H*4558(Rat #0317, Act #0288 of 2000)  General Bill, By J. Smith, Lourie, 
Hawkins and Klauber

Similar(S 1056)
 A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 25-1-630, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976,
 RELATING TO ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS BY OFFICERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL
 GUARD, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, IN ADDITION TO BEING AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO
 ADMINISTER OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO OR CONCERNING
 THE NATIONAL GUARD OF SOUTH CAROLINA, ALL COMMISSIONED AND WARRANT OFFICERS OF
 THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD ARE AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO ACT AS A
 NOTARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED STATES CODE AND THIS
 SECTION; TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 25, RELATING TO COMMISSIONED AND WARRANT
 OFFICERS, BY ADDING SECTION 25-1-635, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NATIONAL GUARD
 LEGAL ASSISTANCE ATTORNEYS MAY RENDER LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY
 MEMBERS AND DEPENDENTS OF MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD WHEN,
 IN THE OPINION OF THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE OFFICER, SUCH LEGAL ASSISTANCE ENHANCES
 THE OVERALL MOBILIZATION READINESS OF A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND TO
 PROVIDE FOR THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE, DUTIES, AND LIMITATIONS OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE
 ATTORNEYS AND JUDGE ADVOCATES; TO AMEND SECTION 25-21-20, RELATING TO THE
 BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE VETERANS' TRUST FUND OF SOUTH CAROLINA, SO AS TO
 DELETE THE PROVISION THAT THE BOARD SERVE AS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE
 VETERANS' AFFAIRS DIVISION; TO AMEND SECTION 25-21-30, RELATING TO THE DUTIES
 AND FUNCTIONS OF THE VETERANS' TRUST FUND, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DUTIES AND
 FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD RELATING TO HOW MONIES IN THE FUND MUST BE DISBURSED
 FROM RECOMMENDING HOW MONIES IN THE FUND MUST BE DISBURSED TO DECIDING HOW
 MONIES IN THE FUND MUST BE DISBURSED; AND TO AMEND SECTION 25-21-40, RELATING
 TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR DISBURSEMENT FROM THE VETERANS' TRUST FUND, SO AS
 TO CHANGE THE PROVISION THAT FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR DISBURSEMENT SHALL BE
 DISBURSED UPON AUTHORIZATION OF THE VETERANS' AFFAIRS DIVISION AND PROVIDE
 THAT FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR DISBURSEMENT SHALL BE DISBURSED UPON AUTHORIZATION OF
 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE VETERANS' TRUST FUND.-AMENDED TITLE

   02/03/00  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-46
   02/03/00  House  Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
                     Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-46
   03/29/00  House  Committee report: Favorable Medical, Military,
                     Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-2
   03/30/00  House  Read second time HJ-20
   04/04/00  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-11
   04/05/00  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-3
   04/05/00  Senate Referred to Committee on General SJ-3
   04/13/00  Senate Committee report: Favorable General SJ-21
   04/19/00  Senate Amended SJ-37
   04/19/00  Senate Read second time SJ-37
   04/20/00  Senate Read third time and returned to House with
                     amendments SJ-16
   04/26/00  House  Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled HJ-37
   05/16/00         Ratified R 317
   05/19/00         Signed By Governor
   05/19/00         Effective date 05/19/00
   06/08/00         Copies available
   06/08/00         Act No. 288

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-1-630, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS BY OFFICERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, IN ADDITION TO BEING AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO ADMINISTER OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO OR CONCERNING THE NATIONAL GUARD OF SOUTH CAROLINA, ALL COMMISSIONED AND WARRANT OFFICERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD ARE AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO ACT AS A NOTARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED STATES CODE AND THIS SECTION; TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 25, RELATING TO COMMISSIONED AND WARRANT OFFICERS, BY ADDING SECTION 25-1-635, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NATIONAL GUARD LEGAL ASSISTANCE ATTORNEYS MAY RENDER LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS AND DEPENDENTS OF MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD WHEN, IN THE OPINION OF THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE OFFICER, SUCH LEGAL ASSISTANCE ENHANCES THE OVERALL MOBILIZATION READINESS OF A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE, DUTIES, AND LIMITATIONS OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE ATTORNEYS AND JUDGE ADVOCATES; TO AMEND SECTION 25-21-20, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE VETERANS' TRUST FUND OF SOUTH CAROLINA, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT THE BOARD SERVE AS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE VETERANS' AFFAIRS DIVISION; TO AMEND SECTION 25-21-30, RELATING TO THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE VETERANS' TRUST FUND, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD RELATING TO HOW MONIES IN THE FUND MUST BE DISBURSED FROM RECOMMENDING HOW MONIES IN THE FUND MUST BE DISBURSED TO DECIDING HOW MONIES IN THE FUND MUST BE DISBURSED; AND TO AMEND SECTION 25-21-40, RELATING TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR DISBURSEMENT FROM THE VETERANS' TRUST FUND, SO AS TO CHANGE THE PROVISION THAT FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR DISBURSEMENT SHALL BE DISBURSED UPON AUTHORIZATION OF THE VETERANS' AFFAIRS DIVISION AND PROVIDE THAT FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR DISBURSEMENT SHALL BE DISBURSED UPON AUTHORIZATION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE VETERANS' TRUST FUND.

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

National Guard officers and warrant officers to act as notary

SECTION 1. Section 25-1-630 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 25-1-630. (A) Officers are authorized and empowered to administer oaths and affirmations in all matters pertaining to or concerning the National Guard of South Carolina. Any person who shall falsely swear or affirm to any oath or affirmation before any such officer shall be guilty of perjury and upon trial and conviction thereof shall be sentenced for such offense as now provided by law for the crime of perjury.

(B) The persons named in subparagraph (C) have the general powers of a notary public in accordance with the authority of Title 10, United States Code, Section 1044a, and as provided in this section, in the performance of all notarial acts to be executed by:

(1) members of any of the armed forces;

(2) persons eligible for legal assistance under the provisions of 10 United States Code, Section 1044, regulations of the United States Department of Defense, this section, and Section 25-1-635;

(3) persons serving with, employed by, or accompanying the armed forces and National Guard of South Carolina or of any other state or territory of the United States, outside the United States and outside the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands; and

(4) persons subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Chapter 47, Title 10, United States Code, outside the United States.

(C) Persons with the powers described in subsection (B) are:

(1) all judge advocates, including armed forces reserve judge advocates and judge advocates of the National Guard of South Carolina or of any other state or territory of the United States when not in a duty status;

(2) all civilian attorneys serving as legal assistance officers;

(3) all adjutants, assistant adjutants, and personnel adjutants, including reserve and National Guard members when not in a duty status; and

(4) all other members of the armed forces, including reserve and National Guard members when not in a duty status, who are designated by regulations of the armed forces or statute to have those powers.

(D) No fee may be paid to or received by any person for the performance of a notarial act authorized in this section.

(E) The signature of any person acting as a notary under the authority of Title 10, United States Code, Section 1044a or of this section, together with the title of that person's offices, is prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine, that the person holds the designated title, and that the person is authorized to perform a notarial act."

Legal assistance for immediate family of members of the National Guard

SECTION 2. Chapter 1, Title 25 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 25-1-635. (A) For purposes of enhancing the readiness of National Guard personnel for mobilization or call up for state or federal service, legal assistance attorneys and judge advocates of the South Carolina National Guard who provide premobilization legal assistance and counseling to national guard personnel may also provide legal assistance and counseling to the immediate family members and dependents of members of the South Carolina National Guard when, in the opinion of the legal assistance, attorney or judge advocate, the legal assistant and counseling provided enhances the overall mobilization readiness of a member of the National Guard who has an obligation to provide for his family and dependents in his absence in the event of his mobilization.

(B) Subject to the availability of resources, the scope of the practice of law and the legal assistance attorney's duties and responsibilities authorized by this section are limited to advice and service regarding the following matters:

(1) Basic wills, trusts, and estate planning. Complex estate planning and drafting are not authorized by this section. Except when a legal assistance client is unable to communicate adequately, a will for one spouse may not be prepared based upon discussions with the other spouse without personal communication sufficient to establish the attorney-client relationship with the spouse for whom the will is prepared.

(2) Advice concerning the legal and practical implications of divorce, legal separation, annulment, custody, and paternity.

(3) Advice and document preparation, as appropriate, but not pleadings except as permitted by applicable service regulations.

(4) Advice and assistance, including communication, correspondence, and negotiations with another party or lawyer, on behalf of the client, may be provided as appropriate.

(5) Basic advice and assistance on federal, state, and local taxes may be provided as appropriate. Legal assistance attorneys will not prepare or sign returns.

(6) Advice and assistance relating to landlord and tenant matters, including review of personal leases and communication and correspondence in behalf of the client, may be provided as appropriate.

(7) Advice and appropriate assistance in connection with civil suits may be given. Procedures and requirements of small claims courts and other courts may be explained and appropriate referrals made. Except as permitted by applicable service regulations, court appearances and representation as attorney of record are not authorized by this section.

(8) Advice and assistance concerning the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act may be provided as appropriate pertaining to the protections afforded and the effect of the act on the client.

(9) Limited general advice may be provided regarding minor criminal matters and traffic offenses within the jurisdiction of the civilian courts. Serious criminal matters are not within the scope of legal assistance and will be referred to military defense counsel or private civilian attorneys, as appropriate.

(10) Advice and assistance may be given on powers of attorney, real estate, bankruptcy, contracts, consumer affairs, insurance, immigration, naturalization, and other areas if not inconsistent with legal assistance regulations. Advice and assistance regarding military matters may be provided subject to the limitations stated in applicable service regulations.

(C) Legal assistance is authorized for personal legal affairs only. Legal advice and assistance will not be provided regarding business ventures or regarding matters that are not of a personal nature.

(D) Legal assistance duties are separate and apart from responsibilities of trial counsel, defense counsel, or others involved in processing courts-martial, nonjudicial punishments, administrative boards or proceedings, and investigations. Unless otherwise directed by the Adjutant General or his designee, legal assistance attorneys may not assume defense counsel functions for their legal assistance clients. Members accused or suspected of offenses or conduct that may result in disciplinary or judicial proceedings under Title 25, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, or administrative discharges, must be referred to a defense counsel.

(E) If two or more eligible persons with conflicting interests seek legal assistance from the same legal assistance officer on the same matter, the party first establishing an attorney-client relationship will be provided representation. Other parties shall be advised that they are also eligible for assistance, but that it must be obtained from another source. Every effort will be made to refer the party with a conflicting interest to another legal assistance attorney or to a private civilian attorney.

(F) Legal assistance attorneys may not advise on, assist in, or become involved with, individual interests opposed to or in conflict with the interests of the State of South Carolina or the United States without the specific approval of the Adjutant General.

(G) Except when the client is unable to communicate adequately, advice or assistance will not be provided through third parties. In the absence of unusual or compelling circumstances, legal advice will not be provided over the telephone. This does not prohibit appropriate follow-up telephone discussions between the legal assistance attorney and the client.

(H) The legal assistance attorney may determine that the best interests of the client will be served by referring the case to a private civilian attorney. Referral may be for a variety of reasons, including expertise of the attorney or regulations that prohibit involvement of the legal assistance attorney. Should referral to a private civilian attorney be necessary, payment of legal fees is the client's responsibility. Except as otherwise provided by law, the State will not reimburse the individual or pay any expenses associated with the referral. Legal assistance attorneys shall not refer legal assistance clients to themselves in their private practice nor to their law firm.

(I) Services provided in the legal assistance program are at no cost to eligible personnel. Legal assistance attorneys, National Guard personnel, and civilian employees involved in providing service or advice in the legal assistance program are prohibited from accepting or receiving, in any manner, any fee or compensation other than their regular compensation for legal services provided to persons eligible for assistance under this section, and from receiving fees or compensation for the same matters about which they consulted with or advised the legal assistance client in an official capacity."

Provision that Board of Trustees serve as advisory committee to Veterans' Affairs Division deleted

SECTION 3. Section 25-21-20 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 90 of 1995, is amended to read:

"Section 25-21-20. There is created the Board of Trustees for the Veterans' Trust Fund of South Carolina composed of eleven members. The board shall utilize the staff of the Veterans' Affairs Division in order to carry out its duties, as provided in Section 25-21-30. One member of the board of trustees must be the Director of the Veterans' Affairs Division or his designee. The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint individuals to fill the remaining positions on the board of trustees. Of the positions filled by gubernatorial appointment, four must be county veterans' affairs officers, five must represent veterans' service organizations, and one member must be selected at large. All members of the board of trustees must be United States armed forces veterans who were honorably discharged. The members of the board shall elect officers from among themselves as necessary.

Individuals appointed by the Governor shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and may be removed by the Governor at any time. No member may serve more than eight continuous years.

Members of the board who are not full-time employees of the State of South Carolina or any of its political subdivisions may be paid per diem, mileage, and subsistence at rates established by the board, not to exceed standards provided by law for state boards, commissions, and committees. Per diem, mileage, and subsistence may be paid to members of the board only for travel and costs incurred due to meetings of the board.

A complete report of the activities of the Veterans' Trust Fund must be made to the General Assembly and State Auditor annually."

Board to decide how monies in Veterans' Trust Fund must be disbursed

SECTION 4. Section 25-21-30 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 90 of 1995, is amended to read:

"Section 25-21-30. To fulfill its duties and functions, the board is authorized, but not limited to:

(1) assess the needs of veterans, establish priorities, and develop goals and objectives for the Veterans' Trust Fund;

(2) decide how the monies in the fund must be disbursed;

(3) accept gifts, grants, and bequests from any person, entity, or foundation, either public or private;

(4) accept appropriations, loans, or grants from any governmental or quasigovernmental source;

(5) acquire and hold property;

(6) invest trust monies, including pooled investment funds maintained by the State;

(7) solicit proposals for programs aimed at meeting identified needs;

(8) establish rules of procedure for board meetings and any other function of the fund necessary for the orderly conduct of its business;

(9) enter into contracts for the awarding of grants to public or private, nonprofit organizations; and

(10) establish criteria for awarding of grants which shall include the consideration of at least:

(a) the priority of the service need that the proposal addresses;

(b) the quality and soundness of the proposal and its probable effectiveness in accomplishing its objectives;

(c) a cost-benefit analysis of the project;

(d) the degree of community support for the proposal;

(e) the utilization of local resources, including volunteers, when appropriate, and matching or in-kind contributions which may be, but are not, required;

(f) the qualifications of employees to be hired under the grant;

(g) the experience of the proposed project administrators in providing ongoing accountability for the program."

Funds to be disbursed upon authorization of the board of trustees

SECTION 5. Section 25-21-40 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 90 of 1995, is amended to read:

"Section 25-21-40. Until the assets of the Veterans' Trust Fund exceed one million dollars, not more than fifty percent of the amount deposited in the fund each year from contributions plus all earnings from the investment of monies of the fund credited during the previous fiscal year is available for disbursement upon authorization of the Board of Trustees for the Veterans' Trust Fund. When assets in the trust fund exceed one million dollars, all credited earnings plus all future annual deposits to the trust fund from contributions are available for disbursement upon the authorization of the Board of Trustees for the Veterans' Trust Fund."

Time effective

SECTION 6. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 16th day of May, 2000.

Approved the 19th day of May, 2000.