Source: http://www.scag.gov/archives/category/opinions/2014opinions
Timestamp: 2017-10-21 06:49:52
Document Index: 241860057

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 16', '§ 8', '§ 22', '§ 17', '§ 33', '§ 33']

2014 Opinions Archives - South Carolina Attorney GeneralSouth Carolina Attorney General
Opinion request regarding the interpretation of the Iran Divestment Act of 2014.
Requested by W.D. Robertson, III, Office of General Counsel, South Carolina Budget and Control Board.
Opinion request regarding whether it is a conflict for a law firm to continue as general counsel to a statutorily-created special purpose district providing fire and sewer services when the spouse of the main attorney who represents the district has been elected a commissioner on the board of the special purpose district.
Requested by Trent M. Kernodle, Esquire, Kernodle, Root & Coleman.
Opinion regarding preneed funeral contracts.
Requested by The Honorable Peter M. McCoy, Jr., Representative, District No. 115.
Opinion regarding the applicability of the South Carolina Tort Claims Act to tort claims brought against the South Carolina Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund.
Requested by The Honorable Rebecca Vance, Manager, Town of Cayce.
Opinion regarding potential representation of a county veterans’ affairs officer who may be sued.
Requested by The Honorable Michael A. Pitts, Representative, District No. 14.
Opinion regarding whether the simultaneous service as a member of the Irmo-Chapin Recreation Board and as a Director of the Public Employee Benefit Authority constitutes dual office holding in violation of the South Carolina Constitution.
Requested by Stephen R. Van Camp, General Counsel, Public Employee Benefit Authority.
Opinion regarding the suitability of implementing a land-use regulation permitting the Anderson Soil and Water Conservation District and each watershed director of the watersheds within the Anderson Soil and Water Conservation District the authority to issue and enforce criminal trespass notices to protect against “malicious trespass, damage and pollution to the watersheds, structures, and easements thereof.”
Requested by Captain Leonardo Ortiz, Anderson Soil and Water Commissioner.
Opinion regarding the constitutionality and legality of Oconee County Ordinance No. 2014-24.
Requested by Thomas L. Martin, Esquire, Oconee County Attorney.
Opinion, requested on behalf of a constituent, regarding whether the Simpsonville City Council had “authority” in the actions of “demoting Police Chief Steve Moore and reinstating . . . [former police chief Keith] Grounsell . . . during a February 25, 2014, council meeting.”
Requested by The Honorable Mark N. Willis, House District No. 16.
Opinion regarding “unearned comp time and payment of salary not due” for certain staff members employed with the John de la Howe School.
Requested by Ms. Viola Robinson Faust, John de la Howe School, Director of Finance and Business Operations.
Opinion regarding whether membership on the South Carolina Real Estate Commission would constitute as an office for dual office holding purposes.
Requested by Arrigo P. Carotti, Horry County Attorney.
Opinion regarding whether the South Carolina Coroners Association has authority pursuant to section 17-5-130 of the South Carolina Code to submit to the Governor a list of coroners who have not completed their required annual in-service training hours.
Requested by Lloyd B. Ward, Barnwell County Coroner.
Opinion regarding the admissibility of certain evidence relating to computer privacy as well as the privacy of electronic communications in a family court proceeding.
Requested by The Honorable Timothy L. Brown, 13th Circuit Family Court Judge, Retired.
Opinion regarding the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank and its involvement in providing financial assistance to the I-526/Mark Clark Extension Project in Charleston County.
Requested by The Honorable Robert L. Brown, Representative, District No. 116.
Opinion regarding taxation of aircraft housed at Aiken Regional Airport, but whose ownership is either an LLC or a corporation domiciled in another state.
Requested by The Honorable Charles T. Barton, Aiken County Auditor.
Opinion regarding the validity and enforcement of Town Ordinance 224, which “restricts all electronic communication in a. . . school zone.”
Requested by Chief H. Harold Brown, Chief of Police, Elgin Police Department.
Opinion regarding whether the City of Traveler’s Rest possesses the authority to enact an ordinance restricting concealed weapons “from all or any part of Trailblazer Park,” a city-owned, multi-use facility regularly hosting special events.
Requested by Robert C. Childs, III, Esq., City Attorney, Traveler’s Rest City Council.
Opinion regarding whether it is a violation for people who do not live inside of a town’s limits to cast ballots in an election for a town official.
Requested by The Honorable Dennis Moss, Representative, House District 29.
Opinion regarding the authority of the Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire District “to levy and collect taxes.”
Requested by The Honorable Raymond E. Cleary III, Senator, District No. 34.
Opinion regarding the ownership of the Georgetown County Rice Museum/Town Clock and its contents.
Requested by Wesley P. Bryant, Georgetown County Attorney.
Opinion regarding a county’s authority to establish additional requirements for landowners seeking to have timberland classified and assessed as agricultural real property.
Requested by The Honorable Daniel B. Verdin, S.C. Senate, District 9.
Opinion regarding whether the position of Colleton County Attorney is an office for dual office holding purposes.
Requested by Sean P. Thornton, Esq.
Opinion regarding the interpretation of statutory authority governing millage rate increases for special purpose districts in the context of Murrell’s Inlet-Garden City Fire District’s desire to increase its millage rate from 10 to 14 mills.
Requested by The Honorable Stephen Goldfinch, Jr., Representative, District No. 108.
Opinion regarding whether a proposed amendment, as contained in pending legislation, H. 3925 in particular, can retroactively amend a savings clause from a prior act, specifically Act 198 of 2012, “to eliminate the Savings Clause included in the original version of Act 198 without violation of the State Constitution.”
Requested by the Honorable James E. Smith, Jr., House District 72.
Opinion regarding the legal status of Mr. Robert W. Harrell, both as Speaker of the House and as a member of the House, following the recent indictment of Mr. Harrell.
Requested by The Honorable James E. Smith, Jr., Richland County Judiciary Committee, and The Honorable Todd Rutherford, House Minority Leader.
Opinion regarding commodity prices following a state or federal disaster.
Requested by The Honorable Liston Barfield, House District No. 58.
Opinion regarding the applicable constitutional law concerning public invocations as provided in SC Code 6-1-160(C).
Requested by William F. Halligan, Esq., Childs & Halligan.
Opinion regarding whether a properly filed Rule 5 discovery motion, and applicable case law pertaining to discovery in criminal cases, would permit the disclosure of tax related information without violating Section 12-54-240.
Requested by Joe. S. Dusenbury, Jr., General Counsel, SC Department of Revenue.
Opinion regarding the appropriate procedure for disposition of funds held by a personal representative of an estate upon the determination that no heir exists “to take” pursuant to the laws of intestate succession.
Requested by: The Honorable J. Munford Scott, Probate Court Judge for Florence County.
Opinion clarifying an opinion from July 28, 2014 regarding the Beaufort County Library Board of Trustees.
Requested by: Joshua A. Gruber, Esq., Beaufort County Attorney
Opinion regarding the interpretation of Section 7-5-120(B)(3) of the South Carolina Code. Specifically, pursuant to the terms of Section 7-5-120(B)(3), a Fairfield County resident who was convicted of a felony was removed from the active voting rolls.
Requested by: John E. James, Esq., Fairfield County Attorney
Opinion regarding the Comptroller General “has received a request from the South Carolina Retirement Systems Investment Commission (“RSIC”) to process payment pursuant to South Carolina Code Annotated Section 9-16-370, for reimbursement of legal fees incurred by an RSIC Commission member.
Requested by: Mr. William E. Gunn, Chief of Staff, Office of the Comptroller General
Opinion regarding several questions on special elections in the County of Lexington.
Requested by: Mr. Jeff M. Anderson, Attorney for the County of Lexington
Opinion as to whether an individual is operating under a conflict of interest where the individual at issue is both a school board trustee and a temporary employee of the district.
Requested by: The Honorable Michael A. Pitts, District No. 14-Greenwood-Laurens Counties
Opinion regarding the interpretation of Section 16-1-57 of the South Carolina Code, also known as the “three strikes and you’re out” statute.
Requested by: The Honorable B. Lee Miller, Greenwood Municipal Court
Opinion pertaining to the offense of criminal trespass, a violation of S.C. Code Ann. § 16-11-60 (2003).
Requested by: Master Deputy Patrick Cockrell, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office
Opinion concerning the legality of the actions that may be taken by the Capital Project Sales Tax Commission subsequent to the actions that may be taken by the Capital Project Sales Tax Ordinance as presented. Specifically, would it be legally permissible for the Commission to reconvene of its own volition and accord to discuss the actions taken by Beaufort County Council.
Requested by: Joshua A. Gruber, Esquire, Staff Attorney, Beaufort County
Opinion concerning the Beaufort County Library Board of Trustees (“Board”), this Office determined that the Board reported to and was accountable to the county administrator and not to the county council.
Requested by: Leesa Benggio, Interim Director, South Carolina State Library
Opinion regarding “both the timeline and procedures for appointing members to the new board” and further ask us to address “how long…the incumbent members of the Board of Elections and Voter Registration of Richland County may continue serving in the ‘combined governing capacity’ described in SECTION 3 of Act 196 of 2014.”
Opinion regarding “the interpretation of Bill S.1284 as it relates to the procedure for elections after reapportionment.”
Requested by: Bert Duffie, Esquire, General Counsel, Colleton County Board of School Trustees
Opinion as to whether an individual can serve as Elloree’s clerk of court if she currently serves as a neighboring municipality’s clerk of court and associate municipal court judge.
Requested by: The Honorable Mike Fanning, Mayor Pro Tem
Opinion answering multiple questions in regards to charging and prosecuting the DUI on the designated ticket.
Requested by: The Honorable Steve Loftis, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office
Opinion as to whether the Town of Edgefield can reinstate a property tax millage rate of 81 mills, which was adjusted from 81 to 0 mills in 2006 under the impression that it could subsequently be reintroduced.
Requested by: The Honorable Roger Le Due, Town of Edgefield Administrator
Opinion regarding the recording requirements the Office of the Register of Deeds should impose for cancellations and terminations of a bond for title, land contract, or other miscellaneous agreement and whether the seller involved in such an agreement can unilaterally cancel the contract after the purchaser’s default, pursuant to the contract’s terms.
Requested by: The Honorable Timothy L. Nanney, Register of Deeds, Greenville County Square
Opinion “concerning a memorandum of understanding (hereinafter “MOU”) that was presented to the Pickens County Board of Voter Registration and Elections (hereinafter “The Board”) by the Pickens County Council…”
Requested by: The Honorable Larry A. Martin, Senator, Pickens County
Opinion asking several questions regarding mandatory reporting when an adult discloses that they were abused as a child.
Opinion asking does the Charleston County Aviation Authority, as a special purpose district, have to pay building permit fees, or is the special purpose district exempt from such ordinances and regulations enacted by the county or municipality with jurisdiction over the special purpose district?
Requested by: Andrew Savage, Esquire, Charleston County Aviation Authority
Opinion asking several questions regarding the James Island Public Service District receiving funds and statutory provision [S.C. Code §] 4-10-10.
Requested by: The Honorable Bill Woolsey, Mayor, Town of James Island
Opinion regarding the heritage Act, codified at S.C. Code Ann. Section 10-1165.
Requested by: The Honorable Larry Grooms, Senator, District No. 37; and The Honorable Danny Verdin, Senator, District No. 9.
Opinion regarding an opinion we issued on May 20, 2014 in which we opined that an individual’s service as a Colleton County School Board Trustee and as a Colleton County Deputy Sheriff would most likely violate the prohibition against dual office holding.
Requested by: Bert Duffie, General Counsel, Colleton County Board of School Trustees
Opinion on whether speeds posted on yellow traffic warning signs are legally enforceable or merely warnings to motorists, and, if enforceable, the appropriate traffic charges that can be issued for violation of such speeds.
Requested by: The Honorable Ronald C. Halfacre, Newberry County Magistrate Judge
Opinion asking may delinquent tax collector include fees such as stormwater runoff and solid waste fees as “any applicable fees” on the county tax bill pursuant to South Carolina Code 12-43-350(9)? And may a fee such as a stormwater runoff or solid waste fee be collected through a tax sale when no ad valorem property tax is included on a tax bill?
Requested by: The Honorable Daniel M. Gregory, Charleston County Delinquent Tax Collector
Opinion regarding the definition of “first offense” in section 22-5-910 of the South Carolina Code, i.e. the adult expungement statute. Specifically, whether “first offense” means “first in time” or whether it means a type of crime.
Requested by: The Honorable Karl B. Allen, Senator, District No. 7
Opinion regarding whether the City of Anderson can charge people who live outside the city limits higher rates for water than it charges its residents.
Requested by: The Honorable Don Bowen, Member, House of Representatives
Opinion as to whether an individual can serve simultaneously as a Colleton County School Board Trustee and as a Colleton County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Requested by: The Honorable Kenneth F. Hodges, Member, House of Representatives
Opinion asking whether the definitions section of a county ordinance, which you say seems to be “broader” than the definitions section of a related state law, is superseded by that state law, “despite the fact that localities are permitted to enact ordinances.”.
Requested by: The Honorable Daniel B. Verdin, Senator, District 9; The Honorable Katrina Shealy, Senator, District 23
Opinion on whether section 40-80-20(B) of the South Carolina Code applies to convictions of arson which occurred prior to June 30, 2001.
Requested by: Chief David W. Jennings, Flint Hill Fire Department
Opinion regarding the interpretation of Section 59-130-10 as it relates to the effect of the General Assembly’s failure to re-elect a member of the College of Charleston Board of Trustees. Requested by: The Honorable Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., Senatorial District No. 14 Read full opinion.
Opinion regarding whether a former elected county official who pled guilty to misconduct in office pursuant to South Carolina Code § 8-1-80 et seq. pursuant to a State Grand Jury indictment would be guilty of a crime of moral turpitude for using state property for his own personal and pecuniary gain. Requested by: Mark A. Keel, Chief, S.C. Law Enforcement Division Read full Opinion
Opinion regarding authorized emergency vehicles. Requested by: Chief David W. Jennings, Flint Hill Fire Department Read full opinion.
Opinion regarding SC Code Section 5-7-170 and council members salary change. Requested by Kenneth E. Gaines, Columbia City Attorney Read full opinion.
Opinion regarding a seat on the Winthrop University Board of Trustees. Requested by: The Honorable Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., Senator, District No. 14 Read full opinion.
Opinion whether the position of an individual on both the Orangeburg County Planning Commission and the City of Orangeburg Aviation Commission would constitute dual office holding.
Requested by: James F. Walsh. Jr., Esq., City of Orangeburg Attorney
Opinion regarding whether or not a portion of monies collected from a sales tax pursuant to section 4-10-10 et seq. by the City Florence can be used to support a facility for teaching third and fourth year medical students.
Requested by: The Honorable Kristopher R. Crawford, Member, House of Representatives
Opinion asking several questions regarding taxes and receipt of funds in the Town of James Island and James Island Public Service District.
Requested by: The Honorable Bill Woosley, Mayor, Town of James Island
Opinion regarding a seat on the Winthrop University (“the University”) Board of Trustees (“the Board”).
Requested by: The Honorable Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., Senatorial District No. 14
Opinion concerning the training required of magistrates’ constables in order for them to carry a handgun while performing their duties in such capacity, referencing the language of S.C. Code §§ 22-9-180 and -190, as well as two prior opinions from 1976 and 1978.
Requested by: The Honorable Joshua R. Edwards, Magistrate, Darlington County
Opinion concerning whether two joint resolutions are applicable to an agreement between Beaufort County and Del Webb Communities, Inc.
Requested by: Joshua A. Gruber, Staff Attorney, Beaufort County Council
March 31, 2014 Opinion concerning whether State law requires that a referendum be held in order to change elections for the City of Georgetown from partisan to nonpartisan.
Requested by: Elise F. Crosby, Esquire, City Attorney, City of Georgetown; Donna Mahn, Director, Georgetown County Elections Commission
Opinion asking may Gaffney City Council use funds from local hospitality tax collected pursuant to South Carolina Code Section 6-1-720 et seq. to repair roads ) e.g., fixing pot holes and resurfacing roads)?
Opinion on several issues regarding the Beaufort County Library Board of Trustees.
Requested by: The Honorable Hulen E. Bivins, State Library Director, South Carolina State Library
Opinion asking may a city council form of municipal government vote the mayor pro tempore instead of mayor as the presiding officer at city council meetings?
Requested by: The Honorable Joseph W. Owens, Mayor, City of West Columbia
Opinion asking may delinquent tax collectors rely on electronic records of signatures and electronic signatures for restricted mail, return-receipt certified mail, delinquent tax sales notices and still be in compliance with S.C. Code Title 12, Chapter 51?
Opinion asking would the current owner of a property have standing to challenge a real property tax assessment on his property even though he did not own the property “as of December thirty-first of the year preceding the tax year” pursuant to South Carolina Code Section 12-37-610?
Requested by: The Honorable Sean M. Bennett, Senator, District No. 38
Opinion as to whether an out-of-state company can hire off-duty police officers to provide armed security in this State without being licensed as a private security business under Chapter 18 of Title of the S.C. Code.
Opinion as to whether a person or entity whose license to sell alcohol has been suspended or revoked is eligible to obtain another license for a different location during the period in which such suspension or revocation is in effect.
Requested by: The Honorable Mike Fair, Senator, District No. 6
Opinion “on an issue that could impact the ability of the State of South Carolina to hold elections during the current election cycle.”
Opinion concerning the certification and nomination of candidates for countywide and less than countywide office by political parties in light of the recent enactment of the Equal Access to the Ballot Act (the “Act”) of 2013.
Opinion regarding the proper interpretation of Sections 6 and 7 of Act 69 of 2011, now codified at S.C. Code Ann. § 17-13-170 and 23-3-1100 respectively.
Requested by: The Honorable Richard M. Gergel, Judge, United States District Court
Opinion asking whether a municipality may “legally impose a storm water fee on its’ citizens under federal and/or state law?”
Requested by: The Honorable B.R. Skelton, Representative, District No.3
Opinion asking does Rule 29(a) of the South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure allowing post-trial motions without a hearing permit a sentence reduction by a judge without prior notification to the Victim or opportunity for the Victim to be heard concerning such reduction?
Requested by: Veronica Swain Kunz, Crime Victims’ Ombudsman, Office of the Crime Victims’ Ombudsman
Opinion concerning the potential use of radar speed measurement devices by private security officers on the properties they are hired to protect.
Opinion on several issues regarding William E. Robinson’s service as a member of Allendale County Council, as an ex officio member of the Allendale County Aeronautics and Economic Development Commission, and as an employee of SouthernCarolina Alliance.
Opinion asking does S.C. Code § 33-31-620 and § 33-31-621 concerning resignation and termination in a nonprofit corporation apply to a nonprofit corporation that is also a property owner’s association?
Opinion as to whether the developer of a “safety-related” smartphone application (the “Developer”) and certain employees would be subject to licensing and registration requirements of Chapter 18 Title 40 of the S.C. Code concerning private security agencies if the application is made available for use in this State.
Opinion asking, must a South Carolina Probate Court continue to maintain tangible paper index books in addition to electronic records or will an electronic system of record keeping suffice under the current law?
Requested by: The Honorable Deirdre W. Edmonds, Horry County Judge of Probate
Opinion as to whether Spartanburg County (the “County”) may cease providing insurance benefits to members of the County Election Commission and the County Board of Registration when the County transitions from its current insurance plan to the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority’s (PEBA) insurance benefits program.
Requested by: Lisa R. Claxton, Esquire, Spartanburg County Attorney
Opinion as to whether Spartanburg County (the “County”) must continue to provide members of the County Election Commission and the Board of Registration with the option to purchase health insurance through the County’s insurance program.
Opinion asking may Greenville County use S.C. Code Section 12-37-235 to levy a fire service fee on tax exempt real property (such as cemeteries, hospitals, synagogues, non-profit corporations and churches) on behalf of a special purpose district and remit such a fee to the special purpose district?
Requested by: Mark W. Tollison, Esquire, Greenville County Attorney
Opinion regarding the Regional Transportation Authority Law.
Requested by: The Honorable J. Gregory Hembree, Senator, District No. 28