South Carolina General Assembly
119th Session, 2011-2012

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Bill 3249

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

POLLED OUT OF COMMITTEE

MAJORITY FAVORABLE WITH AMENDMENT

May 26, 2011

H. 3249

Introduced by Reps. G.M. Smith, Taylor and G.R. Smith

S. Printed 5/26/11--S.

Read the first time March 15, 2011.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3249) to amend Section 61-6-4020, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the transportation of alcoholic liquors in a motor vehicle, so as to clarify, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

Has polled the Bill out with amendment, to wit:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting the following:

/    SECTION    1.    Section 61-6-4020 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 61-6-4020.        (A)    A person who is twenty-one years of age or older may transport lawfully acquired alcoholic liquors to and from a place where alcoholic liquors may be lawfully possessed or consumed; but if. If the cap or seal on the container has been opened or broken, it is unlawful to transport the liquors in a motor vehicle, except in the a trunk, luggage compartment, or cargo area that is separate and distinct from the driver's and passengers' compartments. For purposes of this exception, the luggage compartment or cargo area is not required to be a closed trunk that is accessible only from the exterior of the motor vehicle. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. For purposes of this section, alcoholic liquors means all distilled spirits regardless of the percentage of alcohol by volume that they contain.

(B)    Sections 61-6-4290 and 61-6-4300 do not apply to violations of this section, including violations prior to the effective date of this section."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.        /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-4020, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE TRANSPORTATION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT OR CARGO AREA IN WHICH ONE MAY LAWFULLY TRANSPORT A CONTAINER OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR WITH A BROKEN OR OPENED SEAL OR CAP IS NOT LIMITED TO A CLOSED TRUNK THAT IS ACCESSIBLE ONLY FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE SO LONG AS THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT OR CARGO AREA IS SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FROM THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGERS' COMPARTMENTS; AND TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON'S DRIVER'S LICENSE MAY NOT BE SUSPENDED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION.

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

SECTION    1.    Section 61-6-4020 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 61-6-4020.    (A)    A person who is twenty-one years of age or older may transport lawfully acquired alcoholic liquors to and from a place where alcoholic liquors may be lawfully possessed or consumed; but if the cap or seal on the container has been opened or broken, it is unlawful to transport the liquors in a motor vehicle, except in the a trunk, luggage compartment, or cargo area that is separate and distinct from the driver's and passengers' compartments. For purposes of this exception, the luggage compartment or cargo area is not required to be a closed trunk that is accessible only from the exterior of the motor vehicle. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. A person's driver's license may not be suspended for a violation of this section. For purposes of this section, alcoholic liquors means all distilled spirits regardless of the percentage of alcohol by volume that they contain.

(B)    Section 61-6-4290 and 61-6-4300 do not apply to violations of this statute."

SECTION    2.    A person whose driver's license is currently suspended due solely to a violation of Section 61-6-4020 is eligible for immediate reinstatement upon payment of the reinstatement fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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