Current Status Bill Number:300 Type of Legislation:Joint Resolution JR Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19950110 Primary Sponsor:Greg Smith All Sponsors:Greg Smith Drafted Document Number:RES9545.GS Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Fish, Game and Forestry Committee 07 SFGF Subject:Boating Access Improvement Act
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________
Senate 19950110 Introduced, read first time, 07 SFGF
referred to Committee
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TO CREATE THE BOATING ACCESS IMPROVEMENT FUND, TO PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUNDING, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND; AND TO INCREASE THE BOAT REGISTRATION FEE REQUIRED BY SECTION 50-21-340 OF THE 1976 CODE FROM TEN TO THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 1995, TO JUNE 30, 2001, ONLY, WITH THE ADDITIONAL FEE REVENUES TO BE DEPOSITED IN THE BOATING ACCESS IMPROVEMENT FUND.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A) There is established a separate and continuing fund in the State Treasury known as the Boating Access Improvement Fund. The State Treasurer shall serve as trustee for the Fund and shall hold the monies deposited in the fund separate and distinct from the general funds of the State. The Fund consists of monies received under this resolution and any other sources of revenue, public or private, including donations. The State Treasurer shall deposit the funds dedicated to the Fund in a separate account to be administered by the Department of Natural Resources in accordance with the guidelines and purposes established by this resolution. Interest or other increment resulting from investment must be deposited in the Fund.
(B) The Fund shall be used by the department to provide a stable and continuing funding source for the building and maintenance of public boat ramp facilities in this State. Monies credited to the Fund may be expended only for projects approved by the department as they relate to boat access facilities in this State and to reimburse the department for the costs or expenses incurred in the administration and operation of the Fund. These funds shall not be used for any other purpose. The monies in the Fund may be paid out only upon the signature of the director of the department or a designee of the director, upon the written warrants of the Comptroller General drawn on the State Treasurer to the payee designated in the requisition. The department shall maintain separate records and books of accounts for all monies deposited into the Fund.
(C) Effective July 1, 1995, the boat registration fee required by Section 50-21-340 shall be increased from ten dollars to thirty-five dollars and shall apply to all new registrations and all renewals of registrations expiring on or before June 30, 2001. Twenty-five dollars of the fee shall be credited to the Fund and shall be placed in an interest bearing account with the State Treasurer. After June 30, 2001, the fee required by Section 50-21-340 shall be reduced to ten dollars, no part of which shall be credited to the fund.
(D) The department shall prepare and maintain a needs assessment relating to boat ramp access facilities, establish criteria for developing a statewide maintenance plan for current facilities, and identify developing areas in need of new boat access facilities. The department shall also develop a plan to coordinate with local civic and volunteer organizations to place public boat ramps under the department's State Maintenance Plan and allow these organizations to assist with the upkeep of the local facilities.
(E)(1) The Boating Access Improvement Fund Advisory Committee is established. The department shall coordinate with the advisory committee to monitor current projects and assist in developing new projects. The advisory committee shall be comprised of seven members, appointed by the chairman of the board of the Department of Natural Resources, to include the following:
(a) the Director of the Department of Natural Resources or his designee, who shall serve as chairman;
(b) two members representing the S.C. Bass Federation;
(c) two members representing the Atlantic Coast Conservation Association; and
(d) two members representing the S.C. Marina Dealers Association.
(2) The Chairman of the Boat Access Improvement Fund Advisory Committee shall serve a term to run concurrently with his service as director of the department and all other members shall serve two year terms, and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Each organization represented on the advisory committee shall nominate its representatives to the chairman of the board of the department, including nomination of representatives to fill any vacancies which may occur. Within ninety days of the expiration of a term, the presiding officer of each organization represented on the advisory committee shall notify the chairman of the board of the department of the name, mailing address, and telephone number of its nominees for representation on the advisory committee.
(3) The committee shall meet upon the call of the chairman and shall serve in an advisory capacity only. The chairman shall provide timely notification of each meeting of the advisory committee to the members. The committee shall adopt rules concerning meeting attendance by its members. Members of the advisory committee are not eligible for reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, or per diem.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.