Senate Amendment 7
S 399 - Session 125 (2023-2024)
DHEC restructuring

Senator Davis proposes the following amendment (SR-399.KM0060S):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 2, by striking Section 44-1-100 and inserting:

 Section 44-1-100.All sheriffs and constables in the several counties of this State and police officers and health officers of cities and towns must aid and assist the Director of the Department of  Public Health and Environmental Control and must carry out and obey his orders, or those of the Department of Health and Environmental Controldepartment, to enforce and carry out any and all restrictive measures and quarantine regulations that may be prescribed. During a state of public health emergency, as defined in Section 44-4-130, the director may request assistance in enforcing orders issued pursuant to this chapter and pursuant to Chapter 4, Title 44, from the public safety authority, as defined in Section 44-4-130, other state law enforcement authorities, and local law enforcement. The public safety authority may request assistance from the South Carolina National Guard in enforcing orders made pursuant to this chapter or pursuant to Chapter 4, Title 44.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 60, by striking Section 44-56-160(A) and inserting:

 (A) The Department of Health and Environmental Control Services is directed to establish a Hazardous Waste Contingency Fund to ensure the availability of funds for response actions necessary at permitted hazardous waste landfills and necessary from accidents in the transportation of hazardous materials and to defray the costs of governmental response actions at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. The contingency fund must be financed through the imposition of fees provided in Sections 44-56-170 and 44-56-510 and annual appropriations which must be provided by the General Assembly.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 211, by striking Section 49-6-30(3)(3) and inserting:

 (3)(3) The representative of the Water Resources Division of the Department of Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Services shall serve as chairman of the council and shall be a voting member of the council.

 (B) The council shall provide interagency coordination and serve as the principal advisory body to the department on all aspects of aquatic plant management and research. The council shall establish management policies, approve all management plans, and advise the department on research priorities.