S 0520 Joint Resolution, By Senate Medical Affairs
 A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, RELATING TO SEPTIC TANK SITE EVALUATION FEES,
 DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3084, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF
 ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

   03/01/07  Senate Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar
                     without reference SJ-5
   03/06/07  Senate Read second time SJ-14
   03/07/07  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-26
   03/08/07  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-16
   03/08/07  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-16

INTRODUCED

March 1, 2007

S. 520

S. Printed 3/1/07--S.

Read the first time March 1, 2007.

TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, RELATING TO SEPTIC TANK SITE EVALUATION FEES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3084, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

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

SECTION    1.    The regulations of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, relating to Septic Tank Site Evaluation Fees, designated as Regulation Document Number 3084, and submitted to the General Assembly pursuant to the provisions of Article 1, Chapter 23, Title 1 of the 1976 Code, are approved.

SECTION    2.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Fees for septic tank site evaluations were initiated in the mid-1980's to supplement state appropriations; the fees were never intended to replace appropriated funds. These fees were set at an initial fee rate of $40.00 per applicant; they were increased to $60.00 per applicant in 1987. They were increased to $100 in 1999. There have been no subsequent fee increases; nor have there been subsequent appropriations to this activity.

Septic tank permits issued have increased from an annual average of 18,000 in 1987 to an annual average of 24,500 for the past 5 years. There has been no increase in staff during this same period. While response times for septic tank permit applications fluctuate throughout the year, the average response time has increased three-fold during this same period. Budget reductions, escalating operating costs, increased personnel costs, and increased demand for services have diminished the program's ability to continue to function at current levels. Additional funding is needed to continue operation of the program in a timely, effective, and efficient manner. Proposed R.61-55, Septic Tank Site Evaluation Fees, incorporates a fee increase from $100.00 to $150.00.