COLUMBIA, S.C. - A tougher seat belt bill passed a House subcommittee on Tuesday.

The bill, which cleared the Senate earlier this month, gives police authority to stop adult drivers who are not buckled up. Offenders would be fined $12, plus court costs.

The Education Transportation Safety Subcommittee amended the bill to set a fine of $25 with no court costs that would be used to help pay for the state's Amber Alert system for missing children.

Under current law, adult drivers not wearing seat belts can be cited only if they are stopped for another offense or if children in the car are not properly restrained. The current law allows fines of $25.

Gov. Mark Sanford has said he is concerned that seat belt offenses would not be shared with juries weighing fault and compensation in court cases or end up on drivers' records.

The majority of public testimony opposed the legislation Tuesday, with many arguing it would infringe on personal freedoms.

The bill now heads to the House Education and Public Works Committee.