Bill 3143

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                    3143
Ratification Number:            50
Act Number:                     29
Type of Legislation:            General Bill GB
Introducing Body:               House
Introduced Date:                19950110
Primary Sponsor:                D. Smith 
All Sponsors:                   D. Smith, Inabinett, Kelley,
                                Seithel, Cain 
Drafted Document Number:        PFM\7056BDW.95
Companion Bill Number:          3221
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:   19950404
Governor's Action:              S
Date of Governor's Action:      19950410
Subject:                        Golf Week

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________

------  19950410  Act No. A29
------  19950410  Signed by Governor
------  19950405  Ratified R50
Senate  19950404  Read third time, enrolled for
                  ratification
Senate  19950330  Read second time
Senate  19950329  Committee report: Favorable              08 SG
Senate  19950207  Introduced, read first time,             08 SG
                  referred to Committee
House   19950202  Read third time, sent to Senate
House   19950201  Read second time
House   19950126  Committee report: Favorable              20 HANR
House   19950110  Introduced, read first time,             20 HANR
                  referred to Committee
House   19941221  Prefiled, referred to Committee          20 HANR

(A29, R50, H3143)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-130 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR GOLF WEEK.

Whereas, a University of South Carolina and South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism study shows golf generating more than six hundred forty-four million dollars annually for the state's economy, putting it on a par with the state's larger industries; and

Whereas, given that the National Golf Foundation ranks South Carolina just behind Florida as the nation's most popular golfing sport for tourists, this staggering amount of revenue isn't surprising; and

Whereas, the study, which is the state's first economic impact study of South Carolina's golf industry, finds that the golf course operations generate employment for more than fourteen thousand full-time workers; and

Whereas, the study showed:

(1) Out-of-state and international tourists, mostly from Canada and Germany, account for thirty-eight percent of South Carolina golfers.

(2) Sixty-three cents of every dollar spent by South Carolina's golf industry is respent in the state's economy.

(3) More than four hundred sixteen industries, including golf courses, utility companies, liability insurance companies, chemical/fertilizer manufacturers, and golf vehicle dealers, benefit directly from the state's golf industry.

(4) More than sixteen million, seven hundred thousand dollars in sales, excise, and admission taxes are generated annually by golf-related industries. Additional benefits include the creation of jobs and property tax revenue; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly recognize the importance of raising funds for research to promote environmentally sound turfgrass management. The continued success of the golf industry is dependent on research-based answers to the environmental concerns of the public; and

Whereas, Golf Week in South Carolina will allow the South Carolina Junior Golf Association and the South Carolina Chapter of the Professional Golfers of America to seek support to increase the education and advancement of junior golf throughout the State and will allow the South Carolina Turfgrass Foundation to pursue research and education relating to environmentally sensitive turfgrass management. Now, therefore,

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

Golf Week

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 53-3-130. The last week in April in each year is designated as `Golf Week' in South Carolina. The Governor shall issue appropriate proclamations to commemorate `Golf Week' which must be observed throughout South Carolina with appropriate ceremonies and events to recognize the:

(1) economic impact of the golf industry in South Carolina;

(2) importance of the state's junior golfers;

(3) importance of turfgrass research."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Approved the 10th day of April, 1995.