TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 8-13-1530 SO AS TO PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM FILING A STATEMENT OF INTENTION OF CANDIDACY IF THE PERSON HAS AN OUTSTANDING DEBT TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ETHICS COMMITTEE, OR THE SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE.

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

SECTION    1.    Article 15, Chapter 13, Title 8 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 8-13-1530.    (A)    Notwithstanding another provision of law, a person may not file a statement of intention of candidacy and may not be qualified as a candidate in any primary, special or general election if the person has an outstanding debt to the:

        (1)    South Carolina State Ethics Commission;

        (2)    House of Representatives Ethics Committee; or

        (3)    Senate Ethics Committee.

    (B)    If a person who is prohibited by this section from filing a statement of intention of candidacy inadvertently appears on the ballot, the appropriate elections official must not certify the candidate following the election."

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