A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-43-220, RELATING TO ASSESSMENT RATIOS FOR AD VALOREM TAXATION, SO AS TO ALLOW CERTAIN CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO CONTINUE TO CLAIM THE SPECIAL FOUR PERCENT ASSESSMENT RATIO WHEN THE CIVILIAN RECEIVES CERTAIN ORDERS FOR A CHANGE OF STATION.

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

SECTION 1.  Section 12-43-220(c)(2)(v)(B) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (B)(1) An active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States eligible for and receiving the special assessment ratio for owner-occupied residential property allowed pursuant to this subsection (c), who receives orders for a permanent change of station or a temporary duty assignment for at least one year, retains that four percent assessment ratio and applicable exemptions for so long as the owner remains on active duty, regardless of the owner's subsequent relocation and regardless of any rental income attributable to the property.

                  (2) A civilian employed by the Department of Defense (DoD) that is eligible for and receiving the special assessment ratio for owner-occupied residential property allowed pursuant to this subsection (c), who receives orders for a DoD civilian permanent duty or temporary change of station for at least one year, retains that four percent assessment ratio and applicable exemptions for so long as the owner remains on such orders, regardless of the owner's subsequent relocation and regardless of any rental income attributable to the property.

                  (3) Subject to subsubitem (C), as applicable, the provisions of this subsubitem (B) do not apply if the owner or a member of the owner's household, as defined in item (2)(iii) of this subsection (c), claims the special four percent assessment ratio allowed pursuant to this subsection for any other residential property located in this State.

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to tax years beginning after 2023 and any open period less than three years.

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