S.C. politics
House members, senators near compromise on body camera bill
A group of S.C. senators and representatives appear poised to reach a compromise on a bill promoting police body cameras.
The three senators on a conference committee said Wednesday they would talk to senators about accepting the House proposal to take a year to have law enforcement, defense lawyers and others study the issue and create guidelines. The Senate proposed a six-month study.
State Rep. Tommy Pope, R-York, says the extra time gives lawmakers a chance to find more money for body cameras.
House members told senators they would be willing to drop their language safeguarding cases where a body camera malfunctions because it isn’t necessary.
The committee hopes Thursday to send the bill back to the whole House and Senate to be considered at a special session.
Bill requiring agendas at meetings sent to governor’s desk
A bill requiring government bodies to publish agendas before public meetings is on its way to Gov. Nikki Haley’s desk.
The House unanimously passed a compromise bill Wednesday, a day after the Senate passed the same proposal on a 39-0 vote.
The bill also requires a two-thirds vote to add an item to the agenda within 24 hours of the meeting or while the meeting is taking place.
For decades, public bodies in South Carolina published agendas, but a state Supreme Court ruling last year said that was not required.
Supporters of the bill say agendas are critical to let people know exactly what proposals a county or city council or other public body plans to discuss.
The Associated Press