(A) The revenue generated by the hospitality tax must be used exclusively for the following purposes:

(1) tourism-related buildings including, but not limited to, civic centers, coliseums, and aquariums;

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 6-1-730

  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.

(2) tourism-related cultural, recreational, or historic facilities;

(3) beach access and renourishment;

(4) highways, roads, streets, and bridges providing access to tourist destinations;

(5) advertisements and promotions related to tourism development;

(6) water and sewer infrastructure to serve tourism-related demand;

(7) control and repair of flooding and drainage within or on tourism-related lands or areas; or

(8) site preparation for items in this section including, but not limited to, demolition, repair, or construction.

(B)(1) In a county in which at least nine hundred thousand dollars in accommodations taxes is collected annually pursuant to § 12-36-920, the revenues of the hospitality tax authorized in this article may be used for the operation and maintenance of those items provided in (A)(1) through (6) including police, fire protection, emergency medical services, and emergency-preparedness operations directly attendant to those facilities.

(2) In a county in which less than nine hundred thousand dollars in accommodations taxes is collected annually pursuant to § 12-36-920, an amount not to exceed fifty percent of the revenue in the preceding fiscal year of the local hospitality tax authorized pursuant to this article may be used for the additional purposes provided in item (1) of this subsection.

(C) If applying the provisions of subsection (A)(7), then the revenues must be expended exclusively on public works projects designed to eliminate or mitigate the adverse effects of recurrent nuisance flooding, including that which is attributable to sea-level rise, or other recurrent flooding. Such adverse effects include road closures and other transportation disruptions, stormwater drainage issues, and compromised public infrastructure. The public works projects must be within or on tourism-related lands or areas. Revenues must not be used to pay claims or otherwise settle litigation that may arise from time to time due to the harmful impacts of nuisance or other flooding.