Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 11:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the PRESIDENT Pro Tempore.

A quorum being present, the proceedings were opened with a devotion by the Chaplain as follows:

Malachi, the prophet, calls on the people to show their faithfulness through their tithes and offerings, saying: "Then all nations will count you happy, for you will be a land of delights, says the Lord of hosts."
(Malachi 3:12)

Join me in prayer, please:
  How rich in blessings are we here in South Carolina. We give You praise, dear God, for the gracious bounty which surrounds us in every direction. Our State is indeed a 'land of delights.' So, Lord, guide these Senators and all others who provide leadership to our people. Remind them again and again that our blessings come ultimately from You, O God, and that we are to be faithful and wise stewards of all that You have given to us. May it ever be so, dear Lord, to Your everlasting glory.
Amen.

The following remarks were ordered printed on motion of Senator THOMAS in the Journal of April 23, 2008:

Thank you Mr. PRESIDENT.

I'm not going to be very long on the podium today; however, I was sitting back there at my seat and I heard something that I felt very strongly needs to be addressed to this body. As you know we are accused of spending money in this body on all types of things--some things foolish, some things necessary. Sometimes we don't spend money on things that money needs to be spent on. Today we're debating the question of spending money to defend potential lawsuits on this prayer Bill, which budget the money will come from, what agencies will be responsible for defending this Bill. I don't care how much money is going to be spent or what we have to do to defend this Bill or who is going to defend this prayer Bill.

Through my thirty years in life as a law enforcement officer, I have seen money spent to defend all types of criminals --murderers, rapists, prostitutes, gamblers and yes, even atheists. I have seen money spent to defend just about every aspect of society you can imagine and I believe we have a chance today to use our money and resources, money that will be well spent, to start defending God. I don't know of another Bill in the legislature this year that should be supported more whole-heartedly than this Bill. Who cares if it comes out of the Attorney General's budget or the General Appropriations fund. Who cares! If this Bill passes and it needs defending in court, it will be money well spent. It's high time that we start defending God in society. This country was founded on God. People, there is an attempt out there in this wicked world to destroy God--removing "In God We Trust" from our money and yes they've even taken prayer out of our public schools because we sat back and didn't defend when we needed to defend. I think a little more prayer in the public and private sector will go a long way to the betterment of society. In doing so we would not have to pass the laws that we pass up here. The one thing you need to do, is to remember if we only obeyed God's law, the Ten Commandments, there would be no need for this body to meet. Ladies and gentlemen, if you can't obey God's laws then you certainly can't obey man's laws.

I rise today, fully in support of this Bill and at this time I want to share something with you. I probably pray more than anybody in this body because I know I need God's guidance on a daily basis. I even ask Pastor St. John each day to always pray for me and this body. I am not ashamed to say I pray. I pray in public, private and at my desk in my office. I pray at home and I pray a lot of time when you don't even know I am praying--with my eyes wide open, praying for myself, praying for some of the things that go on in this legislative body on a daily basis. That's a side of me that many of you may not realize and it may even surprise some of you. I have a real strict belief in my faith and defending God's word and God's laws. I don't know of another tax dollar that would be better spent in this State--that could be spent more wisely than spending to defend any type of challenge on this Bill and let's all join together and start defending God and God's actions.
Thank you.

The Journal of Tuesday, April 29, 2008, incorrectly reflected the committee report on S. 879 as favorable. The correct report should be favorable with amendments as reflected below:

Senator McCONNELL from the Committee on Judiciary polled out S. 879 favorable with amendments:

S. 879 (Word version) -- Senators Campsen, Knotts and Fair: A BILL TO ENACT THE UNIDENTIFIED HUMAN REMAINS DNA DATABASE ACT, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 9, CHAPTER 3 OF TITLE 23, RELATING TO THE STATE DNA DATABASE, TO PROVIDE THAT FAMILY MEMBERS OF A MISSING PERSON MAY SUBMIT DNA SAMPLES TO THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE PERSON REMAINS MISSING FOR THIRTY DAYS, THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION MUST CONDUCT DNA IDENTIFICATION, TYPING, AND TESTING ON THE DNA SAMPLE PROVIDED BY THE FAMILY MEMBER, TO PROVIDE THAT THE RESULTS OF THE IDENTIFICATION, TYPING, AND TESTING OF THE FAMILY MEMBER'S DNA SAMPLE IS ENTERED INTO THE STATE DNA DATABASE AND THE NATIONAL DNA INDEX SYSTEM, TO PROVIDE THAT EACH FAMILY MEMBER PROVIDING DNA SAMPLES MUST PAY A PROCESSING FEE, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION MUST CONDUCT DNA IDENTIFICATION, TYPING, AND TESTING ON DNA SAMPLES OF UNIDENTIFIED BODIES THAT REMAIN UNIDENTIFIED FOR THIRTY DAYS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE RESULTS OF THE IDENTIFICATION, TYPING, AND TESTING OF THE UNIDENTIFIED PERSON'S DNA SAMPLE IS ENTERED INTO THE STATE DNA DATABASE AND THE NATIONAL DNA INDEX SYSTEM; BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 7 OF TITLE 17, RELATING TO CORONERS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS, TO PROVIDE THAT A CORONER PERFORMING AN AUTOPSY ON AN UNIDENTIFIED BODY MUST OBTAIN TISSUE AND FLUID SAMPLES FROM THE BODY SUITABLE FOR DNA IDENTIFICATION, TYPING, AND TESTING, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE CORONER MUST SEND THE SAMPLES TO THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION; BY AMENDING SECTION 17-5-570, RELATING TO THE RELEASE AND BURIAL OF DEAD BODIES AND THE PRESERVATION AND DISPOSITION OF UNIDENTIFIED DEAD BODIES, TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA OR OTHER FACILITY PRESERVING AN UNIDENTIFIED DEAD BODY MUST NOTIFY THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION IF THE BODY REMAINS UNIDENTIFIED AFTER THIRTY DAYS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THERE MAY BE NO DISPOSITION OF THE BODY UNTIL AT LEAST THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE BODY'S DNA PROFILE HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO THE STATE DNA DATABASE AND THE NATIONAL DNA INDEX SYSTEM.

McConnell                 Ford                      Gregory
Jackson                   Martin                    Rankin
Elliott                   Hutto                     Anderson
Hawkins                   Ritchie                   Knotts
Malloy                    Sheheen                   Campsen
Cleary                    Lourie                    Scott
Williams                  Vaughn                    Ceips
Massey                    Campbell

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

The PRESIDENT Pro Tempore called for Petitions, Memorials, Presentments of Grand Juries and such like papers.

At 11:05 A.M., Senator THOMAS made the point that a quorum was not present. It was ascertained that a quorum was not present.

Senator THOMAS moved that a Call of the Senate be made. The following Senators answered the Call:

Alexander                 Anderson                  Bryant
Campbell                  Campsen                   Ceips
Cleary                    Cromer                    Fair
Gregory                   Grooms                    Hawkins
Hayes                     Hutto                     Knotts
Land                      Leatherman                Leventis
Lourie                    Malloy                    Martin
Massey                    Matthews                  McConnell
McGill                    O'Dell                    Patterson
Peeler                    Pinckney                  Ritchie
Ryberg                    Scott                     Setzler
Sheheen                   Short                     Thomas
Vaughn                    Verdin                    Williams

A quorum being present, the Senate resumed.

Senator RANKIN recorded his presence subsequent to the Call of the Senate.

The following appointment was transmitted by the Honorable Mark C. Sanford:

Initial Appointment, South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission, with the term to commence June 30, 2008, and to expire June 30, 2014
At-Large:
Thomas S. Beck, 1022 Indian Fork Road, Chapin, SC 29036 VICE George N. Funderburk

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Senators DRUMMOND and PEELER introduced Dr. Thomas C Rowland of Georgetown, S.C., Doctor of the Day.

At 11:45 A.M., Senator PATTERSON requested a leave of absence beginning at 5:30 P.M. today and lasting until 11:00 A.M. on Thursday.

The following co-sponsors were added to the respective Bills:
S. 1220 (Word version)     Sen. Setzler
S. 429 (Word version)     Sen. Jackson

The following co-sponsor was removed from the respective Bill:
S. 1283 (Word version)     Sen. Scott

S. 1183 (Word version) -- Senators Ritchie, Ford and Knotts: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO FIX 12:00 NOON ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2008, AS THE TIME TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, SEAT 3, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2013; TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, SEAT 9, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2010, AND THE SUBSEQUENT FULL TERM WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2016; AND TO ELECT A SUCCESSOR TO A CERTAIN JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT, THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SEAT 3, TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2010, AND THE SUBSEQUENT FULL TERM WHICH EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2016.

Senator RITCHIE asked unanimous consent to recall the Concurrent Resolution from the Committee on Judiciary.

There was no objection and the resolution was recalled from the Committee on Judiciary.

On motion of Senator RITCHIE, with unanimous consent, the Concurrent Resolution was placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.

H. 5015 (Word version) -- Reps. Gambrell, Cooper, Bowen, Thompson, Agnew and White: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-80, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN ANDERSON COUNTY, SO AS TO REVISE CERTAIN VOTING PRECINCTS IN ANDERSON COUNTY, TO REDESIGNATE A MAP NUMBER FOR THE MAP ON WHICH LINES OF THESE PRECINCTS ARE DELINEATED AND MAINTAINED BY THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS OF THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD.

Senator O'DELL asked unanimous consent to recall the Bill from the Committee on Judiciary.

There was no objection and the Bill was recalled from the Committee on Judiciary.

On motion of Senator O'DELL, with unanimous consent, the Bill was placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.

H. 4926 (Word version) -- Rep. Funderburk: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-340, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN KERSHAW COUNTY, SO AS TO REDESIGNATE A MAP NUMBER ON WHICH LINES OF THESE PRECINCTS ARE DELINEATED AND MAINTAINED BY THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS OF THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD.

Senator SHEHEEN asked unanimous consent to recall the Bill from the Committee on Judiciary.

There was no objection and the Bill was recalled from the Committee on Judiciary.

On motion of Senator SHEHEEN, with unanimous consent, the Bill was placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.

H. 4492 (Word version) -- Reps. Young, Harrell and Hutson: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-230, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN DORCHESTER COUNTY, SO AS TO REVISE AND RENAME CERTAIN VOTING PRECINCTS IN DORCHESTER COUNTY, REDESIGNATE A MAP NUMBER FOR THE MAP ON WHICH LINES OF THESE PRECINCTS ARE DELINEATED AND MAINTAINED BY THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS OF THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD, AND CORRECT CERTAIN REFERENCES.

Senator SCOTT asked unanimous consent to recall the Bill from the Committee on Judiciary.

There was no objection and the Bill was recalled from the Committee on Judiciary.

On motion of Senator SCOTT, with unanimous consent, the Bill was placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.

The following were introduced:

S. 1343 (Word version) -- Senator Sheheen: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 44-96-190, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO YARD TRASH AND COMPOST, SO AS TO PROVIDE A MUNICIPALITY OF NO MORE THAN THREE THOUSAND RESIDENTS MAY OPEN AND OPERATE A SITE OF NO MORE THAN THREE ACRES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF YARD TRASH WITHOUT REGULATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL.
l:\council\bills\ggs\22101ab08.doc

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Medical Affairs.

S. 1344 (Word version) -- Senators Knotts, Cromer, Hayes, McConnell and Campbell: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 101 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 56 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MAY ISSUE MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR TEST-DRIVING LICENSE PLATES AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR THE MISUSE OF THESE LICENSE PLATES.
l:\council\bills\swb\5531cm08.doc

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

S. 1345 (Word version) -- Senators McConnell, Alexander, Anderson, Bryant, Campbell, Campsen, Ceips, Cleary, Courson, Cromer, Elliott, Fair, Ford, Gregory, Grooms, Hawkins, Hayes, Hutto, Jackson, Knotts, Land, Leatherman, Leventis, Lourie, Malloy, Martin, Massey, Matthews, McGill, O'Dell, Patterson, Peeler, Pinckney, Rankin, Reese, Ritchie, Ryberg, Scott, Setzler, Sheheen, Short, Thomas, Vaughn, Verdin and Williams: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE JOHN W. DRUMMOND, OF GREENWOOD COUNTY, ONE OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S MOST ADMIRED STATESMAN AND ONE OF THE UNITED STATES' MOST DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS AND MILITARY HEROES FOR A LIFETIME OF UNSELFISH PUBLIC SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY, STATE, AND NATION, AND TO EXPRESS DEEP GRATITUDE TO HIM ON BEHALF OF A GRATEFUL STATE FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE FOR SOUTH CAROLINA AS HE RETIRES FROM THE SENATE AFTER SERVING MORE THAN FORTY-ONE YEARS IN MANY CAPACITIES INCLUDING CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, AND PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE EMERITUS.
l:\council\bills\gm\24210sd08.doc

The Senate Resolution was adopted.

S. 1346 (Word version) -- Senator Pinckney: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR BISHOP PRESTON WARREN WILLIAMS II FOR HIS FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE AS PRESIDING PRELATE OF THE 7TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT (SOUTH CAROLINA) OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
l:\council\bills\rm\1442bb08.doc

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered sent to the House.

H. 4312 (Word version) -- Rep. Kirsh: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 62-5-106 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A GUARDIANSHIP, CONSERVATORSHIP, OR OTHER PROTECTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHED BY REASON OF INCAPACITY, AND NOT MERELY MINORITY, DOES NOT TERMINATE AUTOMATICALLY UPON THE ATTAINMENT OF THE AGE OF MAJORITY BY THE INCAPACITATED PERSON AND TO DEFINE "INCAPACITATED PERSON" FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

H. 4750 (Word version) -- Reps. Cobb-Hunter and McLeod: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-100, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES FOR THOSE WHO MANAGE CONTINUING CARE FACILITIES, SO AS TO DELETE OBSOLETE PROVISIONS, PROVIDE GROUNDS FOR WHICH DISCIPLINARY ACTION MAY BE TAKEN, REQUIRE THAT DISCIPLINARY ACTION OCCUR SUBJECT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT, AND REQUIRE A PERSON WHO HAS UNDERTAKEN UNLAWFUL CONDUCT TO REPAY COSTS OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE CHAPTER; BY ADDING SECTION 37-11-125 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY FILE AN ACTION IN CIVIL COURT TO ENFORCE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER; TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-135, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT EXEMPT COMMUNITIES MUST OBTAIN A LETTER OF NONAPPLICABILITY; BY ADDING SECTION 37-11-137 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT FUNDS COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT MUST BE USED TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER; AND TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-140, RELATING TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CHAPTER, SO AS TO DELETE OBSOLETE PROVISIONS.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance.

H. 4766 (Word version) -- Reps. Lowe, Merrill, Crawford, Ballentine, Cobb-Hunter, Hagood, Harrell, Limehouse, E. H. Pitts, Scarborough, Spires, Young, Brady, R. Brown and Mulvaney: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 48-52-620, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ENERGY CONSERVATION PLANS FOR STATE AGENCIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC ENERGY CONSUMPTION REDUCTION GOALS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, TO PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION FROM ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR AN AGENCY IMPLEMENTING ALL AVAILABLE, COST-EFFECTIVE ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES, AND TO DEFINE THE TERM "ENERGY CONSUMPTION"; TO AMEND SECTION 48-52-640, RELATING TO PURCHASE OF ENERGY CONSERVATION PRODUCTS BY A STATE AGENCY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE ENERGY OFFICE MAY CERTIFY FOR PROCUREMENT ONLY A PRODUCT THAT MEETS OR EXCEEDS FEDERAL ENERGY STAR STANDARDS, AND TO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF AN INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULB USED BY A STATE AGENCY WITH A COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULB WHEN THE INCANDESCENT BULB NEEDS REPLACING, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

H. 4783 (Word version) -- Reps. Hagood, Cato, Harvin, Hutson, Brantley, Anthony, Battle, Herbkersman, Hodges, Hosey, Leach, Littlejohn, Mahaffey, Moss and Williams: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-3-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF TERMS IN THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF ARCHITECTS, SO AS TO DEFINE "INTERN ARCHITECT"; TO AMEND SECTION 40-3-115, RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL EXAMINERS OVER LICENSEES AND FORMER LICENSEES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH AUTHORITY EXTENDS OVER UNLICENSED INDIVIDUALS AND TO FURTHER CLARIFY THIS AUTHORITY; TO AMEND SECTION 40-3-120, RELATING TO FINES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED BY THE BOARD, SO AS TO INCREASE FROM TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS TO TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TOTAL FINES THAT THE BOARD MAY IMPOSE; TO AMEND SECTION 40-3-240, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT APPLICATION FEES ARE NONREFUNDABLE AND THAT APPLICANTS MUST BE ENROLLED AND PARTICIPATING IN AN INTERN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 40-3-250, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO LICENSE RENEWAL AND CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO FURTHER CLARIFY REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION TOPICS AND TO REQUIRE REGISTRANTS TO COMPLY WITH AUDIT DEADLINES AND REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 40-3-280, RELATING TO ARCHITECTS AND ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS HAVING A SEAL, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF AN ELECTRONIC SEAL AND SIGNATURE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 40-3-290, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM CHAPTER 3, TITLE 40, SO AS TO SPECIFY THAT ENGINEERS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THIS CHAPTER, TO FURTHER SPECIFY WHICH FARM BUILDINGS, BUILDINGS LESS THAN THREE STORIES HIGH, AND DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY OR TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS DO NOT REQUIRE THE SERVICES OF AN ARCHITECT, AND TO PROVIDE THAT ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR ALTERATIONS AND RENOVATIONS TO BUILDINGS THAT DO NOT INCREASE THE AREAS OR CAPACITIES OF BUILDINGS BEYOND THAT GOVERNED BY THIS CHAPTER, THAT DO NOT AFFECT THE STRUCTURAL SAFETY OF THE BUILDING, OR THAT DO NOT CHANGE THE BUILDING'S ACCESS OR EXIT PATTERN.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.

H. 4847 (Word version) -- Reps. Cotty, Brady and J. E. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-5635, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE TOWING, STORAGE, AND DISPOSITION OF CERTAIN VEHICLES AND PERSONAL PROPERTY, SO AS TO DELETE THE TERM "LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "OFFICER"; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-5810, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF TERMS REGARDING THE PROVISIONS THAT REGULATE THE DISPOSITION OF ABANDONED OR DERELICT MOTOR VEHICLES ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THESE DEFINITIONS APPLY TO THE SAME TERMS AS THEY APPEAR IN ARTICLE 39, CHAPTER 5 OF TITLE 56, TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS OF THE TERMS "OFFICER" AND "DERELICT VEHICLE", AND TO DELETE A DUPLICATE TERM AND ITS DEFINITION; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-5850, RELATING TO THE PLACEMENT OF A COLORED TAG ON UNATTENDED VEHICLES AS NOTICE THAT IT MAY BE CONSIDERED TO BE ABANDONED, SO AS TO REVISE THE CONDITIONS UPON WHICH A COLORED TAG MAY BE PLACED UPON A VEHICLE, THE LEVEL OF NOTICE CONVEYED BY THE COLORED TAG, THE PERIOD FOR WHICH THE COLORED TAG AND NOTICE ARE VALID, AND TO PROVIDE THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN ADDITIONAL NOTICE IS REQUIRED; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-5880, RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF CERTAIN GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIALS TO ENTER PRIVATE PROPERTY TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS THAT REGULATE THE DISPOSAL OF ABANDONED VEHICLES, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-5920, RELATING TO VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS THAT REGULATE THE DISPOSAL OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A VEHICLE HOUSED OR PROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS MUST BE KEPT WITHIN A CLOSED PERMANENT STRUCTURE TO BE EXEMPT FROM THESE PROVISIONS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-5950, RELATING TO PENALTIES THAT MUST BE IMPOSED ALSO UPON A PERSON WHO ABANDONS A VEHICLE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THESE PENALTIES MUST BE IMPOSED UPON A PERSON WHO FAILS TO ABATE A DERELICT VEHICLE WITHIN A CERTAIN TIME PERIOD.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 4892 (Word version) -- Reps. Haley, Loftis, Cato, Walker, Merrill, Huggins, Hutson, Harrell, E. H. Pitts, Hodges, Spires, Bowen, Ballentine, Funderburk, Knight, Cobb-Hunter, Jefferson, Ott, Owens, Sandifer, J. R. Smith, Chalk, Hardwick, Brady, Whipper, R. Brown and Mitchell: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3640 SO AS TO CREATE THE "ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SUSTAINABLE HOMES ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-3587, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF CERTAIN SOLAR ENERGY HEATING OR COOLING SYSTEMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE A LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION MAY NOT PROHIBIT THE INSTALLATION OF A SOLAR ENERGY HEATING OR COOLING SYSTEM IN A RESIDENTIAL HOME.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

H. 4900 (Word version) -- Reps. Cato, Gambrell, Bowen, Mitchell, Hiott, J. R. Smith, Kelly, Brady, Walker, Bedingfield, Agnew, Barfield, Battle, Bowers, Clemmons, Gullick, Limehouse, Loftis, Lowe, Mahaffey, Moss, Owens, Pinson, Sandifer, D. C. Smith, Spires, Talley, Toole, White, Hardwick and Whipper: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 51 TO TITLE 23 SO AS TO ENACT THE "REDUCED CIGARETTE IGNITION PROPENSITY STANDARDS AND FIREFIGHTER PROTECTION ACT", TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR TERMS CONTAINED IN THIS ACT, TO PROVIDE THAT CIGARETTES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE IN THIS STATE UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN TESTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CERTAIN TEST METHODS, MET CERTAIN PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, RECEIVED CERTAIN CERTIFICATIONS, AND HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MARKED, TO SPECIFY THE TESTING METHODS AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS THAT MUST BE MET.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

H. 4908 (Word version) -- Rep. Cooper: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-28-2920, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF TOLL ROADS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT FUNDS DERIVED FROM TOLLS MUST BE USED FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, TO PROVIDE THAT THESE PURPOSES INCLUDE THE COST OF ACQUISITION, IMPROVEMENT, AND REFINANCING OF A TOLL PROJECT, AND TO PROVIDE THAT UPON REPAYMENT OF CERTAIN COSTS WHICH INCLUDE THE REFINANCING AND SATISFACTION OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNDER CERTAIN AUTHORIZED AGREEMENTS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 57-3-200, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS TO FINANCE, CONSTRUCT, AND MAINTAIN HIGHWAYS, ROADS, STREETS, AND BRIDGES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY ALSO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS TO FINANCE AND REFINANCE THESE PROJECTS, TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT RESTRICTS THE DEPARTMENT'S AND THE STATE'S POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS' POWER TO ACQUIRE, CONSTRUCT, EQUIP, MAINTAIN, OR OPERATE CERTAIN PROJECTS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH INITIAL TOLLS, BUT MAY DELEGATE ITS AUTHORITY TO REVISE TOLLS BASED UPON CERTAIN CRITERIA, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY ALTER, EXTEND, AMEND, MODIFY, TRANSFER OR ASSIGN ITS AGREEMENTS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MUST USE A COMPETITIVE SELECTION PROCESS WHEN IT SOLICITS AND SELECTS A PRIVATE ENTITY TO ENTER INTO A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS EXEMPT FROM THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE STATE PROCUREMENT CODE.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 5001 (Word version) -- Reps. Owens, Hiott, F. N. Smith, Cotty, Haley, Simrill, Merrill, Spires, M. A. Pitts, Skelton, E. H. Pitts, Bedingfield, Kirsh, Mitchell, Perry, D. C. Smith, J. R. Smith, Erickson, Crawford, Daning, Leach, Ballentine, Bowen, Brantley, Cato, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Dantzler, Duncan, Hamilton, Hardwick, Hosey, Jefferson, Kelly, Lowe, Mack, Moss, J. M. Neal, Rice, Scarborough, Shoopman, G. R. Smith, Taylor, Umphlett, Vick, Walker, White, Witherspoon and Young: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-25-125 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF TRESPASS UPON THE GROUNDS OR STRUCTURE OF A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY; AND TO AMEND SECTION 16-25-70, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO A WARRANTLESS ARREST OR SEARCH WHEN A PERSON IS BELIEVED TO HAVE COMMITTED A CRIMINAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSE, SO AS TO CLARIFY A WARRANTLESS ARREST OR SEARCH MAY BE UNDERTAKEN BY LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE A VIOLATION HAS OCCURRED.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

H. 5102 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrell, Agnew, Alexander, Allen, Anderson, Anthony, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bedingfield, Bingham, Bowen, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Brantley, Breeland, G. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Chalk, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Crawford, Daning, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Erickson, Frye, Funderburk, Gambrell, Govan, Gullick, Hagood, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrison, Hart, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, Hiott, Hodges, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hutson, Jefferson, Jennings, Kelly, Kennedy, Kirsh, Knight, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lowe, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Mitchell, Moody-Lawrence, Moss, Mulvaney, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Rice, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Sellers, Shoopman, Simrill, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stewart, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Umphlett, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Williams, Witherspoon and Young: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE LIFE OF PINCUS KOLENDER, A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR WHO DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST AND CHARGING THEM WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PREVENTING SIMILAR TRAGEDIES IN THE FUTURE.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.

H. 5104 (Word version) -- Reps. Edge, Agnew, Alexander, Allen, Anderson, Anthony, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bedingfield, Bingham, Bowen, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Brantley, Breeland, G. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Chalk, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Crawford, Daning, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Erickson, Frye, Funderburk, Gambrell, Govan, Gullick, Hagood, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, Harrison, Hart, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, Hiott, Hodges, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hutson, Jefferson, Jennings, Kelly, Kennedy, Kirsh, Knight, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lowe, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Mitchell, Moody-Lawrence, Moss, Mulvaney, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E. H. Pitts, M. A. Pitts, Rice, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Sellers, Shoopman, Simrill, Skelton, D. C. Smith, F. N. Smith, G. M. Smith, G. R. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. R. Smith, W. D. Smith, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stewart, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Umphlett, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Williams, Witherspoon and Young: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR SAMANTHA BROWN FOR INTRODUCING THE PUBLIC TO VACATION DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE, AND TO COMMEND HER FOR PUBLISHING THE BEAUTIES AND ATTRACTIONS ALONG THE GRAND STRAND OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE UPCOMING PRODUCTION OF PASSPORT TO GREAT WEEKENDS.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.

Senator HUTTO from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable with amendment report on:

S. 617 (Word version) -- Senators Fair and Verdin: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 56 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO DRIVER'S LICENSES, BY ADDING SECTION 56-1-186, TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO OPERATES A MOTOR VEHICLE IN VIOLATION OF RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON A DRIVER'S LICENSE ISSUED PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 56-1-50, 56-1-175, OR 56-1-180 IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND MUST BE FINED NOT MORE THAN THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS OR IMPRISONED FOR NOT MORE THAN THIRTY DAYS, THE COURT MAY SUSPEND ALL OR PART OF THE SENTENCE CONDITIONED UPON THE OFFENDER COMPLETING, TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE COURT, COMMUNITY SERVICE, PUBLIC SERVICE, OR A SAFE DRIVING COURSE, TO PROVIDE ENHANCED PENALTIES IF GREAT BODILY INJURY RESULTED FROM AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A VIOLATION OF THE RESTRICTIONS; AND TO ADD SECTION 56-1-187, TO PROVIDE THAT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN MAY NOT KNOWINGLY PERMIT HIS DEPENDENT TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE IN VIOLATION OF HIS DEPENDENT'S DRIVER'S LICENSE RESTRICTIONS OR TO KNOWINGLY PERMIT HIS DEPENDENT TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE WITHOUT A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION.

Senator HUTTO asked unanimous consent to make a motion that the Bill be given a second reading.

Senator MALLOY objected.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Senator THOMAS from the Committee on Banking and Insurance submitted a favorable with amendment report on:

S. 1129 (Word version) -- Senators Thomas, Jackson and Lourie: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 60 TO TITLE 38 SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTHNET PROGRAM"; TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF A FIVE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM TO PROMOTE THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE TO EMPLOYEES REGARDLESS OF HEALTH STATUS OR CLAIMS EXPERIENCE, PREVENT ABUSIVE RATING PRACTICES AND REQUIRE DISCLOSURE OF RATING PRACTICES TO PURCHASERS, ESTABLISH RULES REGARDING RENEWAL OF COVERAGE, LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF PREEXISTING CONDITIONS EXCLUSIONS, ASSURE FAIR ACCESS TO HEALTH PLANS AND IMPROVE OVERALL FAIRNESS AND EFFICIENCY OF THE GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET; TO PROVIDE FOR DEFINITIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION AND AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; TO PROVIDE FAIR MARKETING STANDARDS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CRITERIA FOR PLAN ADMINISTRATION IN THE PLAN OF OPERATION; TO PROVIDE FOR RATES; TO PROVIDE FOR PROVIDER PARTICIPATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE OF THE CHAPTER; TO PROVIDE THAT HEALTH INSURERS SHALL OFFER AND MARKET PLANS DEVELOPED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTHNET PROGRAM WHO ARE ELIGIBLE; TO PROVIDE FOR HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN STANDARDS AND PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION; TO PROVIDE FOR ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS; TO PROVIDE FOR TERMINATION AND NONRENEWAL OF COVERAGE; TO PROVIDE FOR LOSS DATA TO BE REPORTED TO THE PROGRAM; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 60, TITLE 38 ADDED BY THIS ACT.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

On motion of Senator FORD, with unanimous consent, the names of Senators FORD and REESE were added as co-sponsors of S. 1129.

Senator LEATHERMAN from the Committee on Finance submitted a favorable with amendment report on:

S. 1313 (Word version) -- Senators Knotts, Peeler, Williams, Elliott, Ford, Vaughn, Grooms, Malloy, Cromer, Bryant, Courson, Setzler, McConnell, Ceips, Ritchie, Cleary, Campsen, Short, McGill, Patterson, Reese, Ryberg, Fair, Thomas, Campbell, Anderson, Drummond, Pinckney, Jackson, Alexander, Leatherman, O'Dell, Lourie, Matthews, Martin and Rankin: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-43-223 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO THROUGH A BOND FOR TITLE, LEASE-PURCHASE AGREEMENT, CONTRACT FOR SALE, OR OTHER TYPE OF CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT OWNS AN EQUITABLE INTEREST IN A PARCEL OF REAL PROPERTY, THE LEGAL TITLE TO WHICH REMAINS IN THE SELLER, WHICH THAT PERSON MAINTAINS AS HIS LEGAL RESIDENCE QUALIFIES FOR A FOUR PERCENT ASSESSMENT RATIO THEREON IF HE MEETS ALL OTHER REQUIREMENTS PROVIDED BY LAW FOR SUCH CLASSIFICATION INCLUDING A REQUIREMENT IN THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT THAT HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REAL PROPERTY TAXES ON THE PROPERTY.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Senator CAMPBELL from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable with amendment report on:

H. 3028 (Word version) -- Reps. Funderburk, Haskins, Witherspoon, Whipper, Hardwick, Hagood, Clemmons, Neilson and Erickson: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 39-5-42 SO AS TO MAKE IT AN UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICE KNOWINGLY AND WILFULLY TO MISREPRESENT THE IDENTITY OF FOOD OR A FOOD PRODUCT THAT IS SERVED, SOLD, OR OTHERWISE COMMERCIALLY DISTRIBUTED OR OFFERED FOR DISTRIBUTION, TO SPECIFY ACTS OF MISREPRESENTATION OF THE IDENTITY OF FOOD OR A FOOD PRODUCT, AND TO PROVIDE FOR CRIMINAL, CIVIL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Senator CAMPBELL from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable report on:

H. 3395 (Word version) -- Reps. Funderburk, Toole, Stavrinakis and Sandifer: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA ENERGY OFFICE AND THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF SHALL PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOT LATER THAN OCTOBER 1, 2007, THAT RECOMMENDS PROCESS AND PROCEDURES FOR ESTABLISHING NET METERING PROGRAMS AT ALL DISTRIBUTION ELECTRIC UTILITIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA, INCLUDING INVESTOR-OWNED ELECTRIC UTILITIES, ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, MUNICIPAL-OWNED ELECTRIC UTILITIES, AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Senator GREGORY from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable report on:

H. 3816 (Word version) -- Reps. G.M. Smith, Weeks and G. Brown: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 15-41-30, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM ATTACHMENT, LEVY, AND SALE, SO AS TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF DEBTOR'S INTEREST IN CERTAIN DELINEATED PROPERTIES THAT ARE EXEMPT FROM ATTACHMENT, LEVY, AND SALE UNDER ORDER OF A COURT OR AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Senator HAWKINS from the Committee on Judiciary submitted a favorable with amendment report on:

H. 4437 (Word version) -- Rep. G.M. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-15-410, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF THIRD DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR, SO AS TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN STATE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL WHO ARE IN POSSESSION OF MATERIAL CONTAINING VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF MINORS ENGAGING IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY DURING THE COURSE OF AN INVESTIGATION.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Senator LEATHERMAN from the Committee on Finance submitted a favorable with amendment report on:

H. 4876 (Word version) -- Reps. Cooper and Cotty: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-1-1020, 9-1-1620, 9-1-1680, AND 9-1-1970, ALL AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM; BY ADDING SECTIONS 9-1-1625, 9-1-1665, 9-1-1975, AND 9-1-1980 SO AS TO COMPLY WITH THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE FOR THIS RETIREMENT SYSTEM WITH REGARD TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS, AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS PERTAINING TO PARTICIPATION IN AND PROCEDURES FOR THIS SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-8-130, 9-8-190, BOTH AS AMENDED, AND 9-8-240, RELATING TO THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR JUDGES AND SOLICITORS; BY ADDING SECTIONS 9-8-245, 9-8-250, 9-8-260, AND 9-8-270 SO AS TO COMPLY WITH THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE FOR THIS SYSTEM WITH REGARD TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS, AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS PERTAINING TO PARTICIPATION IN AND PROCEDURES FOR THIS SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-9-70, AS AMENDED, 9-9-120, 9-9-180, AS AMENDED, AND 9-9-240, RELATING TO THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; BY ADDING SECTIONS 9-9-245, 9-9-250, 9-9-255, AND 9-9-260 SO AS TO COMPLY WITH THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE FOR THIS RETIREMENT SYSTEM WITH REGARD TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS, AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS PERTAINING TO PARTICIPATION IN AND PROCEDURES FOR THIS SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-11-150, 9-11-210, 9-11-270, ALL AS AMENDED, AND 9-11-350, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM; BY ADDING SECTIONS 9-11-155, 9-11-175, 9-11-355, AND 9-11-360 SO AS TO COMPLY WITH THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE FOR THIS RETIREMENT SYSTEM WITH REGARD TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS, AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS PERTAINING TO PARTICIPATION IN AND PROCEDURES FOR THIS SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTION 9-16-20, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE INVESTMENT OF ASSETS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS, SO AS TO COMPLY WITH THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE; TO AMEND TITLE 9 BY ADDING CHAPTER 12 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR QUALIFIED EXCESS BENEFIT ARRANGEMENTS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-1-10, 9-1-1140, AND 9-1-1620, ALL AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; BY ADDING SECTIONS 9-1-320, 9-1-1135, AND 9-1-1775 SO AS TO CODIFY CERTAIN REGULATIONS TO FURTHER IDENTIFY THE PLAN DOCUMENT FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE FOR THIS RETIREMENT SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTION 9-8-70, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR JUDGES AND SOLICITORS; BY ADDING SECTIONS 9-8-35 AND 9-8-185 SO AS TO CODIFY CERTAIN REGULATIONS TO FURTHER IDENTIFY THE PLAN DOCUMENT FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE FOR THIS RETIREMENT SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTION 9-9-70, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; BY ADDING SECTIONS 9-9-31 AND 9-9-175 TO FURTHER IDENTIFY THE PLAN DOCUMENT FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE FOR THIS SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-11-50 AND 9-11-150, BOTH AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM; BY ADDING SECTIONS 9-11-35, 9-11-125, AND 9-11-265 SO AS TO CODIFY CERTAIN REGULATIONS TO FURTHER IDENTIFY THE PLAN DOCUMENT FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE FOR THIS RETIREMENT SYSTEM; AND TO PROVIDE THAT UPON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT, REGULATIONS 19-900 THROUGH 19-997 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF REGULATIONS SHALL HAVE NO APPLICATION TO THE OPERATION OF TITLE 9 OF THE 1976 CODE.

Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO A CALL OF THE UNCONTESTED LOCAL AND STATEWIDE CALENDAR.

H. 3279 (Word version) -- Rep. Scott: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 11, TITLE 1, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 6 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE MOBILITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AS A DIVISION WITHIN THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD, AND TO PROVIDE ITS POWERS AND DUTIES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 57-1-20, 57-3-10, AND 57-3-20, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND ITS DIVISIONS, SO AS TO DELETE THE MASS TRANSIT DIVISION; TO REPEAL SECTION 57-3-40, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MASS TRANSIT DIVISION'S POWERS AND DUTIES; AND TO REPEAL CHAPTER 25, TITLE 58, RELATING TO REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITIES.

Senator PATTERSON asked unanimous consent to take the Bill up for immediate consideration.

There was no objection.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the third reading of the Bill.

The Bill was read the third time and ordered returned to the House.

The following Bills were read the third time and ordered sent to the House of Representatives:

S. 145 (Word version) -- Senators Malloy, Cleary, McConnell, Ford, Rankin, Knotts, Vaughn, Campsen, Mescher and Fair: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 59-43-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE POWERS OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE REGULATIONS CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR THE GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (GED) DIPLOMA ALLOW CANDIDATES TO BE SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.

S. 881 (Word version) -- Senators Cleary, O'Dell and Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-865 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE FAMILY COURT TO ISSUE A RULE TO SHOW CAUSE UPON THE FILING OF AN AFFIDAVIT THAT A PARENT HAS FAILED TO PAY COURT-ORDERED SUPPORT, OTHER THAN PERIODIC PAYMENT OF FUNDS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CHILD, TO PROVIDE FOR SERVICE BY REGULAR MAIL, TO PROVIDE THAT THE AFFIDAVIT AND CERTAIN OTHER DOCUMENTATION IS PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF NONPAYMENT, SHIFTING THE BURDEN OF PROOF, AND TO PROVIDE A DEFENSE.

S. 1125 (Word version) -- Senators Hutto and Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-325, SO AS TO PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY REPRESENTING HIMSELF OR AN ENTITY FROM BEING KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY REPRESENTED AS BELONGING TO OR BEING A STATE RECOGNIZED TRIBE, GROUP, OR SPECIAL INTEREST ORGANIZATION IF THE PERSON WAS NOT A MEMBER OF A STATE RECOGNIZED TRIBE, GROUP, OR SPECIAL ORGANIZATION OR THE ENTITY HAD NOT RECEIVED STATE RECOGNITION BY THE STATE COMMISSION FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS PURSUANT TO ITS AUTHORITY IN SECTION 1-31-40(A)(10).

Senator HUTTO explained the Bill.

S. 1156 (Word version) -- Senator Cromer: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-43-86, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE STAFFING REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACIES, SO AS TO INCREASE FROM THREE TO FOUR THE NUMBER OF TECHNICIANS THAT A PHARMACIST MAY SUPERVISE AND TO REQUIRE THAT IF A PHARMACIST SUPERVISES FOUR TECHNICIANS, TWO OF THE FOUR MUST BE STATE CERTIFIED.

Senator HUTTO spoke on the Bill.

Senators HUTTO and HAYES desired to be recorded as voting against the third reading of the Bill.

S. 1329 (Word version) -- Senators McGill and Grooms: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 56, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING BY ADDING ARTICLE 101 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF "I BELIEVE" SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.

By prior motion of Senator LAND, with unanimous consent

On motion of Senator BRYANT, with unanimous consent, the name of Senator BRYANT was added as a co-sponsor of S. 1329.

S. 511 (Word version) -- Senators Thomas and Verdin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-59-30 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING LICENSE, TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON MUST HAVE A LICENSE TO FILE A MECHANICS LIEN, TO PROVIDE THE PROCESS FOR A RESIDENTIAL SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR FILING A MECHANICS LIEN AGAINST A RESIDENTIAL BUILDER, TO PROVIDE FOR A RELEASE BOND, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR A FRAUDULENT LIEN.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the adoption of the amendment proposed by the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.

Senator SHEHEEN proposed the following amendment (511R002.), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words, and inserting:

/   SECTION   1.   Section 40-59-30 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 40-59-30.   (A)   A person or firm who engages or offers to engage in the business of residential building or residential specialty contracting without first having registered with the commission or procured a license from the commission, which has not expired or been revoked, suspended, or restricted or who knowingly presents to, or files with, the commission false information for the purpose of obtaining a license or registering with the commission is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned for not less than thirty days, or both.

(B)   Notwithstanding Section 29-5-10, or any other provision of law, a A person or firm who has not first procured a license or registered with the commission may not file a mechanics' lien or bring an action at law or in equity to enforce the provisions of a contract for residential building or residential specialty contracting which the person or firm entered into in violation of this chapter.

(C)   If it appears to the commission that a person or firm has violated, or is about to violate, a provision of this chapter, the commission may in its own name petition an administrative law judge, as provided under Article 5 of Chapter 23 of Title 1, to issue a temporary restraining order enjoining the violation of this chapter, pending a full hearing to determine whether or not the injunction must be made permanent. Pursuant to Article 5, Chapter 23, Title 1, the commission may petition an administrative law judge to issue a temporary restraining order enjoining a violation of this chapter, pending a full hearing to determine whether the injunction must be made permanent."

SECTION   2.   Chapter 5, Title 29 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 29-5-11.   (A)   To file a mechanics' lien, a contractor must provide the county clerk of court or register of deeds with proof that he is licensed or registered if required by law. As proof, the contractor must record his contractor license or registration number on the lien document at the time of the lien filing.

(B)   A contractor who files a frivolous lien is subject to a fine of up to five thousand dollars, the loss of his contractor license or registration, or both."

SECTION   3.   Section 29-5-120 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 29-5-120.   (A)   Unless a suit for enforcing the lien is commenced, and notice of pendency of the action is filed, within six months after the person desiring to avail himself thereof ceases to labor on or furnish labor or material for such building or structures, the lien shall be dissolved.

(B)   A mechanics' lien and associated bonds may be released by a court order, a written affidavit of the bond-holder's attorney, or by a written affidavit from the defendant's attorney citing that six months has passed since the lien was attached and that there has been no suit filed or notice of pendency filed or citing the failure of the filing party to take some other timely action required by Chapter 5, Title 29. An affidavit must be in the form approved by the appropriate local office where the mechanics lien was filed and must include references to all of the lien's recording information."

SECTION   4.     This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator SHEHEEN explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

The Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee proposed the following amendment (511R001.VAS), which was withdrawn:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

/   SECTION 1.   Section 40-59-30 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 40-59-30.   (A)   A person or firm who engages or offers to engage in the business of residential building or residential specialty contracting without first having procured a license from the commission, which has not expired or been revoked, suspended, or restricted or who knowingly presents to, or files with, the commission false information for the purpose of obtaining a license is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned for not less than thirty days, or both.

(B)   A Notwithstanding Section 29-5-10 or any other provision of law, a person or firm who has not first procured a license or registration, as required by Sections 40-59-30 or 40-59-220, may not file a mechanics lien or bring an action at law or in equity to enforce the provisions of a contract for residential building or residential specialty contracting which the person or firm entered into in violation of this chapter.

(C)   If it appears to the commission that a person or firm has violated, or is about to violate, a provision of this chapter, the commission may in its own name petition an administrative law judge, as provided under Article 5 of Chapter 23 of Title 1, to issue a temporary restraining order enjoining the violation of this chapter, pending a full hearing to determine whether or not the injunction must be made permanent. To file a mechanics lien a contractor must provide the county clerk of court or register of deeds with the following:

(1)   proof that he is licensed or registered by the South Carolina Residential Building Commission if required by law. As proof, the contractor must record his contractor license or registration number on the lien document at the time of the lien filing; and

(2)   documentation that itemizes the outstanding balances in the proposed lien.

(D)   A residential builder may at any time secure a release bond pursuant to Section 29-5-110. As specified in Section 29-5-110, the amount of the release bond must equal one and one-third of the claim.

(E)   If a lien is dissolved because the lienholder fails to take some timely action required by Chapter 5, Title 29, the defendant may request that the expired lien be dissolved pursuant to Section 29-5-120, and request a refund of any surety bond posted by the defendant.

(F)   Pursuant to Article 5, Chapter 23, Title 1, the commission may petition an administrative law judge to issue a temporary restraining order enjoining a violation of this chapter, pending a full hearing to determine whether the injunction must be made permanent."

SECTION   2.   Section 29-5-120 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 29-5-120.   (A)   Unless a suit for enforcing the lien is commenced, and notice of pendency of the action is filed, within six months after the person desiring to avail himself thereof ceases to labor on or furnish labor or material for such building or structures, the lien shall be dissolved.

(B)   A mechanics lien and associated bonds may be released by a court order, a written affidavit of the bond-holder's attorney, or by a written affidavit from the defendant's attorney citing that six months have passed since the lien was attached and that there has been no suit filed or notice of pendency filed. An affidavit must be in the form approved by the appropriate local office where the mechanics lien was filed and must include references to all of the lien's recording information."

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

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator SHEHEEN asked unanimous consent to withdraw the proposed amendment by the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.

There was no objection.

The committee amendment was withdrawn and notation was made on the Bill.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the third time, passed and ordered sent to the House of Representatives with amendments.

S. 1232 (Word version) -- Senators Cleary and Rankin: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 4, TO CHAPTER 10 OF TITLE 4, ENACTING THE "EDUCATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS SALES AND USE TAX ACT" SO AS TO ALLOW A ONE PERCENT LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX TO BE IMPOSED IN A COUNTY FOR NOT MORE THAN FIFTEEN YEARS UPON REFERENDUM APPROVAL WITH THE REVENUES OF THE TAX USED BY THE COUNTY'S SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO PAY FOR SPECIFIC PUBLIC SCHOOL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COUNTY AND TO PROVIDE A METHOD WHEREBY REVENUE OF THE TAX MAY BE SHARED FOR THE PURPOSES OF SPECIFIC CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ON THE CAMPUSES OF A TECHNICAL COLLEGE OR OTHER STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING LOCATED IN THE COUNTY, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REFERENDUM REQUIRED FOR THE IMPOSITION OF THE TAX, THE DURATION OF THE TAX, NOT TO EXCEED FIFTEEN YEARS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TAX AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE REVENUE.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the third reading of the Bill.

Senators RANKIN and HUTTO proposed the following amendment (1232R001.LAR), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 1 and inserting:

/     SECTION   1.   Chapter 10 of Title 4 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 4-10-410.   This act may be cited as the 'Education Capital Improvements Sales and Use Tax Act'.

Section 4-10-415.   For purposes of this article, the following terms and words are defined as follows:

(1)   'Area commission' means the governing body, however described, of a technical college under the jurisdiction of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education which has a campus located in the county which contains the site of a capital improvement financed by revenue of the tax authorized pursuant to this article.

(2)   'School district board of trustees' means the governing body of a school district.

(3)   'County' means a county within which the sales and use tax authorized by this article is imposed.

(4)   'County auditor' means the county auditor of the county.

(5)   'County treasurer' means the county treasurer of the county.

(6)   'Election authority' means the authority charged with the conduct of countywide elections within the county.

(7)   'Higher education board of trustees' means the governing body of a public institution of higher learning, other than a technical college, as defined in Section 59-103-5, which has a campus located in the county which contains the site of a capital improvement financed by revenue of the tax authorized pursuant to this article.

(8)   'Memorandum of agreement' means a written document executed by the school district board of trustees and the area commission or higher education board of trustees, or both of these entities, to provide for the school district's sharing of the revenue of the tax authorized pursuant to this article. The agreement must contain, inter alia, the revenue distribution formula expressed in percentages and the specific capital improvement projects for which the shared revenue must be used. The memorandum of agreement is not effective unless it has been ratified by a recorded vote of at least two-thirds of the membership of the school district board of trustees and a recorded vote of at least two-thirds of the membership of the area commission or higher education board of trustees, or both, as applicable. When ratified by all parties and incorporated into the resolution adopted by the school district board of trustees, the memorandum of agreement is binding on all parties.

Section 4-10-420.   (A)   Subject to the requirements of this article, there may be imposed a one percent sales and use tax within a county for specific education capital improvements for the school district or school districts listed in the referendum question as provided pursuant to Section 4-10-425(C). Pursuant to a memorandum of agreement, a portion of the revenue of the tax may be shared with and distributed to the area commission or higher education board of trustees, or both such governing bodies for specific education capital improvements on the campus or campuses of the recipient governing body located in the county as listed in the referendum question pursuant to Section 4-10-425(C). The proceeds of the tax must be distributed as provided in this article. The boards of trustees of the school districts, in the resolution adopted pursuant to Section 4-10-425, shall provide specific capital improvement projects for which the proceeds of the tax distributed to those school districts must be expended. Where an area commission or higher education board of trustees shares in the revenues, the resolution must incorporate the memorandum of agreement.

A school district board of trustees shall use the school district's share of the distribution only to pay for those capital improvements provided in the resolution and included in the referendum question directly, or to service general obligation debt incurred by the districts for such improvements, or a combination of these purposes.

An area commission or higher education board of trustees, or both, shall use its share of the distribution only to pay for its capital improvements provided in the memorandum of agreement and included in the referendum question directly, or to replace tuition revenues pledged to service state institution bonds issued for such improvements, for some other applicable method of financing capital improvements provided by law, or a combination of these purposes. If any necessary approvals required by law for the issuing of state institution bonds or other method of financing are not forthcoming, the area commission and higher education board of trustees, as appropriate, shall then use the revenue for the projects approved to the extent possible and may prioritize among their projects for their completion.

(B)(1)   The tax allowed by this article may not be imposed in a county in which there is currently imposed or scheduled to be imposed a local sales and use tax for public school capital improvements authorized pursuant to any local law enacted by the General Assembly.

(2)   Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a local sales and use tax for public school capital improvements authorized by a local law enacted by the General Assembly may not be imposed in a county while the tax authorized pursuant to this article is imposed in that county.

Section 4-10-425.   (A)   The tax authorized by this article may be imposed in the county upon the adoption of an approving resolution by the board of trustees of a school district, and the subsequent approval of the imposition of the tax by referendum open to all qualified electors residing in the county in which the question includes each specific education capital improvement included in the resolution and any incorporated memorandum of agreement.

The approving resolution must specify some period, stated in calendar years, not to exceed fifteen years, for which the tax must be imposed, the date of the referendum, and the question to appear on the referendum ballot. The approving resolution, upon adoption, must be forwarded to the election authority. The referendum required by this article may only be conducted in even-numbered years at the time of the general election.

(B)   Upon receipt of a resolution from the board of trustees of a school district, the election authority shall conduct a referendum on the question of imposing the tax in the county. Notice of the election must be provided in the manner provided by the general election law and include the question to be voted upon in the referendum. Expenses of the referendum must be paid by the school district or school districts for which the referendum is being held.

(C)   The ballot to be voted upon in the referendum must read substantially as follows:

Must a special one percent sales and use tax be imposed in _____ County for not more than ____ years with the revenue of the tax used to pay, directly or indirectly, the cost of the following education capital improvement projects in _____________ County

(1)   _____________

(2)   _____________ etc.?

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'.'

The ballot may contain a short explanation of the question to be voted upon in this referendum.

(D)   Upon receipt and certification of the returns of the referendum, the election authority shall by resolution certify the results of the referendum by resolution and within ten days thereafter file the resolution with the clerk of court for the county and with the South Carolina Department of Revenue. The result of the referendum, as declared by resolution of the election authority and as filed with the clerk of court, is not open to question except by a civil action instituted in the county within twenty days of the filing of the resolution. If a majority of the total votes cast are in favor of imposing the tax, then the tax is imposed as provided in this section; otherwise the tax is not imposed.

Section 4-10-430.   (A)   If the tax is approved in the referendum, the tax must be imposed beginning upon the first day of the fourth full month following the filing of the declaration of results of the referendum with the Department of Revenue.

(B)   The tax terminates upon the earlier of:

(1)   the final day of the maximum time specified for the imposition; or

(2)   sixty days following the filing with the Department of Revenue of certified copies of a resolution adopted by the board of trustees of the school district requesting termination of the tax. Where revenues of the tax are shared pursuant to a memorandum of agreement as provided pursuant to Section 4-10-420, the termination resolution must be adopted by all parties to the memorandum of agreement.

Section 4-10-435.   (A)   The tax levied pursuant to this article must be administered and collected by the Department of Revenue in the same manner that other sales and use taxes are collected. The Department of Revenue may prescribe the amounts which may be added to the sales price because of the tax.

(B)   The tax authorized by this article is in addition to all other local sales and use taxes and applies to the gross proceeds of the sales in the county which are subject to the tax imposed by Chapter 36 of Title 12 and the enforcement provisions of Chapter 54 of Title 12. The gross proceeds of the sale of items subject to a maximum tax in Chapter 36 of Title 12 are exempt from the tax imposed by this article. The gross proceeds of the sale of unprepared food items which may lawfully be purchased with United States Department of Agriculture food coupons are exempt from the tax imposed by this article. The tax imposed by this article also applies to tangible personal property subject to the use tax in Chapter 36 of Title 12.

(C)   Taxpayers required to remit use taxes under Chapter 36 of Title 12 shall identify the county in which the tangible personal property purchased at retail is stored, used, or consumed in this State.

(D)   Utilities are required to report sales in the county in which consumption of the tangible personal property occurs.

(E)   A taxpayer subject to the tax imposed by Section 12-36-920 who owns or manages rental units in more than one county shall separately report in his sales tax return the total gross proceeds from business done in each county.

(F)   The gross proceeds of sales of tangible personal property delivered after the imposition date of the tax levied under this article in the county, either under the terms of a construction contract executed before the imposition date, or a written bid submitted before the imposition date, culminating in a construction contract entered into before or after the imposition date, are exempt from the special local sales and use tax provided in this section if a verified copy of the contract is filed with the Department of Revenue within six months after the imposition of the special local sales and use tax.

(G)   Notwithstanding the imposition date of the sales and use tax authorized pursuant to this article, with respect to services that are regularly billed on a monthly basis, the sales and use tax is imposed beginning on the first day of the billing period beginning on or after the imposition date.

Section 4-10-440.   (A)   The revenues of the sales and use tax collected under this article must be remitted to the State Treasurer and credited to a fund separate and distinct from the general fund of the State. If revenue of the tax is shared, the school district shall forward a certified copy of the resolution and an incorporated memorandum of agreement to the State Treasurer. After deducting the amount of refunds made and costs to the Department of Revenue of administering the tax, not to exceed one percent of the revenues, the State Treasurer shall distribute the revenues monthly as provided pursuant to subsection (B) of this section. The State Treasurer may correct misallocation costs or refunds by adjusting proportionately subsequent distributions, but these adjustments must be made in the same fiscal year as the misallocation.

(B)   The State Treasurer shall distribute proceeds of the tax due the school district to the county treasurer for the benefit of the school district. If revenues are shared, any revenue due the area commission or higher education board of trustees, or both of these entities, must be distributed by the State Treasurer monthly to approved accounts of those entities. All such distributions must be proportionately reduced by amounts attributable to refunds and administration as provided pursuant to subsection (A) of this section.

(C)   Except as provided in Section 4-10-445, withdrawals by a school district of tax proceeds from the county treasurer must be made in the same manner as are funds appropriated to the school districts by the State. Pending these withdrawals, taxes must be deposited in an account for the school district, separate and distinct from accounts established for any other purpose, and investment earnings derived from monies in such an account must be credited to the account. The school district shall maintain records which demonstrate that tax proceeds are spent only for the purposes as approved by its board of trustees and in accordance with this article.

(D)   The proceeds of the sales and use tax paid to the county treasurer for the benefit of a school district must be applied only for the purposes set forth in the resolution adopted pursuant to Section 4-10-425.

Section 4-10-445.   (A)   If a school district has provided in its resolution adopted pursuant to Section 4-10-425, that any portion of the proceeds of the sales and use tax allocated to it must be applied to debt service on general obligation bonds, the school district shall notify the county treasurer in writing no later than the first day of August of each year of the amount of sales and use taxes to be applied to offset the debt service millage levy for such general obligation bonds. The amount so specified must not exceed the amount of sales and use tax proceeds held by the county treasurer for the school district as of the June thirtieth immediately preceding such first day of August. The notice applies only to debt service payments to be made in the eighteen-month period following that June thirtieth.

Upon receipt of notice from a school district pursuant to this section, the county treasurer shall certify to the county auditor, by the fifteenth day of August of the amount of sales and use taxes designated by the school district for application to general obligation bond debt service payments. The county auditor shall reduce the next levy of property taxes required to pay debt service on such general obligation bonds by the amount of sales and use tax revenues certified as held by the county treasurer and designated by the school district for the purpose. This amount of sales and use taxes thereafter must not be released to the school district, but must be held by the county treasurer to pay debt service on general obligation bonds. However, any sales and use taxes held by the county treasurer in excess of the amounts designated by the school district for payment of debt service on such general obligation bonds must be expended as directed by the school district in accordance with this article. Any investment earnings derived from the sales and use tax must be expended as directed by the school district in accordance with this article. Any sales and use taxes allocated to a school district and not required to accomplish the purposes described in the resolution of the school district adopted pursuant to Section 4-10-425 may be applied to debt service on any general obligation bonds of the school district.

(B)   If the school district presents the county treasurer with a surety bond or letter of credit from a financial institution which is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by two national ratings agencies, the county treasurer may treat the amount available under such surety as if it were taxes held by the county treasurer and shall provide the certificate called for in the foregoing paragraph to the auditor by including the amount available under the surety or letter of credit so long as such amount is not in excess of ninety percent of the actual sales and use taxes allocated to the school district in the prior fiscal year, or which would have been allocated if the sales and use tax had been in force for all of the prior fiscal year. The county auditor shall reduce the next levy of ad valorem property taxes required to pay debt service on bonds to which the tax is applicable by the amount so certified by the county treasurer. If the sales and use taxes thereafter allocated to the school district are less than the amount required to pay debt service on bonds during the eighteen-month period established in Section 4-10-445(A), the county treasurer shall draw upon the surety to provide for timely payment of such general obligation bonds. The costs of such surety, including any reimbursements for payments thereon, are deemed to be part of the debt service requirements for such general obligation bonds covered by such surety and may be paid from amounts available in the fund created in accordance with Section 4-10-445(A). Any reimbursement to the financial institution providing such surety may be paid from the fund from taxes collected in the year after any draw.

Section 4-10-450.   The Department of Revenue shall furnish data to the State Treasurer and to a school district and others receiving tax revenues pursuant to this article for the purpose of calculating distributions and estimating revenues. The information which must be supplied to the school district upon request includes, but is not limited to, gross receipts, net taxable sales, and tax liability by taxpayers. Information about a specific taxpayer is considered confidential and is governed by the provisions of Section 12-54-240. A person violating this section is subject to the penalties provided in Section 12-54-240.

Section 4-10-460.   The tax authorized in this article may be renewed and imposed within a county in the same manner as proceedings for the initial imposition of the tax. A referendum on the question of reimposition of a tax must not be held more than two years before the date upon the tax then in effect is scheduled to terminate, but any reimposition is effective immediately upon the termination of the tax previously imposed."       /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator HUTTO explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the third time, passed and ordered sent to the House of Representatives with amendments.

On motion of Senator ELLIOTT, with unanimous consent, the name of Senator ELLIOTT was added as a co-sponsor of S. 1232.

The following Bills and Joint Resolutions, having been read the second time, were ordered placed on the Third Reading Calendar:

H. 4775 (Word version) -- Reps. Hagood, Whipper, Breeland, Limehouse, Mack, Scarborough and Stavrinakis: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 340 OF 1967, AS AMENDED, CREATING THE CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DATES FOR FILING OF CONSTITUENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND TO CONSOLIDATE THE SCHOOL BOARD TO CONFORM WITH PROVISIONS OF STATE LAW.

H. 4547 (Word version) -- Rep. Vick: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 50-9-530, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MIGRATORY WATERFOWL STAMPS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE COST OF THE STAMPS AND THE MANNER THEY ARE SOLD; TO AMEND SECTION 50-9-535, RELATING TO MIGRATORY GAME BIRD PERMITS, FEES, AND INTEGRATION WITH OTHER HUNTING LICENSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT STATE RESIDENTS AT LEAST SIXTY-FOUR AND WHO HOLD A LIFETIME HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE A MIGRATORY GAME BIRD PERMIT; TO AMEND SECTION 50-11-20, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE MIGRATORY WATERFOWL COMMITTEE, SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF THE MIGRATORY WATERFOWL COMMITTEE; AND TO ADD SECTION 50-11-22 SO AS TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL TO HARM, DISTURB, OR TAKE ACTIVELY NESTING WATERFOWL OR TO DISTURB OR DAMAGE A WATERFOWL NEST BOX, AND PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION.

S. 1337 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION, RELATING TO MODULAR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ACT, RESTRUCTURING, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3183, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

S. 1338 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION, BUILDING CODES COUNCIL, RELATING TO BARRIER FREE DESIGN, RESTRUCTURING, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3181, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

H. 4949 (Word version) -- Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION - PANEL FOR DIETETICS, RELATING TO LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF PERSONS ENGAGING IN THE PRACTICE OF DIETETICS WITHIN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 3193, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

S. 879 (Word version) -- Senators Campsen, Knotts and Fair: A BILL TO ENACT THE UNIDENTIFIED HUMAN REMAINS DNA DATABASE ACT, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 9, CHAPTER 3 OF TITLE 23, RELATING TO THE STATE DNA DATABASE, TO PROVIDE THAT FAMILY MEMBERS OF A MISSING PERSON MAY SUBMIT DNA SAMPLES TO THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE PERSON REMAINS MISSING FOR THIRTY DAYS, THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION MUST CONDUCT DNA IDENTIFICATION, TYPING, AND TESTING ON THE DNA SAMPLE PROVIDED BY THE FAMILY MEMBER, TO PROVIDE THAT THE RESULTS OF THE IDENTIFICATION, TYPING, AND TESTING OF THE FAMILY MEMBER'S DNA SAMPLE IS ENTERED INTO THE STATE DNA DATABASE AND THE NATIONAL DNA INDEX SYSTEM, TO PROVIDE THAT EACH FAMILY MEMBER PROVIDING DNA SAMPLES MUST PAY A PROCESSING FEE, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION MUST CONDUCT DNA IDENTIFICATION, TYPING, AND TESTING ON DNA SAMPLES OF UNIDENTIFIED BODIES THAT REMAIN UNIDENTIFIED FOR THIRTY DAYS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE RESULTS OF THE IDENTIFICATION, TYPING, AND TESTING OF THE UNIDENTIFIED PERSON'S DNA SAMPLE IS ENTERED INTO THE STATE DNA DATABASE AND THE NATIONAL DNA INDEX SYSTEM; BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 7 OF TITLE 17, RELATING TO CORONERS AND MEDICAL EXAMINERS, TO PROVIDE THAT A CORONER PERFORMING AN AUTOPSY ON AN UNIDENTIFIED BODY MUST OBTAIN TISSUE AND FLUID SAMPLES FROM THE BODY SUITABLE FOR DNA IDENTIFICATION, TYPING, AND TESTING, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE CORONER MUST SEND THE SAMPLES TO THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION; BY AMENDING SECTION 17-5-570, RELATING TO THE RELEASE AND BURIAL OF DEAD BODIES AND THE PRESERVATION AND DISPOSITION OF UNIDENTIFIED DEAD BODIES, TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA OR OTHER FACILITY PRESERVING AN UNIDENTIFIED DEAD BODY MUST NOTIFY THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION IF THE BODY REMAINS UNIDENTIFIED AFTER THIRTY DAYS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THERE MAY BE NO DISPOSITION OF THE BODY UNTIL AT LEAST THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE BODY'S DNA PROFILE HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO THE STATE DNA DATABASE AND THE NATIONAL DNA INDEX SYSTEM.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the adoption of the amendment proposed by the Committee on Judiciary.

The Committee on Judiciary proposed the following amendment (JUD0879.001), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

/   SECTION   1.   This act may be referred to and cited as the "Unidentified Human Remains DNA Database Act".

SECTION   2.   Article 9, Chapter 3, Title 23 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 23-3-625.   Family members of a missing person may submit DNA samples to the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). If the person is missing thirty days after a missing person report has been submitted to the Missing Person Information Center, SLED must conduct DNA identification, typing, and testing on the family members' samples. SLED may, within its discretion, conduct DNA identification, typing, and testing on the family members' samples prior to thirty days if SLED determines that such DNA identification, typing, and testing is necessary. If SLED does not have the technology necessary for a particular method of DNA identification, typing, or testing, SLED may submit the DNA samples to a Combined DNA Indexing System (CODIS) laboratory that has the appropriate technology. The results of the identification, typing, and testing must be entered into CODIS."

SECTION   3.   Article 9, Chapter 3, Title 23 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 23-3-635.   Upon notification by the Medical University of South Carolina or other facility preserving the body of an unidentified person that the body remains unidentified after thirty days, the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) must conduct DNA identification, typing, and testing of the unidentified person's tissue and fluid samples provided to SLED pursuant to Section 17-7-25. SLED may, within its discretion, conduct DNA identification, typing, and testing of the unidentified person's tissue and fluid samples prior to thirty days if SLED determines that such DNA identification, typing, and testing is necessary. The results of the identification, typing, and testing must be entered into the Combined DNA Indexing System."

SECTION   4.   Article 1, Chapter 7, Title 17 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 17-7-25.   A coroner performing an autopsy on an unidentified body must obtain tissue and fluid samples suitable for DNA identification, typing, and testing. The samples must be transmitted to the State Law Enforcement Division."

SECTION   5.   Section 17-5-570(B) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(B)   If the body cannot be identified through reasonable efforts, the coroner must forward the body to the Medical University of South Carolina or other suitable facility for preservation. The body must be preserved for not less than thirty days, unless the body is identified within that time. If the body remains unidentified thirty days after the coroner forwarded the body, the Medical University of South Carolina or other facility preserving the body must immediately notify the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). If the body has not been identified at the end of that time within thirty days after SLED has entered the unidentified person's DNA profile into the Combined DNA Indexing System pursuant to Section 23-3-635, the Medical University may retain possession of the body for its use and benefit or return the body to the coroner of the county where death occurred for disposition as provided by law. A facility other than the Medical University utilized by the coroner for storage of an unidentified body may dispose of the body as provided by law or return the body to the coroner of the county where death occurred for disposition."

SECTION   6.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor./

Amend title to conform.

Senator CAMPSEN explained the committee amendment.

The committee amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

On motion of Senator CAMPSEN, with unanimous consent, S. 879 was ordered to receive a third reading on Thursday, May 1, 2008.

On motion of Senator MALLOY, with unanimous consent, the name of Senator MALLOY was added as a co-sponsor of S. 879.

On motion of Senator GROOMS, with unanimous consent, Senators RANKIN, LAND, McGILL, CLEARY and GROOMS were granted leave to attend a meeting, be counted in any quorum calls and be granted leave to vote from the balcony.

S. 1132 (Word version) -- Senator Thomas: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-1-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN MATTERS RELATING TO INSURANCE, SO AS TO REDEFINE "ADMITTED ASSETS"; TO AMEND SECTION 38-9-10, RELATING TO CAPITAL AND SURPLUS REQUIRED OF STOCK INSURERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE INSURER TO LIST THOSE THAT QUALIFY AS ADMITTED ASSETS ON THE INSURER'S MOST RECENT STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENT FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-9-20, RELATING TO THE SURPLUS REQUIRED OF MUTUAL INSURERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE INSURER TO LIST THOSE THAT QUALIFY AS ADMITTED ASSETS ON THE INSURER'S MOST RECENT STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENT FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE; TO AMEND SECTION 38-9-210, RELATING TO THE REDUCTION FROM LIABILITY FOR REINSURANCE, SO AS TO REQUIRE A SECURITY TO MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS CONSISTENT WITH THE DEFINITION OF "ADMITTED ASSETS" AS DEFINED IN SECTION 38-1-20 AS AMENDED BY THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 38-10-40, RELATING TO PROTECTED CELL ASSETS, SO AS TO DELETE THE AUTHORIZATION FOR ATTRIBUTABLE ASSET OF A PROTECTED CELL TO BE INVESTED AND REINVESTED WITHOUT REGARD TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTIONS 38-11-40 AND 38-11-50; AND TO AMEND SECTION 38-55-80, RELATING TO LOANS BY AN INSURER TO ITS DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS, SO AS TO DELETE THE LIMITATION ON MORTGAGE LOANS OR RESIDENCES ACQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 38-11-50.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the adoption of the amendment proposed by the Committee on Banking and Insurance.

The Committee on Banking and Insurance proposed the following amendment (DKA\3846DW08), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 38-10-40(B), SECTION 5, page 3, beginning on line 4, by striking the subsection in its entirety and inserting:

/ (B)   The income, gains and losses, realized or unrealized, from protected cell assets and protected cell liabilities must be credited to or charged against the protected cell without regard to other income, gains or losses of the protected cell company, including income, gains or losses of other protected cells. Amounts attributed to any protected cell and accumulations on the attributed amounts may be invested and reinvested without regard to any requirements or limitations of Sections 38-11-40 and 38-11-50 Chapter 12 of this title and the investments in a protected cell or cells may not be taken into account in applying the investment limitations otherwise applicable to the investments of the protected cell company. /

Amend further, Section 38-55-80(B), SECTION 6, page 3, beginning on line 19, by striking the subsection in its entirety and inserting:

/ (B)   This section does not prohibit an insurer in connection with the relocation of the place of employment of an officer, including any relocation in connection with the initial employment of the officer, from making, or the officer from accepting, a mortgage loan to the officer on real property owned by the officer which is to serve as his residence or acquiring, or the officer from selling to it, at not more than the fair market value, the residence of the officer. Mortgage loans made or residences acquired under this section are subject to the limitations imposed on investments by Section 38-11-50 Chapter 12 of this title. In addition, this section does not prohibit an insurer from making a loan to its directors or officers if the loan is first approved in writing by the director or his designee. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator CROMER explained the committee amendment.

The committee amendment was adopted.

There being no further amendments, the Bill was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

H. 3649 (Word version) -- Reps. Witherspoon, Merrill, Agnew, Anthony, Brady, R. Brown, Duncan, Funderburk, Hagood, Hardwick, Herbkersman, Hiott, Kelly, Loftis, Moss, Ott, E.H. Pitts, Scott, Talley, Toole, Umphlett, Cobb-Hunter, Leach, Cato, Clemmons, Barfield, Ceips, Dantzler, Hamilton, Howard, Jefferson, Lowe, Phillips, G.R. Smith, J.R. Smith, Stavrinakis, Bannister, J.H. Neal, Stewart, Sellers, Mitchell, Williams, G.M. Smith and Mahaffey: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 63 TO TITLE 12 SO AS TO ENACT THE "ENERGY FREEDOM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACT" TO ALLOW A SALES TAX REBATE FOR THE PURCHASE OF CERTAIN FUEL EFFICIENT VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT USED TO CONVERT A HYBRID VEHICLE INTO A HYBRID PLUG-IN VEHICLE, TO ALLOW AN INCENTIVE PAYMENT FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL PURCHASES, AND TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA RENEWABLE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND; BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3376 SO AS TO ALLOW AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR THE PURCHASE OR LEASE OF A PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE; BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3630 SO AS TO ALLOW AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR QUALIFIED EXPENDITURES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF FEEDSTOCKS AND PROCESSES FOR CELLULOSIC ETHANOL AND FOR ALGAE-DERIVED BIODIESEL; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-3587, RELATING TO TAX CREDITS FOR SOLAR ENERGY HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS, SO AS TO ALLOW A TAX CREDIT EQUAL TO THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR EACH BUILDING THAT IS INSTALLED WITH A SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-3600, RELATING TO TAX CREDITS FOR AN ETHANOL AND BIODIESEL FACILITY, SO AS TO ALLOW A TAX CREDIT FOR A CORN-BASED ETHANOL AND SOY-BASED BIODIESEL FACILITY AND A NONCORN ETHANOL AND NONSOY OIL BIODIESEL FACILITY; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-3610, RELATING TO TAX CREDITS FOR THE COST OF PURCHASING AND INSTALLING PROPERTY TO DISTRIBUTE AND DISPENSE RENEWABLE FUELS, SO AS TO LIMIT THE CREDIT TO ONE MILLION DOLLARS, TO DEFINE THE TERM "RENEWABLE FUEL", AND TO ADD CLARIFYING LANGUAGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-3620, RELATING TO TAX CREDITS FOR THE COST OF METHANE GAS USE, SO AS TO ALLOW A TAX CREDIT FOR THE COST OF EQUIPMENT TO CREATE A FORM OF ENERGY FROM A BIOMASS RESOURCE AND TO LIMIT THE CREDIT TO ONE MILLION DOLLARS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 12-28-110, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE MOTOR FUEL FEES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF "BIODIESEL".

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the adoption of the amendment proposed by the Committee on Finance.

The Committee on Finance proposed the following amendment (3649R007.HKL), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

/   Section   1.   Section 12-63-20 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 12-63-20.   (A)(1)   A sales tax rebate must be applied to a vehicle purchase beginning after June 30, 2008, and ending before July 1, 2013, as follows:

(a)   three hundred dollars for an in-state purchase or lease of a Flex-Fuel Vehicle (FFV), which is capable of operating on E85 motor fuel. An eligible vehicle for each model year is a model identified by the manufacturer as being a flexible-fuel vehicle capable of operating on E85 motor fuel. E85 motor fuel is a fuel comprised of eighty-five percent ethanol fuel and fifteen percent gasoline fuel;

(b)   three hundred dollars for an in-state purchase or lease of a hydrogen-fueled vehicle and an advanced lean-burn vehicle. A hydrogen-fueled vehicle and an advanced lean-burn vehicle is a vehicle classified by the United States Department of Energy as a hydrogen-fueled vehicle or lean-burn vehicle;

(c)   three hundred dollars for an in-state purchase or lease of a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, and a plug-in hybrid vehicle. A hybrid vehicle is defined as a hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle that is partially powered by a large on-board battery. An electric vehicle is defined as having at least three wheels, uses a large on-board battery or electrical storage device, and is rated for more than thirty-five miles per hour and approved for use by the United States Department of Transportation for use on United States highways (excludes neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs)). A plug-in hybrid vehicle is a vehicle classified by the United States Department of Energy as a hybrid vehicle capable of being propelled by both a gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by a battery that can be recharged by being plugged into an external source of electricity;

(d)   three hundred dollars for the in-state purchase or lease of a high fuel-economy vehicle with a city fuel-economy rating by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of thirty miles a gallon or higher; and

(e)   not more than five hundred dollars for the purchase of equipment for conversion of a conventional hybrid electric vehicle to a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or for the in-state purchase of EPA-certified equipment for conversion of conventional vehicles to operate on propane, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, or E85 (eighty-five percent ethanol and fifteen percent gasoline).

(2)   The rebates allowed pursuant to this subsection must be in the form of a payment sent to the buyer upon completion of a form created by the Department of Revenue and made available to the public, dealers, and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(3)   The rebates allowed pursuant to this subsection shall be phased in at twenty percent a year until the rebate equals three hundred dollars for subitems (a) through (d) of subsection (A)(1) and five hundred dollars for subitem (e) of subsection (A)(1). The amount of rebate that a person may claim is limited to the amount of rebate in effect for the year in which the vehicle was purchased or converted, whichever is applicable.

(B) (A)(1)   An incentive payment for an alternative fuel purchase is provided beginning after June 30, 2009, and ending before July 1, 2012, and shall be provided from the general fund, excluding revenue derived from the sales and use tax as follows:

(a)   five cents to the retailer for each gallon of E70 fuel or greater sold provided that the ethanol-based fuel is subject to the South Carolina motor fuel user fee;

(b)   twenty-five cents to the retailer for each gallon of pure biodiesel fuel sold so that the biodiesel in the blend is at least two percent B2 or greater, provided that the qualified biodiesel content fuel is subject to the South Carolina motor fuel user fee. Biodiesel fuel is a fuel for motor vehicle diesel engines comprised of vegetable oils or animal fats and meeting the specifications of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) D6751 or ASTM D975 blended stock; and

(c)   twenty-five cents to the retailer or wholesaler for each gallon of pure biodiesel fuel sold as dyed diesel fuel for "off-road" uses, so that the biodiesel in the blend is at least two percent B2 or greater.

(2)   The payments allowed pursuant to this subsection must be made to the retailer upon compliance with verification procedures set forth by the Department of Agriculture.

(C) (B)(1)   An incentive payment for production of electricity or methane gas fuel energy is provided pursuant to subitems (a) and (b), beginning after June 30, 2008, and ending before July 1, 2018, and shall be provided from the general fund, excluding revenue derived from the sales and use tax as follows:

(a)   One cent per kilowatt-hour (kwh) for electricity produced from biomass resources in a facility not using biomass resources before June 30, 2008, or facilities which produce at least twenty-five percent more electricity from biomass resources than the greatest three-year average before June 30, 2008, up to a maximum of one hundred thousand dollars per year per taxpayer for five years. The rebate incentive payment is also applicable to energy electricity from a qualifying facility placed in service and first producing energy electricity on or after July 1, 2008. , and The incentive payment extends for five years, ending and ends on July 1, 2013, or, if later, five years from the date the facility was placed in service and first produced electricity. In no case shall the rebate incentive payment apply after June 30, 2018.

(b)   Nine Thirty cents per therm (100,000 Btu) for methane gas fuel energy produced from biomass resources in a facility not using biomass resources before June 30, 2008, or facilities which produce utilize at least twenty-five percent more methane gas energy from biomass resources than the greatest three-year average before June 30, 2008, up to a maximum of one hundred thousand dollars per year per taxpayer for five years. The rebate incentive payment is also applicable to energy from a qualifying facility placed in service and first producing energy on or after July 1, 2008. , and The incentive payment extends for five years, and ending before ends on July 1, 2013, or, if later, five years from the date the facility was placed in service and first produced electricity energy. In no case shall the rebate incentive payment apply after June 30, 2018.

The incentive payment for the production of electricity or thermal energy may not be claimed for both electricity and energy produced from the same biomass resource.

(2)   For purposes of this subsection, a biomass resource means wood, wood waste, agricultural waste, animal waste, sewage, landfill gas, and other organic materials, not including fossil fuels.

(D) (C)   The Department of Revenue may prescribe forms and procedures, issue policy documents, and distribute funds as necessary to ensure the orderly and timely implementation of the provisions of this section. The Department of Revenue shall coordinate with the Department of Agriculture as necessary.

(E)   Notwithstanding the incentive amounts provided pursuant to this section:

(1)   for a fiscal year all claims made pursuant to subsection (A)(1)(a) of this section must not exceed 2,050,000 dollars and must apply proportionately to all eligible claimants;

(2)   for a fiscal year all claims made pursuant to subitems (b) through (e) of subsection (A)(1) of this section must not exceed 2.1 million dollars and must apply proportionately to all eligible claimants; and

(3)   for a fiscal year all claims made pursuant to subsections (B) and (C) of this section must not exceed 2.1 million dollars and must apply proportionately to all eligible claimants."

SECTION   2.   A.   Section 46-3-260(A)(2)(c) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(c)   matching grants up to two hundred thousand dollars are available for demonstration projects that validate the effectiveness of new and future biomass solar, geothermal, wind energy, and small hydropower technologies and products, provided that the grant does not exceed fifty percent of the total cost of the demonstration project."

B.   Section 46-3-260(B) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(B)   The Department of Revenue Agriculture may prescribe forms, procedures, issue policy documents, and distribute funds as necessary to ensure the orderly and timely implementation of the provisions herein. The Department of Revenue Agriculture shall coordinate with the Department of Agriculture State Energy Office as necessary."

SECTION   3.   A.   Section 12-6-3600 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 12-6-3600.   (A)(1)   For taxable years beginning after 2006, and before 2014 2017, there is allowed a credit against the tax imposed pursuant to this chapter for any corn-based ethanol or soy-based biodiesel facility which is in production at the rate of at least twenty-five percent of its name plate design capacity for the production of corn-based ethanol or soy-based biodiesel, before denaturing, on or before December 31, 2009 2011. The credit equals twenty cents a gallon of corn-based ethanol or soy-based biodiesel produced and is allowed for sixty months beginning with the first month for which the facility is eligible to receive the credit and ending not later than December 31, 2014 2016. The credit only may be claimed if the corn-based ethanol or soy-based biodiesel facility maintains an average production rate of at least twenty-five percent of its name plate design capacity for at least six months after the first month for which it is eligible to receive the credit. The taxpayer is eligible to claim the credit after the facility has six consecutive months of operation at an average production rate of at least twenty-five percent of its name plate design capacity. In the first taxable year in which the taxpayer is eligible to claim the credit, the taxpayer may claim the credit for the first six months it met the requirements in addition to qualifying production during its current taxable year.

(B)(2)   For taxable years beginning after 2006, and before 2014 2017, there is allowed a credit against the tax imposed pursuant to this chapter for an ethanol facility using a feedstock other than corn or a biodiesel facility using a feedstock other than soy oil which is in production at the minimum rates provided pursuant to this subsection the rate of at least twenty-five percent of its name plate design capacity for the production of ethanol or biodiesel, before denaturing, on or before December 31, 2009 2011. The credit equals thirty cents a gallon of noncorn ethanol or nonsoy oil biodiesel produced and is allowed for up to sixty months beginning with the first month for which the facility is eligible to receive the credit and ending no later than December 31, 2014 2016. The credit is continued only if the ethanol or biodiesel facility maintains the average minimum production rates provided pursuant to this subsection of its name plate design capacity for at least six months after the first month for which it is eligible to receive the credit. The taxpayer is eligible to claim the credit after the facility has six consecutive months of operation at an average production rate of at least twenty-five percent of its name plate design capacity. In the first taxable year in which the taxpayer is eligible to claim the credit, the taxpayer may claim the credit for the first six months it met the requirements in addition to qualifying production during its current taxable year.

(3)   Any unused credit may be carried forward for ten years.

(C) (B)   As used in this section:

(1)   "Ethanol facility" means a plant or facility primarily engaged in the production of ethanol or ethyl alcohol derived from renewable and sustainable bioproducts used as a substitute for gasoline fuel.

(2)   "Biodiesel facility" means a plant or facility primarily engaged in the production of plant- or animal-based fuels used as a substitute for diesel fuel.

(3)   "Name plate design capacity" means the original designed capacity of an ethanol or biodiesel facility. Capacity may be specified as bushels of grain ground or gallons of ethanol or biodiesel produced a year.

(D) (C)(1)   Pursuant to this chapter, beginning Beginning January 1, 2014 2017, an ethanol or biodiesel facility must receive a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter in the amount of seven and one-half cents a gallon of ethanol or biodiesel, before denaturing, for new production for a period not to exceed thirty-six consecutive months.

(2)   For purposes of this subsection, "new production" means production which results from a new facility, a facility which has not received credits before 2014 2017, or the expansion of the capacity of an existing facility by at least two million gallons first placed into service after 2014 2016, as certified by the design engineer of the facility to the Department of Revenue State Energy Office.

(3)   For expansion of the capacity of an existing facility, "new production" means annual production in excess of twelve times the monthly average of the highest three months of ethanol or biodiesel production at an ethanol or biodiesel facility during the twenty-four-month period immediately preceding certification of the facility by the design engineer.

(4)   Credits are not allowed pursuant to this subsection for expansion of the capacity of an existing facility until production is in excess of twelve times the three-month average amount determined pursuant to this subsection during any twelve-consecutive month period beginning no sooner than January 1, 2014 2017.

(5)   The amount of a credit granted pursuant to this section based on new production must be approved by the Department of Revenue State Energy Office based on the ethanol or biodiesel production records as may be necessary to reasonably determine the level of new production.

(E) (D)(1)   The credits described in this section are allowed only for ethanol or biodiesel produced at a plant in this State at which all fermentation, distillation, and dehydration takes place. Credit is not allowed for ethanol or biodiesel produced or sold for use in the production of distilled spirits.

(2)   Not more than twenty-five million gallons of ethanol or biodiesel produced annually at an ethanol or biodiesel facility is eligible for the credits in subsections (A) and (C) (B) of this section, and the credits only may be claimed by a producer for the periods specified in subsections (A) and (C) (B) of this section.

(3)   Not more than ten million gallons of ethanol or biodiesel produced during a twelve-consecutive month period at an ethanol or biodiesel facility is eligible for the credit described in subsection (D) (C) of this section, and the credit only may be claimed by a producer for the periods specified in subsection (D) (C) of this section.

(4)   Not more than one hundred twenty-five million gallons of ethanol or biodiesel produced at an ethanol or biodiesel facility by the end of the sixty-month period set forth in subsection (A) or (C) (B) of this section is eligible for the credit under the subsection. An ethanol or biodiesel facility which receives a credit for ethanol or biodiesel produced under subsection (A) or (C) (B) of this section may not receive a credit pursuant to subsection (D) (C) of this section until its eligibility to receive a credit under subsection (A) or (C) (B) of this section has been completed.

(F) (E)   The Department of Revenue State Energy Office shall prescribe an application form and procedures for claiming credits under this section.

(G) (F)   For purposes of ascertaining the correctness of any application for claiming a the credit allowed pursuant to this section, the Department of Revenue State Energy Office or the department may examine or cause to have examined, by any agent or representative designated for that purpose, any books, papers, records, or memoranda bearing upon these matters.

(H) (G)   Notwithstanding the credit amount allowed by this section, for a fiscal year 2008-2009 all claims made pursuant to this section must not exceed eight hundred thousand dollars and must apply proportionately to all eligible claimants.

(H)(1)   To obtain the maximum amount of the credit available to a taxpayer, each taxpayer must submit a request for credit to the State Energy Office by January thirty-first for all gallons of qualifying fuel produced in the previous calendar year and the State Energy Office must notify the taxpayer that it qualifies for the credit and the amount of credit allocated to the taxpayer by March first of that year. A taxpayer may claim the maximum credit for its taxable year which contains the December thirty-first of the previous calendar year. The Department of Revenue may require any documentation that it deems necessary to administer the credit.

(2)   For the State's fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, the maximum amount of credit is to be determined based on an eighteen-month period beginning July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009. Applications are to be made by January 31, 2010 for the previous eighteen-month period commencing July 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009. A taxpayer allocated a credit for this eighteen-month period may claim the credit for its tax year which contains December 31, 2009.

(3)   To the extent the maximum amount of the credit contained in this section is repealed, the elimination of the maximum amount shall be seen as the last expression of the legislature and to the extent any language in this act conflicts with that repeal, it shall be considered null and void."

B.   Section 12-6-3610 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

Section 12-6-3610.   (A)   As used in this section, "renewable fuel" means liquid nonpetroleum based fuels that can be placed in motor vehicle fuel tanks and used as a fuel in a highway vehicle. It includes all forms of fuel commonly or commercially known or sold as biodiesel and ethanol.

(B)(1)   A taxpayer that purchases or constructs and installs and places in service in this State property that is used for distribution or dispensing renewable fuel specified in this subsection, at a new or existing commercial fuel distribution or dispensing facility is allowed a credit equal to twenty-five percent of the cost to the taxpayer of purchasing, constructing, and installing the property against the taxpayer's liability for a tax imposed pursuant to this chapter.

(2)   Eligible property includes pumps, storage tanks, and related equipment that is directly and exclusively used for distribution, dispensing, or storing renewable fuel. A taxpayer is qualified for a tax credit provided pursuant to this subsection if the equipment used to store, distribute, or dispense renewable fuel is labeled for this purpose and clearly identified as associated with renewable fuel.

(3)   The entire credit may not be taken for the taxable year in which the property is placed in service but must be taken in three equal annual installments beginning with the taxable year in which the property is placed in service. If, in one of the years in which the installment of a credit accrues, property directly and exclusively used for distributing, dispensing, or storing renewable fuel is disposed of or taken out of service and is not replaced, so that the facility no longer distributes, dispenses, or stores renewable fuel, the credit expires and the taxpayer may not take any remaining installment of the credit.

(4)   The unused portion of an unexpired credit may be carried forward for not more than ten succeeding taxable years.

(2) (5)   For purposes of this subsection, "renewable fuel" means E70 or greater ethanol fuel dispensed at the retail level for use in motor vehicles and pure ethanol or biodiesel fuel dispensed by a distributor or facility that blends these nonpetroleum liquids with gasoline fuel or diesel fuel for use in motor vehicles.

(C) (B)(1)   A taxpayer that constructs and places in service in this State a commercial facility for the production of renewable fuel is allowed a credit equal to twenty-five percent of the cost to the taxpayer of constructing or renovating a building and equipping the facility for the purpose of producing renewable fuel. Production of renewable fuel includes intermediate steps such as milling, crushing, and handling of feedstock and the distillation and manufacturing of the final product.

(2)   The entire credit may not be taken for the taxable year in which the facility is placed in service but must be taken in seven equal annual installments beginning with the taxable year in which the facility is placed in service. If, in one of the years in which the installment of a credit accrues, the facility with respect to which the credit was claimed is disposed of or taken out of service, the credit expires and the taxpayer may not take any remaining installment of the credit. A taxpayer's total credit in all years, for all expenditures allowed pursuant to this subsection, must not exceed one million dollars.

(3)   The unused portion of an unexpired credit may be carried forward for not more than ten succeeding taxable years.

(4)   As used in this subsection, 'renewable fuel' means liquid petroleum based fuels that may be placed in motor vehicle fuel tanks and used as a fuel in a highway vehicle. It includes all forms of fuel commonly or commercially known or sold as biodiesel and ethanol.

(D) (5)   A taxpayer that claims any other credit allowed under this article with respect to the costs of constructing and installing a facility may not take the credit allowed in this section with respect to the same costs.

(E) (C)(1)   Notwithstanding the credit amounts allowed pursuant to this section, for a fiscal year all claims made pursuant to this section must not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars and must apply proportionately to all eligible claimants. To obtain the amount of credit available to a taxpayer, the taxpayer must submit a request for credit to the State Energy Office by January thirty-first for all qualifying property or a qualifying facility, as applicable, placed in service in the previous calendar year and the State Energy Office must notify the taxpayer that it qualifies for the credit and the amount of credit allocated to the taxpayer by March first of that year. A taxpayer may claim the credit for its taxable year which contains the December thirty-first of the previous calendar year. The Department of Revenue may require any documentation that it deems necessary to administer the credit.

(2)   For the State's fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, the credit is to be determined based on an eighteen-month period beginning July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009. Applications are to be made by January 31, 2010 for the previous eighteen-month period commencing July 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009. A taxpayer allocated a credit for this eighteen-month period may claim the credit for its tax year which contains December 31, 2009.

(D)   To claim the credits allowed in this section, the taxpayer must place the property or facility in service prior to January 1, 2020.

C.   Section 12-6-3620 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 12-6-3620.   [For taxable year 2007, this section reads as follows:]

(A)   For taxable years beginning after 2006, there is allowed a tax credit against the tax imposed pursuant to Section 12-6-530 for twenty-five percent of the costs incurred by a taxpayer for use of methane gas taken from a landfill to provide energy for a manufacturing facility.

(B)   The tax credit allowed by this section may not exceed fifty percent of the liability of the taxpayer for the tax imposed pursuant to Section 12-6-530. Unused credits may be carried forward for ten years.

(C)   For purposes of this section, manufacturing facility is as defined in Section 12-6-3360(M)(5).

[For taxable years beginning after 2007, this section reads as follows:]

(A)   For taxable years beginning after 2007 and ending before taxable year 2020, there is allowed a credit against the income tax imposed pursuant to Section 12-6-530 or license fees imposed pursuant to Section 12-20-50, or both, for twenty-five percent of the costs incurred by a taxpayer for the purchase and installation of equipment used to create heat, power, steam, electricity, or another form of energy for commercial use from a fuel consisting of no less than ninety percent biomass resource. Costs incurred by a taxpayer and qualifying for the credit allowed by this section must be certified by the State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and the South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies. The State Energy Office may consult with the Department of Agriculture and the South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies on standards for certifying the costs incurred by the taxpayer. The credit may be claimed in the year in which the equipment is placed in service and may be claimed for all expenditures incurred for the purchase and installation of the equipment.

(B)   A taxpayer's credit utilization in any one year, for all expenditures allowed pursuant to this section, must not exceed taxpayer may use up to six hundred fifty thousand dollars of credit for a single taxable year. The tax credit allowed by this section may not exceed the liability of the taxpayer for the taxes imposed pursuant to Sections 12-6-530 and 12-20-50. Unused credits is nonrefundable but unused credits may be carried forward for fifteen years.

(C)   For purposes of this section:

(1)   "Biomass resource" means non-commercial wood, by-products of wood processing, demolition debris containing wood, wood waste, agricultural waste, animal waste, sewage, landfill gas, and other organic materials, not including fossil fuels.

(2)   "Commercial use" means a use intended for the purpose of generating a profit.

(3)   If the facility equipment ceases to use biomass resources as its primary fuel source before the entire credit has been utilized, it the taxpayer is ineligible to utilize any remaining credit until it resumes using biomass resources as its primary fuel source (at least ninety percent). The fifteen-year carry forward period must not be extended due to periods of noncompliance.

(D)   Notwithstanding the credit amount allowed pursuant to this section, for a fiscal year all claims made pursuant to this section must not exceed six hundred fifty thousand dollars and must apply proportionately to all eligible claimants.

(D)(1)   To obtain the maximum amount of credit available to a taxpayer, a taxpayer must submit a request for credit to the State Energy Office by January thirty-first for all qualifying equipment placed in service in the previous calendar year and the State Energy Office must notify the taxpayer that it qualifies for the credit and the amount of credit allocated to the taxpayer by March first of that year. A taxpayer may claim the maximum amount of the credit for its taxable year which contains the December thirty-first of the previous calendar year. The Department of Revenue may require any documentation that it deems necessary to administer the credit.

(2)   For the State's fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, the maximum amount of the credit is to be determined based on an eighteen-month period beginning July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009. Applications are to be made by January 31, 2010 for the previous eighteen-month period commencing July 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009. A taxpayer allocated a credit for this eighteen-month period may claim the credit for its tax year which contains December 31, 2009.

(3)   To the extent the maximum amount of the credit contained in this section is repealed, the elimination of the maximum amount shall be seen as the last expression of the legislature and to the extent any language in this act conflicts with that repeal, it shall be considered null and void."

D.   Section 12-6-3631 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 12-6-3631.   (A)   For taxable years begi