Committee Report

February 08, 2024

H. 4047

Introduced by Rep. Ott

S. Printed 02/08/24--S.

Read the first time May 04, 2023

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The committee on Senate Fish, Game and Forestry

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4047) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 50-15-100 so as to prohibit the release of records regarding the occurrence of rare, threatened, endangered, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

GEORGE E. "CHIP" CAMPSEN III for Committee.

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A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 50-15-100 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE RELEASE OF RECORDS REGARDING THE OCCURRENCE OF RARE, THREATENED, ENDANGERED, OR IMPERILED PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

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

SECTION 1.  Article 1, Chapter 15, Title 50 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Section 50-15-100. (A) The department may not release records in its possession that contain site-specific information, including but not limited to, unique numeric identifiers of precise geographic locations, telemetry, or other locational data, regarding the occurrence of federal- or state-listed rare, threatened, species in need of management, endangered, or otherwise imperiled plant and animal species on public or private property, except in support of scientific, conservation, or educational purposes. The owner or owners of private property upon which threatened, endangered, or at-risk species occur shall be entitled to records specific to said property upon the request to the department.

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

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