Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

May 5, 2026

 

H. 3841

 

Introduced by Reps. Hewitt, B. Newton, Yow, Hardee, Bailey, M. M. Smith, Teeple, Kirby, Bustos, Landing, Brewer, Hartnett, Lawson, Davis, Murphy and Weeks

 

S. Printed 5/5/26--S.

Read the first time April 9, 2025

 

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The committee on Senate Finance

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3841) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 12-43-220, relating to assessment ratios, so as to provide that under certain circumstances, property, etc., respectfully

Report:

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

 

    Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 3 and inserting:

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to property tax years beginning after 20242025.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

 

HARVEY PEELER for Committee.

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-43-220, RELATING TO ASSESSMENT RATIOS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, PROPERTY RECEIVING THE FOUR PERCENT ASSESSMENT RATIO SHALL CONTINUE AT FOUR PERCENT WHEN THE OWNER DIES; AND BY ADDING SECTION 12-37-460 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS SHALL CONTINUE TO APPLY WHEN THE OWNER DIES.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 12-43-220(c) of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    (9) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when an owner receiving the special assessment rate pursuant to this item (c) dies, the property shall continue to receive the special assessment rate until the decedent's estate is closed, upon the recording of a deed or deed of distribution out of the estate, or after December thirty-first of the year following the date of death, whichever occurs first. This subitem does not apply if the property is rented for more than seventy-two days in or following the calendar year of the decedent's death or if a change of use occurs.

 

SECTION 2.  Article 3, Chapter 37, Title 12 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 12-37-460.    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when an owner of real property dies, the property shall continue to receive any property tax exemption it was receiving at the time of death until the decedent's estate is closed, upon the recording of a deed or deed of distribution out of the estate, or after December thirty-first of the year following the date of death, whichever occurs first. This section does not apply if the property becomes ineligible for the exemption for a reason other than the death.

 

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to property tax years beginning after 2024.

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