour sentence. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of seven hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days. However, in lieu of the thirty-day minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for thirty days of public service employment. The minimum thirty days imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions as the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment instead of the thirty-day minimum sentence. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, and 22-3-550, a first offense charged for this item may be tried in magistrate's court;

(2)   for a second offense, by a fine of not less than two thousand one hundred dollars nor more than five thousand one hundred dollars, and imprisonment for not less than five days nor more than one year. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars. If the person's alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than two years. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than three thousand five hundred dollars nor more than six thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than ninety days nor more than three years. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars;

(3)   for a third offense, by a fine of not less than three thousand eight hundred dollars nor more than six thousand three hundred dollars, and imprisonment for not less than sixty days nor more than three years. If the person's alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than five thousand dollars nor more than seven thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than ninety days nor more than four years. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than seven thousand five hundred dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars and imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than five years; or

(4)   for a fourth or subsequent offense, by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years. If the person's alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by imprisonment for not less than two years nor more than six years. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by imprisonment for not less than three years nor more than seven years.

(B)   No part of the minimum sentences provided in this section may be suspended. Instead of public service employment the court may invoke another sentence provided in this section. For a third or subsequent offense of this section, the service of the minimum sentence is mandatory. However, the judge may provide for the sentence to be served upon terms and conditions as he considers proper including, but not limited to, weekend service or nighttime service in any fashion he considers necessary.

(C)   The fine for a first offense must not be suspended. The court is prohibited from suspending a monetary fine below that of the next preceding minimum monetary fine.

(D)   For the purposes of this section a conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail for the violation of a law or ordinance of this or another state or a municipality of this or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or narcotics, including, but not limited to, this section, or prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle with an unlawful alcohol concentration, including but not limited to, Section 56-5-2933, constitutes a prior offense of this section. Only those violations which occurred within a period of ten years including and immediately preceding the date of the last violation constitute prior violations within the meaning of this section.

(E)   Upon imposition of a sentence of public service, the defendant may apply to the court to be allowed to perform his public service in his county of residence if he has been sentenced to public service in a county where he does not reside.

(F)   One hundred dollars of each fine imposed pursuant to this section must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Public Safety for the Highway Patrol.

(G)   Two hundred dollars of the fine imposed pursuant to subsection (A)(3) must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the State Law Enforcement Division to offset the costs of administration of the breath testing devices, breath testing site video program, and toxicology laboratory.

(H)   A person convicted of violating this section, whether for a first offense or subsequent offense, must enroll in and successfully complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program certified by the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. An assessment of the extent and nature of the alcohol and drug abuse problem of the applicant must be prepared and a plan of education or treatment, or both, must be developed for the applicant. The Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program shall determine if the applicant successfully has completed the services. The applicant must attend the first Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program available after the date of enrollment. The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services shall determine the cost of services provided by each certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. Each applicant shall bear the cost of services recommended in the applicant's plan of education or treatment. The cost may not exceed five hundred dollars for education services, two thousand dollars for treatment services, and two thousand five hundred dollars in total for all services. An applicant may not be denied services due to an inability to pay. Inability to pay for services may not be used as a factor in determining if the applicant has successfully completed services. An applicant who is unable to pay for services shall perform fifty hours of community service as arranged by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, which may use the completion of this community service as a factor in determining if the applicant successfully has completed services. The court must be notified whether an offender failed to enroll in a certified program within thirty days or failed to participate in the plan of education or treatment. The court may hold the individual in contempt of court if the individual cannot show cause as to why no enrollment occurred within the mandated thirty days or why no progress has been made on the plan of education or treatment.

(I)   A person charged for a violation of this section may be prosecuted pursuant to Section 56-5-2933 if the original testing of the person's breath or collection of other bodily fluids was performed within two hours of the time of arrest and reasonable suspicion existed to justify the traffic stop. A person may not be prosecuted for both a violation of this section and a violation of Section 56-5-2933 for the same incident. A person who violates the provisions of this section is entitled to a jury trial and is afforded the right to challenge certain factors including the following:

(1)   whether or not the person was lawfully arrested or detained;

(2)   the period of time between arrest and testing;

(3)   whether or not the person was given a written copy of and verbally informed of the rights enumerated in Section 56-5-2950;

(4)   whether the person consented to taking a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950, and whether the:

(a)   reported alcohol concentration at the time of testing was eight one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b)   individual who administered the test or took samples was qualified pursuant to Section 56-5-2950;

(c)   tests administered and samples obtained were conducted pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 56-5-2951(Q) and Section 56-5-2953(F); and

(d)   machine was working properly.

(J)   Nothing contained in this section prohibits the introduction of:

(1)   the results of any additional tests of the person's breath or other bodily fluids;

(2)   any evidence that may corroborate or question the validity of the breath or bodily fluid test result including, but not limited to:

(a)   evidence of field sobriety tests;

(b)   evidence of the amount of alcohol consumed by the person; and

(c)   evidence of the person's driving;

(3)   a video recording of the person's conduct at the incident site and breath testing site taken pursuant to Section 56-5-2953 which is subject to redaction under the South Carolina Rules of Evidence; or

(4)   any other evidence of the state of a person's faculties to drive a motor vehicle which would call into question the results of a breath or bodily fluid test.

At trial, a person charged with a violation of this section is allowed to present evidence relating to the factors enumerated above and the totality of the evidence produced at trial may be used by the jury to determine guilt or innocence. A person charged with a violation of this section must be given notice of intent to prosecute under the provisions of this section at least thirty calendar days before his trial date.

(K)   For the purpose of this section, any offense carrying a penalty of imprisonment of ninety days or less may be tried in magistrate's court.

(L)   In cases in which enhanced penalties for higher levels of alcohol concentration may be applicable, upon the determination of guilt, the finder of fact shall determine the alcohol concentration and the judge shall apply the appropriate penalty. In cases involving jury trials, upon the return of a guilty verdict by the jury, the judge shall instruct the jury to make a finding of fact as to the following: 'We the jury find the alcohol concentration of the defendant to be (1) at least eight one-hundredths of one percent but less than ten one-hundredths of one percent; (2) at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent; or (3) sixteen one hundredths of one percent or more.' Based on the jury's finding of fact, the judge shall apply the appropriate penalty. If the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict as to the finding of fact, then the judge shall sentence the defendant based on the non-enhanced penalties."

SECTION   8.   Section 56-5-2933 of the 1976 Code is further amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2933.   (A)   It is unlawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle within this State while his alcohol concentration is eight one-hundredths of one percent or more. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of the offense of Driving With An Unlawful Alcohol Concentration driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration and, upon conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail must be punished as follows:

(1)   for a first offense, by a fine of four hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than forty-eight hours nor more than thirty days. However, in lieu of the forty-eight hour minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for forty-eight hours of public service employment. The minimum forty-eight hour imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment in lieu of the minimum forty-eight hour sentence. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of seven hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days. However, in lieu of the thirty-day minimum imprisonment, the court may provide for thirty days of public service employment. The minimum thirty days imprisonment or public service employment must be served at a time when the person is not working and does not interfere with his regular employment under terms and conditions as the court considers proper. However, the court may not compel an offender to perform public service employment instead of the thirty-day minimum sentence. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, and 22-3-550, a first offense charged for this item may be tried in magistrate's court;

(2)   for a second offense, by a fine of not less than two thousand one hundred dollars nor more than five thousand one hundred dollars, and imprisonment for not less than five days nor more than one year. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars. If the person's alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than two years. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than three thousand five hundred dollars nor more than six thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than ninety days nor more than three years. However, the fine imposed by this item must not be suspended in an amount less than one thousand one hundred dollars;

(3)   for a third offense, by a fine of not less than three thousand eight hundred dollars nor more than six thousand three hundred dollars, and imprisonment for not less than sixty days nor more than three years. If the person's alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than five thousand dollars nor more than seven thousand five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than ninety days nor more than four years. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by a fine of not less than seven thousand five hundred dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars and imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than five years; or

(4)   for a fourth or subsequent offense, by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years. If the person's alcohol concentration is at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent, then the person must be punished by imprisonment for not less than two years nor more than six years. If the person's alcohol concentration is sixteen one-hundredths of one percent or more, then the person must be punished by imprisonment for not less than three years nor more than seven years.

(B)   No part of the minimum sentences provided in this section may be suspended. Instead of public service employment the court may invoke another sentence provided in this section. For a third or subsequent offense of this section, the service of the minimum sentence is mandatory. However, the judge may provide for the sentence to be served upon terms and conditions as he considers proper including, but not limited to, weekend service or nighttime service in any fashion he considers necessary.

(C)   The fine for a first offense must not be suspended. The court is prohibited from suspending a monetary fine below that of the next preceding minimum monetary fine.

(D)   For the purposes of this chapter a conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail for the violation of a law or ordinance of this or another state or a municipality of this or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or narcotics, including, but not limited to, Section 56-5-2930, or prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle with an unlawful alcohol concentration, including but not limited to, this section, constitutes a prior offense of this section. Only those violations which occurred within a period of ten years including and immediately preceding the date of the last violation constitute prior violations within the meaning of this section.

(E)   Upon imposition of a sentence of public service, the defendant may apply to the court to be allowed to perform his public service in his county of residence if he has been sentenced to public service in a county where he does not reside.

(F)   One hundred dollars of each fine imposed pursuant to this section must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Public Safety for the Highway Patrol.

(G)   Two hundred dollars of the fine imposed pursuant to subsections (A)(3) must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the State Law Enforcement Division to offset the costs of administration of the breath testing devices, breath testing site video program, and toxicology laboratory.

(H)   A person convicted of violating this section, whether for a first offense or subsequent offense, must enroll in and successfully complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program certified by the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. An assessment of the extent and nature of the alcohol and drug abuse problem of the applicant must be prepared and a plan of education or treatment, or both, must be developed for the applicant. The Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program shall determine if the applicant successfully has completed the services. The applicant must attend the first Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program available after the date of enrollment. The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services shall determine the cost of services provided by each certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. Each applicant shall bear the cost of services recommended in the applicant's plan of education or treatment. The cost may not exceed five hundred dollars for education services, two thousand dollars for treatment services, and two thousand five hundred dollars in total for all services. An applicant may not be denied services due to an inability to pay. Inability to pay for services may not be used as a factor in determining if the applicant successfully has completed services. An applicant who is unable to pay for services shall perform fifty hours of community service as arranged by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, which may use the completion of this community service as a factor in determining if the applicant successfully has completed services. The court must be notified whether an offender failed to enroll in a certified program within thirty days or failed to participate in the plan of education or treatment. The court may hold the individual in contempt of court if the individual cannot show cause as to why no enrollment occurred within the mandated thirty days or why no progress has been made on the plan of education or treatment.

(I)   A person charged for a violation of Section 56-5-2930 but may be prosecuted pursuant to this section if the original testing of the person's breath or collection of other bodily fluids was performed within two hours of the time of arrest and articulable reasonable suspicion existed to justify the traffic stop. This section does not apply to cases arising out of a stop at a traffic roadblock or driver's license checkpoint. A person shall not may not be prosecuted for both a violation of Section 56-5-2930 and a violation of this section for the same incident. A person who violates the provisions of this section is entitled to a jury trial and is afforded the right to challenge certain factors including, but not limited to, the following:

(1)   whether or not the person was lawfully arrested or detained;

(2)   whether or not articulable suspicion existed to justify the stop;

(3)(2)   the period of time between arrest and testing;

(4)(3)   whether or not the person was advised in writing given a written copy of and verbally informed of the rights enumerated in Section 56-5-2950;

(5)(4)   whether the person consented to taking a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950, and whether the:

(a)   reported alcohol concentration at the time of testing was eight one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b)   individual who administered the test or took samples was qualified pursuant to Section 56-5-2950;

(c)   tests administered and samples obtained were conducted pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 56-5-2951(Q) and Section 56-5-2953(F); and

(d)   machine was working properly.

(J)   Nothing contained in this section prohibits the introduction of:

(1)   the results of any additional tests of the person's breath or other bodily fluids;

(2)   any evidence that may corroborate or question the validity of the breath or bodily fluid test result including, but not limited to:

(a)   evidence of field sobriety tests;

(b)   evidence of the amount of alcohol consumed by the person; and

(c)   evidence of the person's driving;

(3)   a videotape video recording of the person's conduct at the incident site and breath testing site taken pursuant to Section 56-5-2953 which is subject to redaction under the South Carolina Rules of Evidence; or

(4)   any other evidence of the state of a person's faculties to drive which would call into question the results of a breath or bodily fluid test.

At trial, a person charged with a violation of this section is entitled to a jury instruction stating that allowed to present evidence relating to the factors enumerated above and the totality of the evidence produced at trial may be used by the jury to determine guilt or innocence. A person charged with a violation of this section must be given notice of intent to prosecute under the provisions of this section at least fourteen thirty calendar days before his trial date.

(K)   For the purpose of this section, any offense carrying a penalty of imprisonment of ninety days or less may be tried in magistrate's court.

(L)   In cases in which enhanced penalties for higher levels of alcohol concentration may be applicable, upon the determination of guilt, the finder of fact shall determine the alcohol concentration and the judge shall apply the appropriate penalty. In cases involving jury trials, upon the return of a guilty verdict by the jury, the judge shall instruct the jury to make a finding of fact as to the following: 'We the jury find the alcohol concentration of the defendant to be (1) at least eight one-hundredths of one percent but less than ten one-hundredths of one percent; (2) at least ten one-hundredths of one percent but less than sixteen one-hundredths of one percent; or (3) sixteen one hundredths of one percent or more.' Based on the jury's finding of fact, the judge shall apply the appropriate penalty. If the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict as to the finding of fact, then the judge shall sentence the defendant based on the non-enhanced penalties."

SECTION   9.   Section 56-5-2934 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2934.   Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person charged with a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 who is being tried in any court of competent jurisdiction in this State has the right to compulsory process for obtaining witnesses, documents, or both, including, but not limited to, state employees charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing pursuant to this article. This process may be issued under the official signature of the magistrate, judge, clerk, or other officer of the court of competent jurisdiction. The term "documents" includes, but is not limited to, a copy of the computer software program of breath testing devices. SLED must produce all breath testing software in a manner that complies with any and all licensing agreements. This section does not limit a person's ability to obtain breath testing software directly from the manufacturer or distributor. The portion of compulsory process provided for in this section that requires the attendance, at any administrative hearing or court proceeding, of state employees charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing pursuant to this article, takes effect once the compulsory process program at the State Law Enforcement Division is specifically, fully, and adequately funded.

In addition, at the time of arrest for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, the arresting officer, in addition to other notice requirements, must inform the defendant of his right to all hearings provided by law to include those if a breath test is refused or taken with a result that would require license suspension. The arresting officer, if the defendant wishes to avail himself of any such hearings, depending on the choices made or the breath test results obtained, must provide the defendant with the appropriate form to request the hearing or hearings. The defendant must acknowledge receipt of the notice requirements and receipt of the hearing form if such a hearing or hearings are desired."

SECTION   10.   Section 56-5-2942 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2942.   (A)   A person who is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 must have all motor vehicles owned by or registered to him immobilized if the person is a resident of this State, unless the vehicle has been confiscated pursuant to Section 56-5-6240.

(B)   For purposes of this section, 'immobilized' and 'immobilization' mean suspension and surrender of the registration and motor vehicle license plate.

(C)   Upon sentencing receipt of a conviction by the department from the court for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, the court department must ascertain the registration numbers or other information to determine the identity of the vehicles to be immobilized. The court must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of a person's conviction for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 and the identity of the vehicles to be immobilized determine all vehicles registered to the convicted person, both solely and jointly, and suspend all vehicles registered to the person.

(D)   Upon notification by a court in this State or by any other state of a conviction for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, the department must require the person convicted to surrender all license plates and vehicle registrations subject to immobilization pursuant to this section. The immobilization is for a period of thirty days to take place during the driver's license suspension pursuant to a conviction for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945. The department must maintain a record of all vehicles immobilized pursuant to this section.

(E)   An immobilized motor vehicle must be released to the holder of a bona fide lien on the motor vehicle when possession of the motor vehicle is requested, as provided by law, by the lienholder for the purpose of foreclosing on and satisfying the lien.

(F)   An immobilized motor vehicle may be released by the department without legal or physical restraints to a person who has not been convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, if that person is a registered owner of the motor vehicle or a member of the household of a registered owner. The vehicle must be released if an affidavit is submitted by that person to the department stating that:

(1)   he regularly drives the motor vehicle subject to immobilization;

(2)   the immobilized motor vehicle is necessary to his employment, transportation to an educational facility, or for the performance of essential household duties;

(3)   no other motor vehicle is available for the use of the person person's use;

(4)   the person will not authorize the use of the motor vehicle by any other person known by him to have been convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945; or

(5)   the person will report immediately to a local law enforcement agency any unauthorized use of the motor vehicle by a person known by him to have been convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945.

(G)   The department may conduct a hearing and receive testimony regarding the veracity of an affidavit submitted pursuant to subsection (F) or issue an agency decision to permit or deny the release of the vehicle based on the affidavit. A person may seek relief pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act from an agency action immobilizing a motor vehicle or denying the release of the motor vehicle.

(H)   A person who operates drives an immobilized motor vehicle except as provided in subsections (E) and (F) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.

(I)   A person who falsifies a report concerning vehicles owned by or registered to that person, or who fails to surrender registrations and license plates pursuant to this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.

(J)   The court must assess a fee of forty A fee of fifty dollars for each motor vehicle owned by or registered to the person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 must be paid to the department for each motor vehicle that was suspended before any of the suspended registrations and license plates may be registered or before the motor vehicle may be released pursuant to subsection (F). This fee must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted interest bearing account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the its expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(K)   For purposes of this article, a conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to Section 56-5-2933 is considered a prior offense of Section 56-5-2930."

SECTION   11.   Section 56-5-2945(A) and (B) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A)   A person who, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or the combination of alcohol and drugs, drives a motor vehicle and when driving a motor vehicle does any act forbidden by law or neglects any duty imposed by law in the driving of the motor vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes great bodily injury or death to a person other than himself, is guilty of a felony the offense of felony driving under the influence and upon conviction must be punished:

(1)   by a mandatory fine of not less than five thousand one hundred dollars nor more than ten thousand one hundred dollars and mandatory imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than fifteen years when great bodily injury results;

(2)   by a mandatory fine of not less than ten thousand one hundred dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand one hundred dollars and mandatory imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than twenty-five years when death results.

A part of the mandatory sentences required to be imposed by this section must not be suspended, and probation must not be granted for any portion.

(B)   As used in this section, 'great bodily injury' means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

The Department of Motor Vehicles must suspend the driver's license of a person who is convicted or who receives sentence upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere pursuant to this section for a period to include a term period of imprisonment incarceration plus three years for a conviction of Section 56-5-2945 when 'great bodily injury' occurs and five years when a death occurs. This period of incarceration shall not include any portion of a suspended sentence such as probation, parole, or supervised furlough community supervision. For suspension purposes of this section, convictions arising out of a single incident shall run concurrently."

SECTION   12.   Section 56-5-2950 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2950.   (a)(A)   A person who drives a motor vehicle in this State is considered to have given consent to chemical tests of his breath, blood, or urine for the purpose of determining the presence of alcohol or drugs or the combination of alcohol and drugs if arrested for an offense arising out of acts alleged to have been committed while the person was driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs. A breath test must be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer who has arrested a person for driving a motor vehicle in this State while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs. At the direction of the arresting officer, the person first must be offered a breath test to determine the person's alcohol concentration. If the person is physically unable to provide an acceptable breath sample because he has an injured mouth, is unconscious or dead, or for any other reason considered acceptable by the licensed medical personnel, the arresting officer may request a blood sample to be taken. If the officer has reasonable grounds to believe suspicion that the person is under the influence of drugs other than alcohol, or is under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs, the officer may order that a urine sample be taken for testing. A breath sample taken for testing must be collected within two hours of the arrest. Any additional tests to collect other samples must be collected within three hours of the arrest. If the alcohol concentration is eight one-hundredths of one percent or above, the officer may not require additional tests of the person as provided in this chapter. The breath test must be administered by a person trained and certified by the Department of Public Safety South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, pursuant to SLED policies. The arresting officer may administer the tests if the person's conduct during the twenty-minute pre-test waiting period is videotaped pursuant to Section 56-5-2953(A)(2)(d). Before the breath test is administered, an eight one- hundredths of one percent simulator test must be performed and the result must reflect a reading between 0.076 percent and 0.084 percent. Blood and urine samples must be obtained by physicians licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners, registered nurses licensed by the State Board of Nursing, and other medical personnel trained to obtain the samples in a licensed medical facility. Blood and urine samples must be obtained and handled in accordance with procedures approved by SLED.

(B)   No tests may be administered or samples obtained unless, upon activation of the video recording equipment and prior to the commencement of the testing procedure, the person has been given a written copy of and verbally informed in writing that:

(1)   he does not have to take the test or give the samples, but that his privilege to drive must be suspended or denied for at least ninety days three months if he refuses to submit to the tests and that his refusal may be used against him in court;

(2)   his privilege to drive must be suspended for at least thirty days one month if he takes the tests or gives the samples and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(3)   he has the right to have a qualified person of his own choosing conduct additional independent tests at his expense;

(4)   he has the right to request an administrative hearing within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension; and

(5)   if he does not request an administrative hearing or if his suspension is upheld at the administrative hearing, he must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program.

(C)   A hospital, physician, qualified technician, chemist, or registered nurse who obtains the samples or conducts the test or participates in the process of obtaining the samples or conducting the test in accordance with this section is not subject to a cause of action for assault, battery, or another cause alleging that the drawing of blood or taking samples at the request of the arrested person or a law enforcement officer was wrongful. This release from liability does not reduce the standard of medical care required of the person obtaining the samples or conducting the test. This qualified release also applies to the employer of the person who conducts the test or obtains the samples.

(D)   The person tested or giving samples for testing may have a qualified person of his own choosing conduct additional tests at his expense and must be notified in writing of that right. A person's request or failure to request additional blood or urine tests is not admissible against the person in the criminal trial. The failure or inability of the person tested to obtain additional tests does not preclude the admission of evidence relating to the tests or samples obtained at the direction of the law enforcement officer.

(E)   The arresting officer must provide affirmative assistance to the person to contact a qualified person to conduct and obtain additional tests. Affirmative assistance, at a minimum, includes providing transportation for the person to the nearest medical facility which provides performs blood tests to determine a person's alcohol concentration. If the medical facility obtains the blood sample but refuses or fails to test the blood sample to determine the person's alcohol concentration, SLED must test the blood sample and provide the result to the person and to the arresting officer. Failure to provide affirmative assistance upon request to obtain additional tests bars the admissibility of the breath test result in any judicial or administrative proceeding.

SLED must administer the provisions of this subsection and must make regulations necessary to carry out its provisions. The costs of the tests administered at the direction of the law enforcement officer must be paid from the general fund of the State. However, if the person is subsequently convicted of violating Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, then, upon conviction, the person must pay twenty-five dollars for the costs of the tests. The twenty-five dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the State Law Enforcement Division to offset the costs of administration of the breath testing devices, breath testing site video program, and toxicology laboratory.

(F)   A qualified person who obtains samples or administers the tests or assists in obtaining samples or the administration of tests at the direction of a law enforcement officer is released from civil and criminal liability unless the obtaining of samples or tests is performed in a negligent, reckless, or fraudulent manner. No person may be required by the arresting officer, or by another law enforcement officer, to obtain or take any sample of blood or urine.

(b)(G)   In the criminal prosecution for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 relating to driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs, the alcohol concentration at the time of the test, as shown by chemical analysis of the person's breath or other body fluids, gives rise to the following:

(1)   If if the alcohol concentration was at that time five one-hundredths of one percent or less, it is conclusively presumed that the person was not under the influence of alcohol.;

(2)   If if the alcohol concentration was at that time in excess of five one-hundredths of one percent but less than eight one-hundredths of one percent, this fact does not give rise to any inference that the person was or was not under the influence of alcohol, but this fact may be considered with other evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the person.; or

(3)   If if the alcohol concentration was at that time eight one-hundredths of one percent or more, it may be inferred that the person was under the influence of alcohol.

(4)   If the alcohol concentration was at that time eight one-hundredths of one percent or more and the original testing of the person's breath or collection of other bodily fluids was performed within two hours of the time of arrest, the person has violated Section 56-5-2933.

The provisions of this section must not be construed as limiting the introduction of any other evidence bearing upon the question of whether or not the person was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of them.

(c)(H)   A person who is unconscious or otherwise in a condition rendering him incapable of refusal is considered to be informed and not to have withdrawn the consent provided by subsection (a) (A) of this section.

(d)(I)   A person required to submit to tests by the arresting law enforcement officer must be provided with a written report including the time of arrest, the time of the tests, and the results of the tests before any trial or other proceeding in which the results of the tests are used as evidence. A person who obtains additional tests must furnish a copy of the time, method, and results of any test to the officer before any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in which the person attempts to use the results of the additional tests as evidence.

(e)(J)   Policies, procedures, and regulations promulgated by SLED may be reviewed by the trial judge or hearing officer on motion of either party. The failure to follow any of these policies, procedures, and regulations, or the provisions of this section, shall result in the exclusion from evidence of any tests results, if the trial judge or hearing officer finds that such this failure materially affected the accuracy or reliability of the tests results or the fairness of the testing procedure and the court rules specifically as to the manner in which the failure materially affected the accuracy or reliability of the test results or the fairness of the procedure.

(f)(K)   If a state employee charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing policy is required to testify at an administrative hearing or court proceeding, the entity employing the witness may charge a reasonable fee to the defendant for these services."

SECTION   13.   Section 56-5-2951 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 381 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2951.   (A)   The Department of Motor Vehicles must suspend the driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege of or deny the issuance of a license or permit to a person who drives a motor vehicle and refuses to submit to a test provided for in Section 56-5-2950 or has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more. The arresting officer must issue a notice of suspension which is effective beginning on the date of the alleged violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945.

(B)   Within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension, the person may:

(1)   obtain a temporary alcohol restricted license by filing with the Department of Motor Vehicles a form for this purpose. A one hundred-dollar fee must be assessed for obtaining a temporary alcohol restricted license. Twenty-five dollars of the fee must be retained by the Department of Public Safety for supplying and maintaining all necessary vehicle videotaping equipment. The remaining seventy-five dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the its expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles. The temporary alcohol restricted license allows the person to drive without any restrictive conditions pending the outcome of the administrative hearing provided for in subsection (F) or the final decision or disposition of the matter. If the suspension is upheld at the administrative hearing, the temporary alcohol restricted license remains in effect until the Department of Motor Vehicles issues the hearing officer's decision and sends notice to the person that he is eligible to receive a special restricted license pursuant to subsection (H); and

(2)   request an administrative hearing.

At the administrative hearing if:

(a)   the suspension is upheld, the person's driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege must be suspended or the person must be denied the issuance of a license or permit for the remainder of the suspension period provided for in subsection (I). Within thirty days of the issuance of the notice that the suspension has been upheld, the person must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990;

(b)   the suspension is overturned, the person must have his driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege reinstated.

The provisions of this subsection do not affect the trial for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945.

(C)   The period of suspension provided for in subsection (I) begins on the day the notice of suspension is issued, or at the expiration of any other suspensions, and continues until the person applies for a temporary alcohol restricted license and requests an administrative hearing.

(D)   If a person does not request an administrative hearing, he waives his right to the hearing, and his suspension must not be stayed but continues for the period provided for in subsection (I).

(E)   The notice of suspension must advise the person of his right to obtain a temporary alcohol restricted driver's license and to request an administrative hearing. The notice of suspension also must advise the person that, if he does not request an administrative hearing within thirty days of the issuance of the notice of suspension, he waives his right to the administrative hearing, and the suspension continues for the period provided for in subsection (I). The notice of suspension must also advise the person that if the suspension is upheld at the administrative hearing or if he does not request an administrative hearing, he must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program.

(F)   An administrative hearing must be held within thirty days after the request for the hearing is received by the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings. If the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings does not hold the hearing within thirty days, the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings must issue a written order within thirty days, stating the reasons why the hearing was not held within thirty days, and providing a schedule date for the hearing. If the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings does not issue a written order within thirty days or fails within thirty days to notify the person of a hearing date, the person must have his driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege reinstated. The scope of the hearing is limited to whether the person:

(1)   was lawfully arrested or detained;

(2)   was advised in writing given a written copy of and verbally informed of the rights enumerated in Section 56-5-2950;

(3)   refused to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950; or

(4)   consented to taking a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950, and the:

(a)   reported alcohol concentration at the time of testing was fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b)   individual who administered the test or took samples was qualified pursuant to Section 56-5-2950;

(c)   tests administered and samples obtained were conducted pursuant to Section 56-5-2950; and

(d)   the machine was working properly.

Nothing in this section prohibits the introduction of evidence at the administrative hearing on the issue of the accuracy of the breath test result.

A written order must be issued to all parties either reversing or upholding the suspension of the person's license, permit, or nonresident's operating privilege, or denying the issuance of a license or permit within thirty days after the conclusion of the administrative hearing. If the suspension is upheld, the person must receive credit for the number of days his license was suspended before he received a temporary alcohol restricted license and requested the administrative hearing.

(G)   An administrative hearing is a contested case proceeding under the Administrative Procedures Act, and a person has a right to appeal the decision of the hearing officer pursuant to that act to the Administrative Law Court in accordance with its appellate rules. The filing of an appeal stays the suspension until a final decision is issued on appeal.

(H)(1)   If the suspension is upheld at the administrative hearing, the person must enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 and may apply for a special restricted driver's license if he is employed or enrolled in a college or university. The special restricted license permits him to drive only to and from work and his place of education and in the course of his employment or education during the period of suspension. The special restricted license also permits him to drive to and from the Alcohol Drug Safety Action Program classes or to a court-ordered drug program. The department may issue the special restricted driver's license only upon showing by the individual that he is employed or enrolled in a college or university, that he lives further than one mile from his place of employment, place of education, or location of his Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, or the location of his court-ordered drug program, and that there is no adequate public transportation between his residence and his place of employment, his place of education, the location of his Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, or the location of his court-ordered drug program.

(2)   If the department issues a special restricted driver's license, it must designate reasonable restrictions on the times during which and routes on which the individual may operate drive a motor vehicle. A change in the employment hours, place of employment, status as a student, status of attendance of Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, status of attendance of his court-ordered drug program, or residence must be reported immediately to the department by the licensee.

(3)   The fee for a special restricted driver's license is one hundred dollars, but no additional fee may be charged because of changes in the place and hours of employment, education, or residence. Twenty dollars of this fee must be deposited in the state general fund, and eighty dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(4)   The operation of Driving a motor vehicle outside the time limits and route imposed by a special restricted license by the person issued that license is a violation of Section 56-1-460.

(I)(1)   The period of a driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege suspension for, or denial of issuance of a license or permit to, an arrested person who has no previous convictions for violating Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, or any other law of this State or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other drug within the ten years preceding a violation of this section, and who has had no previous suspension imposed pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or 56-5-2951 within the ten years preceding a violation of this section is (a) ninety days three months for a person who refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950; or (b) thirty days one month for a person who takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more.

(2)   The period of a driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege suspension for, or denial of issuance of a license or permit to, an arrested person who has been convicted previously for violating Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, or any other law of this State or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other drug within the ten years preceding a violation of this section, or who has had a previous suspension imposed pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or 56-5-2951 within the ten years preceding a violation of this section is:

(a)   for a second offense, one hundred eighty days nine months if he refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or sixty days two months if he takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more;

(b)   for a third offense, twelve months if he refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or three months if he takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more; and

(c)   for a fourth or subsequent offense, fifteen months if he refuses to submit to a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 or four months if he takes a test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and has an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more.

(J)   A person's driver's license, permit, or nonresident operating privilege must be restored when the person's period of suspension under subsection (I) has concluded, even if the person has not yet completed the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program in which he is enrolled. After the person's driving privilege is restored, he must continue the services of the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program in which he is enrolled. If the person withdraws from or in any way stops making satisfactory progress toward the completion of the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, the person's license must be suspended until the completion of the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. A person must be attending or have completed an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 before his driving privilege can be restored at the conclusion of the suspension period.

(K)   When a nonresident's privilege to drive a motor vehicle in this State has been suspended under the provisions of this section, the department must give written notice of the action taken to the motor vehicle administrator of the state of the person's residence and of any state in which he has a license or permit.

(L)   The department must not suspend the privilege to drive of a person under the age of twenty-one pursuant to Section 56-1-286 if the person's privilege to drive has been suspended under this section arising from the same incident.

(M)   A person whose driver's license or permit is suspended pursuant to this section is not required to file proof of financial responsibility.

(N)   An insurer may not increase premiums on, or add surcharges to, or cancel the automobile insurance of a person charged with a violation of Section 56-1-286, 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945, or any other another law of this State or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other drug based solely on the violation unless he is convicted of the violation.

(O)   The department must administer the provisions of this section and must promulgate regulations necessary to carry out its provisions.

(P)   If a person does not request an administrative hearing within the thirty-day period as authorized pursuant to this section, the person may file with the department a form after enrolling in an approved a certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program to apply for a special restricted driver's license. The special restricted license permits him to drive only to and from work and his place of education and in the course of his employment or education during the period of suspension. The special restricted license also permits him to drive to and from Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes or a court-ordered drug program. The department may issue the special restricted driver's license at any time following the suspension upon a showing by the individual that he is employed or enrolled in a college or university, that he lives further than one mile from his place of employment, place of education, the location of his Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, or the location of his court-ordered drug program, and that there is no adequate public transportation between his residence and his place of employment, his place of education, the location of his Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, or the location of his court-ordered drug program. The department must designate reasonable restrictions on the times during which and routes on which the individual may operate drive a motor vehicle. A change in the employment hours, place of employment, status as a student, status of attendance of Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes, status of his court-ordered drug program, or residence must be reported immediately to the department by the licensee. The route restrictions, requirements, and fees imposed by the department for the issuance of the special restricted driver's license issued pursuant to this item are the same as those provided in this section had the person requested an administrative hearing. A special restricted driver's license is valid until the person successfully completes an approved a certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, unless the person fails to complete or make satisfactory progress to complete the program."

SECTION   14.   Section 56-5-2953 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2953.   (A)   A person who violates Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 must have his conduct at the incident site and the breath test site videotaped video recorded.

(1)(a)   The videotaping video recording at the incident site must:

(a)(i)   not begin not later than the activation of the officer's blue lights and conclude after the arrest of the person for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or a probable cause determination that the person violated Section 56-5-2945; and

(b)(ii)   include the person being advised of his Miranda rights before any field sobriety tests are administered, if the tests are administered.; and

(iii)   include the arrest of a person for a violation of Section 56-5-2930 or Section 56-5-2933, or a probable cause determination in that the person violated Section 56-5-2945, and show the person being advised of his Miranda rights.

(b)   A refusal to take a field sobriety test does not constitute disobeying a police command.

(2)   The videotaping video recording at the breath test site must:

(a)   must be completed within three hours of the person's arrest for a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 or a probable cause determination that the person violated Section 56-5-2945, unless compliance is not possible because the person needs emergency medical treatment considered necessary by licensed medical personnel;

(b)   must include the reading of Miranda rights, the entire breath test procedure, the person being informed that he is being videotaped video recorded, and that he has the right to refuse the test;

(c)(b)   must include the person taking or refusing the breath test and the actions of the breath test operator while conducting the test; and

(d)(c)   must also include the person's conduct during the required twenty-minute pre-test waiting period, unless the officer submits a sworn affidavit certifying that it was physically impossible to videotape video record this waiting period. However, if the arresting officer administers the breath test, the person's conduct during the twenty-minute pre-test waiting period must be videotaped.

(3)   The videotapes video recordings of the incident site and of the breath test site are admissible pursuant to the South Carolina Rules of Evidence in a criminal, administrative, or civil proceeding by any party to the action.

(B)   Nothing in this section may be construed as prohibiting the introduction of other relevant evidence in the trial of a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945. Failure by the arresting officer to produce the videotapes video recording required by this section is not alone a ground for dismissal of any charge made pursuant to Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 if the arresting officer submits a sworn affidavit certifying that the videotape video recording equipment at the time of the arrest, or probable cause determination, or video equipment at the breath test device facility was in an inoperable condition, stating which reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the equipment in an operable condition, and certifying that there was no other operable breath test facility available in the county or, in the alternative, submits a sworn affidavit certifying that it was physically impossible to produce the videotape video recording because the person needed emergency medical treatment, or exigent circumstances existed. Further, in In circumstances including, but not limited to, road blocks, traffic accident investigations, and citizens' arrests, where an arrest has been made and the videotaping video recording equipment has not been activated by blue lights, the failure by the arresting officer to produce the videotapes video recordings required by this section is not alone a ground for dismissal. However, as soon as videotaping video recording is practicable in these circumstances, videotaping video recording must begin and conform with the provisions of this section. Nothing in this section prohibits the court from considering any other valid reason for the failure to produce the videotape video recording based upon the totality of the circumstances; nor do the provisions of this section prohibit the person from offering evidence relating to the arresting law enforcement officer's failure to produce the videotape video recording.

(C)   A videotape video recording must not be disposed of in any manner except for its transfer to a master tape recording for consolidation purposes until the results of any legal proceeding in which it may be involved are finally determined.

(D)   SLED is responsible for purchasing, maintaining, and supplying all necessary videotaping video recording equipment for use at the breath test sites. SLED also is responsible for monitoring all breath test sites to ensure the proper maintenance of videotaping video recording equipment. The Department of Public Safety is responsible for purchasing, maintaining, and supplying all videotaping equipment for use in all law enforcement vehicles used for traffic enforcement. The Department of Public Safety also is responsible for monitoring all law enforcement vehicles used for traffic enforcement to ensure proper maintenance of videotaping video recording equipment.

(E)   Beginning one month from the effective date of this act section, all of the funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) must be expended by SLED to equip all breath test sites with videotaping video recording devices and supplies. Once all breath test sites have been equipped fully with videotaping video recording devices and supplies, eighty-seven and one-half percent of the funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) must be expended by the Department of Public Safety to purchase, maintain, and supply videotaping video recording equipment for vehicles used for traffic enforcement. The remaining twelve and one-half percent of the funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) must be expended by SLED to purchase, maintain, and supply videotaping video recording equipment for the breath test sites. Funds must be distributed by the State Treasurer to the Department of Public Safety and SLED on a monthly basis. The Department of Public Safety and SLED are authorized to carry forward any unexpended funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) as of June thirtieth of each year and to expend these carried forward funds for the purchase, maintenance, and supply of videotaping video recording equipment. The Department of Public Safety and SLED must report the revenue received under this section and the expenditures for which the revenue was used as required in the department's and SLED's annual appropriation request to the General Assembly.

(F)   The Department of Public Safety and SLED must promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

(G)   The provisions contained in Section 56-5-2953(A), (B), and (C) take effect for each law enforcement vehicle used for traffic enforcement once the law enforcement vehicle is equipped with a videotaping video recording device. The provisions contained in Section 56-5-2953(A), (B), and (C) take effect for a breath test site once the breath test site is equipped with a videotaping video recording device."

SECTION   15.   Section 56-5-2954 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2954.   The State Law Enforcement Division and each law enforcement agency with a breath testing site is required to maintain a detailed record of malfunctions, repairs, complaints, or other problems regarding breath testing devices at each site. These records must be electronically recorded. These records, including any and all remarks, must be entered into a breath testing device and subsequently made available on the State Law Enforcement Division website. The records required by this section are subject to compulsory process issued by any court of competent jurisdiction in this State and are public records under the Freedom of Information Act."

SECTION   16.   Section 1-23-600 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 387 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 1-23-600.   (A)   A full and complete record must be kept of all contested cases and regulation hearings before an administrative law judge. All testimony must be reported, but need not be transcribed unless a transcript is requested by any party. The party requesting a transcript is responsible for the costs involved. Proceedings before administrative law judges are open to the public unless confidentiality is allowed or required by law. The presiding administrative law judge must render the decision in a written order. The decisions or orders of administrative law judges are not required to be published but are available for public inspection unless confidentiality is allowed or required by law.

(B)   An administrative law judge shall preside over all hearings of contested cases as defined in Section 1-23-310 or Article I, Section 22, Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, involving the departments of the executive branch of government as defined in Section 1-30-10 in which a single hearing officer, or an administrative law judge, is authorized or permitted by law or regulation to hear and decide these cases, except those arising under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, those matters arising under the Consolidated Procurement Code, those matters heard by the Public Service Commission, the Employment Security Commission, the Workers' Compensation Commission, or other cases or hearings which are prescribed for or mandated by federal law or regulation, unless otherwise by statute or regulation specifically assigned to the jurisdiction of the Administrative Law Court. Unless otherwise provided by statute, the standard of proof in a contested case is by a preponderance of the evidence.

(C)   All requests for a hearing before the Administrative Law Court must be filed in accordance with the court's rules of procedure. Any party that files a request for a hearing with the Administrative Law Court must simultaneously serve a copy of the request on the affected agency. Upon the filing of the request, the chief judge shall assign an administrative law judge to the case.

(D)   An administrative law judge also shall preside over all appeals from final decisions of contested cases pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, Article I, Section 22, Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, or another law, except that an appeal from a final order of the Public Service Commission and the State Ethics Commission is to the Supreme Court or the court of appeals as provided in the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules, an appeal from the Procurement Review Panel is to the circuit court as provided in Section 11-35-4410, an appeal from the Workers' Compensation Commission is to the circuit court as provided in Section 42-17-60, and an appeal from the Employment Security Commission is to the circuit court as provided in Section 41-35-750.

(E)   Notwithstanding another provision of law, a state agency authorized by law to seek injunctive relief may apply to the Administrative Law Court for injunctive or equitable relief pursuant to Section 1-23-630. The provisions of this section do not affect the authority of an agency to apply for injunctive relief as part of a civil action filed in the court of common pleas.

(F)   Notwithstanding another provision of law, the Administrative Law Court has jurisdiction to review and enforce an administrative process issued by a department of the executive branch of government, as defined in Section 1-30-10, such as a subpoena, administrative search warrant, cease and desist order, or other similar administrative order or process. A department of the executive branch of government authorized by law to seek an administrative process may apply to the chief administrative law judge or his designee to issue or enforce an administrative process. A party aggrieved by an administrative process issued by a department of the executive branch of government may apply to the chief administrative law judge for relief from the process as provided in the Rules of the Administrative Law Court.

(G)(1)   This subsection applies to timely requests for a contested case hearing pursuant to this section of decisions by departments governed by a board or commission authorized to exercise the sovereignty of the State.

(2)   A request for a contested case hearing for an agency order stays the order. A request for a contested case hearing for an order to revoke or suspend a license stays the revocation or suspension. A request for a contested case hearing for a decision to renew a license for an ongoing activity stays the renewed license, the previous license remaining in effect pending completion of administrative review. A request for a contested case hearing for a decision to issue a new license stays all actions for which the license is a prerequisite; matters not affected by the request may not be stayed by the filing of the request. Requests for contested case hearings challenging only the amount of fines or penalties must be deemed not to affect those portions of orders imposing substantive requirements.

(3)   The general rule of subsection (G)(2) does not stay emergency actions taken by an agency pursuant to an applicable statute or regulation.

(4)   After a contested case is initiated before the Administrative Law Court, any party may move before the presiding administrative law judge to lift the stay imposed pursuant to this subsection.

(5)   A final decision issued by the Administrative Law Court in a contested case may not be stayed except by order of the Administrative Law Court, the court of appeals, or in cases when Section 1-23-610(A) applies, the appropriate board or commission.

(6)   Nothing contained in this subsection constitutes a limitation on the authority of the Administrative Law Court to impose a stay as otherwise provided by statute or by rule of court.

(H)   If a petition for judicial review of a final order of the Administrative Law Court is not filed appealed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1-23-600, upon request of a party to the proceedings, the clerk of the Administrative Law Court must file a certified copy of the final order with a clerk of the circuit court, as requested, or court of competent jurisdiction, as requested. After filing, the certified order has the same effect as a judgment of the court where filed and may be recorded, enforced, or satisfied in the same manner as a judgment of that court."

SECTION   17.   Section 1-23-660 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 387 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 1-23-660.   There is created within the Administrative Law Court the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings. The Chief Judge of the Administrative Law Court shall serve as the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings. The duties, functions, and responsibilities of all hearing officers and associated staff of the Department of Motor Vehicles are devolved upon the Administrative Law Court effective January 1, 2006. The hearing officers and staff positions, together with the appropriations relating to these positions, are transferred to the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings of the Administrative Law Court on January 1, 2006. The hearing officers and staff shall be appointed, hired, contracted, and supervised by the chief judge of the court and shall continue to exercise their present Department of Motor Vehicle functions, duties, and responsibilities under the auspices of the Administrative Law Court as directed by the chief judge and shall perform such other functions and duties as the chief judge of the court shall prescribe. All employees of the division shall serve at the will of the chief judge. The chief judge is solely responsible for the administration of the division, the assignment of cases, and the administrative duties and responsibilities of the hearing officers and staff. Notwithstanding another provision of law, the chief judge also has the authority to promulgate rules governing practice and procedures before the division. These rules are subject to review as are the rules of procedure promulgated by the Supreme Court pursuant to Article V of the South Carolina Constitution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and in addition to the assistant provided for in Section 1-23-580(B), the Administrative Law Court must hire and supervise a law clerk or other assistant solely to assist the judges who hear Department of Motor Vehicle Hearing appeals with the administration of those appeals. The law clerk or other assistant must be selected by a majority of the judges who hear Department of Motor Vehicle Hearing appeals. The position must be funded from the appropriations to hear cases from the Department of Motor Vehicles and shall be filled before the support staff of the division shall assume their functions and duties with the court.

The Budget and Control Board shall assist with all necessary actions to be taken to accomplish this transfer in consultation with the agency head of the transferring and receiving agencies.

Notwithstanding another provision of law, the hearing officers shall conduct hearings in accordance with Chapter 23 of Title 1, the Administrative Procedures Act, and the rules of procedure for the Administrative Law Court, at suitable locations as determined by the chief judge. For purposes of this section, any law enforcement agency that employs and officer who requested a breath test and any law enforcement agency that employs a person who acted as a breath test operator resulting in a suspension pursuant to Section 56-1-286 or 56-5-2951 is a party to the hearing and shall be served with appropriate notice, afforded the opportunity to request continuances and participate in the hearing, and provided a copy of all orders issued in the action. Representatives of the Department of Motor Vehicles are not required to appear at implied consent, habitual offender, financial responsibility, or point suspension hearings. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall continue to provide the existing locations within their facilities for such hearings as prescribed by the chief judge. The hearing officers are bound by the Code of Judicial Conduct, as contained in Rule 501 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules. The State Ethics Commission is responsible for enforcement and administration of those rules and for the issuance of advisory opinions on the requirements of those rules for administrative law judges and hearing officers pursuant to the procedures contained in Section 8-13-230. Notwithstanding another provision of law, an administrative law judge or hearing officer, and the judge's or hearing officer's spouse or guest, may accept an invitation to and attend a judicial-related or bar-related function, or an activity devoted to the improvement of the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice. Appeals from decisions of the hearing officers must be taken to the Administrative Law Court pursuant to the court's appellate rules of procedure. Tape recordings of all hearings will be made part of the record on appeal, along with all evidence introduced at hearings, and copies will be provided to parties to those appeals at no charge. The chief judge shall not hear any appeals from these decisions. Nonetheless, the chief judge is not disqualified from, and remains responsible for, adjudicating cases under Section 1-23-600."

SECTION   18.   Section 38-77-140 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 395 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 38-77-140.   (A)   An automobile insurance policy may not be issued or delivered in this State to the owner of a motor vehicle or may not be issued or delivered by an insurer licensed in this State upon a motor vehicle then principally garaged or principally used in this State, unless it contains a provision insuring the persons defined as insured against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of these motor vehicles within the United States or Canada, subject to limits exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each motor vehicle, as follows:

(1)   twenty-five thousand dollars because of bodily injury to one person in any one accident and, subject to the limit for one person;

(2)   fifty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to two or more persons in any one accident; and

(3)   twenty-five thousand dollars because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.

(B)   Nothing in this article prevents an insurer from issuing, selling, or delivering a policy providing liability coverage in excess of these requirements."

SECTION   19.   Section 56-1-1090 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 381 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 56-1-1090.   No license to operate motor vehicles in this State may be issued to an habitual offender nor shall a nonresident habitual offender operate a motor vehicle in this State:

(a)   for a period of five years from the date of a final decision by the Department of Motor Vehicles that a person is an habitual offender and if, upon appeal, the finding is sustained by a magistrate hearing officer of the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings unless the period is reduced to two years as permitted in item (c);

(b)   until financial responsibility requirements are met;

(c)   until, upon petition to the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings and for good cause shown, the hearing officer may restore to the person the privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this State upon terms and conditions as the department may prescribe in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to this section, subject to other provisions of law relating to the issuance of drivers' licenses. The petition permitted by this item may be filed after two years have expired from the date of the decision of the department finding the person to be an habitual offender. At this time and after hearing, the hearing officer may reduce the five-year period of item (a) to a two-year period for good cause shown. If the two-year period is granted, it must run from the date of the final decision of the hearing officer. If the two-year period is not granted, no petition may be filed again until after five years have expired from the date of the decision of the hearing officer. However, a petition or court order is not required for the restoration of driving privileges, and the issuance of a license after the five-year waiting period has expired and all financial responsibilities have been fulfilled. The department must promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this section as provided by Article 1, Chapter 23 of Title 1. The regulations must set forth the terms and conditions under which the habitual offender suspension period may be reduced."

SECTION   20.   Section 56-5-2949 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-2949.   In addition to availability under the Freedom of Information Act, any South Carolina Law Enforcement Division policy, procedure, or regulation concerning breath alcohol testing, or breath site videotaping, or ignition interlock video recording which is in effect on or after July 1, 2000, shall must be made publicly accessible on the SLED internet web site. A policy, procedure, or regulation may be removed from the SLED web site only after five years from the effective date of the subsequent revision."

SECTION   21.   Section 17-22-50 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 17-22-50.   (A)   A person must not be considered for intervention if:

(1)   he previously has been accepted into an intervention program; or

(2)   the person is charged with:

(a)   blackmail;

(b)   driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration;

(c)   a traffic-related offense which is punishable only by fine or loss of points;

(d)   a fish, game, wildlife, or commercial fishery-related offense which is punishable by a loss of eighteen points as provided in Section 50-9-1020;

(e)   a crime of violence as defined in Section 16-1-60; or

(f)   an offense contained in Chapter 25 of Title 16 if the offender has been convicted previously of a violation of that chapter or a similar offense in another jurisdiction.

(B)   However, this section does not apply if the solicitor determines the elements of the crime do not fit the charge."

SECTION   22.   Section 56-1-365(F) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(F)   If the defendant surrenders his license, upon conviction, and subsequently files a notice of appeal, the appeal acts as a supersedeas as provided in Section 56-1-430. Upon payment of a ten-dollar fee and presentment by the defendant of a certified or clocked-in copy of the notice of appeal, the department shall issue him a certificate which entitles him to operate a motor vehicle for a period of sixty days six months after the verdict or plea. The certificate must be kept in the defendant's possession while operating a motor vehicle during the sixty-day six-month period, and failure to have it in his possession is punishable in the same manner as failure to have a driver's license in possession while operating a motor vehicle."

SECTION   23.   Section 56-1-430 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-1-430.   Upon conviction of an offense making mandatory the suspension or revocation of the driver's license of the person so convicted, an appeal taken from such conviction shall act as a supersedeas so as to preclude for a period of sixty days six months from the date of conviction, any such suspension or revocation."

SECTION   24.   Section 56-5-2947(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A)   A person eighteen years of age or over is guilty of child endangerment when:

(1)   the person is in violation of:

(a)   Section 56-5-750;

(b)   Section 56-5-2930; or

(c)   Section 56-5-2933; or

(c)(d)   Section 56-5-2945; and

(2)   the person has one or more passengers under sixteen years of age in the motor vehicle when the violation occurs.

If more than one passenger under sixteen years of age is in the vehicle when a violation of subsection (A)(1) occurs, the person may be charged with only one violation of this section."

SECTION 25. The Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee shall jointly select a neutral and detached nationally recognized expert in the field of alcohol breath test machinery to test the BAC Datamaster software and the Datamaster DMT. Prior to the use of the results of any Datamaster DMT test in prosecutions pursuant to this act, the expert must certify that the Datamaster DMT accurately and reliably measures a person's alcohol concentration. The results of the test must be transmitted to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court.

SECTION   26.   Sections 56-5-2940 and 56-5-3000 are repealed.

SECTION   27.   If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this act, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this act, and each and every section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.

SECTION   28.   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   29.   SECTIONS 1, 2, and 3 take effect one year after the signature of the Governor. The remaining SECTIONS take effect at 12:00 p.m. on February 10, 2009.                   /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator McCONNELL 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.

THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO THE SPECIAL ORDERS.

S. 398 (Word version) -- Senator Ford: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-13-480 SO AS TO CREATE THE CRIME OF ENGAGING IN THE BUSINESS OF DEFERRED PRESENTMENT IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION IS A FELONY, AND TO PROVIDE FOR A MANDATORY MINIMUM PENALTY; AND TO REPEAL CHAPTER 39 OF TITLE 34 RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEFERRED PRESENTMENT SERVICES ACT.

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

On motion of Senator HAYES, the Bill was read the third time, passed and ordered sent to the House of Representatives with amendments.

My "no" vote reflects my disappointment in the database of payday lender customers created by this legislation. Although I do agree with some of the regulatory changes, the database is a violation of the privacy of our citizens.

At 5:27 P.M., Senator McCONNELL asked unanimous consent to make a motion to invite the House of Representatives to attend the Senate Chamber for the purpose of ratifying Acts at 11:15 A.M.

There was no objection and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

On motion of Senator LAND, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of Mr. Isaac W. "Ike" Williams of Columbia, S.C., beloved husband, devoted father and dedicated civic leader.

At 5:27 P.M., on motion of Senator McCONNELL, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 11:00 A.M.

This web page was last updated on Monday, June 22, 2009 at 1:50 P.M.