South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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Bill 797

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


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

POLLED OUT OF COMMITTEE

MAJORITY FAVORABLE

May 31, 2007

S. 797

Introduced by Senators Hutto, Land and Lourie

S. Printed 5/31/07--S.    [SEC 6/4/07 3:07 PM]

Read the first time May 30, 2007.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON FISH, GAME AND FORESTRY

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 797) to amend Title 50, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to fish, game, and watercraft, so as to enact "Chandler's Law" by adding, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

Has polled the Bill out majority favorable.

A BILL

TO AMEND TITLE 50, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FISH, GAME, AND WATERCRAFT, SO AS TO ENACT "CHANDLER'S LAW" BY ADDING CHAPTER 26 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR REGULATION OF THE OPERATION OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PERSON AT LEAST SIX AND NOT OVER SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE MUST COMPLETE A SAFETY COURSE BEFORE HE MAY OPERATE AN ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE AND MUST ALSO MEET AGE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO THE VEHICLE, TO PROVIDE THAT ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES ARE EXEMPT FROM AD VALOREM TAXES BEGINNING WITH CALENDAR YEAR 2007, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS; AND TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 56, RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING, BY ADDING ARTICLE 10 SO AS TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR THE TITLING OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES.

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

SECTION    1.    Title 50 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"CHAPTER 26

All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Act

Section 50-26-10.    This chapter may be cited as 'Chandler's Law'.

Section 50-26-20.    For the purposes of this chapter 'all-terrain vehicle' or 'ATV' means a motorized vehicle designed primarily for off-road travel on four low-pressure tires, capable of speeds in excess of twenty miles per hour, having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering control and intended by the manufacturer for use by a single operator or an operator and no more than one passenger.

Section 50-26-30.    (A)    Effective July 1, 2008, every person fifteen years old and younger who operates an all-terrain vehicle much possess a safety certificate indicating successful completion of an all-terrain vehicle safety course approved by the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute.

(B)    It is unlawful for a parent or legal guardian to knowingly permit his child or ward under six years of age to operate an all-terrain vehicle.

(C)    A person fifteen years of age or younger also may not operate, ride, or otherwise be propelled on an all-terrain vehicle within this State unless the person wears a safety helmet and eye protection meeting United States Department of Transportation standards for motorcycles.

(D)    A law enforcement officer in enforcing the provisions of this section in regard to private lands must have probable cause, based on a plain view observation or incident to an investigation resulting from an all-terrain vehicle accident, to believe a violation of this section occurred before he may enter upon private land to charge a violation of this section.

Section 50-26-40.    (A)    The restrictions in this section apply to operation of all-terrain vehicles on state-owned lands open to the public that allow operation of all-terrain vehicles and are in addition to the requirements of Section 50-26-30.

(B)    It is unlawful to operate an all-terrain vehicle except in compliance with the local regulations and restrictions for all-terrain vehicle operation.

(C)        It is unlawful to operate an all-terrain vehicle between one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise unless it is operated with headlights on.

(D)    It is unlawful to cross any watercourse except at a designated ford, crossing, or bridge, or if the watercourse is bisected by a trail.

(E)    An all-terrain vehicle must have an effective United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service approved spark arrester in good working condition and a brake system in good operating condition.

(F)    It is unlawful to operate an all-terrain vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance.

(G)    It is unlawful to operate an all-terrain vehicle in a negligent or reckless manner.

(H)    Nothing contained in this chapter prevents the operation of an all-terrain vehicle on a beach, or between the breakers and the shoreline of the beach, if the all-terrain vehicle is operated in a manner approved by the entity that owns or controls the area.

Section 50-26-50.    All-terrain vehicles are exempt from ad valorem personal property taxes beginning with calendar year 2007.

Section 50-26-60.    A person violating this chapter, unless otherwise specified, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than two hundred dollars."

SECTION    2.    Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 10A

Titling of All-Terrain Vehicles

Section    56-3-1420.    An owner of an ATV may make application to the Department of Motor Vehicles for a title for the vehicle accompanied by the required fee and upon the appropriate form prescribed and furnished by the department. The application must be accompanied by a manufacturer's certificate of origin or previous title properly assigned to the applicant.

Section 56-3-1425.    When a person who is not a licensed ATV dealer receives by purchase, gift, trade, or by another means a vehicle that was titled in this State, the person who receives the vehicle may make application to the department for a title. The application must be accompanied by the required documents and fee for title. The department shall issue a certificate of title once it has received a properly completed application. An owner of an ATV, before the enactment of this article, who cannot provide proof of ownership, may request an affidavit from the sheriff in the county in which he resides. The affidavit shall state that the sheriff finds the person making application for the title is the legal owner of the ATV. Before issuing the affidavit, the sheriff must verify through the National Crime Information Center that the ATV is not stolen. The department shall issue a title application to the owner upon presentation of the affidavit, application, and fee.

Section 56-3-1430.    The title fee for an ATV is contained in Section 56-19-420(A). For purposes of this article, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is defined as provided in Section 50-26-20."

SECTION    3.    Except as otherwise provided, this act takes effect July 1, 2007.

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