Senate panel OKs bill changing ethics probe rules

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina Senate panel has approved a bill that would increase the amount of time that state ethics investigators have to prosecute public officials.

A Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Wednesday passed the proposal that would extend the time for ethics investigations to three years after the employee leaves public office. Current law limits investigations to four years after the alleged offense.

The panel also approved an amendment from Sen. Chip Campsen that would use whichever time period is longer, giving ethics officials the maximum amount of time to pursue a case.

The subcommittee also approved a bill that would require people up for consideration for a board voted on by state lawmakers to disclose any campaign contributions.

Both bills now go to the full Judiciary Committee for debate.