SENATE JOURNAL 05/31/2006 - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
116th Session, 2005-2006
Journal of the Senate

Wednesday, May 31, 2006
(Statewide Session)

~~Indicates Matter Stricken~~
Indicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 11:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the PRESIDENT Pro Tempore.

A quorum being present, the proceedings were opened with a devotion by Senator RICHARDSON as follows:

Beloved, hear words through the Prophet Isaiah,

Isaiah 1:18, for we are not only talking together, we are reasoning together with each other - and with our God:

"Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord."

Let us pray.

Lord, we have come, all of us, servants of our State of South Carolina - to reason together about our needs and also our responsibilities and our obligations to our people and to You, our Lord God.

Lead on, O King Eternal - help us to follow!
Amen!

The PRESIDENT Pro Tempore called for Petitions, Memorials, Presentments of Grand Juries and such like papers.

Point of Quorum

At 10:09.M., Senator MARTIN made the point that a quorum was not present. It was ascertained that a quorum was not present.

Call of the Senate

Senator PEELER moved that a Call of the Senate be made. The following Senators answered the Call:

Alexander                 Anderson                  Bryant
Campsen                   Cleary                    Courson
Cromer                    Drummond                  Elliott
Fair                      Gregory                   Grooms
Hawkins                   Hayes                     Hutto
Knotts                    Land                      Leatherman
Leventis                  Lourie                    Malloy
Martin                    Matthews                  McConnell
McGill                    Mescher                   Moore
O'Dell                    Patterson                 Peeler
Pinckney                  Rankin                    Reese
Richardson                Ritchie                   Ryberg
Scott                     Setzler                   Sheheen
Short                     Thomas                    Verdin
Williams

A quorum being present, the Senate resumed.

Recorded Presence

Senators FORD and JACKSON recorded their presence subsequent to the Call of the Senate.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following appointments were transmitted by the Honorable Mark C. Sanford:

Local Appointments

Initial Appointment, Beaufort County Magistrate, with term to commence April 30, 2006, and to expire April 30, 2010

Philander K. McDomick, 542 Joe Frazier Road, Beaufort, S.C. 29906 VICE Joseph McDomick

Initial Appointment, Chesterfield County Magistrate, with term to commence April 30, 2006, and to expire April 30, 2010

Robert Allen Teal, Jr., P. O. Box 119, McBee, S.C. 29101 VICE Glenn Odom

Initial Appointment, Colleton County Magistrate, with term to commence April 30, 2006, and to expire April 30, 2010

Keisha D. Gadsden, P. O. Box 334, Jacksonboro, S.C. 29488 VICE Kerry J. Baxley

Reappointment, Florence County Magistrate, with term to commence April 30, 2006, and to expire April 30, 2010

Hon. Eugene Cooper, 205 East Williams Rd., Coward, S.C. 29530-5079

Reappointment, Florence County Magistrate, with term to commence April 30, 2006, and to expire April 30, 2010

James M. Lynch, 307 East Smith Street, Timmonsville, S.C. 29161

Reappointment, Sumter County Magistrate, with term to commence April 30, 2006, and to expire April 30, 2010

Kathy Ward, 23 Robbins Ave., Sumter, S.C. 29150

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR
State of South Carolina
Office of the Governor
P. O. Box 11369
Columbia, SC 29211
May 24, 2006

The Honorable André Bauer
President of the Senate
State House, 1st Floor, East Wing
Columbia, South Carolina 29202

Mr. President and Members of the Senate:

I am hereby vetoing and returning without my approval S. 489, R-296.

(R296, S489 (Word version)) -- Senator Hayes: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 1-11-720, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ENTITIES WHOSE EMPLOYEES, RETIREES, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STATE HEALTH AND DENTAL INSURANCE PLANS, SO AS TO EXTEND THIS ELIGIBILITY TO THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND, A RESIDENTIAL GROUP FACILITY MEETING CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS, A FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER, COUNTY FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP, AND PALMETTO PRIDE.

S. 489 seeks to extend state health and dental insurance plan eligibility to employees of the several non-state agencies, including the Children's Trust Fund, Federally Qualified Health Centers, County First Steps Partnerships, and Palmetto Pride. While I respect the intentions of the bill's sponsor, I am vetoing this bill because it unintentionally makes a bad fiscal problem worse.

In 2005, the Budget and Control Board contracted with an outside accounting firm to conduct an Actuarial Valuation of the liabilities associated with the state employee health plan. In February 2006, the actuaries reported that the State's unfunded liability for the future health benefits of State Employees and School District Employees over the course of the next 30 years is more than $9.2 billion.

The actuarial calculations were prepared to comply with the new accounting standards set by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), designed to more realistically account for the costs of future benefits. Employees of state and local governments are compensated in a variety of forms in exchange for their services. In addition to a salary, many employees earn benefits over their years of service that will not be received until after their employment with the government ends through retirement or other reason for separation. The most common type of these postemployment benefits is a pension. "Other Postemployment Benefits" or "OPEB" are postemployment benefits other than pensions. OPEB often takes the form of health insurance provided to eligible retirees, although it could also include some types of life insurance, legal services, and other benefits.

The GASB established standards in 1994 for how public employee pension plans and governmental employers participating in pension plans should account for and report on pension benefits, but similar provisions did not exist for OPEB. Although the OPEB may not have the same legal standing as pensions in some jurisdictions, the GASB believes that pension benefits (as a legal obligation) and OPEB (as a constructive obligation in some cases) are a part of the compensation that employees earn each year, even though these benefits are not received until after employment has ended. Therefore, the cost of these future benefits is a part of the cost of providing public services today.

To fully close that $9.2 billion gap, the State would need to put an additional $536 million into the employee insurance plan each year. It is only logical that the optional participants currently in the plan - including counties and municipalities, housing authorities, gas/sewer/water districts, community action agencies, and a few hospitals - have a similar unfunded liability, but no estimate has been done regarding their portion of the plan. (The $9.2 billion refers simply to the State Employees and School District Employees.) While it's only natural to want to extend coverage like S. 489 does, South Carolina taxpayers and people currently in the system are depending on us to be prudent administrators of a sustainable plan. The State is $9.2 billion in the hole currently. The optional participants are in a similar one; we just haven't measured yet how deep it is. The first step to getting out of those holes is to stop digging. We ought to at least know how big the problem is before doing something that could make it worse.

For this reason, I am returning S. 489 without my signature.
Sincerely,
/s/ Mark Sanford
cc: The Honorable R. Wesley Hayes, Jr.

VETO OVERRIDDEN

The veto of the Governor was taken up for immediate consideration.

Senator HAYES moved that the veto of the Governor be overridden.

The question was put, "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 25; Nays 11

AYES

Alexander                 Anderson                  Courson
Drummond                  Elliott                   Hayes
Hutto                     Land                      Leatherman
Leventis                  Lourie                    Malloy
Martin                    Matthews                  McConnell
McGill                    Mescher                   Moore
O'Dell                    Reese                     Scott
Setzler                   Sheheen                   Short
Thomas

Total--25

NAYS

Bryant                    Campsen                   Cleary
Cromer                    Fair                      Grooms
Hawkins                   Peeler                    Richardson
Ryberg                    Verdin

Total--11

The necessary two-thirds vote having been received, the veto of the Governor was overridden, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

Recorded Vote

Senator KNOTTS desired to be recorded as voting in favor of the motion to override the veto of the Governor.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has overridden the veto by the Governor on R.296, S. 489 by a vote of 79 to 27:

Received as information.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 30, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it concurs in the amendments proposed by the Senate to:

H. 4307 (Word version) -- Rep. Stewart: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-37-2645, SO AS TO INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE FOR PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES THE DEFINITION OF PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLE USED IN THE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSING AND REGISTRATION LAW, INCREASE THE WEIGHT LIMIT FOR PICKUP TRUCKS FOR PURPOSES OF THIS DEFINITION, AND INCLUDE MOTORCYCLES WITHIN THIS INCORPORATED DEFINITION.
and has ordered the Bill enrolled for Ratification.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it concurs in the amendments proposed by the Senate to:

H. 4348 (Word version) -- Reps. Walker, Hinson, McLeod, Limehouse, Bailey and Cobb-Hunter: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 43, TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO THE DISPOSITION OF HUMAN BODIES, THE UNIFORM ANATOMICAL GIFT ACT, AND POSTMORTEM EXAMINATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN EMBLEM MUST BE EMBEDDED ON A DRIVER'S LICENSE TO DESIGNATE THE LICENSEE AS AN ORGAN OR TISSUE DONOR; TO DELETE PROVISIONS SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING EYE DONATION, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN PROVISIONS RELATING TO TISSUE DONATION AND PROCUREMENT; TO FURTHER SPECIFY THE CLASSES HAVING AUTHORITY TO CONSENT TO ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION FOR A DECEDENT; TO CONFORM REFERENCES TO CURRENT FEDERAL LAW REGARDING ORGAN PROCUREMENT AGENCIES; TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN DEATH IS IMMINENT, OR HAS OCCURRED, NOTIFICATION OF THE ORGAN PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATION MUST BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAW; TO DELETE PROVISIONS REGARDING CERTAIN AGENCIES HAVING AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE CERTAIN ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATIONS; TO REVISE PROCEDURES FOR DEATH RECORD REVIEWERS; AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
and has ordered the Bill enrolled for Ratification.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 30, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it concurs in the amendments proposed by the Senate to:

H. 4404 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 25 TO CHAPTER 31, TITLE 5, SO AS TO REQUIRE MUNICIPALITIES FURNISHING ELECTRICITY OR NATURAL GAS TO THEIR CITIZENS TO ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT AND TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS; BY ADDING ARTICLE 17 TO CHAPTER 11, TITLE 6, SO AS TO REQUIRE SPECIAL PURPOSE AND PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICTS TO ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT AND TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS; BY ADDING ARTICLE 17 TO CHAPTER 49, TITLE 33 SO AS TO REQUIRE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES TO ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT AND TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS; BY ADDING ARTICLE 11 TO CHAPTER 5, TITLE 58, SO AS TO REQUIRE NATURAL GAS UTILITIES TO ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT AND TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS; BY ADDING ARTICLE 21 TO CHAPTER 27, TITLE 58, SO AS TO REQUIRE ELECTRICAL UTILITIES TO ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT AND TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS; AND BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 31, TITLE 58, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT AND TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS.
and has ordered the Bill enrolled for Ratification.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it concurs in the amendments proposed by the Senate to:

H. 3949 (Word version) -- Rep. Cooper: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-21-4025 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CHARITY GAMING.
and has ordered the Bill enrolled for Ratification.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it concurs in the amendments proposed by the Senate to:

H. 3478 (Word version) -- Rep. Huggins: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-57-145, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO GROUNDS FOR DENIAL OF LICENSURE OR FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING BROKERS, AGENTS, AND PROPERTY MANAGERS, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT PAYMENT OF A COMMISSION OR COMPENSATION TO AN UNLICENSED INDIVIDUAL IS PROHIBITED FOR CONDUCTING ACTIVITIES REQUIRING A LICENSE AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE WHEN SUCH PAYMENTS ARE AUTHORIZED.
and has ordered the Bill enrolled for Ratification.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it concurs in the amendments proposed by the Senate to:

S. 1267 (Word version) -- Senators Hawkins and Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 23-3-540, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF SEX OFFENDERS, SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE PERSONS WHO MUST BE ELECTRONICALLY MONITORED AND TO ESTABLISH THE PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING SUCH PERSONS.
and has ordered the Bill enrolled for Ratification.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it concurs in the amendments proposed by the Senate to:

S. 1264 (Word version) -- Senator Leventis: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 470 OF 1971, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION SCHOOL FOR SUMTER COUNTY AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CAREER CENTER BOARD, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2006, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CAREER CENTER SHALL BECOME AN ADVISORY BOARD TO THE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES OF SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICTS 2 AND 17 AND THE DUTIES, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CAREER CENTER ARE DEVOLVED JOINTLY UPON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICTS 2 AND 17 ON JULY 1, 2006, AND TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING JULY 1, 2006, THE SUPERINTENDENTS OF SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICTS 2 AND 17 SHALL TOGETHER EMPLOY A DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER WHO SHALL SERVE AS SUPERVISOR AND FISCAL AGENT OF THE SCHOOL UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS.
and has ordered the Bill enrolled for Ratification.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it concurs in the amendments proposed by the Senate to:

H. 5139 (Word version) -- Reps. Emory and J.M. Neal: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-350, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN LANCASTER COUNTY, SO AS TO ADD PETTUS PLACE AND POSSUM HOLLOW TO THE LIST OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN LANCASTER COUNTY.
and has ordered the Bill enrolled for Ratification.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 30, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has overridden the veto by the Governor on R330, H. 3402 by a vote of 105 to 3:

(R330, H3402 (Word version)) -- Reps. M.A. Pitts, Taylor, Owens, Duncan, Vick, Hardwick, Hagood, Ott, Ceips, Haley, Hiott, Limehouse, E.H. Pitts, G.R. Smith, Toole, Umphlett, Witherspoon, Chellis, Stewart, Mahaffey, Barfield, Huggins, Loftis, White, Clemmons, Walker, Littlejohn and Sinclair: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-10 AND SECTION 8-13-1300, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITION OF TERMS IN MATTERS RELATING TO CAMPAIGN PRACTICES AND IN MATTERS RELATING TO LOBBYISTS AND LOBBYING, RESPECTIVELY, INCLUDING THE DEFINITION OF LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS COMMITTEE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH A CAUCUS MAY BE CREATED BASED UPON A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE INTEREST; TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1333, RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE, TO PROHIBIT SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS BY LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL INTEREST CAUCUSES BUT TO PERMIT SOLICITATION OF OTHER FUNDS AND TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR FUND SOLICITATION AND USE OF THOSE FUNDS AND TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN FINANCIAL RECORDS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-110, RELATING TO ACTS PROHIBITED BY LOBBYISTS AND LOBBYISTS' PRINCIPALS TO PROHIBIT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM A LOBBYIST, LOBBYIST'S PRINCIPAL, OR PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF A LOBBYIST OR LOBBYIST'S PRINCIPAL.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information

VETO OVERRIDDEN

The veto of the Governor was taken up for immediate consideration.

Senator MOORE moved that the veto of the Governor be overridden.

The question was put, "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 30; Nays 6

AYES

Alexander                 Anderson                  Cromer
Drummond                  Elliott                   Fair
Grooms                    Hayes                     Hutto
Land                      Leatherman                Lourie
Malloy                    Martin                    Matthews
McConnell                 McGill                    Mescher
Moore                     O'Dell                    Patterson
Peeler                    Reese                     Richardson
Scott                     Setzler                   Sheheen
Short                     Verdin                    Williams

Total--30

NAYS

Bryant                    Campsen                   Courson
Hawkins                   Ryberg                    Thomas

Total--6

The necessary two-thirds vote having been received, the veto of the Governor was overridden, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

Recorded Vote

Senator KNOTTS desired to be recorded as voting in favor of the motion to override the veto of the Governor.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator THOMAS rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator RYBERG rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has overridden the veto by the Governor on R.317, H. 4938 by a vote of 101 to 10:

(R317, H4938 (Word version)) -- Reps. Cooper, Walker, Harrell, Cato, Townsend, White, Coates and J.E. Smith: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-3-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE ADJUTANT GENERAL TO ESTABLISH AN EMERGENCY AIR WING WITHIN THE STATE GUARD AND PROVIDE FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND DUTIES OF THE EMERGENCY AIR WING AND FOR THE LIABILITY OF AIRPLANES USED BY VOLUNTEER PARTICIPANTS IN THE EMERGENCY AIR WING; TO AMEND SECTION 15-78-60, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO EXCEPTIONS TO LIABILITY UNDER THE TORT CLAIMS ACT, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR EXCEPTIONS TO LIABILITY IN REGARD TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD; AND TO AMEND SECTION 42-7-50, RELATING TO POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS AND OTHER ENTITIES WHICH MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE PROGRAM, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT RECOVERY OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS BY MEMBERS OF THE EMERGENCY AIR WING OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD SHALL BE PAYABLE FROM THE STATE ACCIDENT FUND.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

VETO SUSTAINED

The veto of the Governor was taken up for immediate consideration.

Senator LEVENTIS moved that the veto of the Governor be sustained.

Senator HAWKINS argued contra to the motion to sustain the veto of the Governor.

The question was put, "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"

Objection

Senator LOURIE asked unanimous consent to make a motion to carry over the veto of the Governor.

Senator MALLOY objected.

Senator LOURIE moved to carry over the veto by the Governor.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 19; Nays 23

AYES

Elliott                   Hutto                     Jackson
Knotts                    Land                      Leatherman
Leventis                  Lourie                    Martin
Matthews                  McConnell                 McGill
Pinckney                  Rankin                    Scott
Setzler                   Sheheen                   Thomas
Williams

Total--19

NAYS

Alexander                 Bryant                    Campsen
Cleary                    Courson                   Cromer
Drummond                  Fair                      Gregory
Grooms                    Hawkins                   Hayes
Malloy                    Mescher                   Moore
Patterson                 Peeler                    Reese
Richardson                Ritchie                   Ryberg
Short                     Verdin

Total--23

The Senate refused to carry over the veto of the Governor.

The question was put, "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 29; Nays 15

AYES

Alexander                 Anderson                  Cromer
Elliott                   Fair                      Ford
Hawkins                   Hutto                     Jackson
Knotts                    Land                      Leatherman
Malloy                    Matthews                  McConnell
McGill                    Mescher                   Moore
Patterson                 Peeler                    Pinckney
Reese                     Richardson                Scott
Setzler                   Sheheen                   Short
Verdin                    Williams

Total--29

NAYS

Bryant                    Campsen                   Cleary
Courson                   Drummond                  Gregory
Grooms                    Hayes                     Leventis
Lourie                    Martin                    O'Dell
Rankin                    Ryberg                    Thomas

Total--15

The necessary two-thirds vote not having been received, the veto of the Governor was sustained, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

The motion to sustain the veto was subsequently reconsidered and carried over.

Doctor of the Day

Senator DRUMMOND introduced Dr. Julius Leary of Greenwood, S.C., Doctor of the Day.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator PEELER rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator LEATHERMAN rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Motion to Ratify Adopted

At 11:25 A.M., Senator MARTIN asked unanimous consent to make a motion to invite the House of Representatives to attend the Senate Chamber for the purpose of ratifying Acts at 3:00 P.M.

There was no objection and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

S. 1267--CO-SPONSOR ADDED

On motion of Senator BRYANT, with unanimous consent, the name of Senator BRYANT was added as a co-sponsor of S. 1267.

RECALLED

H. 4811 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE SURPLUS FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006 GENERAL FUND REVENUE.

Senator LEATHERMAN asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Resolution from the Committee on Finance.

There was no objection.

The Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Finance, ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.

RECALLED AND READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 5218 (Word version) -- Judiciary Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA MARITIME SECURITY COMMISSION AND NAVAL MILITIA, RELATING TO MARITIME SECURITY COMMISSION AND NAVAL MILITIA, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3026, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

Senator MARTIN asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Joint Resolution from the Committee on Judiciary.

There was no objection.

The Resolution was recalled from the Committee on Judiciary.

Senator MARTIN asked unanimous consent to take the Joint Resolution up for immediate consideration.

There was no objection.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Joint Resolution, the question being the second reading of the Joint Resolution.

On motion of Senator MARTIN, with unanimous consent, the Resolution was read the second time and placed on the Third Reading Calendar.

H. 5218--Ordered to a Third Reading

On motion of Senator MARTIN, with unanimous consent, H. 5218 was ordered to receive a third reading on Thursday, June 1, 2006.

HOUSE AMENDMENTS AMENDED
RETURNED TO THE HOUSE WITH AMENDMENTS

S. 1058 (Word version) -- Senators Hutto, Gregory, Hawkins, Campsen, Cleary, Lourie, Alexander, Martin and Short: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-71-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN RECORDS, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT A FACILITY OR ACTIVITY LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL HAS A DUTY TO REPORT ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS PURSUANT TO THE DEPARTMENT'S REGULATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 44-30-60, RELATING TO THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION ACQUIRED OR PRODUCED BY THE EXPERT REVIEW PANEL, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT A FACILITY OR ACTIVITY LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT HAS A DUTY TO REPORT ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS PURSUANT TO THE DEPARTMENT'S REGULATIONS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 44-7-315, RELATING TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION REGARDING A FACILITY OR HOME, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT DISCLOSE ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT REPORTS, FACILITY RECORDS, OR COPIES OF FACILITY RECORDS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT BY A FACILITY OR ACTIVITY LICENSED OR SUBJECT TO INSPECTION BY THE DEPARTMENT.

The House returned the Bill with amendments.

Senator HUTTO proposed the following amendment (JUD1058.002), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, pages 3 and 4, by striking SECTION 4 in its entirety.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

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

HOUSE AMENDMENTS AMENDED
RETURNED TO THE HOUSE WITH AMENDMENTS

S. 368 (Word version) -- Senators Leatherman, O'Dell, Setzler and Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-3215 SO AS TO PROVIDE A PREFERENCE IN THE STATE PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR A RESIDENT DESIGN PROFESSIONAL, AND TO DEFINE "DESIGN SERVICES" AND "RESIDENT" FOR THIS PURPOSE.

The House returned the Bill with amendments.

Senator LEATHERMAN proposed the following amendment (AGM\18569MM06), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION 1. Subarticle 5, Article 9, Chapter 35 of Title 11 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 11-35-3215. (A) As used in this section:

(1) 'Design services' means architect-engineer, construction management, or land surveying services as defined in Section 11-35-2910.

(2) 'Resident' means a business that (i) employs, either directly or through consultants, an adequate number of persons domiciled in South Carolina to perform a majority of the design services involved in the procurement or (ii) performs in South Carolina a majority of the design services involved in the procurement.

(B) A business responding to an invitation involving design services shall submit a certification with its response stating whether the business is a resident for purposes of the procurement. Submission of a certification under false pretenses is grounds for suspension or debarment.

(C) An award to a resident or a nonresident of a contract involving design services must be supported by a written determination explaining why the award was made to the selected firm.

(D) When qualifications appear to be equal, the resident firm must be selected.

(E) This section does not apply to a procurement if either the procurement does not involve construction or the design services are a minor accompaniment to a contract for nondesign services."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator LEATHERMAN explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

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

HOUSE AMENDMENTS AMENDED
RETURNED TO THE HOUSE WITH AMENDMENTS

S. 613 (Word version) -- Senators Fair and Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-8000, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PORTION OF THE FEES FOR THESE SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES MUST BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE ORGANIZATION THAT SPONSORS THE SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE, AND TO REVISE THE NUMBER OF PREPAID APPLICATIONS FOR A SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE AND THE DEPOSIT THAT MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES FROM A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BEFORE A SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE MAY BE PRODUCED.

The House returned the Bill with amendments.

Senator RYBERG proposed the following amendment (613R002.WGR), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION 1. Section 56-3-630 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-3-630. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall classify as a private passenger motor vehicle every motor vehicle~~, except a motorcycle, motorcycle three- wheel vehicle, or motor-driven cycle,~~ which is designed, used, and maintained for the transportation of ten or fewer persons and trucks having an empty weight of ~~seven~~ nine thousand pounds or less and a gross weight of ~~nine~~ eleven thousand pounds or less except a motorcycle, motorcycle three-wheel vehicle, or motor-driven cycle. The department shall classify a three-wheel vehicle by the manufacturers statement of origin for the vehicles initial registration. For subsequent registration, the department shall classify the three-wheel vehicle by its title document. This section does not relieve or negate any applicable fees required under Section 56-3-660."

SECTION 2. Section 56-3-8000(A) and (B) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 194 of 2002, is further amended to read:

"(A) The department may issue special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger-carrying motor vehicles or light pickups having an empty weight of seven thousand pounds or less and a gross weight of nine thousand pounds or less registered in their names which may have imprinted on the plate the emblem, a seal, or other symbol the department considers appropriate of an organization which has obtained certification pursuant to either Section 501(C)(3), 501(C)(7), or 501(C)(8) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code. The fee for this special license plate is the fee contained in Section 56-3-2020. From the fees collected pursuant to this section, the Comptroller General shall place sufficient funds into a special restricted account to be used by the department to defray the expenses associated with producing and administering the special license plate. The remaining funds collected from the special license plate fee must be placed in the general fund. If the 501(C)(3), 501(C)(7), or 501(C)(8) organization has been chartered for at least five years, a portion of the special license plate fee may be returned to the organization. Once four hundred new license plates or renewals have been issued, the special license plate fee funds must be distributed to the organization that requested the license plate.

The special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued.

(B) Before the department produces and distributes a plate authorized under this section, it must receive:

(1) four hundred or more prepaid applications for the special license plate or a ~~deposit~~ fee of four thousand dollars from the individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate. ~~If a deposit~~ The fee of four thousand dollars is made by an individual or organization pursuant to this section, the department must refund the four thousand dollars once an equivalent amount of license plate fees is collected for that organization's license plate. If the equivalent amount is not collected within four years of the first issuance of the license plate, then the department must retain the deposit must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the department to defray the expenses associated with the initial cost of producing the license plate.

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate which must be approved by the department."

SECTION 3. Section 56-3-8200(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue motor vehicle license plates to members of Rotary International for private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The fee for this special license plate must be the regular motor vehicle license fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title, ~~the special fee required by Section 56-3-2020,~~ and an additional special fee of ~~forty~~ fifty dollars which must be distributed to the Rotary District in which the purchaser's home club is located in this State. The department must report to the South Carolina Rotary District designee the district chosen by the license plate issue to which this fee must be distributed. The fee must be deposited in an account designated by each South Carolina Rotary District, and must be distributed properly by each district. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of the fees collected for the special license plate, the Comptroller General shall place sufficient funds into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles in producing and administering the special plate. The license plates issued pursuant to this section must conform to a design agreed to by the department and the chief executive officer of the organization."

SECTION 4. Section 56-3-8300(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue special motor vehicle license plates to members of the Marine Corps League for private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The fee for this special plate must be the regular motor vehicle license fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title which must be deposited in the state general fund and the special fee required by Section 56-3-2020 which must be deposited with the department. The fee for this license plate is the fee set forth for special license plates in Section 56-3-8100. Any portion of the additional thirty-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray the costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the South Carolina Department of the Marine Corps League. The license plates issued pursuant to this section must conform to a design agreed to by the department and the chief executive officer of the organization."

SECTION 5. Section 56-3-5400(A) of the 1976 Code as added by Act 54 of 2005, is amended to read:

"(A) The department may issue Fraternal Order of Police special license plates to owners of private passenger~~-carrying~~ motor vehicles registered in their names who are active members in good standing with the Fraternal Order of Police. Identification of current membership must be presented at the time of initial application. The fee for each special license plate is thirty dollars every two years in addition to the regular motor vehicle license fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title. Each special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. Each special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month the special license plate is issued. A person issued a special license plate pursuant to this section, who is not or who ceases to be a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, must remove the license plate from his vehicle on the date the license plate registration is due for renewal and obtain another valid license plate. A person who knowingly fails to surrender his license plate, pursuant to this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be fined one hundred dollars or sentenced to thirty days in jail, or both."

SECTION 6. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 57

United States Naval Academy Special License Plates

Section 56-3-6500. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'United States Naval Academy' special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The applicant must be a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. The requirements for production and distribution of the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of thirty dollars. Any of the additional thirty-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association.

(B) Before the department produces and distributes a plate authorized under this section, it must receive:

(1) four hundred or more prepaid applications for the special license plate or a deposit of four thousand dollars from the individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate. If a deposit of four thousand dollars is made by an individual or organization pursuant to this section, the department must refund the four thousand dollars once an equivalent amount of license plate fees is collected for that organization's license plate. If the equivalent amount is not collected within four years of the first issuance of the license plate, then the department must retain the deposit; and

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate that must be approved by the department.

(C) If the department receives less than three hundred biennial applications and renewals for a particular special license plate authorized under this section, it shall not produce additional special license plates in that series. The department shall continue to issue special license plates of that series until the existing inventory is exhausted."

SECTION 7. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 59

United States Air Force Academy Special License Plates

Section 56-3-7050. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'United States Air Force Academy' special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The applicant must be a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. The requirements for production and distribution of the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of thirty dollars. Any of the additional thirty-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the United States Air Force Academy Alumni Association.

(B) Before the department produces and distributes a plate authorized under this section, it must receive:

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate that must be approved by the department.

SECTION 8. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 63

Support Our Troops Special License Plates

Section 56-3-7310. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Support Our Troops' special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The requirements for production and distribution of the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of thirty dollars. Any of the additional thirty-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to Support Our Troops, Inc.

(B) Before the department produces and distributes a plate authorized under this section, it must receive:

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate that must be approved by the department.

SECTION 9. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 64

Emergency Medical Service Special License Plates

Section 56-3-7320. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Emergency Medical Service' special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The requirements for production and distribution of the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of thirty dollars. Any of the additional thirty-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the South Carolina Emergency Medical Services Association.

(B) Before the department produces and distributes a plate authorized under this section, it must receive:

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate that must be approved by the department.

SECTION 10. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 65

Boy Scouts of America Special License Plates

Section 56-3-7330. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Boy Scouts of America' special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The requirements for production and distribution of the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of thirty dollars. Any of the additional thirty-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the South Carolina Indian Waters Council, Boy Scouts of America, to then be distributed to the other five Boy Scout councils serving counties in South Carolina.

(B) Before the department produces and distributes a plate authorized under this section, it must receive:

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate that must be approved by the department.

SECTION 11. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 66

Native American Special License Plates

Section 56-3-7340. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Native American' special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The requirements for production and distribution of the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of thirty dollars. Any of the additional thirty-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the Native American Prison Program of South Carolina.

(B) Before the department produces and distributes a plate authorized under this section, it must receive:

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate that must be approved by the department.

SECTION 12. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 67

South Carolina Peach Council Special License Plates

Section 56-3-7350. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'South Carolina Peach Council' special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The requirements for production and distribution of the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of seventy dollars. Any of the additional seventy-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the South Carolina Peach Council.

(B) Before the department produces and distributes a plate authorized under this section, it must receive:

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate that must be approved by the department.

SECTION 13. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 68

Korean War Veterans Special License Plates

Section 56-3-7360. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Korean War Veterans' special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names who are Korean War Veterans who served on active duty in Korea at anytime during the Korean War. The applicant must present the department with a DD214, or other official documentation that states that he served on active duty in Korea upon initial application for this special license plate. The requirements for production and distribution of the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of twenty dollars. Any of the additional twenty-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the state general fund.

(B) Before the department produces and distributes a plate authorized under this section, it must receive:

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate that must be approved by the department.

SECTION 14. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 69

Cancer Research Centers of the Carolinas Special License Plates

Section 56-3-7370. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'Cancer Research Centers of the Carolinas' special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The requirements for production and distribution of the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of fifteen dollars. Any of the additional fifteen-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the Mary Crawley Medical Cancer Research Foundation to provide funding for the Cancer Research Centers of the Carolinas.

(B) Before the department produces and distributes a plate authorized under this section, it must receive:

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate that must be approved by the department.

SECTION 15. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 75

South Carolina Aquarium Special License Plates

Section 56-3-7800. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue 'South Carolina Aquarium' special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The requirements for production and distribution of the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of fifty dollars. Any of the additional fifty-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the South Carolina Aquarium.

(B) Before the department produces and distributes a plate authorized under this section, it must receive:

(2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate that must be approved by the department.

SECTION 16. Section 56-3-670(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 62 of 2005, is amended to read:

"(A) For the purpose of this section, farm truck is defined as a truck used exclusively by the owner for agricultural, horticultural, dairying, livestock, and poultry operations and includes transporting farm processed horticultural products, including soil amendments and mulches owned by the truck's owner or another person, including first market. However, farm trucks with an empty weight of less than seven thousand five hundred pounds may be used for ordinary domestic purposes and general transportation but must not be used to transport persons or property for hire."

SECTION 17. Section 56-3-1110(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A) A wartime disabled veteran who is entitled to compensation for the loss, or loss of use of one or both legs or arms, or the permanent impairment of vision in both eyes to a degree as to constitute virtual blindness and is also entitled to a special monthly statutory award by reason thereof or any South Carolina veteran classified as totally and permanently disabled due to service-connected disabilities as determined from medical records on file with the Veterans Administration or a certificate signed by the county veterans affairs officer certifying the disability may make application for registration and license of his owned or leased private passenger motor vehicle to the Department of Motor Vehicles without accompanying ~~such~~ the application with the usual fee for registration and license of a vehicle of similar type. The department shall issue ~~such~~ the license plates upon the receipt of ~~such~~ an application in ~~such~~ the form ~~as may be~~ required by the department. Not more than two disabled veteran license plates may be issued to a wartime disabled veteran. A veteran who is issued a license plate under the provisions of this section ~~shall not be required to reapply so long as he owns or leases the vehicle for which the plate is issued and a~~ must provide a new certification as prescribed by this subsection at the time a new license plate is issued. A surviving spouse of such a veteran is also eligible to obtain such plate so long as the surviving spouse does not remarry. When a new license plate is issued to a surviving spouse, the spouse must certify on a form prescribed by the department that the spouse has not remarried."

SECTION 18. Section 56-3-1965 of the 1976 code is repealed.

SECTION 19. The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.

SECTION 20. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator GROOMS explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senator MARTIN asked unanimous consent to take an additional amendment up for immediate consideration.

There was no objection.

Senator MARTIN proposed the following amendment (613R003.LAM), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION ___. Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 98

Gold Star Family Special License Plates

Section 56-3-9810. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue Gold Star Family special license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles registered in their names. The fee for this special license plate must be the regular motor vehicle license fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title and the special fee required by Section 56-3-2020. The license plates issued pursuant to this section must conform to a design agreed to by the department and the chief executive officer of the South Carolina Chapter of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. or other similar organization operating in this state. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of the fees collected for the special license plate, the Comptroller General shall place sufficient funds into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles in producing and administering the special plate." /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

The amendment was adopted.

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

CONCURRENCE IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS RECONSIDERED
HOUSE AMENDMENTS AMENDED
RETURNED TO THE HOUSE WITH AMENDMENTS

Senator LEVENTIS asked unanimous consent to take the Bill up for immediate consideration.

There was no objection.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being reconsideration of concurrence in the House amendments.

Having voted on the prevailing side, Senator LEVENTIS moved to reconsider the vote whereby the motion to concur in the House amendments was adopted.

There was no objection.

Senator LEVENTIS proposed the following amendment (NBD\ 12637AC06), which was adopted:

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

/SECTION 1. Section 4 of Act 470 of 1971, as last amended by Act 797 of 1988, is further amended to read:

"Section 4. (A) The board has all powers provided in Section 59-19-90 of the 1976 Code insofar as they may be applicable. It may use any school building without cost in either school district available for its purposes. It may direct the county auditor to levy taxes to operate the school, to construct buildings, and to pay the expenses of the school if approval is first obtained from the county ~~commission~~ council for any such tax levy.

(B) Notwithstanding the above provisions of this section, beginning July 1, 2006, and ending June 30, 2008, the board of trustees for the career center shall become an advisory board to the boards of trustees of Sumter School Districts 17 and Two and the duties, powers, and functions of the board of trustees of the career center are devolved jointly upon the board of trustees of Sumter School Districts 17 and Two during the period July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2008. In addition to the members of the board of trustees of the career center who become members of the advisory board pursuant to this subsection, one member of the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce and one member of the Sumter County Industrial Association, both of whom must be designated by their respective organizations, shall serve on the advisory board; however, as of July 1, 2008, the membership of the board of trustees of the career center reverts to the membership of that board as it was constituted June 30, 2006."

SECTION 2. Section 5 of Act 470 of 1971, as last amended by Act 797 of 1988, is further amended to read:

"Section 5. The board shall employ a director of the center who shall serve as supervisor and fiscal agent of the school under the direction of the board. However, beginning July 1, 2006, the Superintendents of Sumter School District 17 and Two shall together employ the director of the center who shall serve under their direction."

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

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator LEVENTIS explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

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

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

The following were introduced:

S. 1457 (Word version) -- Senators Grooms, Pinckney and Matthews: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE THE CONVENING OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JACKSONBOROUGH, SOUTH CAROLINA, IN JANUARY OF 1782, AS A RESULT OF THE CONTINUED BRITISH OCCUPATION OF CHARLESTON, SUBSEQUENT TO THE DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH AT YORKTOWN IN OCTOBER OF 1781, AND TO CONSIDER HOLDING A COMMEMORATIVE EVENT IN 2007 IN JACKSONBOROUGH TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE CONVENING OF THE JACKSONBOROUGH ASSEMBLY.
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.

S. 1458 (Word version) -- Senator Reese: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 58-27-215 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IF ELECTRICAL SERVICE TO ANY LOCATION IS DISCONNECTED BY AN ELECTRICAL UTILITY OR COOPERATIVE, THE ELECTRICAL UTILITY OR COOPERATIVE DURING THE NEXT BILLING PERIOD AFTER THE SERVICE IS RECONNECTED SHALL CREDIT THE CONSUMER WITH A PRO-RATA AMOUNT FOR THE TIME THE SERVICE WAS DISCONNECTED ON A PER DIEM BASIS BASED ON THE CONSUMER'S AVERAGE MONTHLY BILL OVER THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS NOT INCLUDING THE MONTH WHEN THE SERVICE WAS DISCONNECTED.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

S. 1459 (Word version) -- Senator Drummond: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING DR. NORMAN E. OUZTS OF GREENWOOD, SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR HIS SERVICE AS THE 2005-2006 PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATION, COMMENDING HIM FOR BEING NAMED THE ASSOCIATION'S DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR, AND CONGRATULATING HIM FOR BEING AWARDED THE ASSOCIATION'S PRESIDENT'S CUP AND "PILLAR OF STRENGTH" AWARD.
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.

S. 1460 (Word version) -- Senator Williams: A SENATE RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING CHRISTOPHER "CHRIS" HARRIS PARR OF FLORENCE COUNTY ON HIS ACHIEVING THE ELITE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT WITH THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES TO HIM IN ALL OF HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.

S. 1461 (Word version) -- Senator Reese: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-150-185 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE PURCHASER OF A LOTTERY TICKET CHOOSE THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE TICKET TO HIM BE DESIGNATED TOWARD K-12 OR TO HIGHER EDUCATION; TO AMEND SECTION 59-150-190 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE LOTTERY RETAILER MAINTAIN SEPARATE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PROCEEDS SO AS TO REFLECT THE CHOSEN OPTIONS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 59-150-350, RELATING TO MANAGEMENT OF THE EDUCATION LOTTERY ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE LOTTERY PROCEEDS BE SEGREGATED BETWEEN THOSE DESIGNATED AT PURCHASE TO K-12 OR HIGHER EDUCATION.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Education.

S. 1462 (Word version) -- Senators Elliott and Rankin: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF HIGHWAY S-26-139 (CANE BRANCH ROAD) IN HORRY COUNTY FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH S-26-19 TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH S-26-97 (ADRIAN HIGHWAY) THE "AUSTIN M. ENZOR MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" AND TO ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS HIGHWAY THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "AUSTIN M. ENZOR MEMORIAL HIGHWAY".
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The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

S. 1463 (Word version) -- Senator Thomas: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE JAY HAAS ON HIS MOST IMPRESSIVE WIN OF THE 2006 SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AT OAK TREE GOLF CLUB IN EDMOND, OKLAHOMA, AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR WINNING HIS FIRST MAJOR TITLE.
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.

S. 1464 (Word version) -- Senator Malloy: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND THANK REPRESENTATIVE JESSE EDISON HINES FOR HIS THIRTEEN YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF DARLINGTON AND FLORENCE COUNTIES, AS WELL AS TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES TO HIM IN ALL OF HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.

S. 1465 (Word version) -- Senator Anderson: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MS. FELICIA THELMA HAWKINS ELLIOTT OF GREENVILLE COUNTY FOR HER OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.

S. 1466 (Word version) -- Senators Anderson, Fair, Verdin and Thomas: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME OLD PARIS MOUNTAIN ROAD IN GREENVILLE COUNTY "FELICIA THELMA HAWKINS ELLIOTT ROAD" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS HIGHWAY THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "FELICIA THELMA HAWKINS ELLIOTT ROAD".
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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.

H. 5217 (Word version) -- Rep. Rutherford: A BILL TO PROVIDE THAT A RESIDENT OF RICHLAND COUNTY WHO OWNS A GOLF CART THAT MAY BE OPERATED ALONG CERTAIN SECONDARY HIGHWAYS OR STREETS, MAY OPERATE IT ALONG CERTAIN HIGHWAYS AND STREETS WITHIN RICHLAND COUNTY WITHIN A FIVE-MILE RADIUS OF HIS RESIDENCE OR PLACE OF BUSINESS, MAY OPERATE THE GOLF CART ALONG A PRIMARY HIGHWAY WITHIN A ONE-HALF-MILE RADIUS OF A SPORTING EVENT DURING CERTAIN HOURS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT DURING NIGHTTIME HOURS, THE GOLF CART MUST BE OPERATED WITH WORKING HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS.

Read the first time and, on motion of Senator PATTERSON, with unanimous consent, H. 5217 was ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

H. 5236 (Word version) -- Reps. Sandifer and Cato: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO ADVANCE THE NEED FOR ELECTRIC UTILITIES TO BUILD NEW NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO URGE THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO ENCOURAGE SUCH CONSIDERATION.

Senator ALEXANDER spoke on the Resolution.

On motion of Senator ALEXANDER, with unanimous consent, the Concurrent Resolution was introduced and ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

H. 5240 (Word version) -- Reps. Owens, Hiott, Rice, Skelton, Agnew, Allen, Altman, Anderson, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chalk, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Frye, Funderburk, Govan, Hagood, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hodges, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Jennings, Kennedy, Kirsh, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Mitchell, Moody-Lawrence, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Norman, Ott, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Rhoad, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Stewart, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Umphlett, Vaughn, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Witherspoon and Young: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS SINCERE GRATITUDE TO JEAN L. CHESNO FOR HER SERVICE TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO RECOGNIZE HER DEDICATION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, IN PARTICULAR, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED HAPPINESS IN THE FUTURE.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.

H. 5254 (Word version) -- Rep. Neilson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 102 IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY/DARLINGTON COUNTY LINE TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH CHESTERFIELD COUNTY ROAD S1380 "JAMES THOMAS 'TOM' TEAL ROAD" AS A LASTING TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE JAMES THOMAS 'TOM' TEAL WHO SERVED AS CHESTERFIELD COUNTY MAGISTRATE FROM 1964 TO 1994, AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "JAMES THOMAS 'TOM' TEAL ROAD".

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 5255 (Word version) -- Rep. Parks: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE MT. LEBANON BAPTIST CHURCH OF PARKSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR ITS OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO THE FURTHERANCE OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, AND TO CONGRATULATE ITS MEMBERS ON THE CHURCH'S ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY ON MAY 24, 2006.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.

H. 5256 (Word version) -- Rep. Coates: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INSTALL A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF SECOND LOOP ROAD AND VALAPRIASO DRIVE IN FLORENCE COUNTY.

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 5257 (Word version) -- Rep. Coates: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INSTALL A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF STAGECOACH ROAD AND PAUL JONES ROAD IN FLORENCE COUNTY.

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 5258 (Word version) -- Rep. Coates: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REDUCE THE SPEED LIMIT TO THIRTY-FIVE MILES AN HOUR AT THE INTERSECTION OF STAGECOACH ROAD AND PAUL JONES ROAD IN FLORENCE COUNTY.

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 5259 (Word version) -- Rep. Coates: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ERECT A FOUR-WAY TRAFFIC STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF ALLIGATOR ROAD AND TWIN CHURCH ROAD IN FLORENCE COUNTY.

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 5260 (Word version) -- Rep. Coates: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ERECT A FOUR-WAY TRAFFIC STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF STAGECOACH ROAD AND PAUL JONES ROAD IN FLORENCE COUNTY.

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 5261 (Word version) -- Reps. Mack, Breeland, R. Brown and Harrell: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE THE SECOND ANNUAL SWEETGRASS CULTURAL ARTS FESTIVAL TO BE HELD ON JUNE 2 AND 3, 2006, AS PART OF THE PICCOLO SPOLETO CELEBRATION AND TO WISH ITS ORGANIZERS EVERY SUCCESS.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.

H. 5262 (Word version) -- Rep. Parks: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH IN GREENWOOD COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF ITS ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES TO THE CHURCH AS IT CONTINUES TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.

H. 5266 (Word version) -- Reps. Bowers, Hodges, R. Brown, McLeod and Limehouse: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE THE CONVENING OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JACKSONBOROUGH, SOUTH CAROLINA, IN JANUARY OF 1782, AS A RESULT OF THE CONTINUED BRITISH OCCUPATION OF CHARLESTON, SUBSEQUENT TO THE DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH AT YORKTOWN IN OCTOBER OF 1781, AND TO CONSIDER HOLDING A COMMEMORATIVE EVENT IN 2007 IN JACKSONBOROUGH TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE CONVENING OF THE JACKSONBOROUGH ASSEMBLY.

On motion of Senator PINCKNEY, with unanimous consent, the Concurrent Resolution was introduced and ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

RECESS

At 12:50 P.M., on motion of Senator PEELER, the Senate receded from business until 1:30 P.M.

AFTERNOON SESSION

The Senate reassembled at 1:57 P.M. and was called to order by the PRESIDENT Pro Tempore.

ADOPTION OF REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE
FAILED

H. 3726 (Word version) -- Reps. Ott, Clark, J.E. Smith, McGee, Witherspoon, Branham, Cobb-Hunter, Duncan, Hayes, Lucas, M.A. Pitts, Taylor and R. Brown: A BILL TO AMEND TITLE 50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FISH, GAME, AND WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO ENACT "CHANDLER'S LAW" BY ADDING CHAPTER 26 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION, REGISTRATION, AND TITLING OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PERSON UNDER SIXTEEN MUST COMPLETE A DRIVING SAFETY COURSE BEFORE HE MAY OPERATE AN ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS.

Senator HUTTO asked unanimous consent to take up the Report of the Committee of Conference for immediate consideration.

There was no objection.

Senator HUTTO explained the report.

The question then was the adoption of the Report of the Committee of Conference.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 20; Nays 21

AYES

Anderson                  Cromer                    Drummond
Elliott                   Gregory                   Hayes
Hutto                     Jackson                   Land
Leatherman                Leventis                  Lourie
Matthews                  McGill                    Moore
Patterson                 Pinckney                  Rankin
Reese                     Richardson

Total--20

NAYS

Alexander                 Bryant                    Campsen
Cleary                    Courson                   Fair
Grooms                    Hawkins                   Knotts
Malloy                    Martin                    McConnell
Mescher                   O'Dell                    Peeler
Ritchie                   Scott                     Setzler
Sheheen                   Thomas                    Verdin

Total--21

The Report of the Committee of Conference was not adopted.

The motion whereby the Report of the Committee of Conference was not adopted was subsequently reconsidered and the report was subsequently adopted.

MOTION TO RECONSIDER ADOPTED, OBJECTION

Having voted on the prevailing side, Senator RANKIN moved to reconsider the vote whereby the motion was adopted.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Senator LEVENTIS made a Parliamentary Inquiry as to whether or not the motion to reconsider required unanimous consent.

The President Pro Tempore stated that the motion to reconsider did not require unanimous consent.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 30; Nays 10

AYES

Alexander                 Anderson                  Cromer
Drummond                  Elliott                   Ford
Hawkins                   Jackson                   Knotts
Land                      Lourie                    Malloy
Martin                    Matthews                  McConnell
McGill                    Mescher                   Moore
O'Dell                    Patterson                 Peeler
Pinckney                  Rankin                    Reese
Richardson                Ritchie                   Setzler
Thomas                    Verdin                    Williams

Total--30

NAYS

Bryant                    Campsen                   Cleary
Courson                   Gregory                   Grooms
Hayes                     Leatherman                Leventis
Scott

Total--10

The motion to reconsider the vote whereby the veto of the Governor was sustained was adopted.

Objection

Senator RANKIN asked unanimous consent to make a motion to override the veto of the Governor

Senator LEVENTIS objected.

REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE

Senator McCONNELL from the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry polled out H. 3062 favorable:

H. 3062 (Word version) -- Reps. Kirsh, Davenport, Barfield, Clyburn, Clark, Bales, Clemmons, Chellis, Bailey and Young: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-13-250, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ANNUAL RENEWAL OF COSMETOLOGISTS' LICENSES AND THE REQUIREMENT THAT APPLICANTS COMPLETE CERTAIN CONTINUING EDUCATION, SO AS TO EXEMPT A PERSON WHO HAS HELD A LICENSE FOR AT LEAST FIFTEEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS AND IS SIXTY YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER OR HAS HELD CONTINUOUS LICENSURE FOR AT LEAST THIRTY YEARS, IS FIFTY YEARS OLD, AND WHO HAS NOT BEEN DISCIPLINED BY THE BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY FROM TAKING THE CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES; AND TO PROVIDE THAT, UPON APPROVAL BY THE BOARD, AN ATTENDANCE FORM MAY BE OBTAINED GIVING CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT FOR ATTENDANCE AT TRADE SHOW COSMETOLOGY-RELATED INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS.

Poll of the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee
Polled 17; Ayes 15; Nays 0; Not Voting 2

AYES

J. Verne Smith            Drummond                  Setzler
Leventis                  McConnell                 O'Dell
Reese                     Ford                      Mescher
Ryberg                    Alexander                 Leatherman
Verdin                    Grooms                    Malloy

Total--15

NAYS

Total--0

Moore                     Bryant

NOT VOTING

Total--2

H. 3062--Read the Second Time

Senator O'DELL asked unanimous consent to give H. 3062 a second reading.
There was no objection.

The Bill was read the second time and ordered placed on the Third Reading Calendar for consideration tomorrow.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it refuses to concur in the amendments proposed by the Senate to:

S. 1261 (Word version) -- Senators Verdin, Knotts, Mescher, Alexander, Grooms, Bryant, Peeler, Campsen, Leatherman, McConnell and Ryberg: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 23-31-210, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF CONCEALABLE WEAPONS PERMITS, SO AS TO DEFINE "QUALIFIED NON-RESIDENT"; AND TO AMEND SECTION 23-31-215, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS OF CONCEALABLE WEAPONS PERMITS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT SLED MUST ISSUE A PERMIT TO CARRY A CONCEALABLE WEAPON TO A RESIDENT OR QUALIFIED NON-RESIDENT UPON PROPER APPLICATION.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

S. 1261--SENATE INSISTS ON THEIR AMENDMENTS
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED

On motion of Senator VERDIN, the Senate insisted upon its amendments to S. 1261 and asked for a Committee of Conference.

Whereupon, Senators VERDIN, HUTTO and KNOTTS were appointed to the Committee of Conference on the part of the Senate and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has appointed Reps. M.A. Pitts, G.M. Smith and Ott to the Committee of Conference on the part of the House on:

Received as information.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it refuses to concur in the amendments proposed by the Senate to:

S. 1165 (Word version) -- Senator Land: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-180, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSES TO MINORS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON A DRIVER WHO IS ISSUED THIS LICENSE MAY BE MODIFIED OR WAIVED IF THE LICENSEE PROVES TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT THE RESTRICTIONS INTERFERE WITH TRAVEL BETWEEN THE LICENSEE'S HOME AND PLACE OF WORSHIP.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

S. 1165--SENATE INSISTED ON THEIR AMENDMENTS
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED

On motion of Senator LAND, the Senate insisted upon its amendments to S. 1165 and asked for a Committee of Conference.

Whereupon, Senators LAND, RICHARSON and KNOTTS were appointed to the Committee of Conference on the part of the Senate and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has appointed Reps. Walker, Whitmire and J.H. Neal to the Committee of Conference on the part of the House on:

Received as information.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 30, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has requested and was granted Free Conference Powers and has appointed Reps. Cotty, Merrill and Anthony to the Committee of Free Conference on the part of the House on:

H. 4449 (Word version) -- Reps. Cotty, Harrell, Merrill, Walker, Ballentine, Limehouse, E.H. Pitts, Haley, Clark, Townsend, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bingham, Bowers, Cato, Ceips, Chellis, Clyburn, Coleman, Cooper, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Frye, Hagood, Harrison, Haskins, Herbkersman, Hinson, Leach, Littlejohn, Loftis, Mahaffey, Martin, Phillips, Pinson, M.A. Pitts, Rhoad, Sandifer, Scarborough, F.N. Smith, G.M. Smith, J.R. Smith, Thompson, Toole, Tripp, Umphlett, Vaughn, White, Whitmire, Young, Bales, Lucas, Kirsh, Huggins, Brady, Hamilton, McGee and Stewart: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTIONS 12-36-1110, 12-36-1120, AND 12-36-1130 SO AS TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL TWO PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX; TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT THE SALE OF UNPREPARED FOOD; TO ADD SECTION 11-11-155 SO AS TO CREATE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FUND AND RESERVE FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL EXEMPTION EQUAL TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY FROM THE PROPERTY TAX, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THIS EXEMPTION WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS DOES NOT APPLY WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY TAX IMPOSED FOR PAYMENT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT; TO ADD SECTION 12-37-932 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROPERTY TAX IS ITS FAIR MARKET VALUE AS APPRAISED IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW WHEN OWNERSHIP OF THE REAL PROPERTY LAST WAS TRANSFERRED, INCREASED BY THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE REAL PROPERTY SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE REAL PROPERTY LAST WAS TRANSFERRED, TO PROVIDE THAT ON THE FIRST DAY OF JANUARY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS PROVISION THE DUTIES, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL COUNTY PROPERTY TAX ASSESSORS ARE TRANSFERRED TO AND DEVOLVED UPON THE PROPERTY TAX DIVISION OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS IN SECTION 12-36-2120 SHALL BE REVIEWED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY EVERY TEN YEARS BEGINNING IN 2010; TO AMEND SECTIONS 11-11-150, 12-43-210, AND 12-43-220, ALL AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE TRUST FUND FOR TAX RELIEF, REASSESSMENT AND THE VALUATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROPERTY TAX, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING AMENDMENTS AND OTHER CHANGES TO REFLECT THESE PROVISIONS; TO AMEND ACT 406 OF 2000, RELATING TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, SO AS TO DELETE AN OBSOLETE PROVISION; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 12-37-223A, 12-37-270, 12-43-217, 12-43-250, 12-43-260, AND 12-43-295, ALL RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER, AMOUNT, AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH REVENUES IN THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FUND SHALL BE DISBURSED TO PROPERTY TAXING ENTITIES OF THIS STATE INCLUDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR THE REVENUE LOST AS A RESULT OF THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT LOCAL SALES TAX AND LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX REVENUES PROVIDING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SHALL BE APPLIED FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO OTHER CLASSES OF PROPERTY; TO ADD SECTION 4-9-56 SO AS TO LIMIT THE MILLAGE PROPERTY TAXING ENTITIES OF THIS STATE MAY IMPOSE ON PROPERTY OTHER THAN OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, AND TO PROVIDE FOR A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE ENTITY TO EXCEED THIS LIMITATION; TO PROVIDE THAT ALL OF THE ABOVE PROVISIONS ARE CONTINGENT UPON RATIFICATION OF CERTAIN CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE X OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION PROVIDING FOR AN ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION, DETERMINATION OF FAIR MARKET VALUE OF PROPERTY, AND RELATED MATTERS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 11-27-30, 11-27-40, AND 11-27-50, ALL AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE EFFECT OF ARTICLE X OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION ON BONDS OF THE STATE, POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE, AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS, RESPECTIVELY, SO AS TO DEEM AFTER JULY 1, 2006, A COMPLETE OR PARTIAL SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO, OR OTHER TRANSFEREE OF, OR OTHER ASSOCIATE OF THE STATE, A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, OR A SCHOOL DISTRICT TO BE THE STATE, POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, OR SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR BONDING PURPOSES WHEN THE SUCCESSOR, TRANSFEREE, OR ASSOCIATE UNDERTAKES ALL OR A PORTION OF THE OPERATION OR ASSUMES ALL OR A PORTION OF A DUTY OF THE STATE, POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, OR SCHOOL DISTRICT; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-670, RELATING TO LISTING AND ASSESSMENT OF NEW STRUCTURES FOR PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A COUNTY GOVERNING BODY BY ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE THAT A NEW STRUCTURE BE LISTED BY THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH AFTER THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS ISSUED FOR THE STRUCTURE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE TIMING OF PAYMENT OF TAXES DUE; TO REPEAL SECTION 12-37-680 RELATING TO A LOCAL COUNTY ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE SAME RULE; TO AMEND SECTION 12-43-215, RELATING TO OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IN CONNECTION WITH AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE EACH COUNTY TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LISTING THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF ALL PROPERTY CLASSIFIED AS "OWNER-OCCUPIED"; TO ADD SECTION 59-20-21 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR 2006, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN DETERMINING THE MINIMUM EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO MEET STUDENTS' NEEDS, MAY ONLY CONSIDER FACTORS REQUIRED BY STATUTORY LAW OR WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECT CLASSROOM LEARNING, AND THE LOCAL MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT REQUIRED OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT MUST BE BASED ON THESE DETERMINATIONS; TO ADD SECTION 59-20-22 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NOTWITHSTANDING A SCHOOL DISTRICT'S INDEX OF TAXPAYING ABILITY, THE MINIMUM STATE FUNDS A SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL RECEIVE IN ANY YEAR IS FORTY PERCENT OF THE APPLICABLE YEAR'S BASE STUDENT COST, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH ALL OF THESE PROVISIONS SHALL TAKE EFFECT OR BE REPEALED.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

H. 4449--REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE OF FREE CONFERENCE ADOPTED

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

Senator LEATHERMAN spoke on the report.

Senator LEATHERMAN moved that the Report of the Committee of Free Conference to H. 4449 be adopted.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 32; Nays 11

AYES

Alexander                 Bryant                    Campsen
Cleary                    Courson                   Cromer
Drummond                  Elliott                   Fair
Gregory                   Grooms                    Hawkins
Hayes                     Knotts                    Leatherman
Lourie                    Martin                    McConnell
Mescher                   Moore                     O'Dell
Peeler                    Rankin                    Reese
Richardson                Ritchie                   Ryberg
Scott                     Setzler                   Short
Thomas                    Verdin

Total--32

NAYS

Hutto                     Jackson                   Land
Leventis                  Malloy                    Matthews
McGill                    Patterson                 Pinckney
Sheheen                   Williams

Total--11

The Report of the Committee of Free Conference was adopted as follows:

H. 4449--Free Conference Report
The General Assembly, Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

The Committee of Free Conference, to whom was referred P:\LEGWORK\SENATE\AMEND\GJK\21287SD06.DOC):

Beg leave to report that they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend:

That the same do pass with the following amendments:

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

/Part I
Property Tax Exemption and Sales Tax Increases

SECTION 1. A. Chapter 36, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 11
Additional Sales, Use, and Casual Excise Tax

Section 12-36-1110. Beginning June 1, 2007, an additional sales, use, and casual excise tax equal to one percent is imposed on amounts taxable pursuant to this chapter, except that this additional one percent tax does not apply to amounts taxed pursuant to Section 12-36-920(A), the tax on accommodations for transients, nor does this additional tax apply to items subject to a maximum sales and use tax pursuant to Section 12-36-2110 nor to the sale of unprepared food which may be lawfully purchased with United States Department of Agriculture food coupons.

Section 12-36-1120. The revenue of the taxes imposed by this article must be credited to the Homestead Exemption Fund established pursuant to Section 11-11-155.

Section 12-36-1130. The Department of Revenue may prescribe amounts that may be added to the sales price to reflect the additional taxes imposed pursuant to this article."

B.1. Section 12-36-910 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 161 of 2005, is further amended by adding a new subsection at the end to read:

"(D)(1) Notwithstanding the rate of the tax imposed pursuant to subsection (A) of this section or the rate of any other sales tax imposed pursuant to this chapter and the rate of any use tax imposed pursuant to this chapter, the sales and use tax on the gross proceeds of sales or sales price of unprepared food which lawfully may be purchased with United States Department of Agriculture food coupons is three percent.

(2) There is transferred from the general fund of the State to the EIA Fund in fiscal year 2006-2007 the revenue estimated by the Board of Economic Advisors to equal EIA revenue not received as a result of the two percent sales tax differential provided pursuant to this subsection."

2. Notwithstanding the general effective date provided in this act, this subsection takes effect October 1, 2006.

C. The provisions of Section 4-10-350(F) and (G) of the 1976 Code apply mutatis mutandis with respect to the tax imposed pursuant to Article 11, Chapter 36, Title 12 of the 1976 Code as added by this section.

SECTION 2. Chapter 11, Title 11 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 11-11-155. (A) The revenue from the tax imposed pursuant to Article 11, Chapter 36 of Title 12 is automatically credited to a fund separate and distinct from the state general fund known as the 'Homestead Exemption Fund'. The Board of Economic Advisors shall account for the Homestead Exemption Fund revenue separately from general fund revenues, and the board shall make an annual estimate of the receipts by the Homestead Exemption Fund by February fifteenth of each year. This estimate shall be transmitted to the State Treasurer, Comptroller General, the Chairmen of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee and to each school district and county. No portion of these revenues may be credited to the Education Improvement Act (EIA) Fund.

(B) An amount equal to the total reimbursements paid pursuant to the provisions of Section 12-37-251 and the school operating millage portion of the reimbursements paid pursuant to Section 12-37-270 in fiscal year 2006-2007 also must be credited to the Homestead Exemption Fund. Revenue deposited in the Homestead Exemption Fund each year in an amount equal to the total reimbursements paid pursuant to the provisions of Section 12-37-251, the school operating portion of the reimbursement paid pursuant to Section 12-37-270 in fiscal year 2006-2007 shall be used together with the revenues from the additional sales and use tax imposed pursuant to Section 12-36-1110 to provide reimbursements to school districts in the manner required by law.

(C) An unexpended balance in the Homestead Exemption Fund at the end of a fiscal year must remain in the Homestead Exemption Fund.

(D) Earnings on the Homestead Exemption Fund must be credited to the Homestead Exemption Fund.

(E) Nothing in this section prohibits appropriations by the General Assembly of additional revenues to the Homestead Exemption Fund and nothing in this section prevents the General Assembly from directing the use of these additional appropriations for specified purposes including a rollback of county operating millage on owner-occupied residential property.

(F) Revenues credited to this fund must be used as provided pursuant to Section 11-11-156."

SECTION 3. Section 12-37-220(B) of the 1976 Code is further amended by adding a new item at the end to read:

"(47)(a) Effective for property tax years beginning after 2006 and to the extent not already exempt pursuant to Section 12-37-250, one hundred percent of the fair market value of owner-occupied residential property eligible for and receiving the special assessment ratio allowed owner-occupied residential property pursuant to Section 12-43-220(c) is exempt from all property taxes imposed for school operating purposes but not including millage imposed for the repayment of general obligation debt.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, property exempted from property tax in the manner provided in this item is considered taxable property for purposes of bonded indebtedness pursuant to Section 15 of Article X of the Constitution of this State.

(c) The exemptions allowed by this item may not be deleted or reduced except by a legislative enactment receiving a recorded rollcall vote of at least a two-thirds majority of the membership of each house of the General Assembly."

SECTION 4. A. Items (1) and (2) of Section 11-11-150(A) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 419 of 1998, are amended to read:

"(1) ~~Section 12-37-251 for the residential property tax exemption~~ Reserved;

(2) Section 12-37-270 for the homestead exemption for persons over age sixty-five or disabled, but not including the portion attributable to school operating millage;"

B. Section 12-37-223A of the 1976 Code is repealed.
C. Section 12-37-251 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 226 of 2004, is further amended to read:

"(A)~~(1)~~ The Trust Fund for Tax Relief must contain an amount equal to the revenue necessary to fund a property tax exemption of one hundred thousand dollars based on the fair market value of property classified pursuant to Section 12-43-220(c) calculated on the school operating millage imposed for tax year 1995 or the current school operating millage, whichever is lower, excluding taxes levied for bonded indebtedness and payments pursuant to lease purchase agreements for capital construction. The 1995 tax year school operating millage or the current school operating millage, whichever is lower, is the base year millage for purposes of calculating the amount necessary to fund the Trust Fund for Tax Relief in accordance with this section. However, in years in which the values resulting from a countywide reassessment and equalization program are implemented, the base year millage must be adjusted to an equivalent millage rate in the manner that the Department of Revenue shall prescribe. Funds distributed to a taxing district as provided in subsection (B) of this section must be used to provide a uniform property tax exemption for all property in the taxing district which is classified pursuant to Section 12-43-220(c), excluding taxes levied for bonded indebtedness and payments pursuant to lease purchase agreements for capital construction.

~~(2)~~ Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, a school district whose operating millage falls below the 1995 school year operating millage may request to receive tax relief based on the 1995 operating millage, or equivalent millage rate, if one of the following conditions are met:

~~(a)~~ ~~the current operating millage per pupil plus the current debt service millage is equal to or less than the total millage per pupil for 1995;~~

~~(b)~~ the operating millage per pupil for the 1995 tax year reduced by the amount by which the total millage per pupil for all purposes in the current year exceeds the total millage per pupil for the 1995 tax year but not below the actual operating millage per pupil for the current year.

~~The Department of Revenue is responsible for certifying that the conditions are met based on the latest completed fiscal year data of the requesting district.~~

~~Any funds received by an eligible school district in excess of its current millage under this subsection may be used by the district to pay bonded indebtedness.~~ RESERVED

(B)~~(1)~~ School districts must be reimbursed from revenues credited to the Trust Fund for Tax Relief for a fiscal year, in the manner provided in Section 12-37-270, for the revenue lost as a result of the homestead exemption provided in this section. Ninety percent of the reimbursement must be paid in the last quarter of the calendar year on December first. From funds appropriated to the Office of the Comptroller General in the annual general appropriations act, the Comptroller shall make the calculations and distributions required pursuant to this subsection. If amounts received by a school district pursuant to this subsection are insufficient to reimburse fully for the base year operating millage, the local school board, within its authority, shall decide how to make up the shortfall, if necessary. Amounts received by a district in excess of the amount necessary to reimburse the district for the base year operating millage must first be used to reduce any operating millage imposed since the 1995 base year, must next be used for school debt service purposes, and any funds remaining may then be retained by the district.

~~(2)~~ School districts must be reimbursed on a per capita basis, but a district may not receive as a reimbursement for a fiscal year an amount less than the actual reimbursement amount it received in fiscal year 1998-99. If amounts credited to the Trust Fund for Tax Relief for a fiscal year pursuant to item (1) of this subsection are insufficient to pay the full amount of the reimbursements provided by this item, then all amounts credited to the trust fund for a fiscal year for this reimbursement in excess of the amount of the reimbursements paid pursuant to this section in fiscal year 1998-99 must be allocated only to those districts receiving less than the full per capita reimbursement, and this allocation must be on a per capita basis among only those counties receiving some part of this allocation.

~~(3)~~ Operating millage levied in a county for alternative schools, career and technology centers, and county boards of education whether or not levied countywide or on a school district by school district basis in a county also is considered school operating millage to which the property tax exemption provided by this section applies. County treasurers shall consider these operating millages in determining revenue lost when making disbursements to school districts from trust funds for tax relief funds under this section. RESERVED

(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, property exempted from property taxation in the manner provided in this section is considered taxable property for purposes of bonded indebtedness pursuant to Sections 14 and 15 of Article X of the Constitution of this State, and for purposes of computing the "index of taxpaying ability" pursuant to Section 59-20-20(3). RESERVED

(D) ~~[Blank]~~ RESERVED

(E) Rollback millage is calculated by dividing the prior year property tax revenues by the adjusted total assessed value applicable in the year the values derived from a countywide equalization and reassessment program are implemented. This amount of assessed value must be adjusted by deducting assessments added for property or improvements not previously taxed, for new construction, and for renovation of existing structures.

(F) The exemption allowed by this section is conditional on full funding of the Education Finance Act and on an appropriation by the General Assembly each year reimbursing school districts an amount equal to the Economic Research Section of the Budget and Control Board estimate of total school tax revenue loss resulting from the exemption in the next fiscal year. RESERVED"

D. The first undesignated paragraph of Section 12-37-270 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"As provided in Section 11-11-150, there must be credited to the Trust Fund for Tax Relief in a fiscal year an amount sufficient to pay the reimbursement provided by this section. The Comptroller General, from the Trust Fund, annually shall pay to the county treasurer of the county in which the dwelling is situate for the account of each county, school district, or special district therein a sum equal to the amount of taxes that was not collected for such county, school district, or special district by reason of the exemption provided for in Section 12-37-250 and also annually shall pay to the governing body of the municipality in which the dwelling is situate a sum equal to the amount of taxes that was not collected for such municipality by reason of the exemption provided for in Section 12-37-250. However, no reimbursement must be paid pursuant to this section for revenue for school operations not collected because of the exemption allowed pursuant to Section 12-37-250. The county treasurer and municipal governing body shall furnish the Comptroller General on or before April first following the tax year, or during an extension authorized by the Comptroller General not to exceed sixty days an accounting or statement as prescribed by the Comptroller General that reflects the amount of county, municipal, school district, or special district taxes that was not collected because of the exemption. Any funds paid by the Comptroller General as the result of an erroneous or improper application must be returned to the Comptroller General for deposit in the general fund of the State."

E. The imposition of the sales, use, and casual excise taxes imposed pursuant to Chapter 36 of Title 12 of the 1976 Code, the South Carolina Sales and Use Tax Act, is suspended with respect to otherwise taxable events occurring on November 24 and 25, 2006. The suspension provided pursuant to this paragraph does not apply to the sales tax on accommodations and other charges imposed pursuant to Section 12-36-920 of the 1976 Code, nor does the suspension apply to any local sales or use tax administered by the South Carolina Department of Revenue.

Part II
Distribution of Revenue and Millage Limitations

SECTION 1. A. Chapter 11, Title 11 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 11-11-156. (A)(1) Beginning with fiscal year 2007-2008, school districts of this State must be reimbursed from the Homestead Exemption Fund in the manner provided in this subsection. The Comptroller General shall pay these reimbursements upon application of the school district and the reimbursements for fiscal year 2007-2008 shall be equal to the amount estimated to be collected or reimbursed in fiscal year 2007-2008 by the district from school operating millage imposed on owner-occupied residential property therein.

(2) Beginning in fiscal year 2008-2009 a school district shall receive in reimbursements what it received in fiscal year 2007-2008 plus the reimbursement increases provided for in item (3). The reimbursement increases of the several school districts as provided in item (3) for any year shall be aggregated and the reimbursement increase a particular school district shall receive for that year shall be equal to an amount that is the school district's proportionate share of such funds based on the district's weighted pupil units as a percentage of statewide weighted pupil units as determined annually pursuant to the Education Finance Act. For purposes of the reimbursement increases school districts receive under this subsection based on weighted pupil units determined pursuant to the Education Finance Act, an additional add-on weighting for students in poverty of 0.20 shall be included in the weightings provided in Section 59-20-40(1)(c) of the 1976 Code. The weighting for poverty shall provide additional revenues for students in kindergarten through grade twelve who qualify for Medicaid or who qualify for reduced or free lunches, or both. Revenues generated by this weighting must be used by districts and schools to provide services and research-based strategies for addressing academic or health needs of these students to ensure their future academic success, to provide summer school, reduced class size, after school programs, extended day, instructional materials, or any other research-based educational strategy to improve student academic performance.

(3) Beginning with the fiscal year 2008-2009 reimbursements, these reimbursements must be increased on an annual basis by an inflation factor equal to the percentage increase in the previous year of the Consumer Price Index, Southeast Region, as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics plus the percentage increase in the previous year in the population of the State as determined by the Office of Research and Statistics of the State Budget and Control Board. Distribution of these reimbursement increases shall be as provided in this subsection.

(4) The percentage of population growth in any year for any school district entitled to reimbursements from the Homestead Exemption Fund shall be based on estimates for such growth in the county wherein the school district is located as determined by the Office of Research and Statistics of the State Budget and Control Board. Where the school district encompasses areas in more than one county, the population growth in that entity shall be the average of the growth in each county weighted to reflect the existing population of the school district in that county as compared to the existing population of the school district as a whole.

(5) Upon the beginning of reimbursements for a particular year, the reimbursements must be paid to a school district on or after January first of that year.

(6) To the extent revenues in the Homestead Exemption Fund are insufficient to pay all reimbursements to a school district required by this subsection (A) and subsection (B), the difference must be paid from the state general fund.

(7) Operating millage levied in a county for alternative schools, career and technology centers, and county boards of education whether or not levied countywide or on a school district by school district basis in a county also is considered school operating millage to which the reimbursements provided for in this section apply.

(8) Reimbursements to a school district under this subsection shall be considered in the computation of the required Education Improvement Act maintenance of local effort.

(B)(1) After the required reimbursements to school districts in a county have been made from the Homestead Exemption Fund for any year pursuant to subsection (A), a county, if the districts therein have not together received a total of at least two million five hundred thousand dollars in reimbursements, must receive an additional disbursement from the Homestead Exemption Fund to bring the total reimbursements to the districts in that county to at least two million five hundred thousand dollars. This additional disbursement shall be paid to the county for disbursement to the school districts located within that county. These distributions under this subsection to any district in the county shall be equal to the one hundred thirty-five day average daily membership of the district divided by the total average daily membership of all students in the districts in the county times the required amount of funds to bring the total reimbursements to the school districts in that county to at least two million five hundred thousand dollars.

(2) If a school district encompasses more than one county, the one hundred thirty-five day average daily membership of the students from that county attending schools of the district shall be used to compute the distributions required by this subsection.

(3) The distributions to a county and then to a school district under this subsection shall be considered to be outside of the Education Finance Act and shall not be considered when computing the maintenance of local effort required of that district under the Education Improvement Act.

(C) The balance in the Homestead Exemption Fund remaining after the payments to school districts and counties pursuant to subsections (A) and (B) of this section must be remitted to counties in the proportion that the population of the county is to the total population of the State. Population data must be as determined in the decennial United States Census and the most recent update to that data as determined by the Office of Research and Statistics of the State Budget and Control Board. Revenues received by the county must be used to provide a property tax credit against the property tax liability for county operations on owner-occupied residential property classified for property tax purposes pursuant to Section 12-43-220(c). The credit is an amount determined by dividing the total estimated revenues credited to the county during the applicable fiscal year by the number of parcels in the county eligible for the credit. Credit that exceeds the tax due on a parcel must be reallocated in a uniform amount to remaining parcels with a property tax liability for county operations. The distributions under this subsection are not an obligation of the state general fund if sufficient funds are not available to make such distributions from the Homestead Exemption Fund.

(D) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the reimbursements provided pursuant to this section for the property tax exemption allowed by Section 12-37-220(B)(47) as they apply for owner-occupied residential real property located in redevelopment project areas pursuant to the Tax Increment Financing Law and the Tax Increment Financing Act for Counties and for such real property subject to a redevelopment plan, must not be less than dollar for dollar for the duration of the plan."

SECTION 2. A. Section 6-1-320 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 145 of 2005, is further amended to read:

"Section 6-1-320. (A) Notwithstanding Section 12-37-251(E), a local governing body may increase the millage rate imposed for general operating purposes above the rate imposed for such purposes for the preceding tax year only to the extent of the increase in the average of the twelve monthly consumer price indexes for the most recent twelve-month period consisting of January through December of the preceding calendar year, plus, beginning in 2007, the percentage increase in the previous year in the population of the entity as determined by the Office of Research and Statistics of the State Budget and Control Board. However, in the year in which a reassessment program is implemented, the rollback millage, as calculated pursuant to Section 12-37-251(E), must be used in lieu of the previous year's millage rate.

(B) Notwithstanding the limitation upon millage rate increases contained in subsection (A), the millage rate limitation may be suspended and the millage rate may be increased upon a two-thirds vote of the membership of the local governing body for the following purposes:

~~(1)~~ ~~in response to a natural, environmental, or other disaster as declared by the Governor;~~

~~(2)~~ ~~to offset a prior year's deficit, as required by Section 7, Article X of the South Carolina Constitution;~~

~~(3)~~ ~~to raise the revenue necessary to comply with judicial mandates requiring the use of county or municipal funds, personnel, facilities, or equipment;~~

~~(4)~~ to meet the minimum required local Education Finance Act inflation factor as projected by the State Budget and Control Board, Division of Research and Statistics, and the per pupil maintenance of effort requirement of Section 59-21-1030, if applicable.

(1) the deficiency of the preceding year;

(2) any catastrophic event outside the control of the governing body such as a natural disaster, severe weather event, act of God, or act of terrorism, fire, war, or riot;

(3) compliance with a court order or decree;

(4) taxpayer closure due to circumstances outside the control of the governing body that decreases by ten percent or more the amount of revenue payable to the taxing jurisdiction in the preceding year; or

(5) compliance with a regulation promulgated or statute enacted by the federal or state government after the ratification date of this section for which an appropriation or a method for obtaining an appropriation is not provided by the federal or state government.

If a tax is levied to pay for items (1) through (5) above, then the amount of tax for each taxpayer must be listed on the tax statement as a separate surcharge, for each aforementioned applicable item, and not be included with a general millage increase. Each separate surcharge must have an explanation of the reason for the surcharge. The surcharge must be continued only for the years necessary to pay for the deficiency, for the catastrophic event, or for compliance with the court order or decree.

(C) The millage rate limitation provided for in subsection (A) of this section may be overridden and the millage rate may be further increased by a positive majority vote of the appropriate governing body. The vote must be taken at a specially-called meeting held solely for the purpose of taking a vote to increase the millage rate. The governing body must provide public notice of the meeting notifying the public that the governing body is meeting to vote to override the limitation and increase the millage rate. Public comment must be received by the governing body prior to the override vote. The millage increase permitted by subsection (B) is in addition to the increases from the previous year permitted pursuant to subsection (A) and shall be an additional millage levy above that permitted by subsection (A). The millage limitation provisions of this section do not apply to revenues, fees, or grants not derived from ad valorem property tax millage or to the receipt or expenditures of state funds.

(D) The restriction contained in this section does not affect millage that is levied to pay bonded indebtedness or payments for real property purchased using a lease-purchase agreement or used to maintain a reserve account. Nothing in this section prohibits the use of energy-saving performance contracts as provided in Section 48-52-670.

(E) Notwithstanding any provision contained herein, this article does not and may not be construed to amend or to repeal the rights of a legislative delegation to set or restrict school district millage, and this article does not and may not be construed to amend or to repeal any caps on school millage provided by current law or statute or limitation on the fiscal autonomy of a school district as currently in existing law.

~~(F)~~ ~~The positive majority vote of the governing body required by this section does not apply to school districts that have their budgets approved by qualified electors at a town meeting.~~"

B. The provisions of Section 6-1-320 of the 1976 Code as amended by this section apply beginning January 1, 2007.

SECTION 3. (A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a county governing body by ordinance or upon petition signed by five percent of the qualified electors of the county submitted to the county governing body with all signatures verified at least sixty days before the 2006 general election shall conduct a referendum at the same time as the 2006 general election as to whether or not a local option sales tax presently imposed in that county should be repealed. If the qualified electors of the county vote in favor of repealing the local option sales tax, the tax shall be repealed as of January 1, 2007.

(B) Beginning June 1, 2007, funds derived from a one percent local option sales tax imposed in a county which are used to reduce ad valorem property taxes imposed on owner-occupied residential property for school operating purposes must be thereafter applied on a pro rata basis to reduce ad valorem property taxes levied for other purposes as the county governing body shall provide.

Part III
Local Option Property Tax Credits

SECTION 1. Chapter 10, Title 4 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 7
Local Option Sales and Use Tax
For Local Property Tax Credits

Section 4-10-720. As used in this article:

(1) 'Class of property' means property classified for property tax purposes as provided pursuant to Section 1, Article X of the Constitution of this State and as further permitted in Section 12-43-220. Property subject to a fee in lieu of property taxes, as defined in Chapter 12, Title 4 is not included in this definition of a class of property. All classes of property are provided a credit against property tax liability as provided in this article.

(2) 'Political subdivision' means a county, or a school district located wholly or partly within a county area, or both the county and a school district so located.

(3) 'Property tax' means all property tax millage imposed for operating purposes by a political subdivision.

(4) 'Property tax liability' means the amount of tax due as a result of the imposition of property tax.

(5) 'ORS' means the Office of Research and Statistics of the State Budget and Control Board.

Section 4-10-730. (A)(1) Subject to the requirements of this article, the governing body of the county by a county council ordinance or by an initiated ordinance submitted to the governing body of the county by a petition signed by qualified electors of the county, equal in number to at least seven percent of the qualified electors of the county, may impose a sales and use tax in increments of one-tenth of one percent, not to exceed one percent, subject to referendum approval in order to provide a credit against property tax imposed by a political subdivision for all classes of property subject to such tax. The ordinance may provide for a credit against the property tax liability for the county or the school district(s) in the county, or the property tax liability for both the county and the school district(s) in the county. An ordinance must be enacted or a petition initiating an ordinance must be presented to the county governing body at least one hundred twenty days before the Tuesday following the first Monday of November of that year.

(2) The rate of the tax must be set at an amount expressed in tenths of one percent estimated to be sufficient to produce revenues that do not exceed those necessary to replace property tax revenue in the county for the affected political subdivisions in the most recently completed fiscal year, but not more than one percent and must take into account reimbursements received by political subdivisions for property tax exemptions.

(3) If the county or municipality within the county has enacted a tax increment financing redevelopment plan, or other financing plan that relies upon property tax for its funding to retire indebtedness or pay for project costs, the rate of tax must be set in an amount that must consider full funding for the project or retirement of indebtedness, which must include compliance with any covenants in the governing documents authorizing this indebtedness or future indebtedness heretofore authorized by the tax increment financing redevelopment plan that relies upon property tax for its funding for the amount that the sales tax would substitute for the property tax payments. The revenues of such tax attributable to the funding replacement for a tax increment redevelopment financing plan that relies upon property tax for its funding must be distributed by the county treasurer pursuant to Section 4-10-780.

(4) The governing body of the county shall obtain from ORS after ORS has obtained all information necessary to provide such estimate, a certified estimate of the rate of sales and use tax necessary in the county to equal the property tax not collected, and for the amount, if applicable, for the funding replacement for the tax increment financing redevelopment plan or other financing plan that relies upon property tax for its funding. This certified rate, not to exceed one percent, is the rate of tax that must appear in the referendum question.

(5) A qualified elector of the county desiring to circulate a petition shall file a written request with the governing body of the county detailing the property tax liability or liabilities to which the credit will apply and the governing body shall forward the request to ORS, which shall design the petition form in consultation with the State Election Commission and calculate and certify the tax rate necessary to provide the credits proposed in the petition. The petition form and a copy of the certification must be forwarded to the governing body of the county and the governing body shall provide the petition form to the qualified elector requesting the petition form.

(6) If competing petitions are timely filed with the governing body of the county and the signatures verified, the governing body may determine which petition initiated ordinance shall go on the ballot or it may substitute its own ordinance in lieu of any petition initiated ordinance.

(B) If the sales and use tax authorized pursuant to this article is imposed in a county, then the sales and use tax revenue must be used to provide a credit against the property tax liability on all classes of property by the affected political subdivision.

Section 4-10-740. (A) Upon receipt of the ordinance, the county election commission shall conduct a referendum on the question of imposing the sales and use tax. A referendum for this purpose must be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in any year. Two weeks before the referendum, the election commission shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation the question that is to appear on the ballot. This notice is in lieu of any other notice otherwise required by law.

(B) The referendum question to be on the ballot must read substantially as follows:

'Must a (rate) sales and use tax be levied in County for the purpose of allowing a credit for all classes of property against the property tax liability for [affected political subdivision(s)] operations?

Yes []
No []'

(C) All qualified electors desiring to vote in favor of imposing the tax shall vote 'Yes' and all qualified electors opposed to imposing the tax shall vote 'No'. If a majority of the votes cast are in favor of imposing the tax, the tax is imposed as provided in this article, and beginning after the fiscal year in which the referendum is held, all classes of property in the county shall receive a credit against the property tax liability of the political subdivision. The election commission shall conduct the referendum under the election laws of this State, mutatis mutandis, and shall certify the results no later than December thirty-first to the county governing body and to the Department of Revenue. The credit must be calculated in the manner provided pursuant to Section 4-10-40(B), mutatis mutandis.

(D) Upon receipt of the returns of the referendum, the county council, by resolution, shall declare the results thereof. The results of the referendum may not be questioned except by a suit or proceeding instituted within thirty days from the date the resolution is adopted.

Section 4-10-750. (A) If the sales and use tax is approved in the referendum, the tax must be imposed by ordinance on the first of July following the date of the referendum. If the certification is not timely made to the Department of Revenue, the imposition of the tax and the property tax credits are postponed for twelve months.

(B) If the sales and use tax is not approved in the referendum, the county governing body by ordinance, or seven percent of the qualified electors of the county, by an initiated ordinance submitted to the governing body of the county, may provide for a subsequent referendum held in the manner provided pursuant to Section 4-10-740, but such a referendum may be held only on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in any year.

Section 4-10-760. (A) Upon petition of at least seven percent of the qualified electors of a county presented to the county council of the county which has implemented the sales and use tax authorized by this article requesting that this tax be rescinded, the council shall direct the county election commission to conduct a referendum on the question of rescinding the sales and use tax. A referendum for this purpose must be held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November following verification of the petition. Two weeks before the referendum, the election commission shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation the question that is to appear on the ballot. This notice is in lieu of any other notice otherwise required by law.

(B) The referendum question to be on the ballot must read substantially as follows:

'Must the (rate) sales and use tax levied in County for the purpose of allowing a credit for all classes of property against the property tax liability imposed for [affected political subdivision(s)] operations be rescinded?

Yes []
No []'

(C)(1) All qualified electors desiring to vote in favor of rescinding the tax shall vote 'Yes' and all qualified electors opposed to rescinding the tax shall vote 'No'. If a majority of the votes cast are in favor of rescinding the tax, the tax is rescinded effective July first following the referendum and the applicable property taxes apply without credit beginning after the year in which the referendum is held. The election commission shall conduct the referendum under the election laws of this State, mutatis mutandis, and shall certify the result no later than December thirty-first to the county council. If a majority 'Yes' vote is certified, it must be certified to the Department of Revenue by the same date.

(2) Upon receipt of the return of the referendum, the county council shall declare the results thereof by resolution. The results of the referendum may not be questioned except by a suit or proceeding instituted within thirty days from the date the resolution is adopted.

(D) A referendum for rescission of this tax may not be held earlier than two years after the tax has been imposed in the county. If a majority of the qualified electors voting in the rescission referendum vote against rescinding the tax, no further rescission referendums may be held for a period of two years. If a majority of the qualified electors vote in favor of rescinding the tax, the tax may not be reimposed in the county for a period of two years. The petition requesting rescission must be presented to the county governing body at least one hundred twenty days before the Tuesday following the first Monday of November of that year or the referendum must be held on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November of the following year.

Section 4-10-770. (A) The tax levied pursuant to this article must be administered and collected by the Department of Revenue in the same manner that other sales and use taxes are collected. The department may prescribe amounts that may be added to the sales price because of the tax.

(B)(1) The tax authorized by this article is in addition to all other local sales and use taxes and applies to the gross proceeds of sales in the applicable area that is subject to the tax imposed by Chapter 36 of Title 12 and the enforcement provisions of Chapter 54 of Title 12.

(2) The tax imposed by this article also applies to tangible personal property subject to the use tax in Article 13, Chapter 36 of Title 12.

(3) Any additional local sales and use tax imposed by this article does not apply to:

(a) amounts taxed pursuant to Section 12-36-920(A), the tax on accommodations for transients;

(b) items subject to a maximum sales and use tax pursuant to Section 12-36-2110; and

(C) Taxpayers required to remit taxes under Article 13, Chapter 36 of Title 12 shall identify the county in which the personal property purchased at retail is stored, used, or consumed in this State.

(D) Utilities shall report sales in the county in which the consumption of the tangible personal property occurs.

(E) A taxpayer subject to the tax imposed by Section 12-36-920, who owns or manages rental units in more than one county, shall report separately in his sales tax return the total gross proceeds from business done in each county.

(F) The gross proceeds of sales of tangible personal property delivered after the imposition date of the tax levied under this article in a county, either under the terms of a construction contract executed before the imposition date, or a written bid submitted before the imposition date, culminating in a construction contract entered into before or after the imposition date, are exempt from the sales and use tax provided for in this article if a verified copy of the contract is filed with the Department of Revenue within six months after the imposition date of the sales and use tax provided for in this article.

(G) Notwithstanding the imposition date of the sales and use tax authorized pursuant to this chapter, with respect to services that are billed regularly on a monthly basis, the sales and use tax authorized pursuant to this article is imposed beginning on the first day of the billing period beginning on or after the imposition date.

Section 4-10-780. (A) The revenues of the tax collected under this article must be remitted to the Department of Revenue and placed on deposit with the State Treasurer and credited to a fund separate and distinct from the general fund of the State. After deducting the amount of any refunds made and costs to the Department of Revenue of administering the tax, not to exceed one percent of the revenues, the State Treasurer shall distribute the revenues quarterly to the county treasurer of the county in which the tax is imposed. The State Treasurer may correct misallocations by adjusting subsequent distributions, but these adjustments must be made in the same fiscal year as the misallocations.

(B)(1) Revenues of the tax collected and deposited pursuant to subsection (A) of this section must be distributed by the county treasurer to the political subdivisions as determined by the ordinance establishing the referendum.

(2) The amount of the revenues of the tax collected that is attributable to the funding replacement for the tax increment financing redevelopment plan or other financing plan that relies upon property tax for its funding for a particular political subdivision must be distributed by the county treasurer to the political subdivision that has enacted this financing plan to be deposited into the special tax allocation fund or other similar fund of that political subdivision as may be required by the tax increment financing law, as applicable to counties or municipalities, or by other applicable law.

(3) For counties in which there is more than one school district, the county treasurer shall distribute the revenues of the tax:

(a) in direct proportion to the one-hundred-thirty-five-day average daily membership as referenced in Section 59-20-40(1)(a) for each of the school districts for the fiscal year immediately preceding that in which a distribution is made, as certified by the State Treasurer, upon advice of the State Department of Education; or

(b) pursuant to a distribution plan unanimously agreed upon by all entities with fiscal authority over the school districts within the county; or

(4) For school districts that are composed of more than one county, the county treasurer shall distribute the revenues of the tax:

(a) to the portion of the school district that resides in the county adopting the provisions of this article in proportion to the district's one-hundred-thirty-five-day average daily membership, as referenced in Section 59-20-40(1)(a), in comparison to the remainder of the school district outside of the county; or

(b) pursuant to a distribution plan authorized by agreement of the multiple counties comprising the school district through local act of the General Assembly or local ordinance. For purposes of this section, the one-hundred-thirty-five-day average daily membership as referenced in Section 59-20-40(1)(a) excludes any student not residing in the county.

Section 4-10-790. The Office of Research and Statistics of the State Budget and Control Board shall furnish data to the State Treasurer and to the applicable political subdivisions receiving revenues for the purpose of calculating distributions and estimating revenues. The information that must be supplied to political subdivisions upon request includes, but is not limited to, gross receipts, net taxable sales, and tax liability by taxpayers. Information about a specific taxpayer is considered confidential and is governed by the provisions of Section 12-54-240. A person violating this section is subject to the penalties provided in Section 12-54-240.

Section 4-10-800. Nothing in this article in anyway alters the property tax millage limits imposed on political subdivisions pursuant to Section 6-1-320.

Section 4-10-810. Where applicable, the actual revenues of the sales and use tax collected pursuant to this article that are used to provide a credit against the property tax liability for school operations must be considered, pursuant to the requirements of Section 59-21-1030, one of the local revenues used in computation of the required Education Improvement Act maintenance of local effort."

SECTION 2. The provisions of Article 7, Chapter 10, Title 4 of the 1976 Code, as added in SECTION 1 of this part take effect January 1, 2007.

Part IV
Valuation of Real Property

SECTION 1. Chapter 37, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 25
South Carolina Real Property Valuation Reform Act

Section 12-37-3110. This article may be cited as the 'South Carolina Real Property Valuation Reform Act'.

Section 12-37-3120. The value of real property for purposes of the imposition of the property tax is subject to the provisions of this article. Except where inconsistent, the provisions of this article are in addition to and not in lieu of other provisions of law applicable to the valuation of real property for purposes of the property tax. If the provisions of this article are inconsistent with other provisions of law, the provisions of this article apply.

Section 12-37-3130. As used in this article:

(1) 'Additions' or 'improvements' mean an increase in the value of an existing parcel of real property because of:

(a) new construction;

(b) reconstruction;

(d) remodeling; or

(e) renovation and rehabilitation, including installation.

Additions or improvements do not include minor construction or ongoing maintenance and repair of existing structures. The repair or reconstruction of a structure damaged or destroyed by a disaster, to include, but not limited to, construction defects, defective materials, fire, wind, hail, flood, and acts of God, is not an addition or improvement to the extent that the structure as repaired or reconstructed is similar in size, utility, and function of the structure damaged or destroyed, and the rebuilding or reconstruction is begun within eight years after determination of the damage or destruction. Construction of facilities in a home that make the home handicapped accessible is not an addition or improvement if the utility and function of the structure remains unchanged.

(2) 'Adjustments' mean changes in fair market value as determined in periodic countywide appraisal and equalization programs conducted pursuant to Section 12-43-217 as allowed pursuant to Section 6, Article X of the Constitution of this State, but adjustments are subject to the limits on increases provided in that Section 6 and as further provided in Section 12-37-3140(B).

(3) 'Appraisal' or 'appraised' means the process provided by law for the property tax assessor to determine the fair market value of real property and additions and improvements to real property.

(4) 'Assessable transfer of interest' means a transfer of an existing interest in real property that subjects the real property to appraisal. For purposes of this definition, an existing interest in real property includes life estate interests and the beneficial use of the property when the fair market value of that beneficial use is substantially equal to the fair market value of the real property or the fee interest.

(5) 'Beneficial use' means the right to possession, use, and enjoyment of property, limited only by encumbrances, easements, and restrictions of record.

(6) 'Commonly controlled' means persons having relationships as described in Section 267(b) of the Internal Revenue Code as defined in Section 12-6-40(A).

(7) 'Conveyance' means the date the instrument of record of an assessable transfer of interest in real property is recorded by the Clerk of Court or Register of Deeds in the county where the real property is located.

(8) 'Property tax assessor' means the county assessor, an assessor appointed to handle multiple county assessments pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement, or the Department of Revenue, as applicable.

Section 12-37-3140. (A)(1) For property tax years beginning after 2006, the fair market value of real property is its fair market value applicable for the later of:

(a) the base year, as defined in subsection (C) of this section;

(b) when an assessable transfer of interest has occurred;

(d) as it may be adjusted as determined in a countywide reassessment program conducted pursuant to Section 12-43-217, but limited to increases in such value as provided in subsection (B) of this section.

(2) To the fair market value of real property as determined at the time provided in item (1) of this subsection, there must be added the fair market value of subsequent improvements and additions to the property.

(B) Any increase in the fair market value of real property attributable to the periodic countywide appraisal and equalization program implemented pursuant to Section 12-43-217 is limited to a fifteen percent within a five-year period to the otherwise applicable fair market value. However, this limit does not apply to the fair market value of additions or improvements to real property in the year those additions or improvements are first subject to property tax, nor do they apply to the fair market value of real property when an assessable transfer of interest occurred in the year that the transfer value is first subject to tax.

(C) For purposes of determining a 'base year' fair market value pursuant to this section, the fair market value of real property is its appraised value applicable for property tax year 2007.

Section 12-37-3150. (A) For purposes of determining when a parcel of real property must be appraised, an assessable transfer of interest in real property includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) a conveyance by deed;

(2) a conveyance by land contract;

(3) a conveyance to a trust, except if the settlor or the settlor's spouse, or both, conveys the property to the trust and the sole present beneficiary or beneficiaries are the settlor or the settlor's spouse, or both;

(4) a conveyance by distribution from a trust, except if the distributee is the sole present beneficiary or the spouse of the sole present beneficiary, or both;

(5) a change in the sole present beneficiary or beneficiaries of a trust, except a change that adds or substitutes the spouse of the sole present beneficiary;

(6) a conveyance by distribution under a will or by intestate succession, except if the distributee is the decedent's spouse;

(7) a conveyance by lease if the total duration of the lease, including the initial term and all options for renewal, is more than twenty years or the lease grants the lessee a bargain purchase option. As used in this item, 'bargain purchase option' means the right to purchase the property at the termination of the lease for not more than eighty percent of the property's true cash value at the termination of the lease. This item does not apply to personal property or that portion of the property not subject to the leasehold interest conveyed;

(8) a transfer of an ownership interest in a single transaction or as a part of a series of related transactions within a twenty-five year period in a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or other legal entity if the ownership interest conveyed is more than fifty percent of the corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or other legal entity. The corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or other legal entity shall notify the applicable property tax assessor on a form provided by the Department of Revenue not more than forty-five days after a conveyance of an ownership interest that constitutes an assessable transfer of interest or transfer of ownership under this item;

(9) a change of use of agricultural real property which subjects it to the rollback tax;

(10) a change of use of real property when classification of property changes as a result of a local zoning ordinance change; or

(11) the passage of twenty years since the later of the base year or the last assessable transfer of interest for real property owned by a publicly-held entity whose stock, shares, or other ownership interests are traded on a regulated exchange, a pension fund, or other similar entity.

(B) An assessable transfer of interest does not include:

(1) transfers not subject to federal income tax in the following circumstances:

(a) 1033 (Conversions-Fire and Insurance Proceeds to Rebuild);

(b) 1041 (Transfers of Property Between Spouses or Incident to Divorce);

(d) 355 (Distribution by a Controlled Corporation);

(e) 368 (Corporate Reorganizations); or

(f) 721 (Nonrecognition of Gain or Loss on a Contribution to a Partnership).

Number references in the above subitems are to sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as defined in Section 12-6-40;

(2) a transfer of that portion of property subject to a life estate or life lease retained by the transferor, until expiration or termination of the life estate or life lease;

(3) a transfer through foreclosure or forfeiture of a recorded instrument or through deed or conveyance in lieu of a foreclosure or forfeiture, until the redemption period has expired;

(4) a transfer by redemption by the person to whom taxes are assessed of property previously sold for delinquent taxes;

(5) a conveyance to a trust if the settlor or the settlor's spouse, or both, convey the property to the trust and the sole present beneficiary of the trust is the settlor or the settlor's spouse, or both;

(6) a transfer for security or an assignment or discharge of a security interest;

(7) a transfer of real property or other ownership interests among members of an affiliated group. As used in this item, 'affiliated group' is as defined in Section 1504 of the Internal Revenue Code as defined in Section 12-6-40. Upon request of the applicable property tax assessor, a corporation shall furnish proof within forty-five days that a transfer meets the requirements of this item. A corporation that fails to comply with this request is subject to a civil penalty as provided in Section 12-37-3160(B); or

(8) a transfer of real property or other ownership interests among corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, or other legal entities if the entities involved are commonly controlled. Upon request by the applicable property tax assessor, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or other legal entity shall furnish proof within forty-five days that a transfer meets the requirements of this item. A corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or other legal entity that fails to comply with this request is subject to a civil penalty as provided in Section 12-37-3160(B).

Section 12-37-3160. (A) The Department of Revenue may promulgate regulations to implement this article, including, without limitation, providing for those circumstances that constitute a change in the beneficial ownership of real property or an assessable transfer of interest not evidenced by transfer of fee simple title. The department shall examine the substance, rather than merely the form of the transfer, and related and surrounding transactions, and may use the step transaction, economic reality, quid pro quo, personal benefit, and other judicially developed doctrines in determining whether the requisite assessable transfer of interest has occurred.

(B) Each real property tax notice must contain a certificate prescribed by the Department of Revenue which must be signed and returned by the property owner or the owner's agent certifying details of the ownership of the property. If the owner or owner's agent knowingly falsifies any detail on the certificate, then the owner or owner's agent is subject to a civil penalty imposed by the Department of Revenue, the county assessor, or an assessor appointed to handle multiple county assessments pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement, as applicable. The amount must be not less than twice the taxes lawfully due on the property or more than three times the taxes lawfully due on the property. This civil penalty is enforceable and collectable in the same manner as property tax.

Section 12-37-3170. (A) Nothing in this article affects the provisions of Section 12-43-220(d) that define and apply to 'fair market value for agricultural purposes' for real property in agricultural use.

(B) Except as provided in Section 12-37-3150(9), this article does not affect the eligibility requirements for agricultural use or the imposition of rollback taxes when real property is changed from agricultural use.

(C) Nothing in this article affects the appropriate methods of appraising real property for purposes of the property tax by county assessors, assessors appointed to handle multiple county assessments pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement, and officials of the Department of Revenue, as applicable.

SECTION 2. A. Section 12-43-220 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 145 of 2005, is further amended by adding a new undesignated paragraph at the end of the section to read:

"As used in this section, fair market value with reference to real property means fair market value determined in the manner provided pursuant to Article X of the Constitution of this State, Section 12-37-930 and Article 25, Chapter 37 of this title."

B. Section 12-60-2510 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 12-60-2510. (A)(1) In the case of property tax assessments made by the county assessor, whenever the assessor increases the fair market value or special use value in making a property tax assessment by one thousand dollars or more, or whenever the first property tax assessment is made on the property by a county assessor, the assessor, by July first in the year in which the property tax assessment is made, or as soon after as is practical, shall send the taxpayer a property tax assessment notice. In years when real property is appraised and assessed under a countywide equalization program, substantially all property tax assessment notices must be mailed by October first of the implementation year. In these reassessment years, if substantially all of the tax assessment notices are not mailed by October first, the prior year's property tax assessment must be the basis for all property tax assessments for the current tax year. A property tax assessment notice under this subsection must be in writing and must include:

(a) the fair market value;

(b) value as limited by ~~Section 12-37-223A,~~ Article 25, Chapter 37, Title 12;

(d) the assessment ratio;

(e) the property tax assessment;

(f) the number of acres or lots;

(g) the location of the property;

(h) the tax map number; and

(i) the appeal procedure.

(2) The notice must be served upon the taxpayer personally or by mailing it to the taxpayer at his last known place of residence which may be determined from the most recent listing in the applicable telephone directory, the Department of Motor Vehicles' motor vehicle registration list, county treasurer's records, or official notice from the property taxpayer.

(3) In years when there is a notice of property tax assessment, the property taxpayer, within ninety days after the assessor mails the property tax assessment notice, must give the assessor written notice of objection to one or more of the following: the fair market value, the special use value, the assessment ratio, and the property tax assessment.

(4) In years when there is no notice of property tax assessment, the property taxpayer must, ~~by March first~~ within ninety days after the tax notice is mailed to the taxpayer, give the assessor written notice of objection to one or more of the following: the fair market value, the special use value, the assessment ratio, and the property tax assessment. The failure to serve written notice of objection ~~by March first~~ within ninety days after the tax notice is mailed to the taxpayer is a waiver of the taxpayer's right of protest for that tax year, and the assessor may not review any request filed after ~~March first~~ the ninetieth day that the tax notice was mailed to the taxpayer.

(B) The department shall prescribe a standard property tax assessment notice designed to contain the information required in subsection (A) in a manner that may be easily understood."

C. Section 6-1-50 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 6-1-50. Counties and municipalities receiving revenues from state aid, currently known as Aid to Subdivisions, shall submit annually to the ~~Comptroller General~~ Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics, Economic Research Section, a financial report detailing their sources of revenue, expenditures by category, indebtedness, and other information as the ~~Comptroller General~~ Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics, Economic Research Section, requires. ~~The federal revenue sharing document may be substituted for the financial report as long as it is required by the Federal Office of Revenue Sharing. The Comptroller General, in conjunction with the~~ The Budget and Control Board, ~~Division~~ Office of Research and ~~Statistical Services~~ Statistics, Economic Research Section, shall determine the required ~~contents~~ content and format of the annual financial report. ~~and the date of submission. Failure to submit the report shall result in the withholding of ten percent of the current year's state aid~~ The financial report for the most recently completed fiscal year must be submitted to the Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics, Economic Research Section, by November fifteenth of each year. If an entity fails to file the financial report by November fifteenth, then the chief administrative officer of the entity shall be notified in writing that the entity has thirty days to comply with the requirements of this section. The Director of the Office of Research and Statistics may, for good cause, grant a local entity an extension of time to file the annual financial report. Notification by the Director of the Office of Research and Statistics to the Comptroller General that an entity has failed to file the annual financial report thirty days after written notification to the chief administrative officer of the entity must result in the withholding of ten percent of subsequent payments of state aid to the entity until the report is filed. The Budget and Control Board, Division of Research and ~~Statistical Services~~ Statistics, Economic Research Section, is responsible for collecting, maintaining, and compiling the ~~existing~~ financial data bases as exists with the Federal Office of Revenue Sharing. In conjunction with the Comptroller General, Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, and the University of South Carolina Bureau of Governmental Research and Service, the Division of Research and Statistical Services of the Budget and Control Board shall produce a comprehensive report of this data and submit it to the General Assembly no later than June first of each year provided by counties and municipalities in the annual financial report required by this section."

SECTION 3. Except for Section 6-1-50 of the 1976 Code, as amended by this part, the provisions of this part take effect upon ratification of an amendment to Article X of the Constitution of this State allowing its terms as proposed to the qualified electors of this State at the 2006 General Election. Section 6-1-50 as amended by this part takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Part V
Miscellaneous Provisions

SECTION 1. (A) The sales tax exemptions in Section 12-36-2120 of the 1976 Code shall be reviewed by the General Assembly not later than its 2010 session and thereafter as the General Assembly deems appropriate but not later than its session every ten years after the first review.

(B)(1) There is established the Joint Sales Tax Exemptions Review Committee composed of seven members; three of whom must be members of the Senate appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, one of whom must be a member of the minority party; three of whom must be members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, one of whom must be a member of the minority party; and one of whom must be the Governor or the Governor's appointee who shall serve at the Governor's pleasure. The committee shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from among its members. All legislative members shall serve ex officio. The committee shall assist the General Assembly in performing its duties under the provisions of subsection (A) in addition to its duties required by this subsection.

(2) In carrying out its responsibilities under this act, the committee shall:

(a) make a detailed and careful study of the State's sales tax exemptions, comparing South Carolina laws to other states;

(b) publish a comparison of the State's sales tax exemptions to other states' laws;

(d) submit reports and recommendations annually to the Governor and the General Assembly regarding sales tax exemptions.

(3) In carrying out its responsibilities under this act, the committee may:

(a) hold public hearings;

(b) receive testimony of any employee of the State or any other witness who may assist the committee in its duties;

(4) The committee may adopt by majority vote rules not inconsistent with this act that it considers proper with respect to matters relating to the discharge of its duties under this section. Professional and clerical services for the committee must be made available from the staffs of the General Assembly, the State Budget and Control Board, and the Department of Revenue. The members of the committee may not receive mileage, per diem, subsistence, or any form of compensation for their service on the committee.

SECTION 2. A. Section 12-37-670 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 12-37-670. (A) Each owner of land on which any new structures have been erected which shall not have been appraised for taxation shall list them for taxation with the county auditor of the county in which they may be situate on or before the first day of March next after they shall become subject to taxation. No new structure shall be listed or assessed until it is completed and fit for the use for which it is intended.

(B)(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (A), a county governing body may by ordinance provide that an owner of land on which a new structure has been erected and that has not been appraised for taxation shall list the new structure for taxation with the county auditor of the county in which it is located by the first day of the next month after a certificate of occupancy is issued for the structure. A new structure must not be listed or assessed until it is completed and fit for the use for which it is intended, as evidenced by the issuance of the certificate of occupancy.

(2) Additional property tax attributable to improvements listed with the county auditor on or before June thirtieth is due for the period from July first to December thirty-first for that property year, and payable when taxes are due on the property for that property tax year. Additional property tax attributable to improvements listed with the county auditor after June thirtieth of the property tax year is due and payable when taxes are due on the property for the next property tax year.

(3) If a county governing body elects by ordinance to impose the provisions of this subsection, this election is also binding on all municipalities within the county imposing ad valorem property taxes."

B. Section 12-37-680 of the 1976 Code is repealed.

SECTION 3. A. Section 12-45-75 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 136 of 2005, is further amended to read:

"Section 12-45-75. (A)(1) The governing body of a county may by ordinance allow a each taxpayer owning a parcel of taxable real property within the county the option to ~~elect to~~ pay property taxes in installments as provided in this section. ~~pay all ad valorem taxes on real property located in the county in quarterly or monthly installments.~~ An installment election is not allowed for taxes paid through an escrow account.

(2) The ordinance must specify the installment due dates and it may provide for installments due and payable before January fifteenth, but the final installment due date must be January fifteenth. The ordinance may provide for a service charge of not more than two dollars on installment payments. For purposes of payment and collection, these service charges are deemed property taxes. The ordinance may not provide penalties for late installments. A taxpayer electing to pay ad valorem taxes in installments or electing to opt out of paying in installments, must notify the county treasurer in writing no later than January fifteenth of the tax year for which the installment payments are applicable, and no earlier than December first of the preceding tax year. If the treasurer does not receive written notification from December first to January fifteenth, the taxpayer must pay ad valorem taxes in the same manner as the previous taxable year.

(3) The treasurer must notify the county auditor and county assessor of each taxpayer electing the installment payment option or electing to opt out of paying in installments. If the county assessor determines the property has diminished in value, an estimated property tax obligation must be adjusted to reflect the reduced value. Upon being notified of an adjustment for reduced value from the assessor, the county treasurer must notify the property owner of the adjusted estimated property tax obligation.

(B) The governing body of a county may by ordinance provide a discount in all ad valorem taxes on real property located in the county paid in advance of the January fifteenth due date. The ordinance may provide a range of discounts that vary according to the length of the prepayment period. An installment payment is based on the total property tax due for the previous property tax year, after applying all applicable credits and adjustments reflecting reduced value as determined by the county assessor. An amount equal to sixteen and two-thirds percent of the estimated property tax obligation must be paid to the county treasurer in each of five installments according to the following schedule:

In the case of the following estimates, the due date is on or before:

First February 15

Second April 15

Third June 15

Fourth August 15

Fifth October 15

The remaining balance is due on or before January fifteenth of the following taxable year in accordance with Section 12-45-70. The treasurer must notify the county auditor of the amount of a property owner's payments received no earlier than October fifteenth and no later than November fifteenth. A notice of the remaining tax due and other authorized charges and information must then be prepared and mailed to the property owner.

(C) If a taxpayer electing to pay in installments does not timely make each payment pursuant to the schedule in subsection (B), the county may refuse to accept all other installment payments. If the county refuses to accept other installment payments, the remaining balance is due in accordance with Section 12-45-70.

(D) Estimated property taxes paid in installments during a property tax year are a credit against the total property tax due on the real property for the property tax year. The estimated property taxes paid in installments during a property tax year must be deposited by the county treasurer in an interest bearing account. The interest is to be retained by the treasurer to offset the administrative expenses of installment payments. Once final payment is made, and no later than January fifteenth of the following taxable year, the installment payments must be credited to the accounts of property taxing entities in the county in the same proportion that millage was imposed by such entities in the previous tax year with the necessary adjustments made to reflect current tax year millage impositions when property taxes for the current year are paid.

(E) If the credit allowed for estimated property tax paid during the property tax year results in an overpayment of property tax, the overpayment must be refunded to the taxpayer together with the actual interest earned by the county treasurer, running from the later of the due date of the installment resulting in the overpayment, without regard to additional amounts paid, or the actual date the overpayment was received by the county treasurer, to the date the refund is issued. Except that if the overpayment is issued to the taxpayer within forty-five days of the installment payment that resulted in the overpayment, the treasurer may retain the interest earned.

(F) Every tax notice for real property, for which the installment payment option has been elected, must contain a calculation of any estimated property tax due and a payment schedule and return envelopes for these payments.

(G) The payment of estimated property tax as provided in this section and the credit allowed arising from these payments in no way alters the due date, penalty schedule, and enforced collection of property taxes as provided by law."

B. Each county treasurer shall report to the General Assembly on the impact and implementation of the provisions of this section no later than sixty days after January 15, 2009. The report shall include, but is not limited to, the costs incurred, the interest retained, and the number of individuals electing to pay ad valorem taxes in installments.

C. The provisions of Section 12-45-75 of the 1976 Code as amended by this section, apply for real property tax years beginning after 2006.

SECTION 4. Section 11-27-110(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 106 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"(A) As used in this section:

(1) 'asset' means any real property and permanent improvements thereon including structures, buildings, and fixtures;

(2) 'bond act' means:

(a) the county bond act, as contained in Chapter 15 of Title 4;

(b) the municipal bond act, as contained in Article 5, Chapter 21 of Title 5;

(d) the provisions contained in Articles 3 and 5 of Chapter 11 of Title 6 pertaining to special purpose districts;

(e) any provision of law by which the State may issue obligations secured in whole or in part by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the State; and

(f) any other law, general or special, providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds by the State or any of its political subdivisions;

(3) 'constitutional debt limit' for the State or any political subdivision of the State which has the power to incur general obligation bonded indebtedness, means the limitation of the principal amount of general obligation bonded indebtedness specified in Article X of the Constitution;

(4) 'enterprise charge' means a local accommodations tax or a local hospitality tax, or both of them, imposed by one or more governmental entities, the proceeds from which may be used only for limited purposes which either (i) has been imposed within the two fiscal years prior to the date of an enterprise financing agreement, or (ii) to the extent a governmental entity pledges such a charge in connection with an enterprise financing agreement, the governmental entity covenants and agrees not to increase disbursements from its general fund to pay for costs which could have been paid from the charge for a period of two fiscal years after the date of the acquisition or completion of the asset provided by the enterprise financing agreement;

(5) 'enterprise financing agreement' means a financing agreement entered into to provide an asset for a governmental enterprise (i) the revenues from which are expected to be sufficient to pay the amounts due under the financing agreement, or (ii) for which an enterprise charge has been imposed in an amount expected to be sufficient to pay the amounts due under the financing agreement, or (iii) a combination of revenues described under (i) and (ii) are expected to produce an amount sufficient to pay the amounts due under the financing agreement;

(6) 'financing agreement' means, with respect to any governmental entity, any contract entered into after December 31, 1995, under the terms of which a governmental entity acquires the use of an asset which provides:

(a) for payments to be made in more than one fiscal year, whether by the stated term of the contract or under any renewal provisions, optional or otherwise;

(b) that the payments thereunder are divided into principal and interest components or which contain any reference to any portion of any payment under the agreement being treated as interest; ~~and~~

(c) that title to the asset will be in the name of or be transferred to the governmental entity if all payments scheduled or provided for in the financing agreement are made,; and

(d) for any contract entered into after December 31, 2006, pursuant to which installment payments of the purchase price are to be paid by a school district or other political subdivision to a nonprofit corporation, political subdivision, or any other entity in order to finance the acquisition, construction, renovation, or repair of school buildings or other school facilities. This item shall apply to any contracts entered into after August 31, 2006, pursuant to which installment payments of the purchase price are to be paid by a school district or other political subdivision to a non-profit corporation, political subdivision, or any other entity, from any source other than the issuance of general obligation indebtedness by the school district, in order to finance the acquisition, construction, renovation, or repair of school buildings or other school facilities.

~~but~~ However, the term excludes any refinancing agreement and contracts entered into in connection with issues of general obligation bonds or revenue bonds issued pursuant to authorization provided in Article X of the Constitution;

(7) 'governmental enterprise' means any activity undertaken by a governmental entity which either (i) derives revenues from or because of an activity on a basis other than the exercise of the power of taxation by that governmental entity, or (ii) is entitled to be paid or supported from an enterprise charge;

(8) 'governmental entity' means:

(a) the State, whose general obligation debt service payments are limited pursuant to Section 13, Article X of the Constitution; or

(b) any political subdivision of the State including a municipality, county, school district, special purpose district, or similar entity, whose general obligation debt is limited as provided in Sections 14 and 15, in Article X of the Constitution;

(9) 'limited bonded indebtedness' means the amount of bonded indebtedness that may be incurred by a governmental entity without a referendum or, where the context requires, the amount of such indebtedness then outstanding;

(10) 'principal balance' means the total amount, excluding any amount characterized as interest, payable as of any time of consideration under any financing agreement, including any renewals or extensions of the agreement; and

(11) 'refinancing agreement' means an agreement or agreements that would be a financing agreement except that (i) it refinances an asset acquired under the terms of a contract or contracts that is not a financing agreement solely by virtue of being dated prior to January 1, 1996, September 1, 2006, or January 1, 2007, and (ii) the sum of all payments to be made under such agreement is less than the sum of the payments under the contract or contracts it refinances."

Part VI
Time Effective

SECTION 1. Except as otherwise stated in this act, this act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

SECTION 2. If any article, subarticle, section, subsection, item, subitem, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of the chapter, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed each and every article, subarticle, section, subsection, item, subitem, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other articles, subarticles, sections, subsections, items, subitems, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.

SECTION 3. The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws./

Amend title to read.

/ TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 11 TO CHAPTER 36 OF TITLE 12, RELATING TO THE SALES TAX, SO AS TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL ONE PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX; TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-910, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SALES TAXES GENERALLY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SALES TAX ON UNPREPARED FOOD IS THREE PERCENT AND TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN GENERAL FUND TRANSFERS TO THE EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT ACT FUND FOR EACH FISCAL YEAR TO OFFSET EIA REVENUES LOST AS A RESULT OF THE REDUCED SALES TAX ON THE SALE OF UNPREPARED FOOD; TO ADD SECTION 11-11-155 SO AS TO CREATE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FUND, TO PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE FUND, AND PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER INTO THE FUND OF THE ADDITIONAL ONE PERCENT SALES TAX REVENUES PROVIDED FOR ABOVE AND CERTAIN OTHER FUNDS; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL EXEMPTION EQUAL TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY FROM THE PROPERTY TAX IMPOSED FOR SCHOOL OPERATING PURPOSES, TO PROVIDE THAT THIS EXEMPTION WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS DOES NOT APPLY WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY TAX IMPOSED FOR PAYMENT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT, AND TO REQUIRE A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF EACH HOUSE TO DELETE OR REDUCE THIS EXEMPTION; TO AMEND SECTION 11-11-150, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN STATE TAX REVENUES INCLUDING THOSE FOR THE TRUST FUND FOR TAX RELIEF; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-251, RELATING TO THE TRUST FUND FOR TAX RELIEF AND REIMBURSEMENTS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM THIS TRUST FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-270, RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENTS TO POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS AS A RESULT OF THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS SIXTY-FIVE AND OVER, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES TO THESE SECTIONS TO REFLECT THE REDIRECTION OF CERTAIN STATE REVENUES AS A RESULT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FUND IN SECTION 11-11-155 ABOVE; TO REPEAL SECTION 12-37-223A ALLOWING COUNTIES TO LIMIT PROPERTY TAX VALUATION INCREASES; TO SUSPEND THE IMPOSITION OF SALES, USE, AND CASUAL EXCISE TAXES TO OTHERWISE TAXABLE EVENTS OCCURRING ON NOVEMBER 24 AND 25, 2006, AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS; TO ADD SECTION 11-11-156 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER, AMOUNT, AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH REVENUES OF THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FUND SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND FOR CERTAIN OTHER PURPOSES; TO AMEND SECTION 6-1-320, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LIMITATIONS ON MILLAGE INCREASES, SO AS TO REVISE THESE LIMITATIONS AND THE MANNER IN WHICH EXCEPTIONS MAY BE APPROVED, COMPUTED, AND IMPLEMENTED; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH REFERENDUMS MAY BE HELD AT THE SAME TIME AS THE 2006 GENERAL ELECTION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE IMPOSITION OF A LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX IN A COUNTY SHOULD BE REPEALED; TO AMEND TITLE 12, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 25 IN CHAPTER 37, ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA PROPERTY TAX VALUATION REFORM ACT", SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A VALUATION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROPERTY TAX THAT LIMITS THE INCREASE IN TAXABLE VALUE NOT TO EXCEED FIFTEEN PERCENT OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD UNLESS AN ASSESSABLE TRANSFER OF INTEREST OCCURS; TO AMEND SECTION 12-43-220, RELATING TO CLASSIFICATIONS OF PROPERTY FOR THE PROPERTY TAX, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE HOW FAIR MARKET VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY SHALL BE DETERMINED; TO AMEND SECTION 6-1-50, RELATING TO FINANCIAL REPORTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE SUBMISSION OF ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS TO THE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD, OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS, ECONOMIC RESEARCH SECTION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-60-2510, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX NOTICES, SO AS TO ALLOW THAT IN YEARS IN WHICH THERE IS NO NOTICE OF A PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT, A TAXPAYER MAY PROTEST THE ASSESSMENT VALUE NINETY DAYS AFTER THE TAX NOTICE IS MAILED AND TO MAKE A CONFORMING AMENDMENT; TO AMEND CHAPTER 10, TITLE 4 BY ADDING ARTICLE 7 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH LOCAL OPTION SALES AND USE TAXES MAY BE IMPOSED FOR LOCAL PROPERTY TAX CREDITS INCLUDING THE REQUIREMENT OF A REFERENDUM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS IN SECTION 12-36-2120 SHALL BE REVIEWED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT LEAST BY 2010 AND AT LEAST EVERY TEN YEARS THEREAFTER; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-670, RELATING TO LISTING AND ASSESSMENT OF NEW STRUCTURES FOR PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A COUNTY GOVERNING BODY BY ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE THAT A NEW STRUCTURE BE LISTED BY THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH AFTER THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS ISSUED FOR THE STRUCTURE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE TIMING OF PAYMENT OF TAXES DUE; TO REPEAL SECTION 12-37-680 RELATING TO A LOCAL COUNTY ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE SAME RULE; TO AMEND SECTION 12-45-75, RELATING TO THE PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES IN INSTALLMENTS, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH A COUNTY MAY PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES IN INSTALLMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 11-27-110, RELATING TO LEASE PURCHASE OR FINANCING AGREEMENTS SUBJECT TO CONSTITUTIONAL DEBT LIMITATIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF A "FINANCING AGREEMENT" TO INCLUDE CERTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICT OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION CONTRACTS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THE ABOVE PROVISIONS SHALL TAKE EFFECT. /

/s/Hon. Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr.   /s/Hon. William F. Cotty
/s/Hon. Linda H. Short            /s/Hon. Michael A. Anthony
/s/Hon. James H. Ritchie, Jr.     /s/Hon. James H. Merrill
On Part of the Senate.            On Part of the House.

, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

Statement by Senators RYBERG, GROOMS, BRYANT and VERDIN

We voted for H. 4449 because it contains many positive elements and constitutes a good first step on the issue of property tax relief. The virtual elimination of tax on owner-occupied homes for school operations and most county operations make a large stride toward real and permanent relief. Moreover, the reduction of the sales tax on groceries from 5% to 3% ensures that roughly $120 million will stay in the taxpayers' pockets and out of Columbia. Finally, the two-day sales tax holiday, that we hope will recur each year, provides further tax relief to every consumer. Nonetheless, this legislation remains only a first step. We must continue the effort next year to provide permanent relief and protection to business and industry, as well as other classes of personal property, and we will proudly support that effort.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator KNOTTS rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has adopted the report of the Committee of Free Conference on:

H. 4449 (Word version) -- Reps. Cotty, Harrell, Merrill, Walker, Ballentine, Limehouse, E.H. Pitts, Haley, Clark, Townsend, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bingham, Bowers, Cato, Ceips, Chellis, Clyburn, Coleman, Cooper, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Frye, Hagood, Harrison, Haskins, Herbkersman, Hinson, Leach, Littlejohn, Loftis, Mahaffey, Martin, Phillips, Pinson, M.A. Pitts, Rhoad, Sandifer, Scarborough, F.N. Smith, G.M. Smith, J.R. Smith, Thompson, Toole, Tripp, Umphlett, Vaughn, White, Whitmire, Young, Bales, Lucas, Kirsh, Huggins, Brady, Hamilton, McGee and Stewart: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 11 TO CHAPTER 36 OF TITLE 12, RELATING TO THE SALES TAX, SO AS TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL ONE PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX; TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-910, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO SALES TAXES GENERALLY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SALES TAX ON UNPREPARED FOOD IS THREE PERCENT AND TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN GENERAL FUND TRANSFERS TO THE EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT ACT FUND FOR EACH FISCAL YEAR TO OFFSET EIA REVENUES LOST AS A RESULT OF THE REDUCED SALES TAX ON THE SALE OF UNPREPARED FOOD; TO ADD SECTION 11-11-155 SO AS TO CREATE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FUND, TO PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE FUND, AND PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER INTO THE FUND OF THE ADDITIONAL ONE PERCENT SALES TAX REVENUES PROVIDED FOR ABOVE AND CERTAIN OTHER FUNDS; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL EXEMPTION EQUAL TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY FROM THE PROPERTY TAX IMPOSED FOR SCHOOL OPERATING PURPOSES, TO PROVIDE THAT THIS EXEMPTION WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS DOES NOT APPLY WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY TAX IMPOSED FOR PAYMENT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT, AND TO REQUIRE A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF EACH HOUSE TO DELETE OR REDUCE THIS EXEMPTION; TO AMEND SECTION 11-11-150, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN STATE TAX REVENUES INCLUDING THOSE FOR THE TRUST FUND FOR TAX RELIEF; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-251, RELATING TO THE TRUST FUND FOR TAX RELIEF AND REIMBURSEMENTS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM THIS TRUST FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-270, RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENTS TO POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS AS A RESULT OF THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS SIXTY-FIVE AND OVER, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES TO THESE SECTIONS TO REFLECT THE REDIRECTION OF CERTAIN STATE REVENUES AS A RESULT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FUND IN SECTION 11-11-155 ABOVE; TO REPEAL SECTION 12-37-223A ALLOWING COUNTIES TO LIMIT PROPERTY TAX VALUATION INCREASES; TO SUSPEND THE IMPOSITION OF SALES, USE, AND CASUAL EXCISE TAXES TO OTHERWISE TAXABLE EVENTS OCCURRING ON NOVEMBER 24 AND 25, 2006, AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS; TO ADD SECTION 11-11-156 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER, AMOUNT, AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH REVENUES OF THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FUND SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND FOR CERTAIN OTHER PURPOSES; TO AMEND SECTION 6-1-320, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LIMITATIONS ON MILLAGE INCREASES, SO AS TO REVISE THESE LIMITATIONS AND THE MANNER IN WHICH EXCEPTIONS MAY BE APPROVED, COMPUTED, AND IMPLEMENTED; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH REFERENDUMS MAY BE HELD AT THE SAME TIME AS THE 2006 GENERAL ELECTION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE IMPOSITION OF A LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX IN A COUNTY SHOULD BE REPEALED; TO AMEND TITLE 12, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 25 IN CHAPTER 37, ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA PROPERTY TAX VALUATION REFORM ACT", SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A VALUATION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROPERTY TAX THAT LIMITS THE INCREASE IN TAXABLE VALUE NOT TO EXCEED FIFTEEN PERCENT OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD UNLESS AN ASSESSABLE TRANSFER OF INTEREST OCCURS; TO AMEND SECTION 12-43-220, RELATING TO CLASSIFICATIONS OF PROPERTY FOR THE PROPERTY TAX, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE HOW FAIR MARKET VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY SHALL BE DETERMINED; TO AMEND SECTION 6-1-50, RELATING TO FINANCIAL REPORTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE SUBMISSION OF ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS TO THE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD, OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS, ECONOMIC RESEARCH SECTION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-60-2510, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX NOTICES, SO AS TO ALLOW THAT IN YEARS IN WHICH THERE IS NO NOTICE OF A PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT, A TAXPAYER MAY PROTEST THE ASSESSMENT VALUE NINETY DAYS AFTER THE TAX NOTICE IS MAILED AND TO MAKE A CONFORMING AMENDMENT; TO AMEND CHAPTER 10, TITLE 4 BY ADDING ARTICLE 7 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH LOCAL OPTION SALES AND USE TAXES MAY BE IMPOSED FOR LOCAL PROPERTY TAX CREDITS INCLUDING THE REQUIREMENT OF A REFERENDUM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS IN SECTION 12-36-2120 SHALL BE REVIEWED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT LEAST BY 2010 AND AT LEAST EVERY TEN YEARS THEREAFTER; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-670, RELATING TO LISTING AND ASSESSMENT OF NEW STRUCTURES FOR PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A COUNTY GOVERNING BODY BY ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE THAT A NEW STRUCTURE BE LISTED BY THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH AFTER THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS ISSUED FOR THE STRUCTURE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE TIMING OF PAYMENT OF TAXES DUE; TO REPEAL SECTION 12-37-680 RELATING TO A LOCAL COUNTY ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE SAME RULE; TO AMEND SECTION 12-45-75, RELATING TO THE PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES IN INSTALLMENTS, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH A COUNTY MAY PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES IN INSTALLMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 11-27-110, RELATING TO LEASE PURCHASE OR FINANCING AGREEMENTS SUBJECT TO CONSTITUTIONAL DEBT LIMITATIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF A "FINANCING AGREEMENT" TO INCLUDE CERTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICT OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION CONTRACTS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THE ABOVE PROVISIONS SHALL TAKE EFFECT.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

H. 4449--ENROLLED FOR RATIFICATION

The Report of the Committee of Free Conference having been adopted by both Houses, ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and the Act enrolled for Ratification.

A message was sent to the House accordingly.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 30, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

H. 4450 (Word version) -- Reps. Cotty, Harrell, Merrill, Walker, Ballentine, Haley, Chellis, E.H. Pitts, Townsend, Clark, Altman, Bailey, Bales, Bingham, Bowers, Brady, Cato, Ceips, Clyburn, Coleman, Cooper, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Frye, Hagood, Harrison, Haskins, Herbkersman, Hinson, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lucas, Mahaffey, Martin, Phillips, Pinson, M.A. Pitts, Rhoad, Sandifer, Scarborough, G.M. Smith, J.R. Smith, Thompson, Toole, Tripp, Umphlett, Vaughn, White, Whitmire, Young, W.D. Smith, Kirsh, Huggins, Hamilton, McGee and Stewart: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 29, ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT TAXES UPON REAL PROPERTY MUST BE ASSESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE METHODS AS PROVIDED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ARTICLE X OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 1 AND 3 OF ARTICLE X, RELATING TO FINANCE AND TAXATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE REQUIREMENT THAT TAXATION OF REAL PROPERTY MUST BE UNIFORM APPLIES TO PROPERTY WITHIN A TAXING JURISDICTION RATHER THAN STATEWIDE; TO AMEND SECTION 6 OF ARTICLE X, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL ESTABLISH METHODS OF VALUATION FOR COUNTIES TO SELECT FROM FOR ASSESSMENT OF REAL PROPERTY WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTIONS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY LAW SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND PROCEDURES TO IMPLEMENT THE ABOVE PROVISIONS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 3, ARTICLE X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO ALLOW A COUNTY GOVERNING BODY TO LEVY A SALES AND USE TAX IMPOSED FOR SCHOOL OPERATIONS AND COUNTY OPERATIONS IN ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION LOCATED IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHIN THE COUNTY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ALL CLASSES OF PROPERTY, EXCEPT FOR FEE IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAXES, A CREDIT FOR AD VALOREM TAXES, AND TO ALLOW THIS CREDIT AND RESCISSION PURSUANT ONLY TO A REFERENDUM HELD IN A COUNTY IN THE MANNER THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROVIDES BY LAW.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

MOTION FOR FREE CONFERENCE POWERS FAILED

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

Senator MARTIN spoke on the report.

Senator MARTIN requested Free Conference Powers be granted.

Senator LEVENTIS argued contra to the adoption of the motion.

Senator DRUMMOND spoke on the motion.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 30; Nays 13

AYES

Alexander                 Bryant                    Campsen
Cleary                    Courson                   Cromer
Elliott                   Fair                      Gregory
Grooms                    Hawkins                   Hayes
Knotts                    Leatherman                Lourie
Martin                    McConnell                 Mescher
Moore                     O'Dell                    Peeler
Rankin                    Richardson                Ritchie
Ryberg                    Scott                     Setzler
Short                     Thomas                    Verdin

Total--30

NAYS

Anderson                  Drummond                  Hutto
Jackson                   Land                      Leventis
Malloy                    McGill                    Patterson
Pinckney                  Reese                     Sheheen
Williams

Total--13

Having failed to receive the necessary vote, the motion requesting Free Conference Powers failed.

H. 4450--FREE CONFERENCE POWERS GRANTED
FREE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
OF FREE CONFERENCE ADOPTED

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

Senator MARTIN spoke on the report.

Senator MARTIN requested Free Conference Powers be granted.

Senator LEVENTIS argued contra to the adoption of the motion.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 32; Nays 11

AYES

Alexander                 Bryant                    Campsen
Cleary                    Courson                   Cromer
Drummond                  Elliott                   Fair
Gregory                   Grooms                    Hawkins
Hayes                     Knotts*                   Leatherman
Lourie                    Martin                    McConnell
Mescher                   Moore                     O'Dell
Peeler                    Rankin                    Reese
Richardson                Ritchie                   Ryberg
Scott                     Setzler                   Short
Thomas                    Verdin

Total--32

NAYS

Hutto                     Jackson                   Land
Leventis                  Malloy                    Matthews
McGill                    Patterson                 Pinckney
Sheheen                   Williams

Total--11

*This Senator was not present in the Chamber at the time the vote was taken and the vote was recorded by leave of the Senate, with unanimous consent.

Free Conference Powers were granted.

Whereupon, Senators MARTIN, SHORT and RITCHIE were appointed to the Committee of Free Conference on the part of the Senate and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

Senator MARTIN moved to adopt the Report of the Committee of Free Conference.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 32; Nays 11

AYES

Alexander                 Bryant                    Campsen
Cleary                    Courson                   Cromer
Drummond                  Elliott                   Fair
Gregory                   Grooms                    Hawkins
Hayes                     Knotts*                   Leatherman
Lourie                    Martin                    McConnell
Mescher                   Moore                     O'Dell
Peeler                    Rankin                    Reese
Richardson                Ritchie                   Ryberg
Scott                     Setzler                   Short
Thomas                    Verdin

Total--32

NAYS

Hutto                     Jackson                   Land
Leventis                  Malloy                    Matthews
McGill                    Patterson                 Pinckney
Sheheen                   Williams

Total--11

*This Senator was not present in the Chamber at the time the vote was taken and the vote was recorded by leave of the Senate, with unanimous consent.

The Report of the Committee of Free Conference was adopted as follows:

H. 4450--Free Conference Report
The General Assembly, Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

The Committee of Free Conference, to whom was referred L:\S-JUD\AMEND\FCRJUD4450.DOCdoc:
H. 4450 (Word version): A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 29, ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT TAXES UPON REAL PROPERTY MUST BE ASSESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE METHODS AS PROVIDED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ARTICLE X OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 1 AND 3 OF ARTICLE X, RELATING TO FINANCE AND TAXATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE REQUIREMENT THAT TAXATION OF REAL PROPERTY MUST BE UNIFORM APPLIES TO PROPERTY WITHIN A TAXING JURISDICTION RATHER THAN STATEWIDE; TO AMEND SECTION 6 OF ARTICLE X, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL ESTABLISH METHODS OF VALUATION FOR COUNTIES TO SELECT FROM FOR ASSESSMENT OF REAL PROPERTY WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTIONS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY LAW SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND PROCEDURES TO IMPLEMENT THE ABOVE PROVISIONS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 3, ARTICLE X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO ALLOW A COUNTY GOVERNING BODY TO LEVY A SALES AND USE TAX IMPOSED FOR SCHOOL OPERATIONS AND COUNTY OPERATIONS IN ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION LOCATED IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHIN THE COUNTY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ALL CLASSES OF PROPERTY, EXCEPT FOR FEE IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAXES, A CREDIT FOR AD VALOREM TAXES, AND TO ALLOW THIS CREDIT AND RESCISSION PURSUANT ONLY TO A REFERENDUM HELD IN A COUNTY IN THE MANNER THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROVIDES BY LAW.

Beg leave to report that they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend:

That the same do pass with the following amendments:

Amend the joint resolution, as and if amended, by striking the joint resolution in its entirety and inserting therein the following:

/ A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 29, ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT TAXES UPON REAL PROPERTY MUST BE ASSESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE METHODS AS PROVIDED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ARTICLE X OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION; TO AMEND SECTION 6 OF ARTICLE X, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL ESTABLISH A METHOD OF VALUATION FOR ASSESSMENT OF REAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY LAW SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND PROCEDURES TO IMPLEMENT THE ABOVE PROVISIONS.

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

SECTION 1. A. It is proposed that Section 29 of Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:

"Section 29. ~~All taxes upon property, real and personal, shall be laid upon the actual value of the property taxed, as the same shall be ascertained by an assessment made for the purpose of laying such tax.~~ Taxes on personal property must be laid upon the actual value of the property taxed, as the same shall be ascertained by an assessment made for the purpose of laying such tax. Taxes on real property must be ascertained by the methods provided by the General Assembly by general law as prescribed in Article X of this Constitution."

B. It is proposed that Section 6 of Article X of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:

"Section 6. ~~The~~ Except as otherwise provided in this section, the General Assembly may vest the power of assessing and collecting taxes in all of the political subdivisions of the State, including counties, municipalities, special purpose districts, public service districts, and school districts. Property tax levies shall be uniform in respect to persons and property within the jurisdiction of the body imposing such taxes; provided, that on properties located in an area receiving special benefits from the taxes collected, special levies may be permitted by general law applicable to the same type of political subdivision throughout the State, and the General Assembly shall specify the precise condition under which such special levies shall be assessed. For the tax year beginning 2007, each parcel of real property in this State shall have a maximum value for ad valorem taxes that does not exceed its fair market value. The General Assembly is authorized, by general law, to define 'fair market value' and to define when property has been improved or when losses have occurred to change the value of the real property.

The General Assembly shall establish, through the enactment of general law, and not through the enactment of local legislation pertaining to a single county or other political subdivision, the method of assessment of real property within the State that shall apply to each political subdivision within the State. Each political subdivision shall value real property by a method in which the value of each parcel of real property, adjusted for improvements and losses, does not increase more than fifteen percent every five years, unless, as defined by the General Assembly, an assessable transfer of interest occurs.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the purposes of calculating the limit on bonded indebtedness of political subdivisions and school districts, pursuant to Sections 14 and 15 of Article X, respectively of the Constitution of this State, the assessed values of all taxable property within a political subdivision or school district shall not be lower than the assessed values of tax year 2006.

Whenever there is a merger of governments authorized under Section 12 of Article VIII, tax districts may be created, based upon the services rendered in each district, but tax levies must be uniform in respect to persons and property within each such district."

SECTION 2. The proposed amendments in SECTION 1 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 and Article X of the Constitution of this State be amended to authorize the General Assembly to establish the method of valuation for real property based on limits to increases in taxable value, adjusted for improvements and losses, of no more than fifteen percent over a five-year period, unless an assessable transfer of interest occurs; to provide that for purposes of calculating the limit on bonded indebtedness of political subdivisions and school districts, the assessed values of all taxable property within a political subdivision or school district shall not be lower than the assessed values for 2006; and to provide that the General Assembly, by general law and not through local legislation pertaining to a single county or other political subdivision, shall provide for the terms, conditions, and procedures to implement the above provisions?

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

/s/Hon. Larry A. Martin           /s/Hon. William F. Cotty
/s/Hon. Linda H. Short            /s/Hon. James H. Merrill
/s/Hon. James H. Ritchie, Jr.     /s/Hon. Michael A. Anthony
On Part of the Senate.            On Part of the House.

, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has adopted the report of the Committee of Free Conference on:

Received as information.

H. 4450--ENROLLED FOR RATIFICATION

The Report of the Committee of Free Conference having been adopted by both Houses, ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and the Act enrolled for Ratification.

A message was sent to the House accordingly.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

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:

H. 4165 (Word version) -- Reps. M.A. Pitts, Rhoad, Umphlett, E.H. Pitts, Loftis, Whipper, Witherspoon, Haley, Hardwick, Agnew, Anderson, Vaughn, Mahaffey, Leach, Bales, Clemmons, Cooper, Littlejohn, Owens, Taylor, Weeks, Whitmire, Duncan and Toole: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 50-3-316, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CRITERIA FOR HIRING NATURAL RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, AND TO DELETE PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO THE FUNDING OF THE COMPENSATION OF THESE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it insists upon the amendments proposed by the House to:

H. 3882 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrell and Clark: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 10 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 56 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MAY ALLOW YEAR OF MANUFACTURE LICENSE PLATES TO SERVE AS THE OFFICIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES.
asks for a Committee of Conference, and has appointed Reps. Owens, E. H. Pitts and Clark to the committee on the part of the House.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

H. 3882--CONFERENCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED

Whereupon, Senators HUTTO, FAIR and GROOMS were appointed to the Committee of Conference on the part of the Senate and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it refuses to concur in the amendments proposed by the Senate to:

S. 229 (Word version) -- Senator Grooms: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-655 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF ENGAGING IN A HOG-DOG FIGHTING EVENT OR A HOG-DOG RODEO, TO DEFINE THE TERMS "HOG-DOG FIGHTING EVENT" AND "HOG-DOG RODEO", AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR A VIOLATION.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

S. 229--SENATE INSISTS ON AMENDMENTS
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED

On motion of Senator GROOMS, the Senate insisted upon its amendments to S. 229 and asked for a Committee of Conference.

Whereupon, Senators HAWKINS, KNOTTS and LOURIE were appointed to the Committee of Conference on the part of the Senate and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has appointed Reps. G.M. Smith, Herbkersman and Vick to the Committee of Conference on the part of the House on:

Received as information.

HOUSE CONCURRENCE

S. 1456 (Word version) -- Senator Ford: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER, THE HONORABLE ALONZO HAYNES, OF CHARLESTON COUNTY, FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR ALL OF HIS GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PART OF HIS EXTENSIVE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO A CALL OF THE UNCONTESTED LOCAL AND STATEWIDE CALENDAR.

ORDERED ENROLLED FOR RATIFICATION

The following Bills and Joint Resolutions were read the third time and, having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the titles be changed to that of Acts and enrolled for Ratification:

H. 3085 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrison, Kirsh, E.H. Pitts, Hinson, Mahaffey, Umphlett, McLeod, Jennings and Altman: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-13-510, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FINANCIAL IDENTITY FRAUD, SO AS TO ADD THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO USE IDENTIFYING INFORMATION OF ANOTHER PERSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT.

H. 4687 (Word version) -- Reps. Cotty and Harrison: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-6840, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO COMMUNITY SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT INTENSIVE SUPERVISION SERVICES ARE AMONG THE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES; AND TO SPECIFY THOSE JUVENILES WHO MUST BE ASSIGNED TO INTENSIVE SUPERVISION SERVICES AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE SCOPE AND DELIVERY OF THESE SERVICES.

H. 5001 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrell, Hinson, Limehouse, Scarborough, Merrill, Whipper, Breeland, Mack, Young, Chellis, R. Brown and Hagood: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-53-450 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A "MAIN CAMPUS" AND AN "ENTERPRISE CAMPUS" AT TRIDENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE; BY DESIGNATING SECTIONS 59-53-410 THROUGH 59-53-450, RELATING TO THE TRIDENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE, AS SUBARTICLE 1 AND ENTITLED "GENERAL PROVISIONS" OF ARTICLE 5, CHAPTER 53, TITLE 59; AND BY ADDING SUBARTICLE 3 TO ARTICLE 5, CHAPTER 53, TITLE 59 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION FOR PURPOSES OF THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE MAIN CAMPUS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF THE TRIDENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE ENTERPRISE CAMPUS AUTHORITY, AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS POWERS AND DUTIES.

H. 4662 (Word version) -- Reps. White, Cooper, Leach, Martin, Sandifer and Skelton: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 1377 OF 1968, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SO AS TO REALLOCATE AND RENAME BOND AUTHORIZATIONS FOR CLEMSON UNIVERSITY.

H. 3109 (Word version) -- Reps. M.A. Pitts, E.H. Pitts, Taylor, Mahaffey and Umphlett: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-67-160 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER SHALL HAVE A PHYSICAL PERFORMED BY A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE PRACTITIONER BEFORE THE TESTING REQUIRED TO OPERATE A SCHOOL BUS AND PROVIDE FOR THE REPORTING OF THE RESULTS OF THE EXAMINATION.

H. 4856 (Word version) -- Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, RELATING TO HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3003, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

Senator FAIR explained the Joint Resolution.

H. 3899 (Word version) -- Reps. Cato, Cooper, Anthony, Duncan, Hayes, Jennings, M.A. Pitts and W.D. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 44-75-50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR ATHLETIC TRAINER CERTIFICATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE AN APPLICANT MUST PASS THE NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINER'S BOARD OF CERTIFICATION, INC., EXAMINATION AND TO DELETE PROVISIONS REQUIRING SPECIFIC BACHELOR OF SCIENCE OR FOUR YEAR COLLEGE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.

H. 4672 (Word version) -- Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, RELATING TO PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF LEAD POISONING IN CHILDREN, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3004, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

H.5064 (Word version)-- Reps. J.E. Smith, Cotty, Rutherford, J.H. Neal, Brady, Bales, Harrison and Ballentine: A BILL TO PROVIDE THAT THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE RICHLAND COUNTY RECREATION COMMISSION TO LEVY AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES UPON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT FOR OPERATING OR CAPITAL PURPOSES AND TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OR REVENUE BONDS OF THE DISTRICT IS DELETED, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THIS AUTHORITY IS TRANSFERRED TO AND RESTS SOLELY WITH THE RICHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

By prior motion of Senator PATTERSON

H.4485 (Word version)-- Rep. Littlejohn: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 898 OF 1966, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PACOLET STATION FIRE DISTRICT IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SO AS TO INCREASE THE BORROWING AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF FIRE CONTROL FROM TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

By prior motion of Senator RITCHIE

H. 4758 (Word version) -- Rep. G. Brown: A BILL TO ENACT THE "SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT" WHICH AUTHORIZES THE IMPOSITION OF A ONE PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX WITHIN LEE COUNTY FOR NOT MORE THAN FIVE YEARS TO PAY DEBT SERVICE ON OR OTHERWISE DEFRAY THE COST OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS MADE BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY, TO PROVIDE THAT THE TAX MAY BE IMPOSED BY ORDINANCE OF THE LEE COUNTY COUNCIL, TO PROVIDE FOR THE IMPOSITION, ADMINISTRATION, COLLECTION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS TAX, AND TO EXEMPT FROM THE TAX FOOD ITEMS WHICH LAWFULLY MAY BE PURCHASED WITH UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD COUPONS.

HOUSE BILLS RETURNED

The following House Bills were read the third time and ordered returned to the House with amendments:

H. 4456 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrison and Haley: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 50 TO TITLE 23 SO AS TO ENACT THE SOUTH CAROLINA CRIMESTOPPERS ACT, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CRIMESTOPPER ORGANIZATIONS, TO PROVIDE FOR DEFINITIONS OF VARIOUS TERMS CONTAINED IN THIS CHAPTER, TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA CRIMESTOPPERS COUNCIL AND ITS DUTIES, TO PROVIDE THAT A COURT MAY ORDER A DEFENDANT TO REPAY TO A CRIMESTOPPERS ORGANIZATION OR TO THE CRIMESTOPPERS COUNCIL A REWARD ISSUED BY EITHER ENTITY, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF MONIES PAID BY CRIMESTOPPERS ORGANIZATION OR THE CRIMESTOPPERS COUNCIL FOR INFORMATION THAT RESULTS IN THE ARREST OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHERE MONIES ARE CONFISCATED AND FORFEITED PURSUANT TO AN ARREST, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS REIMBURSED TO A CRIMESTOPPERS ORGANIZATION, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMISSIBILITY OF CERTAIN EVIDENCE, PROTECTED INFORMATION, AND PROTECTED IDENTITIES IN A COURT PROCEEDING, TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL LIABILITY FOR CERTAIN PERSONS WHO COMMUNICATE WITH, ACT ON PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION, OR ARE OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES OF A CRIMESTOPPERS ORGANIZATION OR THE CRIMESTOPPERS COUNCIL; AND TO AMEND SECTION 30-4-40, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO MATTERS EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE BY A PUBLIC BODY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC BODY MAY NOT DISCLOSE A PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION, PROTECTED INFORMATION, OR A PROTECTED IDENTITY EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 44-53-583, RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN MONIES TO A CRIMESTOPPERS ORGANIZATION.

H. 4678 (Word version) -- Reps. G.M. Smith, Weeks and Coates: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-85, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO INFANTS VOLUNTARILY LEFT AT A HOSPITAL BY A PARENT OR AT THE DIRECTION OF A PARENT AND PROVIDING IMMUNITY TO SUCH PACT OR PERSON UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN INFANT MAY ALSO BE LEFT AT A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR A CHURCH OR SYNAGOGUE, TO DEFINE HOSPITALS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES AS "SAFE HAVENS", TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH IMMUNITY ATTACHES WHEN AN INFANT IS LEFT AT A SAFE HAVEN, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, CHURCH, OR SYNAGOGUE MUST TRANSPORT AN INFANT TO A HOSPITAL WHEN THE INFANT IS LEFT AT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, CHURCH, OR SYNAGOGUE.

H. 4707 (Word version) -- Reps. Govan, Scott, Hosey, Moody-Lawrence, Whipper, Clark, Howard, Mack, Vick, Allen, Battle, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Cato, Ceips, Clemmons, Clyburn, Funderburk, Haskins, Hodges, Jefferson, McLeod, Ott, Perry, Rice, Scarborough, Sinclair, G.M. Smith, J.E. Smith and Townsend: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTIONS 59-29-440 THROUGH 59-29-570 SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FINANCIAL LITERACY TRUST ACT", WHICH IS AN INITIATIVE FOR IMPROVING FINANCIAL LITERACY BY PROVIDING GRANTS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL LITERACY INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE; TO ESTABLISH GOALS FOR THIS INITIATIVE; TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA FINANCIAL LITERACY BOARD OF TRUSTEES, TO PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL OVERSEE THE FINANCIAL LITERACY TRUST, AND TO ESTABLISH THE PURPOSES OF THE BOARD AND ITS COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONS, AND DUTIES; TO PROVIDE FOR TWO SEPARATE FUNDS TO ACCEPT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MONIES AND MONIES APPROPRIATED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING THE INITIATIVE; AND TO PROVIDE THE PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR A GRANT, ESTABLISH FISCAL GUIDELINES, AND EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-5060, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DESIGNATING CONTRIBUTIONS TO CERTAIN CHARITABLE FUNDS THROUGH INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RETURNS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FINANCIAL LITERACY TRUST; AND TO REPEAL SECTIONS 59-29-420 AND 59-29-425, BOTH RELATING TO A FINANCIAL LITERACY FUND.

H. 4735 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrison and Jennings: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 44-23-410, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DETERMINING THE FITNESS OF A PERSON CHARGED WITH A CRIME TO STAND TRIAL, SO AS TO INCREASE FROM FIFTEEN DAYS TO SIXTY DAYS THE TIME WITHIN WHICH THE MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION OF THE PERSON MUST BE COMPLETED AND TO AUTHORIZE THE COURT ON GOOD CAUSE SHOWN TO GRANT AN EXTENSION OF UP TO THIRTY DAYS; TO AMEND SECTION 44-23-420, RELATING TO THE FITNESS TO STAND TRIAL REPORT OF A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION EXAMINER, SO AS TO INCREASE FROM FIVE TO TEN DAYS THE TIME WITHIN WHICH THE EXAMINER MUST SUBMIT HIS REPORT; AND TO AMEND SECTION 44-23-430, RELATING TO COMPETENCY HEARINGS AND DISPOSITION OF CASES IN SUCH HEARINGS, SO AS TO DECREASE FROM SIXTY DAYS TO FOURTEEN DAYS THE TIME WITHIN WHICH THE SOLICITOR MUST INITIATE JUDICIAL COMMITMENT PROCEEDINGS FOR A PERSON FOUND TO BE UNFIT TO STAND TRIAL AND IN ADDITION TO HOSPITALIZING THE PERSON, TO AUTHORIZE THE COURT IN SUCH A PROCEEDING TO CONTINUE THE PERSON IN DETENTION OR ON BOND.

H. 4773 (Word version) -- Reps. Sinclair, Rivers, Harrison, G.M. Smith, Davenport, Mitchell, McLeod, Allen, Delleney, Mahaffey, McGee, W.D. Smith, Talley and White: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 62-5-504, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN CONNECTION WITH A HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY, SO AS TO CONFORM THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATUTORY FORM FOR THE HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY TO PROVIDE FURTHER FOR A SUCCESSOR AGENT, TO INCLUDE A HIPAA (HEALTH INFORMATION PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1996) AUTHORIZATION, TO CLARIFY DESIGNATION CHOICES IN CONNECTION WITH TUBE FEEDING, AND TO PROVIDE FOR AN OPTIONAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY A NOTARY PUBLIC.

H. 4831 (Word version) -- Reps. Cobb-Hunter, Young, Simrill and Whipp er: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 43-1-260, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO COMMUNITY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCILS AND THEIR PURPOSE, MEMBERSHIP, AND DUTIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CIRCUIT SOLICITOR, RATHER THAN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, SHALL FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE COUNCILS IN EACH COUNTY OR JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, TO ADD A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE RECOMMENDED PARTICIPANTS ON THE COUNCILS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS ON SUCH COUNCILS SHALL ESTABLISH MEMORANDA OF AGREEMENT AMONG AND BETWEEN THESE MEMBERS.

H. 3640 (Word version) -- Reps. White and Cooper: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 44-1-145 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT GROUND BEEF PREPARED BY A FOOD-SERVICE PROVIDER FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION MUST BE COOKED TO AT LEAST ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE DEGREES FAHRENHEIT UNLESS OTHERWISE ORDERED BY THE IMMEDIATE CONSUMER AND TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR SERVING BEEF COOKED AT SUCH TEMPERATURE UPON REQUEST AND TO REQUIRE A FOOD SERVICE PROVIDER TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN OR VERBAL WARNING OF THE RISKS OF EATING SUCH GROUND BEEF.

H. 4410 (Word version) -- Reps. Cotty and Brady: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1510, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PENALTY FOR LATE FILING OF OR FAILURE TO FILE A REPORT OR STATEMENT REQUIRED BY THE ETHICS ACT, SO AS TO CAP THE FINE AT FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS.

H. 4847 (Word version) -- Reps. Clemmons, Barfield, Edge, Hardwick, Hay es, Viers and Witherspoon: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-17-710, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SELLING TICKETS TO AN ATHLETIC CONTEST, SPORTING, ENTERTAINMENT, OR AMUSEMENT EVENT FOR MORE THAN THE PRESCRIBED AMOUNT, SO AS TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FOR THE SALE OR OFFER FOR SALE OF A TICKET WHEN AUTHORIZED BY AN OPERATOR OF THE EVENT OR THE VENUE.

H. 4723 (Word version) -- Reps. Mitchell, Whipper, Davenport, Moody-Lawrence, Hosey, J.H. Neal, Haley, Breeland, Kennedy, Hodges, Haskins, Rivers, Mack, Allen, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bowers, Branham, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chalk, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Emory, Funderburk, Hamilton, Howard, Jefferson, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Mahaffey, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Parks, Perry, Phillips, F.N. Smith, J.E. Smith, W.D. Smith, Tripp, Viers, Weeks and Harvin: A BILL TO CREATE A SOUTH CAROLINA AFFORDABLE HOUSING STUDY COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUALS FROM A VARIETY OF DISCIPLINES WHO ARE TRAINED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS, AND TO RECOMMEND LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, IF APPROPRIATE, RELATED TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUES IN THE STATE.

Senator MALLOY asked unanimous consent to take the Bill up for immediate consideration.

There was no objection.

H. 3803 (Word version) -- Reps. Edge and Wilkins: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 15, CHAPTER 53, TITLE 44 SO AS TO ENACT "THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRESCRIPTION MONITORING ACT" AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, BUREAU OF DRUG CONTROL TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO MONITOR THE PRESCRIBING AND DISPENSING OF SCHEDULE II-V CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND TO PROVIDE THE MANNER AND PROCEDURES UNDER WHICH DISPENSERS ARE TO PROVIDE SUCH INFORMATION, TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF THIS INFORMATION, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

Senator HAYES explained the Bill.

AMENDED, READ THE THIRD TIME
RETURNED TO THE HOUSE WITH AMENDMENTS

H. 4808 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrison and McLeod: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 44-4-130, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN THE "EMERGENCY HEALTH POWERS ACT", SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS OF "QUALIFYING HEALTH CONDITION" AND "TRIAL COURT"; TO AMEND SECTION 44-4-530, RELATING TO ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE OF INDIVIDUALS AND PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE, SO AS TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES OF A MAXIMUM FINE OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS OR THIRTY DAYS IN PRISON, OR BOTH, FOR NONCOMPLIANCE, TO PROVIDE THAT AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT FIRE OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE SUBJECT TO ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE ORDERS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT AN EMPLOYER MAY REQUIRE AN EMPLOYEE SUBJECT TO ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE TO USE ANNUAL OR SICK LEAVE TO COMPLY WITH SUCH AN ORDER; TO AMEND SECTION 44-4-540, RELATING TO ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE PROCEDURES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT BEFORE THE DECLARATION OF A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE ORDERS ISSUED MUST BE UNDERTAKEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EMERGENCY HEALTH POWERS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 44-4-570, RELATING TO APPOINTMENT AND USE OF IN-STATE AND OUT-OF-STATE HEALTH PERSONNEL IN A STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT LAW PERTAINING TO GOVERNMENT VOLUNTEERS AND COVERAGE UNDER THE SOUTH CAROLINA TORT CLAIMS ACT APPLIES TO SUCH PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY VOLUNTEERS, TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL LIABILITY FOR THESE VOLUNTEERS AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the third reading of the Bill.

Motion Under Rule 26B

Senator RICHARDSON asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take up further amendments pursuant to the provisions of Rule 26B.

There was no objection.

Senator RYBERG proposed the following amendment (4808R001.WGR), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION ___. Section 44-76-40 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding at the end:

"(5) Any person or entity that teaches or provides a training program for cardiopulmonary resuscitation that includes training in the use of automated external defibrillators is immune from civil liability for providing such training or use if the person or entity has provided the training in accordance with the guidelines and policies of a national training organization and the trainer must be authorized to deliver that course or curriculum." /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator RICHARDSON explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the third time, passed and ordered returned to the House of Representatives with amendments.

AMENDED, READ THE THIRD TIME
RETURNED TO THE HOUSE WITH AMENDMENTS

H. 3285 (Word version) -- Reps. Wilkins, Clemmons, Harrison and Loftis: A BILL TO PROVIDE THAT JUDICIAL REVIEW OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION MUST BE MADE BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, TO PROVIDE THAT DECISION MAY BE APPEALED TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS, AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS; TO PROVIDE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE HEARING OF CONTESED CASES OR APPEALS BY INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES, TO ADD THAT THE COURT OF APPEALS HAS JURISDICTION OVER ANY CASE IN WHICH AN APPEAL IS TAKEN FROM A FINAL DECISION OF AN AGENCY AND A FINAL DECISION OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE; TO PROVIDE FOR APPEAL FROM A FINAL DECISION OF THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS AS PROVIDED IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA APPELLATE COURT RULES; TO PROVIDE FOR APPEAL WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF A FINAL DECISION BY THE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS AS PROVIDED IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA APPELLATE COURT RULES;TO PROVIDE FOR APPEAL FROM A FINAL DECISION OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT OR COURT OF APPEALS AS PROVIDED BY STATUTE OR THE SOUTH CAROLINA APPELLATE COURT RULES; TO PROVIDE FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS AND DECISIONS MADE BY VARIOUS STATE COMMISSIONS, BOARDS, PANELS, DEPARTMENTS, AND AGENCIES BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE AND THAT DECISION APPEALED TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS; AND TO REPEAL CERTAIN CODE SECTIONS RELATING TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF A DECISION BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
(Abbreviated Title)

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the third reading of the Bill.

Motion Under Rule 26B

Senator MARTIN asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take up further amendments pursuant to the provisions of Rule 26B.

There was no objection.

Senator MARTIN proposed the following amendment (JUD3285.007), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION ___. Section 48-39-180 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

" Section 48-39-180. Any applicant whose permit application has been finally denied, revoked, suspended or approved subject to conditions of the department ~~by the Coastal Zone Management Appellate Panel~~, or any person adversely affected by the permit, may obtain judicial review as provided in Chapter 23 of Title 1, or may ~~within twenty days after receiving notice thereof,~~ file a petition in the circuit court having jurisdiction over the affected land for a review of the department's action "de novo" or to determine whether the department's action so restricts or otherwise affects the use of the property as to deprive the owner of its existing practical use and is an unreasonable exercise of the State's police power because the action constitutes the equivalent of taking without compensation. If the court finds the action to be an unreasonable exercise of the police power it shall enter a finding that the action shall not apply to the land of the plaintiff, or in the alternative, that the department shall pay reasonable compensation for the loss of use of the land. The use allowed by any permit issued under this chapter may, in the discretion of the court, be stayed pending decision on all appeals that may be taken. The ~~circuit~~ court may in its discretion require that a reasonable bond be posted by any person. It is specifically intended that any person whose permit application has been denied may have such permit issued by the circuit court having jurisdiction if such person can prove the reasons given for denial to be invalid." /

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

/ SECTION ___. Section 48-39-280(A)(4) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 48-39-280(A)(4). Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, where a department-approved beach nourishment project has been completed, the local government or the landowners, with notice to the local government, may petition an Administrative Law Judge to move the baseline as far seaward as the landward edge of the erosion control structure or device or, if there is no existing erosion control structure or device, then as far seaward as the post project baseline as determined by the department in accordance with Section 48-39-280(A)(1) by showing that the beach has been stabilized by department-approved beach nourishment. If the petitioner is asking that the baseline be moved seaward pursuant to this section, he must show an ongoing commitment to renourishment which will stabilize and maintain the dry sand beach at all stages of the tide for the foreseeable future. If the Administrative Law Judge grants the petition to move the baseline seaward pursuant to this section, no new construction may occur in the area between the former baseline and the new baseline for three years after the initial beach nourishment project has been completed as determined by the department. If the beach nourishment fails to stabilize the beach after a reasonable period of time, the department must move the baseline landward to the primary oceanfront sand dune as determined pursuant to items (1), (2), and (3) for that section of the beach. Any appeal of an Administrative Law Judge's decision under this section may be made ~~to the Coastal Zone Management Appellate Panel.~~ pursuant to Title 23 of Chapter 1." /

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

/ SECTION ___. Section 48-39-280(E) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 48-39-280(E). (E) A landowner claiming ownership of property affected who feels that the final or revised setback line, baseline, or erosion rate as adopted is in error, upon submittal of substantiating evidence, must be granted a review of the setback line, baseline, or erosion rate, or a review of all three. The requests must be forwarded to the ~~Coastal Zone Management Appellate Panel and handled in accordance with the department's regulations on appeals~~ department board in accordance with Section 44-1-60 and the final decision of the board may be appealed to the Administrative Law Court as provided in Chapter 23 of Title 1." /

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

/ SECTION ___. Section 48-39-290(D)(4) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 48-39-290(D)(4). (4) A party aggrieved by the ~~committee's~~ decision to grant or deny a special permit application may appeal ~~to the full Coastal Zone Management Appellate Panel~~ pursuant to Section 48-39-150(D)." /

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 40, by striking lines 10 and 11, which constitute the first two lines of SECTION 53, in their entirety, and inserting therein the following:

/ SECTION 53. This act takes effect on July 1, 2006 and applies to any actions pending on or after the /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator MARTIN explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the third time, passed and ordered returned to the House of Representatives with amendments.

AMENDED, READ THE THIRD TIME
RETURNED TO THE HOUSE WITH AMENDMENTS

H. 4692 (Word version) -- Reps. Davenport and McLeod: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 44-1-150, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL RULINGS AND ORDERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT VIOLATIONS OF RULINGS AND ORDERS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE DEPARTMENT'S GENERAL AUTHORITY PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 44-1-140 ARE SUBJECT TO A CIVIL PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS A DAY FOR EACH VIOLATION AND THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBMIT THESE FINES TO THE STATE GENERAL FUND.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the third reading of the Bill.

Motion Under Rule 26B

Senator RICHARDSON asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take up further amendments pursuant to the provisions of Rule 26B.

There was no objection.

Senator RYBERG proposed the following amendment (4692R001.WGR), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION ___. Section 44-76-40 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding at the end:

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator RICHARDSON explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the third time, passed and ordered returned to the House of Representatives with amendments.

AMENDED, READ THE THIRD TIME
RETURNED TO THE HOUSE WITH AMENDMENTS

H. 3921 (Word version) -- Reps. Clemmons and Martin: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 40-15-172 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT MOBILE DENTAL FACILITIES OR PORTABLE DENTAL OPERATIONS MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE STATE BOARD OF DENTISTRY, TO PROVIDE REGISTRATION CRITERIA, AND TO ESTABLISH FACILITY OPERATION REQUIREMENTS.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the third reading of the Bill.

Motion Under Rule 26B

Senator RICHARDSON asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take up further amendments pursuant to the provisions of Rule 26B.

There was no objection.

Senator RYBERG proposed the following amendment (3921R001.WGR), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION ___. Article I, Chapter 47, Title 40 is amended by adding:

"Section 40-47-31. (A) Limited licenses may be issued for postgraduate medical residency training or for employment with a state agency, as approved by the board. A limited license entitles the licensee to apply for individual controlled substance registration through the Department of Health and Environmental Control. Each limited license is valid for one year or part of one year. Renewal may be considered upon approval of the board. A special limited license also may be issued to a physician licensed in another state for up to fourteen days not more than four times a year in order to authorize practice under supervision for training involving direct patient care or to explore potential employment relationships.

(B) Applicants for a limited license for medical residency training who are graduates of an approved medical school located in the United States or Canada must complete and submit an application and the appropriate application fee. A completed application must include the following:

(1) a copy of a contract in which the applicant has been offered a position in a medical residency training program accredited by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education or American Osteopathic Association or a fellowship or a letter from the institution stating the applicant has been recommended for a medical residency training program or a fellowship. The recommendation letter must be addressed and mailed directly to the board office from the institution;

(2) a certification of medical education form approved by the board to be completed by the dean, the president, or the registrar of the applicant's medical school or as approved by the board;

(3) a supervising physician form approved by the board to be completed by the chairman or residency director of the training program;

(4) letters of recommendation from licensed physicians recommending the applicant for a limited license in this State; and

(5) verification of licensure in other states, if applicable." /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator RICHARDSON explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the third time, passed and ordered returned to the House of Representatives with amendments.

AMENDED, READ THE THIRD TIME
RETURNED TO THE HOUSE WITH AMENDMENTS

H. 4301 (Word version) -- Reps. G.M. Smith, Bailey, Harrison, Altman, Vaughn, G.R. Smith, Battle, Kirsh, M.A. Pitts, Coates, Moody-Lawrence, Toole, Vick, Littlejohn, Sandifer, Owens, Ceips, Funderburk, Weeks, Rice, Simrill, Chellis, Viers and Duncan: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 6, CHAPTER 11, TITLE 16 SO AS TO ENACT THE "PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY ACT", TO DEFINE THE TERMS "DWELLING", "GREAT BODILY INJURY", "RESIDENCE", AND "VEHICLE", TO AUTHORIZE THE LAWFUL USE OF DEADLY FORCE AGAINST AN INTRUDER OR ATTACKER IN A PERSON'S DWELLING, RESIDENCE, OR OCCUPIED VEHICLE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS, TO PROVIDE THAT THERE IS NO DUTY TO RETREAT IF THE PERSON IS IN A PLACE WHERE HE HAS A RIGHT TO BE, INCLUDING THE PERSON'S PLACE OF BUSINESS, AND THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT DEATH, GREAT BODILY INJURY, OR THE COMMISSION OF A VIOLENT CRIME, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO LAWFULLY USES DEADLY FORCE IS IMMUNE FROM CRIMINAL PROSECUTION AND CIVIL ACTION AND MAY NOT BE ARRESTED UNLESS PROBABLE CAUSE EXISTS THAT THE DEADLY FORCE USED WAS UNLAWFUL.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the third reading of the Bill.

Motion Under Rule 26B

Senator HUTTO asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take up further amendments pursuant to the provisions of Rule 26B.

There was no objection.

Senator HUTTO proposed the following amendment (JUD4301.002), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 4, after line 25, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/ SECTION ___. Section 16-1-60 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 16-1-60. For purposes of definition under South Carolina law, a violent crime includes the offenses of: murder (Section 16-3-10); criminal sexual conduct in the first and second degree (Sections 16-3-652 and 16-3-653); criminal sexual conduct with minors, first and second degree (Section 16-3-655); assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, first and second degree (Section 16-3-656); assault and battery with intent to kill (Section 16-3-620); kidnapping (Section 16-3-910); voluntary manslaughter (Section 16-3-50); armed robbery (Section 16-11-330(A)); attempted armed robbery (Section 16-11-330(B)); carjacking (Section 16-3-1075); drug trafficking as defined in Section 44-53-370(e) or trafficking cocaine base as defined in Section 44-53-375(C); manufacturing or trafficking methamphetamine as defined in Section 44-53-375; arson in the first degree (Section 16-11-110(A)); arson in the second degree (Section 16-11-110(B)); burglary in the first degree (Section 16-11-311); burglary in the second degree (Section 16-11-312(B)); engaging a child for a sexual performance (Section 16-3-810); homicide by child abuse (Section 16-3-85(A)(1)); aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse (Section 16-3-85(A)(2)); inflicting great bodily injury upon a child (Section 16-3-95(A)); allowing great bodily injury to be inflicted upon a child (Section 16-3-95(B)); criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (Section 16-25-65); abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death (Section 43-35-85(F)); abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in great bodily injury (Section 43-35-85(E)); accessory before the fact to commit any of the above offenses (Section 16-1-40); attempt to commit any of the above offenses (Section 16-1-80); and taking of a hostage by an inmate (Section 24-13-450). Only those offenses specifically enumerated in this section are considered violent offenses." /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Motion Under Rule 26B

Senator HAYES asked unanimous consent to make a motion to take up further amendments pursuant to the provisions of Rule 26B.

There was no objection.

Senator HAYES proposed the following amendment (NBD\ 12639AC06), which was adopted:

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

/SECTION __. Article 5, Chapter 23, Title 16 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 16-23-415. (A) An individual who takes a weapon other than a firearm from the person of a law enforcement officer or a corrections officer is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than five years or fined not more than one thousand dollars, or both, if all of the following circumstances exist at the time the weapon is taken:

(1) the individual knows or has reason to believe the person from whom the weapon is taken is a law enforcement officer or a corrections officer;

(2) the law enforcement officer or corrections officer is performing his duties as a law enforcement officer or a corrections officer, or the individual's taking of the weapon is directly related to the law enforcement officer or correction officer's professional responsibilities;

(3) the individual takes the weapon without consent of the law enforcement officer or corrections officer; and

(4) the law enforcement officer or corrections officer is authorized by his employer to carry the weapon in the line of duty.

(B) An individual who takes a firearm from the person of a law enforcement officer or a corrections officer is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than ten years, or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both, if all of the following circumstances exist at the time the firearm is taken:

(1) the individual knows or has reason to believe the person from whom the weapon is taken is a law enforcement officer or a corrections officer;

(3) the individual takes the weapon without consent of the law enforcement officer or corrections officer; and

(4) the law enforcement officer or corrections officer is authorized by his employer to carry the weapon in the line of duty."/

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HAYES explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the third time, passed and ordered returned to the House of Representatives with amendments.

SECOND READING BILLS

The following Bills, having been read the second time, were ordered placed on the Third Reading Calendar:

H. 4426 (Word version) -- Reps. Thompson and Martin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-220, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN AN ENTITY EXEMPT FROM PROPERTY TAX AS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION FUNDED BY FEDERAL OR STATE LOANS OR AS A RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE, A ELEEMOSYNARY, EDUCATIONAL, OR LITERACY ORGANIZATION LEASES PROPERTY OWNED BY IT TO SIMILARLY PROPERTY TAX EXEMPT ENTITIES, THE LEASED PORTION OF THE PROPERTY IS EXEMPT FROM PROPERTY TAX.

Senator HAYES asked unanimous consent to take the Bill up for immediate consideration.

There was no objection.

S. 1373 (Word version) -- Senator Grooms: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 3 OF ACT 117 OF 1961, AS LAST AMENDED BY ACT 167 OF 1997, RELATING TO THE COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COLLETON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ANNUAL SALARY AND PER-MEETING EXPENSE ALLOTMENT MUST BE DETERMINED BY THE BOARD.

S. 1373--Ordered to a Third Reading

On motion of Senator GROOMS, S. 1373 was ordered to receive a third reading on Thursday, June 1, 2006.

H. 5182 (Word version) -- Reps. Bowers and Rivers: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 286 OF 1989, RELATING TO THE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES OF HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 1 AND 2, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE TRUSTEES, AT THEIR DISCRETION, MAY RECEIVE AN ANNUAL SALARY UP TO THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS.

H. 4737 (Word version) -- Reps. Edge, Clemmons, Mitchell, Bales, Chalk, Hiott, Rice, Sandifer, Kirsh, E.H. Pitts, J. Brown, Huggins, R. Brown and Cobb-Hunter: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-37-225 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAX CREDITS FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED WITH RESPECT TO THE VALUATION OF REAL PROPERTY OR IN DETERMINING THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT FOR PROPERTIES THAT HAVE DEED RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT THAT PROMOTE OR PROVIDE FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING, THE INCOME APPROACH MUST BE THE METHOD OF VALUATION TO BE USED.

H. 4391 (Word version) -- Reps. Taylor, Bingham, Cato and Duncan: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 38-61-60 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE AN INSURANCE COMPANY TO ADVERTISE A POLICY IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, BUT ONLY OFFER THE POLICY IN ENGLISH.

H. 3700 (Word version) -- Reps. Clemmons and Harrison: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 15-7-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ACTIONS WHICH MUST BE TRIED WHERE THE SUBJECT MATTER IS SITUATED, SO AS TO ADD THAT ALL MATTERS BETWEEN LANDLORD AND TENANT MUST BE TRIED WHERE THE SUBJECT MATTER OR SOME PART OF THE PROPERTY IS SITUATED.

H. 3700--Ordered to a Third Reading

On motion of Senator CLEARY, with unanimous consent, H. 3700 was ordered to receive a third reading on Thursday, June 1, 2006.

H. 3915 (Word version) -- Reps. Pinson, Parks, Anthony and M.A. Pitts: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 6-11-325 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICT WHICH ONLY PROVIDES SEWAGE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL SERVICES TO UTILIZE ANY METHOD OF FINANCING THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEWER LATERAL COLLECTION LINES NOTWITHSTANDING OTHER PROVISIONS OF LAW.

AMENDED, READ THE SECOND TIME

S. 1022 (Word version) -- Senator Knotts: A BILL TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR 2006, SCHOOL TAX MILLAGE FOR OPERATING PURPOSES SET BY THE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES OF LEXINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ONE, TWO, THREE, AND FOUR FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS MUST BE FIRST APPROVED BY THE LEXINGTON COUNTY COUNCIL BEFORE THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND TREASURER MAY LEVY AND COLLECT THESE TAXES.

Senator KNOTTS asked unanimous consent to take the Bill up for immediate consideration.

There was no objection.

Senators KNOTTS, COURSON, SETZLER and CROMER proposed the following amendment (1022R001.JMK), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking the bill in its entirety and inserting:

/ A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 10 OF ACT 378 OF 2004, RELATED TO THE IMPOSITION OF SALES AND USE TAXES, TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF ACT 378 AND THE SPECIAL ONE PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX IMPOSED PURSUANT TO ACT 378 EXPIRE AS OF THE FIRST DAY AFTER THE YEAR IN WHICH A STATEWIDE INCREASE IN THE SALES AND USE TAX ABOVE FIVE PERCENT IS IMPLEMENTED OR A STATEWIDE PROVISION PROVIDING SCHOOL MILLAGE AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX REDUCTIONS TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE COUNTY IN AN AMOUNT AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE TOTAL TAX CREDIT RELIEF PROVIDED BY ACT 378.

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

SECTION 1. Section 10 of Act 378 of 2004 is amended to read:

"SECTION 10. The provisions of this act also expire and the special one percent sales and use tax if implemented shall no longer be authorized as of the first day of the year after the year in which the State of South Carolina through the imposition of a statewide increase in the sales and use tax above five percent provides or will provide directly or indirectly school millage ad valorem property tax reductions to the taxpayers of the county as determined by the Department of Revenue at least equal to the total tax credit relief provided to such taxpayers by the provisions of this act."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

S. 1022--Ordered to a Third Reading

On motion of Senator KNOTTS, S. 1022 was ordered to receive a third reading on Thursday, June 1, 2006.

AMENDED, READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 3274 (Word version) -- Rep. Altman: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-2220, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO APPEALS AND THE EFFECT OF PENDENCY OF AN APPEAL IN CERTAIN FAMILY COURT MATTERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO TEN DAY AUTOMATIC STAY APPLIES IN SUCH CASES.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the second reading of the Bill.

Amendment No. 1

Senator HUTTO proposed the following amendment (3274R001.CBH), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 1, by striking lines 34 - 35, and inserting:

/ maintenance of the ~~wife~~ spouse and child. In any order awarding custody of any child, the Family Court shall determine and order the effective date of the custody award. The Family Court may order a stay during the time for filing a motion for reconsideration. If no provision is made by the Family Court for a stay, no automatic ten day stay applies following the issuance of an order." /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Amendment No. 2

Senators CAMPSEN, HUTTO and RANKIN proposed the following Amendment No. 2 (JUD3274.003), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 1, after line 36, by adding appropriately numbered SECTIONS to read:

/ SECTION __. This act may be cited as the "Family Court Financial Privacy Act".

SECTION __. Article 1, Chapter 3, Title 20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 20-3-240. The clerk of court shall seal the financial declarations that are made a part of the court record in any matter before the family court. The parties, their attorneys of record, the family court judge and the judge's staff, the clerk of court and the clerk's staff, and the Child Support Enforcement Division of the Department of Social Services shall be granted access to a financial declaration upon request to the clerk of court. No other person shall unseal or be granted access to a financial declaration except on order of the court."

SECTION __. Section 30-4-40(a) of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an appropriately numbered item to read:

"( ) Financial declarations made a part of the record in a matter before the family court, as provided for in Section 20-3-240." /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator CAMPSEN explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

AMENDED, READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 4471 (Word version) -- Reps. Clemmons, Barfield, Vick, Martin, Cotty, Witherspoon, Hardwick, Harrison, Altman, Bales, Edge, Hagood, Hayes, Jennings, Leach, Limehouse, Loftis, M.A. Pitts, Rice, Sinclair, J.E. Smith, Viers and White: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 22-3-10 AND 22-3-30, BOTH AS AMENDED AND BOTH RELATING TO JURISDICTION OF THE MAGISTRATE'S COURT, BOTH SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IN A COMMERCIAL LEASE RELATIONSHIP THE MAGISTRATE SHALL RETAIN JURISDICTION OVER AN EJECTMENT ACTION AND CORRESPONDING COMPULSORY COUNTERCLAIMS, REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF THE COUNTERCLAIM; TO AMEND SECTION 27-33-40, RELATING TO CONCURRENT JURISDICTION OF CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IN A COMMERCIAL LEASE RELATIONSHIP THE MAGISTRATE SHALL SEVER AND TRANSFER TO CIRCUIT COURT CLAIMS OR PERMISSIVE COUNTERCLAIMS FILED IN MAGISTRATE'S COURT IN CONNECTION WITH AN EJECTMENT ACTION IF THOSE CLAIMS EXCEED THE JURISDICTIONAL AMOUNT, WHILE RETAINING JURISDICTION OVER THE EJECTMENT ACTION AND COMPULSORY COUNTERCLAIMS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 27-37-60, RELATING TO THE TRIAL OF A CONTESTED EJECTMENT ACTION RESULTING FROM A COMMERCIAL LEASE ARRANGEMENT, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT THE ACTION BE HEARD, WITH PRIORITY, AT THE NEXT TERM OF COURT AND THAT THE TENANT TENDER RENT DUE AND ACCRUING AS OF AND DURING THE PENDENCY OF THE ACTION.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the second reading of the Bill.

Senators MARTIN and HUTTO proposed the following amendment (JUD4471.005), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION 1. Chapter 37, Title 27 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 27-37-155. (A) In any action involving a commercial lease where the landlord sues for possession and the tenant raises defenses or counterclaims pursuant to this chapter or the lease agreement:

(1) the tenant is required to pay the landlord all rent which becomes due after the issuance of a written rule requiring the tenant to vacate or show cause as rent becomes due and the landlord is required to provide the tenant with a written receipt for each payment except when the tenant pays by check; and

(2) the tenant is required to pay the landlord all rent allegedly owed prior to the issuance of the rule; provided, however, that in lieu of the payment the tenant may be allowed to submit to the court a receipt and cancelled check, or both, indicating that payment has been made to the landlord.

(B)(1) In the event a jury trial is requested and upon motion of either party or upon his own motion, the magistrate may order that the commercial lease ejectment case be heard at the next term of court following the tenant's appearance.

(2) In the event that the amount of rent is in controversy, the court shall preliminarily determine the amount of rent to be paid to the landlord.

(3) If the tenant appears in response to the rule and alleges that rent due as provided by Section 27-37-150 and this section has been paid, the court shall determine the issue. If the tenant has failed to comply with Section 27-37-150 and this section, the court shall issue a warrant of ejectment and the landlord must be placed in full possession of the premises by the sheriff, deputy, or constable.

(4) If the amount of rent due is determined at final adjudication to be less than alleged by the landlord, decision must be entered for the tenant if the court determines that the tenant has complied fully with the provisions of Section 27-37-150, this section, and the lease agreement.

(5) If the court orders that the tenant pay all rent due and accruing as of and during the pendency of the action as provided by Section 27-37-150 and this section, the order may require the payments to be made (a) directly to the commercial landlord or to the clerk of court, to be held until final disposition of the case, or (b) through the magistrate's office. If payments are to be made through the magistrate's office, a fee of three percent of the rental payment must be added to the amount paid through the office and the fee of three percent shall be retained in the collecting magistrate's office to defray the costs of collection. If the tenant fails to make a payment as provided in Section 27-37-150 and this section, the tenant's failure to comply entitles the landlord to execution of the judgment for possession and, upon application of the landlord, the magistrate shall issue a warrant of ejectment and the landlord must be placed in full possession of the premises by the sheriff, deputy, or constable."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

Objection

Senator CLEARY asked unanimous consent to make a motion to give the Bill a third reading on Thursday, June 1, 2006.

Senator HAWKINS objected.

AMENDED, READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 3711 (Word version) -- Reps. Cobb-Hunter and Mitchell: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 17, TITLE 37, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARDS, SO AS TO ENACT THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD REGISTRATION ACT, PROVIDING FOR REGISTRATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS OF PERSONS AND REPRESENTATIVES ENGAGED IN THE SALE, MARKETING, PROMOTION, ADVERTISEMENT, OR DISTRIBUTION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARDS OR OTHER PURCHASING DEVICES; EXEMPTIONS FROM REGULATION UNDER THE ACT; REMEDIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE ACT, IN ADDITION TO, AND CUMULATIVE OF, OTHER PENALTIES IN TITLE 37 AND IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES ACT; AND AUTHORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the amendment, the question being the second reading of the Bill.

Senator THOMAS proposed the following amendment (3711THOMASCLEAN), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 7, line 30, by striking the word: / its /.

Amend the bill further, page 7, by striking lines 32-35 and inserting:

/ (2) a benefit or program offered by a health insurer, health care service contractor, or health maintenance organization regulated pursuant to Title 38. A health insurer, health care service contractor, or health maintenance organization regulated pursuant to Title 38 that offers a discount medical plan that is not offered in conjunction with a health insurance plan it administers shall provide the Department written notice of the name under which such a discount medical plan is offered and the telephone number and mailing address at which the plan can be contacted. The notice required by this subsection shall be provided to the Department within thirty (30) days of the initial offering of new medical discount plans in this State, and within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this Act for existing plans; /.

Amend the bill further, page 7, by striking line 37 and inserting: / the State of South Carolina; or /.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator THOMAS explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

Senator THOMAS asked unanimous consent to add an additional amendment on third reading.

There was no objection.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

AMENDED, READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 4504 (Word version) -- Rep. Kirsh: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 12-2-60, 12-4-520, 12-37-250, AS AMENDED, 12-37-251, 12-37-255, 12-37-266, 12-37-270, 12-37-275, 12-37-280, 12-37-450, 12-39-15, 12-39-150, 12-39-180, 12-39-190, 12-39-200, 12-39-270, 12-39-310, 12-45-15, 12-45-35, 12-45-70, AND 12-49-85, ALL RELATING TO CERTAIN POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPERATIONS OF A COUNTY TREASURER AND A COUNTY AUDITOR, SO AS TO DEVOLVE THOSE POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ONTO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, AND TO REPEAL SECTIONS 11-3-60, 11-3-200, 11-3-220, AND 12-39-320 ALL RELATING TO CERTAIN POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPERATIONS OF A COUNTY TREASURER OR COUNTY AUDITOR.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the second reading of the Bill.

Senators O'DELL and ALEXANDER proposed the following amendment (AGM\18543MM06), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION ___.A. Article 9, Chapter 49 of Title 12, as added by Act 238 of 2006 is amended by adding:

"Section 12-49-1190. When a mobile or manufactured home is levied upon for taxes by the tax collector, the tax collector shall give at least forty-five days' written notice before the date of the tax sale to lienholders by following the procedures provided in Section 12-49-1220, except as otherwise provided in Section 12-49-1220(D). The period of forty-five days begins to run from the time the notice is delivered personally or from the date of its mailing. The notice must contain a description of the mobile or manufactured home levied upon, including the year, make or model, size and serial number, the name of the owner, the address and zip code where the mobile or manufactured home is located, the year or years for which the taxes were assessed, and a statement of the amount of the taxes with the accrued costs. The notice must be delivered to the lienholders, either personally or by certified mail with return receipt requested, at the addresses obtained by the tax collector by following the procedures provided for in Section 12-49-1220. If delivered personally, the tax collector shall obtain a signed receipt from the lienholder. Although a separate notice must be prepared for each mobile or manufactured home to be sold, a tax collector may enclose in the same package or envelope multiple notices to be given to the same lienholder at the same address.

Section 12-49-1200. (A) Except as provided in subsection (B), the form of the notice required by Section 12-49-1190 must be substantially as follows:

'DELINQUENT TAXES

NOTICE TO LIENHOLDER

Notice is given to ________________as the holder of a certain lien on the mobile or manufactured home below described, that there are now due and unpaid taxes for the year(s) ________________ in the amount of $___________ with accrued costs of $ ___________ for which a tax execution has been issued and levy made upon the described home owned by __________________________. The home will be sold unless the taxes are paid within forty-five days from delivery of this notice as provided by law.

Description of Mobile or Manufactured Home Levied Upon:

____________________________________________________

Make or Model of Mobile or Manufactured Home

_____________________________________________________

Year of Home and Full Serial Number

_____________________________________________________

Owner's Name and Address

_____________________________________________________

Tax Collector

_____________________________________________________

Address

_____________________________________________________

Date _____________________.'

(B) For liens created before January 1, 1995, the form of the notice required by Section 12-49-1190 must be substantially as follows:

'DELINQUENT TAXES

NOTICE TO LIENHOLDER

Description Of Collateral

_____________________________________________________

Vin Number

_____________________________________________________

Owner's Name and Address

_____________________________________________________

Tax Collector

_____________________________________________________

Address

_____________________________________________________

Date _____________________.'

Section 12-49-1210. The tax collector shall keep a record of each notice given pursuant to Section 12-49-1190 which must contain the date the notice was delivered, the method of delivery, the address to which the notice was delivered, and the name of the addressee of the notice.

Section 12-49-1220. (A) In providing the notice of levy and sale required in Section 12-49-1190 relating to mobile or manufactured homes, the tax collector shall comply with the procedures provided for in subsections (B) or (C), and (D). This section does not require the tax collector to send more than one notice of levy to a single lienholder at the same mailing address that is revealed multiple times by compliance with the different procedures provided for in this section. If a single lienholder's name at different mailing addresses is revealed or would have been revealed by compliance with the procedures provided pursuant to this section, notice of levy must be sent to the lienholder at all these mailing addresses.

(B) For liens created before January 1, 1995, the tax collector shall provide the notice of levy and sale to the lienholders contained on the certificate of title issued by the department. To obtain the name and address of the lienholders, the tax collector shall either: (a) forward to the department a form provided below requesting the name and address of all lienholders shown on the certificate of title or (b) obtain from official department records the names and addresses of all lienholders shown on the certificate of title, to include the information listed on the form below. The delinquent tax collector may not sell the property without either a return of this form or official department records if records reflect the existence of a lienholder.

To the Department of ______________________:

I have been instructed by the county treasurer to levy and sell the following personal property:

Please provide me with the lienholders' names and addresses as shown on the certificate of title:

NAME: ____________________________________________

ADDRESS: _________________________________________

DESCRIPTION OF COLLATERAL:_____________________

VIN NUMBER:_____________

LIENHOLDER: _____________________________________

LIENHOLDERS' ADDRESS: _________________________.

(C) For liens created on or after January 1, 1995, the tax collector shall provide the notice of levy and sale to the lienholders identified on the forms provided to the county auditor pursuant to the licensing and moving permit procedures provided for in Chapter 17 of Title 31 or official department records if the records reflect the existence of a lienholder.

(D)(1) In addition to complying with the procedures provided in either subsection (B) or (C), for tax years beginning January 1, 2007, and after that time, the tax collector shall send the notice of levy and sale required by this article to the lienholders at the addresses shown on the most current collateral list provided by the lienholders holding a lien on the mobile or manufactured home to the tax collector pursuant to Section 12-49-1230. If a lienholder's most current collateral list, including any supplement, fails to disclose to the tax collector the lienholder's lien on a home that is to be sold, the lienholder is not entitled to notice pursuant to this subsection. If the collateral lists of two or more lienholders show the same mobile or manufactured home as their collateral, all the lienholders must be notified of the tax sale.

(2) If a lienholder provides the tax collector with a supplemental collateral list as described in Section 12-49-1230(B) after July first of any given year and the tax collector intends to sell a mobile or manufactured home shown on that supplemental list for which the lienholder could not be identified properly by the tax collector's compliance with the procedures provided in subsections (B) or (C) and (D)(1), the tax collector shall give a newly identified lienholder or to a lienholder at the newly identified address, or both, the notice required by this subsection.

(a) If there are sixty-five or more days between the receipt by the tax collector of the supplemental collateral list and the date of the scheduled tax sale, the tax collector shall deliver to the newly identified lienholder or at the newly identified address, or both, the notice required by Section 12-49-1190 in the same manner and under the same timelines as provided in that section.

(b) If there are fewer than sixty-five days, but at least forty-five days between the receipt by the tax collector of the supplemental collateral list and the date of the scheduled tax sale, the tax collector shall deliver to the newly identified lienholder or at the newly identified address, or both, the notice required by Section 12-49-1190 in the same manner as required pursuant to that section; except that the notice must be given no fewer than twenty days before the date of the scheduled tax sale.

(c) If the tax sale has already occurred by the time the tax collector receives the supplemental collateral list, or if there are fewer than forty-five days between the receipt by the tax collector of the supplemental collateral list and the date of the scheduled tax sale, the tax collector is not required to deliver to the newly identified lienholder or at the newly identified address, or both, a notice pursuant to subsection (D)(2). Except to the extent that they are entitled to receive notice pursuant to subsections (B) or (C) and (D)(1), the only notice the newly identified lienholders, or known lienholders at a newly identified address, are entitled to receive pursuant to this subitem is a notice of their right of redemption pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 51 of Title 12.

Section 12-49-1230. (A) By July first of each year, each lienholder may provide a written collateral list to the tax collector of each county in which the lienholder's collateral is located. The collateral list sent to a particular county must be derived by a lienholder sorting its accounts by United States Postal Zip Codes and by sorting those zip codes by the counties that have geographical areas covered by those zip codes. The zip codes used must be those shown in the lienholder's records as the mailing addresses where the collateral is situate. For those zip codes covering geographical areas that extend into multiple counties, the collateral list sent to all counties sharing the same zip codes must contain the information required by Section 12-49-1250.

(B) Any collateral list provided by a lienholder to a tax collector after July first and no later than December thirty-first of any year is considered a supplemental collateral list for purposes of the lienholder's right to receive notice of a tax levy and sale pursuant to Section 12-49-1190 for that same calendar year.

(C) A lienholder is not required to provide to the tax collector a collateral list annually or periodically. If a particular lienholder does not provide a collateral list to the tax collector in a timely manner for the year in which the tax collector intends to sell real property on which that lienholder holds a lien, the tax collector may rely on the most current information obtained pursuant to Section 12-49-1190 including, but not limited to, a collateral list from a previous year.

Section 12-49-1240. The form of the collateral list and a supplement for mobile or manufactured homes must be substantially as follows:

Collateral List For __________________________ County

Lienholder: ______________________________________

Address for Notice: _______________________________

Date: ________________________

Name(s) of Owner(s): Address of Home: _______________

Other Address of Owner(s): _______________________

Zip Code: ___________________

Year of Home: _______________

Make/Model: _________________

Size of Home: _______________

Full Serial Number:_____________.

Section 12-49-1250. The collateral list and a supplement may be provided to the tax collector through a medium acceptable to the sender and the receiver. The medium may include United States mail, hand delivery, express delivery, or e-mail, but the sender shall maintain sufficient proof that the collateral list and supplement were provided to the tax collector.

Section 12-49-1260. The collateral lists and supplements must be maintained by the tax collector strictly and only for the purposes provided in this article. A person in the tax collector's office may not give, release, or provide in any form to any person or entity the original or any photographic or electronic copy of the collateral lists or a list reconstructed from the tax collector's records which shows the owners of mobile or manufactured homes in a county and the names of the lienholders of these homes. The collateral lists must be used for the purposes only of notifying the lienholders of impending tax sales and the expiration of redemption periods. This section does not prevent a tax collector from integrating information obtained from the collateral lists into the tax collector's records in the same manner as the tax collector integrates information in his records obtained from other sources. This section does not prevent a tax collector from providing information to a person or entity about the name of the owner and lienholder of a particular mobile or manufactured home.

Section 12-49-1270. (A) Except as otherwise provided in Section 12-49-1220 or 12-49-1290, unless the tax collector complies with the provisions of Sections 12-49-1190 and 12-49-1220, the rights, interest, and security of a lienholder of a mobile or manufactured home is not affected by a tax sale and a transfer of title made pursuant to the tax sale.

(B) Except as specifically provided in this article, the rights and remedies of a lienholder of a mobile or manufactured home under the terms of the security documents or as otherwise provided in this title are not affected by whether or not a lienholder provides a collateral list to the tax collector or provides information to the auditor about where and to whom tax notices must be sent.

Section 12-49-1280. Notwithstanding another provision of this article, the following circumstances are not grounds for voiding a tax sale:

(1) The tax collector complied with Section 12-49-1220(B) but the return from the department did not provide the name and address of the current lienholder, the lienholder's most current collateral list that was provided to the tax collector did not reflect accurately the name and address of the lienholder for the mobile or manufactured home, the county had not been provided information about the lienholder and its address pursuant to the licensing and moving permit procedures provided for in Chapter 17 of Title 31, and department records did not reflect information about the lienholder and its address.

(2) The mobile or manufactured home appeared on collateral lists of more than one lienholder and, although the tax collector did not notify all the lienholders, he did notify the lienholders that held liens on the mobile or manufactured home at the time the notice was given, and the notice was sent to the correct addresses of the lienholders holding the liens where the owner's account was being serviced at the time the notice was given.

(3) The lienholder that holds the lien on the mobile or manufactured home at the time the notice was given receives the notice at the correct address of the lienholder where the owner's account is being serviced, regardless of how the tax collector obtained the correct name and address of the lienholder.

Section 12-49-1290. Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, the following circumstances are not a defense to a lienholder's effort to void a tax sale:

The lienholder failed to provide the tax collector with a collateral list for one or more years, but the most current collateral list the lienholder did provide the tax collector, including any supplements described in Section 12-49-1220(D)(2)(a) and (b), showed that the lienholder held a lien on the particular mobile or manufactured home that was sold by the tax collector at a tax sale, or the county had been provided information about the lienholder and its address pursuant to the licensing and moving permit procedures provided for in Chapter 17 of Title 31."

B. Section 12-49-1110 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 238 of 2006, is amended to read:

"Section 12-49-1110. For purposes of this article:

(1) 'Auditor' means the officer charged by law with the assessment of ad valorem taxes and assessments and with the mailing of tax notices.

(2) 'Collateral' means the mobile or manufactured home in which a lienholder holds a security interest.

(3) 'Collateral list' means a written list, including all supplements, that a lienholder provides to a tax collector pursuant to this article, listing the lienholder's collateral that, according to the United States Postal Zip Codes shown in the lienholder's records as the mailing address where the collateral is situate, is located within a county of this State.

(4) 'Department' means the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

(5) 'Lien' means a mortgage or a security interest.

(6) 'Lienholder' means the owner, holder, or servicing agent of a lien affecting a mobile or manufactured home as security for the payment of money.

(7) 'Mobile home' or 'manufactured home' is as defined as provided in Sections 12-43-230(b) and 40-29-20(9).

(8) 'Mortgage' means a mortgage, deed of trust, or other written instrument covering or affecting real property as security for the payment of money.

~~(2)~~(9) 'Mortgagee' means the mortgagee identified in a mortgage of record or any holder or assignee of the mortgage.

~~(3)~~(10) 'Mortgagee list' means a written list, including all supplements, that a mortgagee provides to a tax collector pursuant to this article, showing the current name and address of the mortgagee/holder of the mortgages listed ~~thereon~~ on it within a county of this State.

(11) 'Office of the register of deeds' means the office in each county where real property deeds and mortgages are recorded.

(12) 'Security interest' means an interest created by a security agreement or other written instrument covering a mobile or manufactured home for the payment of money.

~~(4)~~(13) 'Tax collector' means the officer charged by law with the collection of delinquent ad valorem taxes, assessments, penalties, and costs.

(14) 'Tax title' means a deed for real property and a bill of sale for personal property.

~~(5)~~(15) 'The most current' means the latest in time.

C. Section 12-51-130 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 238 of 2006, is further amended to read:

"Section 12-51-130. Upon failure of the defaulting taxpayer, a grantee from the owner, a mortgagee, a judgment creditor, or a lessee of the property to redeem realty within the time period allowed for redemption, the person officially charged with the collection of delinquent taxes, within thirty days or as soon after that as possible, shall make a tax title to the purchaser or the purchaser's assignee. Delivery of the tax title to the clerk of court or register of deeds is considered 'putting the purchaser, or assignee, in possession'. The tax title must include, among other things, the name of the defaulting taxpayer, the name of any grantee of record of the property, the date of execution, the date the realty was posted and by whom, and the dates each certified notice was mailed to the party or parties of interest, to whom mailed and whether or not received by the addressee. The successful purchaser, or assignee, is responsible ~~in the amount of fifteen dollars~~ for the actual cost of preparing the tax title plus documentary stamps necessary to be affixed and recording fees. The successful purchaser, or assignee, shall pay the amounts to the person officially charged with the collection of delinquent taxes before delivery of the tax title to the clerk of court or register of deeds and, upon payment, the person officially charged with the collection of delinquent taxes is responsible for promptly transmitting the tax title to the clerk of court or register of deeds for recording and remitting the recording fee and documentary stamps cost. If the tax sale of an item produced more cash than the full amount due in taxes, assessments, penalties, and costs, the overage must be applied to any outstanding municipal tax liens on the property. Any remaining overage belongs to the owner of record immediately before the end of the redemption period to be claimed or assigned according to law. These sums are payable ninety days after execution of the deed unless a judicial action is instituted during that time by another claimant. If neither claimed nor assigned within five years of date of public auction tax sale, the overage shall escheat to the general fund of the governing body. Before the escheat date unclaimed overages must be kept in a separate account and must be invested so as not to be idle and the governing body of the political subdivision is entitled to the earnings for keeping the overage. On escheat date the overage must be transferred to the general funds of the governing body."

D. Section 12-51-150 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 12-51-150. ~~In the case that~~ If the official in charge of the tax sale discovers before a tax title has passed~~, the~~ that there is a failure of any action required to be properly performed, the official may void the tax sale and refund the amount paid, plus interest in the amount actually earned by the county on the amount refunded, to the successful bidder. If the full amount of the taxes, assessments, penalties, and costs have not been paid, the property must be brought to tax sale as soon as practicable."

E. This SECTION takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator O'DELL explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED
AMENDED, READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 4419 (Word version) -- Reps. Townsend, Cooper, White, Thompson, Agnew and Martin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-45-430, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF TAX RECEIPTS BY A COUNTY TREASURER UPON FULL PAYMENT OF THE TAXES AND CHARGES DUE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A COUNTY TREASURER MAY ACCEPT A LESSER AMOUNT THAN THE ORIGINAL TAX BILL TOGETHER WITH ANY APPLICABLE PENALTIES, COSTS, AND CHARGES WHENEVER A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING AUTHORIZES A LESSER AMOUNT TO BE PAID, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE AUDITOR MAY PREPARE A TAX BILL TO AUTHORIZE NEGOTIATED TAXES AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the adoption of the amendment proposed by the Committee on Finance.

The Committee on Finance proposed the following amendment (4419R001.RWH), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 1 by striking lines 36 and 37 and inserting:

/ lesser amount to be paid. The auditor, as authorized by county council, may prepare a tax bill to authorize negotiated taxes as a result of a bankruptcy." /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HAYES explained the committee amendment.

The committee amendment was adopted.

Senator MOORE proposed the following amendment (BBM\ 9560HTC06), which was adopted:

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

/ SECTION __. Section 12-6-3360(B)(5) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 161 of 2005, is further amended by adding an appropriately lettered subitem at the end to read:

"( ) In a county in which one employer has lost at least 1,500 jobs in calendar year 2006, the credit allowed is three tiers higher than the credit for which the county would otherwise qualify. The three-tier-higher credit allowed by this subsection is allowed for taxable years beginning in 2007 and 2008. This subsection does not apply to a job created in a county eligible for a higher tier pursuant to another provision of this section." /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator MOORE explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

H. 4419--Ordered to a Third Reading

On motion of Senator HAYES, with unanimous consent, H. 4419 was ordered to receive a third reading on Thursday, June 1, 2006.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT AMENDED AND ADOPTED
READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 3051 (Word version) -- Reps. Sinclair, Harrison, Mahaffey and Umphlett: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 39-15-1190, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE UNLAWFUL USE OF COUNTERFEIT MARKS, SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE A "COUNTERFEIT MARK", TO ESTABLISH FELONIES FOR THE USE OF, TRAFFICKING IN, AND PRODUCTION OF A COUNTERFEIT MARK, TO PROVIDE FOR SEIZURE AND SALE OF ITEMS IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF A COUNTERFEIT MARK, AND TO PROVIDE FOR INVESTIGATORY POWERS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the adoption of the amendment proposed by the Committee on Judiciary.

Senator SHEHEEN proposed the following amendment (JUD3051.007), which was adopted:

Amend the committee report, as and if amended, SECTION 1, pages [3051-2 through 3051-4], by striking subsections (B) and (C) of Section 39-15-1190 and inserting:

/ (B)(1) It is unlawful for a person knowingly and willfully to transport, transfer, distribute, sell, or otherwise dispose of, or to possess with intent to transfer, transport, distribute, sell, or otherwise dispose of, an item having a counterfeit mark on it or in connection with it.

(a) A person who knowingly and willfully violates this subsection with respect to goods or services having a retail sales value of less than fifty thousand dollars is guilty of the offense of distribution of counterfeit marks and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:

(i) if the goods or services have a retail sales value of two thousand dollars or less, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both;

(ii) if the goods or services have a retail sales value of more than two thousand dollars but less than ten thousand dollars, the person is guilty of a felony and must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both;

(iii) if the goods or services have a retail sales value of ten thousand dollars or more, but less than fifty thousand dollars, the person is guilty of a felony and must be fined not more than twenty thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both;

(iv) for a second or subsequent conviction of the offenses described in subitem (a), without regard to the retail sales value of the goods or services, the person is guilty of a felony and must be fined not less than one thousand dollars or more than fifty thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

(b) A person who knowingly and willfully violates the provisions of this subsection with respect to goods or services having a retail sales value of fifty thousand dollars or more is guilty of the offense of trafficking in counterfeit marks. A person who knowingly and willfully commits the offense of trafficking as described in this subitem is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:

(i) for a first offense, fined not less than ten thousand dollars or more than twenty-five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both;

(ii) for a second or subsequent offense, fined not less than twenty thousand dollars or more than fifty thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

(2) The possession, custody, or control of more than twenty-five items having a counterfeit mark used on them or in connection with them is prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.

(C) A person who knowingly and willfully uses any object, tool, machine, or other device to produce or reproduce a counterfeit mark or knowingly and willfully has possession, custody, or control of any object, tool, machine, or device with intent to produce or reproduce a counterfeit mark is guilty of producing or reproducing counterfeit marks and, upon conviction, must be punished as provided in subsection (B)./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator SHEHEEN explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

The Committee on Judiciary proposed the following amendment (JUD3051.006), 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 39-15-1190 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 486 of 1994, is further amended to read:

"Section 39-15-1190. ~~(A)~~ Whoever intentionally traffics or attempts to traffic in goods or services and knowingly uses or should have known a counterfeit mark on or in connection with such goods or services shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, if an individual, be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, and, if a person other than an individual, be fined not more than twenty thousand dollars.

~~(B)~~ ~~The term 'counterfeit mark' in this section means:~~

~~(1)~~ ~~a spurious mark:~~

~~(a)~~ ~~that is used in connection with trafficking goods or services;~~

~~(b)~~ that is identical with, or substantially indistinguishable from, a mark registered for those goods or services with the Secretary of State under this chapter and in use, whether or not the defendant knew such mark was so registered; and

~~(c)~~ ~~the use of which is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive.~~

~~(2)~~ 'Counterfeit mark' does not include any mark or designation used in connection with goods or services of which the manufacturer or producer was, at the time of the manufacture or production in question, authorized to use the mark for designation for the type of goods or services so manufactured or produced, by the holder of the right to use such mark or designation.

~~(C)~~ ~~'Traffic' means transport, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, to another, as consideration for anything of value, or make or obtain control of with intent so to transport, transfer, or dispose of.~~

(A) For purposes of this section:

(1) 'Counterfeit mark' means a mark that is:

(a) identical to, or substantially indistinguishable from, a registered mark or unregistered mark;

(b) used in connection with the sale or offering for sale of goods or services that are identical to, or substantially indistinguishable from, the goods or services with which the registered or unregistered mark is identified;

(d) not authorized by the owner of the registered or unregistered mark.

(2) 'Registered mark' means a mark that is registered on the principal register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office or with the South Carolina Secretary of State.

(3) 'Retail sales value' means the value computed by multiplying the number of items having a counterfeit mark used on them or in connection with them by the retail price at which a similar item having a mark used on it or in connection with it, the use of which is authorized by the owner, is offered for sale to the public.

(4) 'Unregistered mark' means a symbol, sign, emblem, insignia, trademark, trade name, or word protected by the federal Amateur Sports Act of 1978, Title 36 U.S.C. Section 380.

(B)(1) It is unlawful for a person knowingly and willfully to transport, transfer, distribute, sell, or otherwise dispose of, or to possess with intent to transfer, transport, distribute, sell, or otherwise dispose of, an item having a counterfeit mark on it or in connection with it.

(i) if the goods or services have a retail sales value of one thousand dollars or less, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both;

(ii) if the goods or services have a retail sales value of more than one thousand dollars but less than ten thousand dollars, the person is guilty of a felony and must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both;

(i) for a first offense, fined not less than ten thousand dollars or more than twenty-five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both;

(ii) for a second or subsequent offense, fined not less than twenty thousand dollars or more than fifty thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

(2) The possession, custody, or control of more than twenty-five items having a counterfeit mark used on them or in connection with them is prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.

(C) A person who knowingly and willfully uses any object, tool, machine, or other device to produce or reproduce a counterfeit mark or knowingly and willfully has possession, custody, or control of any object, tool, machine, or device with intent to produce or reproduce a counterfeit mark is guilty of a felony and must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(D) Personal property, including any item, object, tool, machine, or device of any kind, employed as an instrumentality in the commission of or in aiding or abetting in the commission of a violation of subsections (B) or (C), is considered contraband and is subject to seizure and forfeiture in the same manner as other property used in the commission of specified criminal offenses as provided by law.

(E) For purposes of enforcing this section, investigators in the office of the Secretary of State have statewide jurisdiction. These investigators may conduct investigations independently or may assist local law enforcement agencies in their investigations and may initiate and carry out, in coordination with local law enforcement agencies, investigations of violations of this section.

(F) The Secretary of State may refer available evidence concerning violations of this section to the appropriate solicitor who may, with or without the reference, institute the appropriate criminal proceedings.

(G) The Secretary of State also may refer available evidence concerning violations of this section to the Department of Revenue for purposes of determining the obligations of the violators of this section pursuant to state income and other taxation laws.

(H) The provisions of this section do not apply to persons who own, rent, or manage premises occupied by retailers unless that person had actual knowledge or actively participated in a violation of this section."

SECTION 2. Chapter 15, Title 39 of the 1976 Code of Laws is amended by adding:

"Section 39-15-1195. (A) The following property is subject to seizure by and forfeiture to any law enforcement agency upon violation of Section 39-15-1190:

(1) all items bearing the counterfeit mark;

(2) all personal property that is employed or used in connection with a violation of Section 39-15-1190 including, but not limited to, any items, objects, tools, machines, equipment, or instrumentalities of any kind;

(3) all conveyances including, but not limited to, trailers, aircraft, motor vehicles, and watergoing vessels which are used unlawfully to conceal, contain, or transport or facilitate the unlawful concealment, possession, containment, manufacture, or transportation of counterfeit marks;

(4) all books, records, computers, and data that are used or intended for use in the production, manufacture, sale, or delivery of items bearing a counterfeit mark or services identified by a counterfeit mark; and

(5) all monies, negotiable instruments, balances in deposit or other accounts, securities, or other things of value furnished or intended to be furnished by any person used to engage in a violation or to further a violation of Section 39-15-1190.

(B) Property subject to forfeiture pursuant to this section may be seized by the department having authority upon a warrant issued by a court having jurisdiction over the property. Seizure without process may be made if:

(1) the seizure is incident to an arrest or a search pursuant to a search warrant or an inspection pursuant to an administrative inspection warrant;

(2) the property subject to seizure has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the State in a criminal injunction or forfeiture proceeding based upon this section;

(3) the department has probable cause to believe that the property is directly or indirectly dangerous to an individual's health or safety; or

(4) the department has probable cause to believe that the property was used or is intended to be used in violation of Section 39-15-1190.

(C) If a seizure is made pursuant to subsection (B), proceedings pursuant to Section 44-53-530 regarding forfeiture and disposition must be instituted within a reasonable time.

(D) Property taken or detained pursuant to this section is not subject to replevin but is considered to be in the custody of the department making the seizure, subject only to the orders of the court having jurisdiction over the forfeiture proceedings.

(E) For the purposes of this section, when the seizure of property subject to seizure is accomplished as a result of a joint effort by more than one law enforcement agency, the law enforcement agency initiating the investigation is considered to be the agency making the seizure.

(F) Law enforcement agencies seizing property pursuant to this section shall take reasonable steps to maintain the property. Equipment and conveyances seized must be removed to an appropriate place for storage. Monies seized must be deposited in an interest bearing account pending final disposition by the court unless the seizing agency determines the monies to be of an evidentiary nature and provides for security in another manner.

(G) When property, conveyances, monies, negotiable instruments, securities, or anything else of value is seized pursuant to the provisions of subsection (A), the law enforcement agency making the seizure, within ten days or a reasonable period of time after the seizure, shall submit a report to the appropriate prosecution agency.

(1) The report must provide the following information with respect to the property seized:

(a) description;

(b) circumstances of seizure;

(d) name of owner;

(e) name of lienholder, if any; and

(f) seizing agency.

(2) If the property is a conveyance, the report must include the:

(a) make, model, serial number, and year of the conveyance;

(b) person in whose name the conveyance is registered; and

(3) In addition to the report provided for in items (1) and (2), the law enforcement agency shall prepare for dissemination to the public upon request a report providing the following information:

(a) a description of the quantity and nature of the property and money seized;

(b) the seizing agency;

(d) the law enforcement agency responsible for the property or conveyance seized.

(H)(1) An owner may apply to the court of common pleas for the return of an item seized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Notice of hearing or rule to show cause accompanied by a copy of the application must be directed to all persons and agencies entitled to notice as provided in Section 44-53-530. If the court denies the application, the hearing may proceed as a forfeiture hearing held pursuant to the provisions of Section 44-53-530.

(2) The court may return a seized item to the owner if the owner demonstrates to the court by a preponderance of the evidence that the owner was not a consenting party to, or privy to, or did not have knowledge of, the use of the property that made it subject to seizure and forfeiture.

(3) The lien of an innocent person or other legal entity, recorded in public records, continues in force upon transfer of title of a forfeited item, and a transfer of title is subject to the lien, if the lienholder demonstrates to the court by a preponderance of the evidence that the lienholder was not a consenting party to, or privy to, or did not have knowledge of, the involvement of the property which made it subject to seizure and forfeiture.

(I) Property or conveyances seized by a law enforcement agency or department must not be used by officers for personal purposes."

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

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

The committee amendment was adopted, as amended.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

AMENDED, READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 3773 (Word version) -- Reps. Vick, W.D. Smith, Littlejohn, Agnew, Ballentine, Haley, Lucas, Ott, Hardwick, Witherspoon, Cobb-Hunter and Anderson: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT FROM SALES TAX THE GROSS PROCEEDS OF SALES OR SALES PRICE OF GOLD, SILVER, AND PLATINUM BULLION, COINS, AND CURRENCY AND TO REQUIRE THE RETAILER TO MAINTAIN PROPER DOCUMENTATION AS REQUIRED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE FOR EACH EXEMPT SALE.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the second reading of the Bill.

Senator SHEHEEN proposed the following amendment (3773R001.VAS), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 2 in its entirety and inserting:

/ SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2006. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator SHEHEEN explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

H. 3773--Ordered to a Third Reading

On motion of Senator SHEHEEN, with unanimous consent, H. 3773 was ordered to receive a third reading on Thursday, June 1, 2006.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN
READ THE SECOND TIME

H. 3573 (Word version) -- Reps. Clark, Haley, Ballentine, Moody-Lawrence, Anthony, R. Brown, Clyburn, Frye, Hosey, Huggins, Mack, Mahaffey, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Rice, D.C. Smith, J.R. Smith, Townsend, Vaughn, Walker, Vick, Duncan and Altman: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 2 TO CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 59 SO AS TO ENACT THE "SAFE SCHOOLS ACT" TO PREVENT SCHOOL HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, OR BULLYING, TO INSTRUCT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADOPT A POLICY PROHIBITING HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, OR BULLYING THAT INCLUDES CERTAIN THINGS, TO DEVELOP A TRAINING PROCESS, AND TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the adoption of the amendment proposed by the Committee on Education.

Committee on Education proposed the following amendment (GGS\22583SJ06), which was withdrawn:

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

/ SECTION ___. A. This section may be cited as the "South Carolina Teacher Protection Act of 2005".

B. Chapter 25, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-25-900. (A) As used in this section:

(1) 'Teacher' means a:

(a) licensed teacher, principal, administrator, or other educational professional who works on school grounds;

(b) professional or non-professional employee who works on school grounds and has responsibility for maintaining order, discipline, or ensuring safety; or

(2) 'School' means a public or private kindergarten, a public or private elementary school, a public or private middle school or junior high, a public or private high school, a secondary school, an adult education school, a home school that includes students not related by blood to the operator, a public or private college or university, and any vocational, technical, or occupational school.

(3) 'Student' means a person:

(a) enrolled in a school, whether the person is suspended or not suspended; or

(b) expelled from a school within one year of enrollment.

(B) A teacher may bring a civil action against a student who commits a criminal offense against the teacher if the offense occurs on school grounds or at a school-related event, or if the offense is directly related to the teacher's professional responsibilities. Nothing in this subsection is intended to limit the civil remedies available to another party as a result of the same criminal act.

(C) In addition to the protections granted under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, no teacher has civil liability to a student or to a party acting in the interest of a student for an act or omission by the teacher that occurs while the teacher is acting on behalf of the school if the:

(1) teacher was acting within the scope of the teacher's employment;

(2) actions of the teacher violated no state, local, or federal law including regulations set forth by the individual district or school;

(3) acts or omissions were not the result of wilful or intentional conduct or gross negligence;

(4) acts or omissions were not the result of the teacher operating a motor vehicle or watercraft; and

(5) actions of the teacher do not constitute a violation of the student's civil rights.

(D) This section does not affect the provisions of the South Carolina Tort Claims Act."

C. Section 16-3-612 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 16-3-612. (A) For purposes of this section:

(1) 'Student' means a person ~~currently~~:

(a) enrolled in ~~any~~ a school, whether the person is suspended or not suspended; or

(b) expelled from a school within one year of enrollment.

(2) 'School' ~~includes, but is not limited to,~~ means a public or private kindergarten, a public or private elementary school ~~that contains any grades of kindergarten through twelfth grade~~, a public or private middle school or junior high, a public or private high school, a secondary school, an adult education school, a home school that includes students not related by blood to the operator, a public or private ~~colleges, universities~~ college or university, and any vocational, technical, or occupational school.

(3) 'Person affiliated with a school in an official capacity' includes, but is not limited to, administrators, teachers, faculty, substitute teachers, teachers' assistants, student teachers, custodial staff, food service staff, volunteers, law enforcement officers, school bus drivers, school crossing guards, or other regularly assigned school-contracted persons.

(B) A student who commits an assault and battery, other than one that is aggravated, on school grounds or at a school-sponsored event against any person affiliated with the school in an official capacity including, but not limited to, administrators, teachers, faculty, substitute teachers, teachers' assistants, student teachers, custodial staff, food service staff, volunteers, law enforcement officers, school bus drivers, school crossing guards, or other regularly assigned school-contracted persons is guilty of assault and battery against school personnel which is a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. A student who commits simple assault and battery against a person affiliated with a school in an official capacity when the offense occurs on school grounds or at a school- related event, or when the offense is directly related to the school official's professional responsibilities, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(C) A student who commits assault and battery, other than one that is aggravated, against a person affiliated with a school in an official capacity when the offense occurs on school grounds or at a school related event, or when the offense is directly related to the school official's professional responsibilities, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(D) A student who commits assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature against a person affiliated with a school in an official capacity when the offense occurs on school grounds or at a school related event, or when the offense is directly related to the school official's professional responsibilities, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. A person is guilty of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature pursuant to the provisions of this subsection if the person intentionally commits an assault and battery which involves the use of a deadly weapon or results in serious bodily injury to the victim.

(E) Sentencing pursuant to this section must comply with the requirements of Article 15, Chapter 3, Title 16.

(F) A person affiliated with a school in an official capacity who is:

(1) the victim of a violation of this section for which a student was convicted, adjudicated delinquent, or pled guilty or nolo contendere; and

(2) injured as a result of the violation of this section to the extent that his injury prevents him from returning to his former position within the school district, must be allowed to continue to participate in all retirement, insurance, and deferred compensation programs he was enrolled in at the time of the injury. The district shall continue to make the employer contributions on behalf of the injured school official.

(G) If a school official reports an incident pursuant to this section to any school principal, vice principal, assistant principal, or other school administrator, the school administrator shall report the incident to law enforcement for investigation."

SECTION ___. Section 16-3-1535 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"(G) At each proceeding, the summary court judge must inquire if the victim has been notified of the proceeding, if the victim is present at the proceeding, and if the victim desires to be heard at the proceeding."

SECTION ___. Section 16-3-1545 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"(N) At each proceeding, the family court judge must inquire if the victim has been notified of the proceeding, if the victim is present at the proceeding, and if the victim desires to be heard at the proceeding."

SECTION ___. Section 16-3-1550 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"(H) At each proceeding, the circuit court judge must inquire if the victim has been notified of the proceeding, if the victim is present at the proceeding, and if the victim desires to be heard at the proceeding."/ Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HAYES asked unanimous consent to withdraw the committee amendment.

There was no objection.

The committee amendment was withdrawn.

On motion of Senator HAYES, with unanimous consent, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT AMENDED AND ADOPTED
AMENDMENT PROPOSED, OBJECTION

H. 4913 (Word version) -- Rep. Kirsh: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO PROVIDE FOR A THREE PERCENT SURCHARGE ON A RENTAL CONTRACT FOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT, TO PROVIDE FOR THE RETURN BY A BUSINESS OF A LICENSE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, TO PROVIDE FOR A PENALTY FOR A RETAILER COLLECTING AN EXCESSIVE STATE OR LOCAL SALES TAX, TO PROVIDE FOR ROYALTIES TREATED AS PERSONAL HOLDING COMPANY INCOME AND AMOUNTS PAID AS GUARANTEED PAYMENTS REASONABLY RELATED TO PERSONAL SERVICES, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE TAXPAYER HAVE ONE HUNDRED OR MORE EMPLOYEES FOR THE JOB TAX CREDIT, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "DISTRIBUTION FACILITY", TO PROVIDE FOR DETERMINATION OF THE BASE PORT CARGO VOLUME WITH REGARD TO THE STATE INCOME TAX, TO SUSPEND THE FOUR-YEAR REFUNDABLE INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR TUTITION IF THE STUDENT IS DEPLOYED, TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE COMPUTATION OF A NONRESIDENT PARTICIPANT'S PRO RATA SHARE OF SOUTH CAROLINA INCOME TAX, TO AMEND THE TAX ON LICENSED HOSPITALS FOR INDIGENT HEALTH CARE, TO AMEND PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE USER FEE, TO PROVIDE FOR SALES MADE AT A LOCATION HOLDING A TEMPORARY LICENSE OR PERMIT FOR THE EXCISE TAX ON ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR BY THE DRINK, TO MAKE CERTAIN SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, TO PROVIDE FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR A THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE FOR FAILURE TO PAY PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX ON A VEHICLE, TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR A PERSON WHO FAILS TO PAY THE MOTOR CARRIER PROPERTY TAX ON A VEHICLE, TO AMEND PROVISIONS RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR SUBSTANTIAL UNDERSTATEMENT OF TAXES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A PERSON OTHER THAN THE TAXPAYER LEGALLY LIABLE FOR THE TAX MAY CLAIM OR RECEIVE A REFUND, AND TO REPEAL SECTION 12-4-770.
(ABBREVIATED TITLE)

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the adoption of the previously proposed amendment .

Senators CAMPSEN and COURSON proposed the following amendment (BBM\9536HTC06), which was adopted:

Amend the Finance Committee Report, as and if amended, page 4913-3, by striking lines 10 and 11 and inserting:

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

// SECTION _____. Section 12-6-3515(B)(1)(c) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 145 of 2005, is amended to read:

"(c) No credit is allowed pursuant to this section unless the contribution meets the requirements of Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code, this section, and Section 12-6-5590. Property used for or associated with the playing of golf, or is planned to be so used or associated, is not eligible for the credits allowed by this section." // /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator CAMPSEN explained the perfecting amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

The Committee on Finance proposed the following amendment (4913R004.HKL), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 25, by striking lines 37 through 43, and page 26, by striking lines 1 through 13, and inserting:

/ "(A) In addition to taxes imposed pursuant to the provisions of Sections 12-33-230, 12-33-240, Article 5 of this chapter, and Chapter 36, Title 12, there is imposed an excise tax equal to five percent of the gross proceeds of the sales of alcoholic liquor by the drink for on-premises consumption in an establishment licensed for sales pursuant to Article 5, Chapter 6, Title 61 or at a location holding a temporary license or permit that authorizes the sale of liquor by the drink. All proceeds of this excise tax must be deposited to the credit of the general fund of the State. Except with respect to the distribution of the revenue of this tax, this excise tax is considered to be imposed pursuant to Chapter 36, Title 12. For purposes of this subsection, 'gross proceeds of sales' has the meaning as provided in Section 12-36-90, except that the sales tax imposed under Chapter 36, Title 12 is not included in 'gross proceeds of sales'. The term 'gross proceeds of sales' also includes, but is not limited to, the retail value of a complimentary or discounted beverage containing alcoholic liquor, an amount charged for ice for a drink containing alcoholic liquor, and an amount charged for a nonalcoholic beverage that is sold or used as a mixer for a drink containing alcoholic liquor. This section does not apply to nonprofit organizations that are issued a temporary permit to allow possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors pursuant to Section 61-6-510 or Subarticle 5, Article 5, Chapter 6, Title 61."/

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

/ SECTION ___. Section 12-51-130 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 238 of 2006, is further amended to read:

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, by deleting SECTION 31 in its entirety.

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

/ SECTION ___. Section 12-37-712 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 12-37-712. A marina must provide immediate access to its business records and premises to city, county, and state tax authority employees for the purpose of making a property tax assessment. For the purposes of this section, 'marina' means a facility that provides mooring or dry storage for watercraft on a leased or rental basis, and 'business records' means only the name and billing address of the person leasing or renting space for a boat in a marina, as well as the make, model, and year, if available." /

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, in SECTION 39. B, page 43 by striking line 10 and inserting:

/ "Section 12-37-713. In addition to any other provisions of law /

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

/ SECTION ___. Section 61-6-510 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 61-6-510. (A) The department may issue a temporary permit to allow the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors. This permit is valid for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours, and may be issued only to bona fide nonprofit organizations that have been in existence and operating for at least twelve months before the date of application, to nonprofit educational foundations, and to political parties and their affiliates duly certified by the Secretary of State. The department must charge a nonrefundable filing fee of thirty-five dollars for processing each application. The department in its discretion must specify the terms and conditions of the permit. For purposes of this section, "nonprofit organization" means an organization not open to the general public, but with a limited membership and established for social, benevolent, patriotic, recreational, or fraternal purposes.

(B) The Department may require the applicant to obtain a criminal background check conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division within thirty days prior to an initial application. Background checks for subsequent applications are not required unless the officers of the nonprofit organization change." /

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

/ SECTION ___. Section 61-6-2000 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 61-6-2000. (A) In addition to the licenses authorized pursuant to the provisions of subarticle 1 of this article, the department also may issue a temporary license for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours to a nonprofit organization which authorizes an organization to purchase and sell at a single social occasion alcoholic liquors by the drink. Notwithstanding another provision of this article, the issuance of this permit authorizes the organization to purchase alcoholic liquors from licensed retail dealers in the same manner that a person with a biennial license is issued pursuant to the provisions of subarticle 1 of this article are authorized to make these purchases. The fee for the permit is thirty-five dollars payable at the time of application. The permit application must include a statement by the applicant as to the amount of alcoholic liquors to be purchased and the nature and date of the social occasion at which they are to be sold. The issuance or nonissuance of permits authorized pursuant to the provisions of this section is within the discretion of the department.

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 40, by deleting lines 36 through 42, and page 41, by deleting lines 1 through 6.

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 41, by deleting lines 23 through 26.

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 36.A., page 37, and inserting:

/ SECTION 36.A. Article 25, Chapter 6, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 12-6-3600. (A) For taxable years beginning after 2006, and before 2014, there is allowed a credit against the tax imposed pursuant to this chapter for any ethanol facility or biodiesel facility which is in production at the rate of at least twenty-five percent of its name plate design capacity for the production of ethanol or biodiesel, before denaturing, on or before December 31, 2009. The facility must be placed in use after 2006. The credit equals twenty cents a gallon of ethanol or biodiesel produced and is allowed for sixty months beginning with the first month for which the facility is eligible to receive the credit and ending not later than December 31, 2014. The credit only may be claimed if the ethanol facility or biodiesel facility maintains an average production rate of at least twenty-five percent of its name plate design capacity for at least six months after the first month for which it is eligible to receive the credit.

(B) As used in this section:

(1) 'Ethanol facility' means a plant or facility primarily engaged in the production of ethanol or ethyl alcohol derived from grain components, coproducts, or byproducts;

(2) 'Biodiesel facility' means a plant or facility primarily engaged in the production of vegetable or animal based fuels used as a substitute for diesel fuel; and

(3) 'Name plate design capacity' means the original designed capacity of an ethanol facility or biodiesel facility. Capacity may be specified as bushels of grain ground or gallons of ethanol or biodiesel produced a year.

(C) An ethanol facility or biodiesel facility eligible for a tax credit under subsection (A) of this section also shall receive a credit against the tax imposed pursuant to this chapter the amount of twenty cents a gallon of ethanol or biodiesel produced in excess of the original name plate design capacity which results from expansion of the facility completed after 2006 and before 2009. The tax credit is allowed for sixty months beginning with the first month for which production from the expanded facility is eligible to receive the tax credit and ending not later than 2014.

(D)(1) Pursuant to this chapter, beginning January 1, 2014, an ethanol facility or biodiesel facility must receive a credit against the tax imposed in the amount of seven and one-half cents a gallon of ethanol, before denaturing, for new production for a period not to exceed thirty-six consecutive months.

(2) For purposes of this subsection, 'new production' means production which results from a new facility, a facility which has not received credits before 2014, or the expansion of the capacity of an existing facility by at least two million gallons first placed into service after 2014, as certified by the design engineer of the facility to the Department of Revenue.

(3) For expansion of the capacity of an existing facility, 'new production' means annual production in excess of twelve times the monthly average of the highest three months of ethanol or biodiesel production at an ethanol or biodiesel facility during the twenty-four-month period immediately preceding certification of the facility by the design engineer.

(4) Credits are not allowed pursuant to this subsection for expansion of the capacity of an existing facility until production is in excess of twelve times the three-month average amount determined pursuant to this subsection during any twelve-consecutive-month period beginning no sooner than January 1, 2014.

(5) The amount of a credit granted pursuant to this section based on new production must be approved by the Department of Revenue based on the ethanol or biodiesel production records as may be necessary to reasonably determine the level of new production.

(E)(1) The credits described in this section are allowed only for ethanol or biodiesel produced at a plant in this State at which all fermentation, distillation, and dehydration takes place. Credit is not allowed for ethanol or biodiesel produced or sold for use in the production of distilled spirits.

(2) Not more than twenty-five million gallons of ethanol or biodiesel produced annually at an ethanol facility or biodiesel facility is eligible for the credits in subsections (A) and (C) of this section, and the credits only may be claimed by a producer for the periods specified in subsections (A) and (C) of this section.

(3) Not more than ten million gallons of ethanol or biodiesel produced during a twelve-consecutive-month period at an ethanol facility or biodiesel facility is eligible for the credit described in subsection (D) of this section, and the credit only may be claimed by a producer for the periods specified in subsection (D) of this section.

(4) Not more than one hundred twenty-five million gallons of ethanol or biodiesel produced at an ethanol facility or biodiesel facility by the end of the sixty-month period set for in subsection (A) or (C) of this section is eligible for the credit under the subsection. An ethanol facility or biodiesel facility which receives a credit for ethanol or biodiesel produced under subsection (A) or (C) of this section may not receive a credit pursuant to subsection (D) of this section until its eligibility to receive a credit under subsection (A) or (C) of this section has been completed.

(F) The Department of Revenue shall prescribe an application form and procedures for claiming credits under this section.

(G) For purposes of ascertaining the correctness of any application for claiming a credit allowed pursuant to this section, the Department of Revenue may examine or cause to have examined, by any agent or representative designated for that purpose, any books, papers, records, or memoranda bearing upon these matters." /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

The committee amendment was adopted.

Senator CAMPSEN proposed the following amendment (BBM\ 9520HTC06):

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

/ SECTION __. A. This section may be cited as the Taxpayer Inflation Protection Act.

B. Section 12-6-520 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 12-6-520. Each December 15, the department shall cumulatively adjust the brackets in Section 12-6-510 in the same manner that brackets are adjusted in Internal Revenue Code Section (1)(f)~~. However, the adjustment is limited to one-half of the adjustment determined by Internal Revenue Code Section (1)(f), may not exceed four percent a year, and~~ but the rounding amount provided in (1)(f)(6) is deemed to be ten dollars. The brackets, as adjusted, apply in lieu of those provided in Section 12-6-510 for taxable years beginning in the succeeding calendar year. ~~Inflation adjustments must be made cumulatively to the income tax brackets.~~"

C. Notwithstanding any other effective date specified in this act, this section takes effect upon approval of this act by the Governor and first applies for income tax brackets applicable for taxable years beginning in 2007. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator CAMPSEN explained the amendment.

H. 4913--Objection

Senator LEATHERMAN objected to further consideration of the Bill.

ADOPTED

H. 4958 (Word version) -- Reps. R. Brown, Whipper, Hagood, Limehouse, Mack, Merrill, Scarborough, Young and Altman: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE BRIDGE THAT CROSSES RANTOWLES CREEK ALONG UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 17 IN CHARLESTON COUNTY THE "HISTORIC ST. PAUL'S PARISH BRIDGE" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS BRIDGE THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "HISTORIC ST. PAUL'S PARISH BRIDGE".

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE ADOPTED

H. 4810--GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL

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

The question then was the adoption of the Report of the Committee of Conference on H. 4810, incorporated herein by reference in Doc. No. P:\Legwork\senate\amend\bbm9552HTC06.

The Report of the Committee of Conference to H. 4810, as contained in Doc. No. P:\Legwork\senate\amend\bbm9552HTC06, was adopted. The report may be accessed at www.scstatehouse.net.

Recorded Vote

Senators RYBERG and BRYANT desired to be recorded as voting against the adoption of the Report of the Committee of Conference to H. 4810.

Statement by Senators RYBERG and BRYANT

We voted against the 2006-2007 Appropriation Act for the simple reason that it grows government spending by 13.5% over the previous year. In fact, recurring spending rises from $5.6 billion to $6.1 billion. In addition, this budget spends approximately $303 million more in non-recurring dollars. This level of spending simply defies any definition of restraint, much less good government. Consequently, no discussion of prioritization of the taxpayers' money occurred. The General Assembly simply spent until the money ran out. While we are grateful that the two-cent reduction in the sales tax on groceries and the two-day sales tax holiday will return money to the taxpayers from the general fund, we cannot tolerate the double-digit rise in government spending. Accordingly, we oppose this budget.

Statement by Senators VERDIN, GROOMS, BRYANT and CAMPSEN

We were disappointed with the Senate Appropriation Resolution, which contained no return of revenue to the taxpayers of South Carolina, and remain disappointed with the Conference Report adopted today. We firmly believe that in this year of dramatic revenue increases; the General Assembly missed a golden opportunity to demonstrate some fiscal restraint by not spending every dollar generated and returning some portion of surplus funds to the taxpayers of South Carolina. Short of a direct return of surplus funds, we preferred a direct appropriation to the transportation infrastructure needs, which are so critical to our State.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has adopted the Report of the Committee of Conference on:

H. 4810--GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL

Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

H. 4810--ENROLLED FOR RATIFICATION

The Report of the Committee of Conference having been adopted by both Houses, ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and the Act enrolled for Ratification.

A message was sent to the House accordingly.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE ADOPTED

H. 4812 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE MONIES FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006.

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

The question then was the adoption of the Report of the Committee of Conference on H. 4812, incorporated herein by reference in Doc. No. P:\Legwork\senate\amend\bbm9551HTC06.

The Report of the Committee of Conference to H. 4810, as contained in Doc. No. P:\Legwork\senate\amend\bbm9551HTC06, was adopted. The report may be accessed at www.scstatehouse.net.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has adopted the report of the Committee of Conference on:

H. 4812 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE MONIES FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

H. 4812--ENROLLED FOR RATIFICATION

The Report of the Committee of Conference having been adopted by both Houses, ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and the Act enrolled for Ratification.

A message was sent to the House accordingly.

RATIFICATION OF ACTS

Pursuant to an invitation the Honorable Speaker and House of Representatives appeared in the Senate Chamber on May 31, 2006, at 3:20 P.M. and the following Acts and Joint Resolution were ratified:

(R349, S. 66 (Word version)) -- Senators Short, Ford, Lourie, Cleary, Malloy and Ryberg: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 44-61-120, AS AMENDED, 44-61-130, AS AMENDED, AND 44-61-330 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, ALL RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO INCLUDE GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PLAN; TO CLARIFY THAT EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS MAY POSSESS CERTAIN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES WHILE ON DUTY; AND TO REQUIRE GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE TO A CHILD SUFFERING FROM A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION.
L:\COUNCIL\ACTS\66AC06.DOC

(R350, S. 103 (Word version)) -- Senators Hayes and Elliott: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 20 TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA DIETETICS LICENSURE ACT" SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA PANEL FOR DIETETICS UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERS, POWERS, AND DUTIES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF PERSONS ENGAGING IN THE PRACTICE OF DIETETICS, INCLUDING ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR LICENSURE AND LICENSE RENEWAL; TO ESTABLISH THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR DIETITIANS; AND TO PROVIDE GROUNDS FOR MISCONDUCT AND PENALTIES FOR MISCONDUCT, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PENALTIES.
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(R351, S. 142 (Word version)) -- Senator Hayes: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-1210 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST'S ASSISTANCE PRACTICE ACT, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS OF "ANESTHESIOLOGIST" AND "SUPERVISING ANESTHESIOLOGIST" BY ADDING THE AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION AS A RECOGNIZED ENTITY FOR APPROVAL OF ANESTHESIOLOGY PROGRAMS AND TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "SPONSORING ANESTHESIOLOGIST" TO FURTHER SPECIFY PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE SPONSORING ANESTHESIOLOGIST ALSO MAY BE THE SUPERVISING ANESTHESIOLOGIST; TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-1240, RELATING TO THE LICENSURE OF ANESTHESIOLOGIST'S ASSISTANTS, SO AS TO ALLOW A BOARD DESIGNEE TO REVIEW AN APPLICANT'S QUALIFICATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-1245, RELATING TO THE PROTOCOL AN ANESTHESIOLOGIST SHALL ADOPT WHEN ACTING AS A SUPERVISING ANESTHESIOLOGIST, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TERM TO A SPONSORING ANESTHESIOLOGIST; TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-1250, RELATING TO SUPERVISION OF ANESTHESIOLOGIST'S ASSISTANTS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE AN ANESTHESIOLOGIST'S ASSISTANT TO BE SUPERVISED BY A SUPERVISING, RATHER THAN A SPONSORING, ANESTHESIOLOGIST; TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-1275, RELATING TO THE PROCEDURE REQUIRED WHEN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN ANESTHESIOLOGIST'S ASSISTANT AND A SUPERVISING ANESTHESIOLOGIST IS TERMINATED, TO CHANGE THE TERM TO A SPONSORING ANESTHESIOLOGIST; AND TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-1295, RELATING TO FEES FOR ANESTHESIOLOGIST'S ASSISTANTS, TO CHANGE THE NAME OF A SUPERVISOR FEE TO A SUPERVISOR SPONSOR FEE.
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(R352, S. 148 (Word version)) -- Senators Campsen and Fair: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-39-112 ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA RELEASED TIME CREDIT ACT" SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MAY AWARD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS NO MORE THAN TWO ELECTIVE CARNEGIE UNITS FOR THE COMPLETION OF RELEASED TIME CLASSES IN RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE RELEASED TIME CLASSES MUST BE EVALUATED ON THE BASIS OF PURELY SECULAR CRITERIA.
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(R353, S. 601 (Word version)) -- Senators Fair, Knotts, Thomas, Verdin, Cromer, O'Dell, Hayes, Land, Bryant, McGill and Alexander: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-8303 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE SHALL DETERMINE THE RELEASE OF JUVENILES ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT FOR A STATUS OFFENSE OR MISDEMEANOR AND THE REVOCATION OF RELEASE FOR JUVENILES WHO HAVE VIOLATED PROBATION FOR THESE OFFENSES AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD OF JUVENILE PAROLE SHALL DETERMINE THE RELEASE AND REVOCATION OF RELEASE OF JUVENILES FOR ALL OTHER OFFENSES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 20-7-6840, 20-7-6910, 20-7-7810, 20-7-7815, AND 20-7-8315 AND SECTIONS 20-7-8320 AND 20-7-8325, BOTH AS AMENDED, AND ALL RELATING TO THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND THE BOARD OF JUVENILE PAROLE, SO AS TO CONFORM THESE SECTIONS TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-8305, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF JUVENILE PAROLE, SO AS TO CONFORM THIS SECTION TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP WRITTEN GUIDELINES FOR THE RELEASE OF JUVENILES FOR WHOM THE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THEIR RELEASE.
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(R354, S. 723 (Word version)) -- Senator Campsen: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 12-24-10 AND 12-24-70, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BOTH RELATING TO RECORDING OF DEEDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN INSTRUMENT ALIENATING REALTY TO THE DISTRIBUTEE OF AN ESTATE IS NOT A DEED REQUIRING A RECORDING FEE OR AN AFFIDAVIT.
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(R355, S. 766 (Word version)) -- Senator Verdin: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 58-23-40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE TRANSPORTATION OF PERSONS OR PROPERTY FOR COMPENSATION ON ANY IMPROVED PUBLIC HIGHWAY OF THIS STATE, SO AS TO PROHIBIT A MOTOR VEHICLE CARRIER FROM ADVERTISING OR HOLDING THE MOTOR CARRIER OUT AS AN OPERATOR FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF PERSONS OR PROPERTY WITHOUT FIRST HAVING OBTAINED A CERTIFICATE FROM THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF; TO AMEND SECTION 58-23-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS RELATING TO REGULATION OF MOTOR CARRIERS, SO AS TO EXTEND THESE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF, TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL FOR CORPORATE OFFICERS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, OR OTHER PERSONS ADVERTISING AS A PASSENGER CARRIER TO VIOLATE OR AID OR ABET A VIOLATION OF MOTOR CARRIER REGULATIONS, TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL FOR CORPORATE OFFICERS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, OR OTHER PERSONS ADVERTISING AS A CARRIER OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS OR HAZARDOUS WASTE FOR DISPOSAL TO VIOLATE OR AID OR ABET A VIOLATION OF THE CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTOR CARRIERS, TO IMPOSE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THESE NEW OFFENSES MUST NOT BE CHARGED MORE THAN ONCE FOR A SINGLE LOAD.
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(R356, S. 910 (Word version)) -- Senators Knotts, Peeler and Ford: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 40-33-39 SO AS TO REQUIRE NURSES TO WEAR AN IDENTIFICATION BADGE; TO AMEND SECTION 40-33-32, RELATING TO NURSING LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO REVISE THE TYPE OF DOCUMENT THAT MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR PROOF OF IDENTITY AND AGE; TO AMEND SECTION 40-33-34, RELATING TO THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE AUTHORIZED FOR VARIOUS LEVELS OF NURSING AND REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN SPECIFIED ACTS OF NURSING, SO AS TO CLARIFY INFORMATION THAT MUST BE PROVIDED BY NURSES WITH PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY WHEN WRITING PRESCRIPTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 40-33-35, RELATING TO LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUT-OF-STATE NURSES, SO AS TO REVISE THE TYPE OF DOCUMENT THAT MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR PROOF OF IDENTITY AND AGE, TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE OF SUCH NURSES WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE NURSING, AND TO CLARIFY WHAT REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET BY SUCH NURSES TO BE LICENSED AS AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE; TO AMEND SECTION 40-33-36, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF NURSING LICENSES, INCLUDING REQUIREMENTS FOR TEMPORARY AND LIMITED LICENSES, SO AS TO ALSO APPLY THESE REQUIREMENTS TO TEMPORARY AND LIMITED LICENSES FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 40-33-40, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCY FOR INITIAL AND RENEWAL LICENSURE, SO AS TO CLARIFY CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AND TO APPLY CERTAIN OF THESE REQUIREMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS SEEKING REINSTATEMENT OF A LAPSED OR INACTIVE STATUS OR LICENSURE OF A PERSON WHO IS AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE OUT-OF-STATE.
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(R357, S. 1032 (Word version)) -- Senator Lourie: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 44-63-100, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DELAYED BIRTH CERTIFICATES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DESIGNATION TO "CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH ESTABLISHED BY COURT ORDER" AND TO FURTHER SPECIFY THE PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING SUCH A CERTIFICATE, INCLUDING REQUIRING ATTACHMENT OF A CERTIFICATION TO THE PETITION FROM THE STATE REGISTRAR OF VITAL STATISTICS STATING THAT NO BIRTH RECORD HAS BEEN LOCATED AND REQUIRING THAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BE INCLUDED IN THE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE RECORD OF BIRTH; AND TO AMEND SECTION 44-63-165, RELATING TO BIRTH CERTIFICATES FOR CHILDREN BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK AND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR INCLUDING AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF PATERNITY, SO AS TO SPECIFY THE STATUTORY LAW UNDER WHICH AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY MUST BE ISSUED WHEN DETERMINED BY THE COURT.
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(R358, S. 1084 (Word version)) -- Senators McConnell, Ritchie, Bryant, Campsen, Ford, Ryberg, Knotts and Alexander: AN ACT TO ENACT THE "UNBORN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE ACT OF 2006" BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-1083, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO COMMITS A VIOLENT CRIME THAT CAUSES THE DEATH OF, OR INJURY TO, A CHILD IN UTERO IS GUILTY OF A SEPARATE OFFENSE AND THAT THE PERSON MUST BE PUNISHED AS IF THE DEATH OR INJURY OCCURRED TO THE UNBORN CHILD'S MOTHER; TO SPECIFY CERTAIN ELEMENTS THAT ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE PROVEN; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PERSON MUST BE PUNISHED FOR MURDER OR ATTEMPTED MURDER IF THE PERSON INTENTIONALLY KILLED OR ATTEMPTED TO KILL THE UNBORN CHILD; TO PROHIBIT IMPOSING THE DEATH PENALTY FOR AN OFFENSE PROSECUTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION; TO PROHIBIT THE PROSECUTION OF A PERSON FOR CONDUCT RELATED TO AN ABORTION IF PROPER CONSENT WAS OBTAINED OR RELATED TO MEDICAL TREATMENT OF A PREGNANT WOMAN OR HER UNBORN CHILD; AND TO PROHIBIT THE PROSECUTION OF A WOMAN WITH RESPECT TO HER UNBORN CHILD.
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(R359, S. 1107 (Word version)) -- Senator Hawkins: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-17-130, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO HIGH SCHOOL COURSES IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE, TO PROVIDE THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT MAY GIVE CREDIT AS A WORLD LANGUAGE TO A PUPIL WHO SATISFACTORILY COMPLETES A HIGH SCHOOL COURSE IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS FOR THESE TEACHERS.
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(R360, S. 1174 (Word version)) -- Senators McConnell and Ford: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 42-3-25, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT FOR THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 42-3-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION, SO AS TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 42-3-50, RELATING TO THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT FOR THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.
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(R361, S. 1243 (Word version)) -- Senators Rankin, Bryant, Peeler, Setzler, Knotts, Land, Williams, Cromer, Hutto, Elliott, Scott, Richardson, Ritchie, Short, Thomas and Ford: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 4 TO CHAPTER 32 OF TITLE 27, RELATING TO VACATION TIME SHARING PLANS SO AS TO ENACT THE "TIME SHARING TRANSACTION PROCEDURES ACT" TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE UNIQUE PROTECTIONS FOR THE PURCHASER OF A TIMESHARE ESTATE IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PREPARATION AND SUPERVISION OF THE CLOSING DOCUMENTS AND THE CLOSING OF A PURCHASE AND SALE OF AN INTEREST IN A VACATION TIME SHARING PLAN, AND TO EXEMPT THE TRANSACTION FROM THE ATTORNEY PREFERENCE REQUIREMENT IN THE CONSUMER PROTECTION CODE IF THE CLOSING DOCUMENTS CONTAIN A CONSPICUOUS DISCLOSURE TO A PARTY TO A PURCHASE AND SALE OF AN INTEREST IN A VACATION TIME SHARING PLAN OF THE NEED TO UNDERSTAND HIS RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS PURSUANT TO THE CLOSING DOCUMENTS AND THIS ARTICLE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 27-32-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN CONNECTION WITH A VACATION TIME SHARING PLAN, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "CONTRACT".
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(R362, S. 1287 (Word version)) -- Senator Verdin: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 56-23-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE LICENSING OF DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOLS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN PERSONS MAY NOT CONDUCT EITHER THE CLASSROOM OR THE BEHIND THE WHEEL TRAINING, OR BOTH UNLESS HE HOLDS A DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOL LICENSE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON MAY HOLD A LICENSE TO TEACH CLASSROOM ONLY OR TO TEACH BEHIND THE WHEEL TRAINING ONLY; TO AMEND SECTION 56-23-40, RELATING TO THE ANNUAL LICENSE FEE FOR A LICENSED DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOL, SO AS TO INCREASE THE FEE, AND TO REQUIRE A LICENSED DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOL TO OBTAIN A CORPORATE SURETY BOND; TO AMEND SECTION 56-23-60, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE OPERATION OF DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOLS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN RECORDS OF ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THESE SCHOOLS MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-23-70, RELATING TO DRIVER INSTRUCTOR QUALIFYING COURSES, SO AS TO REVISE THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE COURSES MUST BE OFFERED DURING A YEAR; TO AMEND SECTION 56-23-80, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY INSTRUCTOR PERMITS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE FEE CHARGED FOR A PERMIT, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MAY AUDIT A TEMPORARY DRIVER INSTRUCTOR'S ACTIVITIES AND INSTRUCTION, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISPOSITION OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF TEMPORARY INSTRUCTOR PERMITS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-23-85, RELATING TO DRIVER INSTRUCTOR PERMITS AND TEMPORARY DRIVER INSTRUCTOR PERMITS, SO AS TO REVISE THE TYPE OF TRAINING A PERSON WHO HOLDS A DRIVER INSTRUCTOR PERMIT OR A TEMPORARY DRIVER INSTRUCTOR PERMIT MAY OFFER, TO PROVIDE THAT PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PAY A FEE FOR A DRIVER INSTRUCTOR PERMIT, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISPOSITION OF THE PROCEEDS OBTAINED FROM THE SALE OF INSTRUCTOR PERMITS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 56-23-100 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MAY PROMULGATE CERTAIN REGULATIONS.
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(R363, S. 1333 (Word version)) -- Senator McConnell: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS RELATING TO STATE RECOGNITION OF NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3043, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976.
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(R364, S. 1346 (Word version)) -- Senator Sheheen: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 48-1-115 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SHALL PROVIDE PUBLIC NOTICE PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FOR A FACILITY THAT STORES SLUDGE OR OTHER RESIDUALS AND THAT IS NOT LOCATED AT THE SITE OF A PERMITTED WASTEWATER OR SLUDGE TREATMENT FACILITY.
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(R365, S. 1356 (Word version)) -- Senator Hutto: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 62-7-405, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CHARITABLE TRUSTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CHARITABLE TRUSTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL UNLESS REQUIRED BY STATUTE, RULE, OR REGULATION.
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(R366, S. 1363 (Word version)) -- Senator Martin: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 35-1-405, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA UNIFORM SECURITIES ACT OF 2005, FEDERAL COVERED INVESTMENT ADVISER NOTICE FILING REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE CORRECT CITATION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 35-1-702, RELATING TO FEES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CORRECT FEE FOR A BROKER-DEALER RENEWAL IS ONE HUNDRED TEN DOLLARS.
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(R367, H. 3740 (Word version)) -- Reps. McGee, Coates, M. Hines, Branham and J. Hines: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 239 OF 1981, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1 IN FLORENCE COUNTY, SO AS TO REAPPORTION THE ELECTION DISTRICTS FROM WHICH TRUSTEES ARE ELECTED; AND TO DESIGNATE A MAP NUMBER FOR THE MAP ON WHICH THESE LINES OF THE ELECTION DISTRICTS FOR TRUSTEES ARE DELINEATED AND MAINTAINED BY THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS OF THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD.
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(R368, H. 3996 (Word version)) -- Reps. Cato, Chellis, Tripp, Scarborough and Clemmons: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 38-90-485 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CREATION OF A PROTECTED CELL DOES NOT CREATE A LEGAL PERSON SEPARATE FROM A SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL CAPTIVE (SPFC); BY ADDING SECTION 38-90-515 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT SECURITIES ISSUED BY A SPFC PURSUANT TO INSURANCE SECURITIZATION MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE INSURANCE OR INSURANCE CONTRACTS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-13-400, RELATING TO THE REPORT REQUIRED TO BE FILED DISCLOSING MATERIAL ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS OR MATERIAL NONRENEWALS, CANCELLATIONS, OR REVISIONS OF CEDED REINSURANCE, SO AS TO REQUIRE HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS DOMICILED IN THIS STATE TO FILE THIS REPORT, TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT A COPY OF THE REPORT MUST BE FILED WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE COMMISSIONERS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION APPLY TO HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-13-410, RELATING TO REPORTING AN INSURER'S ACQUISITIONS OR DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS, SO AS TO ADD HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS TO THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-13-420, RELATING TO REPORTING NONRENEWALS, CANCELLATIONS, OR REVISIONS OF CEDED REINSURANCE AGREEMENTS, SO AS TO ADD HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS TO THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-71-880, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO MEDICAL AND SURGICAL BENEFITS AND MENTAL BENEFITS COVERAGE, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DATE FOR THE APPLICABILITY OF BENEFITS FOR SERVICES FURNISHED; TO AMEND SECTION 38-71-1410, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA SMALL EMPLOYER INSURER REINSURANCE PROGRAM, SO AS TO ESTABLISH CODE REFERENCES FOR SELECTING A LICENSED ADMINISTRATOR INSTEAD OF AN ADMINISTERING INSURER; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-220, RELATING TO THE APPROVAL PROCESS FOR INSURANCE RATE LEVEL CHANGES, SO AS TO CHANGE CODE REFERENCES FROM THE ARTICLE TO THE CHAPTER; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-240, RELATING TO RATE FILINGS WHERE THE LINE OF INSURANCE IS DECLARED COMPETITIVE, SO AS TO CHANGE CODE REFERENCES FROM ARTICLE TO CHAPTER; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-260, RELATING TO THE APPROVAL PROCESS FOR INSURANCE RATE LEVEL CHANGES, SO AS TO CHANGE CODE REFERENCES FROM ARTICLE TO CHAPTER; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-270, RELATING TO THE CONSUMER INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF INSURANCE COVERAGE, SO AS TO CHANGE CODE REFERENCES FROM ARTICLE TO CHAPTER; TO AMEND SECTION 38-74-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO ELIGIBILITY FOR COVERAGE UNDER THE SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTH INSURANCE POOL, SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE COVERAGE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE AGE OF SIXTY-FIVE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-74-60, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO COVERAGE UNDER THE POOL'S MAJOR EXPENSE PROVISIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE TO AN INDIVIDUAL FOR REASONS OTHER THAN AGE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-77-580, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE REINSURANCE FACILITY, SO AS TO CHANGE THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-40, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CAPITALIZATION AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE TO ISSUE A LICENSE TO A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY IF THE COMPANY PROVIDES THE DIRECTOR WITH EVIDENCE OF MINIMUM REQUIRED UNIMPAIRED PAID-IN CAPITAL; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-50, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO FREE SURPLUS REQUIREMENTS FOR A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE TO ISSUE A LICENSE TO A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY CONDITIONED ON EVIDENCE OF MINIMUM REQUIRED FREE SURPLUS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-100, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPLICABILITY OF INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ASSOCIATION CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY AND AN INDUSTRIAL INSURED CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO AS TO CHANGE A REFERENCE FROM AN INDUSTRIAL INSURED CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY TO A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY AND ADD A REFERENCE TO A SPECIAL PURPOSE CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-140, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE TAX REQUIRED TO BE PAID TO THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE BY A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO AS TO CLARIFY ON WHAT THE TAX IS PAYABLE AND ESTABLISH A MAXIMUM TAX; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-175, RELATING TO THE CAPTIVE INSURANCE REGULATORY AND SUPERVISION FUND, SO AS TO INCREASE FROM TEN TO TWENTY PERCENT THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE SHALL TRANSFER INTO THE FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-420, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED REGARDING SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANIES, SO AS TO ADD THE DEFINITIONS OF "ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT", "CONTESTED CASE", AND "THIRD PARTY", AND CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF "INSOLVENCY"; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-430, RELATING TO THE RELATIONSHIP OF ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 90, TITLE 38 (SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL CAPTIVES) TO OTHER TITLE 38 PROVISIONS, SO AS TO ADD A REFERENCE TO A SPFC'S PROTECTED CELL; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-440, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF A SPFC TO TRANSACT BUSINESS IN THIS STATE, SO AS TO CHANGE AND ADD CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-450, RELATING TO ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF A SPFC, SO AS TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT CAPITAL STOCK OF A SPFC MUST BE ISSUED AT NOT LESS THAN PAR VALUE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-480, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PROTECTED CELLS BY A SPFC, SO AS TO CHANGE THE PROCEDURE FOR ESTABLISHING PROTECTED CELLS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-550, RELATING TO A MATERIAL CHANGE OF A SPFC'S PLAN OF OPERATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE A STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS BE FILED IF APPROVED OR REQUIRED RATHER THAN REQUESTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-570, RELATING TO THE EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE ON CESSATION OF BUSINESS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THAT THE DIRECTOR SUSPEND OR REVOKE THE LICENSE OF A SPFC FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 38-90-480(D); TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-600, RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE TO PETITION THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR AN ORDER TO CONSERVE, REHABILITATE, OR LIQUIDATE A SPFC DOMICILED IN THIS STATE FOR CERTAIN GROUNDS, SO AS TO ADD ADDITIONAL GROUNDS; TO AMEND SECTION 38-90-620, RELATING TO STANDARDS AND CRITERIA APPLICABLE IN A CONTESTED CASE BROUGHT BY A THIRD PARTY BASED ON THE DECISION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE INVOLVING A SPFC, SO AS TO MODIFY THE STANDARDS AND CRITERIA; TO AMEND ACT 291 OF 2004, RELATING TO VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO THE INSURANCE LAW, SO AS TO DELAY THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SECTION 38-43-106(H) OF THE 1976 CODE FROM MAY 1, 2006 TO MAY 1, 2010; TO AMEND SECTION 38-75-370, RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA WIND AND HAIL UNDERWRITING ASSOCIATION, SO AS TO REVISE THE PERIOD OF TIME IN WHICH THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION SHALL PARTICIPATE IN ITS WRITINGS, EXPENSES, PROFITS, AND LOSES IN THE PROPORTION THAT THE NET DIRECT PREMIUM OF THE MEMBER WRITTEN IN THIS STATE; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 38-71-120 WHICH PROVIDES CERTAIN HOSPITAL SERVICE DISCOUNTS TO INSURERS.
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(R369, H. 4165 (Word version)) -- Reps. M.A. Pitts, Rhoad, Umphlett, E.H. Pitts, Loftis, Whipper, Witherspoon, Haley, Hardwick, Agnew, Anderson, Vaughn, Mahaffey, Leach, Bales, Clemmons, Cooper, Littlejohn, Owens, Taylor, Weeks, Whitmire, Duncan and Toole: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 50-3-316, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CRITERIA FOR HIRING NATURAL RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, AND TO DELETE PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO THE FUNDING OF THE COMPENSATION OF THESE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
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(R370, H. 4307 (Word version)) -- Rep. Stewart: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-37-2645, SO AS TO INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE FOR PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES THE DEFINITION OF PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLE USED IN THE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSING AND REGISTRATION LAW, INCREASE THE WEIGHT LIMIT FOR PICKUP TRUCKS FOR PURPOSES OF THIS DEFINITION, AND INCLUDE MOTORCYCLES WITHIN THIS INCORPORATED DEFINITION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT AN ANTIQUE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSED WITH THE SPECIAL ANTIQUE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE ALLOWED BY LAW.
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(R371, H. 4312 (Word version)) -- Reps. Merrill, Bailey, Altman, Coates, Brady, Mahaffey, Funderburk, Ballentine, J.E. Smith and Herbkersman: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3377 SO AS TO ALLOW A STATE INCOME TAX CREDIT EQUAL TO TWENTY PERCENT OF CERTAIN NEW HYBRID, FUEL CELL, ALTERNATIVE FUEL, OR LEAN BURN TECHNOLOGY MOTOR VEHICLE CREDITS ALLOWED AGAINST A TAXPAYER'S FEDERAL INCOME TAX LIABILITY.
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(R372, H. 4316 (Word version)) -- Reps. Harrell, Clark, Bailey, Hinson, Harrison, Altman, G.R. Smith, Cotty, Whipper, Taylor, Kirsh, M.A. Pitts, Coates, G.M. Smith, Moody-Lawrence, Toole, Brady, Littlejohn, Sandifer, Mahaffey, McLeod, Funderburk, R. Brown, Haley, Owens, Simrill, Neilson and Bales: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 39-5-145, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PRICE GOUGING DURING A DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY OR DISASTER, SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE ACTS ALSO UPON AN OUT-OF-STATE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY OR DISASTER RESULTING IN ABNORMAL DISRUPTION OF THE MARKET IN CERTAIN COMMODITIES WHEN THIS STATE IS AFFECTED AND TO EXCEPT SEASONAL OR OTHER CUSTOMARY FLUCTUATIONS IN PRICE.
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(R373, H. 4348 (Word version)) -- Reps. Walker, Hinson, McLeod, Limehouse, Bailey and Cobb-Hunter: AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 43, TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO THE DISPOSITION OF HUMAN BODIES, THE UNIFORM ANATOMICAL GIFT ACT, AND POSTMORTEM EXAMINATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN EMBLEM MUST BE EMBEDDED ON A DRIVER'S LICENSE TO DESIGNATE THE LICENSEE AS AN ORGAN OR TISSUE DONOR; TO DELETE PROVISIONS SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING EYE DONATION, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN PROVISIONS RELATING TO TISSUE DONATION AND PROCUREMENT; TO FURTHER SPECIFY THE CLASSES HAVING AUTHORITY TO CONSENT TO ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION FOR A DECEDENT; TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT A BOND MUST BE POSTED WHEN A BODY IS GIVEN FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES; TO PROVIDE THAT A GIFT OR DONATION OF A BODY OR PART OF A BODY IS IRREVOCABLE IF NOT REVOKED BY THE DONOR BEFORE DEATH AND NO OTHER CONSENT IS REQUIRED TO VALIDATE THE GIFT; TO CONFORM REFERENCES TO CURRENT FEDERAL LAW REGARDING ORGAN PROCUREMENT AGENCIES; TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN DEATH IS IMMINENT, OR HAS OCCURRED, NOTIFICATION OF THE ORGAN PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATION MUST BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAW; TO DELETE PROVISIONS REGARDING CERTAIN AGENCIES HAVING AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE CERTAIN ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATIONS; TO REVISE PROCEDURES FOR DEATH RECORD REVIEWERS; AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
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(R374, H. 4404 (Word version)) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 25 TO CHAPTER 31, TITLE 5 SO AS TO REQUIRE MUNICIPALITIES FURNISHING ELECTRICITY OR NATURAL GAS TO THEIR CITIZENS TO ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT AND TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS; BY ADDING ARTICLE 17 TO CHAPTER 11, TITLE 6 SO AS TO REQUIRE SPECIAL PURPOSE AND PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICTS TO ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT AND TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS; BY ADDING ARTICLE 17 TO CHAPTER 49, TITLE 33 SO AS TO REQUIRE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES TO ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT AND TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS; BY ADDING ARTICLE 11 TO CHAPTER 5, TITLE 58 SO AS TO REQUIRE NATURAL GAS UTILITIES TO ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT AND TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS; BY ADDING ARTICLE 21 TO CHAPTER 27, TITLE 58 SO AS TO REQUIRE ELECTRICAL UTILITIES TO ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT AND TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS; AND BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 31, TITLE 58 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT AND TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THIRD-PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS.
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(R375, H. 4485 (Word version)) -- Rep. Littlejohn: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 898 OF 1966, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PACOLET STATION FIRE DISTRICT IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SO AS TO INCREASE THE BORROWING AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF FIRE CONTROL FROM TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
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(R376, H. 4491 (Word version)) -- Rep. Herbkersman: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-3360, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE TARGETED JOBS TAX CREDIT, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "QUALIFYING SERVICE-RELATED FACILITY" WITH RESPECT TO COMPENSATION REQUIREMENTS.
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(R377, H. 4622 (Word version)) -- Reps. Walker, Cato, Harrell, Bingham, Leach, Loftis, Tripp, Cooper, White, Townsend, Bales, Battle and Dantzler: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 38-77-350, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE FORM TO BE USED WHEN OPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COVERAGES ARE OFFERED TO AN INSURED, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE FORM MUST NOT NECESSARILY BE COMPLETED BY THE INSURED, BUT MUST BE SIGNED BY THE INSURED TO BE USED AS EVIDENCE OF INFORMED SELECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 38-55-75, RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, SO AS TO REFER TO INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM STATE, FEDERAL, AND FOREIGN REGULATORY OFFICIALS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 38-77-140, RELATING TO GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF POLICIES COVERING BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICIES ISSUED OR RENEWED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2007.
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(R378, H. 4691 (Word version)) -- Reps. Chellis, Young, Cotty, Ceips, Ott, Sandifer and Whitmire: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 6-1-530 AND 6-1-730, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE USES ALLOWED FOR THE REVENUES OF THE LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS TAX, SO AS TO ALLOW A COUNTY IN WHICH LESS THAN NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR IN STATE ACCOMMODATIONS TAX IS COLLECTED TO USE NOT MORE THAN TWENTY PERCENT OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS TAX AND HOSPITALITY TAX REVENUES FOR THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PURPOSES ALLOWED BY LAW IN COUNTIES MEETING THE NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR THRESHOLD.
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(R379, H. 4800 (Word version)) -- Reps. Bannister, Allen, Cato, Hamilton, Haskins, Leach, Loftis, Rice, F.N. Smith, G.R. Smith, Taylor, Tripp, Vaughn, Skelton, Duncan, Mitchell, Moody-Lawrence, Haley, E.H. Pitts, Martin, Huggins, Anderson, Anthony, Bailey, Ballentine, Battle, Cooper, Hardwick, Harrell, Harrison, Hiott, Limehouse, Mahaffey, Norman, Owens, Perry, Sandifer, Scarborough, Sinclair, W.D. Smith, Stewart, Young and Thompson: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 12-6-3360, AS AMENDED, 12-6-3410, AS AMENDED, AND 12-6-3420, ALL OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING RESPECTIVELY TO THE TARGETED JOBS TAX CREDIT, THE INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR ESTABLISHING OR ADDING TO A CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN THIS STATE, AND THE TAX CREDIT ALLOWED A CORPORATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OR IMPROVEMENT OF AN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT, SO AS TO ALLOW THESE CREDITS TO BE CLAIMED AGAINST THE BANK TAX AND TO MAKE CONFORMING AMENDMENTS; TO FURTHER PROVIDE THAT THE TARGETED JOBS TAX CREDIT IS AVAILABLE TO A TECHNOLOGY INTENSIVE FACILITY USED FOR COMPUTER RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY; TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM THE STATE SALES AND USE TAX, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN COMPUTER EQUIPMENT OF A TAXPAYER WHO MEETS MINIMUM INVESTMENT OR JOB CREATION STANDARDS AND TO EXEMPT THE ELECTRICITY USED BY THAT FACILITY; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-23-20 RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM THE TAX ON THE RESALE OF ELECTRIC POWER, SO AS TO EXEMPT THE ELECTRICITY USED BY A COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY INTENSIVE FACILITY.
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(R380, H. 4889 (Word version)) -- Reps. Bingham, Perry, Bales, G. Brown, Cato, Chellis, Dantzler, Ott, Sandifer, J.E. Smith, Thompson and Tripp: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 56-10-280, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE MINIMUM DURATION OF INSURANCE ISSUED TO MEET MOTOR VEHICLE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE CANCELLATION OF A CONTRACT OR INSURANCE POLICY IF THE INSURED FAILS TO PAY THE PREMIUM FOR THE POLICY OR AN INSTALLMENT OF THE PREMIUM WHEN IT IS DUE AND TO PROVIDE A TIME PERIOD FOR WHICH THE CONTRACT OR POLICY OF INSURANCE MUST REMAIN IN EFFECT.
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(R381, H. 4982 (Word version)) -- Rep. G.M. Smith: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF A HANDGUN, SO AS TO INCLUDE IN THE EXCEPTIONS TO THE OFFENSE RESERVE POLICE OFFICERS OF A STATE AGENCY; TO AMEND SECTION 23-28-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO TRAINING COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR RESERVE UNITS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ADDITIONAL TRAINING MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY THE ENTITY HAVING A RESERVE UNIT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-23-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE UNLAWFUL SALE OR DELIVERY OF A HANDGUN, SO AS TO DELETE THE TERM "HANDGUN" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "FIREARM".
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(R382, H. 5064 (Word version)) -- Reps. J.E. Smith, Cotty, Rutherford, J.H. Neal, Brady, Bales, Harrison and Ballentine: AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE RICHLAND COUNTY RECREATION COMMISSION TO LEVY AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES UPON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT FOR OPERATING OR CAPITAL PURPOSES AND TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OR REVENUE BONDS OF THE DISTRICT IS DELETED, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THIS AUTHORITY IS TRANSFERRED TO AND RESTS SOLELY WITH THE RICHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.
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(R383, H. 5143 (Word version)) -- Reps. McGee, Coates, Branham and J. Hines: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 239 OF 1981, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1 BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF FLORENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1 ELECTED FROM SEATS 3, 6, AND 9 AT THE MAY 2006 ELECTION SHALL SERVE FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2010, AFTER THEIR SUCCESSORS ELECTED AT THE NOVEMBER 2010 ELECTION QUALIFY AND TAKE OFFICE.
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THE CALL OF THE UNCONTESTED CALENDAR HAVING BEEN COMPLETED, THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO THE MOTION PERIOD.

MOTION TO RECONSIDER ADOPTED

Having voted on the prevailing side, Senator MALLOY moved to reconsider the vote whereby the Report of the Committee of Conference was not adopted.

The motion to reconsider was adopted.

MOTION ADOPTED

On motion of Senator MARTIN, the Senate agreed to dispense with the Motion Period.

HAVING DISPENSED WITH THE MOTION PERIOD, THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO A CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS OF COMMITTEES OF CONFERENCE AND FREE CONFERENCE.

S. 572--REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE ADOPTED

S. 572 (Word version) -- Senators Leatherman and Setzler: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-25 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSOLIDATED PROCUREMENT CODE SUPERSEDES ANY OTHER CONFLICTING LAW; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-3850 SO AS TO REDESIGNATE THE FORMER SECTION 11-35-4020 PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF UNSERVICEABLE MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT BY A GOVERNMENTAL BODY; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-4420 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER AND THE AFFECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL BODY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN MATTERS PENDING BEFORE OR APPEALED FROM THE PROCUREMENT REVIEW PANEL; TO AMEND SECTIONS 11-35-40, 11-35-45, 11-35-210, 11-35-310, 11-35-410, 11-35-450, 11-35-510, 11-35-540, 11-35-710, 11-35-810, 11-35-820, 11-35-830, 11-35-845, 11-35-1030, 11-35-1210, 11-35-1220, 11-35-1230, 11-35-1240, 11-35-1410, 11-35-1510, 11-35-1520, ALL AS AMENDED, SECTIONS 11-35-1525 AND 11-35-1528; AND SECTIONS 11-35-1530, 11-35-1550, 11-35-1560, 11-35-1575, 11-35-1825, 11-35-2010, 11-35-2030, 11-35-2210, 11-35-2410, 11-35-2440, 11-35-2710, 11-35-2720, 11-35-3020, 11-35-3030, 11-35-3040, 11-35-3060, 11-35-3220, 11-35-3230, 11-35-3240, 11-35-3245, 11-35-3410, 11-35-3510, 11-35-3820, 11-35-3840, 11-35-4210, 11-35-4220, 11-35-4230, 11-35-4340, 11-35-4410, 11-35-5220, 11-35-5230, 11-35-5240, 11-35-5260, AND 11-35-5270, ALL AS AMENDED, ALL RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSOLIDATED PROCUREMENT CODE, SO AS TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, DELETE REFERENCES TO THE OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES OR DIVISION OF GENERAL SERVICES OF THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD AND REPLACE THEM WITH THE TERMS "CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER", "DESIGNATED BOARD OFFICE", OR "DESIGNATED BOARD OFFICER", AND TO PROVIDE, FURTHER THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD DESIGNATE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICE OR SUBDIVISION OF THE BOARD OR OFFICER OR POSITION OF THE BOARD; TO REPLACE REFERENCES OF PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR "GOODS AND SERVICES" WITH "SUPPLIES, SERVICES, AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY", REFINE AND CONFORM VARIOUS COMPETITIVE BIDDING MODES, TO INCREASE MAXIMUM DOLLAR THRESHOLDS IN SEVERAL INSTANCES, TO REDUCE THE POTENTIAL BIDDERS TO BE RANKED IN CERTAIN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS FROM FIVE TO THREE, TO REDUCE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT ALLOWING WAIVER OF A BOND AND SECURITY, AND TO ADJUST SMALL PURCHASE THRESHHOLDS AND AGENCY BASELINE CERTIFICATION; TO PROVIDE THAT A GOVERNMENTAL BODY HAVE A GOAL THAT TEN PERCENT OF ITS TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT OF PROCUREMENT FUNDS EXPENDED BE WITH A MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AND TO INCREASE THE TAX CREDIT FOR DEALING WITH AN MBE TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ANNUALLY OVER TEN YEARS; TO SHORTEN THE PROTEST DEADLINE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER AND AN AFFECTED GOVERNMENTAL BODY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN A REVIEW OR APPEAL OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE OR LEGAL DECISION MADE PURSUANT TO THE PROCUREMENT CODE; TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-3350, RELATING TO TAX CREDITS FOR STATE CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS WITH MINORITY FIRMS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE CREDIT TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ANNUALLY FOR TEN YEARS; AND TO REPEAL SUBARTICLE 11 OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 35, TITLE 11 RELATING TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS IN KIND OF ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES BY A GOVERNMENTAL BODY; SECTION 11-35-1270, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT FOR CERTAIN SERVICES, AND SUBARTICLE 5 OF ARTICLE 15, CHAPTER 35, TITLE 11 RELATING TO THE CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF LAW.

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

Senator SETZLER spoke on the report.

On motion of Senator SETZLER, the Report of the Committee of Conference to S. 572 was adopted as follows:

S. 572--Conference Report
The General Assembly, Columbia, S.C., May 31, 2006

The Committee of Conference, to whom was referred P:\LEGWORK\SENATE\AMEND\AGM\18590MM06.DOC):

S. 572 (Word version) -- Senators Leatherman and Setzler: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-25 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSOLIDATED PROCUREMENT CODE SUPERSEDES ANY OTHER CONFLICTING LAW; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-3850 SO AS TO REDESIGNATE THE FORMER SECTION 11-35-4020 PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF UNSERVICEABLE MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT BY A GOVERNMENTAL BODY; BY ADDING SECTION 11-35-4420 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER AND THE AFFECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL BODY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN MATTERS PENDING BEFORE OR APPEALED FROM THE PROCUREMENT REVIEW PANEL; TO AMEND SECTIONS 11-35-40, 11-35-45, 11-35-210, 11-35-310, 11-35-410, 11-35-450, 11-35-510, 11-35-540, 11-35-710, 11-35-810, 11-35-820, 11-35-830, 11-35-845, 11-35-1030, 11-35-1210, 11-35-1220, 11-35-1230, 11-35-1240, 11-35-1410, 11-35-1510, 11-35-1520, ALL AS AMENDED; SECTIONS 11-35-1525 AND 11-35-1528; AND SECTIONS 11-35-1530, 11-35-1550, 11-35-1560, 11-35-1575, 11-35-1825, 11-35-2010, 11-35-2030, 11-35-2210, 11-35-2410, 11-35-2440, 11-35-2710, 11-35-2720, 11-35-3020, 11-35-3030, 11-35-3040, 11-35-3060, 11-35-3220, 11-35-3230, 11-35-3240, 11-35-3245, 11-35-3410, 11-35-3510, 11-35-3820, 11-35-3840, 11-35-4210, 11-35-4220, 11-35-4230, 11-35-4330, 11-35-4410, 11-35-5220, 11-35-5230, 11-35-5240, 11-35-5260, AND 11-35-5270, ALL AS AMENDED, ALL RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSOLIDATED PROCUREMENT CODE, SO AS TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, DELETE REFERENCES TO THE OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES OR DIVISION OF GENERAL SERVICES OF THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD AND REPLACE THEM WITH THE TERMS "CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER", "DESIGNATED BOARD OFFICE", OR "DESIGNATED BOARD OFFICER", AND TO PROVIDE, FURTHER THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD DESIGNATE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICE OR SUBDIVISION OF THE BOARD OR OFFICER OR POSITION OF THE BOARD; TO REPLACE REFERENCES OF PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR "GOODS AND SERVICES" WITH "SUPPLIES, SERVICES, AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY", REFINE AND CONFORM VARIOUS COMPETITIVE BIDDING MODES, TO INCREASE MAXIMUM DOLLAR THRESHOLDS IN SEVERAL INSTANCES, TO REDUCE THE POTENTIAL BIDDERS TO BE RANKED IN CERTAIN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS FROM FIVE TO THREE, TO REDUCE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT ALLOWING WAIVER OF A BOND AND SECURITY, AND TO ADJUST SMALL PURCHASE THRESHHOLDS AND AGENCY BASELINE CERTIFICATION; TO PROVIDE THAT A GOVERNMENTAL BODY HAVE A GOAL THAT TEN PERCENT OF ITS TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT OF PROCUREMENT FUNDS EXPENDED BE WITH A MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AND TO INCREASE THE TAX CREDIT FOR DEALING WITH AN MBE TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ANNUALLY OVER TEN YEARS; TO SHORTEN THE PROTEST DEADLINE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER AND AN AFFECTED GOVERNMENTAL BODY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN A REVIEW OR APPEAL OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE OR LEGAL DECISION MADE PURSUANT TO THE PROCUREMENT CODE; TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-3350, RELATING TO TAX CREDITS FOR STATE CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS WITH MINORITY FIRMS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE CREDIT TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ANNUALLY FOR TEN YEARS; AND TO REPEAL SUBARTICLE 11 OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 35, TITLE 11 RELATING TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS IN KIND OF ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES BY A GOVERNMENTAL BODY, SECTION 11-35-1270, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT FOR CERTAIN SERVICES, AND SUBARTICLE 5 OF ARTICLE 15, CHAPTER 35, TITLE 11 RELATING TO THE CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF LAW.

Beg leave to report that they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend:

That the same do pass with the following amendments:

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

/ SECTION 1. Article 1, Chapter 35, Title 11 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 11-35-25. If this code applies to a procurement, the provisions of this code supersede all laws or parts of laws in conflict with it to the extent of the conflict including, but not limited to, the principles of law and equity, the common law, and the Uniform Commercial Code of this State."

SECTION 2. Subarticle 3, Article 15, Chapter 35, Title 11 of the 1976 Code, is amended by adding:

"Section 11-35-3850. Governmental bodies approved by the board may sell any supplies owned by it after ~~such~~ the supplies have become entirely unserviceable and can properly be classified as 'junk', in accordance with procedures established by the ~~Office of General Services~~ designated board office. All sales of unserviceable supplies by the governmental body ~~shall~~ must be made in public to the highest bidder, after advertising for fifteen days, and the funds from ~~such~~ the sales ~~shall~~ must be credited to the account of the governmental body owning and disposing of ~~such~~ the unserviceable supplies."

SECTION 3. Subarticle 3, Article 17, Chapter 35, Title 11 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 11-35-4420. The appropriate chief procurement officer and an affected governmental body shall have the opportunity to participate fully as a party in a matter pending before the Procurement Review Panel and in an appeal of a decision of the Procurement Review Panel, whether administrative or judicial."

SECTION 4. Section 11-35-40(2) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"(2) Application to State Procurement. This code ~~shall apply~~ applies to every procurement or expenditure of funds by this State under contract acting through a governmental body as herein defined irrespective of the source of the funds, including federal assistance monies, except as specified in Section 11-35-40(3) (Compliance with Federal Requirements) and except that this code does not apply to gifts, to the issuance of grants, or to contracts between public procurement units, except as provided in Article 19 (Intergovernmental Relations). It shall also apply to the disposal of state supplies as provided in Article 15 (Supply Management). ~~The provisions of this code shall apply to all procurements of information technology elements by any governmental body, irrespective of the source funds whether appropriated or not.~~"

SECTION 5. Section 11-35-45(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"(A) All vouchers for payment of purchases of ~~goods or~~ services, supplies, or information technology ~~shall~~ must be delivered to the Comptroller General's office within thirty work days from acceptance of the goods or services and proper invoice. After the thirtieth work day, following acceptance or the postmark on the invoice, the Comptroller General shall levy an amount not to exceed fifteen percent ~~per annum~~ each year from the funds available to the agency, ~~such~~ this amount to be applied to the unpaid balance to be remitted to the vendor unless the vendor waives imposition of the interest penalty."

SECTION 6. Section 11-35-210 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-210. Written determinations ~~and findings~~ expressly required by the code or regulations ~~shall~~ must be retained in an official contract file of the governmental body administering the contract. ~~Such~~ These determinations ~~shall~~ must be documented in sufficient detail to satisfy the requirements of audit as provided ~~for~~ in Section 11-35-1230."

SECTION 7. Section 11-35-310(8), (17), (19), (20), (24), (28), (35), and (36) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 356 of 2002, is further amended to read:

"(8) 'Contract' means all types of state agreements, regardless of what they may be called, for the procurement or disposal of supplies, services, information technology, or construction.

(17) ~~'General Services' means the Office of the Budget and Control Board.~~ (Reserved)

(19) 'Grant' means the furnishing by the State or the United States government of assistance, whether financial or otherwise, to ~~any~~ a person to support a program authorized by law. It does not include an award, the primary purpose of which is to procure specified end products, whether in the form of supplies, services, information technology, or construction. A contract resulting from such an award ~~shall~~ must not be ~~deemed~~ considered a grant but a procurement contract.

(20) 'Invitation for bids' means a written or published solicitation issued by an authorized procurement officer for bids to contract for the procurement or disposal of stated supplies, services, information technology, or construction, which will ordinarily result in the award of the contract to the responsible bidder making the lowest responsive bid.

(24) 'Procurement' means buying, purchasing, renting, leasing, or otherwise acquiring any supplies, services, information technology, or construction. It also includes all functions that pertain to the obtaining of any supply, service, or construction, including description of requirements, selection, and solicitation of sources, preparation and award of contracts, and all phases of contract administration.

(28) 'Request for proposals (RFP)' means a written or published solicitation issued by an authorized procurement officer for proposals to provide supplies, or services, information technology, or construction which ordinarily result in the award of the contract to the responsible bidder making the proposal determined to be most advantageous to the State. The award of the contract must be made on the basis of evaluation factors ~~which~~ that must be stated in the RFP.

(35) 'Term contract' means ~~a contract~~ contracts established by the chief procurement officer for a specific ~~product or service~~ supplies, services, or information technology for a specified time and for which it is mandatory that all governmental bodies procure their requirements ~~for the goods and services~~ during its term. ~~If a governmental body~~ As provided in the solicitation, if a public procurement unit is offered ~~goods and services~~ the same supplies, services, or information technology at a price that is at least ten percent less than the term contract price ~~for the same goods or services~~, it may purchase from the vendor offering the lower price after first offering the vendor holding the term contract the option to meet the lower price. The solicitation used to establish the term contract must specify contract terms applicable to a purchase from the vendor offering the lower price. If the vendor holding the term contract meets the lower price, then the governmental body ~~must~~ shall purchase from the contract vendor. All decisions to purchase from the vendor offering the lower price must be documented by the procurement officer in sufficient detail to satisfy the requirements of an external audit. A term contract may be a multi-term contract as provided in Section 11-35-2030.

(36) 'Using agency' means any governmental body of the State which utilizes any supplies, services, information technology, or construction purchased under this code."

SECTION 8. Section 11-35-310 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 356 of 2002, is further amended by adding:

"(37) 'Designated board office' and 'Designated board officer' means the office or officer designated in accordance with Section 11-35-540(5)."

SECTION 9. Section 11-35-410 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-410. (A) Procurement information ~~shall~~ must be a public record to the extent required by Chapter 4 of Title 30 (The Freedom of Information Act) with the exception that commercial or financial information obtained in response to a 'request for proposals' or any type of bid solicitation ~~which~~ that is privileged and confidential need not be disclosed.

(B) Privileged and confidential information is information in specific detail not customarily released to the general public, the release of which might cause harm to the competitive position of the party supplying the information. Examples of this type of information ~~would~~ include:

(1) customer lists;

(2) design recommendations and identification of prospective problem areas under an RFP;

(3) design concepts, including methods and procedures;

(4) biographical data on key employees of the bidder.

(C) For all documents submitted in response or with regard to a solicitation or other request, the documents need not be disclosed if an award is not made.

(D) Evaluative documents predecisional in nature such as inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda containing technical evaluations and recommendations are exempted so long as the contract award does not expressly adopt or incorporate the inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda reflecting the predecisional deliberations.

(E) At the time of submitting a proposal or bid, the party supplying a bid or proposal must identify any portions of the proposal or bid considered by the party to be a trade secret and thus eligible to be withheld from public inspection and copying. If the information identified by the party is a trade secret, as defined in Section 30-4-40(a)(1), it may be withheld from public inspection and copying. If the party fails to identify information as a trade secret, the entire bid or proposal is to be made available for public inspection and copying. For all documents submitted in response or with regard to any solicitation or other request, the person submitting the documents shall comply with instructions provided in the solicitation for marking information exempt from public disclosure. Information not marked as required by the applicable instructions may be disclosed to the public."

SECTION 10. The first paragraph of Section 11-35-450(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"The purchase of furniture, floor coverings, wall coverings, or ~~any~~ other decorative or ornamental item by a governmental body ~~for at least one of the following uses~~ must be reported to the governing board, commission, or council of the respective governmental body before the purchase, when the cost of the furniture, covering, or item exceeds ~~five hundred~~ one thousand dollars~~, before the purchase~~ and it is to be used in:

(1) an office or adjoining reception area utilized by an agency director or assistant agency director; or

(2) a board room or a conference room used as a board room."

SECTION 11. Section 11-35-510 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-510. All rights, powers, duties, and authority relating to the procurement of supplies, services, and information technology and to the management, control, warehousing, sale and disposal of supplies, construction, information technology, and services now vested in or exercised by ~~any~~ a state governmental body ~~under~~ pursuant to the provisions of law relating thereto, and regardless of source of funding, are hereby vested in the ~~Office of General Services~~ appropriate chief procurement officer. This vesting of authority ~~shall be~~ is subject to Sections 11-35-710 (Exemptions), 11-35-1250 (Authority to Contract for Auditing Services), 11-35-1260 (Authority to Contract for Legal Services), ~~11-35-1270 (Authority to Contract for Certain Services),~~ Section 11-35-1550 (Small Purchases), Section 11-35-1570 (Emergency Procurements), 11-35-3230 (Exception for Small Architect-Engineer, and Land Surveying Services Contracts), and Section 11-35-3620 (Management of Warehouses and Inventory)."

SECTION 12. Section 11-35-540 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-540. (1) Authority to Promulgate Regulations. Except as otherwise provided in this code, the board ~~shall have the authority and responsibility to~~ may promulgate regulations, consistent with this code, governing the procurement, management, control, and disposal of ~~any and~~ all supplies, services, information technology, and construction to be procured by the State. ~~Such~~ These regulations ~~shall be~~ are binding in all procurements made by the State.

(2) Nondelegation. The board ~~shall~~ may not delegate its power to promulgate regulations.

(3) Approval of Operational Procedures. Governmental bodies shall ~~be authorized to~~ develop internal operational procedures consistent with this code; ~~provided~~ except, that ~~such~~ the operational procedures ~~shall~~ must be ~~certified~~ approved in writing by the appropriate chief procurement officer ~~as being consistent with this chapter~~. The operational procedures must be consistent with this chapter. Operational procedures adopted pursuant to this chapter are exempt from the requirements of Section 1-23-140.

(4) The board ~~as a whole or acting through its procurement policy committee~~ shall consider and decide matters of policy within the provisions of this code including those referred to it by the chief procurement officers. The board ~~shall have~~ has the power to audit and monitor the implementation of its regulations and the requirements of this code.

(5) For every reference in this code to a 'designated board office', the chief executive officer of the board shall designate the office or other subdivision of the board that is responsible for the referenced statutory role. For every reference in this code to a 'designated board officer', the chief executive officer of the board shall designate the board officer or other board position that is responsible for the referenced statutory role. More than one office or officer may be designated for any referenced statutory role. All designations pursuant to this subparagraph must be submitted in writing to the chief procurement officers."

SECTION 13. Section 11-35-710 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 264 of 2000, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-710. The board, upon the recommendation of the ~~Office of General Services~~ designated board office, may exempt governmental bodies from purchasing certain items through the respective chief procurement officer's area of responsibility. The board may exempt specific supplies, or services, information technology, or construction from the purchasing procedures required in this ~~section~~ chapter and for just cause by unanimous written decision limit or may withdraw exemptions provided for in this section. The following exemptions are granted in from this chapter:

(1) the construction, maintenance, and repair of bridges, highways, and roads; vehicle and road equipment maintenance and repair; and ~~any~~ other ~~emergency type~~ emergency-type parts or equipment utilized by the Department of Transportation or the Department of Public Safety;

(2) the purchase of raw materials by the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Division of Prison Industries;

(3) ~~S.C.~~ South Carolina State Ports Authority;

(4) Division of Public Railways of the Department of Commerce;

(5) ~~S.C.~~ South Carolina Public Service Authority;

(6) expenditure of funds at state institutions of higher learning derived wholly from athletic or other student contests, from the activities of student organizations, and from the operation of canteens and bookstores, except as the funds are used for the procurement of construction, architect-engineer, construction-management, and land surveying services;

(7) livestock, feed, and veterinary supplies;

(8) articles for commercial sale by all governmental bodies;

(9) fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, milk, and eggs;

(10) South Carolina Arts Commission and South Carolina Museum Commission for the purchase of one-of-a-kind items such as paintings, antiques, sculpture, and similar objects. Before ~~any~~ a governmental body procures the objects, the head of the purchasing agency shall prepare a written determination specifying the need for the objects and the benefits to the State. The South Carolina Arts Commission shall review the determination and forward a recommendation to the board for approval;

(11) published books, periodicals, and technical pamphlets;

(12) South Carolina Research Authority;

(13) the purchase of ~~goods, products, and services~~ supplies, services, or information technology by state offices, departments, institutions, agencies, boards, and commissions or the political subdivisions of this State from the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Division of Prison Industries.;

(14) Medical University Hospital Authority, ~~provided~~ if the Medical University Hospital Authority has promulgated a procurement process in accordance with its enabling provision."

SECTION 14. Section 11-35-810 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-810. There is ~~hereby~~ created, within the ~~Office of General Services~~ board, a Materials Management Office to be headed by the Materials Management Officer."

SECTION 15. Section 11-35-820 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-820. There is ~~hereby~~ created within the ~~Office of General Services~~ board, the Information Technology Management Office to be headed by the Information Technology Management Officer. All procurements involving information technology, and any pre-procurement and post-procurement activities in this area, ~~shall~~ must be conducted in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the board, except as otherwise provided ~~for~~ in this code by specific reference to the Information Technology Management Office."

SECTION 16. Section 11-35-830 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-830. There is ~~hereby~~ created within the ~~Office of General Services~~ board, the State Engineer's Office to be headed by the State Engineer. All procurements involving construction, architectural and engineering, construction management, and land surveying services, as defined in Section 11-35-2910, and any pre-procurement and post-procurement activities in this area, ~~shall~~ must be conducted in accordance with the 'Manual for Planning and Execution of State Permanent Improvements' and with any regulations promulgated by the board, ~~except as~~ unless otherwise provided ~~for~~ in this code by specific reference to the State Engineer's Office."

SECTION 17. Section 11-35-845 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-845. Each agency of state government that has total management capability as defined and certified by the ~~Office of General Services shall~~ State Engineer's Office must be allowed to oversee the administration of ~~permanent improvement~~ construction projects with the State Engineer's Office serving as an audit function. The State Engineer's Office shall assist those small agencies who do not have the necessary expertise in permanent improvements."

SECTION 18. Section 11-35-1030 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-1030. The ~~Office of General Services~~ chief procurement officers ~~shall~~ develop a system of training for procurement in accordance with regulations by the board. ~~Such~~ The training ~~shall~~ must encompass the latest techniques and methods of public procurement. If ~~deemed~~ considered appropriate by the ~~Office of General Services~~ chief procurement officers, ~~such~~ the training ~~shall~~ must include a requirement for the certification of the procurement officer of each purchasing agency."

SECTION 19. Section 11-35-1210(1) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"(1) Authority. The board may assign differential dollar limits below which individual governmental bodies may make direct procurements not under term contracts. The ~~Office of General Services~~ designated board office shall review the respective governmental body's internal procurement operation, shall certify in writing that it is consistent with the provisions of this code and the ensuing regulations, and recommend to the board those dollar limits for the respective governmental body's procurement not under term contract."

SECTION 20. Section 11-35-1220 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-1220. The ~~Office of General Services shall~~ chief procurement officers are authorized to prepare statistical data concerning the procurement, use, and disposition of all supplies, services, information technology, and construction. All using agencies shall furnish ~~such~~ these reports as the ~~Office of General Services~~ chief procurement officers may require concerning use, needs, and stocks on hand, and the chief procurement officers shall prescribe forms to be used by the using agencies in requisitioning, ordering, and reporting supplies, services, information technology, and construction. The chief procurement officers shall limit requests for information to those items necessary for the effective operation of the purchasing system, but using agencies ~~shall~~ must be required to provide information as requested."

SECTION 21. Section 11-35-1230(1) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"(1) The ~~Office of General Services~~ designated board office, through consultation with the chief procurement officers, shall develop written plans for the auditing of state procurements.

In procurement audits of governmental bodies thereafter, the auditors from the ~~Office of General Services~~ designated board office shall review the adequacy of the system's internal controls in order to ensure compliance with the requirement of this code and the ensuing regulations. ~~Any~~ A noncompliance discovered through audit must be transmitted in management letters to the audited governmental body and the Budget and Control Board. The auditors shall provide in writing proposed corrective action to governmental bodies. Based upon audit recommendations of the ~~Office of General Services~~ designated board office, the board may revoke certification as provided ~~for~~ in Section 11-35-1210 and require the governmental body to make all procurements through the ~~office of materials management~~ appropriate chief procurement officer above a dollar limit set by the board, until such time as the board is assured of compliance with this code and its regulations by that governmental body."

SECTION 22. Section 11-35-1240 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-1240. (A) The board shall prescribe administrative penalties for violation of the provisions of this code and of regulations promulgated ~~thereunder~~ under it, excluding those matters under the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission as provided by law.

(B) Violation of these provisions ~~shall be~~ is grounds for loss of or reduction in authority delegated by either the board or this code."

SECTION 23. Section 11-35-1410(2)(c) and (4) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"(c) states prices at which sales are currently or were last made to a significant number of buyers constituting the general buying public for the supplies, or services, or information technology involved.

(4) 'Purchase description' means specifications or ~~any~~ other document describing the supplies, services, information technology, or construction to be procured."

SECTION 24. Section 11-35-1510 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 387 of 2000, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-1510. Unless otherwise provided by law, all state contracts ~~shall~~ must be awarded by competitive sealed bidding, pursuant to Section 11-35-1520, except as provided in:

(1) Section 11-35-1250 (Authority to Contract for Auditing Services);

(2) Section 11-35-1260 (Authority to Contract for Legal Services);

(3) Section 11-35-1525 (Fixed Priced Bidding);

~~(2)~~(4) Section 11-35-1528 (Competitive Best Value Bidding);

~~(3)~~ ~~Section 11-35-1250 (Authority to Contract for Auditing Services);~~

~~(4)~~ ~~Section 11-35-1260 (Authority to Contract for Legal Services);~~

(5) ~~Section 11-35-1270 (Authority to Contract for Certain Services)~~ Section 11-35-1529 (Competitive On-line Bidding);

(6) Section 11-35-1530 (Competitive Sealed Proposals);

(7) Section 11-35-1540 (Negotiations After Unsuccessful Competitive Sealed Bidding);

(8) Section 11-35-1550 (Small Purchases);

(9) Section 11-35-1560 (Sole Source Procurements);

(10) Section 11-35-1570 (Emergency Procurements);

(11) Section 11-35-1575 (~~Procurements at~~ Participation in Auction or Bankruptcy Sale);

(12) ~~Section 11-35-1580 (Procurement of Information Technology);~~ (Reserved)

(13) Section 11-35-3020 (Construction Procurement Procedures);

(14) Section 11-35-3220 (Architect-Engineer, Construction Management and Land Surveying Services Procurement Procedures);

(15) Section 11-35-3230 (Exception for Small Architect-Engineer and Land Surveying Services Contracts)

~~(16)~~ ~~Section 11-35-1529 (Competitive On-line Bidding)~~."

SECTION 25. Section 11-35-1520 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-1520. (1) Condition for Use. Contracts ~~amounting to twenty-five~~ greater than fifty thousand dollars ~~or more shall~~ must be awarded by competitive sealed bidding except as otherwise provided in Section 11-35-1510.

(2) Invitation for Bids. An invitation for bids ~~shall~~ must be issued in an efficient and economical manner and ~~shall~~ must include specifications and all contractual terms and conditions applicable to the procurement.

(3) Notice. Adequate notice of the invitation for bids ~~shall~~ must be given at a reasonable time ~~prior to~~ before the date set forth ~~therein~~ in it for the opening of bids. ~~Such~~ The notice ~~shall~~ must include publications in ~~a newspaper of general circulation in the State such as~~ 'South Carolina Business Opportunities' or ~~through~~ a means of central electronic advertising as approved by the ~~Office of General Services~~ designated board office. Governmental bodies may charge vendors the cost incurred for copying and mailing bid or proposal documents requested in response to a procurement.

(4) Receipt and Safeguarding of Bids. All bids, (including modifications), received ~~prior to~~ before the time of opening ~~shall~~ must be kept secure and unopened, except as provided ~~for~~ by regulation of the board.

(5) Bid Opening. Bids ~~shall~~ must be opened publicly in the presence of one or more witnesses, at the time and place designated in the invitation for bids and in the manner prescribed by regulation of the board. The amount of each bid, and ~~such~~ other relevant information as may be specified by regulation, together with the name of each bidder, ~~shall~~ must be tabulated. The tabulation ~~shall~~ must be open to ~~the~~ public inspection at that time.

(6) Bid Acceptance and Bid Evaluation. Bids ~~shall~~ must be accepted unconditionally without alteration or correction, except as otherwise authorized in this code. The invitation for bids ~~shall~~ must set forth the evaluation criteria to be used. ~~No criteria may~~ Criteria must not be used in bid evaluation that are not ~~set forth~~ in the invitation for bids. Bids ~~shall~~ must be evaluated based on the requirements ~~set forth~~ in the invitation for bids and in accordance with the regulations of the board.

(7) Correction or Withdrawal of Bids; Cancellation of Awards. Correction or withdrawal of inadvertently erroneous bids before bid opening, withdrawal of inadvertently erroneous bids after award, or cancellation and reaward of awards or contracts, after award but ~~prior to~~ before performance, may be permitted in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board. After bid opening, no changes in bid prices or other provisions of bids prejudicial to the interest of the State or fair competition ~~shall~~ must not be permitted. After opening, bids must not be corrected or withdrawn except in accordance with the provisions of this code and the regulations promulgated pursuant to it. Except as otherwise provided by regulation, all decisions to permit the correction or withdrawal of bids, or to cancel awards, or contracts, after award but ~~prior to~~ before performance, ~~shall~~ must be supported by a written determination of appropriateness made by the chief procurement officers or head of a purchasing agency.

(8) Discussion with Bidders. As provided in the invitation for bids, discussions may be conducted with apparent responsive bidders for the purpose of clarification to assure full understanding of the requirements of the invitation for bids. All bids, in the procuring agency's sole judgment, needing clarification ~~shall~~ must be accorded ~~such an~~ that opportunity. Clarification of ~~any~~ a bidder's bid must be documented in writing by the procurement officer and ~~shall~~ must be included with the bid. Documentation concerning the clarification ~~shall~~ must be subject to disclosure upon request as required by Section 11-35-410.

(9) Tie Bids. If two or more bidders are tied in price while otherwise meeting all of the required conditions, awards are determined ~~as follows~~ in the following order of priority:

(a) If there is a South Carolina firm tied with an out-of-state firm, the award must be made automatically to the South Carolina firm.

(b) Tie bids involving South Carolina produced or manufactured products, when known, and items produced or manufactured out of the State must be resolved in favor of the South Carolina commodity.

(c) Tie bids involving a business certified by the South Carolina Office of Small and Minority Business Assistance as a Minority Business Enterprise must be resolved in favor of the Minority Business Enterprise.

(d) Tie bids involving South Carolina firms must be resolved in favor of the South Carolina firm located in the same taxing jurisdiction as the governmental body's consuming location.

~~(d)~~ Tie bids involving South Carolina firms in the same taxing jurisdiction as the governmental body's consuming location must be resolved by the flip of a coin in the office of the chief procurement officer or the head of a purchasing agency or either officer's designee witnessed by all interested parties.

(e) In all other situations ~~where~~ in which bids are tied, the award ~~will~~ must be made ~~by the purchasing agency~~ to the tied bidder offering the quickest delivery time, or if the tied bidders have offered the same delivery time, the tie ~~shall~~ must be resolved by the flip of a coin ~~in the office of the chief procurement officer or the head of a purchasing agency or either officer's designee~~ witnessed by ~~all interested parties~~ the procurement officer. All responding vendors must be invited to attend.

(10) Award. Unless there is a compelling reason to reject bids as prescribed by regulation of the board, notice of an award or an intended award of a contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidders whose bid meets the requirements set forth in the invitation for bids ~~shall~~ must be given by posting ~~such~~ the notice at a location specified in the invitation for bids. For contracts with a total or potential value in excess of fifty thousand dollars but less than one hundred thousand dollars, notice of the award of a contract must be given by posting and must be sent to all bidders responding to the solicitation on the same day that the notice is posted in accordance with this section. For contracts with a total or potential value of one hundred thousand dollars or greater, notice of an intended award of a contract must be given by posting the notice for ten days before entering into a contract and must be sent to all bidders responding to the solicitation on the same day that the notice is posted in accordance with this section. The posting date shall appear on the face of all these notices. ~~Prior to~~ Before the posting of the award, the procuring agency may negotiate with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder to lower his bid within the scope of the invitation for bids. The invitation for bids and ~~the posted notice~~ a notice of award or notice of intent to award must contain a statement of a bidder's right to protest ~~under~~ pursuant to Section 11-35-4210(1) and the date and location of posting must be announced at bid opening. When a contract has a total or potential value in excess of fifty thousand dollars, in addition to the posted notice, notice of an intended award must be given to all bidders responding to the solicitation, except when only one response is received. Such notice must contain a statement of the bidder's right to protest under Section 11-35-4210(1).

When a contract has a total or potential value in excess of fifty thousand dollars, sixteen days after notice is given the agency may enter a contract with the bidder named in the notice in accordance with the provisions of this code and of the bid solicited. When only one response is received, the notice of ~~intended~~ intent to award and the ~~sixteen-day~~ delay of award may be waived. ~~A determination of responsibility must be made before award in accordance with Section 11-35-1810.~~

(11) Request for Qualifications. (a) ~~Prior to~~ Before soliciting bids, ~~the procuring agency, acting through~~ the ~~authorized~~ procurement officer, may issue a request for qualifications from prospective bidders. ~~Such~~ The request ~~shall~~ must contain, at a minimum, a description of the ~~goods or services~~ scope of work to be solicited by the invitation for bids, ~~the general scope of the work,~~ the deadline for submission of information, and how prospective bidders may apply for consideration. The request ~~shall~~ must require information concerning the prospective bidders' product specifications, qualifications, experience, and ability to perform the requirements of the contract. Adequate public notice of the request for qualifications ~~shall~~ must be given in the manner provided in Section 11-35-1520(3). ~~The use of the request for qualifications is subject to the approval of the Office of General Services.~~

(b) After receipt of the responses to the request for qualifications from prospective bidders, the ~~prospective bidders shall be ranked~~ rank of the prospective bidders must be determined in writing from most qualified to least qualified on the basis of the information provided. Bids ~~shall~~ then must be solicited from at least the top two prospective bidders by means of an invitation for bids. ~~The failure of a prospective bidder to be selected to receive the invitation for bids shall not be grounds for protest under Section 11-35-4210.~~ The determination regarding how many bids to solicit is not subject to review under Article 17.

(12) ~~Provisions Not to Apply. The provisions of this section shall not apply to maintenance services for aircraft of the Division of Aeronautics of the Department of Commerce.~~ (Reserved)

(13) Minor Informalities and Irregularities in Bids. A minor informality or irregularity is one which is merely a matter of form or is some immaterial variation from the exact requirements of the invitation for bids having no effect or merely a trivial or negligible effect on total bid price, quality, quantity, or delivery of the supplies or performance of the contract, and the correction or waiver of which would not be prejudicial to bidders. The procurement officer shall either give the bidder an opportunity to cure any deficiency resulting from a minor informality or irregularity in a bid or waive any such deficiency when it is to the advantage of the State. Such communication or determination shall be in writing. Examples of minor informalities or irregularities include, but are not limited to:

(a) failure of a bidder to return the number of copies of signed bids required by the solicitation;

(b) failure of a bidder to furnish the required information concerning the number of the bidder's employees or failure to make a representation concerning its size;

(c) failure of a bidder to sign its bid, but only if the firm submitting the bid has formally adopted or authorized the execution of documents by typewritten, printed, or rubber stamped signature and submits evidence of ~~such~~ that authorization, and the bid carries ~~such a~~ that signature or the unsigned bid is accompanied by other material indicating the bidder's intention to be bound by the unsigned document, such as the submission of a bid guarantee with the bid or a letter signed by the bidder with the bid referring to and identifying the bid itself;

(d) failure of a bidder to acknowledge receipt of an amendment to a solicitation, but only if:

(i) the bid received indicates in some way that the bidder received the amendment, such as where the amendment added another item to the solicitation and the bidder submitted a bid, ~~thereon, provided that~~ on it, if the bidder states under oath that it received the amendment ~~prior to~~ before bidding and that the bidder will stand by its bid price; or,

(ii) the amendment has no effect on price or quantity or merely a trivial or negligible effect on quality or delivery, and is not prejudicial to bidders, such as an amendment correcting a typographical mistake in the name of the governmental body;

(e) failure of a bidder to furnish an affidavit concerning affiliates;

(f) failure of a bidder to execute the certifications with respect to equal opportunity and affirmative action programs;

(g) failure of a bidder to furnish cut sheets or product literature;

(h) failure of a bidder to furnish certificates of insurance;

(i) failure of a bidder to furnish financial statements;

(j) failure of a bidder to furnish references;

(k) failure of a bidder to furnish its bidder number; and

(l) notwithstanding ~~Section 40-11-180~~ Title 40, the failure of a bidder to indicate his contractor's license number or other evidence of licensure, ~~provided that no~~ except that a contract ~~shall~~ must not be awarded to the bidder unless and until the bidder is properly licensed under the laws of South Carolina."

SECTION 26. Section 11-35-1525(2) and (4) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 153 of 1997, is amended to read:

"(2) Fixed Price Bidding. The purpose of fixed price bidding is to provide multiple sources of supply for specific ~~goods or~~ services, supplies, or information technology based on a preset maximum price which the State will pay for such ~~goods or~~ services, supplies, or information technology.

(4) Pricing. The State shall establish, ~~prior to~~ before issuance of the fixed price bid, a maximum amount the State will pay for the ~~goods or~~ services, supplies, or information technology desired."

SECTION 27. Section 11-35-1528(2) and (5) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 153 of 1997, is amended to read:

"(2) Best Value Bidding. The purpose of best value bidding is to allow factors other than price to be considered in the determination of award for specific ~~goods or~~ supplies, services, or information technology based on pre-determined criteria identified by the State.

(5) Evaluation Factors. The best value bid ~~shall~~ must state the factors to be used in determination of award and the numerical weighting for each factor. Cost must be a factor in determination of award and cannot be weighted at less than sixty percent. Best value bid evaluation factors may include, but are not limited to, any of the following as determined by the ~~purchasing agency~~ procurement officer in its sole discretion and not subject to protest:

(a) operational costs ~~that~~ the State would incur if the bid is accepted;

(b) quality of the product or service, or its technical competency;

(d) maximum facilitation of data exchange and systems integration;

(e) warranties, guarantees, and return policy;

(f) vendor financial stability;

(g) consistency of the proposed solution with the state's planning documents and announced strategic program direction;

(h) quality and effectiveness of business solution and approach;

(i) industry and program experience;

(j) prior record of vendor performance;

(k) vendor expertise with engagement of similar scope and complexity;

(l) extent and quality of the proposed participation and acceptance by all user groups;

(m) proven development methodologies and tools; and

(n) innovative use of current technologies and quality results."

SECTION 28. Section 11-35-1530 of the 1976 Code, as amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-1530. (1) Conditions for Use. ~~When~~ If a purchasing agency determines in writing that the use of competitive sealed bidding is either not practicable or not advantageous to the State, a contract may be entered into by competitive sealed proposals subject to the provisions of Section 11-35-1520 and the ensuing regulations, unless otherwise provided ~~for~~ in this section. Subject to the requirements of Section 11-35-3220, the board may provide by regulation that it is either not practicable or not advantageous to the State to procure specified types of supplies, services, information technology, or construction by competitive sealed bidding.

(2) Public Notice. Adequate public notice of the request for proposals ~~shall~~ must be given in the same manner as provided in Section 11-35-1520(3).

(3) Receipt of Proposals. Proposals ~~shall~~ must be opened publicly in accordance with regulations of the board. A tabulation of proposals ~~shall~~ must be prepared in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board and ~~shall~~ must be open for public inspection after contract award.

(4) Request for Qualifications. ~~Prior to~~ (a) Before soliciting proposals, ~~the procuring agency, acting through~~ the ~~authorized~~ procurement officer, may issue a request for qualifications from prospective offerors. ~~Such~~ The request ~~shall~~ must contain at a minimum a description of the ~~goods or services~~ scope of the work to be solicited by the request for proposals ~~and the general scope of the work~~ and ~~shall~~ must state the deadline for submission of information and how prospective offerors may apply for consideration. The request ~~shall~~ must require information only on their qualifications, experience, and ability to perform the requirements of the contract.

(b) After receipt of the responses to the request for qualifications from prospective offerors, ~~the perspective offerors shall be ranked~~ rank of the prospective offerors must be determined in writing from most qualified to least qualified on the basis of the information provided. Proposals ~~shall~~ then must be solicited from at least the top two prospective offerors by means of a request for proposals. ~~The failure of a prospective offeror to be selected to receive the request for proposals shall not be grounds for protest under Section 11-35-4210.~~ The determination regarding how many proposals to solicit is not subject to review pursuant to Article 17.

(5) Evaluation Factors. The request for proposals ~~shall~~ must state the relative importance of the factors to be considered in evaluating proposals but ~~shall~~ may not require a numerical weighting for each factor. Price may, but need not, be an evaluation factor.

(6) Discussion with Offerors. As provided in the request for proposals, and under regulations, discussions may be conducted with ~~apparent responsive~~ offerors who submit proposals determined to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award for the purpose of clarification to assure full understanding ~~of the requirements~~ of, and responsiveness to, the ~~request for proposals~~ solicitation requirements. All offerors, whose proposals, in the ~~procuring agency's~~ procurement officer's sole judgment, need clarification ~~shall~~ must be accorded ~~such an~~ that opportunity.

(7) Selection and Ranking. Proposals ~~shall~~ must be evaluated using only the criteria stated in the request for proposals and there must be adherence to ~~any~~ weightings that have been assigned previously ~~assigned~~. Once evaluation is complete, all responsive offerors ~~shall~~ must be ranked from most advantageous to least advantageous to the State, considering only the evaluation factors stated in the request for proposals. If price is an initial evaluation factor, award ~~shall~~ must be made in accordance with Section 11-35-1530(9) below.

(8) Negotiations. Whether price was an evaluation factor or not, ~~the procuring agency, through~~ the ~~appropriate~~ procurement ~~official~~ officer, ~~may,~~ in ~~its~~ his sole discretion and not subject to ~~challenge through a protest filed under Section 11-35-4210,~~ review under Article 17, may proceed in any of the manners indicated below, except that in no case may confidential information derived from proposals and negotiations submitted by competing offerors be disclosed:

(a) negotiate price with the highest ranked offeror. If a satisfactory price cannot be agreed upon, price negotiations may be conducted, in the sole discretion of the procuring agency, with the second, and then the third, and so on, ranked offerors to such level of ranking as determined by the procuring agency in its sole discretion; or

~~(b)~~ negotiate with the highest ranking offeror on price, on matters affecting the scope of the contract, so long as the ~~overall nature and intent of the contract is not changed~~ changes are within the general scope of the request for proposals, or on both. If a satisfactory contract cannot be negotiated with the highest ranking offeror, negotiations may be conducted, in the sole discretion of the ~~procuring agency~~ procurement officer, with the second, and then the third, and so on, ranked offerors to ~~such~~ the level of ranking as determined by the ~~procuring agency~~ procurement officer in ~~its~~ his sole discretion; or

~~(c)~~(b) during the negotiation process as outlined in ~~subsections (a) and (b)~~ item (a) above, if ~~an agency~~ the procurement officer is unsuccessful in ~~its~~ his first round of negotiations, it he may reopen negotiations with any offeror with whom it he previously negotiated; or

~~(d)~~(c) ~~if, after following the procedures set forth in Section 11-35-1530(8), a contract is not able to be negotiated,~~ the procurement officer may make changes within the general scope of the request for proposals ~~may be changed in an effort to reduce the cost to a fair and reasonable amount,~~ and may provide all responsive offerors ~~must be allowed~~ an opportunity to submit their best and final offers.

~~In conducting negotiations, there must be no disclosure of any confidential information derived from proposals and negotiations submitted by competing offerors.~~

(9) Award. Award must be made to the ~~responsive~~ responsible offeror whose proposal is determined in writing to be the most advantageous to the State, taking into consideration price and the evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposals, unless the ~~procuring agency~~ procurement officer determines to utilize one of the options provided in Section 11-35-1530(8). The contract file ~~shall~~ must contain the basis on which the award is made and must be sufficient to satisfy external audit. Procedures and requirements for the notification of intent to award the contract ~~shall~~ must be the same as those ~~stated~~ provided in Section 11-35-1520(10)."

SECTION 29. Section 11-35-1550 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-1550. Authority. (1) The following small purchase procedures may be utilized only in conducting procurements for governmental bodies that are ~~less than twenty-five~~ up to fifty thousand dollars in actual or potential value. ~~An agency~~ A governmental body may conduct its own procurement ~~under five~~ up to fifty thousand dollars in actual or potential value, and ~~an agency~~ a governmental body that has received procurement certification pursuant to Section 11-35-1210 to handle the type and estimated value of the procurement may conduct the procurement under its own authority in accordance with ~~the procedures prescribed in~~ this ~~section; however, procurement~~ code. Procurement requirements must not be artificially divided by governmental bodies so as to constitute a small purchase ~~under~~ pursuant to this section.

(2) Competition and Price Reasonableness. (a) Purchases not in excess of ~~One~~ two thousand five hundred dollars. Small purchases not exceeding ~~one~~ two thousand five hundred dollars may be accomplished without securing competitive quotations if the prices are considered ~~to be~~ reasonable. The purchasing office ~~shall~~ must annotate the purchase requisition: 'Price is fair and reasonable' and sign. The purchases must be distributed equitably among qualified suppliers. When practical, a quotation must be solicited from other than the previous supplier before placing a repeat order. The administrative cost of verifying the reasonableness of the price of purchase 'not in excess of' may more than offset potential savings in detecting instances of overpricing. Action to verify the reasonableness of the price need be taken only when the procurement officer of the governmental body suspects that the price may not be reasonable, comparison to previous price paid, or personal knowledge of the item involved.

(b) Purchases from one thousand five hundred one dollars to five thousand dollars. Solicitations of verbal or written quotes from a minimum of three qualified sources of supply must be made and documentation of the quotes attached to the purchase requisition. The award shall be made to the lowest responsive and responsible source.

~~(c)~~ Purchases ~~from five~~ over two thousand ~~one~~ five hundred dollars to ten thousand dollars. Solicitation of written quotes from a minimum of three qualified sources of supply must be made and documentation of the quotes attached to the purchase requisition for a small purchase over two thousand five hundred dollars but not in excess of ten thousand dollars. The award must be made to the lowest responsive and responsible sources.

~~(d)~~(c) Purchases ~~from~~ over ten thousand ~~one~~ dollars up to ~~twenty-five~~ fifty thousand dollars. Written solicitation of written quotes, bids, or proposals ~~shall~~ must be made for a small purchase over ten thousand dollars but not in excess of fifty thousand dollars. The procurement must be advertised at least once in the South Carolina Business Opportunities publication or through a means of central electronic advertising as approved by the ~~Office of General Services~~ designated board office. A copy of the written solicitation and written quotes must be attached to the purchase requisition. The award ~~shall~~ must be made to the lowest responsive and responsible source or, when a request for proposal process is used, the highest ranking offeror.

(3) ~~Protest rights. The provisions of Section 11-35-4210 do not apply to contracts awarded under the procedures set forth in this section.~~

~~(4)~~ All competitive procurements above ~~twenty-five~~ ten thousand dollars must be advertised at least once in the South Carolina Business Opportunities publication or through a means of central electronic advertising as approved by the ~~Office of General~~ ~~Services~~ designated board office. Governmental bodies may charge vendors the cost incurred for copying and mailing bid or proposal documents requested in response to a procurement ~~advertised in the "South Carolina Business Opportunities" publication~~.

(4) The Division of Aeronautics of the Department of Commerce may act as its own purchasing agency for all procurements of maintenance services for aircraft and these procurements may be conducted pursuant to Section 11-35-1550(2)(b)."

SECTION 30. Section 11-35-1560 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-1560. (A) A contract may be awarded for a supply, service, information technology, or construction item without competition ~~when~~ if, under regulations promulgated by the board, the chief procurement officer, the head of a purchasing agency, or a designee of either officer, above the level of the procurement officer, determines in writing that there is only one source for the required supply, service, information technology, or construction item.

(B) These regulations must include the requirements contained in this paragraph. Written documentation must include the determination and basis for the proposed sole source procurement. ~~Any~~ A delegation of authority by either the chief procurement officer or the head of a governmental body with respect to sole source determinations must be submitted in writing to the Materials Management Officer. In cases of reasonable doubt, competition must be solicited. Any decision by a governmental body that a procurement be restricted to one potential vendor must be accompanied by an explanation as to why no other will be suitable or acceptable to meet the need.

(C) ~~Any~~ A violation of these regulations by a purchasing agency ~~shall~~, upon recommendation of the ~~Office of General Services~~ designated board office with approval of the majority of the Budget and Control Board, must result in the temporary suspension, not to exceed one year, of the violating ~~agency's~~ governmental body's ability to procure supplies, services, information technology, or construction items ~~under~~ pursuant to this section."

SECTION 31. Section 11-35-1575 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 153 of 1997, is amended to read:

"Section 11-35-1575. A governmental body having knowledge of either an auction or a sale of supplies from a bankruptcy may elect to participate. The governmental body shall (a) survey the needed items being offered ~~at auction~~ to ascertain their condition and usefulness, (b) determine a fair market value for new like items through informal quotes, (c) determine the fair market value from similar items considering age and useful life, and (d) estimated repair cost and delivery cost, if any, of the desired items. Using this information, the governmental body shall determine the maximum price that it can pay for each item desired. At the auction or sale, the governmental body shall not exceed the maximum price so determined."

SECTION 32. RESERVED.

SECTION 33. Section 11-35-1825 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-1825. The State Engineer's Office shall develop a procedure and a list of criteria for ~~pre-qualifying~~ prequalifying construction bidders and sub-bidders. The criteria ~~shall~~ must include, but not be limited to, prior performance, recent past references on all aspects of performance, financial stability, and experience on similar construction projects. A governmental body may use the prequalification process only for projects where the construction involved is unique in nature or over ten million dollars in value as determined by and subject to the approval of the State Engineer's Office. All prequalification projects ~~shall~~ must be under the supervision of the State Engineer's Office~~, unless the project falls within the governmental body's procurement certification limits~~.

When the prequalification process is employed, only those bidders or sub-bidders who are prequalified through this procedure ~~are entitled to~~ may submit a bid for the project. The determination of which bidders and sub-bidders are prequalified, and ~~thereby~~ entitled to bid, is not protestable ~~under~~ pursuant to Section 11-35-4210 or ~~any~~ other provision of this code."

SECTION 34. Section 11-35-2010 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 153 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 11-35-2010. (1) Types of Contracts. Subject to the limitations of this section, any type of contract ~~which~~ that will promote the best interests of the State may be used, except that the use of a cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost contract ~~shall~~ must be approved by the ~~Office of General Services~~ appropriate chief procurement officer. A cost-reimbursement contract, including a cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost contract, ~~shall~~ may be used only when a determination sufficient for external audit is prepared showing that ~~such~~ the contract is likely to be less costly to the State than any other type or that it is impracticable to obtain the supplies, services, information technology, or construction required except under ~~such a~~ that contract.

(2) Contract Forms. The board shall promulgate by regulation the form of the contracts to be used in connection with state purchasing and construction. The forms as shall be developed for Article 9 of this chapter shall be printed as a part of those regulations. A governmental body may enter into a contract or agreement without using the form promulgated pursuant to the board's regulation when the contract or agreement is for the rental of equipment valued at ten thousand dollars or less and the duration of the contract or agreement does not exceed ninety days.

(2)(a) As used in this section:

(i) 'Contracting document' means a standardized or model instrument, or a component part of it, for use as a contract, invitation for bids, request for proposals, request for qualifications, or instruction to bidders including, but not limited to, a contract clause or solicitation provision.

(ii) 'Usage instructions' means directions regarding (1) conditions for use of a contracting document, (2) completion of a contracting document, and (3) the process for obtaining permission, if possible, to omit or depart from the contracting document's established content for a particular solicitation or contract.

(b) The chief procurement officers may develop contracting documents for their respective areas of responsibility. Contracting documents may be published as internal operating proce