AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 55-11-620, RELATING TO THE PEE DEE REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UPON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE VARIOUS COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 55-11-630, RELATING TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE AUTHORITY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A PERPETUAL EXEMPTION FROM THE IMPOSITION OR ASSESSMENT OF STORMWATER FEES; BY AMENDING SECTION 55-11-640, RELATING TO THE PROMULGATION OF CERTAIN REGULATIONS BY THE AUTHORITY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN FINES COLLECTED MUST BE FORWARDED TO THE PEE DEE REGIONAL AIRPORT DISTRICT; AND BY ADDING SECTION 55-11-740 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE PEE DEE REGIONAL AIRPORT DISTRICT MAY APPLY TO THE FOREIGN-TRADE ZONES BOARD TO ESTABLISH, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN FOREIGN-TRADE ZONES.
H5506 revises the statutory framework for the Pee Dee Regional Airport Authority. The bill changes how members of the nine-member authority are selected by requiring the Governor to appoint members based on recommendations from the relevant county legislative delegations, replacing references to county councils and the Florence City Council. It also preserves the existing structure of staggered terms, term limits, vacancy appointments, and per diem compensation for members.
The bill further expands the authority’s powers and protections. It adds a perpetual exemption from stormwater fees, charges, assessments, or similar exactions imposed by state, county, municipal, or contracted third parties. It also redirects fines and forfeitures collected under the relevant airport district provisions to the Pee Dee Regional Airport District’s general operating fund. In addition, the bill authorizes the district to apply to the federal Foreign-Trade Zones Board to establish, operate, and maintain foreign-trade zones in seven Pee Dee counties: Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Horry, Marion, and Marlboro.
Overall, the bill would strengthen the airport district’s operational autonomy and financial position while giving it new economic development authority tied to foreign-trade zones. It amends Title 55 of the South Carolina Code, specifically the provisions governing the Pee Dee Regional Airport District and Authority, and would take effect upon gubernatorial approval.
The bill appears to have broad support. It passed the House 101-0, passed the Senate on second reading 42-0, and later received unanimous House concurrence in Senate amendments by a 103-0 vote. No committee transcript is available, but the voting record suggests little opposition and a generally favorable view of the measure.
The main points of potential contention, based on the text, would likely involve local control and fiscal impacts: shifting appointment recommendations from city and county councils to legislative delegations, and granting a perpetual exemption from stormwater-related charges. However, the unanimous votes indicate those issues did not generate recorded opposition in the legislative process.
The bill amends Section 55-11-620 to change the appointment process for the Pee Dee Regional Airport Authority, substituting county legislative delegations for local councils in recommending members to the Governor. It also amends Section 55-11-630 to create a permanent exemption from stormwater fees and related assessments, amends Section 55-11-640(E) to direct fines and forfeitures to the district’s operating fund, and adds Section 55-11-740 to authorize foreign-trade zone applications and operations in multiple Pee Dee counties. These changes affect the governance, revenue, and economic development powers of the Pee Dee Regional Airport District and Authority.
The recorded legislative sentiment is strongly favorable. The bill passed the House, Senate second reading, and House concurrence unanimously or near-unanimously, with no recorded dissenting votes. That voting pattern suggests broad bipartisan support and little visible controversy in the formal legislative record.
The most notable substantive issues are the shift in appointment authority from local councils to county legislative delegations, the creation of a perpetual exemption from stormwater fees and similar charges, and the redirection of fines and forfeitures to the district rather than other local funds. Those provisions could raise questions about local control, revenue allocation, and the scope of the airport district’s exemptions. Even so, the unanimous votes indicate that any such concerns were not reflected in recorded opposition.