S 0848 Joint Resolution, By Passailaigue
 A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to Section 7, Article XVII of the
 Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, relating to lotteries, so as to
 authorize lotteries conducted only by the State and to provide that a portion
 of the revenue derived from the lotteries be used for the purpose of reducing
 the property tax.

   09/13/93  Senate Prefiled
   09/13/93  Senate Referred to Committee on Finance
   01/11/94  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-19
   01/11/94  Senate Referred to Committee on Finance SJ-19

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7, ARTICLE XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO LOTTERIES, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE LOTTERIES CONDUCTED ONLY BY THE STATE AND TO PROVIDE THAT A PORTION OF THE REVENUE DERIVED FROM THE LOTTERIES BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDUCING THE PROPERTY TAX.

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

SECTION 1. It is proposed that Section 7, Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:

"Section 7. Except when conducted by the State, No no lottery shall ever be is allowed or may be advertised by newspapers, or otherwise, or its tickets be sold in this State. Only the State may conduct lotteries as provided for by the General Assembly.

The revenues actually collected during a twelve-month period from the state lottery must be paid into a state lottery fund which shall be separate and distinct from the General Fund of the State to be invested by the State Treasurer with interest earned remaining a part of the fund. No more than fifteen percent of the revenues each year may be used for operational expenses of the state lottery, and fifty percent of the revenues must be expended in prizes. The remaining revenues each year must be used to reduce the property tax, on a pro-rata basis, that the State estimates would be collected during the next twelve-month period after the lottery is enacted. If the actual net revenues from the lottery collected during the preceding twelve months exceeds the property tax the State anticipates collecting at the prevailing property tax rate during the ensuing twelve-month period, the balance must be appropriated by the General Assembly for nonrecurring public educational needs, including buildings and equipment.

The game of bingo, when conducted by charitable, religious, or fraternal organizations exempt from federal income taxation or when conducted at recognized annual State state and county fairs, shall is not be deemed considered a lottery prohibited by this section."

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:

"Shall Section 7, Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended so as to authorize lotteries to be conducted only by the State as provided for by the General Assembly with the revenues each year paid into a state lottery fund and apportioned as follows:

(1) Fifty percent of the revenues must be expended in prizes.

(2) No more than fifteen percent of the revenues may be used for operational expenses of the state lottery.

(3) The remaining revenues must be used as follows:

(a) to reduce the property tax; and

(b) once such state imposed property tax is eliminated, any remaining funds must be appropriated for nonrecurring public educational needs, including buildings and equipment.

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'."