Bill 443

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               443
Ratification Number:       278
Act Number:                521
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                   Proposing an amendment to Section 11 of Article X 
                           of the Constitution of South Carolina to allow 
                           state participation in federally ordered disaster 
                           relief programs for individuals and families

(A521, R278, S443)

A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 11 OF ARTICLE X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE RESTRICTION AGAINST THE PLEDGE OR LOAN OF PUBLIC CREDIT FOR PRIVATE PURPOSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY OBLIGATE OR APPROPRIATE STATE FUNDS TO ALLOW STATE PARTICIPATION IN FEDERALLY ORDERED DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.

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

Constitutional amendment proposed

SECTION 1. It is proposed that Section 11 of Article X of the Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, be amended to read: "Section 11. The credit of neither the State nor of any of its political subdivisions shall be pledged or loaned for the benefit of any individual, company, association, corporation or any religious or other private education institution except as permitted by Section 3, Article XI of this Constitution. Neither the State nor any of its political subdivisions shall become a joint owner of or stockholder in any company, association, or corporation. The General Assembly may, however, authorize the South Carolina Public Service Authority to become a joint owner with privately owned electric utilities, including electric cooperatives, of electric generation or transmission facilities, or both, and to enter into and carry out agreements with respect to such jointly owned facilities.

Provided, however, the General Assembly may obligate or appropriate state funds in order to participate in federal or federally aided disaster related grant or loan programs for individuals or families, but only to the extent that such state participation is a prerequisite to federal financial assistance.

Amendment submitted to qualified electors

SECTION 2. The proposed amendment shall be submitted to qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots shall be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written thereon: "Shall Section 11 of Article X of the Constitution of this State be amended to provide that the General Assembly may obligate or appropriate state funds to allow state participation in federally aided disaster relief programs for individuals or families?

Those voting in favor of the amendment shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the words 'In favor of the amendment''and those voting against the amendment shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the words 'Opposed to the amendment'."