SC Gov Signs Law against Camping around State House

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has signed a bill banning camping and sleeping on Statehouse grounds. The Republican governor wasted no time Thursday signing the measure preventing Occupy Columbia from continuing its around-the-clock presence outside the capitol. Her signature came soon after the House gave final approval to the bill. The law contains the same wording as the emergency rule adopted in December by the Budget and Control Board after Haley lost in court. But the temporary regulation expired at midnight March 18. Occupy Columbia began its 24-hour protest Oct. 15. Haley ordered protesters to leave Nov. 16, resulting in trespassing charges later dropped and a court fight. Their two-month protest ended Dec. 23 after a federal judge validated the emergency rule. They returned last week after it expired.