A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 4-9-200 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ANY INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES MUST BE ADOPTED BY A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND TO PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE MEETINGS.

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

SECTION 1.  Article 1, Chapter 9, Title 4 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Section 4-9-200. (A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the annual operating budget of a county results in an increase in property taxes imposed, then adoption by the county council requires a vote of two-thirds of the total county council.

    (B) The residents of a county are entitled to access to public budget hearings and the public budget process in general. All public meetings pertaining to any property tax increase or the annual budget must be streamed live in both audio and visual formats.

    (C) The residents of a county are entitled to be heard during the annual budget process. Individual residents of a county must be given a period of at least ten minutes to ask questions of the county council and comment at any budget meeting where a tax increase is considered. Time limitations necessitate limiting the number of individual speakers to twelve, however the county council or committee leading the meeting may allow for additional speakers as time permits. Individuals who did not have an opportunity to be heard in full at the meeting may submit their comment in written form after the hearing is closed.

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

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