A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 1-7-95 SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT, WHEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL PROCEEDS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT UNDERTAKE REPRESENTATION OF STATE AGENCIES AND CANNOT BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE POSSESSION, CUSTODY, OR CONTROL OVER STATE AGENCY DOCUMENTS OR ELECTRONICALLY STORED INFORMATION; AND BY ADDING SECTION 39-5-55 SO AS TO SPECIFY that THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS ACTING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST OF THE STATE IN UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICE PROCEEDINGs, AND TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION.

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

SECTION 1.   Article 1, Chapter 7, Title 1 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 1-7-95.   (A)   Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when the Attorney General brings or defends an action in the name of the State of South Carolina pursuant to any power granted by common law, the Constitution of this State, or any provision of law, the Attorney General acts in the public interest of the State of South Carolina and not as the legal representative or attorney of any department or agency of state government, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, or any of the boards connected therewith. Such departments, agencies, or boards are not parties to these actions, and the documents or electronically stored information of such departments, agencies, or boards are not in the possession, custody, or control of the Attorney General.

   (B)   This section does not affect the ability of the Attorney General to bring or defend an action in a proprietary capacity on behalf of and representing any such department, agency or board.

SECTION 2.   Article 1, Chapter 5, Title 39 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 39-5-55.   Proceedings instituted by the Attorney General under this article are proceedings in the public interest of the State of South Carolina for purposes of Section 1-7-95, except actions expressly brought under Section 39-5-140 in the name and on behalf of a department or agency of state government or any of the boards connected therewith.

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

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