H 3354 General Bill, By Corley
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO ENACT THE
 "GAMECOCK PRESERVATION ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 47-1-220 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT
 IT IS LAWFUL FOR GAMECOCK PRODUCERS TO TEST GAMECOCKS FOR BREEDING PURPOSES
 ONLY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH
 TESTING IS PROHIBITED, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A PERSON MAY LAWFULLY
 ENTER A GAMECOCK TESTING FACILITY; TO PROVIDE THE VENUES IN WHICH SHOWING OR
 EXHIBITING GAMECOCKS ARE LEGAL, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF
 TOURNAMENTS IN WHICH GAMECOCKS ARE ENTERED.

   12/15/16  House  Prefiled
   12/15/16  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs
   01/10/17  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 173)
   01/10/17  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs
                     (House Journal-page 173)

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO ENACT THE "GAMECOCK PRESERVATION ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 47-1-220 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS LAWFUL FOR GAMECOCK PRODUCERS TO TEST GAMECOCKS FOR BREEDING PURPOSES ONLY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH TESTING IS PROHIBITED, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A PERSON MAY LAWFULLY ENTER A GAMECOCK TESTING FACILITY; TO PROVIDE THE VENUES IN WHICH SHOWING OR EXHIBITING GAMECOCKS ARE LEGAL, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF TOURNAMENTS IN WHICH GAMECOCKS ARE ENTERED.

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

SECTION    1.    This act may be cited as the "Gamecock Preservation Act".

SECTION    2.    Chapter 1, Title 47 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 47-1-220.    (A)    It is lawful for gamecock producers to test gamecocks for breeding purposes only; provided testing is conducted under the auspices of 'The Gamecock Preservation Society' or similar organizations dedicated to the preservation of the gamecock.

(B)    Testing is prohibited if:

(1)    any gamecock being tested is employing sharp metal implements intended to slice or cut an opponent commonly known as gaffs or knives;

(2)    it is conducted in any place where admission is charged to spectators; or

(3)    done solely for the purpose of wagering or gambling.

(C)    Any person who enters a gamecock testing facility without specific permission of the owners/operators or any person who interferes with the testing in anyway shall be subject to punishment pursuant to this chapter.

(D)    Showings or exhibitions of gamecocks and Old English game fowl in events such as fairs, poultry shows, or breeders' association benefits with a general admission charge not specific to the fowl are legal.

(E)    Gamecocks entering tournaments involving an entry fee shall be governed by the Department of Agriculture.

(F)    For the purposes of this section, 'testing' means a physical contest between two gamecocks for the sole purpose of evaluating genetic traits such as speed, agility and power. Testing under these provisions is legal and exempt from any other provision of law."

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