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Bill 4898

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                      4898
Type of Legislation:              Joint Resolution JR
Introducing Body:                 House
Introduced Date:                  20000411
Primary Sponsor:                  Meacham-Richardson
All Sponsors:                     Meacham-Richardson, Cato, Cooper, 
                                  Davenport, Littlejohn, Loftis, Martin, 
                                  Sandifer, Townsend, Trotter, Witherspoon, 
                                  Young-Brickell, Hinson, Altman
Drafted Document Number:          l:\council\bills\swb\5071sd00.doc
Residing Body:                    House
Current Committee:                Judiciary Committee 25 HJ
Subject:                          Flags, Confederate; Removal of; 
                                  Referendum to be held; Elections, Confederacy, 
                                  Buildings, State House


                        History

Body    Date      Action Description                     Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  ______________________________________ _______ ____________
House   20000412  Co-Sponsor added (Rule 5.2) by Rep.            Altman
House   20000412  Co-Sponsor added (Rule 5.2) by Rep.            Hinson
House   20000411  Introduced, read first time,           25 HJ
                  referred to Committee


              Versions of This Bill

TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADVISORY REFERENDUM TO BE HELD AT THE SAME TIME AS THE 2000 GENERAL ELECTION TO ASCERTAIN THE WISHES OF THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THIS STATE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE FLOWN ABOVE THE STATE HOUSE, AND CONTINUE TO BE DISPLAYED ABOVE THE ROSTRUM IN THE CHAMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS REFERENDUM SHALL BE CONDUCTED AND THE COST THEREOF PAID.

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

SECTION 1. (A) A statewide advisory referendum must be held at the same time as the 2000 general election to ascertain the wishes of the qualified electors of this State as to whether or not the Confederate Battle Flag should continue to be flown above the State House, and continue to be displayed above the rostrum in the chambers of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The State Election Commission must place the question contained in this section on the general election ballot in November, 2000. The state election laws shall apply to the referendum, mutatis mutandis. The State Board of Canvassers shall publish the results of the referendum and certify them to the Secretary of State and each house of the General Assembly.

(B) The question put before the voters at the 2000 referendum shall read as follows:

"Do you favor continuing to fly the Confederate Battle Flag above the State House in Columbia and continuing to display the Confederate Battle Flag above the rostrum in the chambers of the House of Representatives and the Senate?

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."

(C) The cost of the referendum shall be paid from funds appropriated to the State Election Commission and the results of the referendum shall be advisory only.

SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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