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TO AMEND SECTION 2-17-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION AND REREGISTRATION OF LOBBYISTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION TO DESIGN, DEVELOP, AND ISSUE PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARDS FOR REGISTERED LOBBYISTS, TO DELINEATE THE REQUIRED CONTENTS OF THE LOBBYIST PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION TO CHARGE AND RETAIN A REASONABLE FEE, NOT TO EXCEED TWENTY DOLLARS, FOR EACH IDENTIFICATION CARD OR REPLACEMENT IDENTIFICATION CARD ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS ACT; AND TO SPECIFY WHEN A LOBBYIST IS REQUIRED TO DISPLAY HIS LOBBYIST PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD IN A READILY VISIBLE MANNER.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 2-17-20 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 40 of 2011, is further amended by adding a new subsection (I) at the end to read:
"(I)(1) Within one hundred twenty days after the effective date of this act, the State Ethics Commission shall design, develop, and possess the present ability to produce a suitable photo identification card for each person who registers to act as a lobbyist. The identification card shall have printed on it the name of the lobbyist, a color photograph of the lobbyist, and the name of the lobbyist's principal that the lobbyist represents; however, when a lobbyist represents more than one lobbyist's principal, the identification card shall have printed on it the registrant's name and the word 'LOBBYIST'. The State Ethics Commission is authorized to charge and retain a reasonable fee, not to exceed twenty dollars, for each identification card or replacement identification card issued pursuant to this subsection. A lobbyist's identification card shall expire ten years from its date of issuance; however, a lobbyist shall obtain a new identification card if his information materially changes prior to the card's expiration date.
(2) Beginning January 1, 2017, each lobbyist shall display a lobbyist photo identification card issued pursuant to this subsection in a readily visible manner while engaged in lobbying at:
(a) the State Capitol grounds, including the office buildings located on them; or
(b) a building that houses the principal office or residence of a statewide officer or state agency."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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