A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 5-7-260, relating to Acts of municipal council which are required to be done by ordinance, so as to prohibit unreasonable fines or penalties for parking violations and prohibit fines or penalties that exceed the average amount for the same violation in this state.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.   Section 5-7-260 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   Section 5-7-260.   In addition to other acts required by law to be done by ordinance, those acts of the municipal council shall be by ordinances which:

   (1) Adopt or amend an administrative code or establish, alter or abolish any municipal department, office or agency;

   (2) Provide for a fine or other penalty or establish a rule or regulation in which a fine or other penalty is imposed for violations, provided that fines or penalties for municipal parking violations must be reasonable and shall not exceed this State's average fine or penalty for that violation;

   (3) Adopt budgets, levy taxes, except as otherwise provided with respect to the property tax levied by adoption of a budget, pursuant to public notice;

   (4) Grant, renew or extend franchises;

   (5) Authorize the borrowing of money;

   (6) Sell or lease or contract to sell or lease any lands of the municipality; and

   (7) Amend or repeal any ordinance described in items (1) through (6) above.

   In matters other than those referred to in this section council may act either by ordinance or resolution.

SECTION 2.    The Municipal Association of South Carolina shall calculate the amount required pursuant to Section 5-7-260 annually and publish the amount online at the beginning of each calendar year.

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

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