H 4897 General Bill, By J.E. Smith, Sottile and Cogswell
Summary: Citizens Participation in Government Act
    A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 36, TITLE 15 SO AS TO ENACT THE "CITIZENS PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT ACT OF 2018" AND TO PROVIDE THAT ACTS IN FURTHERANCE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH, RIGHT TO PETITION, OR RIGHT OF ASSOCIATION ARE IMMUNE FROM CIVIL LIABILITY EXCEPT WHEN THE ACTS ARE NOT AIMED AT PROCURING A GOVERNMENTAL OR ELECTORAL ACTION, RESULT, OR OUTCOME, TO PROVIDE EXPEDITED PROCEDURES FOR HEARING MOTIONS IN ACTIONS BROUGHT IN OPPOSITION TO A CITIZEN'S RIGHT TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT, TO CREATE A TOLL-FREE HOTLINE IN THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC IN REPORTING VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT, TO PROVIDE REMEDIES FOR VIOLATIONS, INCLUDING ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS TO THE PREVAILING PARTY; AND TO DESIGNATE SECTIONS 15-36-10 THROUGH 15-36-100 AS ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 36, TITLE 15 ENTITLED "SOUTH CAROLINA FRIVOLOUS CIVIL PROCEEDINGS SANCTIONS ACT" AND TO REDESIGNATE ARTICLE 36 AS "SANCTIONS".
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02/08/18	House	Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 31)
02/08/18	House	Referred to Committee on Judiciary (House Journal-page 31)