A BILL TO REPEAL ACT 21 OF 1959, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE HORRY COUNTY POLICE COMMISSION.
Summary
H4542 repeals Act 21 of 1959, as amended, which created and governs the Horry County Police Commission. The bill is straightforward: it abolishes the commission entirely on the act’s effective date and does not replace it with a new governing structure. The effective date is set for June 30, 2026, giving time for any transition in local law enforcement oversight and administration.
In practical terms, the bill would remove the statutory basis for the Horry County Police Commission and end its authority over the county police department. Any duties, powers, or procedures currently assigned to the commission under state law would cease when the repeal takes effect, and Horry County would need to operate without that commission unless other local or state provisions are enacted to fill the gap. The bill affects local governance and public safety administration in Horry County rather than statewide policy.
The available record shows no committee transcript and no recorded votes, so there is no documented debate or formal opposition in the materials provided. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears administrative and structural rather than policy-driven, with the main issue being the elimination of a long-standing county oversight body. The delayed effective date suggests an intent to allow an orderly transition, which may indicate some support for the change or at least recognition of implementation concerns.
Because there is no discussion record, the specific points of contention are not documented here. The likely areas of concern would be the loss of a dedicated police commission, questions about who would assume oversight responsibilities, and how the change would affect local control, accountability, and continuity of operations for Horry County law enforcement.
Impact
This bill would repeal the state law establishing the Horry County Police Commission and abolish the commission on June 30, 2026. It would directly alter South Carolina law governing Horry County’s police oversight structure, removing the commission’s statutory authority and leaving any replacement governance arrangement to future legislation or local action. The bill primarily affects Horry County government, the county police department, and residents who rely on the commission’s oversight role.
Sentiment
There is no committee transcript or vote history available in the provided materials, so the bill’s sentiment cannot be measured from recorded debate or roll call data. From the text alone, the measure appears neutral and administrative, with a built-in transition period that suggests a practical, orderly approach rather than a highly contentious policy change.
Contention
No specific contention is documented in the available record because there are no committee transcripts or votes. The likely issues, if raised, would center on whether abolishing the Horry County Police Commission weakens local oversight, who would manage police governance after repeal, and whether the county should retain a separate commission or move to another oversight model.