H 3208 Joint Resolution, By C.Y. Waites, R.A. Barber, H.H. Clyborne and 
P.B. Harris
 A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to Section 9, Article III of the
 Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, relating to sessions of the General
 Assembly, so as to provide that the annual session of the General Assembly
 shall commence on the second Tuesday in February instead of the second Tuesday
 in January and that the Senate shall have organizational meetings in the years
 following the election of its members and to delete obsolete language relating
 to earlier session of the General Assembly.

   01/15/91  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-6
   01/15/91  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-7

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9, ARTICLE III, OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO SESSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL COMMENCE ON THE SECOND TUESDAY IN FEBRUARY INSTEAD OF THE SECOND TUESDAY IN JANUARY AND THAT THE SENATE SHALL HAVE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS IN THE YEARS FOLLOWING THE ELECTION OF ITS MEMBERS AND TO DELETE OBSOLETE LANGUAGE RELATING TO EARLIER SESSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

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

SECTION 1. It is proposed that Section 9, Article III, of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:

"Section 9. The annual session of the General Assembly heretofore elected, fixed by the Constitution of the year Eighteen hundred and Sixty-eight to convene on the fourth Tuesday of November, in the year Eighteen hundred and Ninety-five, is hereby postponed, and the same shall be convened and held in the city of Columbia on the second Tuesday of January, in the year Eighteen hundred and Ninety-six. The first session of the General Assembly elected under this Constitution shall convene in Columbia on the second Tuesday in January, in the year Eighteen hundred and Ninety-seven, and thereafter annually at the same time and place shall convene at the state capitol in the City of Columbia on the second Tuesday of February of each year. Provided, That the The Senate and the House of Representatives shall meet on the first Tuesday following the certification of the election of its members for not more than three days following the general election in even-numbered years for the purpose of organizing. Should If the casualties of war or contagious disease render it unsafe to meet at the seat of government, then the Governor may, by proclamation, may appoint a more secure and convenient place of meeting. Members of the General Assembly shall not receive any compensation for more than forty days of any one session. Provided, That this limitation shall not affect the first four sessions of the General Assembly under this Constitution."

SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballots:

"Shall Section 9, Article III, of the Constitution of this State be amended so as to provide that the annual session of the General Assembly shall commence on the second Tuesday in February and to provide for an organizational session for the Senate in those years in which the membership of the Senate is elected and to delete obsolete language relating to earlier sessions of the General Assembly?

Yes []

No []

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word `Yes' and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word `No'."