A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 48-35-60, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR FIRES ON CERTAIN LANDS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER 35, TITLE 48; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 48-35-55 RELATING TO FIRE REGULATION EXEMPTIONS.
Summary
H4265 amends South Carolina law governing fires on certain lands by substantially increasing criminal penalties for violations of Chapter 35, Title 48. Under the bill, a first offense would remain a misdemeanor but the maximum punishment would rise from 30 days to one year in jail, and the fine range would be increased to a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $205,000. For a second or subsequent offense, the bill increases the possible jail term from 60 days to three years and raises the fine range to a minimum of $2,000 and a maximum of $25,000. The bill also keeps the definition of a “subsequent offense” as one committed within ten years of a prior offense.
Impact
The bill would amend Section 48-35-60 of the South Carolina Code, changing the penalties applicable to violations of the state’s fire-control provisions on certain lands. It also repeals Section 48-35-55, which concerns fire regulation exemptions, thereby removing that statutory exemption provision from the code. If enacted, the measure would expose violators to significantly higher fines and longer potential imprisonment, increasing enforcement leverage for state fire and land-management authorities and affecting landowners, burners, and others subject to Chapter 35.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears to be focused on stronger deterrence and enforcement rather than controversy in the available record. The bill’s structure suggests a policy preference for tougher penalties in response to fire-related violations, likely reflecting concern about wildfire risk, unsafe burning practices, or repeated noncompliance. No opposing arguments or recorded amendments are included in the supplied context.
Contention
The main substantive point of contention is likely the scale of the penalty increase, especially the jump in maximum incarceration for a first offense and the higher fine amounts for repeat offenses. Another potential issue is the repeal of the fire-regulation exemption section, which could affect whether certain activities or parties remain exempt from the chapter’s requirements. Because no committee transcript or vote history was provided, specific supporters or opponents cannot be identified from the record.