S 1167 Joint Resolution, By McConnell and Grooms
 A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 6, ARTICLE X OF THE
 CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO FINANCE AND TAXATION, SO AS
 TO PROVIDE THAT NEITHER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION SHALL
 HAVE THE POWER TO ASSESS AND COLLECT AD VALOREM TAXES FOR SCHOOL OPERATING
 PURPOSES, BUT MAY VEST THE POWER OF ASSESSING AND COLLECTING TAXES FOR BONDED
 INDEBTEDNESS TO A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION.

   02/21/06  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-15
   02/21/06  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-15
   02/21/06  Senate Referred to Subcommittee: Martin (ch), Hutto,
                     Ritchie, Sheheen, Campsen

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 6, ARTICLE X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO FINANCE AND TAXATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NEITHER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ASSESS AND COLLECT AD VALOREM TAXES FOR SCHOOL OPERATING PURPOSES, BUT MAY VEST THE POWER OF ASSESSING AND COLLECTING TAXES FOR BONDED INDEBTEDNESS TO A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION.

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

SECTION    1.    It is proposed that the first two complete sentences of Section 6 of Article X of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:

"Section 6.    The Except as otherwise provided in this section, the General Assembly may vest the power of assessing and collecting taxes in all of the political subdivisions of the State, including counties, municipalities, special purpose districts, public service districts, and school districts. Neither the General Assembly nor a political subdivision of the State shall have the power to assess and collect ad valorem taxes for school operating purposes. The General Assembly may, however, vest the power of assessing and collecting taxes in a political subdivision of the State for the purposes of bonded indebtedness as provided by Section 14 and Section 15, Article X of the State Constitution. Property tax levies shall be uniform in respect to persons and property within the jurisdiction of the body imposing such taxes; provided, that on properties located in an area receiving special benefits from the taxes collected, special levies may be permitted by general law applicable to the same type of political subdivision throughout the State, and the General Assembly shall specify the precise condition under which such special levies shall be assessed."

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 ballot:

"Must Article X of the Constitution of this State be amended so as to provide that neither the General Assembly nor a political subdivision shall have the power to assess and collect ad valorem taxes for school operating purposes, but may vest that power in political subdivisions for the purposes of bonded indebtedness as provided in Section 14 and Section 15 of Article X of the State Constitution?

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