TO AMEND SECTION 23-6-187, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY WITNESS FEES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE WITNESS FEE MAY BE ADJUSTED ANNUALLY FOR INFLATION AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

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

SECTION    1.    Section 23-6-187 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 353 of 2008, is amended to read:

"Section 23-6-187.    The department may charge a witness fee of one hundred thirty dollars per hour, up to one thousand dollars per day for each trooper trained in Advanced Accident Investigation testifying in civil matters which do not involve the State as a party in interest. The fee shall be charged in addition to any court prescribed payment due as compensation or reimbursement for judicial appearances and deposited into a designated revenue account. The department is authorized to receive, expend, retain, and carry forward these funds. The witness fee shall be adjusted annually for inflation as determined by the department."

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