A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 57-3-240 so as to REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO MAINTAIN A TOLL-FREE HOTLINE SYSTEM WHEREBY A MOTORIST THAT SUFFERS PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM A ROAD HAZARD MAY CALL TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND RECEIVE INFORMATION, AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO FORWARD INFORMATION TO LOCAL OFFICIALS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.

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

SECTION 1.Article 2, Chapter 3, Title 57 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

Section 57-3-240.The Department of Transportation shall maintain a toll-free hotline system whereby a motorist that suffers property damage resulting from a road hazard, such as a pothole, may call to file a complaint and receive information. If the road on which the damage occurred is not a road maintained by the department, the operators of the hotline system shall contact the appropriate authority and relay the information set forth in the complaint and the contact information of the complainant.

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

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