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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
COMMITTEE REPORT
March 27, 2019
S. 17
S. Printed 3/27/19--S.
Read the first time January 8, 2019.
To whom was referred a Bill (S. 17) to amend Section 7-5-30, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the duties of the county boards of voter registration and elections, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
LUKE A. RANKIN for Committee.
Explanation of Fiscal Impact
Introduced on January 8, 2019
Local Expenditure
This bill requires each county voter registration and elections board to certify that county's candidates for coroner and county sheriff. Section 23-11-110 lay out the qualifications for a sheriff and Section 17-5-130 lay out the qualifications for a coroner. Revenue and Fiscal Affairs (RFA) contacted all 46 counties to request the fiscal impact of this bill for counties. The counties of Allendale, Horry, Saluda, Barnwell, Charleston, Florence, Lancaster, and Lexington responded to RFA's request.
Allendale, Barnwell, Horry, Charleston, and Lexington counties anticipate no cost or minimal cost to certify sheriffs and coroner candidates. These counties anticipate certifying that the individual counties properly filed their paperwork and are a resident of the county. Lancaster and Florence were unable to estimate the cost of this bill, as they were not sure what steps were required to certify the candidates. If certification requires confirming the paperwork of each candidates filing, Lancaster county estimated no expenditure impact. If certification requires back ground checks and other investigations, Lancaster county estimated the cost of certification for each candidate will increase significantly.
Because some counties expressed concern as to the requirements of the certification process, the local expenditure impact of this bill is undetermined.
Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director
Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office
TO AMEND SECTION 7-5-30, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF THE COUNTY BOARDS OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EACH COUNTY BOARD OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CERTIFYING THAT COUNTY'S CANDIDATES FOR COUNTY CORONER AND COUNTY SHERIFF.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 7-5-30 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 7-5-30. (A) Such boards shall register and conduct the registration of the electors who shall apply for registration in their respective counties as herein required. Their office shall be at the county seat, and they shall keep a record of all their official acts and proceedings. Provided, that nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the boards of registration from taking their registration books across adjoining county lines to register qualified electors of their respective county whose regular place of employment is in an adjoining county or who are otherwise unable to get to the county seat during office hours to register. One member of the board shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of registering or refusing to register applications for registration.
(B) Notwithstanding another provision of law, commencing with the appropriate election cycle next following the effective date of this act, each county board of voter registration and elections is responsible for certifying that county's candidates for county coroner and county sheriff."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on March 27, 2019 at 8:38 PM