A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY enacting the "interstate 95 bridge toll act"; and by ADDING SECTION 57-3-619 so as to authorize and empower the department of transportation to design, construct, and install toll-collecting booths at four bridges along Interstate highway 95, to provide for the disbursement of toll revenues, to provide the DEPARTMENT shall present a project plan to the general assembly, and to provide the DEPARTMENT shall provide relief from tolls to qualified residents and commercial carriers of this state.

Whereas, in 2019 the Department of Transportation conducted a study concluding it would be feasible to fund improvements along Interstate Highway 95 through the tolling of four strategically located bridge replacement projects along this interstate highway; and

Whereas, the revenues generated from the tolls would be used to finance upgrade, widening, and repair projects along the one-hundred-ninety-nine-mile portion of Interstate 95 that traverses the State; and

Whereas, the General Assembly directs the Department of Transportation to implement the findings of this report relative to the establishment of tolls along Interstate 95. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1.  This act may be referred to as the "Interstate 95 Bridge Toll Act".

SECTION 2.  Article 7, Chapter 3, Title 57 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Section 57-3-619. (A) Notwithstanding another provision of law, the Department of Transportation is authorized and empowered to begin the process of designing, constructing, and installing toll-collecting booths at the four strategically located bridges along Interstate Highway 95 identified in its 2019 study.

    (B) The revenue collected from the imposition of tolls must be used for upgrade, widening, and repair projects along the one-hundred-ninety-nine-mile portion of Interstate Highway 95 that traverses the State.

    (C) The department shall present a plan to the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2024, containing the estimated cost of this project.

    (D) The department shall make provisions for qualifying South Carolina residents and commercial carriers to receive relief from tolls imposed under this section.

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----