H 4283 Session 111 (1995-1996)
H 4283 General Bill, By Robinson, H. Brown, Cooper, Davenport, Fleming,
R.J. Herdklotz, Littlejohn, Mason, Rice, Riser, Sandifer, Simrill, D. Smith,
Stuart, P.H. Thomas, Walker, Whatley and S.S. Wofford
A Bill to amend Section 15-77-300, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976,
relating to attorney's fees in State initiated actions, so as to provide for
the award of attorney's fees in contested administrative proceedings under the
Administrative Procedures Act that are initiated by the State, a political
subdivision of the State, or a party contesting such action.
05/31/95 House Introduced and read first time HJ-101
05/31/95 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-101
A BILL
TO AMEND SECTION 15-77-300, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH
CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ATTORNEY'S FEES IN
STATE INITIATED ACTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE
AWARD OF ATTORNEY'S FEES IN CONTESTED
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT THAT ARE
INITIATED BY THE STATE, A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF
THE STATE, OR A PARTY CONTESTING SUCH ACTION.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South
Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 15-77-300 of the 1976 Code is amended
to read:
"Section 15-77-300. In any civil action brought by the
State, any a political subdivision of the
State, or any party who is contesting state action, or in
any contested administrative proceeding under the Administrative
Procedures Act that is initiated by the State, a political subdivision
of the State, or a party contesting such action, unless the
prevailing party is the State or any a political
subdivision of the State, the court or administrative law
judge may allow the prevailing party to recover reasonable
attorney's fees to be taxed as court costs against the
appropriate agency if the court or administrative law judge finds
that:
(1) The court finds that the agency acted without
substantial justification in pressing its claim against the party; and
(2) The court finds that there are no special
circumstances that would make the award of attorney's fees unjust.
The provisions of this section do not apply to civil actions
relating to the establishment of public utility rates, disciplinary
actions by state licensing boards, habeas corpus or post conviction
relief actions, child support actions, except as otherwise
provided for herein, and child abuse and neglect actions,
except as provided by law."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the
Governor.
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