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H. 3697
STATUS INFORMATION
Joint Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Hinson, E.H. Pitts, Agnew, Altman, Brady, Ceips, Dantzler, Davenport, Duncan, Hagood, Harrell, Herbkersman, Hiott, Merrill, Neilson, Owens, M.A. Pitts, Scarborough, Skelton, D.C. Smith, F.N. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.R. Smith, Talley, Taylor, Toole, Umphlett, Vaughn, Whitmire and Young
Document Path: l:\council\bills\ggs\22965htc05.doc
Companion/Similar bill(s): 427
Introduced in the House on March 3, 2005
Currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary
Summary: General Assembly sessions
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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3/3/2005 House Introduced and read first time HJ-17
3/3/2005 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-17
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 9 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO SESSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AFTER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENES ON THE SECOND TUESDAY IN JANUARY OF EACH YEAR, THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY RECEDE FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED THIRTY CALENDAR DAYS, UNLESS EXTENDED BY A TWO-THIRDS VOTE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT EACH BODY MAY PROVIDE FOR MEETINGS DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AS IT CONSIDERS APPROPRIATE; AND TO AMEND ARTICLE III BY DELETING SECTION 21, WHICH PROVIDES THAT NEITHER HOUSE, DURING THE SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SHALL WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OTHER ADJOURN FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS, NOR ADJOURN TO MEET IN ANOTHER PLACE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. It is proposed that Article III, Section 9 of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:
"Section 9. The annual session of the General Assembly heretofore elected, fixed by the Constitution of the year Eighteen hundred and Sixty-eight to convene on the fourth Tuesday of November, in the year Eighteen hundred and Ninety-five, is hereby postponed, and the same shall be convened and held in the city of Columbia on the second Tuesday of January, in the year Eighteen hundred and Ninety-six. The first session of the General Assembly elected under this Constitution shall convene in Columbia on the second Tuesday in January, in the year Eighteen hundred and Ninety-seven, and thereafter annually at the same time and place must convene at the State House in the City of Columbia on the second Tuesday of January of each year. After the convening of the General Assembly, nothing in this section prohibits the Senate or the House of Representatives, or both, from receding for a period not to exceed thirty calendar days, unless this time is extended by a two-thirds vote of the members of the house of the General Assembly seeking to recede for an extended period of time. Each body may provide for meetings during the legislative session as it considers appropriate. Provided, That the Furthermore, the Senate and the House of Representatives shall may meet on the first Tuesday following the certification of the election of its members for not more than three days following the general election in even-numbered years for the purpose of organizing. Should If the casualties of war or contagious disease render it unsafe to meet at the seat of government, then the Governor may, by proclamation, may appoint a more secure and convenient place of meeting. Members of the General Assembly shall not receive any compensation for more than forty days of any one session. Provided, That this limitation shall not affect the first four sessions of the General Assembly under this Constitution."
SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballots:
"Must Article III, Section 9 of the Constitution of this State be amended so as to provide that the annual session of the General Assembly shall convene on the second Tuesday in January, but that each body may recede for a period of time to be determined by that body, and provide for meetings as each body considers appropriate, to provide for an organizational session for the Senate in those years in which the membership of the Senate is elected and to delete obsolete language relating to earlier sessions of the General Assembly?
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'."
SECTION 3. It is proposed that Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended by deleting Section 21, which reads:
"Section 21. Neither house, during the session of the General Assembly, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which it shall be at the time sitting."
SECTION 4. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballots:
"Must Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended by deleting Section 21 which provides that neither house of the General Assembly shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor shall it adjourn to meet in another place?
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'."
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