Forestry Commission, the official text

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

(A107, R114, H3629)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 48-23-120, RELATING TO FORESTRY COMMISSION ACQUISITIONS, SO AS TO PERMIT ACQUISITION OF TIMBERLANDS AND AGRICULTURAL LANDS, TO PROVIDE FOR USES OF THOSE LANDS AND PROHIBIT ACQUISITION OF LAND AT A PRICE EXCEEDING ITS FAIR MARKET VALUE; BY AMENDING SECTION 48-23-132, RELATING TO REVENUES FROM SPECIFIED SOURCES, SO AS TO OUTLINE WHAT THE FUNDS MAY BE USED FOR; BY AMENDING SECTION 48-33-60, RELATING TO DUTIES AND POWERS OF COUNTY FORESTRY BOARDS AND EMPLOYEES, SO AS TO SPECIFY DUTIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 48-33-70, RELATING TO FOREST FIRE PROTECTION ACTIVITIES, SO AS TO UPDATE PLAN REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 48-33-80, RELATING TO ACCESS TO PROPERTY, SO AS TO DESIGNATE WHO MAY ACCESS LAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREVENTING OR CONTROLLING FIRES; BY REPEALING SECTION 48-23-270 RELATING TO USE OF REVENUE FOR SCRUB OAK ERADICATION, REFORESTATION, TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT, AND HARVEST CUTTING IN STATE PARKS; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 48-23-280 RELATING TO USE OF REVENUE FOR SCRUB OAK ERADICATION AND REFORESTATION IN MANCHESTER AND SANDHILLS STATE FORESTS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Acquisition of real estate

SECTION 1. Section 48-23-120 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

Section 48-23-120. The State Commission of Forestry may acquire, by purchase, gift, or otherwise, timberlands and agricultural lands, and use such lands for timber production, demonstration in forestry practice, erosion and flood prevention, game sanctuaries, public shooting grounds, public hunting, and places of general recreation. The State Commission of Forestry must not acquire land by purchase at a price exceeding its fair market value.

Purposes for which revenues may be used

SECTION 2. Section 48-23-132 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

Section 48-23-132. Revenue received from hunting privileges, rentals, fuel wood sales, the marketing of pine straw, merchantable timber, forest tree seed, and miscellaneous products on commission lands must be retained by the commission to be used for reforestation of state forests, the development and operation of state forests and forest tree seed orchards, the maintenance of wildlife habitat, and the administration and operation of various programs on commission holdings. The commission may carry forward unexpended funds under this section to be used for those purposes.

County forestry boards

SECTION 3. Section 48-33-60 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

Section 48-33-60. The county boards shall assist in the efficient performance of the requirements of this chapter and the general conduct of the forestry program in the county.

Forest fire protection updates

SECTION 4. Section 48-33-70 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

Section 48-33-70. The State Commission of Forestry shall present an update on forest fire protection activities at the annual meeting of the board. It shall have power to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the administration of forest fire protection.

Access to property

SECTION 5. Section 48-33-80 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

Section 48-33-80. The State Commission of Forestry and any of its authorized agents may, at any or all times, go upon any land for the purpose of preventing or controlling forest fires, as defined herein, without making themselves liable for trespassing.

Repeal

SECTION 6.A. Section 48-23-270 of the S.C. Code is repealed.

B. Section 48-23-280 of the S.C. Code is repealed.

Effective date

SECTION 7. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 25th day of March, 2026.

Approved the 30th day of March, 2026.

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