SC House Approves Ban on State House Camping

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – The South Carolina House has approved a bill banning camping and sleeping in and around the state capitol. The House voted 85-22 Wednesday on a measure that would bar Occupy Columbia protesters from continuing their around-the-clock presence on Statehouse grounds. Another perfunctory vote on Thursday would send it to Gov. Nikki Haley’s desk. She has asked legislators to get it to her quickly to sign. The measure contains the same wording as the emergency rule adopted in December by the Budget and Control Board. The emergency stemmed from Haley losing in court. But such temporary regulations expire after 90 days, which was midnight March 18. Occupy Columbia protesters ended their two-month protest Dec. 23 after a federal judge validated the emergency rule. They returned last week after it expired.