The bill H. 4747 proposes to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 4-9-43, which authorizes counties operating a countywide water and sewer system as of July 1, 2026, to acquire municipal water systems within their jurisdiction. The acquisition process includes a petition that must be signed by at least forty percent of the qualified electors in the service area of the municipal system, followed by a public meeting and the potential enactment of an ordinance by the county governing body. The bill outlines specific requirements for the petition, public notice, and the timeline for these actions.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that upon the enactment of the ordinance, the county will gain ownership and operational control of the municipal water system, along with its associated obligations. It also ensures that the provisions do not impair existing bond covenants or contractual obligations of the municipal water system without consent from affected parties. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
12/17/2025: 4-9-43
Latest Version: 4-9-43