South Carolina General Assembly
121st Session, 2015-2016

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Bill 4562

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Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

COMMITTEE REPORT

March 10, 2016

H. 4562

Introduced by Reps. Hicks, Chumley, Burns, Clyburn, Henegan and Yow

S. Printed 3/10/16--H.    [SEC 3/14/16 3:34 PM]

Read the first time January 12, 2016.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLIC WORKS

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4562) to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section 53-3-75 so as to provide that the month of April of each year is, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS:

/ SECTION    ( ).    Article 11, Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 56-5-1539. A state governmental entity that maintains a wrecker or tow truck rotation must allow a driver of a wrecker or towing service vehicle to take traffic incident management training free of charge.

SECTION    ( ).    Section 56-5-1538 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding the following appropriately lettered subsection:

( )    The Department of Motor Vehicles shall print in future Driver's Manuals, and as soon as practical, for online editions, information referencing the State's 'Move Over Law' S.C. Code Section 56-5-1538 setting forth the requirements of the law regarding motorists on an interstate highway approaching an emergency scene./

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

MERITA A. ALLISON for Committee.

            

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

Fiscal Impact Summary

This bill would have no expenditure impact to the general fund, federal funds, or other funds.

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill declares April of every year "Move Over Awareness Month." The bill also requires the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety to conduct programs and to emphasize the importance of moving over when approaching a work zone, an emergency scene, or any other traffic accidents.

Department of Transportation and Department of Public Safety. These agencies report that this bill will have no expenditure impact to the general fund, federal funds, or other funds.

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-75 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE MONTH OF APRIL OF EACH YEAR IS DECLARED "MOVE OVER AWARENESS MONTH" IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO CONDUCT PROGRAMS DURING THIS MONTH THAT EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVERS MOVING OVER INTO AN ADJACENT LANE WHENEVER POSSIBLE WHEN APPROACHING OR PASSING THROUGH A HIGHWAY WORK ZONE, AN EMERGENCY SCENE, OR ANY OTHER HIGHWAY TRAFFIC INCIDENT.

Whereas, law enforcement officers, highway construction workers, and first responders face many dangers in their honorable mission to protect and serve the citizens of and visitors to the Palmetto State; and

Whereas, the number of law enforcement officers, highway construction workers, and first responders who have been struck and killed while working along our highways remains high; and

Whereas, the State has made great strides toward reducing the number of fatalities through its move over campaign by erecting signs around the State that contain the words "Move Over or Reduce Speed For Stopped Emergency Vehicles", media interviews, public safety announcements, and printed materials; and

Whereas, through awareness and proper education, members of the public can make additional strides toward reducing the number of injuries and deaths along our highways by enhancing the state's move over campaign by dedicating the month of April of every year toward achieving this goal. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION    1.    Chapter 3, Title 53 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 53-3-75. The month of April of every year is declared 'Move Over Awareness Month' in South Carolina. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety shall conduct programs during the month of April that emphasize the importance of motor vehicle drivers moving over into an adjacent lane whenever possible when approaching or passing through a highway work zone, an emergency scene, or any other traffic incident."

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

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This web page was last updated on March 14, 2016 at 3:34 PM