Journal of the House of Representatives
of the Second Session of the 111th General Assembly
of the State of South Carolina
being the Regular Session Beginning Tuesday, January 9, 1996

Page Finder Index

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Printed Page 2050 . . . . . Wednesday, April 10, 1996

justification constitutes a waiver of the employee's rights to pursue the appeal further. The State Human Resources Director shall determine whether or not reasonable justification exists based on documents submitted by the parties.

The conferences with the parties are confidential and limited to the parties and their representatives; but other persons may attend with the permission of the parties and the mediator-arbitrator. The parties or their representatives attending a conference must have full authority to negotiate and recommend settlement. The mediator-arbitrator may not be compelled by subpoena or otherwise to divulge any records or discussions or to testify in regard to the mediation-arbitration in any adversary proceeding or judicial forum. All records, reports, documents, discussions, and other information received by the mediator-arbitrator while serving in that capacity are confidential, except the documents which have been submitted by each party shall be the record during judicial review.

If an agreement by the two parties is not reached, the mediator-arbitrator shall transmit to both parties a final written decision based on the information presented during the process concerning the appeal within forty-five calendar days after the mediator-arbitrator conducts a conference with either or both parties. This forty-five day period may be extended by the State Human Resources Director under extenuating circumstances. The mediator-arbitrator shall request assistance from the attorney for the Office of Human Resources in the preparation of the final written decision. As a result of this decision, either the covered employee or the agency may request a reconsideration within thirty calendar days from receipt of the decision. The mediator-arbitrator shall request assistance from the attorney for the Office of Human Resources in the preparation of the final written decision. As a result of this decision, either the covered employee or the agency may request a reconsideration within thirty calendar days from receipt of the decision. The mediator-arbitrator shall request assistance from the attorney for the Office of Human Resources in the preparation of the written response to the request for reconsideration. Petition for judicial review of the final decision may be made by the covered employee to the court of common pleas of the county in which the covered employee's place of employment is located. Only after an agency submits a written request to the Office of Human Resources seeking approval of the board may the agency initiate a petition for judicial review to the court of common pleas of the county in which the covered employee's place of employment is located. However, the agency may perfect the petition for judicial review only upon approval of the board. The record for judicial review shall be


Printed Page 2051 . . . . . Wednesday, April 10, 1996

limited to the documents which have been submitted by each party and the final written decision of the mediator-arbitrator. Neither the board nor the Office of Human Resources nor the State Human Resources Director nor the mediator-arbitrator may be named in this petition for judicial review. However, any of these entities are entitled to make a motion in the court of common pleas to be allowed to intervene to participate in the petition for judicial review for appropriate reasons including their interest in defending their policies./

Amend title to conform.

Rep. CROMER explained the amendment.

The amendment was then adopted.

The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bill was taken up, read the second time, and ordered to a third reading:

H. 4663 -- Rep. Tucker: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 18-1-90, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE GRANTING OF BAIL FOR A DEFENDANT APPEALING A CONVICTION, SO AS TO MAKE THE GRANTING OF BAIL DISCRETIONARY FOR DEFENDANTS CONVICTED OF CERTAIN OFFENSES.

Rep. MARTIN explained the Bill.

H. 4443--OBJECTIONS

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 4443 -- Reps. Wright, Richardson, Cooper, Townsend, Allison, Littlejohn, Kelley and Jaskwhich: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EDUCATION, BY ADDING CHAPTER 40 SO AS TO ENACT THE SOUTH CAROLINA CHARTER SCHOOL ACT WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH A CHARTER SCHOOL SHALL BE FORMED, FUNDED, REGULATED, AND GOVERNED, AND TO ESTABLISH A CHARTER SCHOOLS REVIEW COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS ACT.


Printed Page 2052 . . . . . Wednesday, April 10, 1996

Rep. COBB-HUNTER moved to adjourn debate upon the Bill until Tuesday, April 30.

Rep. WRIGHT moved to table the motion.

Rep. COBB-HUNTER demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 61; Nays 40

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Askins               Brown, H.            Byrd
Cain                 Cato                 Chamblee
Cooper               Dantzler             Delleney
Easterday            Elliott              Fulmer
Gamble               Hallman              Harrell
Harrison             Herdklotz            Hutson
Jennings             Keegan               Kelley
Keyserling           Kinon                Kirsh
Klauber              Knotts               Koon
Law                  Limbaugh             Limehouse
Littlejohn           Loftis               Marchbanks
McKay                Meacham              Quinn
Rice                 Richardson           Robinson
Sandifer             Seithel              Sharpe
Simrill              Smith, D.            Smith, R.
Spearman             Stille               Stuart
Thomas               Townsend             Tripp
Trotter              Vaughn               Waldrop
Wells                Wilkins              Witherspoon
Wofford              Worley               Wright
Young-Brickell

Total--61

Those who voted in the negative are:

Allison              Anderson             Bailey
Boan                 Breeland             Brown, J.
Canty                Carnell              Cave
Cobb-Hunter          Cotty                Harris, P.
Hines, M.            Hodges               Howard
Inabinett            Kennedy              Lee
Lloyd                McAbee               McCraw

Printed Page 2053 . . . . . Wednesday, April 10, 1996

McMahand             Moody-Lawrence       Neal
Neilson              Phillips             Rhoad
Rogers               Scott                Sheheen
Shissias             Stoddard             Tucker
Walker               Whipper, L.          Whipper, S.
White                Wilder               Wilkes
Williams             

Total--40

So, the motion to adjourn debate was tabled.

Reps. RICHARDSON, SCOTT, COBB-HUNTER, KENNEDY, KELLEY, WRIGHT, LLOYD, SHISSIAS, COTTY, KEYSERLING, KNOTTS, HOWARD, NEAL, MOODY-LAWRENCE, WILLIAMS, CAVE, WELLS, ALLISON, WALKER, R. SMITH and KEEGAN objected to the Bill.

S. 699--AMENDED AND ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bill was taken up.

S. 699 -- Senator Richter: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-51-90, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE REDEMPTION OF REAL PROPERTY SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES, SO AS TO INCREASE THE INTEREST RATE FROM EIGHT TO TWELVE PERCENT IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS OF THE REDEMPTION PERIOD FOR ALL REAL PROPERTY NOT ASSESSED AS OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.

The Ways and Means Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name P:\amend\JIC\5772HTC.96), which was adopted.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by inserting a penultimate SECTION appropriately numbered to read:

/SECTION . Section 12-51-60 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 12-51-60. The successful bidder at the delinquent tax sale shall pay legal tender to the person officially charged with the collection of delinquent taxes in the full amount of the bid on the day of the sale. Upon payment, the person officially charged with the collection of delinquent taxes shall furnish the purchaser a receipt for the purchase money and attach a copy of the receipt to the execution with the endorsement of his actions which must be retained by him. Expenses of the sale must be paid


Printed Page 2054 . . . . . Wednesday, April 10, 1996

first and the balance of all delinquent tax sale monies collected must be turned over to the treasurer. Upon receipt of the funds, the treasurer shall immediately mark the public tax records regarding the property sold as follows: Paid by tax sale held on (insert date). All other monies received, including any excess due the defaulting taxpayer after payment of delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, and costs, must be retained, paid out, and accounted for by the delinquent tax collector. The defaulting taxpayer must be notified in writing by the delinquent tax collector of any excess due the taxpayer. The notice must be addressed and mailed to the defaulting taxpayer in the manner provided in Section 12-51-40(b) for taking exclusive possession of real property. Expenses of providing this notice are considered costs of the sale for purposes of determining the amount, if any, of the excess."/

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend totals and title to conform.

Rep. McKAY explained the amendment.

The amendment was then adopted.

Rep. SHEHEEN proposed the following Amendment No. 2 (Doc Name H-MEMBER\B21\699\1), which was adopted.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, as reported out by Ways and Means Committee, by adding a new numbered section to read as follows:

"( )The following are not allowed to enter a bid on any property sold for delinquent taxes:

(a) a county elected official;

(b) a county employee;

(c) a spouse of a county elected official;

(d) a spouse of county employee;

(e) a son or daughter of a county elected official;

(f) a spouse of a son or daughter of a county elected official;

(g) a son or daughter of a county employee;

(h) a spouse of a son or daughter of a county employee.

The prohibition of this section does not apply to the public official or the public employee when the elected official or employee must bid on the property as a part of the official public duties of the office to which he or she was elected or for which he or she is employed."

Rep. SHEHEEN explained the amendment.

The amendment was then adopted.


Printed Page 2055 . . . . . Wednesday, April 10, 1996

Rep. McKAY proposed the following Amendment No. 3 (Doc Name P:\amend\JIC\5814HTC.96), which was adopted.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/SECTION . Section 12-51-120 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 12-51-120. Neither more than forty-five days nor less than twenty days prior to the end of the redemption period for real estate sold for taxes, the person officially charged with the collection of delinquent taxes shall mail a notice by `certified mail, return receipt requested-deliver to addressee only' to the owner of record immediately preceding the end of the redemption period at the best address of the owner available to the person officially charged with the collection of delinquent taxes that the real property described on the notice has been sold for taxes and if not redeemed by paying taxes, assessments, penalties, costs and eight percent interest at the applicable rate on the bid price in the total amount of --- dollars on or before ---- (twelve months from date of sale)

(date) -----,

a tax title will be delivered to the successful purchaser at the tax sale. Under this chapter, the return of the certified mail `undelivered' is not grounds for a tax title to be withheld or be found defective and ordered set aside or canceled of record."/

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Rep. McKAY explained the amendment.

The amendment was then adopted.

The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

H. 4469--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 4469 -- Reps. Wilkins, Sharpe, Haskins, Cato, D. Smith, Townsend, J. Brown and Harrison: A BILL TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA EFFECTIVE DEATH PENALTY ACT OF 1996" INCLUDING PROVISIONS TO ADD SECTION 16-3-21, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO PROHIBIT, WITHOUT PRIOR COURT APPROVAL, CONTACT WITH JURORS WHO SENTENCED AN INDIVIDUAL TO DEATH BY ATTORNEYS OR AGENTS OF THAT


Printed Page 2056 . . . . . Wednesday, April 10, 1996

INDIVIDUAL; BY ADDING SECTION 17-25-375 SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR PROCEDURES FOR THE SETTING OF EXECUTION DATES; BY AMENDING SECTION 17-25-380, RELATING TO NOTICES OF THE INTENT TO EXECUTE A DEATH SENTENCE, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THESE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 17-27-130 SO AS TO CLARIFY THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE IS WAIVED IN STATE POST-CONVICTION PROCEEDINGS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN ACCESS OF NEW COUNSEL TO THE FILES OF PRIOR COUNSEL IN CASES OF DEFENDANTS SENTENCED TO DEATH; BY ADDING SECTION 17-27-140 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE SENTENCING TRIAL JUDGE IN CAPITAL CASES TO PRESIDE OVER COLLATERAL REVIEW PROCEEDINGS UNLESS ACTUAL BIAS OR PREJUDICE IS FOUND TO EXIST; BY ADDING SECTION 17-27-150 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT DISCOVERY PROCESSES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE TO THE PARTIES IN A STATE POST-CONVICTION RELIEF CASE UPON A SHOWING OF GOOD CAUSE; AND BY ADDING SECTION 17-27-160 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR TIME LIMITS IN CERTAIN MATTERS IN STATE POST-CONVICTION RELIEF CASES INVOLVING A SENTENCE OF DEATH FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPEDITING REVIEW OF SUCH CASES, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION OF COUNSEL IN THESE CASES.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. HARRISON made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since printed copies of the Bill have not been upon the desks of the members for one day.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

H. 4434--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 4434 -- Rep. Harrison: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-2990, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE SUSPENSION OF A PERSON'S DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE DRIVER'S LICENSE OF A PERSON


Printed Page 2057 . . . . . Wednesday, April 10, 1996

WHOSE LICENSE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED FOR A FIFTH OFFENSE.

The Judiciary Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name P:\amend\PFM\9220CM.96).

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

/SECTION 1. The first paragraph of Section 56-5-2990 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 181 of 1993, is further amended to read:

"The department shall suspend the driver's license of any a person who is convicted, receives sentence upon a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeits bail posted for the violation of Section 56-5-2930 or for the violation of any other another law or ordinance of this State or of any a municipality of this State that prohibits any a person from operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or narcotics for six months for the first conviction, plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail, one year for the second conviction, plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail, two years for the third offense, three years for the fourth offense, and a permanent revocation of the driver's license for fifth fourth and subsequent offenses. Only those violations which occurred within ten years including and immediately preceding the date of the last violation shall constitute prior violations within the meaning of this section. Any A person whose license is revoked following conviction for a fifth fourth offense as provided in this section is forever barred from being issued any license by the Department of Revenue and Taxation to operate a motor vehicle except as provided in Section 56-1-385."

SECTION 2. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 56-1-385. (A) Notwithstanding another provision of law, a person whose driver's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been revoked permanently pursuant to Section 56-5-2990, excluding persons convicted of felony driving under the influence of alcohol or another controlled substance under Section 56-5-2945, may petition the circuit court in the county of his residence for reinstatement of his driver's license and shall serve a copy of the petition upon the solicitor of the circuit. The solicitor or his designee within thirty days may respond to the petition and demand a hearing on the merits of the petition. If the solicitor or his designee does not demand a hearing, then the circuit court shall consider any affidavit submitted by the petitioner and the solicitor or his designee when determining whether the conditions required for driving privilege reinstatement have been met by the petitioner. The court may


Printed Page 2058 . . . . . Wednesday, April 10, 1996

order the reinstatement of the person's driver's license upon the following conditions:

(1) the person must not have been convicted of an alcohol or drug violation during the previous five-year period;

(2) the person must have completed successfully an alcohol or drug assessment and treatment program provided by the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services or an equivalent program designated by that agency; and

(3) the person's overall driving record, attitude, habits, character, and driving ability would make it safe to grant him the privilege to operate a motor vehicle.

(B)(1) A person may not seek reinstatement of his driver's license pursuant to this section if:

(a) his privilege to operate a motor vehicle is revoked permanently pursuant to Section 56-5-2930 after the effective date of this section; and

(b) the person subsequently is convicted of, receives a sentence upon a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeits bail posted for a violation of Section 56-5-2930 or for a violation of another law or ordinance of this State or of a municipality of this State that prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or narcotics.

(2) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit a person whose license has been revoked pursuant to Section 56-5-2930 before the effective date of this section from seeking reinstatement of his license pursuant to the provisions in this section.

(C) If a person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle is restored pursuant to this section, a subsequent violation of driving under the influence of alcohol or another controlled substance or felony driving under the influence of alcohol or another controlled substance will require the cancellation of the person's driver's license and the imposition of the full period of suspension and revocation for a previous violation.

(D) Before a person may have his driver's license reinstated under this section he must:

(1) pay a fifty dollar filing fee to the court; and

(2) successfully complete the requirements to obtain a driver's license contained in this article."

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

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend totals and title to conform.


Printed Page 2059 . . . . . Wednesday, April 10, 1996

Rep. HARRISON explained the amendment.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. KIRSH made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since printed copies of the Bill have not been upon the desks of the members for one day.

The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

H. 4557--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up.

H. 4557 -- Rep. Kirsh: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 21, TITLE 12, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO BUSINESS LICENSE TAXES, BY ADDING ARTICLE 24 ENACTING THE BINGO TAX ACT OF 1996 SO AS TO REGULATE THE GAME OF BINGO AND PROVIDE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-1140, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEDUCTIONS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TAXABLE INCOME FOR PURPOSES OF THE STATE INCOME TAX, SO AS TO ALLOW THE DEDUCTION OF BINGO PRIZES AND WINNINGS; TO AMEND SECTION 12-8-530, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING, SO AS TO EXEMPT BINGO PRIZES AND WINNINGS FROM WITHHOLDING, TO PROVIDE THAT ALL CURRENT BINGO LICENSES EXPIRE AFTER SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, TO SAVE PROCEEDINGS UNDERWAY ON OCTOBER 1, 1997, AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR DISPOSITION UNDER FORMER LAW; TO REPEAL ARTICLE 23, CHAPTER 21, TITLE 12, RELATING TO BINGO REGULATION; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE BINGO TAX ACT OF 1996 TAKES EFFECT OCTOBER 1, 1997.

The Ways and Means Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name P:\amend\JIC\5799HTC.96).

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking section 12-21-3930(3), as contained in SECTION 1, page 3, and inserting:

/(3) the nonprofit organization which is operated exclusively for charitable, religious, or fraternal purposes presents to the department upon application a certified copy of the statement issued by the Internal Revenue Service exempting it from federal income taxation;/

Amend further, page 6, by striking Section 12-21-3980(D), which reads:


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