The bill H. 3858 proposes significant amendments to the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding the titling and taxation of watercraft and outboard motors. It seeks to remove the requirement for outboard motors to be titled while introducing a property tax exemption for fifty percent of the fair market value of watercraft. Additionally, the bill allows county auditors to consolidate tax notices for boats, boat motors, and watercraft and includes provisions for marine dealers, such as annual permit applications and guidelines for issuing demonstration numbers. The overall aim is to streamline the titling process and provide tax relief for watercraft owners. Further amendments focus on the management of certificates of title, requiring detailed information about ownership and liens, and facilitating electronic transmission of title information. The bill outlines procedures for transferring ownership, maintaining accurate records, and issuing duplicate titles. It also establishes penalties for fraudulent activities related to titles and mandates that all fees collected be deposited into a special fund for administrative expenses. Key provisions include the requirement for county auditors to mail renewal notices and the introduction of a temporary certificate of number for watercraft during application processing. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, applying to property tax years beginning thereafter.

Statutes affected:
01/30/2025: 50-23-345, 50-23-375, 12-37-3210, 12-37-220
04/30/2025: 50-23-345, 50-23-375, 12-37-3210, 12-37-220
05/06/2025: 50-23-345, 50-23-375, 12-37-3210, 12-37-220
05/07/2025: 50-23-345, 50-23-375, 12-37-3210, 12-37-220
Latest Version: 50-23-345, 50-23-375, 12-37-3210, 12-37-220