South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
H. 4478
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Burns, Hiott, Pope, McGinnis and Haddon
Document Path: LC-0152HA25.docx
Introduced in the House on May 1, 2025
Introduced in the Senate on May 7, 2025
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
| Date | Body | Action Description with journal page number |
|---|---|---|
| 5/1/2025 | House | Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar without reference (House Journal-page 142) |
| 5/6/2025 | House | Member(s) request name added as sponsor: McGinnis, Haddon |
| 5/6/2025 | House | Read second time (House Journal-page 61) |
| 5/6/2025 | House | Roll call Yeas-115 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 61) |
| 5/7/2025 | House | Read third time and sent to Senate (House Journal-page 8) |
| 5/7/2025 | Senate | Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 11) |
| 5/7/2025 | Senate | Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry (Senate Journal-page 11) |
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
Indicates New Matter
Introduced
May 1, 2025
H. 4478
Introduced by Reps. Burns, Hiott and Pope
S. Printed 5/1/25--H.
Read the first time May 1, 2025
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A bill
TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 48-35-50, RELATING TO THE STATE FORESTER PROHIBITING FIRES, SO AS TO REQUIRE NOTICE OF THE PROHIBITION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION FOR BROADCAST OF THE PROHIBITION ON ALL TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES WITHIN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 48-35-50 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:
Section 48-35-50. (A) The State Forester may direct at any time, when deemed necessary in the interest of public safety, that fires covered by this chapter not be started. The State Forester also may prohibit all open burning regardless of whether a permit or notification is required, including campfires, bonfires, and other fires for recreational purposes. This prohibition shall not apply to fires used for nonrecreational purposes such as those for human warmth or for the preparation of food for immediate consumption.
(B) In the event the State Forester directs that a fire not be started or prohibits all open burning pursuant to this section, notice must be sent to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. The Emergency Management Division must broadcast the State Forester's direction or prohibition regarding fires on all telecommunication devices within South Carolina.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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This web page was last updated on May 1, 2025 at 8:30 PM