AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-80, RELATING TO APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSES OR PERMITS, SO AS TO DELETE THE TERM "BLOOD TYPE" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "INFORMATION"; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-3350, RELATING TO ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL IDENTIFICATION CARDS AND VETERAN DESIGNATIONS ON DRIVERS' LICENSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION THAT MUST BE SUBMITTED ON APPLICATIONS FOR A PERSON'S BLOOD TYPE TO APPEAR ON A SPECIAL IDENTIFICATION CARD, AND TO PROVIDE A CAUSE OF ACTION BASED ON INACCURATE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON IDENTIFICATION CARDS OR DRIVERS' RECORDS; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO DEFINE THE TERM "RENTAL TRAILER"; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-785, RELATING TO ISSUANCE OF PERMANENT LICENSE PLATES TO CERTAIN OWNERS OF TRAILERS AND SEMITRAILERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF LICENSE PLATES TO OWNERS OF RENTAL TRAILERS, AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-2320, RELATING TO DEALER AND WHOLESALER LICENSE PLATES, SO AS TO REVISE THE NUMBER OF MOTOR VEHICLE SALES THAT MUST BE MADE BEFORE DEALER PLATES MAY BE ISSUED; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-15-560, RELATING TO APPLICATIONS FOR WHOLESALE MOTOR VEHICLE AUCTION LICENSES AND FEES, SO AS TO REVISE EXPIRATION DATES FOR THE LICENSES AND INCREASE THE LICENSE FEES; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-19-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "BUS"; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-23-85, RELATING TO DRIVER INSTRUCTOR PERMITS, SO AS TO REVISE THE EXPIRATION DATES FOR THE PERMITS AND PROVIDE A SCHEDULE OF FEES; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-37-30, RELATING TO ESTABLISHMENT OF THE POINTS SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING PERFORMANCE RECORDS OF DEALERS, SO AS TO ELIMINATE CERTAIN CONDUCT THAT RESULTS IN POINT VIOLATIONS AND ADD ADDITIONAL CONDUCT THAT RESULTS IN POINT VIOLATIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-37-70, RELATING TO SUSPENSIONS OF LICENSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MAY NOTIFY CERTAIN PERSONS BY CERTIFIED MAIL OR ELECTRONIC TRACKING; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-1010, RELATING TO TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH CORPORATE-OWNED FLEET MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "FLEET"; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-40, RELATING TO PERSONS WHO MAY NOT BE LICENSED OR HAVE THEIR LICENSES RENEWED, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES, TO PROVIDE THIS PROVISION APPLIES TO THE ISSUANCE OF IDENTIFICATION CARDS, TO ESTABLISH THE MAXIMUM PERIOD DRIVERS' LICENSES AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS ARE VALID, TO PROVIDE A FEE FOR IDENTIFICATION CARDS, AND TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES CERTAIN DISCRETION WHEN GRANTING EXTENSIONS TO DRIVERS' LICENSES AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-210, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY LICENSE PLATES, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PERIOD THE LICENSE PLATES ARE VALID; BY REPEALING SECTION 56-5-2585 RELATING TO EXEMPTING PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS FROM PAYING PARKING METER FEES; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-19-10, RELATING TO PROTECTION OF TITLES TO AND INTERESTS IN MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-19-265, RELATING TO LIENS OR ENCUMBRANCES RECORDED ON MOTOR VEHICLES OR MOBILE HOMES, SO AS TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ENTITIES TO UTILIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC TITLE SYSTEM, AND TO REVISE THE PROVISIONS THAT ESTABLISH THE PROCEDURES TO TRANSFER VEHICLE OWNERSHIP, APPLY FOR AND THE RELEASE OF LIENS, AND PERFORM OTHER ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO TITLE CERTAIN VEHICLES; TO AMEND SECTION 56-19-370, RELATING TO PROCEDURES FOR THE VOLUNTARY TRANSFER OF CERTAIN VEHICLES BY DEALERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE CONDITIONS THAT ALLOW THE PROSECUTION OF DEALERS FOR IMPROPERLY TITLING OR REGISTERING VEHICLES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 56-19-680, RELATING TO THE SATISFACTION OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN VEHICLES FOR WHICH CERTIFICATES OF TITLES ARE IN THE POSSESSION OF LIENHOLDERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE PROCEDURES WHEREBY LIENHOLDERS' INTERESTS ARE RELEASED, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR THE FAILURE OF LIENHOLDERS TO FORWARD CERTAIN CERTIFICATES OF TITLE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
The bill proposes notable revisions to license and identification practices which include the introduction of electronic systems in maintaining lien records. For example, the measure allows the Department of Motor Vehicles to implement a transaction fee related to these electronic transactions, directed towards the State Highway Fund. Additionally, it revises the definitions of 'rental trailers' and modifies the issuance procedures for dealer and wholesaler license plates, thus streamlining vehicle registration and dealer operations.
House Bill 3856 seeks to amend various sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws pertinent to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Key amendments include changing the terminology regarding blood type to 'information' on licenses and identification cards. This adjustment aligns with modern practices as it provides a framework for the inclusion of various data types, thereby increasing the flexibility and utility of these identification documents. The bill also outlines the necessary documentation that needs to be presented when applying for special identification cards, particularly for those wishing to disclose medical information such as autism or blood type.
Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB 3856 appears to be generally positive, as it represents a significant modernization of the existing framework governing vehicle and driver identification in South Carolina. The proactive adjustments are viewed as beneficial for both individuals seeking to navigate the DMV processes effectively and businesses operating within the vehicle sales industry. However, the introduction of fees and documentation requirements may elicit some concerns regarding accessibility and potential burdens on those unfamiliar with the DMV's electronic systems.
There are discussions regarding the implications of the bill on individual privacy, especially concerning the sharing of medical information on identification cards. While the legislation aims to facilitate the incorporation of crucial medical data, it also raises questions about the potential misuse of such information. Furthermore, the transparency and efficiency associated with the electronic lien system might lead to scrutiny over data security and privacy violations, necessitating strong regulations to protect sensitive information.