Bill 3143

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                       3143
Type of Legislation:               Joint Resolution JR
Introducing Body:                  House
Introduced Date:                   19970114
Primary Sponsor:                   Wilkins
All Sponsors:                      Wilkins, Haskins, H. Brown,
                                   J. Brown, Cato, Harrison, Meacham,
                                   Sharpe, D. Smith, Townsend, Vaughn,
                                   Allison, Altman, Bailey, Barfield,
                                   Barrett, Bauer, Beck, Campsen,
                                   Chellis, Cotty,  Davenport,
                                   Delleney, Felder, Gamble, Harrell,
                                   Hinson, Jordan, Kelley, Keegan,
                                   Kinon, Kirsh, Klauber, Law, Leach,
                                   Littlejohn, Limbaugh, Lloyd, Martin,
                                   McKay, McMaster, Rice, Riser,
                                   Robinson, Rodgers, Sandifer,
                                   Simrill, Spearman, Tripp, Walker,
                                   Witherspoon, Woodrum, Young,
                                   Young-Brickell, Stuart, Mullen,
                                   Seithel, Edge, Knotts, Mason,
                                   Limehouse, Hamilton, Whatley and
                                   Hawkins
Drafted Document Number:           dka\3913mm.97
Residing Body:                     Senate
Current Committee:                 Judiciary Committee 11 SJ
Date of Last Amendment:            19970205
Subject:                           Tax or tax increase,
                                   legislation requiring; General
                                   Assembly, constitutional
                                   amendment

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________
Senate  19970206  Introduced, read first time,             11 SJ
                  referred to Committee
House   19970206  Read third time, sent to Senate
House   19970205  Amended, read second time
House   19970204  Request for debate by Representative             Harrison
                                                                   D. Smith
                                                                   Harrell
                                                                   Haskins
                                                                   Easterday
                                                                   Cato
                                                                   F. Smith
                                                                   R. Smith
                                                                   Mason
                                                                   Simrill
                                                                   Witherspoon
                                                                   Meachan
                                                                   Sandifer
House   19970129  Committee report: Favorable with         25 HJ
                  amendment
House   19970114  Introduced, read first time,             25 HJ
                  referred to Committee
House   19970108  Prefiled, referred to Committee          25 HJ

AMENDED

February 5, 1997

H. 3143

Introduced by Reps. Wilkins, Haskins, H. Brown, J. Brown, Cato, Harrison, Meacham, Sharpe, D. Smith, Townsend, Vaughn, Allison, Altman, Bailey, Barfield, Barrett, Bauer, Beck, Campsen, Chellis, Cotty, Davenport, Delleney, Felder, Gamble, Harrell, Hinson, Jordan, Kelley, Keegan, Kinon, Kirsh, Klauber, Law, Leach, Littlejohn, Limbaugh, Lloyd, Martin, McKay, McMaster, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Sandifer, Simrill, Spearman, Tripp, Walker, Witherspoon, Woodrum, Young, Young-Brickell, Stuart, Mullen, Seithel, Edge, Knotts, Mason, Limehouse, Hamilton, Whatley and Hawkins

S. Printed 2/5/97--H.

Read the first time January 14, 1997.

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT, BY ADDING SECTION 15A SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT A BILL OR RESOLUTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IMPOSING OR INCREASING A TAX OR FEE BE SUBMITTED TO A VOTE OF THE ELECTORS OF THE STATE IF THE BILL OR RESOLUTION DOES NOT RECEIVE THE APPROVAL OF TWO-THIRDS OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND TWO-THIRDS OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SENATE; AND TO REQUIRE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROVIDE A PROCEDURE BY WHICH ELECTORS SHALL VOTE IF THE BILL OR RESOLUTION DOES NOT RECEIVE THE REQUIRED TWO-THIRDS VOTE.

Amend Title To Conform

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

SECTION 1. It is proposed that Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding:

"Section 15A. Any bill or resolution imposing or increasing a general tax may not become law without the approval of two-thirds of the membership elected to the House of Representatives and two-thirds of the membership elected to the Senate."

SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:

"Must Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding Section 15A so as to provide that any bill or resolution imposing or increasing a general tax may not become law without the approval of two-thirds of the membership elected to the House of Representatives and two-thirds of the membership elected to the Senate?

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."