Bill 5165

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                      5165
Ratification Number:              544
Act Number:                       176 of 1999
Type of Legislation:              Joint Resolution JR
Introducing Body:                 House
Introduced Date:                  19980520
Primary Sponsor:                  Rhoad 
All Sponsors:                     Rhoad 
Drafted Document Number:          pt\1898htc.98
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:     19980616
Date of Last Amendment:           19980616
Governor's Action:                U  Became law without signature of 
                                  Governor
Date of Governor's Action:        19990114
Subject:                          Bamberg County Hospital, referendum 
                                  conducted concerning remaining open or not; 
                                  Elections, Medical



                        History



Body    Date      Action Description                     Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  ______________________________________ _______ ____________
------  19990819  Act No. 176
------  19990114  Unsigned, became law without
                  signature of Governor
------  19980617  Ratified R544
House   19980616  Concurred in Senate amendment, 
                  enrolled for ratification
Senate  19980616  Amended, read third time, 
                  returned to House with amendment
Senate  19980603  Read second time
Senate  19980603  Recalled from Bamberg County           87 SLD
                  Delegation
Senate  19980526  Introduced, read first time,           87 SLD
                  referred to Bamberg County Delegation
House   19980522  Read third time, sent to Senate
House   19980521  Read second time, unanimous consent
                  for third reading on the next
                  Legislative day
House   19980520  Introduced, read first time,
                  placed on Calendar without reference

NOTE: THIS COPY IS A TEMPORARY VERSION. THIS IS NOT THE FINAL VERSION.

(A176 of 1999, R544 of 1998, H5165)

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO REQUIRE A REFERENDUM TO BE CONDUCTED AT THE TIME OF THE GENERAL ELECTION OF 1998, AT WHICH TIME THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF BAMBERG COUNTY SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE BAMBERG COUNTY HOSPITAL REMAINS OPEN AND TO PROVIDE THAT IF A MAJORITY OF THE ELECTORS VOTING IN THE REFERENDUM VOTE "YES", THE HOSPITAL MAY NOT BE CLOSED FOR THREE YEARS, TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING BODY OF BAMBERG COUNTY TO DIRECT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS COMMISSION FOR BAMBERG COUNTY, AT THE TIME OF THE 1998 GENERAL ELECTION, TO PLACE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ON THE BALLOT RELATING TO THE PROVIDING OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS OF BAMBERG COUNTY.

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

Referendum; Bamberg County Hospital

SECTION 1. (A) At the time of the General Election of 1998, the qualified electors of Bamberg County must be allowed to vote on the question of whether or not to close Bamberg County Hospital. The Registration and Elections Commission of Bamberg County shall print on the ballot the following question:

"Shall the Bamberg County Hospital remain open to serve the citizens of Bamberg County?

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."

(B)(1) If a majority of the qualified electors vote "yes" in the referendum provided for in subsection (A), then the governing body of Bamberg County is prohibited from closing the Bamberg County Hospital for a period of three years. Provided, however, if the expenses of the hospital exceed the revenues from all sources for three consecutive months the hospital may be closed. Provided, further, notwithstanding an affirmative vote in the referendum to keep the hospital open, the county governing body may enter into contracts for the provision of health care services for the residents of Bamberg County as it deems appropriate.

(2) If a majority of qualified electors vote "no" in the referendum provided for in subsection (A), then the governing body of Bamberg County may close the Bamberg County Hospital and make such provisions for the health care of the citizens of Bamberg County as it determines necessary.

(C) No action may be taken by the governing body of Bamberg County with respect to determining the future of the Bamberg County Hospital until after the referendum provided in subsection (A) of this joint resolution.

(D) The governing body of Bamberg County may direct the Bamberg County Registration and Elections Commission, at the time of the 1998 general election, to place additional questions on the ballot relating to the providing of health care services to the citizens of Bamberg County.

Time effective

SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 17th day of June, 1998.

Became law without the signature of the Governor -- 1/14/99.