South Carolina General Assembly
110th Session, 1993-1994

Bill 1433


Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


                    Current Status

Introducing Body:               Senate
Bill Number:                    1433
Primary Sponsor:                Rankin
Committee Number:               25
Type of Legislation:            GB
Subject:                        Redevelopment Authority,
                                military installations
Residing Body:                  House
Current Committee:              Judiciary
Computer Document Number:       1433
Introduced Date:                19940525    
Date of Last Amendment:         19940526    
Last History Body:              House
Last History Date:              19940531    
Last History Type:              Introduced, read first time,
                                referred to Committee
Scope of Legislation:           Statewide
All Sponsors:                   Rankin
                                     Elliott
                                     Greg Smith
Type of Legislation:            General Bill



History


Bill  Body    Date          Action Description              CMN  Leg Involved
____  ______  ____________  ______________________________  ___  ____________

1433  House   19940531      Introduced, read first time,    25
                            referred to Committee
1433  Senate  19940527      Read third time, sent to House
1433  Senate  19940526      Amended, read second time,
                            ordered to third reading with
                            notice of general amendments
1433  Senate  19940526      Reconsidered vote whereby
                            read second time, with notice
                            of general amendments on
                            third reading, and adoption
                            of Amendment No. 1
1433  Senate  19940526      Amended, read second time,
                            ordered to third reading with
                            notice of general amendments
1433  Senate  19940526      Reconsidered vote whereby
                            ordered to receive second
                            reading today and third
                            reading on Friday
1433  Senate  19940526      Read second time
1433  Senate  19940525      Unanimous consent for second
                            and third reading on the next
                            two consecutive Legislative
                            days
1433  Senate  19940525      Introduced, read first time,
                            placed on Calendar without
                            reference

View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

RECONSIDERED AND AMENDED

May 26, 1994

S. 1433

Introduced by SENATORS Rankin, Elliott and Greg Smith

S. Printed 5/26/94--S.

Read the first time May 25, 1994.

A BILL

TO AMEND TITLE 31, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 12 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE CREATION OF A REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE AND DISPOSE OF FEDERAL MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION OF THE AUTHORITY, ITS POWERS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

Amend Title To Conform

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

SECTION 1. Title 31 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"CHAPTER 12

Redevelopment Authority to Acquire and

Dispose of Federal Military Installations

Section 31-12-10. Short title.

This chapter may be cited as the "Military Facilities Redevelopment Law".

Section 31-12-20. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) As a result of the closure and realignment of military installations in the United States, federal property located in the State has and will become available for the State's use. It is in the best interests of the citizens of this State for the State, municipalities, and counties to work in concert and oversee and dispose of federal military facilities and other excess federal property, in an orderly and cooperative manner. It is the intent of this chapter that redevelopment authorities may be appointed to deal with military facilities that have been scheduled for closure by the United States Congress and to consult with the federal government pursuant to federal law relating to defense base closure and realignment. If any other incidental excess federal property is included with a scheduled closing, that property may also be dealt with by the authorities.

(2) The redevelopment of these facilities may often require substantial periods of time and substantial investment in redevelopment of the properties, including public infrastructure on the properties themselves and in the communities immediately surrounding the properties in order to re-integrate the former military facilities into the surrounding communities, and all reasonable means should be provided to assist the redevelopment authorities created pursuant to this chapter to fund improvements for redevelopment, including, in the case of properties located within incorporated municipalities, tax increment financing as authorized by Section 14 of Article X of the Constitution of South Carolina.

Section 31-12-30. As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) `Area of Operation' means the area within the territorial boundaries of the counties entitled to representation on an authority which consist of both the real property to be disposed of by an authority as well as any other properties disposed of directly by the federal government to public or private persons or entities, other than disposal to the federal government for other military uses, in connection with military installation closure and realignment, together with such areas of the surrounding community as may need planning for infrastructure improvements to support the redevelopment project area.

(2) `Authority' means a redevelopment authority created pursuant to Section 31-12-40.

(3) `Municipality' means an incorporated municipality of this State.

(4) `Obligations' means bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness issued by the municipality to carry out a redevelopment project or to refund outstanding obligations.

(5) `Redevelopment plan' means the comprehensive program of the authority for redevelopment intended by the payment of redevelopment costs to redevelop properties scheduled for disposal which may tend to return properties to the tax rolls, replace lost jobs, and integrate the properties back into the community, thereby enhancing the tax bases of the taxing districts which extend into the project redevelopment area and the economic health of the community in which it lies. Each redevelopment plan shall set forth in writing the program to be undertaken to accomplish the objectives and shall include, but not be limited to, estimated redevelopment project costs, possible sources of funds to pay costs, the most recent equalized assessed valuation of the project area as of the time of creation of a tax increment finance district pursuant to Section 31-12-200, an estimate as to the equalized assessed valuation after redevelopment, and the general land uses to apply in the redevelopment project area.

(6) `Redevelopment project' means any buildings, improvements, including street improvements, water, sewer and storm drainage facilities, parking facilities, and recreational facilities. Any project or undertaking authorized under Section 6-21-50 may also qualify as a redevelopment project under this chapter. All such projects may be owned by the authority, the municipality, the county, or any other appropriate public body. This term shall include portions of the redevelopment project located outside the redevelopment project area so long as they provide needed infrastructure support for the redevelopment project area.

(7) `Redevelopment project area' means an area within the incorporated area of a municipality and designated pursuant to Section 31-12-200, which is not less in the aggregate than one and one-half acres. It shall include both the real property to be disposed of by an authority as well as any other properties disposed of directly by the federal government to public or private persons or entities, other than disposal to the federal government for other military uses, in connection with military installation closure and realignment. Redevelopment project areas designated pursuant to Section 31-12-200 shall not be counted against the limits on acreage of redevelopment project areas within municipalities contained in Section 31-6-30(7).

(8) `Redevelopment project costs' means and includes the sum total of all reasonable or necessary costs incurred or estimated to be incurred and any costs incidental to a redevelopment project. The costs include, without limitation:

(a) Costs of studies and surveys, plans, and specifications; professional service costs including, but not limited to, architectural, engineering, legal, marketing, financial, planning, or special services.

(b) Property assembly costs including, but not limited to, acquisition of land and other property, real or personal, or rights or interest therein, demolition of buildings, and the clearing and grading of land.

(c) Costs of rehabilitation, reconstruction, repair, or remodeling of a redevelopment project.

(d) Costs of the construction of a redevelopment project.

(e) Financing costs including, but not limited to, all necessary and incidental expenses related to the issuance of obligations and which may include payment of interest on any obligations issued under the provisions of this chapter accruing during the estimated period of construction of any redevelopment project for which the obligations are issued and including reasonable reserves related thereto.

(f) Relocation costs to the extent that a municipality determines that relocation costs must be paid or required by federal or state law.

(9) `Taxing districts' means counties, incorporated municipalities, schools, special purpose districts, and any other municipal corporations or districts with the power to levy taxes.

(10) `Real property' shall include all property assessed under authority of Section 12-4-540 when such term is used in this chapter with regard to tax increment financing.

Section 31-12-40. (A) Consistent with subsection (B), the Governor may create separate and distinct bodies corporate and politic to be known as redevelopment authorities to oversee the disposition of real and personal federal property that has been or will be turned over to the State or to the redevelopment authority as referred to in the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act, 10 U.S.C. 2901, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, by the federal government or real and personal federal property that has been designated as surplus property by the federal government and is to be disposed of by the State or the redevelopment authority as a result of the closure and realignment of military facilities in the State. No more than one authority may be created with jurisdiction over a single federal military installation. Only one authority may be designated within any county and the Governor shall exercise his authority under this chapter in such a manner as to ensure that the composition of any authority created under this section shall be structured or restructured in accordance with the requirements contained hereinbelow as additional properties may be added through other closures and realignments, as properties are disposed of and as federally defined Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA's) are redefined, from time to time. If an authority is established, it shall be the sole representative of the State for negotiations with the appropriate federal authority for reuse and disposal of property.

(B) If the federal property subject to disposal is contained wholly within one county, which county does not lie in an MSA extending over more than one South Carolina county, the authority must include:

(1) two representatives of the State, nominated by a majority of the Senate and a majority of the House, who must be appointed by the Governor;

(2) three representatives of the county appointed by the county governing body;

(3) three representatives of each municipality in which the municipality's boundaries contain all or a portion of the military properties scheduled for disposal, appointed by the municipal governing body; and

(4) one at-large appointment by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, who shall be a resident of the county.

(C) No member of an authority may be an elected official or have held an elected office within six months of the date on which the member begins service on an authority. Nor may any member hold another office of honor or profit of this State while serving on the authority as prohibited by the South Carolina Constitution. Each member of an authority must comply with the provisions of Chapter 13 of Title 8 of the 1976 Code of Laws including the requirement to file a statement of economic interests.

(D) All executive orders of the Governor establishing any authority, commission, committee, or other entity relating to or concerned with the effects of the closure of federal military installations shall expire on March 1, 1995, if this chapter authorizes the creation of an authority to address the effects of the federal military installation in question. The Governor may issue no executive order relating to the purposes of this chapter except to create an authority as provided in Section 31-12-40. The Governor may not create an authority where the federal property subject to disposal is contained wholly or partly within a county when all or a portion of the county lies in an MSA which extends over more than one South Carolina county.

(E) Upon the creation of an authority under the provisions of this Chapter with regard to property scheduled for disposal which was also the subject of an executive order of the Governor issued prior to the effective date of this act, the authority may by its resolution, assume all or part of the responsibilities and activities of the entity previously authorized by the executive order.

Section 31-12-50. (A) The term of office for members appointed pursuant to Sections 31-12-40(B) is as follows: one of the state representatives, one of the county representatives, and one of the municipality representatives shall serve a four-year term as designated by the respective delegation or governing body. The other members shall serve an initial two-year term, including the at-large appointment by the Governor. After the initial terms all members shall serve four-year terms. Each member shall hold office until his successor is appointed and qualified.

(B) Vacancies for the unexpired terms of any member who resigns, ceases to be qualified, or is removed must be promptly filled in the manner of the original appointment. Any member who is guilty of malfeasance, misfeasance, incompetency, persistent absenteeism, conflicts of interest, misconduct, persistent neglect of duty in office, or incapacity, is subject to removal by majority vote of the appointing body upon any of the foregoing causes being made to appear satisfactory to the appointing body. A member is subject to removal by an appointing body, with or without cause, upon a two-thirds vote of an appointing body. An appointing officer may remove a member of an authority with or without cause. A member shall receive, as the authority determines, reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses and other out of pocket expenses incurred in the discharge of the member's duties.

Section 31-12-60. The Governor's at-large appointment shall serve for a two year term as chairman of any authority initially established. The authority shall select its vice chairman and such other officers as the authority may determine from its membership. The authority shall select its chairman at all times after the Governor's first at-large appointee ceases to serve his first term.

The authority may employ or contract for technical experts and other agents and employees as it may require and may determine the qualifications and compensation of these persons. A majority of the members then in office shall constitute a quorum for its meeting. No member is liable personally for losses unless the losses are occasioned by the wilful misconduct of the member. An authority may delegate one or more of its members, agents, or employees any of its powers that it considers necessary to carry out the purposes of the authority subject always to the supervision and control of the whole authority.

Section 31-12-70. (A) An authority shall constitute a public body, corporate and politic, exercising public and essential governmental powers, which powers shall include all powers necessary or appropriate to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this chapter, including the following powers:

(1) to make and from time to time amend and repeal bylaws, rules, regulations, and resolutions;

(2) to have perpetual succession;

(3) to adopt a seal;

(4) to sue and be sued;

(5) to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the authority; and any contract or instrument when signed by the chairman or vice chairman and secretary or assistant secretary of the authority must be held to have been properly executed for and on its behalf;

(6) to cooperate with any government or municipality as defined in this title;

(7) to act as agent of the State or federal government or any of its instrumentalities or agencies for the public purposes set out in this title;

(8) to prepare or cause to be prepared and adopt redevelopment plans and to undertake and carry out redevelopment projects within its area of operation;

(9) to arrange or contract for the furnishing or repair by any person or agency, public or private, of services, privileges, works, streets, roads, public utilities, or other facilities for or in connection with a redevelopment project; provided, however, the power provided herein shall not be construed to alter or amend the rights, responsibilities, or powers of electrical utilities, electric cooperatives, electric suppliers, municipal electric systems, or the Public Service Authority as provided in Chapter 27 and 31 of Title 58 and Section 5-7-60, as is or as may hereafter be amended;

(10) within its area of operation, to purchase, obtain options upon, acquire by gift, grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise, any real or personal property or any interest in it, together with any improvements on it, necessary or incidental to a redevelopment project, to hold, improve, clear, or prepare for redevelopment of the property, and sell, exchange, transfer, assign, subdivide, retain for its own use, mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any real or personal property or any interest in it, either as an entirety to a single redeveloper or in parts to several redevelopers, to enter into contracts, either before or after the real property that is the subject of the contract is acquired by the authority, with redevelopers of property containing covenants, restrictions, and conditions regarding the use of the property for residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational purposes or for public purposes in accordance with the redevelopment plan and such other covenants, restrictions, and conditions as the authority may consider necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter; and to provide appropriate remedies for any breach of covenants or conditions, including the right to terminate the contracts and any interest in the property created pursuant thereto; to borrow money and issue bonds and provide security for bonds, provided that the authority may not pledge the full faith and credit of the state or of any of its political subdivisions for the repayment of said bonds; to insure or provide for the insurance of any real or personal property or operations of the authority against any risks or hazards, including the power to pay premiums on the insurance; and to enter into any contracts necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter;

(11) to invest any funds held in reserves or sinking funds or any funds not required for immediate disbursements, in the investments as may be lawful for guardians, executors, administrators or other fiduciaries under the laws of this State; and to redeem its bonds at the redemption price established therein or to purchase its bonds at less than redemption price, all bonds so redeemed or purchased to be canceled;

(12) to borrow money and to apply for and accept advances, loans evidenced by bonds, grants, contributions, and any other form of financial assistance from the federal government, the State, county, municipality, or other public body or from any sources, public or private for the purposes of this chapter, to give this security as may be required and to enter into and carry out contracts in connection with it;

(13) within its area of operation, to make or have made all surveys, studies, and plans necessary to the carrying out of the purposes of this chapter and in connection with it to enter into or upon any land, building, or improvement on it for the purposes and to make soundings, test borings, surveys, appraisals, and other preliminary studies and investigations necessary to carry out its powers and to contract or cooperate with any and all persons or agencies, public or private, in the making and carrying out the surveys, appraisals, studies, and plans. An authority is specifically authorized to make:

(a) plans for carrying out a program of voluntary repair and rehabilitation of buildings and improvements; and

(b) plans for the enforcement of laws, codes, and regulations relating to the use of land, the use and occupancy of buildings and improvements, and to the compulsory repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal of buildings and improvements, subject to the approval of the municipality, or county if not within a municipality, within which the properties lie;

(14) to make expenditures as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and to make expenditures from funds obtained from the federal government;

(15) to perform redevelopment project undertakings and activities in one or more contiguous or noncontiguous redevelopment areas that are planned and carried out on the basis of annual tax increments in accordance with the remaining provision of this Chapter.

(B) In carrying out a redevelopment project, an authority may:

(1) with or without consideration and, at private sale, in accordance with the redevelopment plan, convey real property to the municipality, county, or other appropriate public body to be laid out for streets, alleys, and public ways;

(2) with or without consideration, convey at private sale, in accordance with the redevelopment plan, grant, or dedicate easements and rights-of-way for public utilities, sewers, streets, and other similar facilities;

(3) with or without consideration, and at private sale, in accordance with the redevelopment plan, convey to a municipality, county, or other appropriate public body, real property to be used for parks, schools, public buildings, facilities, or other public purposes; and

(4) temporarily rent or lease, operate, or maintain real property in a redevelopment area, whether or not in accordance with the redevelopment plan and pending the disposition of the property for redevelopment, as may be deemed appropriate.

(C) In developing its redevelopment plans, an authority shall take into account the needs of the surrounding community and attempt to integrate the redevelopment of the properties scheduled for disposition with any adjacent areas. To that end, and with the consent and concurrence of the local governing body having planning and zoning authority over the surrounding areas, the authority may prepare and implement plans for public infrastructure or other improvements which would be authorized under the Community Development Law for a municipality in such areas.

(D) In furtherance of its purposes, an authority may issue revenue bonds, the interest on which may or may not be excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, for the purpose of raising funds needed from time to time for the financing or refinancing, in whole or in part, of the acquisition, construction, equipping, maintenance, and operation of any facility, building, structure, or any other matter or thing which the authority is authorized to acquire, construct, equip, maintain, or operate.

Section 31-12-80. (A) Any public body, including the State and any political subdivision or any public or quasi-public entity or affiliated corporate entity by whatever name whose board is appointed pursuant to an act of the General Assembly, upon such terms, with or without consideration, for the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the planning, undertaking, or carrying out of a redevelopment project located within the area in which it is authorized to act, may:

(a) dedicate, sell, convey, or lease any of its interest in any property, or grant easements, licenses, or any other rights or privileges therein to an authority;

(b) cause parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, education, water, sewer, or drainage facilities, or any other works that it is otherwise empowered to undertake, to be furnished in connection with a redevelopment project;

(c) furnish, dedicate, close, vacate, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan or replan streets, roads, sidewalks, ways, or other places that it is otherwise empowered to undertake;

(d) plan or replan any part of the redevelopment;

(e) cause administrative and other services to be furnished to the authority of the character which the public body is otherwise empowered to undertake or furnish for the same or other purposes;

(f) enter into an agreement to pay fees in lieu of taxes as to any properties it might use, own, or acquire located within the redevelopment project area, such fees not to exceed amounts which would otherwise be paid if the properties were not tax exempt, and upon approval of the municipal governing body, such fees may be pledged for the repayment of tax increment finance obligations issued pursuant to this chapter;

(g) enter into an agreement to fund public infrastructure improvements as a part of redevelopment project in such amounts as may represent anticipated savings in capital or operating expenditures of the public body due to its acquisition of properties scheduled for disposition as a part of the redevelopment project; and,

(h) do any and all things necessary or convenient to aid and cooperate in the planning or carrying out of a redevelopment plan.

(B) Any sale, conveyance, or agreement provided for in this section may be made by a public body without public notice, advertisement, or public bidding.

Section 31-12-90. Notwithstanding any provision of law, neither the State nor any political subdivision or any public or quasi-public entity or affiliated corporate entity by whatever name whose board is appointed pursuant to an act of the General Assembly or any non-profit public or non-profit private corporation chartered for the purpose of furthering economic development may make a profit on the sale of real estate to a redevelopment authority created pursuant to this act; nor may any monies from the authority's assets developed through the sale, lease, or fees generated from the profits be transferred to any government entity above, beyond, or outside of the authority itself, except as may be required or permitted by applicable provisions of the Defense Base Closure Realignment Act, 10 U.S.C. 2901, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time.

Section 31-12-100. (A) An authority created pursuant to this chapter may dissolve the authority by a two-thirds vote of the entire number of authorized members if no property remains for redevelopment or if the authority decides to transfer the remaining redevelopment properties to another public body or successor entity created by statute.

(B) Final dissolution may occur only upon sale of all properties to the private sector or conveyance to another public entity described in subsection (A) with the lawful power to receive real and personal property held by the authority and the satisfaction of all outstanding obligations of the authority or their lawful assumption by another public entity described in subsection (A).

(C) Upon a determination to dissolve, the authority may dispose of any tangible or intangible property remaining after transfer of any remaining redevelopment properties as provided by law or in the following manner:

(1) tangible personal property and cash or similar instruments held by the authority shall be distributed to the local governmental entities which nominated members to the authority; and

(2) disbursement of assets shall be based on the cash value of all assets, and shall be distributed in reimbursement to local government entities which have contributed cash funds or capital assets in proportion to the dollar value of contributions made by the government entities that have not been otherwise recovered by the contributing governmental entity through direct revenues.

(D) The authority shall keep annual and permanent records of cash contributions and the value of in-kind donations of the governmental entities, and such records shall be used to determine the distribution of assets of the authority based on the net present value of such contributions at the time it is dissolved.

Section 31-12-110. Notwithstanding any provision of law or regulation, an authority shall be an "agency" for purposes of Chapter 78 of Title 15.

Section 31-12-120. Notwithstanding any provision of law or regulation, an authority must comply with the provisions of Chapter 35 of Title 11 (South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code) and the related regulations issued by the Budget and Control Board. In any instance where a provision of this chapter is inconsistent with a provision of the Procurement Code or regulation, the Procurement Codes and regulation shall control.

Section 31-12-200. Upon creation of a redevelopment authority by the Governor, any properties scheduled for disposal within a particular municipality, whether contiguous or not, including, to the extent that the State may then or thereafter have or acquire jurisdiction, all properties over which the State has ceded jurisdiction in whole or in part to the United States of America, and including both the real property to be disposed of by an authority as well as any other properties disposed of directly by the federal government to public or private persons or entities, other than disposal to the federal government for other military uses, in connection with military installation closure and realignment, shall without further action being necessary be constituted as a tax increment finance district in accordance with the remaining provisions of this Chapter.

Section 31-12-210. Obligations secured by the special tax allocation fund set forth in Section 31-12-270 for the redevelopment project area may be issued by the municipality upon the request of the authority to provide for redevelopment project costs. The obligations, when so issued, must be retired in the manner provided in the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the obligations by the receipts of taxes levied as specified in Section 31-12-270 against the taxable property included in the area and other revenue as specified in Section 31-12-310 designated by the municipality or by the authority which source does not involve revenues from any tax or license. In the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the obligations the municipality may pledge all or any part of the funds in and to be deposited in the special tax allocation fund created pursuant to Section 32-12-200 to the payment of the redevelopment project costs and obligations. Any pledge of funds in the special tax allocation fund must provide for distribution to the taxing districts of monies not required for payment and securing of the obligations and the excess funds are surplus funds. In the event a municipality only pledges a portion of the monies in the special tax allocation fund for the payment of redevelopment project costs or obligations, any funds remaining in the special tax allocation fund after complying with the requirements of the pledge are also considered surplus funds. All surplus funds must be distributed annually to the taxing districts in the redevelopment project area by being paid by the municipality to the county treasurer of the county in which the municipality is located. The county treasurer shall immediately thereafter make distribution to the respective taxing districts in the same manner and proportion as the most recent distribution by the county treasurer to the affected districts of real property taxes from real property in the redevelopment project area.

In addition to obligations secured by the special tax allocation fund, the municipality, with the concurrence of the authority evidenced by its resolution, may pledge for a period not greater than the term of the obligations toward payment of the obligations any part of the revenues remaining after payment of operation and maintenance, of all or part of any redevelopment project.

The obligations may be issued in one or more series, may bear such date or dates, may mature at such time or times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates, may bear such rate or rates of interest as the governing body shall determine, may be in such denomination or denominations, may be in such form, either coupon or registered, may carry such registration and conversion privileges, may be executed in such manner, may be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, may be subject to such terms of redemption, with or without premium, may be declared or become due before the maturity date thereof, may provide for the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, stolen, or lost bonds, may be authenticated in such manner and upon compliance with such conditions, and may contain such other terms and covenants, as may be provided by the governing body of the municipality. If the governing body determines to sell any obligations the obligations must be sold at public or private sale in such manner and upon such terms as the governing body considers best for the interest of the municipality.

The obligations must be issued within fifteen years of the creation of the tax increment finance district in accordance with Section 31-12-200.

A certified copy of the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the obligations must be filed with the clerk of the governing body of each county and treasurer of each county in which any portion of the tax municipality is situated and shall constitute the authority for the extension and collection of the taxes to be deposited in the special tax allocation fund.

A municipality also may issue its obligations to refund in whole or in part obligations previously issued by the municipality under the authority of this chapter, whether at or prior to maturity, and all references in this chapter to "obligations" are considered to include these refunding obligations.

The debt incurred by a municipality pursuant to this chapter is exclusive of any statutory limitation upon the indebtedness a taxing district may incur. All obligations issued pursuant to this chapter shall contain a statement on the face of the obligation specifying the sources from which payment is to be made and shall state that the full faith, credit, and taxing powers are not pledged for the obligations.

The trustee or depositary under any indenture may be such persons or corporations as the governing body designates, or they may be nonresidents of South Carolina or incorporated under the laws of the United States or the laws of other states of the United States.

Section 31-12-250. The proceeds from obligations issued under authority of Sections 31-12-200 through 31-12-320 of this chapter must be applied only for the purpose for which they were issued. Any premium and accrued interest received in any such sale must be applied to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the obligations sold. Any portion of the proceeds not needed for redevelopment project costs must be applied to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the obligations.

Section 31-12-260. The obligations authorized by this chapter and the income from the obligations and all security agreements and indentures executed as security for the obligations made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and the revenue derived from the obligations are exempt from all taxation in the State of South Carolina except for inheritance, estate, or transfer taxes and all security agreements and indentures made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter are exempt from all state stamp and transfer taxes.

Section 31-12-270. A municipality, after the adoption of an ordinance pursuant to Section 31-12-280 concurring in an authority's redevelopment plan, may issue obligations under this chapter upon the request of the redevelopment authority to finance the redevelopment project upon adoption of an ordinance providing that:

(1) after the issuance of the obligations; and

(2) after the total equalized assessed valuation of the taxable real property in a redevelopment project area exceeds the certified "total initial equalized assessed value" established in accordance with Section 31-12-300(B) of all taxable real property in the project area, the ad valorem taxes, if any, arising from the levies upon taxable real property in the project area by taxing districts and tax rates determined in the manner provided in Section 31-12-300(B) each year after the obligations have been issued until obligations issued under this chapter have been retired and redevelopment project costs have been paid must be divided as follows:

(a) that portion of taxes levied upon each taxable lot, block, tract, or parcel of real property which is attributable to the total initial equalized assessed value of all taxable real property in the redevelopment project area must be allocated to and when collected must be paid by the county treasurer to the respective affected taxing districts in the manner required by law in the absence of the adoption of the redevelopment plan; and

(b) that portion, if any, of taxes which is attributable to the increase in the current total equalized assessed valuation of all taxable real property in the redevelopment project area over and above the total initial equalized assessed value of taxable real property in the redevelopment project area must be allocated to and when collected must be paid to the municipality which shall deposit the taxes into a special fund called the special tax allocation fund of the municipality for the purpose of paying redevelopment project costs and obligations incurred in the payment of the costs and obligations. The municipality may pledge in the ordinance the funds in and to be deposited in the special tax allocation fund for the payment of the costs and obligations.

When obligations issued under this chapter have been retired and redevelopment project costs incurred under this chapter have been paid or budgeted pursuant to the redevelopment plan, as evidenced by resolution of the governing body of the municipality, concurred in by resolution of the authority, all surplus funds then remaining in the special tax allocation fund must be paid by the municipal treasurer to the county treasurer who immediately, after receiving the payment, shall pay the funds to the taxing districts in the redevelopment project area in the same manner and proportion as the most recent distribution by the treasurer to the affected districts of real property taxes from real property in the redevelopment project area.

Upon the payment of all redevelopment project costs, retirement of all obligations of a municipality issued under this chapter, and the distribution of any surplus monies pursuant to this section, at least fifteen years having passed since the creation of the tax increment finance district pursuant to Section 31-12-200, the municipality shall adopt an ordinance dissolving the tax allocation fund for the project redevelopment area and terminating the designation of the redevelopment project area as a redevelopment project area for purposes of this chapter. Thereafter, the rates of the taxing districts must be extended and taxes levied, collected, and distributed in the manner applicable in the absence of the adoption of a redevelopment plan and the issuance of obligations under this chapter.

Section 31-12-280. Prior to the issuance of any obligations under this chapter, the municipality shall set forth by way of ordinance the following:

(a) a copy of the redevelopment plan of the authority;

(b) a statement indicating the need for and proposed use of the proceeds of the obligations in relationship to the redevelopment plan;

(c) a list of all real property in the redevelopment project area; and

(d) a statement of the estimated impact of the redevelopment plan upon the revenues of all taxing districts in which a redevelopment project area is located.

Before approving the issuance of any obligations under this chapter, the governing body of the municipality must hold a public hearing on the redevelopment plan after published notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the tax increment finance district is located not less than fifteen days and not more than thirty days prior to the hearing. The notice shall include:

(1) the time and place of the public hearing;

(2) a notification that all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing;

(3) a description of the redevelopment project area, the redevelopment plan, and the redevelopment project; and

(4) the maximum estimated term of obligations to be issued at that time.

Not less than forty-five days prior to the date set for the public hearing, the municipality shall give the same notice to all taxing districts of which taxable property is included in the redevelopment project area.

Adoption of an ordinance approving the issuance of any obligations under this Chapter shall not preclude amendments to the redevelopment plan of the authority and any proceeds of obligations issued hereunder may be applied to the implementation of any such amended redevelopment plan.

Section 31-12-290. Carry forward of funds.

During the existence of the special tax allocation fund created pursuant to this Chapter, funds not otherwise expended may be carried forward from year to year to be applied to future years obligations and shall not be considered surplus funds subject to distribution under the provisions of Section 31-12-270 unless determined otherwise by resolution of the authority.

Section 31-12-300. (A) If a municipality authorizes by ordinance the issuance of obligations pursuant to Section 31-12-210, the auditor of the county in which the municipality is situated, immediately after adoption of the ordinance pursuant to Section 31-12-210, must, upon request of the municipality, determine and certify:

(1) the most recently ascertained equalized assessed value of all taxable real property within the redevelopment project area, as of the date of creation of the authority pursuant to Section 31-12-200, or the date the properties were scheduled for disposal by final action of the federal government in the case of properties added after the date of creation of the authority, which value is the "initial equalized assessed value" of the property; and

(2) the total equalized assessed value of all taxable real property within the redevelopment project area and certifying the amount as the "total initial equalized assessed value" of the taxable real property within the redevelopment project area.

(B) After the county auditor has certified the total initial equalized assessed value of the taxable real property in the area, then in respect to every taxing district containing a redevelopment project area, the county auditor or any other official required by law to ascertain the amount of the equalized assessed value of all taxable property within the district for the purpose of computing the rate percent of tax to be extended upon taxable property within such district, shall in every year that obligations are outstanding for redevelopment projects in the redevelopment area ascertain the amount of value of taxable property in a project redevelopment area by including in the amount the certified total initial equalized assessed value of all taxable real property in the area in lieu of the equalized assessed value of all taxable real property in the area. The rate percent of tax determined must be extended to the current equalized assessed value of all property in the redevelopment project area in the same manner as the rate percent of tax is extended to all other taxable property in the taxing district. The method of extending taxes established under this section terminates when the municipality adopts an ordinance dissolving the special tax allocation fund for the redevelopment project.

Section 31-12-310. Revenues received by the municipality or authority from any property, building, or facility owned by the municipality or authority, or any agency or authority established by the municipality, in the redevelopment project area may be used to pay redevelopment project costs or reduce outstanding obligations of the municipality incurred under this chapter for redevelopment project costs. If the obligations are used to finance the extension or expansion of a system as defined in Section 6-21-40 in the redevelopment project area, all or a portion of the revenues of the system, whether or not located entirely within the redevelopment project area, including the revenues of the redevelopment project, may be pledged to secure the obligations issued under this chapter. The municipality is fully empowered to use any of the powers granted by either or both of the provisions of Chapter 17 of Title 6 (The Revenue Bond Refinancing Act of 1937) or the provisions of Chapter 21 of Title 6 (Revenue Bond Act for Utilities). In exercising the powers conferred by the provisions, the municipality may make any pledges and covenants authorized by any provision of those chapters. The municipality may place the revenues in the special tax allocation fund or a separate fund which must be held by the municipality or financial institution designated by the municipality. Revenue received by the municipality or authority from the sale or other disposition of real property acquired by the municipality or authority with the proceeds of obligations issued under the provisions of this chapter must be deposited by the municipality or authority in the special tax allocation fund of the municipality or a separate fund which must be held by the municipality or authority or a financial institution designated by the municipality or authority, with such proceeds to be used to discharge the obligations issued pursuant to this chapter or otherwise to further the purposes of the redevelopment project. Proceeds of grants may be pledged by the municipality and deposited in the special tax allocation fund or a separate fund.

Section 31-12-320. If the redevelopment project area is located within more than one municipality, the municipalities may jointly approve a redevelopment plan and authorize obligations as provided under the provisions of this chapter."

SECTION 2. Section 6-7-830(a) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(a) All agencies, departments and subdivisions of this State that use real property, as owner or tenant, in any county or municipality in this State shall be subject to the zoning ordinances thereof.

Any county or agency, department or subdivision thereof that uses any real property, as owner or tenant, within the limits of any municipality in this State shall be subject to the zoning ordinances of the municipality.

Any municipality or agency, department or subdivision thereof, that uses any real property, as owner or tenant, within the limits of any county in this State but not within the limits of such municipality shall be subject to the zoning ordinances of the county.

All agencies, departments, and subdivisions of this State, including public or quasi-public entities by whatever name whose board is appointed pursuant to an act of the General Assembly and redevelopment authorities created pursuant to Chapter 12 of Title 31, that use real property, as owner or tenant, in any county or municipality in this State shall be subject to the zoning and subdivision ordinances and regulations thereof.

Any county or agency, department, or subdivision thereof that uses any real property, as owner or tenant, within the limits of any municipality in this State shall be subject to the zoning and subdivision ordinances and regulations of the municipality.

Any municipality or agency, department, or subdivision thereof, that uses any real property, as owner or tenant, within the limits of any county in this State but not within the limits of such municipality shall be subject to the zoning and subdivision ordinances and regulations of the county. Any municipality or agency, department, or subdivision thereof, that uses any real property, as owner or tenant, within the limits of any other municipality in this State but not within its own limits shall be subject to the zoning and subdivision ordinances and regulation of such other municipality.

The provisions of this section shall apply regardless of any cession of jurisdiction to the United States of America pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 3, or otherwise.

The provisions of this section shall not require any state agency, department, or subdivision to move from facilities occupied on June 18, 1976, regardless of whether or not their location is in violation of municipal or county zoning ordinances.

The provisions of this act do not apply to a home serving nine or fewer mentally or physically handicapped persons provided the home provides care on a twenty-four hour basis and is approved or licensed by a state agency or department or under contract with the agency or department for such purpose. Any such home is construed to be a natural family or such similar term as may be utilized by any county or municipal zoning ordinance to refer to persons related by blood or marriage. Prior to locating the home for such handicapped persons the appropriate state agency or department or the private entity operating the home under contract must first give prior notice to the local governing body administering the pertinent zoning laws, advising of the exact site of any proposed home. The notice must also identify the individual representing the agency, department, or private entity for site selection purposes. If the local governing body objects to the selected site, the governing body must notify the site selection representative of the entity seeking to establish the home within fifteen days of receiving notice and must appoint a representative to assist the entity in selection of a comparable alternate site and/or structure. The site selection representative of the entity seeking to establish the home and the representative of the local governing body, shall select a third mutually agreeable person. The three persons shall have forty-five days to make a final selection of the site by majority vote. Such final selection shall be binding on the entity and the governing body. In the event no selection has been made by the end of the forty-five day period, the entity establishing the home shall select the site without further proceedings. An application for variance or special exception is not required. No person may intervene to prevent the establishment of such a community residence without reasonable justification.

Prospective residents of such homes shall be screened by the licensing agency to insure that such placement is appropriate.

The licensing agency shall conduct reviews of such homes no less frequently than every six months for the purpose of promoting the rehabilitative purposes of the homes and their continued compatibility with their neighborhoods."

SECTION 3. Section 6-31-20(2) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(2) `Developer' means a person, including a governmental agency or redevelopment authority created pursuant to the provisions of the Military Facilities Redevelopment Law, who intends to undertake any development and who has a legal or equitable interest in the property to be developed."

SECTION 4. Section 6-31-40 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 6-31-40. A local government may enter into a development agreement with a developer for the development of property as provided in this chapter provided the property contains twenty-five acres or more of highland. Development agreements involving property containing no more than two hundred fifty acres of highland shall be for a term not to exceed five years. Development agreements involving property containing one thousand acres or less of highland but more than two hundred fifty acres of highland shall be for a term not to exceed ten years. Development agreements involving property containing two thousand acres or less of highland but more than one thousand acres of highland and development agreements with a developer which is a redevelopment authority created pursuant to the provisions of the Military Facilities Redevelopment Law, regardless of the number of acres of property involved, shall be for a term not to exceed twenty years. Development agreements involving property containing more than two thousand acres may be for such term as the local government and developer shall elect."

SECTION 5. If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this act, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this act, and each and every section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.

SECTION 6. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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