A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 6-1-200 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A REFERENDUM ON A PROPOSAL BY A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR SCHOOL DISTRICT TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, INCUR GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT OR LEVY TAXES OR FEES MUST BE HELD AT THE TIME OF A STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER OF AN EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 4-10-10, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF "GENERAL ELECTION" FOR PURPOSES OF LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX REFERENDUMS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES.

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

SECTION 1.  Article 1, Chapter 1, Title 6 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Section 6-1-200. (A) If any other provision of law requires a referendum on a proposal by any political subdivision, including school districts, to issue bonds, incur general obligation debt, impose or modify a tax millage rate, or impose any other tax or fee, the referendum must be held at the time of a statewide general election on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of an even-numbered year.

    (B) In the event there is a conflict between this section and any other section or local law, the provisions of this section control.

SECTION 2.  Section 4-10-10(6) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (6) "General election" means the Tuesday following the first Monday in November in any even-numbered year.

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect on January 1, 2025.

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