South Carolina General Assembly
123rd Session, 2019-2020
Journal of the Senate

                                                    NO. 23

JOURNAL

OF THE

SENATE

OF THE

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

REGULAR SESSION BEGINNING TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2020

_________

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Thursday, February 20, 2020
(Statewide Session)

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 11:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the PRESIDENT.

A quorum being present, the proceedings were opened with a devotion by the Chaplain as follows:

Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it." KJV

Let us Pray. Lord God, You are our creator and provider and we seek You earnestly for that which guides our minds and sustains our souls. You have blessed us and given us dominion over Your creation and it is an awesome responsibility. But nowhere do we feel the weight of this responsibility more than when we witness the birth of a child...for our children will be the beneficiaries of what we say, what we do, what we teach and the values we demonstrate during their formative years.

We lift up to You, Lord, all those who will play a vital role in the instruction of these children: parents, teachers, coaches, community leaders and state officials. We humbly ask You, O God, to inspire our legislators with wisdom and imagination to make decisions that will strengthen our education system so that all our children will have a future that is rich with opportunities and rewards. It is in Your holy name that we pray, Amen.

The PRESIDENT called for Petitions, Memorials, Presentments of Grand Juries and such like papers.

REGULATIONS WITHDRAWN AND RESUBMITTED

The following were received:
Document No. 4905
Agency: Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation - Board of Funeral Service
Chapter: 57
Statutory Authority: 1976 Code Sections 40-1-70 and 40-19-60
SUBJECT: Inspection Guidelines
Received by Lieutenant Governor January 14, 2020
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
Legislative Review Expiration May 13, 2020
Withdrawn and Resubmitted February 19, 2020

Document No. 4953
Agency: Department of Health and Environmental Control
Chapter: 61
Statutory Authority: 1976 Code Sections 44-7-260 et seq.
SUBJECT: Standards for Licensing Renal Dialysis Facilities
Received by Lieutenant Governor January 14, 2020
Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs
Legislative Review Expiration May 13, 2020
Withdrawn and Resubmitted February 19, 2020

Leave of Absence

At 11:37 A.M., Senator ALEXANDER requested a leave of absence for Senator LEATHERMAN until 1:00 P.M.

Leave of Absence

At 11:37 A.M., Senator CROMER requested a leave of absence for Senator CAMPBELL for the day.

Leave of Absence

At 11:53 A.M., Senator MARTIN requested a leave of absence for the balance of the day.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator HUTTO rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

Expression of Personal Interest

Senator KIMPSON rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.

CO-SPONSORS ADDED

The following co-sponsors were added to the respective Bills:
S. 879 (Word version)       Sen.     Reese
S. 1071 (Word version)     Sens.   Cash and Gambrell

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

The following were introduced:

S. 1119 (Word version) -- Senator Gambrell: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE WREN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACHES ON THEIR IMPRESSIVE WIN OF THE 2019 CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND TO SALUTE THE PLAYERS ON AN UNFORGETTABLE SEASON.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.

S. 1120 (Word version) -- Senator Fanning: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE UPON THE PASSING OF MARY LEE HENDRIX OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.

S. 1121 (Word version) -- Senators Hutto and M. B. Matthews: A BILL TO CONSOLIDATE HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1 AND HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2 INTO ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO BE KNOWN AS THE HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT; TO ABOLISH HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1 AND HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2 ON JULY 1, 2021; TO PROVIDE THAT THE HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT MUST BE GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONSISTING OF SEVEN MEMBERS, WHICH INITIALLY MUST BE APPOINTED BY THE HAMPTON COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, AND BEGINNING IN 2022, THE SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE BY A PLURALITY VOTE OF THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS RESIDING IN HAMPTON COUNTY IN NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS TO BE CONDUCTED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE GENERAL ELECTION AND EVERY TWO OR FOUR YEARS THEREAFTER, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS ACT TO STAGGER THE MEMBERS' TERMS; TO ESTABLISH THE BOARD'S POWERS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT IS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF THE DISTRICT AND IS RESPONSIBLE TO THE BOARD FOR THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF ALL AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT AND SUBJECT TO ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF LAW RELATING TO HIS DUTIES; TO INCLUDE INTERIM MILLAGE PROVISIONS FOR YEARS 2021 AND 2022, AND TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING IN 2023, THE GOVERNING BODY OF HAMPTON COUNTY SHALL APPROVE AN ANNUAL TAX LEVY IN ORDER TO OBTAIN FUNDS FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES AS PROVIDED IN THIS ACT.
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Read the first time and ordered placed on the Local and Uncontested Calendar.

H. 3197 (Word version) -- Reps. Govan, S. Williams, Garvin, Jefferson and R. Williams: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO ENACT THE "STUDENT LOAN BILL OF RIGHTS ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 103, TITLE 59, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF STUDENT EDUCATION LOAN SERVICERS BY THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Education.

H. 3455 (Word version) -- Reps. Stavrinakis, D. C. Moss, Jefferson, R. Williams, Hixon and Sandifer: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 40-11-410, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CLASSIFICATIONS AND SUBCLASSIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTOR LICENSES SUBJECT TO REGULATION BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONTRACTORS' LICENSING BOARD, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE LICENSURE OF RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOL CONTRACTORS, AND TO REVISE THE SCOPE OF REGULATED FUNCTIONS TO INCLUDE POOL FOUNDATIONS.

Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.

H. 4655 (Word version) -- Reps. Gilliard, Robinson, Clyburn and Thigpen: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO URGE OUR FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, ALONG WITH CHURCHES AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, TO ACCELERATE THEIR EFFORTS TO ASSIST THE HOMELESS IN LIGHT OF THE NATION'S ECONOMY AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Family and Veterans' Services.

H. 4656 (Word version) -- Reps. King, Brawley, Hosey and Simrill: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF CRAWFORD ROAD IN YORK COUNTY FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH HAMPTON ROAD TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH HECKLE BOULEVARD IN YORK COUNTY "BROTHER DAVID BOONE MEMORIAL ROAD" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY CONTAINING THESE WORDS.

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 4762 (Word version) -- Rep. S. Williams: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ERECT SIGNS ALONG THE PORTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 63 IN HAMPTON COUNTY FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 278 TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH BROOKWOOD DRIVE CONTAINING THE WORDS "HOME OF DWIGHT SMITH #7 ATLANTA BRAVES WORLD SERIES CHAMPION 1995".

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 4820 (Word version) -- Rep. Gilliam: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF UNION BOULEVARD FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 49 TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE DUNCAN BYPASS AND CONTINUING ALONG INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE DUNCAN BYPASS TO SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 49 IN UNION COUNTY "REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" IN HONOR OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., AND ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS OR MARKERS ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY CONTAINING THESE WORDS.

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 4929 (Word version) -- Rep. McDaniel: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE BRIDGE ON WATEREE ROAD WHERE IT CROSSES THE WATEREE CREEK "JERRY NEALY BRIDGE" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THE DESIGNATION.

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

H. 5040 (Word version) -- Reps. Garvin, Rutherford, Bales, Ballentine, Bernstein, Brawley, Finlay, Hart, Howard, McDaniel, Rose and Thigpen: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE INTERSECTION LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF LADY STREET AND MILLWOOD AVENUE IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA "REVEREND BLAKELY N. SCOTT INTERSECTION" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS OR MARKERS AT THIS INTERSECTION CONTAINING THESE WORDS.

The Concurrent Resolution was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

Message from the House

Columbia, S.C., February 20, 2020

Mr. President and Senators:

The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it insists upon the amendments proposed by the House to:

H. 4411 (Word version) -- Reps. Clemmons, Anderson, Crawford, McGinnis, Hardee, Bailey and Fry: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-320, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN HORRY COUNTY, SO AS TO DELETE FOUR PRECINCTS, TO ADD EIGHT PRECINCTS, AND TO REDESIGNATE THE MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THE NAMES OF THESE PRECINCTS MAY BE FOUND AND MAINTAINED BY THE REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE.
asks for a Committee of Conference, and has appointed Reps. Fry, Crawford and Hardee to the committee on the part of the House.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House

Received as information.

H. 4411--CONFERENCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED

Whereupon, Senators SABB, WILLIAMS and GOLDFINCH and were appointed to the Committee of Conference on the part of the Senate and a message was sent to the House accordingly.

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE

The following appointment was transmitted by the Honorable James H. Lucas:

Statewide Appointment

Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Ethics Commission, with the term to commence April 1, 2020, and to expire April 1, 2025
House - Minority:
Alonzo J Holloway, 116 Wynfield Ct., Columbia, SC 29210

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

HOUSE CONCURRENCES

S. 818 (Word version) -- Senator J. Matthews: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 178 FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE ORANGEBURG/DORCHESTER COUNTY LINE TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 15 "COUNCILMAN WILLIE RICHARD DAVIS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY CONTAINING THESE WORDS.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

S. 1113 (Word version) -- Senators Cromer, Massey and Shealy: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE MRS. MELISSA RAWL UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AS PRINCIPAL OF LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL, TO COMMEND HER FOR HER MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE YOUTH OF THIS STATE, AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS TO COME.

Returned with concurrence.

Received as information.

Motion Adopted

Senator MASSEY asked unanimous consent to make a motion to proceed to the third reading uncontested statewide calendar and upon completion of the third reading calendar, return to the Interrupted Debate.

There was no objection.

THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO A CALL OF THE UNCONTESTED LOCAL AND STATEWIDE CALENDAR.

HOUSE BILL RETURNED

The following Bill was read the third time and ordered returned to the House with amendments.

H. 4944 (Word version) -- Reps. Tallon, Allison, Chumley, Forrester, Henderson-Myers, Hyde, Long and Magnuson: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-490, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SO AS TO ADD THE BROOME HIGH SCHOOL PRECINCT, TO ELIMINATE THE CLIFDALE ELEMENTARY PRECINCT, AND TO UPDATE THE MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THE NAMES OF THESE PRECINCTS MAY BE FOUND AND MAINTAINED BY THE REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE.

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 43; Nays 0

AYES

Alexander                 Allen                     Bennett
Campsen                   Cash                      Climer
Corbin                    Cromer                    Davis
Fanning                   Gambrell                  Goldfinch
Gregory                   Grooms                    Harpootlian
Hembree                   Hutto                     Jackson
Johnson                   Kimpson                   Loftis
Malloy                    Martin                    Massey
Matthews, John            Matthews, Margie          McLeod
Nicholson                 Peeler                    Rankin
Reese                     Rice                      Sabb
Scott                     Senn                      Setzler
Shealy                    Sheheen                   Talley
Turner                    Verdin                    Williams
Young

Total--43

NAYS
Total--0

There being no further amendments, the Bill, as amended, was read the third time, passed and ordered returned to the House of Representatives with amendments.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN, AMENDED
READ THE THIRD TIME, SENT TO THE HOUSE

S. 867 (Word version) -- Senator Campsen: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-13-35, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE NOTICE OF GENERAL, MUNICIPAL, SPECIAL, AND PRIMARY ELECTIONS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE NOTICE TO STATE THAT THE PROCESS OF EXAMINING THE RETURN-ADDRESSED ENVELOPES CONTAINING THE ABSENTEE BALLOTS MAY BEGIN AT 9:00 A.M. ON THE CALENDAR DAY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING ELECTION DAY; TO AMEND SECTION 7-15-420, RELATING TO THE RECEIPT, TABULATION, AND REPORTING OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROCESS OF EXAMINING THE RETURN-ADDRESSED ENVELOPES THAT HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS MAY BEGIN AT 9:00 A.M. ON THE CALENDAR DAY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING ELECTION DAY; TO AMEND SECTION 7-15-470, RELATING TO ABSENTEE BALLOTS OTHER THAN PAPER BALLOTS, SO AS TO MODIFY THE REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO OBTAIN THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION CERTIFICATION BEFORE USING A NONPAPER-BASED VOTING MACHINE OR VOTING SYSTEM FOR IN-PERSON ABSENTEE VOTING; TO REQUIRE THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION TO IMPLEMENT A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO ITS ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES TO ALLOW FOR CHALLENGES TO ABSENTEE VOTES CAST USING THE MACHINES IN AN EQUIVALENT MANNER TO CHALLENGES TO ABSENTEE VOTES CAST ON ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES IN THE 2018 GENERAL ELECTION; AND TO PROVIDE THAT SECTIONS 1, 2, AND 3 OF THIS ACT ARE REPEALED ON JANUARY 1, 2021.

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the Bill.

The Committee on Judiciary proposed the following amendment (JUD0867.003), which was withdrawn:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 4, by striking SECTION 5 in its entirety and inserting therein:

/     SECTION   5.   The amendments contained in SECTIONS 1, 2, and 3 of this act are repealed on December 31, 2021, and the text of these SECTIONS therefore shall revert back to the language as contained in the South Carolina Code of Laws as of January 23, 2020.     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

The amendment was withdrawn.

Senators CAMPSEN and MASSEY proposed the following amendment (JUD0867.008) , which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, beginning on page 2, by striking SECTION 2 in its entirety and inserting therein:

/     SECTION   2.   Section 7-15-420 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-15-420.   (A)   The county board of voter registration and elections, municipal election commission, or executive committee of each municipal party in the case of municipal primary elections is responsible for the tabulation and reporting of absentee ballots.

(B)   At 9:00 a.m. on the calendar day immediately preceding election day, the managers appointed pursuant to Section 7-5-10, and in the presence of any watchers who have been appointed pursuant to Section 7-13-860, may begin the process of examining the return-addressed envelopes that have been received by the county board of voter registration and elections making certain that each oath has been properly signed and witnessed and includes the address of the witness. All return-addressed envelopes received by the county board of voter registration and elections before the time for closing the polls must be examined in this manner. A ballot may not be counted unless the oath is properly signed and witnessed nor may any ballot be counted which is received by the county board of voter registration and elections after time for closing of the polls. The printed instructions required by Section 7-15-370(2) to be sent each absentee ballot applicant must notify him that his vote will not be counted in either of these events. If a ballot is not challenged, the sealed return-addressed envelope must be opened by the managers, and the enclosed envelope marked 'Ballot Herein' removed and placed in a locked box or boxes.

(C)   After all return-addressed envelopes have been emptied in this manner, but no earlier than 9:00 a.m. on election day, the managers shall remove the ballots contained in the envelopes marked 'Ballot Herein', placing each one in the ballot box provided for the applicable contest.

(D)   Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on election day, the absentee ballots may be tabulated, including any absentee ballots received on election day before the polls are closed. If any ballot is challenged, the return-addressed envelope must not be opened, but must be put aside and the procedure set forth in Section 7-13-830 must be utilized; but the absentee voter must be given reasonable notice of the challenged ballot. Results of the tabulation must not be publicly reported until after the polls are closed."

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, by striking SECTIONS 5 and 6, lines 4-7 on page 4 and inserting:

/   SECTION 5.   To amend Section 7-15-330 of the 1976 Code of Laws to read:

"To vote by absentee ballot, a qualified elector or a member of his immediate family must request an application to vote by absentee ballot in person, by telephone, or by mail from the county board of voter registration and elections, or at an extension office of the board of voter registration and elections as established by the county governing body, for the county of the voter's residence. A person requesting an application for a qualified elector as the qualified elector's authorized representative must request an application to vote by absentee ballot in person or by mail only and must himself be a registered voter and must sign an oath to the effect that he fits the statutory definition of a representative. This signed oath must be kept on file with the board of voter registration and elections until the end of the calendar year or until all contests concerning a particular election have been finally determined, whichever is later. A candidate or a member of a candidate's paid campaign staff, including volunteers reimbursed for time expended on campaign activity, is not allowed to request applications for absentee voting for any person designated in this section unless the person is a member of the immediate family. A request for an application to vote by absentee ballot may be made anytime during the calendar year in which the election in which the qualified elector desires to be permitted to vote by absentee ballot is being held. However, completed applications must be returned to the county board of voter registration and elections in person or by mail before 5:00 p.m. on the fourth day before the day of the election. Applications must be accepted by the county board of voter registration and elections until 5:00 p.m. on the day immediately preceding the election for those who appear in person and are qualified to vote absentee pursuant to Section 7-15-320. A member of the immediate family of a person who is admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient on the day of an election or within a four-day period before the election may obtain an application from the board on the day of an election, complete it, receive the ballot, deliver it personally to the patient who shall vote, and personally carry the ballot back to the board of voter registration and elections. The board of voter registration and elections shall serially number each absentee ballot application form and keep a record book in which must be recorded the number of the form, the name, home address, and absentee mailing address of the person for whom the absentee ballot application form is requested; the name, address, voter registration number, and relationship of the person requesting the form, if other than the applicant; the date upon which the form is requested; and the date upon which the form is issued; and the date and method upon which the absentee ballot is returned. This information becomes a public record at 9:00 a.m. on the day immediately preceding the election, except that forms issued for emergency hospital patients must be made public by 9:00 a.m. on the day following an election. A person who violates the provisions of this section is subject to the penalties provided in Section 7-25-170."

SECTION 6. Section 7-15-440 of the 1976 Code of Laws is amended to read:

"The county board of voter registration and elections shall, after each election, prepare a list of all persons to whom absentee ballots were issued and all persons who cast absentee ballots. The list so compiled shall be made available for public inspection upon request. This list in addition to the information provided pursuant to Section 7-15-330."

SECTION 7.   Chapter 13, Title 7 of the 1976 Code of Laws is amended by adding:

"Section 7-13-825.     The State Election Commission and each county board of voter registration and elections must post the requirements to challenge a ballot pursuant to the provisions of Section 7-13-810 in a conspicuous location in their respective offices and on their respective websites."

SECTION 8.   The amendments contained in SECTIONS 1, 2, and 3 of this act are repealed on December 31, 2021, and the text of these SECTIONS therefore shall revert back to the language as contained in the South Carolina Code of Laws as of January 23, 2020.

SECTION 9.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator CAMPSEN explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 39; Nays 0

AYES

Alexander                 Allen                     Bennett
Campsen                   Cash                      Climer
Corbin                    Cromer                    Davis
Fanning                   Gambrell                  Gregory
Grooms                    Harpootlian               Hembree
Hutto                     Johnson                   Kimpson
Loftis                    Martin                    Massey
Matthews, Margie          McLeod                    Nicholson
Peeler                    Rankin                    Reese
Rice                      Sabb                      Scott
Senn                      Setzler                   Shealy
Sheheen                   Talley                    Turner
Verdin                    Williams                  Young

Total--39

NAYS

Total--0

There being no further amendments, the Bill as amended, was read the third time, passed and ordered sent to the House of Representatives with amendments.

AMENDED, READ THE THIRD TIME
SENT TO THE HOUSE

S. 919 (Word version) -- Senator M.B. Matthews: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-110 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, TO ADD THE NEW RIVER, PALMETTO BLUFF, AND SANDY POINTE VOTING PRECINCTS, TO REDESIGNATE THE MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THE NAMES OF THESE PRECINCTS MAY BE FOUND AND MAINTAINED BY THE REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE, AND TO CORRECT AN OUTDATED REFERENCE TO THE FORMER OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICS.

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the Bill.

Senator MARGIE B. MATTHEWS proposed the following amendment (ZW\919C001.CC.ZW20), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 2 and inserting:

/     SECTION   2.   This act takes effect March 15, 2020.     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator M.B. MATTHEWS explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 40; Nays 0

AYES

Alexander                 Allen                     Bennett
Campsen                   Cash                      Climer
Corbin                    Cromer                    Davis
Fanning                   Gambrell                  Gregory
Grooms                    Harpootlian               Hembree
Hutto                     Johnson                   Kimpson
Loftis                    Malloy                    Martin
Massey                    Matthews, Margie          McLeod
Nicholson                 Peeler                    Rankin
Reese                     Rice                      Sabb
Scott                     Senn                      Setzler
Shealy                    Sheheen                   Talley
Turner                    Verdin                    Williams
Young

Total--40

NAYS

Total--0

There being no further amendments, the Bill as amended, was read the third time, passed and ordered sent to the House of Representatives with amendments.

AMENDED, READ THE THIRD TIME
SENT TO THE HOUSE

S. 920 (Word version) -- Senator M.B. Matthews: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-330 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN JASPER COUNTY, TO ADD TWO PRECINCTS AND TO REDESIGNATE THE MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THE NAMES OF THESE PRECINCTS MAY BE FOUND AND MAINTAINED BY THE REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE.

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the Bill.

Senator MARGIE B. MATTHEWS proposed the following amendment (ZW\920C001.CC.ZW20), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 2 and inserting:

/     SECTION   2.   This act takes effect March 15, 2020.     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator M.B. MATTHEWS explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 40; Nays 0

AYES

Alexander                 Allen                     Bennett
Campsen                   Cash                      Climer
Corbin                    Cromer                    Davis
Fanning                   Gambrell                  Gregory
Grooms                    Harpootlian               Hembree
Hutto                     Johnson                   Kimpson
Loftis                    Malloy                    Martin
Massey                    Matthews, Margie          McLeod
Nicholson                 Peeler                    Rankin
Reese                     Rice                      Sabb
Scott                     Senn                      Setzler
Shealy                    Sheheen                   Talley
Turner                    Verdin                    Williams
Young

Total--40

NAYS

Total--0

There being no further amendments, the Bill as amended, was read the third time, passed and ordered sent to the House of Representatives with amendments.

AMENDED, READ THE SECOND TIME

S. 1003 (Word version) -- Senator Verdin: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-360, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN LAURENS COUNTY, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE BREWERTON AND PRINCETON VOTING PRECINCTS, TO ESTABLISH THE BREWERTON-PRINCETON VOTING PRECINCT, AND TO UPDATE THE MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THE NAMES AND BOUNDARIES OF THE LAURENS COUNTY VOTING PRECINCTS MAY BE FOUND AND MAINTAINED BY THE REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE.

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the Bill.

Senator VERDIN proposed the following amendment (JUD1003.001), which was adopted:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 2, by striking line 32 in its entirety and inserting therein the following:

/     SECTION   2.   This act takes effect March 15, 2020.     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator VERDIN explained the amendment.

The amendment was adopted.

The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:

Ayes 40; Nays 0

AYES

Alexander                 Allen                     Bennett
Campsen                   Cash                      Climer
Corbin                    Cromer                    Davis
Fanning                   Gambrell                  Gregory
Grooms                    Harpootlian               Hembree
Hutto                     Johnson                   Kimpson
Loftis                    Malloy                    Martin
Massey                    Matthews, Margie          McLeod
Nicholson                 Peeler                    Rankin
Reese                     Rice                      Sabb
Scott                     Senn                      Setzler
Shealy                    Sheheen                   Talley
Turner                    Verdin                    Williams
Young

Total--40

NAYS

Total--0

There being no further amendments, the Bill as amended, was read the second time, passed and ordered to a third reading.

S. 1003--Ordered to a Third Reading

On motion of Senator VERDIN, with unanimous consent, S. 1003 was ordered to receive a third reading on Friday, February 21, 2020.

THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO THE INTERRUPTED DEBATE.

INTERRUPTED DEBATE

S. 419 (Word version) -- Senators Hembree, Malloy, Turner, Setzler, Sheheen and Alexander: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA CAREER OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS FOR ALL ACT", TO PROVIDE FOR A STATEWIDE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS GOAL, STUDENT EMPOWERMENT, THE CREATION OF THE ZERO TO TWENTY COMMITTEE, ENHANCEMENTS TO WORKFORCE PREPARATION, EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT AND SATISFACTION, HELP FOR STUDENTS IN UNDERPERFORMING SCHOOLS, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD ACCOUNTABILITY, AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. (Abbr. Title)

The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the second reading of the Bill.

Amendment No. 124

Senator SHEALY and YOUNG proposed the following amendment (419R097.SP.KS), which was carried over:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part III, the Read to Succeed Initiative, SECTION 17, by striking Section 59-155-160(A)(5)(d) and inserting:

/       (d)   be an organized collection of evidence of the student's mastery of the state English/language arts standards that are assessed by the third-grade statewide English language arts assessment. For each standard, there must be at least five work samples of mastery in which the student attained a grade of seventy or higher. Demonstrating mastery of each standard is required, and a single piece of evidence may be used to show mastery of multiple standards; and     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator YOUNG explained the amendment.

On motion of Senator YOUNG, the amendment was carried over.

Amendment No. 125

Senator FANNING proposed the following amendment (WAB\ 419C200.SM.WAB20):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 59-18-1635(A), as contained in SECTION 49, by deleting the subsection and inserting:

/   (A)   The State Superintendent of Education may seek a state-of-education emergency declaration in a school for which he has a capacity to serve under the following circumstances:

(1)   the school is chronically underperforming;

(2)   the school's accreditation is denied; or

(3)   after consulting with the county's legislative delegation, the State Superintendent of Education determines that a school's turnaround plan results are insufficient, subject to the weighted vote of the county's legislative delegation. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

Senator FANNING spoke on the amendment.

Debate was interrupted by adjournment.

Motion Adopted

On motion of Senator ALEXANDER, with unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to stand adjourned, with Senator FANNING retaining the floor on S. 419.

ADJOURNMENT

At 1:05 P.M., on motion of Senator ALEXANDER, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 11:00 A.M. under the provisions of Rule 1 for the purpose of taking up local matters and uncontested matters which have previously received unanimous consent to be taken up.

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