Bill > H4398

This bill amends South Carolina's existing law regarding hobby licenses for recovering objects from submerged archaeological and paleontological sites, specifically clarifying and expanding the provisions for using magnets to retrieve items. The legislation explicitly permits individuals with a hobby license to collect a reasonable number of artifacts or fossil specimens per day from submerged lands, with the key condition that these items must be either exposed on the bottom sediments or recoverable by hand or magnet. The bill maintains strict restrictions on using mechanical equipment like dredges, air lifts, or pneumatic lift bags, ensuring that recovery methods are minimally invasive. Additionally, the bill requires that individuals contact a museum before attempting to recover a fossil specimen with joined or interrelated elements, which helps protect potentially significant paleontological resources. The amendment aims to provide clearer guidelines for hobbyists interested in magnet fishing or artifact collection while preserving the archaeological and paleontological integrity of submerged sites. The bill will take effect immediately upon receiving the Governor's approval.

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https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4398&session=126&summary=B