AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 48-59-40, RELATING TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSERVATION BANK, SO AS TO INCREASE MEMBERSHIP BY ADDING THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, AND THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION; AND BY ADDING SECTION 48-59-150 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE WORKING FARMLAND PROTECTION FUND. - RATIFIED TITLE
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 7-7-430, RELATING TO DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN OCONEE COUNTY, SO AS TO REDESIGNATE THE MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THESE PRECINCTS MAY BE FOUND ON FILE WITH THE REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 7-7-40, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN AIKEN COUNTY, SO AS TO ADD NEW PRECINCTS AND TO REDESIGNATE THE MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THESE PRECINCTS MAY BE FOUND ON FILE WITH THE REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE. - RATIFIED TITLE
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-110, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA READ TO SUCCEED OFFICE AND THE COMPREHENSIVE READING PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED BY THE OFFICE, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE OFFICE, TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM, AND TO REVISE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-120, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING THE STATEWIDE READING PROGRAM, SO AS TO REVISE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-130, RELATING TO FUNCTIONS OF THE PROGRAM FOR WHICH THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS IN IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE PROGRAM, SO AS TO REVISE THE FUNCTIONS AND TO PROVIDE DISTRICTS THAT FAIL TO MEET REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON READING CAMPS ARE INELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE STATE FUNDING FOR THE CAMPS DURING THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR BUT SHALL CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE CAMPS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-140, RELATING TO COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM, SO AS TO REQUIRE ANNUAL APPROVAL BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, TO REVISE CERTAIN COMPONENTS, AND TO REVISE OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-150, RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT TO ENSURE CERTAIN READINESS ASSESSMENTS ARE ADMINISTERED WITHIN THE FIRST FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF SCHOOL, SO AS TO PROVIDE DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS MAY REQUEST WAIVERS FROM STATUTORY ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS TO SCHEDULE THE ASSESSMENTS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY ADDING SECTION 59-155-155 SO AS TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NUMBER OF UNIVERSAL READING SCREENERS THAT DISTRICTS MAY USE, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR SCREENERS, TO PROVIDE DISTRICTS SHALL ADMINISTER SCREENERS AT LEAST THREE TIMES DURING EACH SCHOOL YEAR IN CERTAIN INTERVALS, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND TO PROVIDE FOR ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESS MONITORING TOOLS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-160, RELATING TO MANDATORY RETENTION PROVISIONS FOR THIRD GRADERS WHO FAIL TO DEMONSTRATE READING PROFICIENCY, SO AS TO REVISE EXEMPTIONS AND EXEMPTION PROCESSES, TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND SUPPORT THAT MUST BE PROVIDED TO RETAINED STUDENTS, TO PROVIDE RETAINED STUDENTS SHALL ENROLL IN SUMMER READING CAMPS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-170, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT OF TEACHERS IN CERTAIN CONTENT AREAS MASTER CERTAIN READING COMPREHENSION INSTRUCTION PRACTICES AND ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROVISIONS, SO AS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPLEMENT CERTAIN FOUNDATIONAL LITERACY SKILLS TRAINING FOR ALL KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE TEACHERS CERTIFIED IN CERTAIN TEACHING AREAS, AND TO PROVIDE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS TRAINING SHALL SATISFY LITERACY ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-180, RELATING TO LITERACY READING COACHES, SO AS TO REVISE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COACHES, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-200, RELATING TO THE PROMOTION OF READING AND WRITING HABITS AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, SO AS TO REMOVE FAMILY SUPPORT PROVISIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-210, RELATING TO STANDARDS, PRACTICES, AND PROCEDURES DEVELOPED BY THE BOARD AND DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM, SO AS TO REMOVE THE BOARD FROM THE PROVISIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-18-310, RELATING TO ASSESSMENTS REQUIRED IN THE EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY ACT, SO AS TO REVISE ASSESSMENTS AND THEIR USES, AMONG OTHER THINGS. - RATIFIED TITLE
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-610, RELATING TO PERSONS LIABLE FOR TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS ON REAL PROPERTY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES AND CERTAIN SPOUSES ARE EXEMPT FROM PROPERTY TAXES IN THE YEAR IN WHICH THE DISABILITY OCCURS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-220, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A QUALIFIED SURVIVING SPOUSE INCLUDES CERTAIN SPOUSES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE DECEASED SPOUSE APPLIED, FILED FOR, OR CLAIMED AN EXEMPTION AND TO PROVIDE THAT A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR TWO PRIVATE PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY BE CLAIMED BY CERTAIN SPOUSES OF A DISABLED VETERAN OR CERTAIN TRUSTEES. - RATIFIED TITLE
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY/SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT OF 2024" BY AMENDING SECTION 10-11-320, RELATING TO CARRYING OR DISCHARGING FIREARMS AND EXCEPTIONS FOR CONCEALABLE WEAPONS PERMIT HOLDERS, SO AS TO DELETE A PROVISION THAT MAKES THIS SECTION INAPPLICABLE TO PERSONS WHO POSSESS CONCEALABLE WEAPONS PERMITS AND TO PROVIDE THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO PERSONS WHO POSSESS FIREARMS; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-23-20, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUNS, SO AS TO REVISE THE PLACES WHERE AND CIRCUMSTANCES UPON WHICH HANDGUNS AND FIREARMS MAY BE CARRIED, AND PERSONS WHO MAY CARRY HANDGUNS AND FIREARMS; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-23-50, RELATING TO CERTAIN PENALTIES, DISPOSITION OF FINES, AND FORFEITURE AND DISPOSITION OF HANDGUNS, SO AS TO PROVIDE GRADUATED PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS SECTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-23-55, RELATING TO PROCEDURES FOR RETURNING FOUND HANDGUNS, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION RELATING TO FILING APPLICATIONS TO OBTAIN FOUND HANDGUNS, AND PROVIDE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO MAINTAIN POSSESSION OR DISPOSE OF FOUND HANDGUNS; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-23-420, RELATING TO POSSESSION OF FIREARMS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT EXEMPTS PERSONS WHO POSSESS CONCEALED WEAPON PERMITS FROM THIS PROVISION, AND TO DELETE THE TERM "WEAPON" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "FIREARM"; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-23-430, RELATING TO CARRYING WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT EXEMPTS PERSONS WHO POSSESS CONCEALED WEAPON PERMITS FROM THIS PROVISION; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-23-465, RELATING TO THE ADDITIONAL PENALTIES FOR UNLAWFULLY CARRYING PISTOLS OR FIREARMS ONTO PREMISES OF BUSINESSES SELLING ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR, BEER, OR WINE FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THIS PROVISION DOES NOT APPLY TO CERTAIN OFFENSES THAT PROHIBIT PERSONS FROM CARRYING CERTAIN DEADLY WEAPONS, TO PROVIDE THIS PROVISION APPLIES TO PERSONS WHO KNOWINGLY CARRY CERTAIN FIREARMS, TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT EXEMPTS PERSONS WHO POSSESS CONCEALED WEAPON PERMITS FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, AND TO PROVIDE PERSONS LAWFULLY CARRYING FIREARMS WHO DO NOT CONSUME ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE EXEMPT FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 23-31-215, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF CONCEALED WEAPON PERMITS, SO AS TO DELETE THE PROVISIONS REQUIRING PERMIT HOLDERS TO CARRY PERMITS WHILE CARRYING WEAPONS AND IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES AS PERMIT HOLDERS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, TO PROVIDE PERSONS MUST REPORT THE LOSS OR THEFT OF A FIREARM TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS TO REPORT THE LOSSES OF PERMITS TO SLED, TO REVISE THE PREMISES UPON WHICH PERMIT HOLDERS MUST NOT CARRY WEAPONS, TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS, TO REVISE THE PROVISION THAT PROVIDES EXEMPTIONS TO CARRYING PERMITS, TO DELETE THE PROVISION RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR CARRYING EXPIRED PERMITS, TO PROVIDE SLED SHALL OFFER A CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT TRAINING COURSE, AND TO PROVIDE PERSONS AT LEAST EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD MAY OBTAIN PERMITS; BY AMENDING SECTION 23-31-220, RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO ALLOW OR PERMIT CONCEALED WEAPONS UPON PREMISES AND THE POSTING OF SIGNS PROHIBITING THE CARRYING OF WEAPONS, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES, THAT PERSONS MUST KNOWINGLY VIOLATE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION TO BE CHARGED WITH A VIOLATION, AND TO PROVIDE THIS SECTION DOES NOT LIMIT PERSONS FROM CARRYING CERTAIN WEAPONS IN STATE PARKS; BY AMENDING SECTION 23-31-232, RELATING TO CARRYING CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ON PREMISES OF CERTAIN SCHOOLS LEASED BY CHURCHES, SO AS TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE CHURCH OFFICIALS OR GOVERNING BODIES MAY ALLOW ANY PERSON TO CARRY A CONCEALABLE WEAPON ON THE LEASED PREMISES; BY AMENDING SECTION 23-31-235, RELATING TO CONCEALABLE WEAPON SIGN REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE SIGNS MUST BE POSTED AT LOCATIONS WHERE THE CARRYING OF CONCEALABLE WEAPONS IS PROHIBITED; BY AMENDING SECTION 23-31-600, RELATING TO RETIRED PERSONNEL, IDENTIFICATION CARDS, AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS, SO AS TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CHANGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 51-3-145, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL ACTS COMMITTED AT STATE PARKS, SO AS TO PROVIDE PERSONS MAY POSSESS OR CARRY CONCEALABLE WEAPONS IN STATE PARKS; BY REPEALING SECTIONS 16-23-460, 23-31-225, AND 23-31-230 RELATING TO THE CARRYING OF WEAPONS BY INDIVIDUALS ON THEIR PERSON, INTO RESIDENCES OR DWELLINGS, OR BETWEEN A MOTOR VEHICLE AND A RENTED ACCOMMODATION; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-23-500, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS BY PERSONS CONVICTED OF VIOLENT OFFENSES, THE CONFISCATION OF CERTAIN WEAPONS, AND THE RETURN OF FIREARMS TO INNOCENT OWNERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE LIST OF CRIMES SUBJECT TO THIS PROVISION AND THE PENALTIES ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLATIONS, AND TO DEFINE THE TERM "CRIME PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF MORE THAN ONE YEAR"; BY AMENDING SECTION 22-5-910, RELATING TO THE EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS FOR CERTAIN UNLAWFUL POSSESSIONS OF FIREARMS OR WEAPONS OFFENSES, AND TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CHANGE; BY AMENDING SECTION 23-31-240, RELATING TO PERSONS ALLOWED TO CARRY CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ANYWHERE IN THIS STATE, SO AS TO ADD ADDITIONAL PERSONS TO THIS LIST WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 23-31-245 SO AS TO PROVIDE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MAY SEARCH, DETAIN, OR ARREST PERSONS OPENLY CARRYING WEAPONS; BY ADDING SECTION 17-1-65 SO AS TO PROVIDE PERSONS MAY APPLY FOR EXPUNGEMENTS OF CONVICTIONS FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HANDGUNS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; BY ADDING SECTION 16-23-495 SO AS TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR PERSONS CONVICTED OF COMMITTING OR ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT CERTAIN CRIMES INVOLVING CONCEALABLE WEAPONS, TO PROVIDE SLED SHALL DEVELOP AND DISTRIBUTE A DOCUMENT THAT INFORMS GUN PURCHASERS THAT THEY MAY OBTAIN CONCEALED WEAPON PERMITS, CARRY THEIR WEAPONS WITHOUT A PERMIT, AND CERTAIN PENALTIES IMPOSED FOR CRIMES INVOLVING CONCEALABLE WEAPONS, TO PROVIDE SLED MUST INFORM THE PUBLIC THE STATE PROVIDES A PROCESS FOR GUN OWNERS TO OBTAIN CONCEALED WEAPON PERMITS AND ALLOWS GUN OWNERS TO CARRY THEIR WEAPONS WITHOUT PERMITS; AND TO PROVIDE NO PROVISION OF THIS ACT SHOULD BE CONSTRUED TO DISCOURAGE GUN OWNERSHIP OR GUN SAFETY TRAINING, BUT TO ENCOURAGE GUN OWNERS TO RECEIVE GUN SAFETY TRAINING. - RATIFIED TITLE
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-270 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF MARCH OF EACH YEAR AS "MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION MONTH". - RATIFIED TITLE
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 23-3-80 SO AS TO CREATE THE "ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT UNIT" WITHIN THE SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, TO PROVIDE FOR ITS ADMINISTRATION AND DUTIES, AND TO REQUIRE IT TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 23-6-60 AND CHAPTER 30 OF TITLE 8 RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT UNIT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE RECORDING AND REPORTING OF IMMIGRATION LAW VIOLATIONS. - RATIFIED TITLE
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 38-55-730 SO AS TO ALLOW INSURERS TO POST AN INSURANCE POLICY OR ENDORSEMENT ON THEIR WEBSITE IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET. - RATIFIED TITLE
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-686 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE SOUTH CAROLINA POULTRY FESTIVAL IN LEXINGTON COUNTY AS THE OFFICIAL STATE POULTRY FESTIVAL. - RATIFIED TITLE
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-150-145 SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION CONCERNING LOTTERY CLAIMS FROM NONCONSENSUAL DISCLOSURE OR RELEASE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, TO PROVIDE THE LOTTERY COMMISSION MAY DISCLOSE CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING LOTTERY CLAIMS WITHOUT CONSENT, AND TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FOR PARTICIPANTS IN CERTAIN PROMOTIONS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 30-4-40, RELATING TO MATTERS EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE. - RATIFIED TITLE
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-270 SO AS TO DECLARE THE FIRST MONDAY OF MARCH OF EACH YEAR AS "WATER PROFESSIONALS DAY". - RATIFIED TITLE
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "ESG PENSION PROTECTION ACT" BY AMENDING SECTION 9-16-10, RELATING TO RETIREMENT SYSTEM FUNDS DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO ADD A DEFINITION OF "PECUNIARY FACTOR"; BY AMENDING SECTION 9-16-30, RELATING TO DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS BY THE COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT PROXY VOTING DECISIONS MUST BE BASED ON PECUNIARY FACTORS; BY AMENDING SECTION 9-16-50, RELATING TO INVESTMENT AND MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS BY TRUSTEES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION MAY ONLY CONSIDER PECUNIARY FACTORS IN MAKING CERTAIN INVESTMENT DECISIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 9-16-320, RELATING TO ANNUAL INVESTMENT PLANS, SO AS TO REQUIRE CERTAIN MEETINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 9-16-330, RELATING TO STATEMENT OF ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS AND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, SO AS TO REQUIRE CERTAIN CERTIFICATIONS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 9-16-110 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY BRING AN ACTION TO ENFORCE CERTAIN PROVISIONS. - RATIFIED TITLE
