Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

April 19, 2023

H. 3313

Introduced by Rep. Jordan

 

S. Printed 04/19/23--H.

Read the first time January 10, 2023

 

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The committee on House Judiciary

To who was referred a Bill (H. 3313) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 30-5-10, relating to the performance of the duties of a register of deeds, so as to add Florence County, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

 

WESTON NEWTON for Committee.

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

 

Local Expenditure

This bill adds Florence County to those counties exempt from the requirement that duties prescribed by law for the register of deeds must be performed by the clerk of court. The bill also provides that the register of deeds will be appointed by the governing body of the county.

 

Florence County indicates that this bill will increase the county's expenses by approximately $8,000 for supplies, tort insurance, equipment leases, and travel to create a Register of Deeds office. Additionally, the County anticipates a salary increase of approximately $27,000 will be required for the current deputy clerk of court to move into the new Register of Deeds position. However, Florence County intends to offset the cost of the salary increase with savings resulting from attrition in the Clerk of Court's office in the amount of approximately $17,500. Therefore, RFA anticipates that this bill may increase overall expenditures for Florence County by an estimated $17,500, potentially beginning in FY 2024-25.

 

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

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A bill

 

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 30-5-10, relating to THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DUTIES OF A REGISTER OF DEEDS, so as to ADD FLORENCE COUNTY TO THE COUNTIES EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT THAT THESE DUTIES BE PERFORMED BY THE CLERK OF COURT; and by amending Section 30-5-12, relating to THE APPOINTMENT OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS FOR CERTAIN COUNTIES, so as to ADD FLORENCE COUNTY TO THE COUNTIES WHERE THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE COUNTY APPOINTS THE REGISTER OF DEEDS.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 30-5-10(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (A) In every county in the State other than Aiken, Anderson, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Cherokee, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Spartanburg, and Sumter the duties prescribed by law for the register of deeds must be performed by the clerk of court who has all the powers and emoluments given the register of deeds in Aiken, Anderson, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Cherokee, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Spartanburg, and Sumter counties.

 

SECTION 2.  Section 30-5-12(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (A) The governing bodies of Anderson, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Oconee, Orangeburg, and Pickens counties shall appoint the register of deeds for its county under terms and conditions as it may agree upon.

 

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect on January 1, 2025.

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