reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
SC Code § 49-17-10 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-10. Legislative declaration of public interest.

 It is hereby declared that the drainage of swamps, the drainage of surface water from agricultural lands and the reclamation of tidal marshes shall be considered a public benefit and conducive to the public health, convenience, utility and welfare.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-201; 1952 Code Section 18-201; 1942 Code Section 6096; 1932 Code Section 6096; Civ. C. '22 Section 3150; Civ. C. '12 Section 2196; 1911 (27) 92; 1913 (28) 16; 1914 (28) 455, 460, 514; 1916 (29) 748; 1920 (31) 804.
SC Code § 49-17-20 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-20. Chapter to be liberally construed.

 The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to promote the leveeing, ditching, draining and reclamation of wet and overflowed lands.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-202; 1952 Code Section 18-202; 1942 Code Section 6132; 1932 Code Section 6132; Civ. C. '22 Section 3186; Civ. C. '12 Section 2232; 1911 (27) 92.
SC Code § 49-17-30 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-30. Proceedings may be ex parte or advisory.

 Proceedings under this chapter may be ex parte or advisory.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-203; 1952 Code Section 18-203; 1942 Code Section 6136; 1932 Code Section 6136; Civ. C. '22 Section 3190; Civ. C. '12 Section 2236; 1911 (27) 92.
SC Code § 49-17-40 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-40. Effect of chapter on local drainage laws.

 This chapter shall not repeal or change any local drainage laws enacted by the General Assembly.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-204; 1952 Code Section 18-204; 1942 Code Section 6137; 1932 Code Section 6137; Civ. C. '22 Section 3191; Civ. C. '12 Section 2237; 1911 (27) 92; 1917 (30) 40.
SC Code § 49-17-50 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-50. Drainage record.

 The clerk of the court of common pleas shall provide a suitable book to be known as the "Drainage Record" in which he shall transcribe every petition, motion, order, report, judgment or finding of the board in every drainage transaction that may come before it in such a manner as to make a complete and continuous record of the case. Copies of all the maps and profiles are to be furnished by the engineer and marked by the clerk "official copies" and shall be kept on file by him in his office and one other copy shall be pasted or otherwise attached to his record book.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-205; 1952 Code Section 18-205; 1942 Code Section 6113; 1932 Code Section 6113; Civ. C. '22 Section 3167; Civ. C. '12 Section 2213; 1911 (27) 92.
SC Code § 49-17-210 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-210. Powers of clerk of court.

 The clerk of the court of common pleas of any county of this State may establish a levee or drainage district or districts in his county, locate and establish levees, drains or canals, cause to be constructed, straightened, widened or deepened any ditch, drain or watercourse and build levees or embankments and erect tide gates and pumping plants for the purpose of draining and reclaiming wet, swamp or overflowed lands.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-211; 1952 Code Section 18-211; 1942 Code Section 6096; 1932 Code Section 6096; Civ. C. '22 Section 3150; Civ. C. '12 Section 2196; 1911 (27) 92; 1913 (28) 16; 1914 (28) 455, 460, 514; 1916 (29) 748; 1920 (31) 804.
SC Code § 49-17-220 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-220. Initiation of proceedings.

 Whenever:  (1) A petition, signed by a majority of the resident landowners in a proposed drainage district or by the owners of more than half the land in acreage which will be affected by, or assessed for the expense of the proposed improvements, shall be filed in the office of the clerk of court of common pleas of any county in which a part of such lands are located, setting forth that any specific body or district of land in the county and adjoining counties, described in such a way as to convey an intelligent idea as to the location of such land, is subject to overflow or too wet for cultivation and the public benefit or utility or the public health, convenience or welfare will be promoted by draining, ditching or leveeing such land, by changing or improving the natural watercourses or by the installing of tile systems, and setting forth therein, as far as practicable, the starting point, route and terminus and lateral branches, if necessary, of the proposed improvement and  (2) There is filed therewith a bond for the amount of one hundred dollars per mile for each mile of the proposed improvement, signed by two or more sureties or by some lawful and authorized surety company, to be approved by the clerk of such court of common pleas, conditioned for the payment of all expenses and costs incurred in the proceedings in case the clerk of court does not grant the prayer of the petition,  The clerk shall issue a summons to be served on all the landowners who have not joined in the petition and whose lands are included in the proposed drainage district, so far as the clerk has been able to ascertain them. The failure to serve those landowners whose names were unknown to the clerk shall have no effect upon the proceedings if they are made parties to the proceedings as provided in Section 49-17-630.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-213; 1952 Code Section 18-213; 1942 Code Section 6097; 1932 Code Section 6097; Civ. C. '22 Section 3151; Civ. C. '12 Section 2197; 1911 (27) 92; 1914 (28) 455; 1915 (29) 199; 1920 (31) 1089.
SC Code § 49-17-230 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-230. Effect of lands being in more than one county.

 When the lands proposed to be drained and created into a drainage district are located in two or more counties the clerk of court of common pleas of either county shall have and exercise the jurisdiction herein conferred and the venue shall be in that county in which the petition is first filed.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-214; 1952 Code Section 18-214; 1942 Code Section 6097; 1932 Code Section 6097; Civ. C. '22 Section 3151; Civ. C. '12 Section 2197; 1911 (27) 92; 1914 (28) 455; 1915 (29) 199; 1920 (31) 1089.
SC Code § 49-17-240 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-240. Service of process.

 The summons may be served by publication as to any defendants who cannot be personally served, as provided by law. The service of such summons upon the station agent of any railroad, interurban or other company in any county in which the right of way of such company will be affected by such drainage will be sufficient notice to such railroad or other company and in case there be no agent of any such company in such county such company shall be notified in the same manner as nonresident landowners.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-215; 1952 Code Section 18-215; 1942 Code Section 6097; 1932 Code Section 6097; Civ. C. '22 Section 3151; Civ. C. '12 Section 2197; 1911 (27) 92; 1914 (28) 455; 1915 (29) 199; 1920 (31) 1089.
SC Code § 49-17-250 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-250. Appointment of board of viewers.

 Upon the return day the clerk shall appoint a disinterested and competent civil and drainage engineer and two resident freeholders of the county or counties in which the lands are located as a board of viewers to examine the lands described in the petition and make a preliminary report thereon.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-216; 1952 Code Section 18-216; 1942 Code Section 6097; 1932 Code Section 6097; Civ. C. '22 Section 3151; Civ. C. '12 Section 2197; 1911 (27) 92; 1914 (28) 455; 1915 (29) 199; 1920 (31) 1089.
SC Code § 49-17-260 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-260. Board of viewers may borrow expense money; payment of expenses.

 The board of viewers may borrow a sufficient sum of money to defray the costs and expenses of examining the lands described in the petition and making a preliminary report thereon, including the compensation of the engineer and his assistants, not exceeding the amount of the bond filed and may pledge the bond as security for such loan. The sum so borrowed shall be deposited with the clerk of court to be disbursed by him from time to time in payment of the aforesaid costs and expenses, including the compensation of the engineer and his assistants. If the proposed district is finally established such loan, with interest, shall be repaid from the assessment authorized by Section 49-17-1310 and if no such loan is procured the aforesaid costs and expenses, including the compensation of the engineer and his assistants, shall be paid from such assessment. But if the petition is dismissed at the cost of the petitioners the sureties on the bond shall be liable, to the extent of the amount of the bond, for the aforesaid costs and expenses, including the compensation of the engineer and his assistants, or the repayment of the loan, together with interest, if a loan has been procured as aforesaid.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-217; 1952 Code Section 18-217; 1942 Code Section 6097; 1932 Code Section 6097; Civ. C. '22 Section 3151; Civ. C. '12 Section 2197; 1911 (27) 92; 1914 (28) 455; 1915 (29) 199; 1920 (31) 1089.
SC Code § 49-17-270 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-270. Preliminary report of board of viewers.

 The board of viewers shall proceed to examine the land described in the petition and other land, if necessary, and to locate properly such improvement or improvements as are petitioned for along the route described in the petition or any other route answering the same purpose if found more practicable or feasible and may make such surveys as may be necessary to determine the boundaries and elevations of the several parts of the district. They shall make and return to the clerk of court of common pleas within ninety days, unless the time shall be extended by the clerk, a written report, which shall set forth:  (1) Whether the proposed drainage is practicable or not;  (2) Whether it will benefit the public health or any public highway or be conducive to the general welfare of the community;  (3) Whether the improvements proposed will benefit the land sought to be benefited; and  (4) Whether or not all the lands benefited are included in the proposed drainage district.  They shall also file with this report a map of the proposed drainage district showing the location of the ditch or ditches or other improvements to be constructed in the lands that will be affected thereby and other such information as they may have collected that will tend to show the correctness of their findings.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-218; 1952 Code Section 18-218; 1942 Code Section 6098; 1932 Code Section 6098; Civ. C. '22 Section 3152; Civ. C. '12 Section 2198; 1911 (27) 92; 1920 (31) 1089.
SC Code § 49-17-280 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-280. Dismissal of petition if report is unfavorable; new proceedings.

 If the viewers report that the drainage is not practicable or that it will not benefit the public health or any public highway or be conducive to the general welfare of the community and the clerk of court shall approve such findings the petition shall be dismissed at the cost of the petitioners and the sureties upon the bond so filed by them shall be liable as aforesaid. Such petition or proceedings may again be instituted by the same or additional landowners at any time after six months upon proper allegations that conditions have changed or that material facts were omitted or overlooked.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-219; 1952 Code Section 18-219; 1942 Code Section 6099; 1932 Code Section 6099; Civ. C. '22 Section 3153; Civ. C. '12 Section 2199; 1911 (27) 92; 1914 (28) 755; 1920 (31) 1089.
SC Code § 49-17-290 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-290. Hearing ordered if report is favorable.

 If the viewers report that the drainage is practicable and that it will benefit the public health or any public highway or be conducive to the general welfare of the community and the clerk of court shall so find, then the clerk shall fix a day when the report will be further heard and considered.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-220; 1952 Code Section 18-220; 1942 Code Section 6099; 1932 Code Section 6099; Civ. C. '22 Section 3153; Civ. C. '12 Section 2199; 1911 (27) 92; 1914 (28) 755; 1920 (31) 1089.
SC Code § 49-17-300 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-300. Notice of hearing.

 If the petition is entertained by the clerk of court notice shall be given by publication for two consecutive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation within the county or counties, if one shall be published in such counties, and also by posting a written or printed notice at the door of the courthouse and at five conspicuous places within the drainage district that on the date set, naming the day, the clerk of court will consider and pass upon the report of the viewers. At least fifteen days shall intervene between the date of publication and the posting of notices and the date set for the hearing.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-221; 1952 Code Section 18-221; 1942 Code Section 6100; 1932 Code Section 6100; Civ. C. '22 Section 3154; Civ. C. '12 Section 2200; 1911 (27) 92.
SC Code § 49-17-310 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-310. Hearing; action on preliminary report.

 At the date appointed for the hearing the clerk of court shall hear and determine any objections that may be offered to the report of the viewers. If it appear that there is any land within the proposed levee or drainage district that will not be affected by the leveeing or drainage thereof such lands shall be excluded and the names of the owners withdrawn from such proceedings. And if it shall be shown that there is any land not within the proposed district that will be affected by the construction of the proposed levee or drain the boundary of the district shall be so changed as to include such lands and such additional landowners shall be made parties plaintiff or defendant, respectively, and summons shall issue accordingly, as hereinbefore provided. And any landowners whose lands were within the original levee or drainage district, who were not summoned by the clerk when the petition was filed and whose names have since been ascertained by the clerk, shall be made parties plaintiff or defendant, respectively, and summons shall issue accordingly, as hereinbefore provided. After such change in the boundaries is made, the sufficiency of the petition shall be verified to determine whether or not it conforms to the requirements of the statute as provided in Section 49-17-220. The engineer and the other two viewers may attend this meeting and give any information or evidence that may be sought to verify and to substantiate their reports. The efficiency of the drainage or levee may also be determined and if it appears that the location of any levee or drain can be changed so as to make it more effective, that other branches or spurs should be constructed or that any branch or spur projected may be eliminated or other changes made that will tend to increase the benefits of the proposed work such modification and changes shall be made by the board of viewers. If necessary the petition, as amended, shall be referred by the clerk of court to the engineer and two viewers for further report.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-222; 1952 Code Section 18-222; 1942 Code Section 6101; 1932 Code Section 6101; Civ. C. '22 Section 3155; Civ. C. '12 Section 2202; 1911 (27) 92; 1915 (29) 199.
SC Code § 49-17-320 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-320. Establishment of district.

 The above facts having been determined to the satisfaction of the clerk of the court and the boundaries of the proposed district so determined he shall declare the establishment of the drainage or levee district, which shall be designated by a name or number, for the object and purpose as in this chapter set forth.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-223; 1952 Code Section 18-223; 1942 Code Section 6101; 1932 Code Section 6101; Civ. C. '22 Section 3155; Civ. C. '12 Section 2202; 1911 (27) 92; 1915 (29) 199.
SC Code § 49-17-330 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-330. Right of appeal.

 Any person owning lands within the drainage or levee district which he thinks will not be benefited by the improvement and should not be included in the district may appeal from the decision of the clerk to the court of common pleas of such county, in term time or at chambers, by filing an appeal, accompanied by a bond conditioned for the payment of the costs if the appeal should be decided against him for such sum as the court may require, not exceeding two hundred dollars, signed by two or more solvent sureties or by some approved surety company, to be approved by the court or by the clerk of court.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-224; 1952 Code Section 18-224; 1942 Code Section 6103; 1932 Code Section 6103; Civ. C. '22 Section 3157; Civ. C. '12 Section 2203; 1911 (27) 92; 1961 (52) 43.
SC Code § 49-17-510 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-510. Requirement of complete survey, plans, and specifications; report.

 After the district is established the clerk of court shall refer the report of the engineer and viewers back to them to make a complete survey and complete plans and specifications for the drains or levees or other improvements and shall fix a time when the engineer and viewers shall complete and file such report.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-231; 1952 Code Section 18-231; 1942 Code Section 6104; 1932 Code Section 6104; Civ. C. '22 Section 3158; Civ. C. '12 Section 2204; 1911 (27) 92; 1916 (29) 932; 1920 (31) 1087.
SC Code § 49-17-520 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-520. Making complete survey; accompanying documents.

 The engineer and viewers may employ such assistants as may be necessary to make a complete survey of the drainage district and shall enter upon the ground and make a survey of the main drain or drains and all its laterals. The line of each ditch, drain or levee shall be plainly and substantially marked on the ground. The course and distance of each ditch shall be carefully noted and sufficient notes made so that it may be accurately platted and mapped. A line of levels shall be run for the entire work and sufficient data secured from which accurate profiles and plans may be made. Frequent bench marks shall be established along the line, on permanent objects, and their elevation recorded in the field books. If it is deemed expedient by the engineer and viewers other levels may be run to determine the fall from one part of the district to another. If an old watercourse, ditch or channel is being widened, deepened or straightened it shall be accurately cross-sectioned so as to compute the amount of cubic yards saved by the use of such old channel. A drainage map of the district shall then be completed, showing the location of the ditch or ditches and other improvements and the boundary, as closely as may be determined by the records of the lands owned by each individual landowner within the district. The location of any railroads or public highways and the boundary of any incorporated town or village within the district shall be shown on the map. There shall also be prepared to accompany this map a profile of each levee, drain or watercourse showing the surface of the ground, the bottom or grade of the proposed improvement, the number of cubic yards of excavation or fill in each mile or fraction thereof, the total yards in the proposed improvement and the estimated cost thereof and plans and specifications for and the cost of any work required to be done.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-232; 1952 Code Section 18-232; 1942 Code Section 6105; 1932 Code Section 6105; Civ. C. '22 Section 3159; Civ. C. '12 Section 2205; 1911 (27) 92.
SC Code § 49-17-530 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage|Chapter 17 - Drainage Or Levee Districts Under 1911 Act|Section 49-17-530. Assessment of damages.

 The engineer and viewers shall assess the damage claimed by anyone that is justly right and due to him for land taken or for inconvenience imposed because of the construction of the improvement or for any other legal damage sustained. Such damage shall be considered separate and apart from any benefit the land would receive because of the proposed work and shall be paid by the board of drainage commissioners when funds shall come into their hands.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 18-233; 1952 Code Section 18-233; 1942 Code Section 6106; 1932 Code Section 6106; Civ. C. '22 Section 3160; Civ. C. '12 Section 2206; 1911 (27) 92.