Current Status Bill Number:1253 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19960314 Primary Sponsor:Ryberg All Sponsors:Ryberg Drafted Document Number:res9958.wgr Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Judiciary Committee 11 SJ Subject:County and city law enforcement vehicles, blue lights atop
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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Senate 19960314 Introduced, read first time, 11 SJ
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 23 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY, BY ADDING SECTION 23-1-230 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ALL MOTOR VEHICLES USED BY A COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, OR BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY, FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OR ORDINANCES OF A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY RELATIVE TO HIGHWAY AND STREET TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC SAFETY, AND MOTOR VEHICLES, SHALL BE CONSPICUOUSLY MARKED AS VEHICLES USED FOR SUCH PURPOSES BY THE PLACEMENT OF BLUE OR OTHER APPROPRIATELY COLORED LIGHTS ATOP THE VEHICLE AND SUCH OTHER MARKINGS AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE TO CLEARLY IDENTIFY THE VEHICLE AS A VEHICLE USED FOR SUCH PURPOSES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 23 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 23-1-230. All vehicles used by a county sheriff's department, or by a law enforcement officer of a county or municipality, for the enforcement of the laws of the State or ordinances of a county or municipality relative to highway and street traffic, traffic safety, and motor vehicles shall be conspicuously marked as vehicles used for such purposes by the placement of blue or other appropriately colored lights atop the vehicle and such other markings appropriate to clearly identify the vehicle as a vehicle used for such purposes. Any vehicle which does not conform with this section shall be assigned in a manner approved by the sheriff or other appropriate person but may not be used for the enforcement of the laws of the State or ordinances of a county or municipality relative to highway and street traffic, traffic safety, and motor vehicles. Nothing in this section prohibits a nonconforming vehicle from being used for purposes other than for the enforcement of the laws of the State or ordinances of a county or municipality relative to highway traffic, traffic safety, and motor vehicles and in instances where the use of such a vehicle is necessary to protect the public."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor but the sheriff or other appropriate person may establish a phase-in schedule of not more than two years to ensure proper vehicle rotation and an adequate allocation of officers.