A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 1-6-50, relating to the state inspector general's Investigatory powers, report and advice, and civil actions, so as to provide that the State Inspector General must not issue a final report during the fifty-day period before the election for which the person is a candidate.

Whereas, the General Assembly has previously determined in Section 8-13-320(9)(b)(1) that the State Ethics Commission must not accept a complaint concerning a candidate for elective office during the fifty-day period before an election in which he is a candidate; and

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that in a similar manner to the State Ethics Commission acting on a complaint for a candidate for elective office during the fifty-day period before an election in which he is a candidate, that a final report from the State Inspector General could have a similar effect on an election as the State Ethics Commission acting on a complaint; and

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that since the State Inspector General's report could have a similar impact on the an election as the State Ethics Commission acting on a complaint for a candidate for elective office during the fifty-day period before an election in which he is a candidate, that it is necessary to provide a similar provision as it relates to a final report of the State Inspector General as to not potentially interfere with, or present an undue influence on, an election. Now therefore,

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

SECTION 1.   Section 1-6-50(C) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   (C) For an investigation that results in a report, the State Inspector General must prepare a written report that remains confidential until it is issued as a final report. The State Inspector General is the authority who determines if an investigation requires a report. The State Inspector General, in his discretion, may give an agency advice or recommendations that remain confidential and are not issued as a report. If a final report involves a person who is a candidate for elective office, the State Inspector General must not issue the final report during the fifty-day period before the election for which the person is a candidate.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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