Section 573490. The Circuit Court of Richland County has exclusive jurisdiction over actions between the department and a private entity for breach of a partnership agreement, whether the action is for monetary damages or declaratory, injunctive, or other equitable relief. A partnership agreement may contain a dispute resolution process, including, but not limited to, an obligation to participate in mandatory, nonbinding alternative dispute resolution. Section 573500. Partnership agreements may not be assigned, transferred, or sold without the prior written consent of the Department of Transportation Commission. The commission may not consent to a transfer, assignment, or sale unless it is in the public interest. Section 573510. The department may employ or contract with consultants and other specialists, as may be necessary, to carry out the duties and functions of this article. Any consultants or specialists, including the independent financial consultant, retained by the department are public employees for the purposes of the conflict of interest provisions contained Chapter 13, Title 8. Section 573520. The financial structure of a transportation facility subject to a partnership agreement authorized pursuant to Section 573200 may be refinanced pursuant to the provisions contained in this article if the refinancing is in the best interest of the public and allows for the continued operation and maintenance of the facility. Section 573530. The department may adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this article as it deems necessary and appropriate.” SECTION 3. Chapter 3, Title 57 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding: “Article 9 Toll Roads, Use of Tolls, and Collection of Revenue Section 573900. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) means the South Carolina Department of ‘Department’ Transportation.
Section 573490. The Circuit Court of Richland County has exclusive jurisdiction over actions between the department and a private entity for breach of a partnership agreement, whether the action is for monetary damages or declaratory, injunctive, or other equitable relief. A partnership agreement may contain a dispute resolution process, including, but not limited to, an obligation to participate in mandatory, nonbinding alternative dispute resolution. Section 573500. Partnership agreements may not be assigned, transferred, or sold without the prior written consent of the Department of Transportation Commission. The commission may not consent to a transfer, assignment, or sale unless it is in the public interest. Section 573510. The department may employ or contract with consultants and other specialists, as may be necessary, to carry out the duties and functions of this article. Any consultants or specialists, including the independent financial consultant, retained by the department are public employees for the purposes of the conflict of interest provisions contained Chapter 13, Title 8. Section 573520. The financial structure of a transportation facility subject to a partnership agreement authorized pursuant to Section 573200 may be refinanced pursuant to the provisions contained in this article if the refinancing is in the best interest of the public and allows for the continued operation and maintenance of the facility. Section 573530. The department may adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this article as it deems necessary and appropriate.” SECTION 3. Chapter 3, Title 57 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding: “Article 9 Toll Roads, Use of Tolls, and Collection of Revenue Section 573900. As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) ‘Department’ means the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
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