H 3418 General Bill, By Sharpe and R. Smith

Similar(S 967)
 A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 48-33-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976,
 RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF FOREST LAND, SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE "FOREST
 LAND"; TO AMEND SECTION 48-33-30, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF FOREST FIRE,
 SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE "FOREST FIRE"; TO AMEND SECTION 48-33-60, RELATING TO
 COUNTY FORESTRY BOARDS, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE
 ANNUAL FOREST FIRE PROTECTION PLAN AND PROVIDE THAT COUNTY FOREST FIRE
 PROTECTION OFFICES SHALL BE EMPLOYED ONLY WITH THE CONSENT OF THE COUNTY
 FORESTRY BOARD; AND TO AMEND SECTION 48-33-70, RELATING TO PLANS FOR FOREST
 FIRE PROTECTION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE COMMISSION OF FORESTRY SHALL
 PREPARE A PLAN FOR FOREST FIRE PROTECTION.

   02/02/99  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-6
   02/02/99  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-7
   02/24/99  House  Committee report: Favorable Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-10
   03/02/99  House  Debate adjourned until Wednesday, March 3, 1999 HJ-28
   03/03/99  House  Debate adjourned until Tuesday, March 16, 1999 HJ-20
   03/24/99  House  Debate adjourned until Wednesday, April 7, 1999 HJ-3
   04/07/99  House  Recommitted to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-15

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE REPORT

February 24, 1999

H. 3418

S. Printed 2/24/99--H.

Read the first time February 2, 1999.

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3418), to amend Section 48-33-20, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the definition of forest land, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

CHARLES R. SHARPE, for Committee.

TO AMEND SECTION 48-33-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF FOREST LAND, SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE "FOREST LAND"; TO AMEND SECTION 48-33-30, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF FOREST FIRE, SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE "FOREST FIRE"; TO AMEND SECTION 48-33-60, RELATING TO COUNTY FORESTRY BOARDS, SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE ANNUAL FOREST FIRE PROTECTION PLAN AND PROVIDE THAT COUNTY FOREST FIRE PROTECTION OFFICES SHALL BE EMPLOYED ONLY WITH THE CONSENT OF THE COUNTY FORESTRY BOARD; AND TO AMEND SECTION 48-33-70, RELATING TO PLANS FOR FOREST FIRE PROTECTION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE COMMISSION OF FORESTRY SHALL PREPARE A PLAN FOR FOREST FIRE PROTECTION.

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

SECTION 1. Section 48-33-20 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 48-33-20. For the purpose of this chapter, all lands shall be construed as 'forest land' which have enough forest growth, standing or down, or have sufficient inflammable flammable debris or grass, outside of corporate limits, to constitute, in the judgment of the State Commission of Forestry, a fire menace to itself or adjoining lands."

SECTION 2. Section 48-33-30 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 48-33-30. The term 'forest fire,' as used in this chapter, means any fire burning uncontrolled on any land covered wholly or in part by timber, brush, grass, or other inflammable flammable vegetation."

SECTION 3. Section 48-33-60 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 48-33-60. The county boards shall assist in the efficient performance of the requirements of this chapter and the general conduct of the forestry program in the county. They shall review, revise and adopt the annual forest fire protection plan and the The county ranger, fire wardens, towermen and all other county forest fire protection officers shall be employed, retained or dismissed only with the consent of the county forestry board. The county ranger, fire wardens and towermen, and all other county officers of the county board shall must be residents of the county in which they are so employed."

SECTION 4. Section 48-33-70 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 48-33-70. The State Commission of Forestry shall prepare for each county forestry board a plan for forest fire protection for the fiscal year and present such plan at the July meeting of the board. It shall have power to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the administration of forest fire protection."

SECTION 5. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.