Bill 3590

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                    3590
Ratification Number:            279
Act Number:                     266
Type of Legislation:            General Bill GB
Introducing Body:               House
Introduced Date:                19970304
Primary Sponsor:                Gourdine
All Sponsors:                   Gourdine, Altman, Breeland,
                                Harrell, Cobb-Hunter, Bailey,
                                Inabinett, H. Brown, Hinson, Law,
                                Govan, Chellis, Mack, Stuart, Lloyd,
                                Dantzler, Seithel, Limehouse, Felder,
                                Whatley, Battle, Young-Brickell and
                                Campsen 
Drafted Document Number:        psd\7108ac.97
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:   19980204
Date of Last Amendment:         19980128
Governor's Action:              U Became law without signature of
                                Governor
Date of Governor's Action:      19980224
Subject:                        Wildlife, unlawful to use
                                artificial lights to harass in Game
                                Zone No. 6, Fish and Game, Natural
                                Resources

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

------  19980306  Act No. A266
------  19980224  Unsigned, became law without
                  signature of Governor
------  19980217  Ratified R279
House   19980204  Concurred in Senate amendment,
                  enrolled for ratification
Senate  19980129  Read third time, returned to House
                  with amendment
Senate  19980128  Amended, read second time
Senate  19970522  Committee report: majority               07 SFGF
                  favorable, minority unfavorable
Senate  19970501  Introduced, read first time,             07 SFGF
                  referred to Committee
House   19970501  Read third time, sent to Senate
House   19970430  Read second time
House   19970429  Recalled from Committee                  20 HANR
House   19970304  Introduced, read first time,             20 HANR
                  referred to Committee

(A266, R279, H3590)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-11-708 SO AS TO PROHIBIT IN GAME ZONE 6 THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS FROM ANY VEHICLE OR WATER AND CONVEYANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBSERVING OR HARASSING WILDLIFE AND TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION AND PENALTIES.

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

Use of artificial lights prohibited for observing or harassing wildlife; exception; penalty

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 50-11-708. (A) In Game Zone 6 the use of artificial lights from any vehicle or water conveyance for the purpose of observing or harassing wildlife is unlawful. However, this section does not prohibit an owner of real property or a person with a legal interest in real property from the use of artificial lights from any vehicle or water conveyance for the purpose of surveying or protecting the property. This section does not prohibit a person or group observing wildlife with the use of artificial lights who is engaged in research or documentary filming when done with written permission of the landowner and/or leaseholder of the property.

(B) A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.

(C) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit the lawful hunting of raccoon and fox.

Time effective

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

Became law without the signature of the Governor -- 02/24/98.