Current Status Introducing Body:Senate Bill Number:842 Committee Number:15 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Motor vehicles, abandoned Residing Body:Senate Computer Document Number:BR1/1376.AC Introduced Date:Apr 03, 1991 Last History Body:Senate Last History Date:Apr 03, 1991 Last History Type:Introduced, read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN
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842 Senate Apr 03, 1991 Introduced, read first time, 15
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-5920, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM DISPOSAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FURTHER FOR EXEMPTIONS AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-5950, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR ABANDONING MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FROM ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS AND ADD THE ALTERNATIVE PENALTY OF THIRTY DAYS' IMPRISONMENT.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 56-5-5920 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 56-5-5920. (A) Unless there is a safety or health hazard or a nuisance is created, the provisions of this article shall do not apply to motor vehicles:
(1) housed or protected from the elements,;
(2) those classified as antiques and registered pursuant to Section 56-3-2210 and 56-3-2220,;
(3) those exempted from registration pursuant to Section 56-3-120,;
(4) those motor vehicles reported as stolen in accordance with Section 56-5-5900,unless any such motor vehicle presents some safety or health hazard or constitutes a nuisance; or
(5) provided for in subsection (B).
(B) A person who owns real property on which are situated two or more motor vehicles without a current license plate and current inspection stickers, if applicable, is required to enclose the vehicles in a building on the property or to screen the vehicles from the sight of passersby traveling on roads, streets, or highways adjacent to or near the property. This screening must be accomplished by fencing or a natural barrier of evergreen trees, shrubbery, or similar or related vegetation. If a form of vegetation is used for the barrier, a reasonable period for growth must be allowed following the effective date of this act.
For purposes of this subsection `motor vehicle' means an automobile, van, pickup type truck, motor home, or salvaged trailer, which is an individual private passenger vehicle.
This subsection does not apply to licensed automobile dealerships or to vehicles or farming equipment used in a farming operation.
A motor vehicle not properly enclosed or screened in accordance with this subsection and which comes within the definition of abandoned or derelict motor vehicle as provided for in this article is subject to the disposition procedures contained in this article."
SECTION 2. Section 56-5-5950 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 56-5-5950. After July 1, 1974, any A person who abandons a motor vehicle either on public or private property or who fails to comply with the provisions of Section 56-5-5920(B) shall be is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall must be fined not more than one two hundred dollars, or imprisoned for thirty days, and shall must pay all costs of having such the abandoned motor vehicle removed, stored, and sold as provided for in Section 56-5-5850. All such motor vehicles shall must be removed and disposed of in accordance with Sections 56-5-5850 and 56-5-5860."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.