Bill Text: SC S0537 | 2019-2020 | 123rd General Assembly | Introduced

South Carolina Senate Bill 537 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Prohibitions against public time or funds used to influence election

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-04-02 - Referred to Subcommittee: Campsen (ch), Massey, McElveen, M.B.Matthews, Gambrell [S0537 Detail]

Download: South_Carolina-2019-S0537-Introduced.html

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1346 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, PROPERTY, OR TIME TO INFLUENCE ELECTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS, TO PROVIDE THAT A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS PROHIBITED FROM THE USE OF OFFICIAL FUNDS FOR UNSOLICITED MASS COMMUNICATION OR THE USE OF OFFICIAL LETTERHEAD WITHIN NINETY DAYS OF ANY ELECTION IN WHICH THE MEMBER'S NAME OR ADVISORY REFERENDUM IS ON THE BALLOT; AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.

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

SECTION 1. Section 8-13-1346 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an appropriately lettered new subsection to read:

"( ) A member of the General Assembly is prohibited from the use of official funds for unsolicited mass communication or the use of official letterhead within ninety days of any election in which the member's name or advisory referendum is on the ballot. 'Unsolicited mass communication' is defined as any unsolicited communication, by use of mail or electronic mail, distributed to persons for the purposes of intentionally or unintentionally influencing the outcome of an election or ballot measure."

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