TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-160 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ON JULY 1, 2013, THE AREA OF EACH COUNTY OF THIS STATE ALSO MUST BE CONSTITUTED AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A COUNTY MAY NOT HAVE MULTIPLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY LOCAL LAW BEFORE JULY 1, 2013, SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE GOVERNANCE, FISCAL AUTHORITY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR A COUNTYWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE NO PROVISIONS OF LAW NOW APPLY; AND TO PROVIDE THAT ALL ACTS OR PARTS OF ACTS RELATING TO A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT IS NOT A COUNTYWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUIRED BY SECTION 59-17-160 ARE REPEALED AS OF JULY 1, 2013.

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

SECTION    1.    Chapter 17, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-17-160.    (A)    On July 1, 2013, the area of each county of this State also must be constituted as a school district and a county may not have multiple school districts within its boundaries, provided that nothing in this section prevents a portion of a county from being a part of a school district in another county.

(B)    The General Assembly by local law before July 1, 2013, shall provide for the governance, fiscal authority, and administrative and operational responsibilities for a countywide school district where no provisions of law now apply."

SECTION    2.    All acts or parts of acts relating to a school district that is not a countywide school district required by Section 59-17-160 of the 1976 Code are repealed on July 1, 2013.

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