DMV to move directly under Sanford

Gov. Mark Sanford will sign into law today a bill to move the Division of Motor Vehicles under his direct supervision.

The bill creates a new Department of Motor Vehicles with a director appointed by the governor. It is now a division of the Department of Public Safety. The bill also allows the DMV to hire private companies to conduct driver's license examinations.

The bill is the second phase of DMV reform. Last month, Sanford announced a series of changes, including Saturday office hours at some DMV locations.

House approves bill to allow free-pour drinks

The House gave key approval Wednesday to a bill that would allow bars and restaurants to sell free-pour drinks as well as minibottles.

South Carolina is the only state that requires bars to use the 1.7-ounce bottles. While the bill does not do away with minibottles, it does allow alcoholic drinks to be made with free-pour methods.

The bill still must be approved by a two-thirds vote in the Senate. If it doesn't pass by the end of the session Thursday, it still could be brought up when the General Assembly reconvenes in January for the second part of the two-year session.

A separate bill, which could be taken up today, calls for a referendum in November 2004 on the issue, and some observers say it might have an easier time in the Senate. If a referendum is required, the change could not be implemented before July 2005.

Sanford Signs Securities Fraud Bill

Fueled by millions of dollars lost in an Upstate investment company, a bill to give the state greater power to investigate securities fraud was signed Wednesday by Gov. Mark Sanford.

State Attorney General Henry McMaster said he plans to begin using the new law immediately. He is taking steps to begin a state grand jury investigation of Carolina Investors Inc., McMaster said.

The law also extends the statute of limitations for legal action to three years after the initial discovery of wrongdoing.

Senate refuses to override veto

Hunters won't have to wear international orange on private hunting land because Gov. Mark Sanford vetoed the measure and the Senate refused to override it.

Sanford vetoed the bill April 22, saying that the House bill represented an intrusion into private property rights. The House overrode the veto last week with an 86-22 vote.

But supporters of the law couldn't muster the necessary two-thirds vote in the Senate.

"Where does it stop once you let Big Brother in?" Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said as he argued against overriding the veto.

"This is a minor, minor inconvenience to save a life," Senate Minority Leader John Land, D-Manning said, arguing for the vests.