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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
AMENDED
May 6, 2021
H. 3056
S. Printed 5/6/21--S.
Read the first time February 3, 2021.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY REPEALING SECTIONS 50-19-210 THROUGH 50-19-240 ALL RELATING TO THE PRESTWOOD LAKE WILDLIFE REFUGE BOARD; BY REPEALING SECTIONS 50-19-1710 THROUGH 50-19-1730 ALL RELATING TO THE CATAWBA-WATEREE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION; BY REPEALING ARTICLE 1 OF CHAPTER 19, TITLE 50 RELATING TO THE CHEROKEE FISH AND GAME CLUB; BY REPEALING ARTICLE 3 OF CHAPTER 19, TITLE 50 RELATING TO THE DARLINGTON COUNTY ADVISORY FISH AND GAME COMMISSION; BY REPEALING ARTICLE 17 OF CHAPTER 19, TITLE 50 RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF THE LEE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION TO PROTECT FISH AND GAME IN LEE COUNTY; BY REPEALING ARTICLE 19 OF CHAPTER 19, TITLE 50 RELATING TO THE MARION COUNTY FISH AND GAME COMMISSION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SHELLY LAKE FISH SANCTUARY IN MARION COUNTY; BY REPEALING ARTICLE 21 OF CHAPTER 19, TITLE 50 RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE PROJECTS IN MARLBORO COUNTY; BY REPEALING ARTICLE 23 OF CHAPTER 13, TITLE 51 RELATING TO THE ENOREE RIVER GREENWAY COMMISSION; BY REDESIGNATING ARTICLE 5 OF CHAPTER 19, TITLE 50 AS "SLADE LAKE FISHING"; AND BY REDESIGNATING ARTICLE 29 OF CHAPTER 19, TITLE 50 AS "FISHING AND HUNTING IN LAKE WATEREE".
Amend Title To Conform
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 15, Title 50 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 50-15-600. (A) For purposes of this section 'non-native venomous reptile' means all non-native members of the class Reptilia including their taxonomic successors, subspecies, or any hybrid thereof, regardless of surgical alteration, determined to have the potential to cause serious human injury due to the toxic effects of its venom or poison, and includes all non-native venomous reptiles of the class Reptilia belonging to the families Elapidae, Crotalidae, Viperidae, and Hydrophiidae; all non-native venomous reptiles in the genus Heloderma; and all non-native venomous reptiles in the family Colubridae belonging to the genera: Rhabdophis, Boiga, Dispholidus, Thelatornis, and Atractapsi.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for a person to possess, sell, barter, trade, ship, or bring into this State, or attempt to possess, sell, barter, trade, ship, or bring into this State non-native venomous reptiles.
(C) Non-native venomous reptiles are hereby considered contraband per se and must be confiscated and may be euthanized in the discretion of the department.
(D)(1) A person who possesses less than ten non-native venomous reptiles in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars, be imprisoned not more than 30 days, or both.
(2) A person who possesses ten or more non-native venomous reptiles in violation of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars, be imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(E) This section does not apply to an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited facility, licensed medical facilities, institutions of higher learning, other similar institutions, or any business engaged in the public exhibition of non-native venomous reptiles. The exhibition must be at a non-traveling, fixed facility that is open to the public for a time no less than thirty hours per week for at least six months each year."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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