Sen. Thomas Alexander

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 2 TO TITLE 47 SO AS TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS, TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN PERSONS FROM OWNING, POSSESSING, IMPORTING, PURCHASING, OR SELLING A LARGE WILD CAT, NON-NATIVE BEAR, OR GREAT APE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CHAPTER AND EXEMPTIONS FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER, TO AUTHORIZE CONFISCATION OF THESE ANIMALS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL BODIES MAY ADOPT ORDINANCES THAT REGULATE THE POSSESSION OF THESE ANIMALS, TO REGULATE THE TREATMENT OF THESE ANIMALS, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-50, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION OF THE SALE OF WILD CARNIVORES AS PETS AND THE SALE OF DOMESTICATED FERRETS, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF THE PUBLIC DISPLAY, SHOWING, OR EXHIBITION OF CERTAIN WILD CARNIVORES, PRIMATES, OR OTHER ANIMALS. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 42-9-450 SO AS TO PROVIDE WORKERS' COMPENSATION PAYMENTS BY EMPLOYERS' REPRESENTATIVES MUST BE MADE BY CHECKS OR ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEMS. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-53-1784, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS PROPERTY BY THE MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE ENTERPRISE CAMPUS AUTHORITY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE EXEMPTION OF THE AUTHORITY FROM SURPLUS PROPERTY LAWS APPLIES TO REAL, PERSONAL, AND MIXED PROPERTY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND TO PROVIDE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2020. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 42-9-290, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF BURIAL EXPENSES PAYABLE UNDER WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS FOR ACCIDENTAL DEATH, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PAYABLE AMOUNT TO TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 55, TITLE 46, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE CULTIVATION OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS OF TERMS CONTAINED IN THIS CHAPTER, TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR ADDITIONAL TERMS, TO CREATE THE SOUTH CAROLINA INDUSTRIAL HEMP PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE THAT INDUSTRIAL HEMP IS AN AGRICULTURAL CROP UPON WHICH CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION MAY CONDUCT RESEARCH, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MAY ISSUE PERMITS TO RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE TO GROW INDUSTRIAL HEMP UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS TO APPLY AND BE ISSUED A PERMIT, TO PROVIDE THAT INDUSTRIAL HEMP OR HEMP PRODUCTS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED AN ADULTERANT, TO PROVIDE PROVISIONS THAT REGULATE THE GROWING, SELLING, AND IMPORTATION OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP AND HEMP SEED, TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT EXCLUDES INDUSTRIAL HEMP FROM THE DEFINITION OF MARIJUANA, TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON ENGAGED IN ACTIVITIES COVERED BY THE INDUSTRIAL HEMP PROGRAM ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY STATE CIVIL OR CRIMINAL ACTIONS, TO REVISE THE PROVISION THAT SPECIFIES THAT CERTAIN CONDUCT REGARDING THE MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTION, PURCHASE, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES RELATING TO DISGUISING MARIJUANA TO MAKE IT APPEAR TO BE INDUSTRIAL HEMP IS ILLEGAL, TO PROVIDE FOR LABORATORY TESTING OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR DISGUISING MARIJUANA TO APPEAR TO BE INDUSTRIAL HEMP. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 7-13-190, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SPECIAL ELECTIONS TO FILL VACANCIES IN OFFICES, SO AS TO ADJUST THE DATES ON WHICH PRIMARIES, RUNOFF PRIMARIES, AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS MUST BE HELD, AND TO REMOVE THE EXEMPTION FROM HOLDING CERTAIN SPECIAL AND GENERAL ELECTIONS; AND TO REQUIRE THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION TO PROVIDE RANK CHOICE BALLOTS FOR A FEDERAL SPECIAL ELECTION FOR WHICH THE PRIMARY IS HELD ON MAY 2, 2017, TO INDIVIDUALS CASTING BALLOTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UNIFORMED AND OVERSEAS CITIZENS ABSENTEE VOTING ACT. - ratified title

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO CREATE THE "SEIZURE SAFETY IN SCHOOLS STUDY COMMITTEE" TO EXAMINE ISSUES RELATED TO EPILEPSY AND SEIZURE SAFETY AWARENESS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, STAFFING, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE, AND TO PROVIDE ITS MEMBERS SHALL SERVE WITHOUT MILEAGE, PER DIEM, SUBSISTENCE, OR OTHER COMPENSATION. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 57-11-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT OF FUNDS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, SO AS TO CREATE THE INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 12-28-310, RELATING TO THE MOTOR FUEL USER FEE, SO AS TO PHASE-IN AN INCREASE OF TWELVE CENTS ON THE FEE OVER SIX YEARS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-11-410 AND 56-11-450, BOTH RELATING TO THE ROAD TAX, SO AS TO INCREASE THE ROAD TAX IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE MOTOR FUEL USER FEE; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-620, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE BIENNIAL REGISTRATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, SO AS TO INCREASE THE FEE FOR THE REGISTRATION; BY ADDING SECTION 56-3-627 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE PAYMENT OF AN INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE FEE UPON FIRST REGISTERING ANY VEHICLE AND CERTAIN OTHER ITEMS IN THIS STATE AND TO SPECIFY THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FEE IS CALCULATED, CREDITED, AND ADMINISTERED; BY ADDING SECTION 56-3-645 SO AS TO IMPOSE A ROAD USE FEE ON CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES THAT OPERATE ON FUEL THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE MOTOR FUEL USER FEE; TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2110, RELATING TO THE MAXIMUM SALES TAX, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM TAX ON CERTAIN ITEMS; TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM THE STATE SALES TAX, SO AS TO EXEMPT ANY ITEM SUBJECT TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE FEE; TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-1710, RELATING TO THE CASUAL EXCISE TAX, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE TAX; TO REPEAL SECTION 12-36-2647 RELATING TO THE CREDITING OF CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLE TAX REVENUES; TO AMEND ARTICLE 23, CHAPTER 37, TITLE 12, RELATING TO MOTOR CARRIERS, SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE ARTICLE DOES NOT APPLY TO A SMALL COMMERCIAL VEHICLE, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES ARE ASSESSED AND APPORTIONED BASED ON A ROAD USE FEE INSTEAD OF PROPERTY TAXES, TO PROVIDE THAT THE ROAD USE FEE IS DUE AT THE SAME TIME AS REGISTRATION FEES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE ROAD USE FEE, AND TO EXEMPT CERTAIN SEMITRAILERS, TRAILERS, LARGE COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES, AND BUSES FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-376, RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO PROVIDE A REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR LARGE COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES AND BUSES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-120, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION PROCESS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-610, RELATING TO THE PAYMENT OF REGISTRATION FEES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-3-660, RELATING TO REGISTRATION FEES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT FEES FOR LICENSING AND REGISTRATION AND THE ROAD USE FEE MAY BE CREDITED OR PRORATED IF THE FEE EXCEEDS FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS INSTEAD OF EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS, AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 58-23-620, RELATING TO THE IMPOSITION OF LOCAL FEES, SO AS TO APPORTION CERTAIN LICENSE FEES AND TAXES; BY ADDING SECTION 12-37-2600 SO AS TO EXEMPT MOTOR CARRIERS FROM AD VALOREM TAXES ON LARGE COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES AND BUSES; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-2610, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE TAX YEAR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-2650, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF TAX NOTICES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 12-28-2355, RELATING TO INSPECTION FEE REVENUES, SO AS TO DELETE A PROVISION THAT CREDITED THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WITH TEN PERCENT OF THE REVENUES; TO REPEAL SECTION 12-28-530 RELATING TO THE MOTOR FUEL USER FEE ON FUEL INVENTORY; TO AMEND SECTION 12-28-2740, RELATING TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE MOTOR FUEL USER FEE TO COUNTIES, SO AS TO ALLOW FOR CERTAIN ADDITIONAL ALLOCATIONS, AND TO DISTRIBUTE ADDITIONAL REVENUES TO EACH COUNTY; BY ADDING SECTION 57-1-380 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO PREPARE A TRANSPORTATION ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTION 11-43-167, RELATING TO FEES AND FINES CREDITED TO THE STATE HIGHWAY FUND, SO AS TO ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO REDUCE CERTAIN AMOUNTS TRANSFERRED TO THE STATE-FUNDED RESURFACING PROGRAM; TO REPEAL SECTION 11-43-165 RELATING TO A TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE BANK; BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3780 SO AS TO ALLOW FOR A REFUNDABLE INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ON A PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLE, AND TO SPECIFY THE MANNER IN WHICH THE CREDIT IS CALCULATED AND OFFSET; BY ADDING SECTION 11-11-240 SO AS TO CREATE THE SAFETY MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT TO OFFSET THE AMOUNT OF THE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE CREDIT; BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3632 SO AS TO PHASE- IN A CREDIT EQUAL TO ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF ANY EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT ALLOWED; TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-3330, RELATING TO THE TWO-WAGE EARNER CREDIT, SO AS TO PHASE-IN AN INCREASE IN THE MULTIPLIER THAT DETERMINES THE MAXIMUM CREDIT AMOUNT; TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-3385, RELATING TO THE INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR TUITION, SO AS TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE CREDIT FOR BOTH FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS AND TWO-YEAR INSTITUTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM PROPERTY TAX, SO AS TO PHASE IN AN EXEMPTION OF A PERCENTAGE OF MANUFACTURING PROPERTY; TO REPEAL SECTION 57-1-460 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY'S EVALUATION AND APPROVAL OF ROUTINE OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS; TO REPEAL SECTION 57-1-470 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION'S REVIEW OF ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND EMERGENCY REPAIR REQUESTS APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-310, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE COMMISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, SO AS TO ADD AN AT-LARGE MEMBER AND TO SPECIFY THE MANNER IN WHICH THE MEMBERS ARE APPROVED; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-325, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE SUBMISSION OF TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT APPOINTMENTS, SO AS TO SPECIFY THE MANNER IN WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION MAY APPROVE THE APPOINTEE; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-340, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR A COMMISSION MEMBER, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE; TO REPEAL ARTICLE 7, CHAPTER 1, TITLE 57 RELATING TO THE JOINT TRANSPORTATION REVIEW COMMITTEE; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-350, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE RULES AND PROCEDURES OF THE COMMISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF SIX REGULAR MEETINGS ANNUALLY, TO PROHIBIT A MEMBER FROM BEING INVOLVED IN THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND TO PROHIBIT A MEMBER FROM HAVING AN INTEREST IN A GRANT OR AWARD OF THE DEPARTMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-360, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE CHIEF INTERNAL AUDITOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE ALL FINAL AUDIT REPORTS BE PUBLISHED ON THE WEBSITE MAINTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE STATE AUDITOR; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-430, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY TO PREPARE AND PUBLISH CERTAIN ANNUAL REPORTS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-330, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE TERMS OF OFFICE FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 471 OF 2002, RELATING TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD SHALL INCLUDE TWO MEMBERS FROM THE COUNTY AT-LARGE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER OF INITIAL APPOINTMENT OF THE TWO AT-LARGE MEMBERS, TO PROVIDE FOR STAGGERED TERMS OF THE TWO AT-LARGE MEMBERS, AND TO CONFORM THE ADDITION OF TWO AT-LARGE MEMBERS TO THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO THE BOARD AND FILLING VACANCIES ON THE BOARD. - ratified title

AN ACT TO AMEND ARTICLE 15, CHAPTER 33, TITLE 40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT, SO AS TO REVISE THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACT TO REFLECT CHANGES MANDATED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE COMPACT. - ratified title