South Carolina General Assembly
116th Session, 2005-2006
S. 1314
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Judiciary Committee
Document Path: l:\s-jud\bills\mcconnell\jud0080.gfm.doc
Introduced in the Senate on April 5, 2006
Introduced in the House on April 13, 2006
Last Amended on April 6, 2006
Currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary
Summary: Order of the Sword and Mace
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
DateBodyAction Description with journal page number
4/5/2006SenateIntroduced, read first time, placed on calendar without reference SJ8
4/6/2006Scrivener's error corrected
4/6/2006SenateAmended
4/6/2006SenateRead second time
4/6/2006SenateUnanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
4/7/2006Scrivener's error corrected
4/7/2006SenateRead third time and sent to House
4/13/2006HouseIntroduced and read first time HJ15
4/13/2006HouseReferred to Committee on JudiciaryHJ15
5/17/2006HouseCommittee report: Favorable JudiciaryHJ7
5/24/2006HouseRecommitted to Committee on JudiciaryHJ49
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
4/5/2006
4/5/2006-A
4/6/2006
4/6/2006-A
4/7/2006
5/17/2006
COMMITTEE REPORT
May 17, 2006
S.1314
Introduced by Judiciary Committee
S. Printed 5/17/06--H.
Read the first time April 13, 2006.
THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
To whom was referred a Bill (S.1314) to amend Title 2, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Chapter 79 to create the Order of the Sword and Mace, the highest civilian honor that, etc., respectfully
REPORT:
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
JAMES H. HARRISON for Committee.
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A BILL
TO AMEND TITLE 2, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 79 TO CREATE THE ORDER OF THE SWORD AND MACE, THE HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOR THAT MAY BE AWARDED TO LIVING PERSONS OR AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; TO RECOGNIZE STATE CITIZENS FOR EXCELLENCE, VALOR, OR EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE METHOD OF SELECTING HONOREES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION1. Title 2 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
“CHAPTER 79
The Order of the Sword and Mace
Section 27910.By enacting this statute, the General Assembly creates the Order of the Sword and Mace, the highest civilian honor that may be awarded to a living person or awarded posthumously to a person whose death occurs after the effective date of this chapter by the General Assembly to recognize a state resident’s excellence, valor, or extraordinary service.
Section 27920.A joint committee of Selection for the Order of the Sword and Mace must be comprised of six members as follows:
(1)three members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate: one upon the recommendation of the Majority Leader of the Senate, one upon the recommendation of the Minority Leader of the Senate, and one appointed at large from the membership of the Senate; and
(2)three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives: one upon the recommendation of the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, one upon the recommendation of the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and one appointed at large from the membership of the House of Representatives.
Section 27930.Members of the joint committee shall serve terms of two years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Members may be appointed to serve consecutive terms. Vacancies must be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the manner of original appointment.
Section 27940.The joint committee must be cochaired by the senior member of the Senate and the senior member of the House of Representatives serving on the joint committee. Meetings are to be scheduled at the call of the chairmen and must be held at least once each quarter.
Section 27950.The joint committee shall design a frameable certificate to be awarded to recipients of the Order of the Sword and Mace. The certificate must incorporate a representation of: (1) the State Sword and the State Mace, (2) seals of the State, the State Senate, and the State House of Representatives, and (3) the words from the State Seal ‘Dum Spiro Spero’ (While I Breathe, I Hope). In addition, the certificate must provide a description of the purpose for awarding the Order of the Sword and Mace and the signatures of the joint committee members, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Section 27960.In order to be considered by the members of the Joint Committee for the Order of the Sword and Mace, a nominee must:
(1)be or have been a resident of the State of South Carolina;
(2)have demonstrated excellence, valor, or service that has benefited or brought honor to the community, State, or country;
(3)have a recommendation that:
(a)lists the reasons for awarding the nominee the Order of the Sword and Mace; and
(b)is endorsed by at least one member of the General Assembly who is serving at the time the recommendation is made; and
(3)have at least two additional letters of support that:
(a)may be submitted by members of the General Assembly or other persons; and
(b)document reasons for awarding the nominee the Order of the Sword and Mace.
Section 27970. (A)The joint committee shall confer the Order of the Sword and Mace upon a nominee who meets the qualifications in Section 27960 and any additional qualifications the joint committee determines to be appropriate and consistent with maintaining the highest standards for awarding the Order of the Sword and Mace.
(B)Any additional qualifications established by the joint committee must be distributed to each member of the General Assembly and be made available to the public upon request or through publicly accessible documentation.
Section 27980.The joint committee must be staffed by personnel assigned by the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.”
SECTION2.This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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