Senate overrides veto of fire grants

The Senate overrode Gov. Mark Sanford's veto of V-Safe, or the Volunteer Strategic Assistance and Fire Equipment Program Tuesday, by a vote of 41-1. The bill, which Sanford also vetoed last year, and almost apologized for vetoing it again this year, provides grants to volunteer and combination fire departments to purchase safety equipment, as appropriated funds allow

House turns back sex offender registry veto

By one vote House lawmakers overrode Gov. Mark Sanford's veto Tuesday of a bill that prohibits local governments from enacting their own sex offender residency requirements.

If the Senate agrees with the House, local governments must comply with state law, prohibiting offenders from living within 1,000 feet of schools, playgrounds and other places where children congregate.

Two thirds of House lawmakers needed to vote in favor of overturning Sanford's veto. The  Senate voted 77 to 38 in favor of overturning the veto.

Sanford objected to the bill because it cut the penalty for failing to register as a sex offender to 30 days from 90 days. The penalty reduction would be in place while the S.C. Law Enforcement Division figures out a mapping system to determine where sex offenders can legally live under the law.

Bill approved for Capitol Police Force

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill to establish a Capitol Police Force, which Senate President Glenn McConnell said would bring safety to thousands of visitors, state employees, and lawmakers who come to the Capitol each year to work and sight-see. 

The new force, which would consist of the House and Senate sergeants-at- arms and the Marshall of the Supreme Court, would replace the security currently provided by the Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Public Services in patroling the State House grounds and guarding the underground parking garage, in addition to the Supreme Court grounds at Sumter and Gervais streets. 

McConnell said the new force is necessary because Gov. Mark Sanford stripped security from entry points to the State House grounds last year. Some senators opposed the measure on the grounds that it could be unconstitutional, and surps authority from the executive branch of government. The bill passed the committee 17-5 and goes to the Senate floor.

SLED chief says gangs growing in S.C.

The presence and influence of gangs in South Carolina is growing, according to SLED Chief Reggie Lloyd.

Speaking to the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, Lloyd said the state's 1895 criminal justice system is "overburdened and on the verge of collapse," as it deals with ceiminals from arrest trhrough the system to parole. 

"Per capita, we are the most violent state in the union," he told senators, as as the state is constantly at or near the top of statistics in gun deaths, criminal sexual assault, and criminal domestic violence.

"We've been that way for a very long time," Lloyd said. 

Under questioning from Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, Lloyd said he would be willing to meet with a wide range of stakeholders to help get pending legislation approved that could help reduce crime in South Carolina.

McConnell: Bill breaks back of career criminals

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell has released a video statement urging the House to agree to a Senate-authored bill that would allow police to search anyone on probation, parole or other supervised release without a warrant.

House overrides Sanford on guns at State House

By a vote of 32 to 1, senators overrode Gov. Mark Sanford's veto of  a bill that would allow concealed weapons in the State House parking garage.

House overrides Sanford on sprinkler bill

The House has unanimously overridden the governor's veto of a bill that would give tax incentives to businesses and homeowners who install sprinkler systems.

The bill was inspired in part by the deaths of nine Charleston firefighters and the deaths of seven S.C. college students in a North Carolina beach house.

The House voted with no debate. House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, moved to take the vote before lunch because the vote "wouldn't take long."

The measure now heads to the Senate, where a two-thirds vote there would make the bill law.

Senate overrides Sanford on bill to protect coaches

The Senate has overridden the veto of a bill (S.557) that gives special protection to coaches and sports officials. Gov. Mark Sanford argued the bill would unfairly elevate coaches and sports above other crime victims. The bill gives stiffer criminal penalties for assaulting a coach or sports officials.

Now the House must  also vote to override Sanford for the bill to become law.

Keel to be sworn in as DPS director

Gov. Mark Sanford will swear in Mark Keel as the new Director of the state Department of Public Safety Tuesday.

Keel was nominated by the governor in April to lead the Department -- which includes the Highway Patrol -- and was confirmed by the Senate earlier this month.

The swearing in will take place at 1 p.m. in the Governor's Office of the S.C. Statehouse.

Keel confirmed by the Senate

The S.C. Senate has confirmed Mark Keel as the new head of the Department of Public Safety.

Keel, appointed by Gov. Mark Sanford, will take over the agency that is in charge of the S.C. Highway Patrol. Videos showing a trooper using a racial slur and several troopers hitting suspects rocked the agency, forcing the two top administrators to resign.