South Carolina Legislature MobileReference is to the bill as introduced.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. (A)
There is established the Utilities Relocation Study
Committee to review, study, and make recommendations concerning
the need for improved coordination and funding of the relocation
of water and sewer facilities located within the public
rights-of-way when such relocation is required due to the
construction or improvement of roads and bridges in the state.
(B) The Utilities
Relocation Study Committee is to:
(1)
identify and categorize a statewide
estimate of the historical, current and anticipated costs
associated with the relocation of utilities inside and outside
the rights-of-way owned by state agencies, counties,
municipalities, or local water or sewer districts resulting from
highway projects;
(2)
determine as accurately as possible the percentage of the
statewide cost estimate attributable to South Carolina
Department of Transportation projects, State Transportation
Infrastructure Bank projects, local-option sales tax projects
involving state roads, local road projects, and County
Transportation Committee projects;
(3)
identify potential sources of sustainable funds that may
be used by state agencies, counties, municipalities, or local
water or sewer districts for utility relocation costs including,
but not limited to, existing state and federal loan and grant
programs, appropriations from the state general fund,
contributions from public utilities, and other sustainable
sources;
(4)
identify any legal obstacles that impact the ability of
state agencies, counties, municipalities, or local water or
sewer districts to fund the relocation of utilities;
(5)
investigate the creation of a utilities relocation trust
fund to assist in relocation costs either through loans, grants,
matching funds, or other means, and recommend the appropriate
entity to house and administer the trust fund, the terms and
conditions under which funding might be provided, and the
general criteria used for evaluating funding applications;
(6)
identify ways to improve coordination and reduce impacts
through the use of communication, technology and improved
management techniques; and
(7)
recommend changes to public policy, regulations, or
statutes that would improve funding or reduce costs associated
with utility relocations resulting from road and bridge
projects.
(C) The Utilities
Relocation Study Committee must be composed of thirteen members.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8-13-770, the
committee is composed of:
(1)
one member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the
Senate;
(2)
one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives;
(3)
one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
Senate;
(4)
one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House
of Representatives;
(5)
one member appointed by the Governor;
(6)
the Secretary of Transportation, or his designee;
(7)
the Chairman of the South Carolina Department of
Transportation Commission, or his designee;
(8)
one member representing the South Carolina Rural Water
Association;
(9)
one member representing the Water Utility Council of South
Carolina;
(10)
one member representing the South Carolina Water Quality
Association;
(11)
one member representing the Municipal Association of South
Carolina;
(12)
one member representing the South Carolina Association of
Counties; and
(13)
one member representing the South Carolina Association of
Special Purpose Districts.
(D) The members of the
study committee shall serve without compensation and may not
receive mileage or per diem.
(E) The Utilities
Relocation Study Committee shall make a report of its findings
and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than
January 15, 2013, at which time the study committee
terminates."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.