South Carolina General Assembly
113th Session, 1999-2000
Journal of the House of Representatives

Thursday, February 24, 2000
(Statewide Session)

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 10:00 a.m.
Deliberations were opened with prayer by the Chaplain of the House of Representatives, the Rev. Dr. Alton C. Clark, as follows:

Almighty God, from age to age the same and Whose concern is unfailing and Whose patience is infinite, we rest in the thought that Your love knows no change, else we would not be loved so long. You have made us as Americans heirs of a great heritage and trustees of priceless blessings. Forbid that we forget the price paid for them and the eternal vigilance to keep them. Abide with us that our hearts may burn with the determination to do Your will. Thank You, Lord, for this privilege of prayer. Amen.

Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by the SPEAKER.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of yesterday, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.

MOTION ADOPTED

Rep. COOPER moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of Jake Rogers, which was agreed to.

INVITATION

On motion of Rep. FLEMING, with unanimous consent, the following was taken up for immediate consideration and accepted:

February 22, 2000
The Honorable Ron Fleming
Chairman, House Invitations Committee
503-A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of the South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology the Members of the House of Representatives are invited to a lunch. This event will be held at Capital City Club on Tuesday, March 21, 2000, upon adjournment until 2:30 p.m.

Sincerely,
C. Blake Myers, M.D.
President

REGULATION RECEIVED

The following was received and referred to the appropriate committee for consideration:

Document No. 2439
Agency: Public Service Commission
Statutory Authority: 1976 Code Sections 58-3-140, and 58-23-1010
Non-Emergency Vehicles
Received by Speaker of the House of Representatives
February 23, 2000
Referred to Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee
Legislative Review Expiration June 22, 2000

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEE

Rep. FLEMING, from the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions, submitted a favorable report on:

H. 3992 (Word version) -- Reps. Hamilton, Cato, Easterday, Leach, Loftis, McMahand, Rice, Tripp, Vaughn and Wilkins: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO NAME THE PORTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 253 FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH REID SCHOOL ROAD TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 290 IN GREENVILLE COUNTY IN HONOR OF REVEREND JAMES H. THOMPSON, AND TO PLACE APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ON THE HIGHWAY REFLECTING THIS DESIGNATION.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. FLEMING, from the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions, submitted a favorable report on:

H. 4598 (Word version) -- Rep. D. Smith: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF HIGHWAY 221 LYING BETWEEN HIGHWAY 176 AND INTERSTATE 85 IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY AS THE "DAVID PEARSON BOULEVARD".
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. FLEMING, from the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions, submitted a favorable report on:

S. 1149 (Word version) -- Senators Matthews, Patterson, Anderson, Glover and Washington: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION INVITING THE UNITED STATES SURGEON GENERAL AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH, THE CHIEF HEALTH OFFICIAL FOR THE COUNTRY, THE HONORABLE DAVID SATCHER, M.D., PH.D. TO ADDRESS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JOINT SESSION AT 12:00 NOON ON TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2000.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE

Rep. M. HINES, from the Florence Delegation, submitted a favorable report on:

S. 848 (Word version) -- Senators Glover, McGill, Land and Elliott: A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR PAYMENT FOR THE ATTENDANCE OF MEETINGS BY THE FLORENCE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

S. 848--ORDERED TO THIRD READING

On motion of Rep. M. HINES, with unanimous consent, the following Bill was taken up for immediate consideration:

S. 848 (Word version) -- Senators Glover, McGill, Land and Elliott: A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR PAYMENT FOR THE ATTENDANCE OF MEETINGS BY THE FLORENCE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

The Bill was read second time and ordered to third reading.

S. 848--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. M. HINES, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 848 be read the third time tomorrow.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 4673 (Word version) -- Rep. Davenport: A HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT TO INVESTIGATE AND RESPOND TO THE ACTION OF A CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE WHO EXHIBITED A SERIOUS LACK OF CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE SPARTANBURG COMMUNITY BY ORDERING THE RELEASE OF A PERSON CHARGED WITH A VIOLENT OFFENSE WHO HAS A LENGTHY CRIMINAL RECORD OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OFFENSES WHEN THE SOLICITOR'S OFFICE WAS NOT ABLE, BECAUSE OF REASONS BEYOND THEIR CONTROL, TO TRY THE CASE BY THE DEADLINE IMPOSED BY THE JUDGE, AND, WHEN THE CASE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY CALLED TO TRIAL, THE ACCUSED HAD FLED, IS NOW BEYOND THE CONFINEMENT OF A PENAL INSTITUTION, AND POSSIBLY THREATENS THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY.
The Resolution was ordered referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

On motion of Rep. MEACHAM-RICHARDSON, with unanimous consent, the following was taken up for immediate consideration:

H. 4674 (Word version) -- Rep. Meacham-Richardson: A HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE FORT MILL HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND OF FORT MILL HIGH SCHOOL IN YORK COUNTY, ITS BAND DIRECTOR, AND BAND AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS ON TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2000, AT A TIME TO BE DETERMINED BY THE SPEAKER FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING CONGRATULATED ON ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the privilege of the floor of the House of Representatives be extended to the Fort Mill High School Marching Band of Fort Mill High School in York County, its Band Director, and band and school officials on Tuesday, March 28, 2000, at a time to be determined by the Speaker for the purpose of being congratulated on its fiftieth anniversary.

The Resolution was adopted.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 4675 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrison, Wilkins, Allen, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Bowers, Breeland, G. Brown, H. Brown, J. Brown, T. Brown, Campsen, Canty, Carnell, Cato, Chellis, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Edge, Emory, Fleming, Frye, Gamble, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hamilton, Harrell, Harris, Harvin, Haskins, Hawkins, Hayes, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Inabinett, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kennedy, Kirsh, Klauber, Knotts, Koon, Lanford, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, Mack, Maddox, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McKay, M. McLeod, W. McLeod, McMahand, Meacham-Richardson, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinckney, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scott, Seithel, Sharpe, Sheheen, Simrill, F. Smith, J. Smith, R. Smith, D. Smith, Stille, Stuart, Taylor, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Vaughn, Walker, Webb, Whatley, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Witherspoon, Woodrum and Young-Brickell: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND HONOR CHIEF JUSTICE ERNEST A. FINNEY, JR., UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM AN EXEMPLARY CAREER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, A CAREER WHICH INCLUDED SERVICE AS A LEGISLATOR, A CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, AN ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, AND NOW, AS ITS CHIEF JUSTICE; TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANT ROLE HE HAS PLAYED IN SOUTH CAROLINA'S HISTORY LEADING THE WAY FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS SERVING IN PUBLIC LIFE IN THIS STATE; TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS LIFE-LONG WORK AND DEDICATION TO IMPROVING THE LIVES AND WELL-BEING OF ALL CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT STATE; AND TO FURTHER WISH HIM GODSPEED IN ALL OF HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, Ernest A. Finney, Jr., was born in Smithfield, Virginia, on March 29, 1931, to the late Ernest A. and Collen Godwin Finney and received his secondary education in the public schools of Washington, D.C. and South Carolina. He graduated cum laude from Claflin College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, and earned his Juris Doctor Degree from South Carolina State University School of Law; and

Whereas, he is married to the former Frances Davenport of Newberry. They have a daughter, Nikky Lynn, a professor at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky; two sons, Ernest III (Chip) and Jerry Leo, both of whom are lawyers in South Carolina; and two granddaughters, Amanda Catherine and Felicia Victoria; and

Whereas, Chief Justice Finney's career began in 1954 as a part-time lawyer and schoolteacher. He practiced law from 1955 to 1976 and earned the respect of the citizens of Sumter, as well as that of the entire State for his civil rights work and his strong work ethic. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1972 to 1976 as one of the first African-American legislators to serve in the General Assembly in the twentieth century. He founded the Legislative Black Caucus and served as its first chairman. He was elected Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit in 1976 becoming the State's first African-American circuit judge. He was elected associate justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court in 1985, again the first African-American to sit on the state's highest court in the twentieth century. On May 11, 1994, he was elected Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, the first African-American to serve as Chief Justice. He assumed this esteemed office on December 17, 1994; and

Whereas, the Chief Justice has been involved with numerous civic, educational, and professional organizations and is a member of the Bar associations on the local, state, and national levels. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Buena Vista Development Corporation, and serves on the Clafin College Board of Trustees, the University of South Carolina School of Law Minority Advisory Committee, is a past member of the Legal Responsibilities Committee of the United Methodist Church General Council on Finance and Administration, and a life member of the NAACP; and

Whereas, Chief Justice Finney is also affiliated with Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Masons and the Shriners. He is a member of the Emmanuel United Methodist Church; and

Whereas, he has been awarded Honorary Doctorate Degrees from the College of Charleston, Johnson C. Smith University, The Citadel, Claflin College, the University of South Carolina (Coastal Carolina College), Morris College, and South Carolina State University. He was honored in November, 1999, by being named the 1999 Public Servant of the Year at the Twentieth Annual Business Summit of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce; and

Whereas, the State has benefited in many ways because of Chief Justice Finney's twenty-four years of service to the public and the legal community. He is respected and admired by his colleagues who have publicly called him a "giant of the judicial system in South Carolina", and a "clarion voice for justice for all". Chief Justice Finney's career has been one that he can personally be proud to reflect on in the years to come. And, truly, it has been one that has changed the course of the State's history for the better. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly commend and honor Chief Justice Ernest A. Finney, Jr., upon his retirement from an exemplary career of public service, a career which included service as a legislator, a circuit court judge, an associate justice of the Supreme Court, and now, as its Chief Justice; recognize the important role he has played in South Carolina's history leading the way for African-Americans serving in public life in this State; commend him for his life-long work and dedication to improving the lives and well-being of all citizens of this great State, and wish him Godspeed in all of his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Chief Justice Ernest A. Finney, Jr.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

On motion of Rep. HARRIS, with unanimous consent, the following was taken up for immediate consideration:

H. 4676 (Word version) -- Rep. Harris: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION INVITING THE WINNERS OF THE 2000 JEAN LANEY HARRIS FOLK HERITAGE AWARDS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE 2000 JEAN LANEY HARRIS FOLK HERITAGE AWARDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO ATTEND A JOINT SESSION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE IN THE HALL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2000, AT 12:00 NOON AND TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE 2000 JEAN LANEY HARRIS FOLK HERITAGE AWARD WINNERS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO FOLK ART IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, in 1987 the General Assembly created the South Carolina Folk Heritage Awards, recently renamed the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards, to be presented each year by the General Assembly to South Carolina folk artists who have used their lives to create beauty and meaning for their communities and for their State in ways that are significant because their work has lasted, often for hundreds of years; and

Whereas, the winners of the 2000 Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards are citizens who have maintained and enriched the lives of all persons of their communities and of the State through their unique talents and through their substantial contributions to the traditional heritage of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the 2000 Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards Advisory Committee has performed its duties admirably. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly invite the winners of the 2000 Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards and the members of the 2000 Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards Advisory Committee to attend a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate in the Hall of the House of Representatives at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, April 26, 2000, and that the members of the General Assembly recognize and commend the 2000 Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards winners for their outstanding contributions to folk art in South Carolina.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

The following Bills and Joint Resolutions were introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committees:

H. 4677 (Word version) -- Rep. Harrison: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 17-3-310, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE COMMISSION ON INDIGENT DEFENSE, ITS MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS, SO AS TO RECONSTITUTE THE COMMISSION ON JULY 1, 2000, WITH NINE INSTEAD OF SEVEN MEMBERS, TO HAVE FOUR MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS ASSOCIATION AND FIVE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR FROM THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP OF ATTORNEYS LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE FOR STAGGERED TERMS, AND TO CAUSE THE TERMS OF THE PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION TO EXPIRE ON JULY 1, 2000.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary

H. 4678 (Word version) -- Rep. Harvin: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 50-11-31 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE HUNTING OF MIGRATORY WATERFOWL ON THAT PORTION OF LAKE MARION KNOWN AS POTATO CREEK WITHIN TWO HUNDRED YARDS OF A DWELLING OR MARINA WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE OWNER OR OCCUPANT, TO PROHIBIT BAITING IN THIS PORTION OF LAKE MARION, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

H. 4679 (Word version) -- Reps. Barfield, Bales, Hayes and Keegan: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-138 SO AS TO REQUIRE ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR EDTA CHELATION THERAPY ADMINISTERED BY A PHYSICIAN FOR TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND TO DEFINE "EDTA CHELATION THERAPY".
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry

H. 4680 (Word version) -- Rep. Hawkins: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOL DAYS MISSED ON JANUARY 24, 25, AND 26, 2000, BY THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND DURING SCHOOL YEAR 1999-2000 WHEN THE SCHOOL WAS CLOSED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE MAKE-UP REQUIREMENT OF THE DEFINED MINIMUM PLAN OR ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW THAT FULL SCHOOL DAYS MISSED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES BE MADE UP.
On motion of Rep. HAWKINS, with unanimous consent, the Joint Resolution was ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

H. 4681 (Word version) -- Rep. Davenport: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 23-9-55 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A BUILDING INSPECTOR MAY CONDUCT A FIRE AND SAFETY INSPECTION FOR A PUBLIC BUILDING AND SUBMIT HIS REPORT TO THE STATE FIRE MARSHALL.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry

H. 4682 (Word version) -- Reps. J. Smith and Klauber: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 59-114-30, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD TUITION ASSISTANCE GRANTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NO MEMBER MAY BE PAID MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS PER ACADEMIC YEAR AND A TOTAL OF EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS, THAT THE TUITION ASSISTANCE BENEFIT MUST BE USED WITHIN TEN YEARS OF THE MEMBER FIRST ENTERING THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD, AND TO REQUIRE A NEW APPLICATION FOR EACH ACADEMIC TERM; TO AMEND SECTION 59-114-40, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE, SO AS TO CHANGE THE SERVICE OBLIGATION OF A MEMBER BEYOND THE END OF THE ACADEMIC PERIOD FOR WHICH TUITION IS REQUESTED FROM TWO YEARS TO ONE YEAR; TO AMEND SECTION 59-114-50, RELATING TO ADMINISTRATION OF THE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE PERCENT OF THE TOTAL ANNUAL BUDGET MAY BE USED TO COVER ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF THE PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 59-114-70, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO MAKING TUITION ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TO APPLICANTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT TUITION ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS SHALL BE MADE TO ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS FOR CREDIT TO THE ACCOUNT OF THE MEMBER RATHER THAN DIRECTLY TO THE MEMBER, AND TO PROVIDE THAT ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS RECEIVING TUITION ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO ACCOUNT TO THE STATE AUDITOR FOR SUCH MONIES.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

H. 4684 (Word version) -- Rep. Jennings: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 9, TITLE 17, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EXTRADITION PROCEDURES, BY ADDING SECTION 17-9-15, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXTRADITION OF A PERSON WHO IS CHARGED IN THE REQUESTING STATE WITH COMMITTING AN ACT IN THIS STATE OR A THIRD STATE WHICH INTENTIONALLY RESULTED IN COMMITTING AN OFFENSE IN THE REQUESTING STATE.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary

H. 4685 (Word version) -- Rep. W. McLeod: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-23-10, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS OPERATORS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "OPERATOR" AND TO ADD DEFINITIONS RELATIVE TO PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS; TO AMEND SECTION 40-23-80, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO APPLICATIONS, RENEWAL, AND FEES FOR VARIOUS WATER SYSTEM TECHNICIANS AND OPERATORS, SO AS TO REQUIRE WELL DRILLER APPLICANTS TO POST A SURETY BOND; BY ADDING SECTION 40-23-230 SO AS TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR LICENSE ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL AND PROVISIONS FOR ISSUING CERTAIN CURRENT LICENSEES A LICENSE UNDER REVISIONS TO THIS CHAPTER; BY ADDING SECTION 40-23-280 SO AS TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR SURETY BONDS; AND BY ADDING SECTIONS 40-23-300, 40-23-305 AND 40-23-310 SO AS TO ESTABLISH CERTIFICATION CLASSIFICATIONS AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC WATER TREATMENT FACILITY OPERATORS AND PUBLIC WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FACILITY OPERATORS, AND TO REQUIRE LICENSURE CLASSIFICATION BASED ON THE TREATMENT PLANT WHERE THE PERSON IS EMPLOYED, ALL OF THE ABOVE PROVISIONS NECESSARY TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MANDATES FOR LICENSING WATER DISTRIBUTION OPERATORS.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

S. 1078 (Word version) -- Senator Leventis: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 33, TITLE 46, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SHIPMENT AND SALE OF TREES, PLANTS AND SHRUBS, BY ADDING SECTION 46-33-90, SO AS PROVIDE FOR NURSERY AND NURSERY DEALER REGISTRATION, PAYMENT OF REGISTRATION FEES ON A GRADUATED SCALE, EXEMPTIONS FROM PAYMENT OF FEES FOR CERTAIN GROWERS, ORGANIZATIONS, HOBBYISTS AND BACK YARD GARDENERS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR INCREASES IN THE AMOUNT OF REGISTRATION FEES REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

S. 1137 (Word version) -- Senator Grooms: A JOINT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE "FOXES" AS THE OFFICIAL MASCOT OF MACEDONIA MIDDLE SCHOOL IN BERKELEY COUNTY.
On motion of Rep. HINSON, with unanimous consent, the Joint Resolution was ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

H. 4680--ORDERED TO BE READ SECOND TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. HAWKINS, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 4680 be read the second time tomorrow.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

On motion of Rep. LOURIE, with unanimous consent, the following was taken up for immediate consideration:

H. 4683 (Word version) -- Reps. Lourie, Neilson, J. Smith, Stuart and W. McLeod: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA SILVERHAIRED LEGISLATURE TO USE THE CHAMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2000.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the South Carolina Silverhaired Legislature is authorized to use the Chamber of the South Carolina House of Representatives on Tuesday through Thursday, September 12 through September 14, 2000. If the House of Representatives is in statewide session, the House Chamber may not be used.

Be it further resolved that the use of the Chamber of the South Carolina House of Representatives by the South Carolina Silverhaired Legislature must be in strict accordance with the policies and rules of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

The Resolution was adopted.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 4686 (Word version) -- Rep. Meacham-Richardson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND REID COGGINS, AN EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT FROM FORT MILL, UPON BEING NAMED ONE OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S TOP TWO YOUTH VOLUNTEERS FOR THE YEAR 2000 IN THE PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 4687 (Word version) -- Rep. Meacham-Richardson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO THE FORT MILL HIGH SCHOOL BAND OF FORT MILL HIGH SCHOOL IN YORK COUNTY, AS IT CELEBRATES ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

The following was introduced:

H. 4688 (Word version) -- Reps. Seithel, Robinson, Allison, J. Brown, Hosey, Lourie, Parks, Rutherford, R. Smith and Whatley: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE FIRM BELIEF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT ALL TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FUNDS SHOULD BE EXCLUSIVELY COMMITTED TO HEALTH CARE AND HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PURPOSES AND RESOLVING TO TAKE SUCH STEPS AS NECESSARY TO MAKE THEIR POSITION KNOWN TO THE GOVERNOR AND TO ACTIVELY PURSUE THE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO ASSURE THAT THESE SETTLEMENT FUNDS ARE USED ACCORDINGLY.
The Concurrent Resolution was ordered referred to the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions.

ROLL CALL

The roll call of the House of Representatives was taken resulting as follows:

Allen                  Allison                Altman
Askins                 Bailey                 Bales
Barfield               Barrett                Bowers
Breeland               Brown, G.              Brown, H.
Brown, J.              Brown, T.              Campsen
Canty                  Carnell                Cato
Chellis                Cobb-Hunter            Cooper
Cotty                  Dantzler               Davenport
Delleney               Easterday              Edge
Emory                  Fleming                Frye
Gamble                 Gilham                 Govan
Hamilton               Harrell                Harris
Harrison               Harvin                 Haskins
Hawkins                Hayes                  Hines, J.
Hines, M.              Hinson                 Hosey
Howard                 Huggins                Inabinett
Jennings               Keegan                 Kelley
Kennedy                Kirsh                  Klauber
Knotts                 Koon                   Lanford
Law                    Leach                  Lee
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Lloyd
Loftis                 Lourie                 Lucas
Mack                   Maddox                 Martin
McCraw                 McGee                  McKay
McLeod, M.             McLeod, W.             McMahand
Meacham-Richardson     Miller                 Moody-Lawrence
Neal, J.M.             Neilson                Parks
Perry                  Phillips               Quinn
Rhoad                  Rice                   Riser
Robinson               Rodgers                Rutherford
Sandifer               Scott                  Sharpe
Sheheen                Simrill                Smith, D.
Smith, J.              Smith, R.              Stille
Taylor                 Townsend               Trotter
Walker                 Webb                   Whatley
Wilder                 Wilkes                 Wilkins
Witherspoon            Woodrum                Young-Brickell

STATEMENT OF ATTENDANCE

I came in after the roll call and was present for the Session on Thursday, February 24.

Amos Gourdine                     James Battle
Clementa Pinckney                 Harry Ott
Joseph Neal                       William Clyburn
Fletcher Smith
Total Present--118

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER granted Rep. TRIPP a leave of absence for the day.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER granted Rep. F. SMITH a temporary leave of absence.

CO-SPONSORS ADDED

In accordance with House Rule 5.2 below:
"5.2     Every bill before presentation shall have its title endorsed; every report, its title at length; every petition, memorial, or other paper, its prayer or substance; and, in every instance, the name of the member presenting any paper shall be endorsed and the papers shall be presented by the member to the Speaker at the desk. After a bill or resolution has been presented and given first reading, no further names of co-sponsors may be added. A member may add his name to a bill or resolution or a co-sponsor of a bill or resolution may remove his name at any time prior to the bill or resolution receiving passage on second reading. The member or co-sponsor shall notify the Clerk of the House in writing of his desire to have his name added or removed from the bill or resolution. The Clerk of the House shall print the member's or co-sponsor's written notification in the House Journal. The removal or addition of a name does not apply to a bill or resolution sponsored by a committee."

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:     H. 3863 (Word version)
Date:     ADD:
02/24/00     HAWKINS

CO-SPONSOR ADDED

Bill Number:     H. 3863 (Word version)
Date:     ADD:
02/24/00     KNOTTS

ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bills and Joint Resolution were taken up, read the second time, and ordered to a third reading:

H. 4665 (Word version) -- Rep. Klauber: A BILL TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS WHO RESIDE IN AND ATTEND A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN GREENWOOD COUNTY WHO PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC SOCCER OR AS A MEMBER OF A SCHOOL SOCCER SQUAD MAY PARTICIPATE IN ORGANIZED SOCCER WHICH IS INDEPENDENT OF THE CONTROL OF THE SCHOOL UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A SCHOOL OR STUDENT IN THOSE SCHOOLS IS NOT INELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION IN INTERSCHOLASTIC SOCCER BECAUSE OF THE PARTICIPATION OF THE STUDENT OF THE SCHOOL AS A MEMBER OF AN ORGANIZED SOCCER TEAM INDEPENDENT OF THE SCHOOL'S CONTROL.

H. 4668 (Word version) -- Reps. Walker, Allison, Davenport, Hawkins, Lanford, Lee, Littlejohn and D. Smith: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOL DAYS MISSED ON JANUARY 24 AND 25, 2000, BY THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF SPARTANBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, AND 7 DURING SCHOOL YEAR 1999-2000 WHEN THE SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER AND THE SCHOOL DAY MISSED ON JANUARY 26, 2000, BY THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF SPARTANBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 4 WHEN THE SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE MAKE-UP REQUIREMENT OF THE DEFINED MINIMUM PLAN THAT FULL SCHOOL DAYS MISSED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES BE MADE UP.

S. 1026 (Word version) -- Senators McConnell, Matthews, Courtney, Patterson, Reese, Hayes, Jackson and Passailaigue: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-1-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN TITLE 40 PERTAINING TO INSURANCE, SO AS TO ADD THE DEFINITIONS FOR "EXEMPT COMMERCIAL POLICIES"; TO AMEND SECTION 38-31-100, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ORDER IN WHICH CLAIMANTS MUST EXHAUST THEIR RIGHTS UNDER INSURANCE POLICIES WHEN A CLAIMANT HAS COVERAGE UNDER MORE THAN ONE POLICY, SO AS TO ESTABLISH LIMITS ON THE AMOUNT A CLAIMANT MAY COLLECT FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION IF THE CLAIM IS AGAINST AN INSOLVENT INSURER; TO AMEND SECTION 38-61-20, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO REQUIRING AN INSURER TO HAVE ALL POLICIES, CONTRACTS, AND CERTIFICATES APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THIS PARTICULAR REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO EXEMPT COMMERCIAL POLICIES; BY ADDING SECTION 38-61-25 SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR EXEMPT COMMERCIAL POLICIES, CONTRACTS, AND CERTIFICATES; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PURPOSE OF THE CHAPTER REGULATING PROPERTY, CASUALTY, INLAND MARINE, AND SURETY RATES AND RATE-MAKING ORGANIZATIONS, SO AS TO INCLUDE IN THESE PURPOSES PROVIDING FOR REASONABLE COMPETITION AMONG COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURERS OF INSUREDS MAKING LARGE INSURANCE PURCHASES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 38-73-340 AND 38-73-520, BOTH AS AMENDED, AND BOTH RELATING TO REQUIRING INSURERS TO FILE RATES AND RATING SCHEDULES AND PLANS, SO AS TO EXEMPT LARGE COMMERCIAL POLICIES FROM THIS REQUIREMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-910, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING A RATE INCREASE, SO AS TO EXEMPT COMMERCIAL POLICIES FROM THESE PROCEDURES.

Rep. CATO explained the Bill.

H. 4665--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. KLAUBER, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 4665 be read the third time tomorrow.

H. 4668--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. WALKER, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 4668 be read the third time tomorrow.

S. 1026--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. CATO, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that S. 1026 be read the third time tomorrow.

SENT TO THE SENATE

The following Bill and Joint Resolution were taken up, read the third time, and ordered sent to the Senate:

H. 4441 (Word version) -- Reps. Cato, Cooper and Tripp: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-1-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN TITLE 40 PERTAINING TO INSURANCE, SO AS TO ADD THE DEFINITIONS FOR "EXEMPT COMMERCIAL POLICIES"; TO AMEND SECTION 38-31-100, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ORDER IN WHICH CLAIMANTS MUST EXHAUST THEIR RIGHTS UNDER INSURANCE POLICIES WHEN A CLAIMANT HAS COVERAGE UNDER MORE THAN ONE POLICY, SO AS TO ESTABLISH LIMITS ON THE AMOUNT A CLAIMANT MAY COLLECT FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION IF THE CLAIM IS AGAINST AN INSOLVENT INSURER; TO AMEND SECTION 38-61-20, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO REQUIRING AN INSURER TO HAVE ALL POLICIES, CONTRACTS, AND CERTIFICATES APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THIS PARTICULAR REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO EXEMPT COMMERCIAL POLICIES; BY ADDING SECTION 38-61-25 SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR EXEMPT COMMERCIAL POLICIES, CONTRACTS, AND CERTIFICATES; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PURPOSE OF THE CHAPTER REGULATING PROPERTY, CASUALTY, INLAND MARINE, AND SURETY RATES AND RATE-MAKING ORGANIZATIONS, SO AS TO INCLUDE IN THESE PURPOSES PROVIDING FOR REASONABLE COMPETITION AMONG COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURERS OF INSUREDS MAKING LARGE INSURANCE PURCHASES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 38-73-340 AND 38-73-520, BOTH AS AMENDED, AND BOTH RELATING TO REQUIRING INSURERS TO FILE RATES AND RATING SCHEDULES AND PLANS, SO AS TO EXEMPT LARGE COMMERCIAL POLICIES FROM THIS REQUIREMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 38-73-910, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING A RATE INCREASE, SO AS TO EXEMPT COMMERCIAL POLICIES FROM THESE PROCEDURES.

H. 4660 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE SURPLUS FISCAL YEAR 1998-99 GENERAL FUND REVENUES.

H. 4127--DEBATE ADJOURNED

Rep. TOWNSEND moved to adjourn debate upon the following Bill until Wednesday, March 1, which was adopted:

H. 4127 (Word version) -- Reps. Stuart, Cobb-Hunter, Gamble, Harris, J. Hines, Jennings, Lee, Littlejohn, Moody-Lawrence, Neilson, Ott, Rodgers, Simrill and Woodrum: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, AS AMENDED, BY ADDING SECTION 59-67-546 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MAY ALLOW AN INDIVIDUAL TO RIDE A STATE-OWNED SCHOOL BUS OPERATED ON STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROVED ROUTES ON A SPACE-AVAILABLE BASIS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND MAY ALLOW THE USE OF STATE-OWNED SCHOOL BUSES IN CONJUNCTION WITH A NON-SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITY OR PROGRAM UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE THAT THIS PROVISION MUST NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A WAIVER OR ABROGATION OF THE STATE'S LIMITED IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY AND SUIT UNDER THE STATE'S TORT CLAIMS ACT, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD SHALL INDEMNIFY THE STATE AGAINST LEGAL CLAIMS FILED AGAINST THE STATE DUE TO CERTAIN NEGLIGENT ACTS PERFORMED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.

S. 924--REQUESTS FOR DEBATE

The following Joint Resolution was taken up:

S. 924 (Word version) -- Senators Setzler, Moore, Mescher, Saleeby, Thomas, Giese, Courson, Short, Bauer, O'Dell, Alexander, Land, Washington, Elliott, Holland, Reese, Leatherman, Passailaigue, Hayes, McConnell, Leventis, Rankin and Glover: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT UP TO THREE SCHOOL DAYS MISSED ON EITHER SEPTEMBER 14, 15, 16, OR 17, 1999, BY THE STUDENTS OF ANY SCHOOL OF ANY DISTRICT OF THIS STATE DURING SCHOOL YEAR 1999-2000 WHEN THE SCHOOL WAS CLOSED DUE TO HURRICANE FLOYD ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE MAKE-UP REQUIREMENT OF THE DEFINED MINIMUM PLAN THAT FULL SCHOOL DAYS MISSED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES BE MADE UP.

The Education and Public Works Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\PT\AMEND\1847DW00):
Amend the joint resolution, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION     1.     Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, for the 1999-2000 school year, local school boards may excuse up to three school days missed because of snow, ice, or other extreme weather conditions. All other school days missed because of snow, ice, or extreme weather conditions must be made up. Should local legislation be enacted to excuse days missed from school, additional days to exceed a total of three shall not be granted by the local school board. No make-up days for students may be scheduled on Saturdays. However, remedial instruction for grades 7 through 12 may be taught on Saturday at the direction of the local school board.
SECTION     2.     This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Amend title to conform.

Rep. WALKER explained the amendment.
Rep. ALTMAN spoke against the amendment.

Reps. SHEHEEN, ROBINSON, SIMRILL, ALTMAN, RICE, TROTTER, LOFTIS, BALES, J. BROWN, WILDER, SCOTT, LITTLEJOHN, MOODY-LAWRENCE, MCMAHAND and DAVENPORT requested debate on the Joint Resolution.

H. 4657--REQUESTS FOR DEBATE

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 4657 (Word version) -- Education and Public Works Committee: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-135 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF TRUSTEES ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP POLICIES ADDRESSING CHARACTER EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE POLICIES SHALL BE DEVELOPED, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL FURNISH ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THIS REGARD.

Reps. SHEHEEN, BALES, MOODY-LAWRENCE, WALKER, ROBINSON, J. SMITH and COBB-HUNTER requested debate on the Bill.

H. 4205--AMENDED AND ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 4205 (Word version) -- Rep. Stille: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 59-101-190, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEANS' COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL DOCTOR EDUCATION, SO AS TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE COMMITTEE TO THE DEANS' COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL EDUCATION, TO REVISE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE, THE MANNER IN WHICH THE CHAIRMAN IS SELECTED, AND THE FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE.

The Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\BBM\AMEND\9273STD00), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 59-101-190 as contained in SECTION 1, page 2, on lines 1 and 2, by deleting /selected by the other six members of the deans' committee listed above/ and inserting /appointed by the Commission on Higher Education /, and line 5, after /qualify./ by inserting / In making these appointments, the Commission on Higher Education, to the extent possible, shall ensure geographic representation of all regions of the State./
When amended, Section 59-101-190 reads:

/"Section 59-101-190.     There is hereby created a Dean's Deans' Committee on Medical Doctor Education consisting of seven (7) nine members as follows:

(1)     President, University of South Carolina or his designee;

(2)     President, Medical University of South Carolina or his designee;

(3)     Dean or acting dean, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina;

(4)     Dean or acting dean, School of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina;

(5)     Governor of South Carolina or his appointee two members appointed by the Commission on Higher Education, one of whom must be a physician with experience in medical education and one of whom must be a representative of the business community;

(6)     Chairman, Commission on Higher Education, or his appointee three members of the Area Health Education Consortium medical education director's committee, who shall represent graduate medical education, to be appointed by the Commission on Higher Education.

The terms of the members selected under items (5) and (6) above shall be for four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. In making these appointments, the Commission on Higher Education, to the extent possible, shall ensure geographic representation of all regions of the State. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner of original appointment.

(7)     An appointee of the Veteran's Administration

The purpose of the committee shall be to establish an active liaison between the two schools of medicine, to study and make proposals as to the feasibility of sharing services and resources so as to minimize duplication of administrative and research functions, to assist in the coordination of graduate medical education of interns and residents at the respective institutions and at affiliated community hospitals, and upon request, to serve in an advisory capacity to the General Assembly and its committees, to the Budget and Control Board, to other institutions of higher education, and to any hospital operating a graduate medical education program.

The intent of the General Assembly in establishing this committee is to help assure that the future growth and development of both schools of medicine will be coordinated so as to achieve maximum effectiveness, and further to help assure that the administrative functions and mechanisms are coordinated so as to achieve the highest possible degree of operational efficiency. It is not the intent of the General Assembly to merge the two Schools of Medicine or to place either school in a position of control over the other.

The Committee shall meet for organizational purposes before July 31, 1976, and at least quarterly thereafter. The committee shall elect a chairman and any other officers as deemed necessary by the committee.

The Commission on Higher Education will furnish adequate meeting space or secretarial assistance upon request of the committee.

The Deans' Committee on Medical Education may also contain nonvoting members invited to attend meetings by the committee on an ad hoc basis. The chairmanship of the deans' committee shall alternate between the Dean of the School of Medicine of the University of South Carolina and the Dean of the College of Medicine of the Medical University of South Carolina. The term of the chairman shall be two years, and the committee at its first meeting after the effective date of this provision shall determine by majority vote the person who will first serve as chairman. Meetings shall be held at least quarterly during each year.

The purpose of the committee is to ensure and coordinate the development and implementation of a strategic plan for effective and efficient medical education, research, and related clinical service programs to best meet the needs of the State of South Carolina. Adoption of the strategic plan shall require at least one vote of a member representing USC and MUSC and a total of at least seven votes of the entire committee. Any strategic plan approved by the deans' committee also must be approved by the Commission on Higher Education if it contains any proposal for the consolidation, elimination, or change of medical education programs.

The committee shall report to the Commission on Higher Education through the commission's Committee on Academic Affairs. The deans' committee shall provide oversight of the Area Health Education Consortium and the consortium of teaching hospitals by reviewing and approving its strategic plan and budget. The Commission on Higher Education shall furnish adequate meeting space and professional and secretarial assistance for the committee." /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. WILDER explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

H. 4205--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. WILDER, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 4205 be read the third time tomorrow.

H. 4541--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 4541 (Word version) -- Reps. Wilkins, Cato, Harrison, Simrill, Haskins, Edge, Quinn, Altman, Knotts, Fleming, Barrett, Gamble, Law, Townsend, Taylor, McGee, Koon, Allison, Barfield, Chellis, Davenport, Easterday, Frye, Harrell, Klauber, Leach, Littlejohn, McKay, Meacham-Richardson, Rice, Riser, Rodgers, Sandifer, Tripp, Trotter, Walker, Witherspoon, Woodrum and Young-Brickell: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 54-3-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE METHOD OF APPOINTMENT AND TERMS OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA PORTS AUTHORITY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON MAY NOT BE APPOINTED OR CONTINUE TO SERVE ON THE BOARD, WHO IS OR BECOMES A MEMBER, ASSOCIATE, REPRESENTATIVE, OR EMPLOYEE OF A LABOR UNION OR SIMILAR ORGANIZATION IF THE PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES OF THE UNION OR ORGANIZATION ARE PORTS RELATED.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. COBB-HUNTER made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

H. 4545--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 4545 (Word version) -- Reps. Sandifer, Barrett, Cato and Trotter: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 58-9-2540, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FOR MONITORING THE STATEWIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY ACCESS SERVICE FOR HEARING AND SPEECH-IMPAIRED PERSONS AND FOR HEARING AND VISUALLY-IMPAIRED PERSONS, SO AS TO ADD REPRESENTATIVES TO THE COMMITTEE FROM THE NATIONAL FEDERATION FOR THE BLIND OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND.

Rep. SANDIFER explained the Bill.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. SCOTT made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

H. 4550--POINT OF ORDER

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 4550 (Word version) -- Reps. Sandifer, G. Brown, Askins, Bailey, Barrett, Canty, Cato, Chellis, Davenport, Edge, Fleming, Frye, Gilham, Govan, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Hosey, Howard, Keegan, Kelley, Kirsh, Lanford, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Martin, McCraw, M. McLeod, W. McLeod, Meacham-Richardson, Moody-Lawrence, Perry, Phillips, Quinn, Rodgers, J. Smith, R. Smith, Stille, Tripp, Trotter, Walker, Webb, Wilder, Young-Brickell, Neilson, Emory and J. M. Neal: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 55, TITLE 39, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CEMETERIES, SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA PERPETUAL CARE CEMETERY BOARD UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION; TO CONFORM THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER TO THE STATUTORY ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK ESTABLISHED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL BOARDS UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT; AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF CEMETERY COMPANIES.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. COBB-HUNTER made the Point of Order that the Bill was improperly before the House for consideration since its number and title have not been printed in the House Calendar at least one statewide legislative day prior to second reading.
The SPEAKER sustained the Point of Order.

S. 565--REQUESTS FOR DEBATE WITHDRAWN

Reps. LEACH and DAVENPORT withdrew their requests for debate on S. 565; however, other requests for debate remained on the Bill.

MOTION PERIOD

The motion period was dispensed with on motion of Rep. RICE.

S. 120--RECOMMITTED

Debate was resumed on the following Bill, the pending question being the consideration of the Bill:

S. 120 (Word version) -- Senator Mescher: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-17-700, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO TATTOOING, SO AS TO PERMIT TATTOOING OF PERSONS OVER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE PURSUANT TO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTING TRANSMISSION OF INFECTION AND GUIDELINES FOR PREVENTION OF TRANSMISSION OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS AND HEPATITIS B VIRUS PROMULGATED BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, OR EQUIVALENT GUIDELINES DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, TO REQUIRE NOTICE TO PATRONS INFORMING THEM OF ANY DISQUALIFICATION WHICH TATTOOING MAY CONFER UPON A PROSPECTIVE BLOOD DONOR, AND TO INCLUDE THIS NOTICE IN ANY INFORMED CONSENT OR RELEASE FORM, TO REQUIRE PROOF OF AGE FROM A PROSPECTIVE TATTOO RECIPIENT, TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT REASONABLE RELIANCE OF PROOF OF AGE IS A DEFENSE TO AN ACTION BROUGHT UNDER THIS SECTION; AND TO AMEND CHAPTER 17, TITLE 16, RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC POLICY, BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-705 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN WHO IS TATTOOED IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 16-17-700(A)(1) MAY BRING AN ACTION AGAINST THE PERSON CONVICTED OF THE VIOLATION TO RECOVER ACTUAL AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES PLUS COSTS AND ATTORNEY'S FEES.

Rep. KNOTTS moved to recommit the Bill.

Rep. J. BROWN moved to table the motion.

Rep. MEACHAM-RICHARDSON demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Yeas 12; Nays 96

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Askins                 Hines, J.              Inabinett
Mack                   McLeod, W.             McMahand
Moody-Lawrence         Perry                  Rutherford
Sheheen                Smith, J.              Wilkes

Total--12

Those who voted in the negative are:

Allen                  Allison                Altman
Bailey                 Bales                  Barfield
Barrett                Battle                 Bowers
Breeland               Brown, G.              Brown, H.
Brown, J.              Campsen                Carnell
Cato                   Chellis                Cobb-Hunter
Cooper                 Cotty                  Dantzler
Davenport              Delleney               Easterday
Edge                   Fleming                Frye
Gamble                 Gilham                 Gourdine
Govan                  Hamilton               Harrell
Harris                 Harrison               Harvin
Haskins                Hawkins                Hines, M.
Hinson                 Hosey                  Howard
Huggins                Jennings               Keegan
Kelley                 Kennedy                Kirsh
Klauber                Knotts                 Koon
Leach                  Lee                    Limehouse
Littlejohn             Lloyd                  Loftis
Lourie                 Lucas                  Maddox
McCraw                 McGee                  McKay
McLeod, M.             Meacham-Richardson     Miller
Neal, J.H.             Neilson                Ott
Parks                  Phillips               Pinckney
Quinn                  Rhoad                  Rice
Riser                  Robinson               Rodgers
Sandifer               Scott                  Seithel
Sharpe                 Simrill                Smith, D.
Smith, R.              Stille                 Taylor
Trotter                Walker                 Webb
Whatley                Wilder                 Wilkins
Witherspoon            Woodrum                Young-Brickell

Total--96

So, the House refused to table the motion.

The question then recurred to the motion to recommit the Bill, which was agreed to.

H. 4582--ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Joint Resolution was taken up:

H. 4582 (Word version) -- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, RELATING TO TERRITORY AND CERTIFICATES OF SEWERAGE UTILITIES AND WATER UTILITIES, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 2432, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE.

Rep. PINCKNEY proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\DKA\AMEND\3722MM00), which was ruled out of order:
Amend the joint resolution, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
/ SECTION .     The Confederate Flag shall be removed from atop the State House, from the front ground floor foyer of the State House, and from the chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. PINCKNEY explained the amendment.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. CATO raised the Point of Order that Amendment No. 1 was out of order in that it was not germane to the Joint Resolution.
SPEAKER WILKINS sustained the Point of Order and ruled the amendment out of order.

Rep. SANDIFER explained the Joint Resolution.

Pursuant to Rule 7.7 the Yeas and Nays were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 86; Nays 0

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allen                  Altman                 Askins
Bailey                 Bales                  Barfield
Barrett                Battle                 Brown, G.
Brown, H.              Brown, J.              Campsen
Carnell                Cato                   Chellis
Clyburn                Cobb-Hunter            Cooper
Cotty                  Dantzler               Davenport
Delleney               Edge                   Fleming
Frye                   Gamble                 Gilham
Govan                  Harris                 Harrison
Harvin                 Hawkins                Hayes
Hines, J.              Hines, M.              Hinson
Hosey                  Huggins                Inabinett
Jennings               Keegan                 Kelley
Kirsh                  Knotts                 Koon
Lanford                Leach                  Littlejohn
Lloyd                  Loftis                 Lourie
Lucas                  Mack                   Maddox
McCraw                 McLeod, M.             McLeod, W.
Meacham-Richardson     Miller                 Moody-Lawrence
Neilson                Ott                    Parks
Pinckney               Quinn                  Rice
Riser                  Robinson               Rodgers
Rutherford             Sandifer               Scott
Seithel                Sharpe                 Sheheen
Simrill                Smith, J.              Smith, R.
Taylor                 Trotter                Walker
Webb                   Whatley                Wilkins
Woodrum                Young-Brickell

Total--86

Those who voted in the negative are:

Total--0

So, the Joint Resolution was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

POINT OF ORDER ON MOTION TO RECONSIDER

The motion of Rep. J. BROWN to reconsider the vote whereby the following Bill was recommitted was taken up:

S. 120 (Word version) -- Senator Mescher: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 16-17-700, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO TATTOOING, SO AS TO PERMIT TATTOOING OF PERSONS OVER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE PURSUANT TO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTING TRANSMISSION OF INFECTION AND GUIDELINES FOR PREVENTION OF TRANSMISSION OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS AND HEPATITIS B VIRUS PROMULGATED BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, OR EQUIVALENT GUIDELINES DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, TO REQUIRE NOTICE TO PATRONS INFORMING THEM OF ANY DISQUALIFICATION WHICH TATTOOING MAY CONFER UPON A PROSPECTIVE BLOOD DONOR, AND TO INCLUDE THIS NOTICE IN ANY INFORMED CONSENT OR RELEASE FORM, TO REQUIRE PROOF OF AGE FROM A PROSPECTIVE TATTOO RECIPIENT, TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT REASONABLE RELIANCE OF PROOF OF AGE IS A DEFENSE TO AN ACTION BROUGHT UNDER THIS SECTION; AND TO AMEND CHAPTER 17, TITLE 16, RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC POLICY, BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-705 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN WHO IS TATTOOED IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 16-17-700(A)(1) MAY BRING AN ACTION AGAINST THE PERSON CONVICTED OF THE VIOLATION TO RECOVER ACTUAL AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES PLUS COSTS AND ATTORNEY'S FEES.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. SHEHEEN raised the Point of Order that the motion to reconsider the Bill was out of order under Section 456 of Mason's Manual in that the motion to recommit the Bill to committee was not subject to reconsideration as the motion to recommit is a procedural motion.
SPEAKER WILKINS sustained the Point of Order and ruled that the motion to reconsider the motion to recommit was out of order.

H. 3555--AMENDED AND ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 3555 (Word version) -- Reps. Allison and Rodgers: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-95 SO AS TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL AND A FELONY TO INFLICT OR TO KNOWINGLY ALLOW A PERSON TO INFLICT GREAT BODILY HARM UPON A CHILD AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.

The Judiciary Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\NBD\AMEND\11731AC00), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/SECTION     1.     Section 16-3-85 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 412 of 1992, is amended to read:

"Section 16-3-85.         (A)     A person is guilty of homicide by child abuse who if the person:

(1)     causes the death of a child under the age of eleven while committing child abuse or neglect, as defined in Section 20-7-490 and the death occurs under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life; or

(2)     knowingly aids and abets another person to commit child abuse or neglect, as defined in Section 20-7-490 and the child abuse or neglect results in the death of a child under the age of eleven.

(B)     For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)     'child abuse or neglect' means an act or omission by any person which causes harm to the child's physical health or welfare.

(2)     'harm' to a child's health or welfare occurs when a person:

(a)     inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon the child physical injury, including injuries sustained as a result of excessive corporal punishment;

(b)     fails to supply the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or health care, and the failure to do so causes a physical injury or condition resulting in death; or

(c)     abandons the child resulting in the child's death.

(B)(C)     Homicide by child abuse is a felony and a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to homicide by child abuse:

(1)     under subsection (A)(1) may be imprisoned for life but not less than a term of twenty years; or

(2)     under subsection (A)(2) must be imprisoned for a term not exceeding twenty years nor less than ten years.

(C)(D)     In sentencing a person under this section, the judge shall must consider any aggravating circumstances, including, but not limited to, a defendant's past pattern of child abuse or neglect of a child under the age of eleven, and any mitigating circumstances; however, a child's crying does not constitute provocation so as to be considered a mitigating circumstance."
SECTION     2.     The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 16-3-95.         (A)     It is unlawful to:

(1)     inflict great bodily injury upon a child; or

(2)     knowingly allow another person to inflict great bodily injury upon a child.

(B)     A person who violates:

(1)     subsection (A)(1) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than twenty years; or

(2)     subsection (A)(2) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years.

(C)     For purposes of this section, 'great bodily injury' means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious or permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

(D)     This section may not be construed to prohibit corporal punishment or physical discipline which is administered by a parent or person in loco parentis in a manner which does not cause great bodily injury upon a child.

(E)     This section does not apply to traffic accidents unless the accident was caused by the driver's reckless disregard for the safety of others."
SECTION     3.     This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.

Rep. JENNINGS explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

Rep. PINCKNEY proposed the following Amendment No. 2 (Doc Name COUNCIL\DKA\AMEND\3723MM00), which was ruled out of order:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
/ SECTION .     The Confederate Flag shall be removed from atop the State House, from the front ground floor foyer of the State House, and from the chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. PINCKNEY explained the amendment.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. ALTMAN raised the Point of Order that Amendment No. 2 was out of order in that it was not germane to the Bill.
SPEAKER WILKINS sustained the Point of Order and ruled the amendment out of order.

Pursuant to Rule 7.7 the Yeas and Nays were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 92; Nays 0

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allison                Altman                 Askins
Bailey                 Bales                  Barrett
Bowers                 Breeland               Brown, G.
Brown, H.              Brown, T.              Campsen
Cato                   Chellis                Clyburn
Cobb-Hunter            Cooper                 Cotty
Dantzler               Delleney               Easterday
Edge                   Emory                  Fleming
Gamble                 Gourdine               Govan
Hamilton               Harrell                Harris
Harrison               Haskins                Hawkins
Hayes                  Hines, J.              Hines, M.
Hinson                 Hosey                  Huggins
Jennings               Keegan                 Kelley
Kirsh                  Klauber                Knotts
Leach                  Lee                    Limehouse
Littlejohn             Loftis                 Lourie
Lucas                  Mack                   Maddox
McCraw                 McGee                  McKay
McLeod, M.             McLeod, W.             McMahand
Meacham-Richardson     Miller                 Moody-Lawrence
Neal, J.H.             Neal, J.M.             Neilson
Parks                  Perry                  Quinn
Rhoad                  Rice                   Rodgers
Rutherford             Sandifer               Scott
Seithel                Sharpe                 Sheheen
Simrill                Smith, D.              Smith, J.
Smith, R.              Stille                 Taylor
Townsend               Trotter                Walker
Wilder                 Wilkes                 Wilkins
Woodrum                Young-Brickell

Total--92

Those who voted in the negative are:

Total--0

So, the Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

OBJECTION TO MOTION

Rep. JENNINGS asked unanimous consent that H. 3555 be read a third time tomorrow.
Rep. SCOTT objected.

H. 4469--AMENDED AND ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 4469 (Word version) -- Reps. D. Smith, Harrison, Cotty, Delleney, Maddox and McGee: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 13, TITLE 16, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FORGERY, LARCENY, AND SIMILAR OFFENSES, BY ADDING SECTION 16-13-550 ENTITLED THE "PERSONAL INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT OF 2000" SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF IDENTITY FRAUD WHICH IS THE KNOWING ACCESS TO, RELEASE, DISCLOSURE, OR USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL WITHOUT OBTAINING THE PRIOR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES; AND TO PROVIDE FOR A JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY PERSONAL INFORMATION PRIVACY ISSUES, TO PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP, AND TO PROVIDE THE STUDY COMMITTEE SHALL REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY OCTOBER 15, 2000.

The Judiciary Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\SKB\AMEND\18184SOM00), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTIONS 2 and 3 and inserting:
/ SECTION     2.     Chapter 13, Title 16 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 16-13-550.         (A)     As used in this section:

(1)         'Identity fraud' means the actual use of personal information, except in compliance with subsection (C).

(2)         'Person' means a state or local government agency or agency employee, business or nonprofit entity or its employees, service providers, their subsidiaries and affiliates.

(3)         'Personal information' means social security numbers, driver's license numbers, checking account numbers, savings account numbers, credit card numbers, debit card numbers, personal identification numbers, electronic identification numbers, digital signatures, medical records, information relating to or any other information which may be used to access an individual's financial resources or medical records.

(B)     Except as provided in subsection (C) and notwithstanding any other state statute, it is illegal for a person to knowingly access, attempt to access, release, disclose, use, or otherwise make available personal information about an individual without obtaining the prior written authorization of that individual.

(C)     Personal information may be accessed, released, disclosed, used or made available under the following conditions:

(1)         with the prior written authorization of the individual;

(2)         for use by any government agency, including a court or law enforcement agency, in carrying out its statutory functions;

(3)         pursuant to a valid court order subpoena, warrant, levy, or other court decree or directive;

(4)         in lawful compliance with the requirements of a federal statute or regulation;

(5)         for the lawful acquisition, release, disclosure, or use by a person for the purposes of carrying out a bona fide credit, commercial or consumer transaction initiated by, with or without written authorization, the rightful owner of the personal information;

(6)         by a person regulated under Title 38 of the 1976 Code for the purposes of paying or adjudicating claims, underwriting or rating coverage, preventing fraud and abuse, credentialing providers, authorizing health care services, reviewing the quality or utilization of services, or carrying out any other duties allowed by Title 38;

(7)         by a licensed member of the South Carolina Bar when preparing to provide or directly providing legal services to a client; or

(8)         when all or substantially all of the property or assets of a business are sold, exchanged, or disposed of pursuant to Title 33 of the 1976 Code, or when all or substantially all of the property or assets of a sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization, joint venture, syndicate, business trust, or any other legal business entity are otherwise sold, exchanged, or disposed of, so as to modify ownership of all or substantially all of the property or assets of that business.

(D)     A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court, but not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars, or be imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. The court may also order restitution to the victim of identity fraud pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-25-322.

(E)     In a criminal proceeding brought pursuant to this section, the crime is considered to have been committed in any county in which a part of the identity fraud took place, in any county where the personal information was accessed, or in the county where the victim of identity fraud resides.

(F)     This section may not be construed to impede, restrict or prohibit the First Amendment rights of any legitimate member of the press to disclose personal information covered under this section or to affect any civil cause of action existing under state statutory or common law which may otherwise be brought against a member of the press for the acquisition or disclosure of that personal information.

(g)     This section may not be construed to apply to any financial institution or entity defined in or required to comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act or the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act, 113, Stat. 1338."
SECTION     3.     (A)     A joint legislative study committee is created to study personal information privacy issues, to examine the relationship of information technology and privacy issues, and to seek to establish an appropriate balance which promotes the use of information for legitimate business purposes, including biometric technology for use in preventing identity theft and fraud, while safeguarding the personal privacy rights of the citizens of South Carolina.

(B)     The joint legislative study committee shall be composed of fifteen members to include:

(1)         three members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee;

(2)         three members of the Senate to be appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee;

(3)         two members of the media, one to be appointed by the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and one to be appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee;

(4)         one member of the South Carolina Merchants Association to be jointly appointed by the Chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees;

(5)         the representative of the National Organization Mandating Equitable Databases or if that organization chooses not to participate, then a representative of a similar personal privacy protection advocacy group to be jointly appointed by the Chairmen of the House and Senate judiciary committees;

(6)         two consumer victims of identity fraud, one to be appointed by the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and one to be appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee; and

(7)         three members of the financial services industry, one to be appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, one to be appointed by the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and one to be jointly appointed by both Chairmen.

(C)     The study committee shall submit its report to the General Assembly no later than October 15, 2000, at which time the committee shall be dissolved.

(D)     The study committee shall be staffed by personnel as provided and assigned by the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee from the House staff and by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee from the Senate staff."     /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. D. SMITH explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

Rep. GOVAN proposed the following Amendment No. 2 (Doc Name COUNCIL\PSD\AMEND\7075SOM00), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 3, page (4469-4), line 5, by striking / Chairmen. / and inserting / Chairmen; and two representatives of consumer protection organizations to be jointly appointed by both Chairmen.     /
Amend title to conform.

Rep. GOVAN explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

Reps. D. SMITH, McGEE and COTTY proposed the following Amendment No. 3 (Doc Name PSD\AMEND\7079SOM00), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 16-13-550(C)(6), in SECTION 2, page (4469-2), line 23, by striking / by Title 38; / and inserting / by Title 38 or other functions or acts allowed by federal statute or regulation; /
Amend title to conform.

Rep. COTTY explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

Rep. PINCKNEY proposed the following Amendment No. 4 (Doc Name COUNCIL\DKA\AMEND\3724MM00), which was ruled out of order:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
/ SECTION .     The Confederate Flag shall be removed from atop the State House, from the front ground floor foyer of the State House, and from the chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. HARRISON raised the Point of Order that Amendment No. 4 was out of order in that it was not germane to the Bill.
SPEAKER WILKINS sustained the Point of Order and ruled the amendment out of order.

Pursuant to Rule 7.7 the Yeas and Nays were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 88; Nays 0

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allison                Altman                 Askins
Bailey                 Bales                  Barrett
Brown, G.              Brown, H.              Brown, T.
Campsen                Carnell                Cato
Chellis                Clyburn                Cotty
Dantzler               Davenport              Delleney
Easterday              Edge                   Emory
Fleming                Frye                   Gamble
Gourdine               Govan                  Hamilton
Harrell                Harrison               Harvin
Haskins                Hawkins                Hines, M.
Hinson                 Hosey                  Huggins
Jennings               Kelley                 Kirsh
Klauber                Knotts                 Koon
Law                    Leach                  Lee
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Lloyd
Loftis                 Lourie                 Lucas
Maddox                 McCraw                 McGee
McLeod, M.             McLeod, W.             Meacham-Richardson
Miller                 Moody-Lawrence         Neal, J.M.
Neilson                Parks                  Phillips
Quinn                  Rhoad                  Rice
Riser                  Robinson               Rodgers
Rutherford             Sandifer               Seithel
Sharpe                 Sheheen                Simrill
Smith, D.              Smith, J.              Smith, R.
Taylor                 Townsend               Trotter
Webb                   Whatley                Wilder
Wilkes                 Wilkins                Woodrum
Young-Brickell

Total--88

Those who voted in the negative are:

Total--0

So, the Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

H. 4469--ORDERED TO BE READ THIRD TIME TOMORROW

On motion of Rep. HARRISON, with unanimous consent, it was ordered that H. 4469 be read the third time tomorrow.

H. 3863--AMENDED AND ORDERED TO THIRD READING

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 3863 (Word version) -- Reps. Campsen, Altman, Barrett, Beck, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Gilham, Hamilton, Haskins, Klauber, Leach, Loftis, Mason, Rice, Robinson, Sharpe, Simrill, R. Smith, Taylor, Vaughn, Hawkins and Knotts: A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 3, TITLE 16, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST A PERSON, BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-90, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT FOR PURPOSES OF ALL OFFENSES ARISING OUT OF THE UNLAWFUL KILLING OR BATTERY OF ANY PERSON, THE TERM "PERSON" INCLUDES AN UNBORN CHILD AT EVERY STAGE OF GESTATION IN UTERO FROM CONCEPTION UNTIL LIVE BIRTH, AND TO PROVIDE FOR EXCLUSIONS.

The Judiciary Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\SWB\AMEND\5055DJC00), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/SECTION 1.     This act may be cited and referred to as the "Unborn Victims Act".
SECTION 2.     Article 1, Chapter 5, Title 15 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 15-5-5.     For purposes of a civil cause of action, 'person' includes an unborn child at every stage of gestation in utero from conception until live birth."
SECTION 3.     Article 1, Chapter 3, Title 16 of the 1976 Code, is amended by adding:

"Section 16-3-90.     (A)     For purposes of all offenses arising out of the unlawful killing or battery of any 'person' or of 'another' in this chapter, the terms 'person' and 'another' include an unborn child at every stage of gestation in utero from conception until live birth.

(B)     Nothing in this section applies to a mother's right to privacy, to a lawful medical procedure performed by a physician or other licensed medical professional at the request of the mother of an unborn child or the mother's legal guardian, or to the lawful dispensation or administration of lawfully prescribed medication."
SECTION 4.     Section 50-21-10(20) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 181 of 1993, is further amended to read:

"(20)     'Person' means an individual, a partnership, a firm, a corporation, an association, or other legal entity. For purposes of all offenses arising out of the death or injury of any 'person' in this article, 'person' also includes an unborn child at every stage of gestation in utero from conception until live birth."
SECTION 5.     Article 1, Chapter 21, Title 50 of the 1976 Code, is amended by adding:

"Section 50-21-180.     For purposes of all offenses arising out of the death or injury of any 'person' in this article, the term 'person' includes an unborn child at every stage of gestation in utero from conception until live birth."
SECTION 6.     Article 23, Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code, is amended by adding:

"Section 56-5-2915.     For purposes of all offenses arising out of the death or injury of any 'person' in this article, the term 'person' includes an unborn child at every stage of gestation in utero from conception until live birth."
SECTION 7.     If any section, or provision of this act is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, it does not affect the remaining provisions of this act and all provisions of this act are hereby declared to be severable from other provisions.
SECTION 8.     The repeal or Amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.
SECTION 9.     This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. JENNINGS explained the amendment.

Rep. MOODY-LAWRENCE moved to table the amendment.

Rep. DAVENPORT demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Yeas 11; Nays 87

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Brown, T.              Cotty                  Hines, J.
Hines, M.              Howard                 Lee
Lloyd                  McMahand               Moody-Lawrence
Scott                  Woodrum

Total--11

Those who voted in the negative are:

Allen                  Allison                Altman
Askins                 Bailey                 Bales
Barfield               Barrett                Bowers
Brown, H.              Campsen                Carnell
Cato                   Chellis                Cooper
Dantzler               Davenport              Delleney
Easterday              Edge                   Emory
Fleming                Frye                   Gamble
Gilham                 Gourdine               Hamilton
Harris                 Harrison               Harvin
Haskins                Hawkins                Hayes
Hinson                 Huggins                Jennings
Keegan                 Kelley                 Kennedy
Kirsh                  Klauber                Knotts
Koon                   Lanford                Law
Leach                  Limehouse              Littlejohn
Loftis                 Lourie                 Lucas
Maddox                 Martin                 McCraw
McGee                  McKay                  McLeod, W.
Meacham-Richardson     Miller                 Neal, J.M.
Neilson                Ott                    Parks
Quinn                  Rhoad                  Rice
Riser                  Rutherford             Sandifer
Seithel                Sharpe                 Sheheen
Simrill                Smith, D.              Smith, J.
Smith, R.              Stille                 Taylor
Townsend               Trotter                Walker
Webb                   Whatley                Wilder
Wilkes                 Wilkins                Witherspoon

Total--87

So, the House refused to table the amendment.

The question then recurred to the adoption of the amendment, which was agreed to.

Rep. PINCKNEY proposed the following Amendment No. 2 (Doc Name COUNCIL\DKA\AMEND\3725MM00), which was ruled out of order:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
/ SECTION .     The Confederate Flag shall be removed from atop the State House, from the front ground floor foyer of the State House, and from the chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. RICE raised the Point of Order that Amendment No. 2 was out of order in that it was not germane to the Bill.
SPEAKER WILKINS sustained the Point of Order and ruled the amendment out of order.

Pursuant to Rule 7.7 the Yeas and Nays were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 82; Nays 18

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allen                  Allison                Altman
Askins                 Bailey                 Bales
Barfield               Barrett                Brown, G.
Brown, H.              Campsen                Carnell
Cato                   Chellis                Cooper
Davenport              Delleney               Easterday
Edge                   Emory                  Fleming
Frye                   Gamble                 Gilham
Hamilton               Harrell                Harris
Harrison               Harvin                 Haskins
Hawkins                Hayes                  Hinson
Huggins                Jennings               Keegan
Kirsh                  Klauber                Knotts
Koon                   Law                    Leach
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Loftis
Lourie                 Lucas                  Maddox
McCraw                 McGee                  McKay
McLeod, W.             Meacham-Richardson     Neal, J.M.
Neilson                Ott                    Perry
Phillips               Quinn                  Rhoad
Rice                   Riser                  Robinson
Rutherford             Seithel                Sharpe
Sheheen                Simrill                Smith, D.
Smith, J.              Smith, R.              Stille
Taylor                 Townsend               Trotter
Walker                 Webb                   Whatley
Wilder                 Wilkins                Witherspoon
Young-Brickell

Total--82

Those who voted in the negative are:

Breeland               Brown, J.              Brown, T.
Dantzler               Govan                  Hines, J.
Hines, M.              Hosey                  Howard
Inabinett              Lee                    Mack
McLeod, M.             Parks                  Pinckney
Rodgers                Wilkes                 Woodrum

Total--18

So, the Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

RECORD FOR VOTING

I was unable to be present today as my daughter was having surgery. Had I been present I would have voted in favor of H. 3863.
Rep. Dan Tripp

H. 4450--INTERRUPTED DEBATE

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 4450 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrison, Cato, Wilkins, Sharpe, Jennings, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Bowers, G. Brown, H. Brown, Carnell, Cooper, Dantzler, Davenport, Easterday, Edge, Gamble, Harrell, Harris, Harvin, Haskins, Hawkins, Hinson, Huggins, Keegan, Kelley, Kirsh, Klauber, Knotts, Koon, Lanford, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lourie, Mack, Maddox, Martin, McCraw, McGee, M. McLeod, W. McLeod, McMahand, Meacham-Richardson, Miller, Ott, Phillips, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Sandifer, Seithel, Simrill, D. Smith, J. Smith, R. Smith, Taylor, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Walker, Wilder, Wilkes, Witherspoon, Woodrum, Young-Brickell, Vaughn, Law, Stuart and Emory: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 15, TITLE 56, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO REGULATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND DEALERS, BY ADDING SECTION 56-15-45 SO AS TO PROHIBIT OWNERSHIP, OPERATION, OR CONTROL OF COMPETING DEALERSHIPS BY A MANUFACTURER OR FRANCHISOR EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, PROHIBIT UNFAIR COMPETITION BY A MANUFACTURER OR FRANCHISOR AGAINST A FRANCHISEE, DEFINE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT GIVING RISE TO A PRESUMPTION OF UNFAIR COMPETITION, AND EXEMPT SALES BY MANUFACTURERS OR FRANCHISORS TO THEIR EMPLOYEES AND TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT; BY ADDING SECTION 56-15-46 SO AS TO REQUIRE WRITTEN NOTICE TO A CURRENT DEALERSHIP OF THE INTENTION OF A FRANCHISOR TO RELOCATE AN EXISTING DEALERSHIP OR TO ESTABLISH A NEW DEALERSHIP IN THE SAME MARKET AREA, PROVIDE GROUNDS FOR INJUNCTION OF THAT ESTABLISHMENT OR RELOCATION, AND PROVIDE FOR EXCEPTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 56-15-60, RELATING TO DEALERS' CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION, SO AS TO LIMIT THE AUDIT PERIOD FOR INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAMS AND PROHIBIT THE DENIAL, DELAY, OR RESTRICTION OF A CLAIM PAYMENT UNLESS THE CLAIM IS MATERIALLY DEFECTIVE; AND BY ADDING SECTION 56-15-140 SO AS TO GRANT JURISDICTION FOR ACTIONS FILED PURSUANT TO THIS ACT TO THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE PLAINTIFF DEALERSHIP HAS ITS PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS AND ESTABLISH RESIDENCE OF THE DEFENDANT ENTITIES IN THAT COUNTY FOR VENUE PURPOSES, NOTWITHSTANDING AN AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY.

Rep. PINCKNEY proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\DKA\AMEND\3726MM00), which was ruled out of order:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:
/ SECTION .     The Confederate Flag shall be removed from atop the State House, from the front ground floor foyer of the State House, and from the chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

POINT OF ORDER

Rep. CATO raised the Point of Order that Amendment No. 1 was out of order in that it was not germane to the Bill.
SPEAKER WILKINS sustained the Point of Order and ruled the amendment out of order.

Rep. LAW explained the Bill.

Rep. CAMPSEN proposed the following Amendment No. 2 (Doc Name COUNCIL\BBM\AMEND\9268MM00), which was tabled:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 2, Section 56-15-45, page 3, lines 25 through 43, by deleting subsections (C) and (D) in their entirety.
Amend the bill further, beginning on line 2, page 4 through line 43 on page 5, by deleting Section 56-15-46 in its entirety.
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

Rep. CAMPSEN explained the amendment.
Rep. CAMPSEN spoke in favor of the amendment.

Rep. KNOTTS moved to table the amendment, which was agreed to.

Rep. MCKAY moved to adjourn debate on the Bill.

Rep. TROTTER moved to table the motion.

Rep. SCOTT demanded the yeas and nays which were taken, resulting as follows:

Yeas 67; Nays 36

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Allen                  Allison                Altman
Askins                 Bailey                 Barfield
Battle                 Bowers                 Brown, G.
Brown, H.              Carnell                Cato
Chellis                Dantzler               Davenport
Delleney               Edge                   Fleming
Frye                   Gamble                 Gourdine
Harris                 Harrison               Harvin
Hawkins                Hinson                 Huggins
Jennings               Keegan                 Kennedy
Kirsh                  Knotts                 Koon
Law                    Lee                    Limehouse
Littlejohn             Loftis                 Maddox
Martin                 McCraw                 McLeod, M.
McMahand               Meacham-Richardson     Neal, J.M.
Phillips               Rhoad                  Riser
Rodgers                Sandifer               Seithel
Sharpe                 Sheheen                Simrill
Smith, D.              Smith, R.              Stille
Taylor                 Townsend               Trotter
Walker                 Whatley                Wilder
Wilkins                Witherspoon            Woodrum
Young-Brickell

Total--67

Those who voted in the negative are:

Barrett                Breeland               Brown, T.
Campsen                Cotty                  Easterday
Emory                  Gilham                 Hamilton
Harrell                Haskins                Hayes
Hines, J.              Hines, M.              Hosey
Howard                 Kelley                 Klauber
Leach                  Lloyd                  Lucas
Mack                   McGee                  McKay
McLeod, W.             Moody-Lawrence         Neilson
Parks                  Perry                  Pinckney
Rice                   Robinson               Rutherford
Scott                  Smith, J.              Webb

Total--36

So, the motion to adjourn debate was tabled.

Rep. CATO moved that the House do now adjourn, which was agreed to.

Further proceedings were interrupted by adjournment the pending question being consideration of amendments.

ADJOURNMENT

At 12:00 noon the House, in accordance with the motion of Rep. COOPER, adjourned in memory of Jake Rogers, to meet at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.

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