reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
SC Code § 4-8-30 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-30. Convening of commission; selection of officers; rules; quorum; compensation; expenses; employment of staff; contracts for special studies for preparation of charter.

 (A) Within ten days following the appointment of all the members of the commission, it is the duty of the chairman of the county governing body to call an organizational meeting of the commission and to set the date, time, and location of the meeting.  (B) The first order of business at the organizational meeting is the election of the permanent chairman who must be elected by majority vote of the members of the commission.  (C) After organization and election of a permanent chairman, the commission shall elect a secretary, who need not be a member, and such other officers as it considers necessary. The commission shall adopt rules to govern the conduct of its business as it considers necessary. A majority of members of the commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business, but no recommendation of the commission may be included in the proposed charter unless adopted by a two-thirds vote of all of the members of the commission.  (D) The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services except reimbursement for actual expenses incurred by them in carrying out their duties as members of the commission. The governing body of the county and the governing bodies of municipalities and special purpose districts within the county are authorized to expend public funds in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.  (E) The commission is authorized to employ such staff and contract with such consultants as it considers necessary to conduct special studies and assemble information for preparation of the charter subject to the limitation of funds made available to it. No person who holds an elected public office may be employed by the commission.  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-8-50 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-50. Completion of studies and draft of charter within twelve months; extension of time.

 The commission shall complete all of its studies and draft a proposed charter within twelve months following the date of its initial appointment. The period for the work of the commission may be extended by resolution adopted by the governing body of the county upon a written request submitted by the chairman of the charter commission and approved by a majority vote of the commission's members.  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-8-60 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-60. Matters involving public education not affected.

 Nothing in this chapter may be construed to authorize any commission created pursuant to this chapter to devolve any additional powers upon consolidated political subdivisions with regard to public school education or school districts or to abolish any school district within the county or transfer any of its powers, duties, and obligations to the consolidated political subdivision. County boards of education and boards of trustees shall continue to perform their statutory functions in matters related to them as prescribed in the Constitution and the general law of the State.  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-8-70 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-70. Public hearings; notice; certification and filing of proposed charter; public nature of records; informing public.

 (A) During the course of its studies, the commission is required to hold at least three public hearings to determine the sentiment of the citizens of the county regarding the work of the commission. The commission shall advertise the date, time, and place of the hearings in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least twice during the week immediately preceding the week in which public hearings are to be held.  (B) Immediately upon the completion of its work and the framing of a proposed charter for the creation of a consolidated political subdivision within the county, the proposed charter must be filed by the commission with the clerk of the governing body of the county and with the clerk of the governing body of each of the municipalities within the county and must be certified by the chairman of the commission. The copies are public records and available for inspection or examination by any interested person.  (C) The commission shall take such steps as it considers reasonable and appropriate to inform the public throughout the county of the contents of the proposed charter.  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-8-80 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-80. Election by all qualified voters of county; notice and publication; form of ballot.

 Not more than thirty days after the receipt of the certified copy of the proposed charter, the governing body of the county shall call for an election for the purpose of submitting the question of consolidation and the proposed charter to all of the qualified voters of the county including those residing in municipalities continued by the charter for approval or rejection. The county governing body shall set the date of the election for a day not less than sixty nor more than ninety days after the issuance of the call. The county shall publish the date and purpose of the election once a week for three weeks immediately preceding the date of the election in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. The ballot must have written or printed on it the following:  "Must a consolidated political subdivision be formed and the proposed charter framed for it to be adopted in __________ County?  In favor of consolidation __________  Opposed to consolidation __________  Persons desiring to vote in favor of consolidation, the proposed charter, and for the creation of a consolidated political subdivision shall vote for approval and those persons desiring to vote for rejection of consolidation and the proposed charter shall vote against approval."  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-8-90 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-90. Presentation of consolidation question; adoption of charter; effect of unsuccessful election; conduct and expenses of election.

 (A) The charter study commission must select one of the following methods of presenting the question of consolidation and the adoption of the charter:  (1) The charter for the creation of a consolidated political subdivision is effective upon the approval of a majority of the qualified electors of the county voting on the question as provided in Section 4-8-80; or  (2) If the charter for the creation of a consolidated political subdivision is approved by the qualified electors of the county as required by item (1) of this section but not approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting on the question in a municipality or special purpose district, the charter is void and of no force and effect only in that municipality or special purpose district.  (B) If the charter and consolidation do not become effective for any of the reasons enumerated in subsection (A), another charter commission may not be created in the county for at least four years from the date of the unsuccessful election.  (C) The expense of the election must be borne by the county and be conducted in accordance with procedures governing county elections under the general law.  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-8-95 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-95. Election of city or special purpose district to be excluded from consolidation.

 (A) A special purpose district or city may elect to exclude itself from consolidation.  (B) In each election held pursuant to this chapter, votes cast must be counted and recorded by municipality and by special purpose district. A majority vote in opposition to the consolidation from the municipality or special purpose district must be construed as a decision to be excluded from consolidation.  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-8-100 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-100. Certified copy of adopted charter for consolidation furnished to Secretary of State with election returns; proclamation of results.

 Whenever a charter for the consolidation of any county and the municipalities and other political subdivisions within the county has been adopted, the county governing body shall furnish a certified copy of the charter with returns of the special election provided for in this chapter to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall issue his proclamation showing and declaring the results of the election on the adoption of the proposed charter. One copy of the proclamation must be attached to a copy of the charter certified to the Secretary of State and one copy must be delivered to the clerk of the governing body of the county and the clerks of the governing bodies of the respective municipalities of the county.  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-8-110 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-110. When government of consolidated political subdivision becomes effective; governing body to implement provisions of charter.

 The government for the consolidated political subdivision becomes effective within the county concerned when the governing body of the consolidated political subdivision has been elected and the members of the consolidated political subdivision qualified in accordance with the provisions of the charter and the governing body shall take all actions necessary to implement the provisions of the charter.  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-8-120 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-120. Subsequent inclusion of municipality or special purpose district in consolidated political subdivision; referenda.

 (A) Any municipality initially not included in the consolidated political subdivision created under the provisions of this chapter, may, at any future time, surrender its certificate of incorporation and become part of the consolidated political subdivision under the terms and conditions and in accordance with the procedures prescribed in the charter. However, no municipality shall become part of the consolidated political subdivision until consolidation of that municipality is approved by a favorable vote of a majority of the electors of the particular municipality concerned and a majority of the governing body of the consolidated political subdivision.  (B) Any special purpose district initially not included in the consolidated political subdivision created under the provisions of this chapter may, at any future time, become part of the consolidated political subdivision under such terms and conditions and in accordance with the procedures prescribed in the charter. No special purpose district may become part of the consolidated political subdivision until consolidation of that special purpose district is approved by a favorable vote of a majority of the electors of the consolidated political subdivision voting in a referendum and a majority of the qualified electors voting in a referendum in the particular special purpose district concerned.  (C) The referendum is a special election called only for the purpose of determining whether or not the municipality or special purpose district shall become a part of the consolidated political subdivision.  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-8-130 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-130. Zoning ordinances and regulations not affected.

 The creation and establishment of a consolidated government pursuant to this chapter does not alter or change zoning regulations or other ordinances effective in the county or the municipalities consolidated, and the regulations or ordinances continue until modified or changed by the consolidated council acting under authority granted through the charter of the consolidated government.  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-8-140 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-140. Consolidated government, obligations and privileges; ownership of assets and property; inapplicability to municipality or special purpose district that does not approve charter.

 Any consolidated government established under this chapter acquires and succeeds to all rights, obligations, duties, and privileges of the county and in the municipalities and other political subdivisions consolidated. Without the necessity or formality of deed, bill of sale, or other instrument of transfer, the consolidated government becomes the owner of all property, assets, contracts, and franchises previously belonging to the county and consolidated municipalities and other political subdivisions and special purpose districts in the consolidated political subdivision except school districts. However, if a majority of the qualified electors voting on the question of consolidation in a municipality or special purpose district do not approve the charter as provided under Section 4-8-90(B), this section does not apply to the municipality or special purpose district.  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-8-150 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 8 - Consolidation Of Political Subdivisions|Section 4-8-150. Furnishing of electric services within consolidated political subdivision.

 Except as provided in Section 58-27-20, the furnishing of electric service or the construction of facilities for the furnishing of electric service within a consolidated political subdivision is governed by the provisions of Title 58 of Chapter 27, Section 5-7-60, and, in unassigned territory, Section 6-21-400.  HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 319, Section 3, eff April 8, 1992.
SC Code § 4-9-20 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 9 - County Government|Section 4-9-20. Designation of permissible alternative forms of government.

 The alternate forms of government which may be adopted pursuant to Section 4-9-10 shall be one of the following:  (a) Council form as set forth in Article 3;  (b) Council-supervisor form as set forth in Article 5;  (c) Council-administrator form as set forth in Article 7;  (d) Council-manager form as set forth in Article 9;  (e) Board of commissioners form as set forth in Article 11.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 14-3702; 1975 (59) 692.
SC Code § 4-9-25 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 9 - County Government|Section 4-9-25. Powers of counties.

 All counties of the State, in addition to the powers conferred to their specific form of government, have authority to enact regulations, resolutions, and ordinances, not inconsistent with the Constitution and general law of this State, including the exercise of these powers in relation to health and order in counties or respecting any subject as appears to them necessary and proper for the security, general welfare, and convenience of counties or for preserving health, peace, order, and good government in them. The powers of a county must be liberally construed in favor of the county and the specific mention of particular powers may not be construed as limiting in any manner the general powers of counties.  HISTORY: 1989 Act No. 139, Section 3, eff June 6, 1989.
SC Code § 4-9-33 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 9 - County Government|Section 4-9-33. Referendum required to approve creation of county police department.

 A referendum must be held to approve the creation of a county police department prior to the implementation of an ordinance adopted by a county council which would duplicate or replace the law enforcement functions of a sheriff. As used in this section, the term law enforcement means those activities and duties which require the exercise of custodial arrest authority by a sheriff or his duly appointed and sworn deputy or the performance of duties conferred by state law upon a sheriff and those activities incidental to the performance of law enforcement duties.  Nothing in this section shall be construed as a limitation on the authority of a county council to provide litter control and animal control, to appoint and commission code enforcement officers as provided for in Section 4-9-145, to provide other services not directly related to law enforcement, to exercise the powers conferred by general law upon counties to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community, or to adopt capital and operating budgets for the operation of the county as provided for in Section 4-9-140.  A county council may provide for E-911 services as provided for in Chapter 47 of Title 23; provided, however, that access to criminal records databases and other similar restricted databases relating to law enforcement functions must remain under the supervision of the sheriff or his designee unless law enforcement functions are transferred to a county police department pursuant to a referendum provided for in this section.  HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 12, Section 1, eff March 23, 1993.
SC Code § 4-9-35 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 9 - County Government|Section 4-9-35. County public library systems; boards of trustees.

 (A) Each county council shall prior to July 1, 1979, by ordinance establish within the county a county public library system, which ordinance shall be consistent with the provisions of this section; provided, however, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the governing body of any county may by ordinance provide for the composition, function, duties, responsibilities, and operation of the county library system. County library systems created by such ordinances shall be deemed a continuing function of county government and shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 4-9-50 except as state funds are specifically appropriated under other provisions of law.  (B) Each county public library system shall be controlled and managed by a board of trustees consisting of not fewer than seven nor more than eleven members appointed by the county council (council) for terms of four years and until successors are appointed and qualify except that of those members initially appointed one-half of such appointees less one shall be appointed for terms of two years only. Previous service on a county library board prior to the enactment of the county ordinance establishing the board shall not limit service on the board. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired term. To the extent feasible, members shall be appointed from all geographical areas of the county.  (C) The board shall annually elect a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer and such other officers as it deems necessary. The board shall meet not less than four times each year and at other times as called by the chairman or upon the written request by a majority of the members.  HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 564 Section 2.
SC Code § 4-9-36 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 4 - Counties|Chapter 9 - County Government|Section 4-9-36. Duties of boards of trustees.

 The board as provided for in Section 4-9-35 shall be authorized to exercise powers as to the policies of the county library which shall not be inconsistent with the general policies established by the governing body of the county, and pursuant to that authority shall be empowered to:  (1) Employ a chief librarian whose qualifications and credentials shall meet the certification requirements of the State Library Board, and who shall be responsible to the county library board for the administration of the program and the selection of library staff members required to carry out the functions of the library system.  (2) Purchase, lease, hold and dispose of real and personal property in the name of the county for the exclusive use of the county public library system. Provided, however, any such conveyance, lease or purchase of real property shall be by the county governing body in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4-9-10 et seq. and Sections 5-1-10 et seq., as amended.  (3) Acquire books and other library materials and provide for use thereof throughout the county.  (4) Accept donations of real property, services, books and other items suitable for use in the library system.  (5) Designate or mark equipment, rooms and buildings, and other library facilities to commemorate and identify gifts and donations made to the library system.  (6) Cooperate or enter into contracts or agreements with any public or private agency which results in improved services or the receipt of financial aid in carrying out the functions of the library system. Provided, however, such contracts and agreements shall be subject to approval by the governing body of the county.  (7) Enter into contracts or agreements with other counties to operate regional or joint libraries and related facilities. Provided, however, such contracts and agreements shall be subject to approval by the governing body of the county.  (8) Receive and expend grants, appropriations, gifts and donations from any private or public source for the operation, expansion or improvement of the library system.  (9) Take any actions deemed necessary and proper by the board to establish, equip, operate and maintain an effective library system within limits of approved appropriations of county council.  HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 564 Section 2.