Independent Reviews of Legislators Steps From Being Law

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Complaints against South Carolina’s legislators would be independently investigated under an ethics reform bill that could reach the finish line this session after four years of debate.

If the Senate accepts changes that the House approved Thursday, the legislation will go to Gov. Nikki Haley’s desk.

Changes made by the House include how State Ethics commissioners are chosen and who decides whether a legislator likely violated the law.

Under the House amendment, the revamped commission would make that determination before sending the case back to House and Senate ethics committees for a public hearing. Under the Senate’s version, the commission would issue recommendations to the legislative panels.

House Speaker Pro Tem Tommy Pope says letting the independent body decide probable cause will help restore the public’s trust.