S 0242 Joint Resolution, By McConnell and S.S. Martschink
 A Joint Resolution proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of South
 Carolina, 1895, by adding Article X-A so as to provide that beginning in 1996
 the property tax millage of the counties, municipalities, and other political
 subdivisions of this State must not be increased in an even-numbered year
 except to meet emergency, nonrecurring situations and to provide that in 1995
 this property tax millage must not be increased in an odd-numbered year except
 by favorable referendum.

   10/15/90  Senate Prefiled
   10/15/90  Senate Referred to Committee on Finance
   01/08/91  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-89
   01/08/91  Senate Referred to Committee on Finance SJ-89

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, BY ADDING ARTICLE X-A SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING IN 1996 THE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE OF THE COUNTIES, MUNICIPALITIES, AND OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THIS STATE MUST NOT BE INCREASED IN AN EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR EXCEPT TO MEET EMERGENCY, NONRECURRING SITUATIONS AND TO PROVIDE THAT IN 1995 THIS PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE MUST NOT BE INCREASED IN AN ODD-NUMBERED YEAR EXCEPT BY FAVORABLE REFERENDUM.

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

SECTION 1. It is proposed that the Constitution of this State be amended by adding:

"ARTICLE X-A

Section 1. Beginning in 1996, there must not be an increase in the property tax millage of a county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this State in an even-numbered year including 1996 unless the increase is necessary to meet an emergency, nonrecurring situation. The General Assembly by general law may provide for those situations which may be considered to be emergency, nonrecurring situations within the meaning of this section. The General Assembly by general law shall provide for the procedures to be followed by the governing body of the county, municipality, or subdivision when increasing the property tax millage as authorized by this section. The increase is effective only for the even-numbered year when imposed.

Section 2. Beginning in 1995, there must not be an increase in the property tax millage of a county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this State in an odd-numbered year unless the increase has been approved by the qualified electors of the county, municipality, or subdivision at a referendum held for this purpose at the same time as the general election in the previous even-numbered year. The increase, if approved in the referendum, is effective for the odd-numbered year following the referendum and continues each year after the odd-numbered year. The referendum may be called by the governing body of the county, municipalilty, or subdivision or may be called by petition of not less than fifteen percent of the qualified electors of the county, municipality, or subdivision. The General Assembly by general law shall provide for the conduct of the referendums and the filing of the petitions, and the cost of the referendums must be paid by the county, municipality, or subdivision."

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:

"Must the Constitution of this State be amended by adding Article X-A so as to provide that in 1996 the property tax millage of the counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions of this State must not be increased in an even-numbered year except to meet emergency, nonrecurring situations, and to provide that beginning in 1995 this property tax millage must not be increased in an odd-numbered year except by favorable referendum?

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'."