Source: http://www.scag.gov/archives/category/opinions/2002opinions
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 12:40:41+00:00

Document:
Opinion concerning the law of possession of a controlled substance. Specifically, posing a hypothetical question, asking whether or not it would constitute possession of a controlled substance under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-53-370 and 44-53-445.
Opinion asking as to whether a person who serves simultaneously as a magistrate’s constable and a Reserve Police Officer for the City of Chesnee is dual office holding in contravention of the South Carolina Constitution.
Opinion regarding the State Board of Education’s adoption of a uniform start date(s) for public schools.
Opinion as to whether a “member of our Union County Fair Board [who is] …appointed to Union County Election Commission” may simultaneously hold both positions without contravention of the dual office holding provision of the South Carolina Constitution.
Opinion concerning the investment policy of the Emerald Center Multi-County Disabilities & Special Needs Board.
Opinion asking if simultaneously sitting on the Spartanburg County Library Board of Trustees as Treasurer and being appointed to the Spartanburg Planning Commission, constitutes dual office holding for purposes of the South Carolina Constitution.
Opinion asking as to whether your “accepting a seat on South Carolina’s newly formed Conservation Voters of South Carolina volunteer board” while also serving on the South Carolina Consumer Affairs Commission would constitute dual office holding in contravention of the South Carolina Constitution.
Requested by: Joseph D. Patton, Executive Director, GLEAMNS Human Resources Commission, Inc.
Opinion regarding the functioning of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Opinion regarding the eligibility of employees of ATC Vancom and TCT for participation in the South Carolina Retirement Systems.
Opinion “…as to whether the State or the Federal regulations regarding charges for medical records takes precedence in South Carolina.” This opinion deals with S.C. Code Ann. § 42-15-95.
Opinion asking does the Ladies Island/St. Helena Fire District have the power of condemnation pursuant to the provisions of Section 6-11-130 even though this power is not specifically addressed in the Act creating this district?
Opinion noting that the City of Columbia as well as other large cities in South Carolina are “concerned about our ability to police traffic in our municipalities.” “Pressed to do more with fewer resources,” you are exploring the idea of “automated traffic enforcement.” Specifically asking, can we proceed statutorily or is this question a constitutional one?
Opinion asking the following questions: [i]f [Worker’s Compensation] commissioners have the statutory authority to employ court reporters to work “at his pleasure”, can the board by policy or any other means restrict a commissioner’s authority to employ and retain court reporters; and since each commissioner operates his or her office, are two employees in each commissioner’s office subject to agency RIFs?
Opinion asking is there any existing South Carolina state statute or Attorney General’s opinion that outlines how to dispose of unclaimed inmate funds left at county jails when inmates are discharged and never come back to claim their money; and can a county create an ordinance to set up a procedure to dispose of the unclaimed inmate funds?
Opinion concerning the following questions: Under S.C. Code § 56-5-6110 and § 56-5-6120, if a Police Officer issues a State of South Carolina Uniform Traffic Ticket for either code for a violation, must he issue the ticket in person to the violator, or can he give it to the driver or person operating the vehicle to give to the driver; and if a Police Officer issues a ticket for S.C. Code § 56-5-730 and the subject is convicted/found guilty, how many points are assessed on their driver’s license?
Opinion concerning the application of S.C. Code Ann. § 34-11-60(e).
Opinion concerning the application of certain ordinances related to the collection and disposal of solid waste in Allendale County.
Opinion asking whether members of a volunteer fire department need a commercial driver’s license to operate an emergency vehicle.
Opinion concerning the Elloree Water System Board of Commissioners (“Board”) and its disagreements with the Town of Elloree (“Town”).
Opinion concerning the use of private property by the City of Union for the purpose of installing sewer lines.
Opinion concerning whether serving in the House and on the governing Board of North Greenville College violates the dual office holding provision of the South Carolina Constitution.
Opinion raising questions regarding the decision by the South Carolina Supreme Court in Stardancer Casino, Inc. v. Stewart, et al., 347 S.C. 377, 556 S.E.2d 357 (2001).
Opinion concerning the status of South Carolina’s laws requiring the appointment of legal counsel for indigent defendants in criminal matters.
Opinion regarding one of your constituents who “is actually in the Air Force Reserve and has been called to active duty, effective October 21, 2001 through October 20, 2002. He is an employee of the city of Spartanburg.” Specifically, whether or not the thirty days of paid leave is thirty workdays or the number of days he would have worked in thirty calendar days.
Opinion on three issues concerning a County Government’s authority to retain the services of certain professionals.
Opinion asking as to when the term of Office commences for the Chesterfield County Clerk of Court.
Opinion concerning a vacancy which has occurred on the Summerville School District 2 Board of Trustees.
Opinion regarding dual office holding, specifically serving on the Beaufort County Transportation Committee by appointment, and serving on the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education from the Second Congressional District.
Opinion asking whether a “Chess Challenge” video gaming machine determined to be illegal per se.
Opinion concerning storage fees for impounded vehicles.
Opinion asking two questions regarding this situation: first can an individual be employed in a dual capacity as a victims’ advocate and court clerk; and, second, may the clerk of court office be housed within the police department building?
Opinion referencing that the “…Town of Summerville has been presented with a petition to conduct a referendum regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays pursuant to Section 61-6-2010.” Specifically, should the referendum be placed on the ballot for the next statewide general election, county general election or municipal general election?
Opinion requesting we review a prior opinion issued on October 4, 2001. Specifically, concerning the relationship of building codes and requirements for licensure for day care facilities.
Opinion regarding the provisions the law offers regarding the arrest of persons while they are actually appearing in criminal or civil court. And the distinction between the arrests of persons appearing in various types of courts.
Opinion concerning the recent amendments to S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-310. Specifically, clarification and guidance on this matter so that all the counties collect the proper fee on a uniform basis.
Opinion asking whether a Health Services District may legally make a political contribution to a State candidate or State political action committee; or whether a Health Services District may establish a separate segregate fund to be utilized for political purposes pursuant to U.S.C. § 441b(b)(2)(C).
Opinion concerning the legality of public safety checkpoints or roadblocks.
Opinion asking for the clarification between an opinion by the County Attorney and another by an individual Attorney for the Planning Commission. These opinions are regarding the Applicability of Horry County Ordinance 20-01 to the July 1, 2002 Reappointment of Planning Commission Members.
Opinion following-up to correspondence dated May 23, 2002, and April 10, 2002, concerning certificates of authorization in order to practice land surveying in South Carolina.
Requested by: Mr. Charles O’Quinn, Forester and Land Surveyor, Inc.
Opinion asking is it legal for a Municipality to contract with a School District to provide law enforcement services for a High School, which is approximately 1.5 miles outside the Corporate limits and if it were legal, would Municipal Police Officers have full Law Enforcement powers (arrest, citations & accident investigations, etc.)?
Opinion requesting as to whether the Education Oversight Committee must give prior consent to standards and assessments adopted by the State Board of Education under S.C. Code Ann. § 59-18-320(D)(Supp. 2001) of the Education Accountability Act.
Opinion concerning a law enforcement officer’s discretion when determining whether to arrest pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §16-25-70(B) in light of the fact that such section uses the phrase “must arrest.” You wish to know whether a police officer retains discretion in carrying out his or her duties pursuant to such section.
Opinion requesting clarification regarding S.C. Code Ann. §16-17-430.
Opinion asking whether one serving on three separate boards would be dual office holding under the South Carolina Constitution.
Opinion asking whether it is legal for me as an elected official to pay bonuses to my employees in order to remunerate them for additional duties they perform as public employees, which duties are not part of their County job descriptions; and Can I, as Coroner, or Nurses who are employed by me and serve as Deputy Coroners, receive payments for articles we write for nursing magazines on the topic of forensic nursing if these articles are written outside of work, at times when we are not working for the County.
Opinion questioning the procedure the Anderson County Legislative Delegation may follow in its appointment of board members of public service districts pursuant to §§ 33-36-1310, et seq., specifically the procedures outlined in §33-36-1330(A).
Opinion noting that you are considering running for County Council of Colleton County.
Opinion asking whether a member of a local tourism advisory committee also may serve on the State Tourism Expenditure Review Committee without violating the dual office holding provision of the South Carolina Constitution.
Opinion reviewing a request for an opinion received from one of your constituents.
Opinion interpreting § 14-23-1040 of the South Carolina Code.
Opinion asking “can attorneys be paid through a nonprofit organization to provide legal services to clients the organization serves?” Specifically, if S.C. Code Ann. §40-5-320, which prohibits a corporation from practicing law.
Opinion asking whether the Senior Planner of Mt. Pleasant holds an office for dual office holding purposes.
Opinion on whether 25A S.C. Code Ann. Regulation 61-84, Section 2301.G constitutes discrimination against the disabled in violation of the federal Air Housing Act and the S.C. Carolina Fair Housing Law. Requested by Carlisle Roberts, Jr., General Counsel, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Read full opinion.
Opinion concerning the constitutionality of a particular exemption from collection of the sales tax. Specifically, if state law allows a sales tax exemption for non-profit corporations which sale religious materials is unconstitutional.
Opinion concerning the territorial jurisdiction of a municipal court. Specifically, the Town of Fort Law and the County of Chester are in the process of passing an ordinance to give the Fort Lawn Police Department Jurisdiction up to 3 miles outside the City limits.
Opinion asking whether one who holds the position of Director of Planning and Development for the Town of Mt. Pleasant and wished to serve on the Awandaw Town Council would be dual office holding.
Opinion asking whether descendants of deceased persons have a right to visit and maintain family graves which are located on private land.
Requested by: Rodger E. Stroup, Ph.D., Director and State Historic Preservation Officer, S.C. Department of Archives and History.
Opinion concerning S.C. Code Ann. §6-11-1410 et seq.. Emergency Powers of Fire Districts. Specifically, in Spartanburg County as Emergency Organizations are in planning for the operation of a medical Transport Helicopter located in Greenville County and if only EMT-Paramedic personnel will be allowed to request the use of this helicopter.
Opinion asking whether the General Assembly may, by statute, authorize South Carolina’s participation in multi-state lottery games.
Opinion regarding statute of limitations. Specifically, when a judgment is placed on a person’s estate as a result of a criminal action prior to his death, what is the statute of limitations on that judgment? Also, once that statute of limitations has run its course, can the same entity place the judgment against the entity a second time?
Opinion whether South Carolina’s state and local law enforcement officers possess authority independently to enforce federal law concerning illegal immigrants.
Opinion asking if the language added to the 2001 amendment to S.C. Code Ann. § 16-23-250 applies only to machine guns and military firearms or whether it also applies to sawed-off shotguns and rifles.
Opinion “concerning the application of S.C. Code §4-9-90 (1976, amended)…” to a situation created by the recent redistricting plan in Beaufort County. Specifically, does a councilman serve out his unexpired term representing the new District, District 11 when he was elected to represent District 10?
Opinion on whether the display of the words “In God We Trust” in public schools violates the federal Constitution’s Establishment of Religion Clause. Requested by The Honorable Daniel L. Tripp, Member, South Carolina House of Representatives. Read full opinion.
Opinion regarding the South Carolina Local Government Development Agreement Act.
Opinion concerning a regulation governing the operation of the State Farmers Markets which has been promulgated by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.
Opinion regarding the constitutionality of the Anderson County Board of Education as established by Act. No. 510, 1982 SC Acts 3420.
Opinion asking whether S. 793, the purpose of the Bill is to establish the 17th of September of each year as “Respect For Law Day” and require the public schools to create a curriculum towards that is constitutional.
Opinion asking if the Mayor the City of Spartanburg can simultaneously sever as Mayor of Spartanburg and as a member of the Education Oversight Committee violates the South Carolina’s Constitution prohibition against dual office holding.

References: § 44
 § 42
 § 56
 § 56
 § 56
 § 34
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 § 8
 § 441
 § 59
 §16
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 §33
 § 14
 §40
 §6
 § 16
 §4