Bill 161

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               161
Ratification Number:       196
Act Number:                130
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                        Election Law Study Committee

(A130, R196, S161)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 2-29-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ELECTION LAW STUDY COMMITTEE, SO AS TO REACTIVATE THE COMMITTEE, AND PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR CONTEMPT.

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

Committee created

SECTION 1. Section 2-29-10 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 2-29-10. (1) There is created a committee of twelve members charged with the responsibility of making a study of the election laws at all levels in the State and recommending, from time to time, to the General Assembly any changes or additions to the election laws. Four members must be appointed from the Senate by the President, four members must be appointed from the House of Representatives by the Speaker, and four members must be appointed by the Governor. Terms of committee members who are members of the General Assembly are coterminous with their terms of office. The Governor's appointees shall serve until their successors are appointed. The members are allowed the usual mileage, per diem, and subsistence provided by law for members of boards, committees, and commissions. Senate appointees must be paid from approved accounts of the Senate, House appointees must be paid from approved accounts of the House, and gubernatorial appointees must be paid from funds appropriated to the Office of the Governor. Committee expenses must be provided for annually in the general appropriation act.

(2) It is the duty of the committee to continually review the election laws in the State and make a report on its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly at each session. It shall also recommend legislation as it considers necessary.

(3) The committee, or any subcommittee thereof, may hold hearings, sit and act at times and places within the State as the chairman designates.

(4) The committee may require a witness to testify and the production of books, papers, or documents considered relevant to its study and may require the person in custody or possession of these papers to produce them before the committee. The committee may order its attorney or agent to examine the papers prior to their production before the committee to ensure an orderly consideration of the papers. Any person who fails or refuses to permit an examination or to act on the order or notice of the committee to produce any books, papers, or documents may be ordered to appear before the circuit court to show cause why he should not be considered guilty of contempt and punished as provided by law.

(5) The committee may administer oaths and any person who thereafter shall swear falsely is guilty of perjury and upon conviction must be punished as provided by law.

(6) The committee may employ an executive secretary, general counsel, and other personnel as is necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and shall fix the compensation of the employees."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.