Current Status Bill Number:265 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19970129 Primary Sponsor:Giese All Sponsors:Giese and McGill Drafted Document Number:gjk\23104sd.97 Companion Bill Number:3135 Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Fish, Game and Forestry Committee 07 SFGF Subject:Photographs of fish, wildlife used in violation of laws used in prosecution proceedings; Natural Resources
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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Senate 19970129 Introduced, read first time, 07 SFGF
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-1-285 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IN ANY PROSECUTION FOR A VIOLATION OF STATE FISH, GAME, WILDLIFE, OR NATURAL RESOURCES LAWS, PHOTOGRAPHS OF EITHER WILDLIFE OR FISH ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN, POSSESSED, SOLD, TRANSPORTED, OR IMPORTED ILLEGALLY MUST BE CONSIDERED COMPETENT EVIDENCE OF THE WILDLIFE OR FISH AND MUST BE ADMISSIBLE IN ANY PROCEEDING OF THE CASE TO THE SAME EXTENT AS IF THE WILDLIFE OR FISH HAD BEEN INTRODUCED AS EVIDENCE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 50-1-285. In any prosecution for a violation of state fish, game, wildlife, or natural resources laws, photographs of either wildlife or fish alleged to have been taken, possessed, sold, transported, or imported illegally is considered competent evidence of the wildlife or fish and is admissible in any proceeding of the case to the same extent as if the wildlife or fish had been introduced as evidence. The photographer shall affix his signature and the date to the back of each photograph for identification purposes. When the photograph is authenticated and admitted, it shall constitute substantive evidence."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.