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The South Carolina Senate has approved a new tax on boat owners for the purpose of collecting revenue for a state waterway cleanup fund.
If approved by the S.C. House of Representatives – and signed into law by governor Henry McMaster – boat owners would be assessed an additional $3 on their annual tax bill for a “Waterways Protection Fund,” which would be administered by the S.C. treasurer and kept “separate and distinct” from the state’s general fund.
Per the legislation, S. 167, monies may only be used by the state Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for the maintenance of the state’s waterways such as removal of debris and abandoned vessels – and for marking hazards that might endanger boaters.
The bill proposes apportioning funds based on the number of tax-paying boat owners in each of the state’s four game-zones, albeit with zone one being expanded to include the entirety of Greenville, Oconee and Pickens counties.
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Upon the request of SCDNR officials, the statute authorizes the S.C. Office of Resilience (SCOR) to award grants to facilitate waterway clean-up activities.
The bill rapidly cleared the Senate’s fish, game and forestry committee – which was no surprise considering the committee’s chairman is Lowcountry Republican senator Chip Campsen, its lead sponsor. Four Republicans – Billy Garrett, Harvey Peeler, Mike Reichenbach and Rex Rice – voted against the bill. All other Republicans and Democrats casting votes supported it.
Per a report (.pdf) from the S.C. Revenue and Fiscal Affairs (SCRFA) office, the legislation would raise taxes on boat owners by approximately $700,000 annually.
The debate over the new waterways protection tax comes as state lawmakers are debating a much larger reduction in property taxes on boats. That bill – S. 317 – was filed two weeks ago and has yet to be considered by the chamber’s finance committee.
Count on FITSNews to keep our audience up to speed on the latest developments related to both bills.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
(Via: Travis Bell)
Dylan Nolan is the director of special projects at FITSNews. He graduated from the Darla Moore school of business in 2021 with an accounting degree. Got a tip or story idea for Dylan? Email him here. You can also engage him socially @DNolan2000.
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3 comments
” “Waterways Protection Fund,” which would be administered by the S.C. treasurer and kept “separate and distinct” from the state’s general fund.” I give it two years before we learn the fund has been raided for some stupid use.
Yep! South Carolina needs its own DOGE.
I hate seeing the money grubbers in the Senate figuring out yet another way to seperate citizens from their money. That said, part of me is kind of glad to see someone sticking it to “the boat people” who manage to clog up the roadways with boats and their trailers throught warm weather. They rarely can do even the speed limit and take forever to make a turn while hauling their precious treasures around for all to admire. Oh, they make the drive-thru lines at fast food places so much more fun, too.
States that have over a billion and a half dollars in surplus funds should not be adding any new taxes or fees of any kind. Full stop.