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Beaufort County votes down local hate‑intimidation ordinance; USCB convocation funding also fails after debate
Summary
Council rejected a proposed county hate‑intimidation ordinance at second reading after objections over First Amendment risks and constitutionality; a separate motion to reallocate roughly $11.1 million in county funds for a proposed USCB convocation center also failed at first reading amid concerns about timing, traffic and priorities.
Two contentious items dominated the latter part of Beaufort County Council’s April 27 meeting: a proposed county hate‑intimidation ordinance and a funding request for a University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) convocation center.
Hate‑intimidation ordinance: The measure, drafted by staff following direction from the community services committee, would have created a county criminal offense for intimidation based on protected characteristics. Staff noted earlier versions considered a criminal penalty with a 500‑foot distance provision but that committee and solicitor input led to a narrower local criminal/misdemeanor draft; county counsel…
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