BIL:131

RTN:396

ACN:367

TYP:Joint Resolution JR

INB:Senate

IND:20010111

PSP:Leatherman

SPO:Leatherman and Drummond

DDN:l:\council\bills\bbm\9803htc01.doc

DPB:20020528

LAD:20020523

SUB:Public pension plans, to provide for investment of funds in foreign corporations; to provide for separate pension plan for firefighters; Constitutional Amendment

HST:

BodyDateAction DescriptionComLeg Involved

______

------20021017Act No. A367

------20020530Ratified R396

Senate20020528Ordered enrolled for ratification

Senate20020523Conference Committee Report adopted88 SCC

House20020523Conference Committee Report adopted98 HCC

Senate20020521Conference Committee Appointed88 SCCSetzler

Thomas

Ryberg

House20020516Conference Committee Appointed98 HCCCooper

Kirsh

Rice

Senate20020515Non-concurrence in House amendment

House20020509Read third time, returned with

amendment

House20020508Read second time

House20020508Request for debate by RepresentativeBales

Scott

Ott

Rivers

Lloyd

Rutherford

J. H. Neal

Harrell

Jennings

Riser

Cooper

Kelley

Altman

J. R. Smith

Merrill

Hinson

Howard

White

Moody-

Lawrence

House20020508Amended

House20020502Committee report: Favorable30 HWM

House20020319Introduced, read first time,30 HWM

referred to Committee

------20020314Scrivener's error corrected

Senate20020313Amended, read third time,

sent to House

Senate20020312Debate interrupted by adjournment

Senate20020307Made Special Order

Senate20010604Read second time

------20010604Scrivener's error corrected

Senate20010531Committee report: Favorable06 SF

Senate20010111Introduced, read first time,06 SF

referred to Committee

Versions of This Bill

Revised on 20010531

Revised on 20010604

Revised on 20020313

Revised on 20020314

Revised on 20020502

Revised on 20020508

Revised on 20020523

TXT:

(A367, R396, S131)

A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 16, ARTICLE X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO BENEFITS AND FUNDING OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PENSION PLANS IN THIS STATE AND INVESTMENTS ALLOWED FOR FUNDS OF THE VARIOUS STATEOPERATED RETIREMENT SYSTEMS, SO AS TO DELETE THE RESTRICTIONS LIMITING SUCH INVESTMENTS TO AMERICANBASED CORPORATIONS REGISTERED ON AN AMERICAN NATIONAL EXCHANGE AS PROVIDED IN THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR QUOTED THROUGH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS AUTOMATIC QUOTATION SYSTEM; AND PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 11, ARTICLE X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS ON THE PLEDGING OF THE CREDIT OF THE STATE AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR INVESTMENT OF FUNDS IN A SEPARATE PENSION PLAN FOR FIREFIGHTERS OFFERED BY A MUNICIPALITY, COUNTY, SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICT, OR PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT.

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

Additional equity investments allowed

SECTION1.It is proposed that the fourth paragraph, Section 16, in Article X of the Constitution of this State shall be amended to read:

“Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11 of this article, the funds of the various stateoperated retirement systems may be invested and reinvested in equity securities. Upon the enactment of the implementing legislation required by this paragraph, there is established the State Retirement Systems Investment Panel. The panel shall consist of five members, one each appointed by the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Comptroller General, and the chairmen of the respective committees of the Senate and House of Representatives having subject matter jurisdiction over appropriations. The appointee of the Governor shall serve as chairman. All persons appointed must possess substantial financial investment experience and no person may be appointed or continue to serve who is an elected or appointed officer or employee of the State or any of its political subdivisions, including school districts. The General Assembly shall implement this paragraph by enacting legislation establishing the panel and providing for the terms, duties, and compensation of its members, and which specifically authorizes the investments allowed by this paragraph, and may provide limitations on investments in equity securities as it considers prudent. The panel established by this paragraph shall not exist until it is established in the implementing legislation required pursuant to this paragraph.”

Question

SECTION2.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 ballot:

“Must Section 16, Article X of the Constitution of this State relating to benefits and funding of public employee pension plans in this State and the equity securities investments allowed for funds of the various stateoperated retirement systems be amended to delete the restrictions limiting investments in equity securities to those of Americanbased corporations registered on an American national exchange as provided in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any successor act, or quoted through the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotations System or similar service?

Yes□

No□

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’.”

Equity investments allowed for local firefighter pension plans

SECTION3.It is proposed that Section 11, Article X of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding at the end:

“Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a municipality, county, special purpose district, or public service district of this State which provides firefighting service and which administers a separate pension plan for its employees performing this service may invest and reinvest the funds in this pension plan in equity securities traded on a national securities exchange as provided in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or a successor act, or in equity securities quoted through the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotations System or similar service.”

Question

SECTION4.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 ballot:

“Must Section 11, Article X of the Constitution of this State relating to restrictions on pledging the credit of the State or its political subdivisions for a private purpose and the restrictions on the State or its political subdivisions from becoming a joint owner or stockholder of a business be amended so as to allow a municipality, county, special purpose district, or public service district of this State which provides firefighting service and which administers a separate pension plan for its employees performing this service to invest and reinvest the funds in this pension plan in equity securities traded on a national securities exchange as provided in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or a successor act or in equity securities quoted through the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotations System or similar service?

Yes□

No□

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’.”

Ratified the 30th day of May, 2002.

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