H*3590(Rat #0279, Act #0266 of 1998)  General Bill, By Gourdine, Altman, Bailey, 
Battle, Breeland, H. Brown, Campsen, Chellis, Cobb-Hunter, Dantzler, 
J.G. Felder, Govan, Harrell, Hinson, Inabinett, Law, Limehouse, Lloyd, Mack, 
Seithel, Stuart, Whatley and Young-Brickell
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 50-11-708 SO AS TO PROHIBIT IN GAME ZONE 6 THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS FROM
 ANY VEHICLE OR WATER CONVEYANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBSERVING OR HARASSING
 WILDLIFE AND TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION AND PENALTIES.

   03/04/97  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-2
   03/04/97  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-2
   04/29/97  House  Recalled from Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-91
   04/30/97  House  Read second time HJ-57
   05/01/97  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-20
   05/01/97  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-35
   05/01/97  Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry SJ-35
   05/22/97  Senate Committee report: Majority favorable, minority
                     unfavorable Fish, Game and Forestry SJ-18
   01/28/98  Senate Amended SJ-18
   01/28/98  Senate Read second time SJ-18
   01/29/98  Senate Read third time and returned to House with
                     amendments SJ-14
   02/04/98  House  Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled HJ-18
   02/17/98         Ratified R 279
   02/24/98         Became law without Governor's signature
   02/24/98         Effective date 02/24/98
   03/09/98         Copies available
   04/01/98         Act No. 266

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-11-708 SO AS TO PROHIBIT IN GAME ZONE 6 THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS FROM ANY VEHICLE OR WATER AND CONVEYANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBSERVING OR HARASSING WILDLIFE AND TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION AND PENALTIES.

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

Use of artificial lights prohibited for observing or harassing wildlife; exception; penalty

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 50-11-708. (A) In Game Zone 6 the use of artificial lights from any vehicle or water conveyance for the purpose of observing or harassing wildlife is unlawful. However, this section does not prohibit an owner of real property or a person with a legal interest in real property from the use of artificial lights from any vehicle or water conveyance for the purpose of surveying or protecting the property. This section does not prohibit a person or group observing wildlife with the use of artificial lights who is engaged in research or documentary filming when done with written permission of the landowner and/or leaseholder of the property.

(B) A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.

(C) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit the lawful hunting of raccoon and fox.

Time effective

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

Became law without the signature of the Governor -- 02/24/98.