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Susan K. Coleman 20 years

Betty S. Graham 20 years

Hazel A. Johnson 20 years

Mary Frances Newnham 20 years

Dorothy F. Miller 40 years

All were highly commended for their devoted and loyal service.

S. 101 -- Senators Leventis, Ryberg, Rose, Giese and Elliott: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 22-3-550, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO A MAGISTRATE'S JURISDICTION OVER CERTAIN CRIMINAL OFFENSES AND A MAGISTRATE'S AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE SENTENCES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROHIBITION AGAINST A MAGISTRATE SENTENCING ANY PERSON TO CONSECUTIVE TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT TOTALING MORE THAN NINETY DAYS DOES NOT APPLY TO SENTENCES FOR CONVICTIONS RESULTING FROM A VIOLATION OF CHAPTER 11 OF TITLE 34 PERTAINING TO FRAUDULENT CHECKS OR A VIOLATION OF SECTION 16-13-10 RELATING TO FORGERY WHICH INVOLVES A CHECK.

The House returned the Bill with amendments.

Senators STILWELL, RICHTER and LEVENTIS proposed the following amendment (JUD0101.005), which was adopted:

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

/SECTION 1. Section 22-3-550 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Section 28, Part II, Act 570 of 1994, is further amended to read:

"Section 22-3-550. Magistrates have jurisdiction of all offenses which may be subject to the penalties of a fine or forfeiture not exceeding five hundred dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, or both. and may impose any sentence within those limits, singly or in the alternative. In addition, a magistrate may order restitution he considers appropriate.

However, a magistrate shall not have the power to sentence any person to consecutive terms of imprisonment totaling more than ninety days except for convictions resulting from violations of Chapter 11 of Title 34, pertaining to fraudulent checks, or violations of Section 16-13-110, relating to shoplifting. Further, a magistrate must specify an amount of restitution in damages at the time of sentencing as an alternative to any

SECTION 2. Section 34-11-70 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 34-11-70. (a) When a check, a draft, or other written order is not paid by the drawee because the maker or drawer did not have an account with or sufficient funds on deposit with the bank or the person upon which it was drawn when presented or the draft, check, or other written order has an incorrect or insufficient signature on it, and the maker or drawer does not pay the amount due on it, together with a service charge of twenty twenty-five dollars, within ten days after written notice has been sent by certified mail to the address printed on the check or given at the time it is tendered or provided on a check-cashing identification card stating that payment was refused upon the instrument, then it constitutes prima facie evidence of fraudulent intent against the maker. Service charges collected pursuant to this section must be paid to the payee of the instrument.

(1) For purposes of subsection (a), notice must be given by mailing the notice with postage prepaid addressed to the person at the address as printed or written on the instrument. The giving of notice by mail is complete upon the expiration of ten days after the deposit of the notice in the mail. A certificate by the payee that the notice has been sent as required by this section is presumptive proof that the requirements as to notice have been met, regardless of the fact that the notice actually might not have been received by the addressee. The form of notice must be substantially as follows:

You are notified that a check or instrument, numbered ____, issued by you on ____ (date), drawn upon ____ (name of bank), and payable to ____, has been dishonored. Pursuant to South Carolina law, you have ten days from the date this notice was mailed to tender payment of the full amount of the check or instrument plus a service charge of twenty twenty-five dollars, the total amount due being __ dollars and ___ cents. Unless this amount is paid in full within the specified time above, the holder of the check or instrument may turn over the dishonored check or instrument and all other available information relating to this incident to the solicitor or other appropriate officer for criminal prosecution.

(2)When a person instituting prosecution gives notice in substantially similar form provided in item (1) to the person and the bank upon which the instrument was drawn and waits ten days from the date notice is mailed before instituting the criminal proceedings, there arises a

(3) A service charge of not more than twenty twenty-five dollars is payable by the drawer of a draft, a check, or other written order to the payee of the instrument when the draft, check, or other written order is presented for payment in whole or in part of a then existing debt, including, but not limited to, consumer credit transactions, and is dishonored. This service charge is solely to compensate the payee of the instrument for incurred expenses in processing the dishonored instrument and is not related to a presumption of fraud so that it is not necessary to issue the notice to the person at the address as printed on the instrument set forth in items (1) and (2).

(b) Any court, including magistrate's, may dismiss a case under the provisions of this chapter for want of prosecution. When any prosecutions are initiated under this chapter, the party applying for the warrant is held liable for all reasonable administrative costs accruing not to exceed twenty dollars if the case is dismissed for want of prosecution. Unless waived by the court, the party applying for the warrant shall notify, orally or otherwise, the court not less than twenty-four hours before the date and time set for trial that full restitution has been made in connection with the warrant, and the notification relieves that party of the responsibility of prosecution.

(c) Any court, including magistrate's, may dismiss any prosecution initiated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter on satisfactory proof of restitution and payment by the defendant of all administrative costs accruing not to exceed twenty dollars submitted before the date set for trial after the issuance of a warrant.

(d) For purposes of this chapter, subsequent persons receiving a check, draft, or other written order by endorsement from the original payee or a successor endorsee have the same rights that the original payee has against the maker of the instrument, if the maker of the instrument has the same defenses against subsequent persons as he may have had against the original payee. However, the remedies available under this chapter may be exercised only by one party in interest."

SECTION 3. Section 56-5-765 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 439 of 1994, is amended to read:

"Section 56-5-765. (A) When a motor vehicle or motorcycle of a law enforcement agency, except a motor vehicle or motorcycle operated by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, is involved in a traffic collision that results in an injury or a death, or involves a privately-owned

(B) When a motor vehicle or motorcycle of the Department of Public Safety is involved in a traffic collision that results in an injury or a death, or involves a privately-owned motor vehicle or motorcycle, regardless of whether another motor vehicle or motorcycle is involved, the sheriff of the county in which the collision occurred shall investigate the collision, regardless of whether the collision occurred within an incorporated jurisdiction, and file a report with findings on whether the department's motor vehicle or motorcycle was operated properly within the guidelines of appropriate statutes and regulations.

(C) A law enforcement department or agency may not investigate collisions in which a motor vehicle or an employee of that department or agency is involved that results in an injury or a death, or involves a privately-owned motor vehicle or motorcycle, regardless of whether another motor vehicle or motorcycle is involved."

SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /.

Amend title to conform.

Senator STILWELL explained the amendment.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was amended and ordered returned to the House with amendments.

S. 842 -- Senator Saleeby: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-210, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO VOTING PRECINCTS IN DARLINGTON COUNTY, SO AS TO REVISE THE MAP REFERENCE WHICH DEFINES THE LINES OF THESE VOTING PRECINCTS, DELETE ARCHAIC REFERENCES AND PROVIDE THAT POLLING PLACES BE DETERMINED BY THE DARLINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATION WITH THE APPROVAL OF A MAJORITY OF THE DARLINGTON COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.

The House returned the Bill with amendments.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 1, Section 7-7-210 as contained in SECTION 1, lines 38 and 39, by striking /Mont Clare;/ and inserting:

/ Mont Clare; /

Amend title to conform.

Senator SALEEBY explained the amendment.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was amended and ordered returned to the House with amendments.

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has appointed Reps. Cato, Gamble and Neal of the Committee of Free Conference on the part of the House on:
S. 602 -- Senators Short, Jackson, Gregory and Giese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 34-29-100, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO RECORDS AND REPORTS OF RESTRICTED LENDERS, BY ADDING INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE REPORTED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT MADE BY RESTRICTED LENDERS; TO AMEND SECTION 34-29-140 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO CHARGES PERMITTED TO RESTRICTED LENDERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE FINANCE CHARGES AND TO PROVIDE LIMITATIONS ON LOAN RENEWALS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-1-301 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS UNDER THE CONSUMER PROTECTION CODE, SO AS TO ADD A DEFINITION FOR "DEBT COLLECTOR"; TO AMEND SECTION 37-1-303 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE INDEX OF DEFINITIONS IN TITLE 37, SO AS TO ADD "DEBT COLLECTOR"; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-201 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO LOAN FINANCE CHARGES FOR SUPERVISED LOANS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT SUPERVISED LOANS NOT EXCEEDING SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS SHALL BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 34-29-140 RELATING TO FINANCE CHARGES FOR RESTRICTED LOANS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-305 OF THE 1976 CODE,

Received as information.

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has adopted the report of the Committee of Free Conference on the following Bill:
S. 602 -- Senators Short, Jackson, Gregory and Giese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 34-29-100, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO RECORDS AND REPORTS OF RESTRICTED LENDERS, BY ADDING INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE REPORTED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT MADE

Received as information.

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has adopted the report of the Committee of Conference on the following Bill and has ordered the Bill Enrolled for Ratification:
H. 3037 -- Reps. Kirsh, Simrill, Meacham, S. Whipper, Stille, Walker, Sandifer, Cain, Whatley, Shissias, Riser and Clyburn: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-2947 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN A PERSON COMMITS CERTAIN DRUG AND ALCOHOL-RELATED MOTOR VEHICLE OFFENSES AND A MINOR WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE OFFENSE, THE PERSON IS GUILTY OF THE OFFENSE OF CHILD ENDANGERMENT AND MUST BE PENALIZED BY A MANDATORY FINE OR IMPRISONMENT NOT LESS THAN ONE-HALF OF THE MAXIMUM FINE OR IMPRISONMENT GIVEN FOR THE ORIGINAL OFFENSE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON MAY BE CONVICTED OF CHILD ENDANGERMENT IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER OFFENSES.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that the report of the Committee of Conference having been adopted by both Houses, and this Bill having been read three times in each House, it was ordered that the title thereof be changed to that of an Act, and that it be enrolled for ratification:

Received as information.

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has granted Free Conference Powers and appointed Reps. Martin, Harrison and Limbaugh of the Committee of Free Conference on the part of the House on:
H. 3096 -- Reps. Thomas, Marchbanks, Simrill, Cromer, Walker, Vaughn, Wilder, Tripp, Elliott, Wells, Stille, Kelley, Richardson, Gamble, Stuart, Phillips, D. Smith, Law, Allison, Harrison, Keyserling, Tucker, Meacham, Shissias, Robinson, Baxley and Spearman: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-1-60, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF "VIOLENT CRIMES", SO AS TO INCLUDE THE CRIME OF HOMICIDE BY CHILD ABUSE.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has adopted the report of the Committee of Free Conference on the following Bill:
H. 3096 -- Reps. Thomas, Marchbanks, Simrill, Cromer, Walker, Vaughn, Wilder, Tripp, Elliott, Wells, Stille, Kelley, Richardson, Gamble, Stuart, Phillips, D. Smith, Law, Allison, Harrison, Keyserling, Tucker, Meacham, Shissias, Robinson, Baxley and Spearman: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-1-60, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF "VIOLENT CRIMES", SO AS TO INCLUDE THE CRIME OF HOMICIDE BY CHILD ABUSE.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

H. 3096 -- Reps. Thomas, Marchbanks, Simrill, Cromer, Walker, Vaughn, Wilder, Tripp, Elliott, Wells, Stille, Kelley, Richardson, Gamble, Stuart, Phillips, D. Smith, Law, Allison, Harrison, Keyserling, Tucker, Meacham, Shissias, Robinson, Baxley and Spearman: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-1-60, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF "VIOLENT CRIMES", SO AS TO INCLUDE THE CRIME OF HOMICIDE BY CHILD ABUSE.

On motion of Senator HOLLAND, with unanimous consent, the Report of the Committee of Free Conference was taken up for immediate consideration.

Senator HOLLAND spoke on the report.

Senator PATTERSON argued contra to the adoption of the report.

Senator RICHTER spoke on the report.

Senators BRYAN and WASHINGTON argued contra to the adoption of the report.

Senator HOLLAND moved that the Report of the Committee of Free Conference be adopted.

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