New Senate Bills Requires Officials to Report Who Pays Them

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)– Public officials in South Carolina would have to report who pays them under legislation approved by the Senate.

The Senate voted 40-1 on Wednesday to require elected and appointed officials to annually disclose their sources of income. Beyond legislators, that includes the governor, members of city and county councils, school boards and many other boards.

They would not have to report how much they’re paid.

Democratic Sen. Vincent Sheheen called it “fake” disclosure. He says there’s a big difference in being paid $100 or $1 million. But his proposal requiring amounts to be posted failed.

Judiciary Chairman Larry Martin says requiring someone to specify an amount would result in people being unable to seek office. He says voters can determine potential conflicts by seeing the income source.