South Carolina General Assembly
124th Session, 2021-2022
Journal of the House of Representatives

NO. 54

JOURNAL

of the

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

of the

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

REGULAR SESSION BEGINNING TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021
________

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022
(STATEWIDE SESSION)

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at noon.
Deliberations were opened with prayer by Rev. Charles E. Seastrunk, Jr., as follows:

Our thought for today is from Job 33:28: "He has redeemed my soul from going down to the pit; and my life shall see the light."

Let us pray. Comforting God, even in the night remind me that Your light still shines for me and I am held in Your love. Open our eyes, O God, that we may see that You have given us blessings and we give thanks to You for holding us in Your arms. In doing so, bless our defenders of freedom and first responders. Remember our World, Nation, President, State, Governor, Speaker, Staff, and all who serve in this vineyard. Look in favor upon our women and men who suffer and sacrifice for our freedom. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers. Amen.

Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by ACTING SPEAKER DANING.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of Friday, the ACTING SPEAKER DANING ordered it confirmed.

MOTION ADOPTED

Rep. G. R. SMITH moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of James Rocky "Pops" Robinson, which was agreed to.

COMMUNICATION

The following was received:

April 28, 2022
The Honorable Charles F. Reid
Clerk South Carolina House of Representatives
P. 0. Box 11867
Columbia, SC 29211

Dear Mr. Reid:
Please allow this letter to serve as notice of the officers that were elected during a meeting of the Ways and Means committee this morning. These changes are to take effect on May 12, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.

Chairman - Representative J. Gary Simrill

Second Vice-Chairman - Representative Garry R. Smith

If you require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Daniel B. Boan
Chief of Staff & General Counsel

Received as information.

REGULATION WITHDRAWN AND RESUBMITTED

Document No. 5099
Agency: Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation-Board of   Examiners in Optometry
Statutory Authority: 1976 Code Sections 40-1-70, 40-37-40(A)(7),   and 40-37-320
Optometrists' Offices
Received by Speaker of the House of Representatives January 11,   2022
Referred to Regulations and Administrative Procedures Committee
Legislative Review Expiration: Permanently Withdrawn

H. 3729--COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE APPOINTED

The following was received from the Senate:

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Columbia, S.C., Thursday, April 28, 2022
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House:
The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it insists upon its amendments to H. 3729 (Word version):

H. 3729 (Word version) -- Reps. Sandifer and Cogswell: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-11-760, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO VEHICLES PARKED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WITHOUT PERMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY CERTAIN STORAGE COSTS MAY BE CHARGED TO THE OWNER AND LIENHOLDER OF A VEHICLE FOUND PARKED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WITHOUT PERMISSION; TO AMEND SECTION 29-15-10, RELATING TO LIENS FOR STORAGE, SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF STORAGE COSTS BY A TOWING COMPANY, STORAGE FACILITY, GARAGE, OR REPAIR SHOP PRIOR TO THE PERSON SENDING NOTICE TO THE OWNER AND LIENHOLDER; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-5630, RELATING TO PAYMENTS FOR THE RELEASE OF ABANDONED VEHICLES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A TOWING COMPANY AND STORAGE FACILITY MAY NOT CHARGE ANY STORAGE COSTS BEFORE NOTICE IS SENT TO THE OWNER AND LIENHOLDER; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-5635, RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TOWING AND STORAGE PROCEDURES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A TOWING COMPANY, STORAGE FACILITY, GARAGE, OR REPAIR SHOP MAY NOT CHARGE ANY STORAGE COSTS BEFORE NOTICE IS SENT TO THE OWNER AND LIENHOLDER; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-5640, RELATING TO THE SALE OF UNCLAIMED VEHICLES, SO AS TO PROVIDE A REFERENCE.

and asks for a Committee of Conference and has appointed Senators Climer, Matthews and Bennett to the Committee of Conference on the part of the Senate.

Very respectfully,
President

Whereupon, the Chair appointed Reps. WOOTEN, BLACKWELL and JEFFERSON to the Committee of Conference on the part of the House and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

The following was received:

Columbia, S.C., May 3, 2022
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives:

The Senate respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has confirmed the Governor's reappointment of:

MASTER-IN-EQUITY REAPPOINTMENT
ANDERSON and OCONEE COUNTIES
Master-in-Equity: Steven Coleman Kirven
Term Commencing: July 1, 2022
Term Expiring: July 1, 2028
Seat: Anderson County

The Honorable Steven C. Kirven
Master-in-Equity for Anderson and Oconee Counties
115 Carter Hall Drive
Anderson, South Carolina 29621

Very Respectfully,
President of the Senate

Received as information.

SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE IN CHAIR

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Rep. ALLISON, from the Committee on Education and Public Works, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 615 (Word version) -- Senators Young and Campsen: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 59-63-100 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO NONPUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE LIMITED SITUATIONS IN WHICH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOLS MAY PARTICIPATE IN HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE SPORTS OFFERED AT PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS; AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. WILLIS, from the Laurens Delegation, submitted a favorable report on:

S. 953 (Word version) -- Senator Verdin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-360, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN LAURENS COUNTY, SO AS TO UPDATE THE MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THE NAMES AND BOUNDARIES OF THE LAURENS COUNTY VOTING PRECINCTS MAY BE FOUND AND MAINTAINED BY THE REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5311 (Word version) -- Reps. Calhoon, Caskey, May, McCabe, Huggins, Forrest, Wooten, Ott and Ballentine: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE THE LEXINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR BEING AWARDED ACCREDITATION FROM THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, INC. (CALEA) FIVE CONSECUTIVE TIMES.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5312 (Word version) -- Reps. Calhoon, Caskey, May, McCabe, Huggins, Forrest, Wooten, Ott and Ballentine: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE THE LEXINGTON COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER FOR BEING AWARDED ACCREDITATION FROM THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, INC. (CALEA) FIVE CONSECUTIVE TIMES.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5313 (Word version) -- Reps. Stavrinakis, Bennett, Bustos, Gatch, Gilliard, Hewitt, Matthews, J. Moore, Murray, Pendarvis, M. M. Smith, Tedder, Wetmore, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gilliam, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE WILLIAM SCOTT COGSWELL, JR., OF CHARLESTON COUNTY FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENTS AND THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5314 (Word version) -- Reps. Davis, Jefferson, Matthews, J. Moore, M. M. Smith, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE JOSEPH S. "JOE" DANING OF BERKELEY COUNTY FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENTS AND THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND OFFER HIM BEST WISHES FOR A SATISFYING AND REWARDING RETIREMENT.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5315 (Word version) -- Reps. Crawford, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Brittain, Hardee, Hayes, J. E. Johnson, McGinnis, Alexander, Allison, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hart, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE RUSSELL W. FRY FOR HIS SEVEN YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF HOUSE DISTRICT 106 IN HORRY COUNTY AND TO WISH HIM SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5316 (Word version) -- Reps. Thayer, White, West and Gagnon: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE JONATHON D. HILL OF ANDERSON COUNTY FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENTS AND THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5317 (Word version) -- Reps. Murphy, Bennett, Gatch, Jefferson, Pendarvis, Tedder, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE MANDY KIMMONS FOR HER COMMITTED SERVICE TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE CITIZENS OF DISTRICT 97 IN COLLETON AND DORCHESTER COUNTIES AND TO WISH HER SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5318 (Word version) -- Reps. B. Newton, Lucas and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE SANDY N. MCGARRY FOR HER YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF HOUSE DISTRICT 44 IN LANCASTER COUNTY AND TO WISH HER MUCH SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5319 (Word version) -- Reps. D. C. Moss, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE V. STEPHEN "STEVE" MOSS FOR HIS COMMITTED SERVICE TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE CITIZENS OF DISTRICT 30 IN CHEROKEE AND YORK COUNTIES AND TO WISH HIM SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5320 (Word version) -- Reps. Dillard, Allison, Bannister, Burns, Chumley, B. Cox, W. Cox, Elliott, Haddon, Morgan, G. R. Smith, Trantham, Willis, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE LEOLA C. ROBINSON-SIMPSON FOR HER NEARLY TEN YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF HOUSE DISTRICT 25 IN GREENVILLE COUNTY AND TO WISH HER MUCH SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5321 (Word version) -- Reps. Pope, Bryant, Felder, King, Ligon, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, B. Newton, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kirby, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Murphy, Murray, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE J. GARY SIMRILL ON HIS MERITORIOUS SERVICE IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OVER NEARLY THIRTY YEARS AND TO WISH HIM CONTENTMENT AND SUCCESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5322 (Word version) -- Reps. Bannister, Allison, Burns, Chumley, B. Cox, W. Cox, Dillard, Elliott, Haddon, Morgan, Robinson, Trantham, Willis, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE GARRY R. SMITH OF GREENVILLE COUNTY FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENTS AND THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5323 (Word version) -- Rep. B. Newton: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE CHARLES LAWSON "CROW" WALTERS OF LANCASTER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS NINETIETH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5324 (Word version) -- Reps. G. R. Smith, Allison, Bannister, Burns, Chumley, B. Cox, W. Cox, Dillard, Elliott, Haddon, Morgan, Robinson, Trantham, Willis, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE TOMMY MAX STRINGER OF GREENVILLE COUNTY FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENTS AND THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5325 (Word version) -- Reps. G. M. Smith, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CLERK OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO SELECT AN ARTIST TO PAINT THE PORTRAIT OF THE HONORABLE JAMES H. "JAY" LUCAS OF HARTSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, TO BE PLACED APPROPRIATELY IN THE HALL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON ITS COMPLETION.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5326 (Word version) -- Reps. G. M. Smith, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCATES TO USE THE CHAMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S JAMES OTIS LECTURE SERIES, BEGINNING ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2022, PROVIDED THAT THE HOUSE IS NOT IN SESSION AND THE CHAMBER IS NOT OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF THE HOUSE CHAMBER ON ALTERNATE DATES AND TIMES AS MAY BE SELECTED BY THE SPEAKER.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5327 (Word version) -- Reps. Simrill, Rutherford, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Sandifer, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE JAMES H. "JAY" LUCAS ON HIS MERITORIOUS SERVICE IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OVER THE PAST TWENTY-THREE YEARS AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS EFFORTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WHICH HAVE BENEFITED THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE IN IMMEASURABLE WAYS THROUGH HIS SERVICE.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5328 (Word version) -- Reps. Pope, Felder, King, Ligon, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, B. Newton, Simrill, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kirby, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Murphy, Murray, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE BRUCE M. BRYANT FOR HIS FIVE YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF HOUSE DISTRICT 48 IN YORK COUNTY AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5329 (Word version) -- Rep. Lucas: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR STEPHANIE DUBOSE WILLIAMS, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AFTER MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5330 (Word version) -- Reps. Atkinson, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO DECLARE SEPTEMBER 2022 AS "CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH" IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN ORDER TO INCREASE RECOGNITION OF AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE PREVALENCE OF ITS EXISTENCE AMONG CHILDREN IN THE HOPES OF CREATING MORE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AND BETTER OPTIONS FOR TREATMENT IN THE FUTURE.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5331 (Word version) -- Reps. Gilliam, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE RALPH LAWSON OF UNION UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS THIRTY-NINE YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS AN EDUCATOR, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5333 (Word version) -- Reps. Ballentine and Huggins: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE DUTCH FORK HIGH SCHOOL AIR FORCE JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS CADETS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP, CITIZENSHIP, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5334 (Word version) -- Reps. Wooten, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE MEADOW GLEN MIDDLE SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2022 SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL) ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5335 (Word version) -- Reps. R. Williams, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE LURLEAN BESS MACK OF DARLINGTON COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HER NINETY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

The Resolution was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5336 (Word version) -- Reps. Tedder, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, W. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIVE CHANDLER DAVID MOORE ON CAPTURING A GRAMMY AWARD AT THE 64TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS CEREMONY.

The Resolution was adopted.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5332 (Word version) -- Reps. Murray, McKnight and Anderson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME STEAMBOAT LANDING ROAD IN CHARLESTON COUNTY "JAMES LEE JAMERSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS ROAD CONTAINING THESE WORDS.
The Concurrent Resolution was ordered referred to the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

The following Bills and Joint Resolutions were introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committees:

H. 5337 (Word version) -- Regulations and Administrative Procedures Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, RELATING TO DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOLS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5105, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Without Reference

H. 5338 (Word version) -- Regulations and Administrative Procedures Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, RELATING TO PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS PURSUANT TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTRONIC NOTARY PUBLIC ACT, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5104, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.
Without Reference

H. 5339 (Word version) -- Reps. Lowe, R. Williams, Jordan, Kirby and Alexander: A BILL TO PROVIDE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT PURSUANT TO THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION'S EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND MANDATORY CONSOLIDATION OF FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE AND FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUR, THE RESULTING CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT MUST BE KNOWN AS FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE; TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING JULY 1, 2022, FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE MUST BE GOVERNED INITIALLY BY A NINE-MEMBER BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO BE APPOINTED BY A MAJORITY OF THE FLORENCE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION; TO ESTABLISH AND REAPPORTION NINE SINGLE-MEMBER ELECTION DISTRICTS FROM THE COMBINED GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE AND FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUR FROM WHICH, BEGINNING WITH THE 2022 SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTIONS, THE GOVERNING BODY OF FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE MUST BE ELECTED; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MUST BE ELECTED IN NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS CONDUCTED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE GENERAL ELECTION AND EVERY TWO OR FOUR YEARS THEREAFTER AS NECESSARY TO STAGGER THE MEMBERS' TERMS; TO PROVIDE FOR A FLORENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE MAP THAT DELINEATES THE NINE SINGLE-MEMBER ELECTION DISTRICTS; AND TO PROVIDE DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FOR THESE NINE SINGLE-MEMBER ELECTION DISTRICTS.
On motion of Rep. LOWE, with unanimous consent, the Bill was ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

S. 1264 (Word version) -- Senator Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 184 OF 2020, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1 AND HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2 INTO ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO BE KNOWN AS THE HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, SO AS TO ESTABLISH AND REAPPORTION THE SEVEN SINGLE-MEMBER ELECTION DISTRICTS FROM WHICH CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MUST BE ELECTED BEGINNING WITH THE 2022 SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTIONS, TO DESIGNATE A MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THESE ELECTION DISTRICTS ARE DELINEATED, AND TO PROVIDE DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THESE ELECTION DISTRICTS.
Referred to Hampton Delegation

S. 1292 (Word version) -- Senator Fanning: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 191 OF 1991, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, SO AS TO REVISE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE SEVEN SINGLE-MEMBER ELECTION DISTRICTS FROM WHICH MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY ARE ELECTED.
Referred to Fairfield Delegation

ROLL CALL

The roll call of the House of Representatives was taken resulting as follows:

Alexander                Allison                  Anderson
Atkinson                 Bailey                   Ballentine
Bamberg                  Bannister                Bennett
Bernstein                Blackwell                Bradley
Brawley                  Brittain                 Bryant
Burns                    Bustos                   Calhoon
Carter                   Caskey                   Chumley
Clyburn                  Cobb-Hunter              Cogswell
Collins                  B. Cox                   W. Cox
Dabney                   Daning                   Davis
Dillard                  Elliott                  Erickson
Felder                   Finlay                   Forrest
Fry                      Gagnon                   Garvin
Gatch                    Gilliam                  Gilliard
Govan                    Haddon                   Hardee
Hart                     Hayes                    Henegan
Herbkersman              Hewitt                   Hill
Hiott                    Hixon                    Hosey
Howard                   Huggins                  Hyde
Jefferson                J. E. Johnson            J. L. Johnson
K. O. Johnson            Jones                    Jordan
King                     Kirby                    Ligon
Long                     Lowe                     Magnuson
Matthews                 May                      McCabe
McCravy                  McDaniel                 McGarry
McGinnis                 McKnight                 J. Moore
T. Moore                 Morgan                   D. C. Moss
V. S. Moss               Murphy                   Murray
B. Newton                W. Newton                Nutt
Oremus                   Ott                      Pendarvis
Pope                     Rivers                   Robinson
Rose                     Rutherford               Sandifer
Simrill                  G. M. Smith              G. R. Smith
M. M. Smith              Stavrinakis              Taylor
Tedder                   Thayer                   Thigpen
Weeks                    West                     Wetmore
Wheeler                  White                    Whitmire
R. Williams              S. Williams              Willis
Wooten                   Yow                      

Total Present--116

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE granted Rep. TRANTHAM a leave of absence for the day due to a death in the family.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE granted Rep. PARKS a leave of absence for the day.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE granted Rep. HENDERSON-MYERS a leave of absence for the day due to a prior commitment.

DOCTOR OF THE DAY

Announcement was made that Dr. Victoria Ridgeway Pollard of Columbia was the Doctor of the Day for the General Assembly.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE granted Rep. MURPHY a leave of absence for the remainder of the day.

CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT

The following was received:

State of South Carolina
Office of the Governor

Columbia, S.C., April 26, 2022
Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives:

I am transmitting herewith an appointment for confirmation. This appointment is made with advice and consent of the General Assembly and is, therefore, submitted for your consideration.

LOCAL REAPPOINTMENT
Allendale County Master-in-Equity
Term Commencing: 12/31/2022
Term Expiring: 12/31/2028

The Honorable Walter H. Sanders, Jr.
167 Allendale Fairfax Highway
PO Box 840
Fairfax, South Carolina 29827

Yours very truly,
Henry McMaster
President

The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 99; Nays 0

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Alexander                Allison                  Anderson
Atkinson                 Bailey                   Ballentine
Bamberg                  Bannister                Bernstein
Blackwell                Bradley                  Bryant
Burns                    Bustos                   Calhoon
Carter                   Caskey                   Cobb-Hunter
Cogswell                 Collins                  B. Cox
W. Cox                   Dabney                   Daning
Davis                    Elliott                  Erickson
Felder                   Forrest                  Fry
Gagnon                   Garvin                   Gatch
Gilliam                  Govan                    Haddon
Hardee                   Hart                     Hayes
Henegan                  Herbkersman              Hewitt
Hiott                    Hosey                    Huggins
Hyde                     Jefferson                J. E. Johnson
J. L. Johnson            K. O. Johnson            Jones
Jordan                   King                     Kirby
Ligon                    Long                     Lowe
Matthews                 May                      McCabe
McCravy                  McGarry                  McGinnis
McKnight                 J. Moore                 T. Moore
Morgan                   D. C. Moss               V. S. Moss
Murray                   B. Newton                W. Newton
Nutt                     Oremus                   Ott
Pendarvis                Pope                     Rivers
Robinson                 Rose                     Rutherford
Sandifer                 Simrill                  G. M. Smith
G. R. Smith              M. M. Smith              Taylor
Tedder                   Thayer                   Weeks
Wetmore                  Wheeler                  White
Whitmire                 R. Williams              S. Williams
Willis                   Wooten                   Yow

Total--99

Those who voted in the negative are:

Total--0

The appointment was confirmed and a message was ordered sent to the Senate accordingly.

S. 449--DEBATE ADJOURNED ON MOTION TO RECONSIDER

Rep. TAYLOR moved to adjourn debate on the motion to reconsider on the following Bill, which was agreed to:

S. 449 (Word version) -- Senator Young: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 2 OF ACT 926 OF 1962, RELATING TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE AIKEN COUNTY COMMISSION FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION, TO ADD TWO NONVOTING MEMBERS.

S. 108--AMENDED AND ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 108 (Word version) -- Senators Campsen and Senn: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 48-22-40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNIT, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE UNIT TO CONDUCT TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING USING LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING (LiDAR) DATA COLLECTIONS AND ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INFORMATION COLLECTED DURING THE TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING.

The Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs proposed the following Amendment No. 1 to S. 108 (Word version) (COUNCIL\PH\108C001.JN.PH22), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all and inserting:
/   SECTION   1.   Section 48-22-40 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 75 of 2019, is further amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:

"( )   shall conduct topographic mapping using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data collections by December 31, 2022, and at least every seven years thereafter. The information must be shared with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Flood Mitigation Program to ensure compliance with Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines and standards for flood risk analysis and mapping activities under the Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning Program. The unit is authorized to work with local, state, and federal governmental entities in South Carolina to complete the topographic mapping and share the results of the topographic mapping with these agencies. The unit shall work with the Flood Mitigation Program to publish the result to the public on the Department of Natural Resources' website. The provisions of this item only may be enforced when the General Assembly appropriates the necessary funding for the topographic mapping in the general appropriations act."
SECTION   2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. HIXON explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

Reps. LUCAS, G. M. SMITH, POPE, SIMRILL, MURPHY, JORDAN, W. NEWTON, ALLISON, THAYER, HIOTT, HUGGINS, SANDIFER, G. R. SMITH, WILLIS, D. C. MOSS, WEST, B. NEWTON, HIXON, ERICKSON, BAILEY, BALLENTINE, BRITTAIN, BENNETT, BLACKWELL, BURNS, BUSTOS, B. COX, CRAWFORD, DANING, ELLIOTT, FELDER, FORREST, GAGNON, GATCH, HARDEE, HEWITT, J.E. JOHNSON, LIGON, LONG, MAGNUSON, MCCRAVY, MCGARRY, V.S. MOSS, NUTT, M.M. SMITH, WHITE, WILLIS, YOW, TAYLOR, WHITMIRE, W. COX, HYDE, DABNEY, MAY, JONES and WOOTEN proposed the following Amendment No. 2 to S. 108 (Word version) (COUNCIL\HB\108C001.BH.HB22), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
/   SECTION   ___.   A.     Article 1, Chapter 13, Title 7 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 7-13-25.   (A)   Monday through Saturday for a two-week period preceding a general election conducted pursuant to Section 7-13-10, a primary, special elections, and all municipal elections, all qualified electors of this State must be allowed to cast an early in-person ballot. To the extent time permits, and for a period of time as may be determined by the Executive Director of the State Election Commission, all qualified electors must be allowed to cast an early in-person ballot prior to a primary runoff.

(B)   The period of early voting begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m. on each day of the early voting period, excluding Sunday, until the conclusion of the early voting period at 6:00 p.m. on the Saturday immediately prior to the election.

(C)   For a general election conducted pursuant to Section 7-13-10, each county board of voter registration and elections must establish early in-person voting locations in an amount based on the following formulas, whichever is higher, but not to exceed seven locations:

(1)   The number of registered voters in the county:

(a)   1 - 39,999 voters: one location

(b)   40,000 - 79,999 voters: two locations

(c)   80,000 - 119,999 voters:   three locations

(d)   120,000 - 159,999 voters: four locations

(e)   160,000 - 199,999 voters: five locations

(f)   200,000 - 239,999 voters: six locations

(g)   240,000 voters and up: seven locations

(2)   The size of the county in square miles:

(a)   0-199 square miles: one location

(b)   200-399 square miles: two locations

(c)   400-599 square miles: three locations

(d)   600-799 square miles: four locations

(e)   800-999 square miles: five locations

(f)   1000-1199 square miles: six locations

(g)   1200 square miles and up: seven locations

(D)   If the main office of each county board of voter registration and elections is used for an early in-person voting location, it constitutes one of the early in-person voting locations as delineated in this section.

(E)(1)   County boards of voter registration and elections must determine locations for early voting centers. In selecting locations, boards must consider geography, population, and ADA compliant accessibility. Boards must distribute the locations throughout the county to maximize accessibility for all voters in the county to the greatest extent possible. The Executive Director of the State Election Commission may, at his discretion, direct the move of early voting centers to ensure proper distribution through each county.

(2)   When the early in-person location formulas in subsection (C)(1) and (C)(2) produce results that differ by four or more locations, the Executive Director may authorize a county board to use two fewer than the higher number determined in subsection (C). The Executive Director also may authorize the loss of an early in-person location due to an emergency such as fire or flood.

(F)   The county election board must set and publish the location of each early in-person voting center at least fourteen days before the early voting period begins. Publication of the schedule must be made, at a minimum, to a website or webpage managed by, or on behalf of, each respective county election board.

(G)   Upon the daily closure of each early in-person voting location during the period established in subsection (B), all ballots must be transported to the county board of voter registration and elections and stored in a secure location.

(H)   County boards of voter registration and elections, in their discretion, may establish any number of early in-person voting locations for use in primary, primary runoff, special elections, and all municipal elections, and the formulas provided in this section do not apply.

(I)   Each early voting center must have available every ballot style in use in the particular county for that election."
B.     Section 7-11-10 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-11-10.   (A)   Nominations for candidates for the offices to be voted on in a general or special election may be by political party primary, by political party convention, or by petition; however, a person who was defeated as a candidate for nomination to an office in a party primary or party convention shall may not have his name placed on the ballot for the ensuing general or special election, except that this section does not prevent a defeated candidate from later becoming his party's nominee for that office in that election if the candidate first selected as the party's nominee dies, resigns, is disqualified, or otherwise ceases to become the party's nominee for that office before the election is held.

(B)   A candidate may not file more than one statement of intention of candidacy for a single office for the same election.

(C)   A candidate may not be nominated by more than one political party for a single office for the same election."
C.     Section 7-13-320(D) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(D)   The names of candidates offering for any other another office shall must be placed in the proper place on the appropriate ballot, stating whether it is a state, congressional, legislative, county, or other office. A candidate's name may not appear on the ballot more than once for any single office for the same election."
D.     Section 7-15-220(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A)   The oath, a copy of which is required by Section 7-15-200(2) to be sent each absentee ballot applicant and which is required by Section 7-15-230 to be returned with the absentee ballot applicant's ballot, shall be signed by the absentee ballot applicant and witnessed. The oath shall be in the following form:

'I hereby swear (or affirm) that I am duly qualified to vote at this election according to the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, that I have not voted during this election, that the ballot or ballots with which this oath is enclosed is my ballot and that I have received no assistance in voting my ballot that I would not have been entitled to receive had I voted in person at my voting precinct.'

____________________________________

Signature of Voter

Dated on this ______ day of ____________ 20 __

_________________       ___________________

Signature of Witness       Printed Name of Witness

____________________

Address of Witness"
E.     Section 7-15-380(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A)   The oath, which is required by Section 7-15-370 to be imprinted on the return-addressed envelope, furnished each absentee ballot applicant, must be signed by the absentee ballot applicant and witnessed. The address and printed name of the witness shall appear on the oath. In the event the voter cannot write because of a physical handicap or illiteracy, the voter must make his mark and have the mark witnessed by someone designated by the voter. The oath must be in the following form:

'I hereby swear (or affirm) that I am duly qualified to vote at this election according to the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, that I have not voted during this election, that the ballot or ballots contained in this envelope is my ballot and that I have received no assistance in voting my ballot that I would not have been entitled to receive had I voted in person at my voting precinct.'

____________________________________

Signature of Voter

Dated on this ______ day of ____________ 20 ___

_________________       ___________________

Signature of Witness       Printed Name of Witness

_________________

Address of Witness"
F.     Section 7-15-320 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-15-320.   (A)   Qualified electors in any of the following categories must be permitted to vote by absentee ballot in all elections when they are absent from their county of residence on election day during the hours the polls are open, to an extent that it prevents them from voting in person:

(1)   students, their spouses, and dependents residing with them;

(2)   persons serving with the American Red Cross or with the United Service Organizations (USO) who are attached to and serving with the Armed Forces of the United States, their spouses, and dependents residing with them;

(3)   governmental employees, their spouses, and dependents residing with them; or

(4)   persons on vacation (who by virtue of vacation plans will be absent from their county of residence on election day); or

(5)   overseas citizens.

(B)   Qualified electors in any of the following categories must be permitted to vote by absentee ballot in all elections, whether or not they are absent from their county of residence on election day:

(1)   physically disabled persons;

(2)   persons whose employment obligations require that they be at their place of employment during the hours that the polls are open and present written certification of that obligation to the county board of voter registration and elections;

(3)   certified poll watchers, poll managers, county board of voter registration and elections members and staff, county and state election commission members and staff working on election day;

(4)   persons attending sick or physically disabled persons;

(5)   persons admitted to hospitals as emergency patients on the day of an election or within a four-day period before the election;

(6)   persons with a death or funeral in the family within a three-day period before the election;

(7)   persons who will be serving as jurors in a state or federal court on election day;

(8)   persons sixty-five years of age or older;

(9)   persons confined to a jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial; or

(10)   members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of the United States, their spouses, and dependents residing with them.

(C)   Qualified electors must be permitted to vote by absentee ballot in all elections when they are going to be absent from their county of residence for the duration of the early voting period and on election day."
G.     Section 7-15-340 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-15-340.   (A)   The application required in Section 7-15-330 to be submitted to these election officials must be in a form prescribed and distributed by the State Election Commission; except that persons listed in Section 7-15-320(2), (3), (6), and (10) may use Standard Form 76, or any subsequent form replacing it, provided by the federal government as a simultaneous request for registration and an absentee ballot or a request for an absentee ballot if already registered.

(B)(1)   The application must contain the following information: name, registration certificate number, address, absentee address, election of ballot request, election date, runoff preference, party preference, reason for request, oath of voter, and voter's signature.

(2)   The application also must contain the last four digits of the voter's social security number.

(C)   The oath must be as follows: 'I do swear or affirm that I am a qualified elector, that I am entitled to vote in this election, and that I will not vote again during this election. The information above is true in all respects, and I hereby apply for an absentee ballot for the reason indicated above.' Any person who fraudulently applies for an absentee ballot in violation of this section, upon conviction, must be punished in accordance with Section 7-25-20."
H.     Section 7-15-385 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-15-385.   (A)   Upon receipt of the ballot or ballots, the absentee ballot applicant must mark each ballot on which he wishes to vote and place each ballot in the single envelope marked 'Ballot Herein' which in turn must be placed in the return-addressed envelope. The applicant must then return the return-addressed envelope to the board of voter registration and elections by mail, by personal delivery, or by authorizing another person to return the envelope for him. The authorization must be given in writing on a form prescribed by the State Election Commission and must be turned in to the board of voter registration and elections at the time the envelope is returned. The voter must sign the form, or in the event the voter cannot write because of a physical handicap or illiteracy, the voter must make his mark and have the mark witnessed by someone designated by the voter. The authorization form prescribed by the State Election Commission must include a designated space in which the appropriate elections official or employee shall record the specific form of government-issued photo identification presented by the authorized returnee. The authorization must be preserved as part of the record of the election, and the board of voter registration and elections must note the authorization, and the name of the authorized returnee, and the authorized returnee's form of government-issued photo identification in the record book required by Section 7-15-330. A candidate or a member of a candidate's paid campaign staff including volunteers reimbursed for time expended on campaign activity is not permitted to serve as an authorized returnee for any person unless the person is a member of the voter's immediate family as defined in Section 7-15-310. The oath set forth in Section 7-15-380 must be signed and witnessed on each returned envelope. The board of voter registration and elections must record in the record book required by Section 7-15-330 the date the return-addressed envelope with witnessed oath and enclosed ballot or ballots is received by the board. The board must securely store the envelopes in a locked box within the office of the board of voter registration and elections.

(B)(1)   When an authorized returnee presents himself to the board of voter registration and elections to deliver a return-addressed envelope in person pursuant to subsection (A), he shall produce a valid and current:

(a)   South Carolina driver's license;

(b)   another form of identification containing a photograph issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles;

(c)   passport;

(d)   military identification containing a photograph issued by the federal government; or

(e)   South Carolina voter registration card containing a photograph of the voter pursuant to Section 7-5-675.

(2)   The appropriate elections official or employee who receives a return-addressed envelope from an authorized returnee shall:

(a)   compare the photograph contained on the required identification with the person presenting himself as an authorized returnee; and

(b)   verify that the photograph is that of the person personally delivering the return-addressed envelope."
I.     Section 7-15-420 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 133 of 2020, is further amended to read:

"Section 7-15-420.   (A)   The county board of voter registration and elections, municipal election commission, or executive committee of each municipal party in the case of municipal primary elections is responsible for the tabulation and reporting of absentee ballots. At 9:00 a.m. 6:01 p.m. on the Saturday immediately preceding election day, the managers appointed pursuant to Section 7-5-10, and in the presence of any watchers who have been appointed pursuant to Section 7-13-860, may begin the process of examining the return-addressed envelopes that have been received by the county board of voter registration and elections making certain that each oath has been properly signed and witnessed and includes the printed name and address of the witness. All return-addressed envelopes received by the county board of voter registration and elections before the time for closing the polls must be examined in this manner. A ballot may not be counted unless the oath is properly signed and witnessed nor may any ballot be counted which is received by the county board of voter registration and elections after time for closing of the polls. The printed instructions required by Section 7-15-370(2) to be sent each absentee ballot applicant must notify him that his vote will not be counted in either of these events. If a ballot is not challenged, the sealed return-addressed envelope must be opened by the managers, and the enclosed envelope marked 'Ballot Herein' removed, and placed in a locked box or boxes, and kept secure. After all return-addressed envelopes have been emptied in this manner, the managers shall remove the ballots contained in the envelopes marked 'Ballot Herein', placing each one in the ballot box provided for the applicable contest. Beginning at 9:00 7:00 a.m. on the calendar day immediately preceding election day, the absentee ballots may be tabulated, including any absentee ballots received on election day before the polls are closed. If any ballot is challenged, the return-addressed envelope must not be opened, but must be put aside and the procedure set forth in Section 7-13-830 must be utilized; but the absentee voter must be given reasonable notice of the challenged ballot. The processes of examining the return-addressed envelopes, opening the sealed return-addressed envelopes to remove the 'Ballot Herein' envelopes, and removing the ballots from the 'Ballot Herein' envelopes for tabulation must be conducted in the presence of any candidate who elects to be present, and of any watchers who have been appointed pursuant to Section 7-13-860. Provided, any candidates or watchers present must be located a reasonable distance in order to maintain both the right to observe and the secrecy of the ballots.

(B)   Results of the absentee ballot tabulation must not be publicly reported until after the polls are closed. An election official, election worker, candidate, or watcher who intentionally violates the prohibition contained in this subsection is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years."
J.     Article 5, Chapter 15, Title 7 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 7-15-325. Any voter who goes to a polling location to vote in person on election day and who has been designated as having previously voted absentee is entitled to cast a provisional ballot. The voter's provisional ballot must be counted only if the county board of voter registration and elections has a record that the voter's absentee ballot was not received."
K.     Section 7-15-470 of the 1976 Code is repealed.
L.     Section 7-3-20(C) of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:

"( )   establish rules and regulations for voter registrations performed by private entities."
M.     Section 7-5-170 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-5-170.   (1)   Written application required.--A person may not be registered to vote except upon written application or electronic application pursuant to Section 7-5-185, which shall become a part of the permanent records of the board to which it is presented and which must be open to public inspection. However, the social security number contained in the application must not be open to public inspection.

(2)   Form of application. -- The application must be on a form prescribed and provided by the executive director and shall contain the following information: name, sex, race, social security number, date of birth, residence address, mailing address, telephone number of the applicant, and location of prior voter registration. The applicant must affirm that he is not under a court order declaring him mentally incompetent, confined in any public prison, has never been convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws, or if previously convicted that he has served his entire sentence, including probation and parole time, or has received a pardon for the conviction. Additionally, the applicant must take the following oath: 'I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am a citizen of the United States and that on the date of the next ensuing election, I will have attained the age of eighteen years and am a resident of South Carolina, this county, and of my precinct. I further swear (or affirm) that the present residence address listed herein is my sole legal place of residence, and that I claim no other place as my legal residence, and that, to my knowledge, I am neither registered nor intend to register to vote in another state or county.' Any applicant convicted of fraudulently applying for registration is guilty of perjury and is subject to the penalty for that offense.

(3)   Date stamp voter registration applications. -- The county board of voter registration and elections shall date stamp all voter registration applications delivered in person, electronically, or by mail as of the date received.

(3)(4)   Administration of oaths. -- Any member of the county board of voter registration and elections, deputy registrar, or any registration clerk must be qualified to administer oaths in connection with the application.

(4)(5)   Decisions on applications. -- Any member of the county board of voter registration and elections, deputy registrar, or registration clerk may pass on the qualifications of the prospective voter. In case of a question of an applicant being refused registration, at least one member of the board shall pass on the qualifications of the voter. A concise statement of the reasons for the refusal must be written on the application."
N.     Section 7-15-330 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 133 of 2020, is further amended to read:

"Section 7-15-330.   To vote by absentee ballot, a qualified elector or a member of his immediate family must request an application to vote by absentee ballot in person, by telephone, or by mail from the county board of voter registration and elections, or at an extension office of the board of voter registration and elections as established by the county governing body, for the county of the voter's residence. A person requesting an application for a qualified elector as the qualified elector's authorized representative must request an application to vote by absentee ballot in person or by mail only and must himself be a registered voter and must sign an oath to the effect that he fits the statutory definition of a representative. This signed oath must be kept on file with the board of voter registration and elections until the end of the calendar year or until all contests concerning a particular election have been finally determined, whichever is later. A candidate or a member of a candidate's paid campaign staff, including campaign volunteers reimbursed for time expended on campaign activity, is not allowed to request applications for absentee voting for any person designated in this section unless the person is a member of the immediate family. A person may not request absentee applications for more than ten qualified electors in addition to himself. A request for an application to vote by absentee ballot may be made anytime during the calendar year in which the election in which the qualified elector desires to be permitted to vote by absentee ballot is being held. However, completed applications must be returned to the county board of voter registration and elections in person or by mail before 5:00 p.m. on the fourth day before the day of the election. Applications must be accepted by the county board of voter registration and elections until 5:00 p.m. on the day immediately preceding the election for those who appear in person and are qualified to vote absentee pursuant to Section 7-15-320. A member of the immediate family of a person who is admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient on the day of an election or within a four-day period before the election may obtain an application from the board on the day of an election, complete it, receive the ballot, deliver it personally to the patient who shall vote, and personally carry the ballot back to the board of voter registration and elections. The board of voter registration and elections shall serially number each absentee ballot application form and keep a record book in which must be recorded the number of the form, the name, home address, and absentee mailing address of the person for whom the absentee ballot application form is requested; the name, address, voter registration number, and relationship of the person requesting the form, if other than the applicant; the date upon which the form is requested; the date upon which the form is issued; and the date and method upon which the absentee ballot is returned. This information becomes a public record at 9:00 a.m. on the day immediately preceding the election, except that forms issued for emergency hospital patients must be made public by 9:00 a.m. on the day following an election. A person who violates the provisions of this section is subject to the penalties provided in Section 7-25-170."
O.     Section 7-5-186 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an appropriately lettered subsection at the end to read:

"( )   Security protocols for voter registration information maintained and developed by the State Election Commission shall be generally consistent with current industry security standards, and in promulgating this requirement, the State Election Commission shall consider those security standards issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the federal Election Assistance Commission. The State Election Commission shall certify, at least annually, that the State of South Carolina has substantially complied with the requirements of this section."
P.     Section 7-5-430 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-5-430.   Immediately preceding each general election or any special election, the county board of voter registration and elections must furnish one registration book for each polling precinct in the county containing the names of all electors entitled to vote at each precinct. Security protocols for electronic poll books shall be generally consistent with current industry security standards, and in promulgating this requirement, the State Election Commission shall consider those security standards issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the federal Election Assistance Commission. The State Election Commission shall certify, at least annually, that the State of South Carolina has substantially complied with the requirements of this section."
Q.     Section 7-13-320(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A)   Other than ballots delivered electronically to qualified electors who are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C. Section 20301, et seq., the ballots shall incorporate features which can be used to authenticate the ballot as an official ballot but which does not make the ballot identifiable to a particular elector. The ballot shall be printed on paper of such thickness that the printing cannot be distinguished from the back and shall be of such size and color as directed by the State Election Commission. If more than one ballot is to be used in any election, each such ballot shall be printed upon different colored paper;"
R.     Section 7-13-610(C) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(C)   Other than ballots delivered electronically to qualified electors who are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C. Section 20301, et seq., the ballots shall incorporate features which can be used to authenticate the ballot as an official ballot but which do not make the ballot identifiable to a particular elector. The ballot must be printed on paper of a thickness so that the printing cannot be distinguished from the back and must be of a size and color as directed by the State Election Commission. If more than one ballot is to be used in a primary, each ballot must be printed on different colored paper. The ballot must contain a voting square opposite the name of each candidate, and the voter shall vote by putting a mark in the voting square opposite the name of the candidate of his choice. The State Election Commission may establish, under Chapter 23 of Title 1, such rules and regulations as are necessary for the proper administration of this section."
S.     Section 7-13-1330 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-13-1330.   (A)   Before any decision is made to procure or use any kind of voting system, input shall be sought from a wide variety of sources including the public, the academic community, public interest organizations, local election officials, and policy makers. Both written and oral testimony shall be accepted from all who wish to participate. This input shall be considered in procurement of a new voting system.

(B)   Before any kind of optical scan voting system is used at any election, it must be approved by the State Election Commission, which shall examine the optical scan voting system and make and file in the commission's office a report, attested by the signature of the commission's executive director, stating whether, in the commission's opinion, the kind of optical scan voting system examined may be accurately and efficiently used by electors at elections, as provided by law. An optical scan voting system may not be approved for use in the State unless certified by a testing laboratory accredited by the Federal Election Assistance Commission as meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements of the latest federal voting system standards and guidelines. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, if these voting system standards have been amended less than thirty-six months prior to an election, the State Election Commission may approve and certify a voting system that meets the prior standards after determining:

(1)   the effect that such approval would have on the integrity and security of elections; and

(2)   the procedure and cost involved to bring the voting system into compliance with the amended standards.

(B)(C)   No kind of vote recorder not approved pursuant to this section shall be used at any election and if, upon the reexamination of any type vote recorder previously approved, it appears that the vote recorder so reexamined can no longer be accurately and efficiently used by electors at elections as provided by law, the approval of the vote recorder must immediately be revoked by the State Election Commission, and no such type vote recorder shall thereafter be purchased for use or used in this State.

(C)(D)   If a vote recorder, including an optical scan voting system, which was approved for use before July 1, 1999, is improved or otherwise changed in a way since its approval that does not impair its accuracy, efficiency, or capacity, the vote recorder may be used in elections. However, if the software, hardware, or firmware of the system is improved or otherwise changed, the system must comply with the requirements of subsection (A) (B).

(D)(E)   Any person or company who requests an examination of any type of vote recorder or optical scan voting system shall pay a nonrefundable examination fee of one thousand dollars for a new voting system and a nonrefundable examination fee of five hundred dollars for an upgrade to any existing system to the State Election Commission. The State Election Commission may at any time, in its discretion, reexamine any vote recorder or optical scan voting system when evidence is presented to the commission that the accuracy or the ability of the system to be used satisfactorily in the conduct of elections is in question.

(E)(F)   Any person or company who seeks approval for any vote recorder or optical scan voting system in this State must file with the State Election Commission a list of all states or jurisdictions in which the system has been approved for use. This list must state how long the system has been used in the state; contain the name, address, and telephone number of that state or jurisdiction's chief election official; and must disclose any reports compiled by state or local government concerning the performance of the system. The vendor is responsible for filing this information on an ongoing basis.

(F)(G)   Any person or company who seeks approval for any vote recorder or optical scan voting system must file with the State Election Commission copies of all contracts and maintenance agreements used in connection with the sale of the voting system. All changes to standard contracts and maintenance agreements must be filed with the State Election Commission.

(G)(H)   Any person or company who seeks approval for any vote recorder or optical scan voting system must conduct, under the supervision of the State Election Commission and any county board of voter registration and elections, a field test for any new voting system, as part of the certification process. The field test shall involve South Carolina voters and election officials and must be conducted as part of a scheduled primary, general, or special election. This test must be held in two or more precincts, and all costs relating to the voting system must be borne by the vendor. The test must be designed to gauge voter reaction to the system, problems that voters have with the system, and the number of voting units required for the efficient operation of an election. The test must also demonstrate the accuracy of votes cast and reported on the system.

(H)(I)   Before an optical scan voting system may be used in elections in the State, all source codes for the system must be placed in escrow by the manufacturer, at the manufacturer's expense, with the authority approved by the Federal Election Assistance Commission. These source codes must be available to the State Election Commission in case the company goes out of business, pursuant to court order, or if the State Election Commission determines that an examination of these source codes is necessary. The manufacturer shall place all updates of these source codes in escrow, and notify the State Election Commission that this requirement has been met.

(I)(J)   After a vote recorder or optical scan voting system is approved, an improvement or change in the system must be submitted to the State Election Commission for approval pursuant to this section; however, this requirement does not apply to the technical capability of a general purpose computer or reader to electronically count and record votes or to a printer to accurately reproduce vote totals.

(J)(K)   If the State Election Commission determines that a vote recorder or optical scan voting system that was approved no longer meets the requirements set forth in subsections (A) (B) and (C) (D) or Section 7-13-1340, the commission may decertify that system. A decertified system shall not be used in elections unless the system is reapproved by the commission under subsections (A) (B) and (C) (D).

(K)(L)   Neither a member of the State Election Commission, any county board of voter registration and elections or custodian, nor a member of a county governing body shall have any pecuniary interest in any vote recorder, or in the manufacture or sale of the vote recorder.

(M)   To attain a measure of integrity over the process, the optical scan voting system also must maintain an image of each ballot that is cast, such that records of individual ballots are maintained by a subsystem independent and distinct from the main vote detection, interpretation, processing, and reporting path. The electronic images of each ballot must protect the integrity of the data and the anonymity of each voter, for example, by means of storage location scrambling. The ballot image records may be either machine-readable or manually transcribed, or both, at the discretion of the vendor.

(N)   All electronic records of configurations, software logs, security devices, ballot images, hardware, and voting system firmware must be preserved for the same amount of time that the state or federal law requires for all election-related materials."
T.     Section 7-13-1340(k) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(k)   if approved after July 1, 1999, or if an upgrade in software, hardware, or firmware is submitted for approval as required by Section 7-13-1330 (C), is able to electronically transmit vote totals for all elections to the State Election Commission in a format and timeframe specified by the commission prohibits, at all times while utilized in a current election, the following:

(1)   a connection to the Internet or an external network;

(2)   capability to establish a wireless connection to an external network;

(3)   establishment of a connection to an external network through a cable, a wireless modem or any other mechanism or process; or

(4)   automatic adjudication functions."
U.     Section 7-13-1370 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-13-1370. Ballot cards for all precincts shall be sourced solely of suitable design, size and stock, as prescribed by the State Election Commission, to permit processing by a tabulating machine. A serially numbered stub and strip shall be attached to each ballot card in a manner and form similar to that prescribed by law for paper ballots."
V.     Section 7-13-1620(A) and (G) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A)   Before any kind of voting system, including an electronic voting system, is used at an election, it must be approved by the State Election Commission, which shall examine the voting system and make and file in the commission's office a report, attested to by the signature of the commission's executive director, stating whether, in the commission's opinion, the kind of voting system examined may be accurately and efficiently used by electors at elections, as provided by law. A voting system may not be approved for use in the State unless certified by a testing laboratory accredited by the Federal Election Assistance Commission as meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements of the latest federal voting system standards and guidelines. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, if these voting system standards have been amended less than thirty-six months prior to an election, the State Election Commission may approve and certify a voting system that meets the prior standards after determining:

(1)   the effect that such approval would have on the integrity and security of elections; and

(2)   the procedure and cost involved to bring the voting system into compliance with the amended standards.

(G)   After a voting system is approved, an improvement or change in the system must be submitted to the State Election Commission for approval pursuant to this section. This requirement does not apply to the technical capability of a general purpose computer, reader, or printer used for election preparation or ballot tallying tally reporting."
W.     Section 7-13-1640(C) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(C)   If approved after July 1, 1999, or if an upgrade in software, hardware, or firmware is submitted for approval as required by Section 7-13-1620(B), the voting system must be able to electronically transmit vote totals for all elections from county board of voter registration and elections to the State Election Commission in a format and time frame specified by the commission.

(D)   During anytime a voter is eligible to cast a ballot, the voting machine and any counting device shall not:

(1)   be connected to the Internet or an external network;

(2)   be capable of establishing a wireless connection;

(3)   establish a connection to an external network through a cable, a wireless modem, or any other mechanism or process; or

(4)   allow automatic adjudication functions.

(E)   All electronic records of configurations, software, logs, security devices, ballot images, hardware, and voting system firmware must be preserved for the same amount of time that state or federal law requires for all election related materials."
X.     Section 7-13-1710 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section   7-13-1710. In every county, city or town providing voting machines, the board of voter registration and elections shall furnish to the managers of election a sufficient number of ballots printed on clear white paper, of such form and size as will fit the ballot frames of the machines, the arrangement of the names of the candidates on such ballots to be prescribed by the board of voter registration and elections. Ballot cards for all precincts shall be sourced solely by the State Election Commission. Party nominations shall be arranged on each voting machine either in columns or horizontal rows, as shall nominations by petition, and the captions of the various ballots on such machines shall be so placed as to indicate to the voter what push knob, key lever or other device is to be used or operated in order to vote for the candidate or candidates of his choice."
Y.     Section 7-13-440 of the 1976 Code is repealed.
Z.     Section 7-3-40 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-3-40.   The Bureau of Vital Statistics must furnish the executive director a monthly report of all persons eighteen years of age or older who have died in the State and all qualified electors eighteen years of age or older who have died out-of-state since making the previous report. All reports must contain the name of the deceased, county of residence, his social security or other identification number, and his date and place of birth. The bureau must provide this information at no charge."
AA.     Section 7-5-186 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-5-186.   (A)(1)   The State Election Commission shall establish and maintain a statewide voter registration database that must be administered by the commission and made continuously available to each county board of voter registration and elections and to other agencies as authorized by law. The executive director must conduct a general registration list maintenance program every year to protect the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring the maintenance of accurate and current voter registration records in the statewide voter registration system. The program must be uniform, nondiscriminatory, and in compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, and the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

(2)(a)(B)   State agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department of Health and Environmental Control, Office of Vital Statistics, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Employment and Workforce, and the Department of Corrections, shall provide information and data to the State Election Commission that the commission considers necessary in order to maintain the statewide voter registration database established pursuant to this section, except where prohibited by federal law or regulation. The State Election Commission shall ensure that any information or data provided to the State Election Commission, which is confidential in the possession of the entity providing the data, remains confidential while in the possession of the State Election Commission.

(b)(C)   Information provided under this division for maintenance of the statewide voter registration database must not be used to update the name or address of a registered elector. The name or address of a registered elector only must be updated as a result of the elector's actions in filing a notice of change of name, change of address, or both The State Election Commission may enter into agreements to share information or data with other states or groups of states, as the commission considers necessary, in order to maintain the statewide voter registration database established pursuant to this section. The executive director is authorized to cause at his discretion the official list of electors to be compared to the National Change of Address information supplied by the United States Postal Service through its licensees periodically for the purpose of identifying those electors whose addresses have changed.   Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the commission shall ensure that any information or data provided to the commission that is confidential in the possession of the State providing the data remains confidential while in the possession of the commission. The commission may provide such otherwise confidential information or data to persons or organizations that are engaging in legitimate governmental purposes related to the maintenance of the statewide voter registration database.

(c)(D)   A county board of voter registration and elections shall contact send a notice to a registered elector by mail at the address on file with the board to verify the accuracy of the information in the statewide voter registration database regarding that elector if information provided under subsection (A)(2)(a) (B) and (C) of this section identifies a discrepancy between the information regarding that elector that is maintained in the statewide voter registration database and maintained by a state agency. The notice as described in Section 7-5-330(F)(2) must be sent within seven days after identification of a discrepancy.

(3)   The State Election Commission may enter into agreements to share information or data with other states or groups of states, as the commission considers necessary, in order to maintain the statewide voter registration database established pursuant to this section. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the commission shall ensure that any information or data provided to the commission that is confidential in the possession of the state providing the data remains confidential while in the possession of the commission. The commission may provide such otherwise confidential information or data to persons or organizations that are engaging in legitimate governmental purposes related to the maintenance of the statewide voter registration database."
BB.     Sections 7-5-330 and 7-5-340 of the 1976 Code are amended to read:

"Section 7-5-330.   (A)   In the case of registration with a motor vehicle application under Section 7-5-320, the valid voter registration form of the applicant must be completed at the Department of Motor Vehicles no later than thirty days before the date of the election.

(B)   In the case of registration by mail under Section 7-5-155, the valid voter registration form of the applicant must be postmarked no later than thirty days before the date of the election.

(C)   In the case of registration at a voter registration agency, the valid voter registration form of the applicant must be completed at the voter registration agency no later than thirty days before the date of the election.

(D)   In any other case, the valid voter registration form of the applicant must be received by the county board of voter registration and elections no later than thirty days before the date of the election.

(E)(1)   The county board of voter registration and elections shall:

(a)   send notice to each applicant of the disposition of the application; and

(b)   ensure that the identity of the voter registration agency through which a particular voter is registered is not disclosed to the public.

(2)   If the notice sent pursuant to the provisions of subitem (a) of this item is returned to the county board of voter registration and elections as undeliverable, the elector to whom it was sent must be reported by the board to the State Election Commission. The State Election Commission must place the elector in an inactive status on the master file within seven days after receipt of the report from the county board of voter registration and elections and may shall remove this elector upon compliance with the provisions of Section 7-5-330(F).

(F)(1)   The State Election Commission may not remove the name of a qualified elector from the official list of eligible voters on the ground that the qualified elector has changed residence unless the qualified elector:

(a)   confirms in writing that the qualified elector has changed residence to a place outside the county in which the qualified elector is registered; or

(b)(i)   has failed to respond to a notice described in item (2); and

(ii)   has not voted or appeared to vote and, if necessary, correct the county board of voter registration and elections record of the qualified elector's address, in an election during the period beginning on the date of the notice and ending on the day after the date of the second general election that occurs after the date of the notice.

(2)   'Notice', as used in this item, means a postage prepaid and preaddressed return card, sent by forwardable mail, on which the qualified elector may state his current address, together with a statement to the following effect:

(a)   if the qualified elector did not change his residence, or changed residence but remained in the same county, the qualified elector shall return the card no later than thirty days before the date of the election. If the card is not returned, affirmation or confirmation of the qualified elector's address may be required before the qualified elector is permitted to vote during the period beginning on the date of the notice and ending on the day after the date of the second general election that occurs after the date of the notice, and if the qualified elector does not vote in an election during that period, the qualified elector's name must be removed from the list of eligible voters;

(b)   if the qualified elector has changed residence to a place outside the county in which the qualified elector is registered, information as to how the qualified elector can re-register to vote.

(3)   The county board of voter registration and elections shall correct an official list of eligible voters in accordance with change of residence information obtained pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.

(4)   The program required pursuant to the provisions of subsection (F) of this section must be completed no later than ninety days before the date of a statewide primary or general election.

Section 7-5-340.   The State Election Commission shall:

(1)   ensure that the name of a qualified elector may not be is removed from the official list of eligible voters except within seven days of receipt of information confirming:

(a)   at the request of the qualified elector to be removed;

(b)   if the elector is adjudicated mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction; or

(c)   as provided under item (2);

(2)   conduct a general program that makes a reasonable effort to remove the names of ineligible voters from the official lists of eligible voters by reason of:

(a)   the death of the qualified elector; or

(b)(d)   a change in the residence of the qualified elector to a place outside the county in which the qualified elector is registered when such confirmation is received from the qualified elector in writing;

(3)(2)   inform applicants under Sections 7-5-155, 7-5-310, and 7-5-320 of:

(a)   voter eligibility requirements; and

(b)   penalties provided by law for submission of a false voter registration application;

(4)(3)   complete, no later than ninety days before the date of a statewide primary or general election, a program to systematically remove the names of ineligible voters from the official lists of eligible voters in compliance with the provisions of Section 7-5-330(F); this subitem item may not be construed to preclude:

(a)   the removal of names from official lists of voters on a basis described in items item (1) and (2); or

(b)   correction of registration records pursuant to this article."
CC.     Chapter 25, Title 7 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 7-25-30.   The State Law Enforcement Division shall establish a public reporting hotline telephone number and email address for receiving reports of possible election fraud or other violations of the election laws of this State and promptly shall investigate all reported violations."
DD.     Article 6, Chapter 5, Title 7 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 7-5-350. The State Election Commission shall report to the General Assembly annually regarding the commission's actions taken to maintain the accuracy of the statewide voter registration database/list maintenance including, but not limited to, number of voters removed and the reason for such removal from the official list of eligible voters, voters placed on inactive status, new voter registrations, and voter registration updates or address changes. This annual report must be delivered to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by January fifteenth of each year."
EE.     Chapter 1, Title 7 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 7-1-110.   (A)   The President of the Senate, on behalf of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, on behalf of the House of Representatives, have an unconditional right to intervene on behalf of their respective bodies in a state court action that challenges the validity of an election law, an election policy, or the manner in which an election is conducted.

(B)   In a federal court action that challenges the validity of an election law, an election policy, or the manner in which an election is conducted, the President of the Senate, on behalf of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, on behalf of the House of Representatives, have standing to intervene as a party on behalf of their respective bodies, to file an amicus brief, or to provide evidence or argument, written or oral, in accordance with the federal rules of procedure, irrespective of whether any other officer of the State has appeared in the action.

(C)   A federal court presiding over an action that challenges the validity of an election law, an election policy, or the manner in which an election is conducted is requested to allow the President, on behalf of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, on behalf of the House of Representatives, to intervene in any such action as a party.

(D)   The State Election Commission and the Attorney General must notify the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives within twenty-four hours of the receipt of service of a complaint that challenges the validity of an election law, an election policy, or the manner in which an election is conducted.

(E)   In any action in which the Senate or the House of Representatives intervenes or participates pursuant to this section, the Senate and the House of Representatives must function independently from each other in the representation of their respective bodies, unless otherwise agreed to by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives."
FF.     Section 7-3-20(C) of the 1976 Code is amended by adding appropriately numbered items to read:

"( )   conduct, in conjunction with the county boards of voter registration and elections, as necessary, postelection hand-count audits after each statewide general election. Five percent of all ballots cast in each county must be audited pursuant to this item unless the commission determines a higher percentage is warranted;

( )   establish other methods of auditing election results which may include risk-limiting audits, hand-count audits, results verification through independent third-party vendors that specialize in election auditing, ballot reconciliation, or any other method deemed appropriate by the executive director. Election result audits must be conducted in all statewide elections after the election concludes, but prior to certification by the State Board of Canvassers, and may be performed following any other election held in the State at the discretion of the executive director. Once completed, audit reports must be published on the commission's website;"
GG.     Section 7-25-20 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-25-20.   It is unlawful for a person to fraudulently:

(1) procure the registration of a name on the books of registration;

(2) offer or attempt to vote that name;

(3) offer or attempt to vote in violation of this title or under any false pretense as to circumstances affecting his qualifications to vote; or

(4) aid, counsel, or abet another in fraudulent registration or fraudulent offer or attempt to vote.

A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred thousand dollars nor more than five hundred thousand dollars or and imprisoned not more than one year, or both five years."
HH.     Section 7-25-110 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-25-110. It is unlawful for a person qualified to vote at any general, special, or primary election for an office whether local, state, or federal to vote more than once at such election, for the same office. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than three five years."
II.     Section 7-25-120 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-25-120. It is unlawful for a person to impersonate or attempt to impersonate another person for the purpose of voting in a general, special, or primary election, whether municipal or State. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than three five years or and fined not less than three hundred one thousand dollars nor more than twelve hundred five thousand dollars, or both. When a person who violates the provisions of this section is placed under bond, the bond may not be less than six hundred dollars nor more than twelve hundred dollars."
JJ.     Section 7-25-160 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-25-160. A manager at any general, special, or primary election in this State who wilfully violates any of the duties devolved by law upon such position is guilty of a misdemeanor felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more less than five hundred one thousand dollars or nor more than five thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than three five years. A manager who commits fraud or corruption in the management of such election is guilty of a misdemeanor felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred one thousand dollars or nor more than five thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than three five years, or both."
KK.     Section 7-25-170 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-25-170. An officer, other than a manager at any election, on whom a duty is imposed by this title, except under Section 7-13-1170, Articles 1 and 3 of Chapter 17 and Chapters 19 and 23 of this title, who wilfully neglects such duty or engages in corrupt conduct in executing it is guilty of a misdemeanor felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more less than five hundred one thousand dollars or nor more than five thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than three five years."    
LL.   The General Assembly finds that the sections presented in this act constitute one subject as required by Section 17, Article III of the South Carolina Constitution, 1895, in particular finding that each change and each topic relates directly to or in conjunction with other sections to the subject of election reform as clearly enumerated in the title.

The General Assembly further finds that a common purpose or relationship exists among the sections, representing a potential plurality but not disunity of topics, notwithstanding that reasonable minds might differ in identifying more than one topic contained in the act.
MM.     The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.
NN.     If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this act, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this act, and each and every section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.   /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. B. NEWTON explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

The question recurred to the passage of the Bill.

The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 109; Nays 0

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allison                  Anderson                 Atkinson
Bailey                   Ballentine               Bamberg
Bannister                Bennett                  Bernstein
Blackwell                Bradley                  Brawley
Brittain                 Bryant                   Burns
Bustos                   Calhoon                  Carter
Caskey                   Chumley                  Clyburn
Cobb-Hunter              Cogswell                 Collins
B. Cox                   W. Cox                   Dabney
Daning                   Davis                    Dillard
Elliott                  Erickson                 Felder
Forrest                  Fry                      Gagnon
Garvin                   Gatch                    Gilliam
Gilliard                 Govan                    Haddon
Hardee                   Hart                     Hayes
Henegan                  Herbkersman              Hewitt
Hill                     Hiott                    Hixon
Hosey                    Howard                   Huggins
Hyde                     Jefferson                J. E. Johnson
J. L. Johnson            K. O. Johnson            Jones
Jordan                   King                     Kirby
Ligon                    Long                     Lowe
Magnuson                 Matthews                 May
McCabe                   McCravy                  McDaniel
McGarry                  McGinnis                 McKnight
J. Moore                 T. Moore                 Morgan
D. C. Moss               V. S. Moss               Murray
B. Newton                W. Newton                Nutt
Oremus                   Ott                      Pendarvis
Pope                     Rose                     Rutherford
Sandifer                 Simrill                  G. M. Smith
G. R. Smith              M. M. Smith              Taylor
Tedder                   Thayer                   Thigpen
Weeks                    West                     Wetmore
Wheeler                  White                    Whitmire
R. Williams              Willis                   Wooten
Yow                                               

Total--109

Those who voted in the negative are:

Total--0

So, the Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

S. 1117--AMENDED AND ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 1117 (Word version) -- Senator Climer: A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 2, CHAPTER 41, TITLE 46 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA GRAIN PRODUCERS GUARANTY FUND, TO EXPAND THE FUND TO INCLUDE COTTON PRODUCERS, TO ADD AN ASSESSMENT ON COTTON, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT THE FUND MUST ACCUMULATE IN ORDER TO SUSPEND ASSESSMENTS, TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES COMMISSION AS A SUCCESSOR TO THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF THE NEW COMMISSION, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; TO AMEND SECTION 46-41-60 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATED TO SURETY BONDS FOR LICENSEES, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SURETY BOND VALUE IS BASED UPON A TIERED SYSTEM; AND TO AMEND SECTION 46-41-170 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATED TO PENALTIES, TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES.

POINT OF ORDER OVERRULED

Rep. HILL made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE overruled the Point of Order.

The Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs proposed the following Amendment No. 1 to S. 1117 (Word version) (COUNCIL\PH\1117C001.JN.PH22), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/   SECTION   1.   Article 2, Chapter 41, Title 46 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"ARTICLE 2
South Carolina Grain and Cotton Producers Guaranty Fund

Section 46-41-200.   There is created within the State Treasury a fund to be known as the 'South Carolina Grain and Cotton Producers Guaranty Fund' (fund).

Section 46-41-210. As used in this article:

(1)   'Agricultural commodity' or 'commodity' means cotton and all agricultural products commonly classed as grain, including corn, wheat, oats, soybeans, barley, and grain sorghum, produced within this State.

(2)   'Agricultural commodity dealer' or 'Commodity dealer' means any person in this State engaged in buying, receiving, selling, exchanging, negotiating, processing for resale, or soliciting the sale, resale, exchange, or transfer of grain or cotton purchased from a producer or his agent or representative or received to be handled on a net return basis from the producer. An agricultural commodity dealer shall include cotton gins if the gin is engaged in the above-described activity.

(1)(3)   'Department' means the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.

(2)(4)   'Fair market value' means the value based on the average market price being paid to producers on a specified date by the three licensed grain or cotton dealers nearest the grain or cotton dealer involved in the loss.

(3)(5)   'Grain means any feed grains or oil seeds, except cotton seeds.

(4)   'Grain dealer' means any person engaged in this State in buying, receiving, selling, exchanging, negotiating, processing for resale, or soliciting the sale, resale, exchange, or transfer of grain purchased from the producer or his agent or representative or received to be handled on a net return basis from the producer.

(5)(6)   'Loss' means any monetary loss over and beyond the amount protected by the dealer's bond as a result of doing business with a dealer which includes, but is not limited to, bankruptcy, embezzlement, or fraud.

(6)(7)   'Producer' means any producer of grain or cotton.

(7)(8)   'Date of loss' means the date the grain commodity dealer filed a petition for bankruptcy; or, if bankruptcy is not declared, the date a check was returned for insufficient funds, or the date otherwise determined by the department.

Section 46-41-220.   An assessment of one cent a bushel must be imposed on all soybeans, and one-half cent a bushel on all other grain delivered by producers, and fifty cents per bale of cotton to grain dealers licensed under this chapter other than grain for which a producer has received payment in currency or cashier's check on delivery, or received a state warehouse receipt issued in the producer's name or that of his designee. The grain dealer shall collect the assessment for soybeans and grain shall be collected at the first point of sale from the producer at the time of settlement with the producer. The assessment for cotton shall be collected at the time and place of ginning. The grain assessment must be reported and remitted to the department by the grain dealer as of the month calendar quarter in which the grain was delivered to the grain dealer, except as provided by Section 46-41-240. The cotton assessment must be reported and remitted to the department by the cotton gin as of the calendar quarter in which the cotton was ginned, except as provided by Section 46-41-240. The department shall remit the assessment to the State Treasurer to be credited to the fund.

Section 46-41-230.   (A)   The State Treasurer shall administer the investment of the fund. The department shall administer the collection of assessments and investigate losses for which payment is requested. Unless the grain agricultural commodity dealer who allegedly occasioned the loss has filed for bankruptcy or is audited pursuant to other judicial proceedings, the department, in conjunction with the State Auditor's Office, shall conduct a financial audit of the grain agricultural commodity dealer to verify the loss before it may request payment from the fund. The fund must bear all expenses incurred in conducting the audit. After verification, the department shall request that payment for verified losses be made by the State Treasurer to the person incurring a loss. The fund must be established for the benefit of producers who suffer losses on have delivered grain agricultural commodities for which they have paid assessments on to grain dealers licensed under this chapter and compensate producers for losses relative to grain delivered to a grain dealer licensed under this chapter, except losses covered by the grain agricultural commodity dealer's surety bond. When the fund reaches four twenty-five million dollars, the assessment ceases. If the four twenty-five million dollars is attained prior to the end of a harvest season, the assessment continues until the end of that season. The assessment must be reinstituted as necessary to maintain a balance of four twenty-five million dollars in the fund. The first one hundred thousand dollars collected in assessment must be paid into the general fund of the State. Any of these funds not appropriated for the employment of additional auditors for the Warehouse and Dealers and Handlers Division of the Department of Agriculture must be returned to the fund. All income, interest, or otherwise, derived from this fund must be reinvested in the fund.

(B)   When a loss is incurred for grain an agricultural commodity for which has been delivered to a grain dealer licensed under this chapter assessments have been paid within two years of the date of loss, the producer shall within ninety days present his claim, which must be under oath, to the department on a form supplied by the department. To verify his claim, the producer shall present any evidence of loss the department considers necessary. The price for each bushel or bale of grain the agricultural commodity must be established on the day of the loss and must be for the fair market value on that day at the location of loss. The price for each bushel or bale may not be higher than the contract price, if a price has been established. All persons filing claims under this section are bound by the value determined by the department.

(C)   The department within thirty days from verification of loss shall request payment of one hundred percent of the approved claim. At no time may the fund be reduced to less than one hundred thousand dollars.

(D)   If there is an insufficient amount of money in the fund to cover all claims, payments must be made on a pro rata basis up to one hundred percent of the total loss of each producer. If payment is not received in the amount of one hundred percent of total loss then additional amounts must be paid as funds become available until payment of one hundred percent of total loss is attained. Claims against the fund must be paid in the order in which they have been verified and approved.

(E)   Upon approval of his claim by the department, the producer shall subrogate his interest, if any, to the department in a cause of action against any and all parties. An independent law firm may be hired and paid by the fund for the purpose of collecting losses subrogated to the department. Payments start when the fund exceeds one hundred thousand dollars.

Section 46-41-240.   (1)(A)   The grain agricultural commodity dealer shall remit assessments and file with the Department department a report of such the assessments on grain agricultural commodities that he received by him by the fifteenth first day of January, April, July, and October each calendar month following any calendar month quarter in which the grain agricultural commodity dealer has received quantities of grain or cotton subject to assessments totaling fifty dollars or more. If such grain the agricultural commodity dealer has received quantities of grain or cotton subject to assessments totaling less than fifty dollars in any calendar month quarter, the assessments may be reported and remitted with the following month's calendar quarter's return. All assessments shall be remitted at least once every six three months.

(2)(B)   In case any person subject to this section fails to make a report and remittance when required, the Department department shall determine the amount of such the assessment according to its best judgment and information and such that amount shall be prima facie correct, and. The person who failed to make the report shall, within ten days after notice of the amount of the assessment is mailed to him, pay the assessment, together with a penalty of ten percent, or dispute such the assessment and request a hearing to determine its amount and the penalty to be imposed. No payment shall be made until the Department department enters its order determining the amount of the payment but such. However, the payment shall be made within ten days' notice of the order. On failure to remit payment within ten days of the receipt of notice of the order, the Department department may suspend the dealer's license under the provisions of Section 46-41-130.

Section 46-41-250.   (A)   Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any producer may elect not to participate in the fund for any calendar year by applying for an exemption with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture department as provided in this section.

(B)   The election consists of a written, notarized application upon a form designed and provided by the Department of Agriculture department. The application must be filed with the Department department before April 1 first of the year for which the exemption is desired.

(C)   Upon filing of the application, the Department department must issue the applicant an exemption certificate specifying the producer, commodity exempted, and period of exemption. Such The certificate, when presented to the grain dealer upon delivery of the grain, entitles the specified producer to an exemption from the dealer's and handler's assessment on the specified commodity.

(D)   When an exemption is granted under this section, the grain dealer must retain a copy of the exemption certificate for a period of not less than two years. Any producer who elects not to participate in the fund is not eligible to be reimbursed for any loss for the commodity exempted for that calendar year.

Section 46-41-260.   (A)   There is established within the Department of Agriculture the South Carolina Agricultural Commodities Advisory Commission to make recommendations to the department regarding the duties of the department in administering the Grain and Cotton Producers Guaranty Fund.

(B)   The advisory commission shall consist of ten members, one of whom shall be the Commissioner of Agriculture, ex officio, and nine of whom shall be appointed by the commissioner, upon the advice and consent of the Senate. The commissioner shall appoint a:

(1)   warehouseman or cotton ginner;

(2)   producer upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Corn and Soybean Association;

(3)   producer upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation;

(4)   financier who is familiar with the financing of businesses that store or market the commodities that are regulated under this chapter upon the recommendation of a South Carolina financial institution with agriculture background;

(5)   commodity trader who executes future trades related to a hedging program for purchases or sales of commodities regulated under this chapter;

(6)   owner or operator of an elevator that handles agricultural commodities;

(7)   owner or operator of an inland elevator or barge-loading river facility or a licensed South Carolina grain dealer upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Palmetto Agribusiness Council;

(8)   producer appointed upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Poultry Federation;

(9)   cotton merchant appointed from the State at large; and

(10)   cotton producer appointed upon the recommendation of the South Carolina Board of the Southern Cotton Growers, Inc.

(C)   The commissioner shall serve as chairman of the commission.

(D)   Except as provided herein, vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments for the unexpired portion of the term. When a vacancy occurs, the organization authorized to make recommendations to the commissioner for an appointment to the vacant position shall make its recommendation to the commissioner within sixty days after the vacancy occurs. The commissioner shall then appoint a new member to fill the vacancy no later than sixty days after receiving the recommendation. If the commissioner fails to appoint a new member within sixty days, the Governor may appoint the new member. Members appointed by the Governor shall enjoy all of the powers, duties, rights, and privileges as members appointed by the commissioner. An appointment made by the Governor pursuant to this section may not be made pursuant to the provisions contained in Section 1-3-210.

(E)   The commission shall meet four times per calendar year but may meet more frequently upon the call of the chairman. Five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of official business. All official actions of the commission shall require the affirmative vote of five members of the commission. Appointed members of the commission shall be entitled to receive a per diem not in excess of forty dollars and to be reimbursed for mileage expenses in accordance with the same travel regulations applying to state employees."
SECTION   2.   Section 46-41-60 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 46-41-60.   (1)(A)   Before any license shall be issued the applicant shall make and deliver to the commissioner a surety bond or equivalent security in the an amount of twenty-five either twenty-five thousand, fifty thousand, or one hundred thousand dollars or an amount equal to the maximum amount of business done or estimated to be done in any month by the applicant, whichever is less as determined by the method set forth below, executed by a surety corporation authorized to transact business in the State or provided by equivalent security approved by the commissioner with the advice of the State Treasurer. The amount of the bond required is determined based upon ten percent of the applicant's annual business. If ten percent of annual business is twenty-five thousand dollars or less, the applicant must obtain a twenty-five thousand dollar bond. If ten percent of annual business is fifty thousand dollars or less, a fifty thousand dollar bond is required. If ten percent of annual business is more than fifty thousand dollars, a one hundred thousand dollar bond is required. Such The bond or equivalent security shall be upon a form prescribed or approved by the commissioner and shall be conditioned to secure the faithful accounting for any payment to producers, their agents or representatives, of the proceeds of all agricultural products handled or sold by such dealer.

(2)(B)   The amount of such the bond or equivalent security shall, upon the order of the commissioner at any time, be increased, if in his discretion the commissioner finds such that an increase to be is warranted by the volume of agricultural product being handled by the principal or maker of such the bond or equivalent security. In the same manner, the amount of such the bond or equivalent security may be decreased when a decrease in volume of products handled warrants such decrease in bond or equivalent security. The provisions contained in this section shall apply to any bond or equivalent security, regardless of the anniversary date of its issuance, expiration, or renewal.

(3)(C)   In order to effectuate the purposes of this section, the commissioner or his agents may require from any licensee verified statements of the volume of his business, and failure to furnish such statement or make and deliver a new or additional bond or equivalent security shall be cause for suspension of license. If, at a hearing after reasonable notice, the commissioner finds such failure to be wilful, the license may be revoked."
SECTION   3.   Section 46-41-170 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 46-41-170.   (1)(A)   Any dealer in agricultural products violating the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall for the first offense be fined not less than one thousand dollars or, in the case of individuals, the members of a partnership, and the responsible officers and agents of an association or corporation, imprisoned not exceeding six months, and for a second or subsequent offense shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than three thousand dollars or imprisoned not exceeding one year, or both in the discretion of the court.

(2)(B)   In addition to the remedies provided in this chapter and notwithstanding the existence of any adequate remedy at law, the Commissioner commissioner is hereby authorized to make application for injunction to a circuit court and such the circuit court shall have jurisdiction upon hearing and for cause shown to grant a temporary or permanent injunction, or both, restraining any person from violating or continuing to violate any of the provisions of this chapter, or any rule or regulation, such injunction to be issued without bond.

(3)(C)   The Commissioner commissioner may, by issuing his order, place any licensee who violates any provision of the chapter or any unlicensed person found to have been dealing in agricultural products on probation or levy a civil fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or both. All monies received as civil fines shall be remitted to the State Treasurer to be credited to the Grain and Cotton Producers Guaranty Fund established by Article 2 of this chapter. When the fund reaches six million dollars such civil fines shall be remitted to the general fund of the State. The licensee may appeal the levy of the civil fines to the circuit court of the county in which the alleged unlawful activity was performed."
SECTION   4.   (A)   The Insurance Reserve Fund of the State Fiscal Accountability Authority is authorized to lend an amount up to four million dollars on a one-time basis to the department for the use of the Grain and Cotton Producers Guaranty Fund herein established to pay claims approved by the department if the fund, through its assessments, is below four million dollars and has insufficient monies to pay the claims. The loan is to be repaid from monies from the guaranty fund within five years of the date of the loan in five annual installments with interest at the rate provided in Section 34-31-20(A). In the event the department fails to make any loan payment to the Insurance Reserve Fund within the prescribed time, the payment must be paid from the state general fund. The participants in the loan shall execute a document approved by the State Treasurer severally guaranteeing the loan. The Insurance Reserve Fund shall prepare a written loan agreement which must be executed by the department prior to entering into the loan authorized by this section.

(B)   Any federal funds or other funds not derived from assessments received by the department to reimburse claims or losses under this chapter must be paid into the fund and used for loan payments or loan principal reduction to the extent any monies are due under subsection (A) to the Insurance Reserve Fund or the state general fund. Each commodity producer severally guaranteeing this loan shall have his pro rata share of the debt obligation reduced accordingly based on the amount of the federal or other payment. If no monies are due to the Insurance Reserve Fund or to the state general fund under subsection (A), such funds shall be used for claim payments.
SECTION   5.   This act takes effect upon the approval of the Governor.       /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
Rep. HIOTT explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

The question recurred to the passage of the Bill.

The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 103; Nays 1

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Alexander                Allison                  Anderson
Atkinson                 Bailey                   Ballentine
Bamberg                  Bannister                Bernstein
Blackwell                Bradley                  Brawley
Brittain                 Bryant                   Burns
Bustos                   Calhoon                  Carter
Chumley                  Clyburn                  Cobb-Hunter
Cogswell                 Collins                  B. Cox
W. Cox                   Dabney                   Daning
Davis                    Dillard                  Elliott
Erickson                 Felder                   Forrest
Fry                      Gagnon                   Garvin
Gilliam                  Govan                    Haddon
Hardee                   Hart                     Hayes
Henegan                  Herbkersman              Hewitt
Hiott                    Hixon                    Hosey
Howard                   Huggins                  Hyde
Jefferson                J. E. Johnson            J. L. Johnson
K. O. Johnson            Jones                    Jordan
Kirby                    Ligon                    Long
Lowe                     Magnuson                 Matthews
McCravy                  McDaniel                 McGarry
McGinnis                 McKnight                 J. Moore
T. Moore                 D. C. Moss               V. S. Moss
Murray                   B. Newton                W. Newton
Nutt                     Oremus                   Ott
Pendarvis                Pope                     Rivers
Robinson                 Rose                     Sandifer
Simrill                  G. M. Smith              G. R. Smith
M. M. Smith              Taylor                   Tedder
Thayer                   Thigpen                  Weeks
West                     Wetmore                  Wheeler
White                    Whitmire                 R. Williams
S. Williams              Willis                   Wooten
Yow                                               

Total--103

Those who voted in the negative are:

Hill                                              

Total--1

So, the Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

S. 628--REQUESTS FOR DEBATE

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 628 (Word version) -- Senator Davis: A BILL TO ENACT THE "PHARMACY ACCESS ACT"; TO AMEND CHAPTER 43, TITLE 40 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA PHARMACY PRACTICE ACT, BY ADDING SECTIONS 40-43-210 THROUGH 40-43-280, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA PHARMACY PRACTICE ACT DOES NOT CREATE A DUTY OF CARE FOR A PERSON WHO PRESCRIBES OR DISPENSES A SELF-ADMINISTERED HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE OR ADMINISTERS AN INJECTABLE HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN PHARMACISTS MAY DISPENSE A SELF-ADMINISTERED HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE OR ADMINISTER AN INJECTABLE HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE PURSUANT TO A STANDING PRESCRIPTION DRUG ORDER, TO PROVIDE A JOINT PROTOCOL FOR DISPENSING A SELF-ADMINISTERED HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE OR ADMINISTERING AN INJECTABLE HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE WITHOUT A PATIENT-SPECIFIC WRITTEN ORDER, TO REQUIRE CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR A PHARMACIST DISPENSING A SELF-ADMINISTERED HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE OR ADMINISTERING AN INJECTABLE HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE, TO IMPOSE REQUIREMENTS ON A PHARMACIST WHO DISPENSES A SELF-ADMINISTERED HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE OR ADMINISTERS AN INJECTABLE HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE, TO PROVIDE THAT A PRESCRIBER WHO ISSUES A STANDING PRESCRIPTION DRUG ORDER FOR A SELF-ADMINISTERED HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE OR INJECTABLE HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY CIVIL DAMAGES FOR ACTS OR OMISSIONS RESULTING FROM THE DISPENSING OR ADMINISTERING OF THE CONTRACEPTIVE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA PHARMACY PRACTICE ACT SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO REQUIRE A PHARMACIST TO DISPENSE, ADMINISTER, INJECT, OR OTHERWISE PROVIDE HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES; AND TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 6, TITLE 44 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, BY ADDING SECTION 44-6-115, TO PROVIDE FOR PHARMACIST SERVICES COVERED UNDER MEDICAID; AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.

Reps. TEDDER, RUTHERFORD, J. MOORE, LONG, OTT, HART, BERNSTEIN, S. WILLIAMS, RIVERS, HENEGAN, MCDANIEL, GILLIARD, CLYBURN, HOSEY, J. L. JOHNSON, KIRBY, K. O. JOHNSON, WHEELER, JEFFERSON and HILL requested debate on the Bill.

S. 1011--REQUESTS FOR DEBATE

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 1011 (Word version) -- Senators Senn, Shealy, Stephens and Setzler: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA PARKINSON'S DISEASE RESEARCH COLLECTION ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-3240 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE COLLECTION OF DATA ON THE INCIDENCE OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE BY THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO ALLOW FOR DIAGNOSED PATIENTS TO PARTICIPATE VOLUNTARILY IN DATA COLLECTION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF A PARKINSON'S DISEASE ADVISORY BOARD AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE BOARD'S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO CONFIDENTIALITY AND DISSEMINATION OF COLLECTED INFORMATION AND RECORD KEEPING; TO REQUIRE REPORTING OF DATA BY HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND PROVIDERS; TO ALLOW THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS TO FURTHER THE PROGRAM; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

The Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs proposed the following Amendment No. 1 to S. 1011 (Word version) (COUNCIL\VR\1011C001.CC.VR22):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 2, by striking Section 44-7-3240(C)-(E) and inserting:
/     (C)   MUSC shall establish a system for the collection and dissemination of information determining the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's disease and related parkinsonism, as advised by the advisory committee. MUSC shall designate Parkinson's disease and related parkinsonism as advised by the advisory committee as diseases required to be reported in the State or any part of the State. All cases of Parkinson's disease diagnosed or treated in South Carolina must be reported to MUSC. However, the mere incidence of a patient with Parkinson's is the sole required information for this database for any patient who chooses not to participate. For the subset of patients who choose not to participate, no further data may be reported to the database. MUSC may create, review, and revise a list of data points required as part of mandated Parkinson's disease reporting pursuant to this section. This list must include, but not be limited to, necessary triggering diagnostic conditions, consistent with the latest International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, and resulting case data including, but not limited to, diagnosis, medical treatment, treatment, and survival. MUSC may implement and administer this subsection through a bulletin or similar instruction.

(D)   MUSC shall provide notification of the mandatory reporting of Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism on its website and also shall provide that information to associations representing physicians and hospitals and directly to the Board of Medical Examiners at least one hundred eighty days prior to requiring information be reported.

(E)   A hospital, facility, physician, surgeon, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or other health care provider deemed necessary by MUSC diagnosing Parkinson's disease or parkinsonism patients shall report each case of Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism to MUSC in a format prescribed by MUSC. MUSC is authorized to enter into data sharing contracts with data reporting entities and their associated electronic medical record systems vendors to securely and confidentially receive information related to Parkinson's disease testing, diagnosis, and treatment.   /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. HART explained the amendment.

Reps. HIOTT, HIXON, FORREST, DABNEY, MAY, MCGARRY, G. R. SMITH, V. S. MOSS, NUTT, ALLISON, MAGNUSON and LONG requested debate on the Bill.

S. 613--AMENDED AND ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 613 (Word version) -- Senator Davis: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-33-42(C) OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS ON THE DELEGATION OF TASKS TO UNLICENSED ASSISTIVE PERSONNEL UNDER THE NURSE PRACTICE ACT, TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FOR CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANTS; TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 47, TITLE 40 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO PHYSICIANS AND MISCELLANEOUS HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, BY ADDING SECTION 40-47-196, TO SPECIFY TASKS THAT CAN BE DELEGATED TO A CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT; TO DELETE SECTION 40-47-30(A)(5) AND SECTION 40-47-935(C) OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE RELEVANCE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS PRACTICE ACT TO PROHIBITING A LICENSED PHYSICIAN FROM DELEGATING TASKS TO UNLICENSED PERSONNEL AND TO A PA DELEGATING CERTAIN TASKS TO UNLICENSED ASSISTIVE PERSONNEL; AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.

The Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs proposed the following Amendment No. 1 to S. 613 (Word version) (COUNCIL\WAB\613C002.RT.WAB22), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/   SECTION   1.   A.   Section 40-33-20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an appropriately numbered new item to read:

"( )   'Certified medical assistant' or 'CMA' means a person who is a graduate of a post-secondary medical assisting education program accredited by the National Healthcareer Association, or its successor; by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, or its successor; by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, or its successor; or by any accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. The accredited post-secondary medical assisting education program must include courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, medical laboratory techniques, and clinical experience. A certified medical assistant must maintain current certification from the certifying board of the American Association of Medical Assistants, the National Center for Competency Testing, the National Certification Medical Association, American Medical Technologists, or any other recognized certifying body approved by the Board of Medical Examiners."
B.   CMAs include medical assistants who are currently employed in that capacity as of the effective date of this act who do not have the certification required by this SECTION but who achieve such certification no later than two years after the effective date of this act.
SECTION   2.   Section 40-33-20(63) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(63)   'Unlicensed assistive personnel' or 'UAP' are persons not currently licensed by the board as nurses, or persons who are not certified medical assistants as defined in Section 40-33-20( ), who perform routine nursing tasks that do not require a specialized knowledge base or the judgment and skill of a licensed nurse. Nursing tasks performed by a UAP must be performed under the supervision of a physician, physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, or selected licensed practical nurse. Unlicensed assistive personnel must not administer medications except as otherwise provided by law."
SECTION   3.   Section 40-33-42(C) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(C)   Subject to the rights of licensed physicians and dentists under state law, and except as provided in Section 40-47-196 regarding the delegation of tasks to certified medical assistants, the administration of medications is the responsibility of a licensed nurse as prescribed by the licensed physician, dentist, other authorized licensed provider or as authorized in an approved written protocol or guidelines. Unlicensed assistive personnel must not administer medications, except as otherwise provided by law."
SECTION   4.   A.   Section 40-47-20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding appropriately numbered new items to read:

"( )   'Certified medical assistant' or 'CMA' means a person who is a graduate of a post-secondary medical assisting education program accredited by the National Healthcare Association, or its successor; by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association, or its successor; by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, or its successor; or by any accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. The accredited post-secondary medical assisting education program must include courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, medical laboratory techniques, and clinical experience. A certified medical assistant must maintain current certification from the certifying board of the American Association of Medical Assistants, the National Center for Competency Testing, the National Certification Medical Association, American Medical Technologists, or any other recognized certifying body approved by the Board of Medical Examiners.

(   )   'Unlicensed assistive personnel' or 'UAP' means persons not currently licensed by the Board of Nursing as nurses, or persons who are not certified medical assistants as defined in Section 40-47-20(__), who perform routine nursing tasks that do not require a specialized knowledge base or the judgment or skill of a licensed nurse. Nursing tasks performed by unlicensed assistive personnel must be performed under the supervision of a physician, physician assistant, APRN, registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse. Unlicensed assistive personnel must not administer medications except as otherwise provided by law."
B.   CMAs include medical assistants who are currently employed in that capacity as of the effective date of this act who do not have the certification required by this SECTION but who achieve such certification no later than two years after the effective date of this act.
SECTION   5.   Article 1, Chapter 47, Title 40 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 40-47-196.   (A)   Specific tasks may be delegated to a CMA by a physician, physician assistant if authorized to do so in his scope of practice guidelines, or advanced practice registered nurse if authorized to do so in his practice agreement. The scope of practice guidelines for a physician assistant and the practice agreement for an advanced practice registered nurse must address what tasks may be appropriately delegated to a CMA, provided, however, that the following tasks must not be delegated to a CMA by a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse:

(1)   administering controlled medications, intravenous medications, contrast agents, or chemotherapy agents;

(2)   injecting neurotoxin products, neuro modulatory agents, or tissue fillers;

(3)   using lasers or instruments that results in tissue destruction;

(4)   placing sutures;

(5)   taking radiographs or using any ionizing radiation unless the CMA is also a certified limited practice radiographer;

(6)   analyzing, interpreting, or diagnosing symptoms or tests;

(7)   triaging patients;

(8)   testing for allergies; and

(9)   performing a clinical decision-making task by means of telemedicine.

(B)   A physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse may delegate specified tasks to a CMA pursuant to the following requirements:

(1)   the task must be delegated directly to the CMA by the physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse, and not through another licensed practitioner;

(2)   the task must be performed when the physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse delegating the task is in such close proximity as to be immediately available to the CMA if needed;

(3)   the physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse delegating the task must determine that the task is within the training and competency of the CMA and will not pose a significant risk to the patient if improperly performed;

(4)   the task must not involve the verbal transmission of an order or prescription to a licensed person if the licensed person requires the order or prescription to be in writing; and

(5)   the CMA must wear an appropriate badge identifying the CMA's status, which must be clearly visible to the patient at all times.

(C)(1)   A physician or physician assistant, pursuant to the physician assistant's scope of practice guidelines, may delegate nursing tasks to UAP under the supervision of the physician or physician assistant. Such nursing tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a)   meeting patients' needs for personal hygiene;

(b)   meeting patients' needs relating to nutrition;

(c)   meeting patients' needs relating to ambulation;

(d)   meeting patients' needs relating to elimination;

(e)   taking vital signs;

(f)   maintaining asepsis; and

(g)   observing, recording, or reporting any of the nursing tasks enumerated in this subsection.

(2)   APRNs may delegate nursing tasks to UAP pursuant to Section 40-33-42."
SECTION   6.   Section 40-47-30(A)(5) and Section 40-47-935(C) of the 1976 Code are deleted.
SECTION   7.   This act takes effect sixty days after approval by the Governor.     /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. HART explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

Rep. W. COX proposed the following Amendment No. 2 to S. 613 (Word version) (COUNCIL\AHB\613C001.BH.AHB22), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 5, by deleting Section 40-47-196(A) and inserting:
/(A)   Specific tasks may be delegated to a CMA by a physician, physician assistant if authorized to do so in his scope of practice guidelines, or advanced practice registered nurse if authorized to do so in his practice agreement. The scope of practice guidelines for a physician assistant and the practice agreement for an advanced practice registered nurse must address what tasks may be appropriately delegated to a CMA, provided, however, that the following tasks must not be delegated to a CMA by a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse:

(1)   administering controlled medications, intravenous medications, contrast agents, or chemotherapy agents;

(2)   injecting neurotoxin products, neuro modulatory agents, or tissue fillers;

(3)   using lasers or instruments that results in tissue destruction;

(4)   placing sutures;

(5)   taking radiographs or using any ionizing radiation unless the CMA is also a certified limited practice radiographer;

(6)   analyzing, interpreting, or diagnosing symptoms or tests;

(7)   triaging patients; and

(8)   performing a clinical decision-making task by means of telemedicine. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. W. COX explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

The question recurred to the passage of the Bill.

The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 112; Nays 0

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Alexander                Allison                  Anderson
Atkinson                 Bailey                   Ballentine
Bannister                Bennett                  Bernstein
Blackwell                Bradley                  Brawley
Brittain                 Bryant                   Burns
Bustos                   Calhoon                  Carter
Caskey                   Chumley                  Clyburn
Cobb-Hunter              Cogswell                 Collins
B. Cox                   W. Cox                   Dabney
Daning                   Davis                    Dillard
Elliott                  Erickson                 Felder
Forrest                  Fry                      Gagnon
Garvin                   Gatch                    Gilliam
Gilliard                 Govan                    Haddon
Hardee                   Hart                     Hayes
Henegan                  Herbkersman              Hewitt
Hill                     Hiott                    Hixon
Hosey                    Huggins                  Hyde
Jefferson                J. E. Johnson            J. L. Johnson
K. O. Johnson            Jones                    Jordan
King                     Kirby                    Ligon
Long                     Lowe                     Magnuson
Matthews                 May                      McCabe
McCravy                  McDaniel                 McGarry
McGinnis                 McKnight                 J. Moore
T. Moore                 Morgan                   D. C. Moss
V. S. Moss               Murray                   B. Newton
W. Newton                Nutt                     Oremus
Ott                      Pendarvis                Pope
Rivers                   Robinson                 Rose
Rutherford               Sandifer                 Simrill
G. M. Smith              G. R. Smith              M. M. Smith
Stavrinakis              Taylor                   Tedder
Thayer                   Thigpen                  Weeks
West                     Wetmore                  Wheeler
White                    Whitmire                 R. Williams
S. Williams              Willis                   Wooten
Yow                                               

Total--112

Those who voted in the negative are:

Total--0

So, the Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

S. 1179--ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 1179 (Word version) -- Senator Shealy: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-63-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS, SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM "TELEHEALTH"; TO AMEND SECTION 40-63-290, RELATING TO CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF PERSONS EXEMPT FROM REGULATION AS SOCIAL WORKERS, SO AS TO SIMILARLY EXEMPT CERTAIN INDEPENDENT SOCIAL WORKERS LICENSED IN THIS STATE OR ANOTHER STATE WHEN PROVIDING SERVICES USING TELEHEALTH TO PATIENTS LOCATED IN THIS STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 40-75-20, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, AND LICENSED PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL SPECIALISTS, SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM "TELEHEALTH"; AND TO AMEND SECTION 40-75-290, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF PERSONS EXEMPT FROM REGULATION AS PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, AND LICENSED PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL SPECIALISTS, SO AS TO SIMILARLY EXEMPT SUCH PROFESSIONALS LICENSED IN THIS STATE OR ANOTHER STATE WHEN PROVIDING SERVICES USING TELEHEALTH TO PATIENTS LOCATED IN THIS STATE.

Rep. HART explained the Bill.

The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 95; Nays 13

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Alexander                Anderson                 Atkinson
Bailey                   Ballentine               Bannister
Bennett                  Bernstein                Blackwell
Bradley                  Brawley                  Bryant
Burns                    Bustos                   Carter
Caskey                   Clyburn                  Cobb-Hunter
Cogswell                 Collins                  B. Cox
W. Cox                   Daning                   Davis
Dillard                  Elliott                  Erickson
Felder                   Forrest                  Gagnon
Garvin                   Gatch                    Gilliard
Govan                    Haddon                   Hardee
Hart                     Hayes                    Henegan
Herbkersman              Hewitt                   Hosey
Howard                   Huggins                  Hyde
Jefferson                J. L. Johnson            K. O. Johnson
Jones                    Jordan                   King
Kirby                    Ligon                    Long
Lowe                     Magnuson                 Matthews
McGarry                  McGinnis                 McKnight
J. Moore                 T. Moore                 Morgan
V. S. Moss               Murray                   B. Newton
W. Newton                Nutt                     Oremus
Ott                      Pendarvis                Pope
Rivers                   Robinson                 Rose
Sandifer                 Simrill                  G. M. Smith
G. R. Smith              M. M. Smith              Stavrinakis
Taylor                   Tedder                   Thayer
Thigpen                  Weeks                    West
Wetmore                  Wheeler                  White
Whitmire                 R. Williams              S. Williams
Willis                   Wooten                   

Total--95

Those who voted in the negative are:

Calhoon                  Chumley                  Dabney
Fry                      Gilliam                  Hill
Hiott                    Hixon                    May
McCabe                   McCravy                  D. C. Moss
Yow                                               

Total--13

So, the Bill was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

S. 968--AMENDED AND ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 968 (Word version) -- Senators Alexander, Climer and Kimbrell: A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 11, TITLE 25 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS, BY ADDING SECTION 25-11-85 TO ESTABLISH THE "VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION BURIAL HONOR GUARD SUPPORT FUND" TO HELP OFFSET THE COSTS INCURRED BY SOUTH CAROLINA CHAPTERS OF CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN PROVIDING HONOR GUARD BURIAL DETAILS AT THE FUNERALS OF QUALIFYING SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY VETERANS, AND TO DEFINE RELEVANT TERMS.

The Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs proposed the following Amendment No. 1 to S. 968 (Word version) (COUNCIL\ZW\968C001.AR.ZW22), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 25-11-85(B) and inserting:

/   "(B)   Upon request by a South Carolina chapter of a congressionally chartered veterans service organization that provided an honor guard burial detail at the funeral of a qualifying South Carolina veteran, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs or his representative may authorize a disbursement from the fund, in an amount not less than one hundred dollars, for the purposes described in this section. Pursuant to his authority provided for in Section 25-11-20(D), the Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs may promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section."   /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. MATTHEWS explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

The question recurred to the passage of the Bill.

The yeas and nays were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 109; Nays 0

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allison                  Anderson                 Atkinson
Bailey                   Ballentine               Bamberg
Bannister                Bennett                  Bernstein
Blackwell                Bradley                  Brawley
Brittain                 Bryant                   Burns
Bustos                   Calhoon                  Carter
Caskey                   Chumley                  Clyburn
Cobb-Hunter              Cogswell                 Collins
B. Cox                   W. Cox                   Dabney
Daning                   Davis                    Dillard
Elliott                  Erickson                 Felder
Forrest                  Fry                      Gagnon
Garvin                   Gatch                    Gilliam
Govan                    Haddon                   Hardee
Hart                     Hayes                    Henegan
Herbkersman              Hewitt                   Hill
Hiott                    Hixon                    Hosey
Howard                   Huggins                  Hyde
Jefferson                J. E. Johnson            J. L. Johnson
K. O. Johnson            Jones                    Jordan
King                     Kirby                    Ligon
Long                     Lowe                     Magnuson
Matthews                 May                      McCabe
McCravy                  McDaniel                 McGarry
McGinnis                 McKnight                 J. Moore
T. Moore                 Morgan                   D. C. Moss
V. S. Moss               Murray                   B. Newton
W. Newton                Nutt                     Oremus
Pendarvis                Pope                     Rivers
Robinson                 Rose                     Sandifer
Simrill                  G. R. Smith              M. M. Smith
Stavrinakis              Taylor                   Tedder
Thayer                   Thigpen                  Weeks
West                     Wetmore                  Wheeler
White                    Whitmire                 R. Williams
S. Williams              Willis                   Wooten
Yow                                               

Total--109

Those who voted in the negative are:

Total--0

So, the Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

S. 236--DEBATE ADJOURNED

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 236 (Word version) -- Senator Young: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-1000, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO POOLING PRECINCTS IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PRECINCT CONTAINING THREE THOUSAND OR MORE VOTERS, AN INCREASE FROM FIVE HUNDRED OR MORE VOTERS, HAVE ITS OWN POLLING PLACE; THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE MUNICIPAL POOLED PRECINCTS CANNOT EXCEED THREE THOUSAND, AN INCREASE FROM ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED; AND THAT POOLED MUNICIPAL POLLING PLACES CANNOT BE MORE THAN FIVE MILES, AN INCREASE FROM THREE MILES, FROM THE NEAREST PART OF ANY POOLED PRECINCT.

Rep. HIXON moved to adjourn debate on the Bill, which was agreed to.

S. 888--REQUESTS FOR DEBATE

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 888 (Word version) -- Senators M. Johnson, Kimbrell, Garrett, Adams, Climer and Young: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 11, TITLE 40 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO CONTRACTORS, TO PROVIDE FOR A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION TO BE MADE UPON APPLICATION FOR A CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE TO BE APPLIED TO ACCREDITED PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING OFFERING COURSES IN BUILDING SCIENCE OR CIVIL ENGINEERING; TO PROVIDE FOR DISTRIBUTION; AND TO IMPOSE A REPORTING REQUIREMENT.

Rep. FELDER explained the Bill.

Reps. WHITE, HAYES, WEST, THAYER, WHEELER, HARDEE, WHITMIRE, YOW, FINLAY, HIXON, CARTER, HIOTT, D. C. MOSS, MCCABE, MAY, DABNEY, NUTT, MAGNUSON, MCDANIEL and R. WILLIAMS requested debate on the Bill.

Further proceedings were interrupted by expiration of time on the uncontested Calendar.

RECURRENCE TO THE MORNING HOUR

Rep. HOWARD moved that the House recur to the morning hour, which was agreed to.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Rep. MCDANIEL, from the Fairfield Delegation, submitted a favorable report on:

S. 1292 (Word version) -- Senator Fanning: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 191 OF 1991, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, SO AS TO REVISE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE SEVEN SINGLE-MEMBER ELECTION DISTRICTS FROM WHICH MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY ARE ELECTED.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. MURPHY, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 1025 (Word version) -- Senators Shealy, Hutto and Jackson: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 44-63-80 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO CERTIFIED COPIES OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES, TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE AND TO ALTER THE PROCESS FOR OBTAINING BIRTH CERTIFICATES.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. MURPHY, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 243 (Word version) -- Senator Young: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-940(A) OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO AUTHORIZED USES OF UNFOUNDED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTS, TO AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION ABOUT CHILD FATALITIES OR NEAR FATALITIES; TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-1990(H) OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE CONFIDENTIALITY AND RELEASE OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT RECORDS, TO AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION ABOUT CHILD FATALITIES OR NEAR FATALITIES; AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. MURPHY, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 560 (Word version) -- Senator Scott: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH THE HEIRS' PROPERTY STUDY COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE METHODS TO ADDRESS HEIR'S PROPERTY ISSUES IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE, TO REQUIRE THE COMMITTEE TO PREPARE A REPORT FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND TO DISSOLVE THE STUDY COMMITTEE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. MURPHY, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 1092 (Word version) -- Senator Martin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 23-23-60, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE AND QUALIFICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND PERSONS TRAINED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACADEMY, AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING COUNCIL'S AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE THE OPERATION OF THE TRAINING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND RECEIPT OF CERTAIN INFORMATION FROM GOVERNING BODIES ABOUT CANDIDATES SEEKING CERTIFICATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE DETENTION AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICER CANDIDATES MUST BE AT LEAST EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. MURPHY, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 133 (Word version) -- Senators Massey, Gustafson, Rice, Hembree, Kimbrell, Turner, Bennett, Climer, Garrett, Cash, Adams, Verdin, Peeler, Grooms, Young, Campsen, M. Johnson, Talley, Goldfinch, Shealy, Cromer, Senn and Fanning: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO MAKE APPLICATION TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO CALL A CONVENTION FOR PROPOSING AMENDMENTS PURSUANT TO ARTICLE V OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION LIMITED TO PROPOSING AMENDMENTS THAT IMPOSE FISCAL RESTRAINTS ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LIMIT THE POWER AND JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND LIMIT THE TERMS OF OFFICE FOR ITS OFFICIALS AND FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN RESERVATIONS, UNDERSTANDINGS, AND DECLARATIONS LIMITING THE APPLICATION; AND TO PROVIDE CERTAIN SELECTION CRITERIA FOR DELEGATES TO A CONVENTION OF THE STATES AS WELL AS LIMITATIONS UPON THEIR AUTHORITY.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. MURPHY, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 1031 (Word version) -- Senators Campsen, Grooms, Senn, Loftis and Verdin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 30-5-10 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF REGISTER OF DEEDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO HOLD THE OFFICE OF REGISTER OF DEEDS.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. MURPHY, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 202 (Word version) -- Senators Hembree and Bennett: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 1-6-10(1) AND (5) OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF THE STATE INSPECTOR GENERAL, TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. MURPHY, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

S. 906 (Word version) -- Senator Shealy: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 43-35-10(3) OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF "EXPLOITATION" IN THE "OMNIBUS ADULT PROTECTION ACT", TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "EXPLOITATION" TO INCLUDE THE EXERCISE OF EXTREME UNDUE INFLUENCE OVER, COERCIVE PERSUASION OF, OR PSYCHOLOGICALLY DAMAGING MANIPULATION OF A VULNERABLE ADULT; AND TO FURTHER AMEND SECTION 43-35-10 BY ADDING A DEFINITION FOR "UNDUE INFLUENCE".
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 5340 (Word version) -- Reps. Erickson, Bradley, Herbkersman, W. Newton, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Brawley, Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, J. E. Johnson, J. L. Johnson, K. O. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, D. C. Moss, V. S. Moss, Murphy, Murray, B. Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, M. M. Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R. Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE HARVEY AND BATTEY, P.A., LAW FIRM OF BEAUFORT ON THE OCCASION OF ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO WISH THE FIRM MUCH CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

The Resolution was adopted.

Rep. GILLIARD moved that the House do now adjourn, which was agreed to.

RETURNED WITH CONCURRENCE

The Senate returned to the House with concurrence the following:

H. 5292 (Word version) -- Reps. Forrest, Taylor, Caskey, Huggins, Calhoon, Ballentine, McCabe, Ott, May, Wooten and Pope: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY OFFICER ROY ANDREW "DREW" BARR OF THE CAYCE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND TO EXPRESS TO HIS FAMILY THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND THE MOST PROFOUND APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

ADJOURNMENT

At 1:48 p.m. the House, in accordance with the motion of Rep. G. R. SMITH, adjourned in memory of James Rocky "Pops" Robinson, to meet at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.

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