S 1090 Session 110 (1993-1994)
S 1090 Joint Resolution, By McConnell
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 1998
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 1997
this property tax millage must not be increased in an odd-numbered year except
by favorable referendum.
01/27/94 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-4
01/27/94 Senate Referred to Committee on Finance SJ-4
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 1998 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 1997 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
PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE
Section 1. Beginning in 1998, there may 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 1998 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 1997, there may 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 beginning in 1998 the property tax millage of the
counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions of this State may
not be increased in an even-numbered year except to meet emergency,
nonrecurring situations, and to provide that beginning in 1997 this property
tax millage may not be increased in an odd-numbered year except by
favorable referendum?
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'."
-----XX----- |