South Carolina General Assembly
114th Session, 2001-2002

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Bill 390

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Indicates New Matter

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COMMITTEE REPORT

April 25, 2001

    S. 390

Introduced by Senator Reese

S. Printed 4/25/01--S.

Read the first time February 23, 2001.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

    To whom was referred a Bill (S. 390) to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section 23-9-195 so as to define "firefighter", and to provide that a person initially applying to become a firefighter, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

    That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

GREG GREGORY for Committee.

            

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:

A Cost to the General Fund (See Below)

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON FEDERAL & OTHER FUND EXPENDITURES:

$0 (No additional expenditures or savings are expected)

EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:

    The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) estimates it would incur an additional annual cost since it would have to conduct the criminal background checks without being able to retain the fees to cover the cost. SLED collects a fee of $49 for providing background checks, of which $25 is remitted to the General Fund of the State and $24 is forwarded to the FBI. There are approximately 18,000 paid and volunteer firefighters in the state. Assuming a turnover rate of 10% (1,800), the impact to SLED for conducting additional background checks is estimated to be approximately $88,200.

                                                        Approved By:

    Don Addy

    Office of State Budget

   

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 23-9-195 SO AS TO DEFINE "FIREFIGHTER", AND TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON INITIALLY APPLYING TO BECOME A FIREFIGHTER MUST UNDERGO A STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION AND A FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION CRIMINAL BACKGROUND REVIEW AT THE PERSON'S EXPENSE.

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

SECTION    1.    The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 23-9-195.    (A)    As used in this section, 'firefighter' means an employee or volunteer of a town, city, county, or other political subdivision whose duties are to perform work directly connected with the control and extinguishment of fires or the maintenance and use of firefighting apparatus and equipment.

    (B)    A person initially applying to become a firefighter must undergo a fingerprint review to be conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to determine whether the person has a state or federal criminal record.

    (C)    Any fee charged by SLED or the FBI must be paid by the person applying to become a firefighter."

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

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