South Carolina General Assembly
116th Session, 2005-2006

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Bill 347

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 13, 2005

S. 347

Introduced by Senators Lourie, Jackson, Mescher, Ford, Knotts, Cleary, Scott, Short, Patterson, Land, Cromer, Elliott, Ryberg, Grooms and Gregory

S. Printed 4/13/05--S.

Read the first time January 26, 2005.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 347) to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section 7-25-210 so as to make it a crime to deface, vandalize, tamper, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

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

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

/    SECTION    1.    Chapter 25, Title 7 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 7-25-210.    (A)    It is unlawful to deface, vandalize, tamper with, or remove a lawfully placed political campaign sign prior to the election without the permission of the candidate or party.

(B)    This section does not apply to a governmental entity when a political campaign sign is removed because of noncompliance with applicable law, or because an employee of the governmental entity removing the sign is working within the course and scope of his employment.

(C)    A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both."

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

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

LARRY A. MARTIN for Committee.

            

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:

$0 (No additional expenditures or savings are expected)

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON FEDERAL & OTHER FUND EXPENDITURES:

$0 (No additional expenditures or savings are expected)

EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:

Enactment would have no impact on the General Fund of the State, or on federal and/or other funds.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT IMPACT:

Enactment would have little or no impact on local expenditures.

Approved By:

Don Addy

Office of State Budget

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 7-25-210 SO AS TO MAKE IT A CRIME TO DEFACE, VANDALIZE, TAMPER WITH, OR REMOVE A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SIGN, TO PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR VIOLATION.

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

SECTION    1.    Chapter 25, Title 7 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 7-25-210.    (A)    It is unlawful to deface, vandalize, tamper with, or remove a political campaign sign without the permission of the candidate or party.

(B)    This section does not apply to a government entity when a political campaign sign is removed because of noncompliance with zoning or set-back requirements.

(C)    A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not less than one year."

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

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