A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 56-7-85 SO AS TO PROVIDE MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOTORCYCLE OWNERS MAY BE CHARGED WITH VIOLATING LOCAL ORDINANCES THAT RESTRICT THE PRODUCTION OF EXCESSIVE NOISE BY A MOTOR VEHICLE OR MOTORCYCLE WHEN THEIR VEHICLES VIOLATE THE ORDINANCES AND TO DEFINE THE TERMS "MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER" AND "MOTORCYCLE OWNER".

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

SECTION 1.  Chapter 7, Title 56 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Section 56-7-85. (A)  A "motor vehicle owner" or "motorcycle owner" may be charged with violating any local ordinance that restricts the production of excessive noise by a motor vehicle or motorcycle when his vehicle violates the ordinance.

    (B) As contained in this section, "motor vehicle owner" or "motorcycle owner" means any person, corporation, partnership, firm, agency, association, lessor, or organization who at the time of the issuance of a notice of violation:

       (i) is the beneficial or equitable owner of the motor vehicle or motorcycle;

       (ii) has title to the motor vehicle or motorcycle;

       (iii) is the registered or coregistered owner of the motor vehicle or motorcycle which is registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles of this State or any other state, territory, district, province, nation or other jurisdiction; or

       (iv) uses the motor vehicle or motorcycle in its vehicle renting, leasing, or both businesses.

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

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