Bill
H 4350
Beaufort County now has updated, split precincts and map references codified in statute, with polling places to be set by the elections board pending delegation approval.
Note on source material
- The documents supplied appear to combine text from two different measures: (1) a South Carolina amendment to the designation of voting precincts in Beaufort County (amendment to S.C. Code §7‑7‑110), and (2) a Massachusetts House bill (H.4350) authorizing the Town of Brookline to adopt a real‑estate transfer fee. The enacted Act No. 53 and the legislative actions listed (signed by Governor 05/12/2025, effective 05/12/2025) correspond to the Beaufort County precincts measure. This summary focuses first on the Beaufort County precincts act, then briefly summarizes the Brookline transfer‑fee language that appears in the packet.
1) Beaufort County voting precincts (primary subject)
Overview and purpose
- Amends S.C. Code §7‑7‑110 to (a) update and statutorily list the voting precincts in Beaufort County, (b) split several existing precincts into lettered sub‑precincts (e.g., Bluffton 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D; numerous others), and (c) redesignate the map reference number(s) that depict precinct lines.
Key provisions
- Provides a comprehensive statutory list of Beaufort County precinct names (including many subdivided precincts such as Bluffton 1A–1D, Bluffton 2A–2F, Hilton Head 1A–15B, Ladys Island series, Sun City 1–10, St. Helena 1A–1D, etc.).
- Specifies that precinct lines are as shown on the official map prepared by the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office and on file as document P‑13‑24 and P‑13‑25 (map documents provided to the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections).
- Directs that the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections establishes polling places for the precincts, subject to approval by a majority of the Beaufort County legislative delegation.
- Effective date: the act takes effect upon the Governor’s approval (signed and effective 05/12/2025).
Who is affected / potential impacts
- Voters and election administrators in Beaufort County: changes to statutory precinct designations and map references can change precinct boundaries and polling place assignments, triggering updates to voter registration records, precinct assignments, election materials, signage, and poll worker training.
- Local election officials must implement new precinct maps and secure delegation approval for polling place designations.
- The change is administrative/statutory (it codifies precinct names and map references) rather than altering election procedures beyond boundary and polling‑place designation mechanics.
2) Brookline, MA — real estate transfer fee (separate measure appearing in the packet)
Overview (brief)
- Massachusetts House docket/House No. 4350 (presented by Rep. Tommy Vitolo) would authorize the Town of Brookline to impose a real‑estate transfer fee on certain property transfers. The draft text defines terms (affidavit of transfer fee, purchase price, settlement agent, affordable housing trust fund, etc.).
Key features (from supplied excerpts)
- The town may impose a transfer fee on transfers of real property located in Brookline.
- The town may set different rates by property classification and purchase price, with a floor of 0.5% and a ceiling of 2% on the portion of the purchase price (text truncated).
- Fee proceeds are described for deposit into a Brookline Affordable Housing Trust fund to support acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable housing and related purposes.
- The fee is payable at the time of transfer; a settlement‑agent affidavit is required to attest to purchase price and fee status.
Note: The Brookline measure in the packet appears to be a separate local authorization; the text provided is partial and was not the subject of the Beaufort County Act No. 53.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Beaufort County precincts bill: Enacted as Act No. 53, signed by the Governor on 05/12/2025 and effective upon signature.
- The packet also includes later Massachusetts procedural entries (committee referrals and hearings dated July–September 2025) that appear to relate to the Brookline transfer‑fee bill (H.4350) rather than the South Carolina precincts act.
If you want
- I can: (a) produce a plain‑language map of which precincts were split or newly designated; (b) extract and summarize all specific Brookline transfer‑fee provisions (if you provide the complete MA bill text); or (c) compare the new Beaufort precinct map references (P‑13‑24/P‑13‑25) to the prior statutory map number.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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