BIL:3838

RTN:273

ACN:232

TYP:General Bill GB

INB:House

IND:20010329

PSP:Witherspoon

SPO:Witherspoon, Sharpe, Allison, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Cato, Coates, Dantzler, Davenport, Edge, Emory, Hayes, Jennings, Kennedy, Koon, Littlejohn, Lourie, McCraw, McGee, Miller, MoodyLawrence, J.M.Neal, Rhoad, Riser, Rivers, Robinson, Sandifer, Sinclair, G.M.Smith, J.E.Smith, J.R.Smith, Snow, Stille, Stuart, Trotter, Webb and J.Young

DDN:l:\council\bills\gjk\20401sd01.doc

DPB:20020410

LAD:20020403

GOV:S

DGA:20020501

SUB:Research farm products, unlawful to damage or destroy, penalties; Agriculture, Crimes and Offenses, Courts

HST:

BodyDateAction DescriptionComLeg Involved

______

------20020514Act No. A232

------20020501Signed by Governor

------20020425Ratified R273

House20020410Concurred in Senate amendment,

enrolled for ratification

Senate20020404Read third time, returned with

amendment

------20020404Scrivener's error corrected

Senate20020403Amended, read second time

------20010525Scrivener's error corrected

Senate20010524Committee report: Favorable with01 SANR

amendment

Senate20010425Introduced, read first time,01 SANR

referred to Committee

House20010425Read third time, sent to Senate

House20010424Read second time

House20010419Committee report: Favorable20 HANR

------20010410Scrivener's error corrected

House20010329Introduced, read first time,20 HANR

referred to Committee

Versions of This Bill

Revised on 20010410

Revised on 20010419

Revised on 20010524

Revised on 20010525

Revised on 20020403

Revised on 20020404

TXT:

(A232, R273, H3838)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 46175 SO AS TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL TO DAMAGE OR DESTROY A FARM PRODUCT, RESEARCH FACILITY, OR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT USED FOR TESTING OR RESEARCH IN CONJUNCTION OR COORDINATION WITH A PRIVATE RESEARCH ENTITY, A UNIVERSITY, OR ANY FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, TO PERMIT THE COURT TO ORDER RESTITUTION FOR THE DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

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

Damage or destruction of a farm product, research facility, or research equipment used for testing or research

SECTION1.The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

“Section 46175.(A)It is unlawful to maliciously damage or destroy a farm product, research facility, or research equipment used for testing or research in conjunction or coordination with a private research entity, a university, or any federal, state, or local governmental agency.

(B)If a person violates subsection (A) and the value of the farm product, research facility, or research equipment is:

(1)less than five hundred dollars, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both;

(2)five hundred dollars or more, the person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(C)The court may order the defendant to make restitution for the damage or destruction caused. For the purpose of ordering restitution, the court shall determine the market value of the farm product, research facility, or research equipment prior to the damage or destruction and, in so doing, shall include the cost of production, research, testing, replacement, and product development directly related to the product damaged or destroyed.

(D)The offenses and penalties provided in this section are supplemental and in addition to all other offenses and penalties provided by law.

(E)For purposes of this section:

(1)‘Farm product’ means horticultural, aquacultural, viticultural, forestry, floricultural, dairy, livestock, poultry, bee, and other products ordinarily produced on farms.

(2)‘Research facility’ means greenhouses, buildings, and offices in which farm product research is conducted.

(3)‘Research equipment’ means files, data, computers, tractors, sprayers, seeders, tools, vehicles, plants, containers, and any other item pertinent to farm product research.”

Time effective

SECTION2.This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 25th day of April, 2002.

Approved the 1st day of May, 2002.

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