First lawsuit filed over missing South Carolina seal

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The first legal challenge has been filed following the discovery that more than a hundred South Carolina laws are missing the state seal.

Greenville attorney Joshua Hawkins filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking confirmation to determine whether two tort reform bills passed in 2005 and 2011 have the state's Great Seal.

If not, Hawkins says the laws would be invalid, as the South Carolina Constitution requires the mark for acts to be officially law.

Last week, The Associated Press reported more than 100 acts were missing the seal. Secretary of State Mark Hammond told the AP he expected hearings and likely legal challenges and that moving forward he'd make sure the seal is on all acts.

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Associated Press