Current StatusView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.Bill Number: 2028 Ratification Number: 22 Act Number 10 Introducing Body: House Subject: Importation of Water Hyacinth and Hydrilla prohibited
(A10, R22, H2028)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OS SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-13-1415 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE IMPORTATION, POSSESSION, OR PLACING IN THE WATERS OF THIS STATE OF WATER HYACINTH AND HYDRILLA EXCEPT WHEN SPECIAL PERMITS ARE ISSUED ALLOWING THEIR USE FOR RESEARCH.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Importation of Water Hyacinth and Hydrilla prohibited
Section 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 50-13-1415. No person shall possess, sell, offer for sale, import, bring, or cause to be brought or imported into this State, or release or place into any waters of this State any of the following plants:
(1) Water Hyacinth
(2) Hydrilla
Provided, however, that the Wildlife and Marine Resources Department may issue special import permits to qualified persons for research purposes only.
The Department shall prescribe the methods, controls, and restrictions which are to be adhered to by any person or his agent to whom a special permit under the provisions of this section is issued. The Department is authorized to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section and the Department, by regulation, is specifically authorized to prohibit additional species of plants from being imported, possessed, or sold in this State when, in the discretion of the Department, such species of plants are potentially dangerous."
Time effective
Section 2. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.