Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

April 15, 2026

 

S. 436

 

Introduced by Senator Grooms

 

S. Printed 4/15/26--S.

Read the first time March 11, 2025

 

________

 

The committee on Senate Finance

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 436) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 12-37-220, relating to property tax exemptions, so as to add an exemption for a portion of the value, 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 all after the enacting words and inserting:

SECTION 1.  Section 12-43-220(g) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (g) All real and personal property owned by or leased to companies primarily engaged in the transportation for hire of persons or property and used by such companies in the conduct of such business and required by law to be assessed by the department shall be taxed on an assessment equal to nine and one-half percent of the fair market value of such property.  Notwithstanding this provision, until June 30, 2027, fee in lieu of tax agreements may include commercial aircraft as part of a qualifying project in support of economic development, subject to all other statutory requirements for fee in lieu of tax agreements, as approved by the Coordinating Council for Economic Development.

    The department shall apply an equalization factor to real and personal property owned by or leased to transportation companies for hire as mandated by federal legislation.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, on June 3, 1975, if it is found that there is a variation between the ratios being used and those stated in this section, the county may provide for a gradual transition to the ratios as herein provided for over a period not to exceed seven years;  provided, however, that all property within a particular classification shall be assessed at the same ratio, provided, further, however, that all property enumerated in subsection (a) shall be assessed at the ratio provided in such subsection and the property enumerated in subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) shall be increased or decreased to the ratios set forth in this article by a change in the ratio of not less than one-half of one percent per year nor more than one percent per year.  Provided, however, that notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a county may, at its discretion, immediately implement the assessment ratios contained in subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f).  Provided, however, that livestock shall not be subject to ad valorem taxation unless such livestock is physically located within the State for a period in excess of nine months.  Provided, that this section shall not apply to farm animals and farm equipment in use on a farm in those counties which do not tax such property as of June 3, 1975.

    Provided, however, all agricultural or forest land within easements granted to public bodies, agencies, railroads, or utilities for rights of way of thirty feet in width or greater shall be assessed at the same cropland value per acre as soil class 7 in schedule 1 of R 117-126 of the State Department of Revenue.  In order to receive such assessment the landowner must apply to the tax assessor of the county where the easement is located, with documentation of the existence, location, and amount of acreage contained in the easement.

    As used in this section, fair market value with reference to real property means fair market value determined in the manner provided pursuant to Article X of the Constitution of this State, Section 12-37-930 and Article 25, Chapter 37 of this title.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

 

HARVEY PEELER for Committee.

 

_______

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-220, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO ADD AN EXEMPTION FOR A PORTION OF THE VALUE OF AIRCRAFT OF AN AIRLINE COMPANY; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-2440, RELATING TO THE VALUATION OF AIRCRAFT, SO AS TO SPECIFY THE MANNER IN WHICH TIME ON THE GROUND IS CALCULATED.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 12-37-220(B) of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    (54) 36.8421 percent of the fair market value of all aircraft of each airline company. For purposes of this exemption, aircraft and airline company have the same meaning as provided in Article 19.

 

SECTION 2.  Section 12-37-2440(a) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (a) The ratio which the total time scheduled on the ground within this State of such aircraft during the preceding calendar or fiscal year bears to the total time scheduled on the ground within and without this State of such aircraft during the preceding calendar or fiscal year. For purposes of determining time on the ground in this State, each landing in this State equals thirty minutes and each overnight stay or maintenance day in this State equals two hours.

 

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----