SC House sends ethics reform to special committee

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House has created a special committee to evaluate the Senate version of ethics reform legislation.

The House on Wednesday sent the version the Senate passed last month to a Judiciary subcommittee. The House version passed last year.

Ordinarily, when the chambers disagree on each other’s versions, the measure goes to a conference committee made of up three House and Senate members to iron out differences.

But House Judiciary Chairman Greg Delleney says the bill is too important for a simple vote. Delleney says sending the bill to the committee will speed its potential for passage.

A major difference is the Senate leaves intact the system of House and Senate ethics committees overseeing their colleagues. The House version called for independent investigations, with committees still deciding punishment.