A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-250(A)(1), RELATING TO THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR TAXPAYERS SIXTY-FIVE AND OVER OR THOSE TOTALLY AND PERMANENTLY DISABLED OR LEGALLY BLIND, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR TAXPAYERS WHO ARE DEAF.

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

SECTION 1.      Section 12-37-250(A)(1) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   Section 12-37-250.   (A)(1) The first fifty thousand dollars of the fair market value of the dwelling place of a person is exempt from county, municipal, school, and special assessment real estate property taxes when the person:

      (i) has been a resident of this State for at least one year and has reached the age of sixty-five years on or before December thirty-first;

      (ii) has been classified as totally and permanently disabled by a state or federal agency having the function of classifying persons. A person claiming to be totally and permanently disabled, but who has not been classified by one of the agencies, may apply to the State Agency of Vocational Rehabilitation. The agency shall make an evaluation of the person using its own standards;

      (iii) is legally blind, as defined in Section 43-25-20, preceding the tax year in which the exemption is claimed and holds complete fee simple title or a life estate to the dwelling place; or A person claiming to be totally and permanently disabled, but who has not been classified by one of the agencies, may apply to the state agency of Vocational Rehabilitation. The agency shall make an evaluation of the person using its own standards.

      (iv) is a deaf person, as defined in Section 58-9-2510(4), preceding the tax year in which the exemption is claimed and holds complete fee simple title or a life estate to the dwelling place.

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

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